More knocking at the apartment's doors surprised Arthur and Sion but Catherine dutifully moved to check the doors. Moments later, she returned with Val'narii Ashfallen nervously following her.

  "Miss Val'narii brought you the new identification tag, my Lord." The Nekomi announced with a neutral voice, looking at Arthur.

  "L-L-lord Howthorns... Lord Ives..." The Dark Elven woman seemed to be surprised by the presence of the city lord.

  "Miss Val'narii, what a happy coincidence!" Sion sat back down on the couch, and Arthur followed suit.

  The Inquisitor glanced at Catherine and moved his gaze to the couch but she just shook her head in denial. However, she smiled at him and that was enough. Their silent discussion lasted less than a heartbeat and went unnoticed by anyone. Arthur accepted the tag and allowed Sion to explain the Gnoll problem to Val'narii. The woman listened calmly but she seemed nervous when the Baron demanded to post an open hunting quest.

  "Open hunting?" Arthur looked at Sion with surprise. "What's that?"

  "Basically it's a culling order, Lord Ives," Val'narii explained. "Anyone can participate, no matter their rank, and they are paid for each kill proof they bring. Usually, the right ear because it has no value."

  "Convenient." Arthur nodded with a smile. There were some similar quests in Arcadia but they were simply called an 'Extermination'.

  "Maybe... But it's very dangerous." Val'narii shook her head. "Gnolls are known for avenging their packmates so hunting down only their scouting parties will certainly piss off the main horde."

  "That wasn't going to be a problem." Sion grinned. "I plan to send the company of my best soldiers and I asked my friend, Lord Ives, to help deal with the problem."

  "Oh..." Val'narii slowly nodded with a much more confident expression. "In that case, I believe the Guilds will help quell the remaining Gnolls."

  "One more thing, Miss Val'narii." Sion smiled. "I would like to offer you a personal quest to assist my soldiers and Lord Ives. I don't think that Lord Ives'... Hmmm... Retinue? Guides? Ben and Silfa know much about Gnolls and their dwellings. I reckon that Miss Catherine doesn't know much either."

  The Noble looked at the Nekomi but it was a fairly polite and respectful gaze. Catherine furrowed her brows.

  "I'm afraid that you are right, Lord Howthorns." She slightly bowed to Sion. "I don't know much other than very general knowledge."

  "I..." Val'narii hesitated but Arthur wasn't sure if that was just for show or something else. "I suppose I could help... Depending on the pay."

  "Of course! What do you say of two small gold coins? If the Gnolls' den turns out to be a fledgling fortress, I will increase the pay accordingly. As a bonus, I won't require any proof of difficulty because I will trust the word of Lord Ives. I'm fully aware that what is easy for him is not exactly easy for us but I believe that his judgment will be fair."

  "Very well." The Dark Elf agreed so quickly that Arthur wasn't sure if the pay was that good or if something had happened and she needed to disappear quickly. "When do we embark?"

  "The company is on standby and they are ready to go at a moment’s notice." Sion shrugged. "While I believe we have a few more days, I would like to have it dealt with as soon as possible. Simply put, it all depends on how long Lord Ives would need to prepare."

  "I will need a few hours. I assume that it will take a few days to reach and clear the den, right?" Arthur shrugged.

  "Indeed," Sion confirmed with a nod. "I took care of the supplies and transport so you don't need to bother, Lord Ives."

  "Nonetheless, I would want to buy a few things and get rid of some things that only take up space in my storage." Arthur smiled with a wave of his hand. "I know that it's urgent so I will take care of everything as fast as possible. Maybe two or three hours and, then, we can depart so you can give the order to the soldiers to wait outside the main gate. Of course, only if Miss Val'narii can make it in time..."

  "No problem, my Lords." She bowed respectfully. "With your permission, I will leave to arrange the quest for the Adventurers and prepare myself for the mission."

  "Excellent. Please, proceed, Miss Val'narii Ashfallen." Sion said and waited for her to leave the room before he looked at Arthur. "I don't know what is going on but recently I received many very disturbing reports about missing adventurers and attacks on Dark Elves. While I still need to investigate the former, the latter is clearly inspired by the mad teachings of some extremists from the Temple. I don't know if you were aware but the local, and fortunately dead, Bishop Hiijan was responsible for spreading this hate. I have a personal debt to Miss Val'narii so that's why I’m insistent on taking her with the company. She will be much safer with you than in my city for the next few days."

  "I... I learned it from the bandits who attacked me during my hunt for this cat." Arthur pointed to the Armoured Lion's body. "Well... I guess I should have told you about that but it didn't seem to be the occasion for it."

  "It looks like a long story..." Sion shook his head. "Miss Catherine, would you be so kind as to inform the cooks to prepare us more refreshments?"

  She looked at Arthur, who smiled and nodded at her with an expectant gaze, so she lowered her head toward him.

  "It's fine, Cate. Go and do what he asked, then go somewhere and take a rest. There is no need for you to tire yourself standing here." He whispered.

  "All right, Sir." She said in an equally quiet whisper but, this time, 'Sir' sounded much more emotional than usual.

  As she turned to leave, Arthur began explaining what had happened, along with the testimonies of the Templars. Sion was listening carefully and barely even noticed when Catherine returned with the refreshments, then disappeared to the bedroom. Arthur wondered if he should explain in detail what happened in the Adventurers' Association but decided not to reveal everything. He barely mentioned that Soren also noticed the same thing happening.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  "So Director Soren is in town... I have to pay him a visit before he vanishes." Sion rubbed his chin.

  "Even if you miss him, he will return in two weeks. He offered me a very interesting quest..." Arthur smiled.

  "Investigating the Ruins?" Sion grinned. "Excellent!"

  "So you know..."

  "A bit. Adventurers are mostly independent and generally support the people who pay better, but not always. They aren't mercenaries, after all." Sion grinned. "However, as I told you earlier, things are slowly sorting out who is on whose side in Saftia. But, contrary to the panic of some people, things need years to brew beyond the point of the usual hostility between the nobles and occasional attacks."

  "But attacks on the Dark Elves..." Arthur allowed the question to hang in the air.

  While he wasn't so eager to reveal his thoughts for Soren and Val'narii, Sion's case was different. The local noble openly admitted his allegiance and even promised to protect Arthur to the best of his abilities. Considering that he was a part of a larger faction, his protection might prove useful, even if said protection was going to be formal. Honestly, Arthur preferred it that way. He was capable of physically protecting himself and Catherine from nearly anything Mortals might throw at them but the political, or worse, religious repercussions might force him to flee.

  "Fortunately, now that Doram is cured and Bishop Hiijan is dead, my wife Elene will take over the local Temple. The remaining priests will cooperate. Most of them were actually exiled here for their beliefs and, without Hiijan around, the remaining few supporters of the radical group within the Temple suffered a mysterious series of very unfortunate accidents." Sion was extremely happy about it. "I know that you are ignorant of our faith and customs, but the Temple recently became patriarchal and shuns any kind of power wielded by women. I deliberately placed my wife in charge to attract the remaining Priests who don't support the changes in Saftia. The news already spread. With Hiijan, a very important part of the Temple's enforcement power was obliterated, mainly thanks to you. Griss Vul was the Temple's man for dirty work."

  "I know that already," Arthur admitted, happy to hear so many important things for his own safety. "As I said, I suspect the Temple needs something from Dark Elves and Ruins."

  "Both are connected," Sion admitted with a sigh. "You probably wonder why I would tell you so many things..."

  "I can't say that question never crossed my mind." Arthur smiled and took a sip of juice.

  "A few reasons actually." Sion shrugged. "First of all, I consider you my friend and benefactor. Since your arrival, many things that crushed me with their severity simply... Ceased to exist. Secondly, you saved my son. I'm not so stupid as to believe that you will do anything that might bring any risk to your country but there are other means of helping each other."

  "Indeed." Arthur smiled. As he had thought, the Baron was far more aware of how politics worked than the adventurers. Something that Arthur had been drilled on a lot in the Academy and he had still almost fucked up everything.

  "I simply... Briefed you on the latest news for your convenience." Sion grinned, making Arthur laugh.

  "I'm grateful for your consideration." The Inquisitor took a deep breath. "In other words, Gnolls are just a pretext for me to disappear for a few days while you need to finish... Refurbishing the house."

  "I'm glad that we understand each other so well." Sion rose and approached the Lion's body. "Thank you once again for this impressive gift."

  "I'm glad you like it." Arthur stood up as well and waited for Sion to store the Lion in his storage item. "In that case, I will just grab some items from Benjamin and I'll be on my way."

  "The soldiers will be ready by the time you finish. I'll send Amos to make sure Val'narii won't be late."

  They waved goodbye to each other and Arthur went to the bedroom. Catherine was sitting near the window and seemed consumed by some thought. She was combing her shoulder-length hair and that serene and oh-so mundane picture made Arthur stop for a moment.

  "Arthur..." She looked his way and blushed. "Did this morning really happen or was it just my silly dream?"

  "It's reality, Cate." He chuckled and put his hands behind his back. "But if that was just a dream, we will dream it together."

  She smiled as her ears flicked in a display of shyness and he laughed. Catherine looked at him in surprise but he was already in front of her and put his hand on her head and scratched the base of her expressive ears.

  "Ahhh…" She purred in delight and slightly tensed, she was close to moaning. "It's embarrassing…"

  "It's too late to be shy." He laughed and looked outside as he lowered his hand to her waist and pulled her closer.

  "I will be anyway." She smiled warmly and stored her brush. "I'm afraid I have used up my entire luck. Time to play it safe."

  He smiled softly at that but then his expression slowly turned serious.

  "I swear to protect you, Cate. Always." He said and looked at the foreign city below. "Let's visit Benjamin."

  "You want me to go with you hunting Gnolls?" She asked with uncertainty heavy in her voice.

  "I have to agree, it's not a very romantic activity, but I'm more than certain it's better than staying here alone. Even though I made sure you are always protected, I don't like the idea of you being out of my sight." He sighed and walked towards the doors. Catherine reluctantly followed him. "I won't risk your safety like that."

  "Thank you..." She smiled and walked right at his side.

  "Let's go get Ben and Silfa..."

  They reached the Alabaster Trading Company after a casual trek, unbothered by anyone. The Clerks immediately summoned their boss, who arrived moments later with a smile reserved only for the best customers.

  "Lord Ives! How may I help you?" He welcomed him and guided them into a private room meant for special customers to ensure their privacy.

  "I wanted to buy the cheapest arrows you have," Arthur said, slightly confusing the merchant. "You see, the critters around here are rather too weak to use my Arrows on them. But, arrows, not the straight and sharp sticks. I will need a few hundred of them and, perhaps, a few forty maybe fifty pound bows."

  "Ahh..." Benjamin nodded with understanding when he recalled the arrow Arthur used to kill the boar that attacked the caravan that faithful night. He looked at one of his helpers. "Bring everything, and oh! Bring the quivers as well. On the house, Sir Arthur."

  Arthur smiled and took out all the garbage loot and piled it in the cart used by the Templars. He also had a few things that neither Catherine nor the siblings could identify.

  "I would like to sell the things on the cart and the cart itself. We'll settle the accounts on my next visit if you don't mind." He smiled and then pointed to the things on the pile on the table. "Those, however... I have no clue what they are and how much trouble they might cause to anyone, so I would like you to covertly investigate them and tell me if I can even sell them."

  "Ahhh... I see. The Templar's equipment and magic items. I can assure you that the Temple will take it very personally, so I wouldn't show it to anyone if I were you." Benjamin picked up one of the trinkets that looked like a religious symbol. Then he grinned. "Of course, I will not only accept them, but also pay you handsomely if you decide to bring me any future items like this. I assure you it's not any kind of charity on my part. Those items are priceless and impossible to get unless you kill their owner. I don't have to tell you that it isn't easy or safe to do. But for you... Well, for you they might be just bandits wearing funny capes. Or like you said earlier... Critters."

  "I'm happy we met, Ben." Arthur grinned.

  Praise be Goddesses Hestia and Verka who blessed my luck.

  Thank you all for reading.

  I wish you all a great day and as always I wait for your comments.

  A big thanks to and who edited the chapter!