Viscount Bennet pointed to a mine on the map, about a five-hour wagon ride east of the capital. "This location, in particular, required a substantial influx of personnel. Following the Urie incident, Saint Levi's division of the Inquisition Knights set up checkpoints in multiple areas. Given the risk assessment, we opted to conduct our recruitment efforts in the vicinity."

  Viscount Bennet pointed to several locations west of the mines, east of the capital, and said, "These locations, marking the eastern boundary for the guild's activities, also served as the focal points for our recent operations. These positions provided a one-to-two-hour buffer from the capital's Adventurers and Knights, allowing ample time for our recruitment operations."

  Then, Viscount Bennet pointed to a location near the mines and said, "This marks the location of our temporary facility. Furthermore, our established connections grant you access to any outposts in the surrounding area; just request permission, and it shall be arranged."

  Viscount Bennet stole a look at George, who seemed to understand everything, and continued, "To facilitate the transport of our personnel to their designated posts, Ms. Wendy will provide sanctioned quest cards to operatives holding Adventurer's Licenses, ensuring access to the wagons of the Adventurer's Guild as well. I have every confidence that the upcoming wagons will exhibit a noticeable improvement in quality."

  Ms. Wendy replied with a gentle "Of course," her smile courteous.

  "Viscount George, for our forthcoming recruitment initiative, we will need to focus on areas closer to the capital due to the recent events that have alerted the guild to our operations. Therefore, I would suggest disabling the Adventurer's Guild's emergency alert protocol. After all, it alerted Hawk this time around."

  "Thank you for the input, Viscount Bennet," George replied.

  Viscount Bennet proceeded to outline the logistics, security measures, and financial aspects for the group. It soon became evident that he had meticulously crafted a comprehensive plan, thereby allowing Viscount George to focus primarily on overseeing the operation's implementation and ensuring its seamless execution.

  "I believe that would be everything," Viscount Bennet said, scanning the room for any questions.

  As Viscount Bennet concluded, Count Rupert responded with a warm smile and said, "I offer my most profound and sincere thanks, dear Viscount Bennet, for the exemplary diligence and meticulous attention to detail with which you have illuminated the intricacies of our operations, thereby ensuring our collective comprehension of the complexities at hand."

  As the assembly drew to a close, Count Rupert's gaze shifted towards Viscount George, his voice infused with an air of expectation. "As we prepare to welcome a new influx of personnel, I am delighted to announce that the directorship of our forthcoming initiative will be entrusted to your distinguished stewardship, Viscount George. We repose in you our absolute faith and unshakable confidence, born of your exceptional abilities, which we are convinced shall prove instrumental in ensuring the resounding success of this undertaking."

  Viscount George's expression remained neutral, his voice low as he replied, "Understood."

  The "new influx of personnel" referred to the next kidnapping operation.

  As the meeting drew to a close, the group's conversation gradually waned, and with a series of polite farewells, the attendees dispersed into the evening, their faces swallowed by the deepening shadows.

  Ms. Wendy remained in the office. This was her office after all. Because of the bandit attack, there was a pile of paperwork waiting for her on the desk.

  Ms. Wendy gazed at the mountain of paperwork, released a deep, exasperated sigh, and then sank into her chair to tackle the task.

  Twenty minutes later, Ms. Wendy took a brief five-minute leave outside before returning to her office.

  "The coast is clear; you can come out now." Ms. Wendy said quietly; and Liam jumped out from a cabinet on the side of the room.

  "Do you get your next mission?" Ms. Wendy asked. "From hearing what they said."

  "Sorry, could you please ask Count Rupert to speak in English next time?" Liam asked, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I couldn't get most of what he said."

  "He was speaking in English," Ms. Wendy said, her voice firm and laced with a hint of irritation, her eyebrows furrowed in discontent as she pressed on, "What is your English Literature grade?"

  "Thirty-two," Liam mumbled, hanging his head in shame.

  "Out of a hundred," Ms. Wendy exclaimed, throwing up her hands in exasperation, "Why did it have to be you, the only one of the four, who came back?" Then she added, shaking her head, "the others could have understood everything."

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  "Sorry..." Liam mumbled, his head dipping lower, wincing under the weight of Ms. Wendy's disapproving stare and the oppressive silence.

  As usual, George stopped at a supermarket on his way home to grab a six-pack of beer; then he washed up and cracked open a cold can.

  "Can you believe that, Les?" George mused silently, addressing Leslie in his mind, "That kid survived two close calls back-to-back, the busted wheel and those bandits."

  "Maybe fate has other plans in store for the boy," Leslie's voice whispered in his mind. "Will you stop targeting him?"

  "I promised to keep the orphanage safe." George replied, "I'll deal with him, no matter what."

  "And what about Count Rupert?" Leslie asked, her voice laced with concern. "Why did you join him?"

  "He doesn't directly threaten the orphanage, and sometimes sacrifices are necessary." George replied somberly. "Think of the bigger picture."

  "There must be other ways," Leslie argued with a hint of desperation. "Haven't we made enough sacrifices already?"

  George took another long swig, the silence between them growing thicker. As he lowered the can, Leslie's presence began to dissipate, like mist in the morning sun.

  "Leslie?" George looked around, but he could no longer see Leslie's silhouette or hear her voice.

  "Leslie?" George's voice cracked with a mix of fear and desperation as he frantically scanned the empty room. In a panic, he downed the remaining beers, one after another, but the only sound was the clinking of empty cans; Leslie was truly gone.

  Sunday morning, Count Rupert climbed into his lavish, velvet-adorned carriage, its golden crest gleaming in the morning light, and set off towards Marquess Gerado's abode.

  Upon gaining entry to the grandeur estate, Count Rupert made his way to the chambers of the Marquess's private study. With a gentle knock, the door creaked open, and Count Rupert bowed his head, his voice laced with reverence, as he said, "My Lord, and dearest father, I, your humble servant and son, Rupert, have arrived at your behest to proffer the most recent elucidations pertaining to our operations."

  Seated behind his ornate desk, Marquess Gerado, in his sixties, exuded an air of seasoned authority, with a weathered face and graying hair that testified to his years. His eyes, resembling polished Amethyst, turned toward the door, as he said in a deep, commanding voice, "Enter, please."

  As Count Rupert entered the office, he offered, "May your morning shine with the brilliance of your wisdom, dear uncle." The man beside Marquess Gerado, with a courteous smile, replied, "A good morning to you, young master."

  With a subtle nod, Marquess Gerado discreetly dispatched his brother on an errand.

  The mission report took approximately one hour, concluding as the Marquess's brother returned to report, "The Royal Covert Division's trio has arrived, and they await your distinguished presence in the lobby, Marquess Gerado."

  "Please, show them in, Viscount Roderick," Marquess Gerado instructed his brother.

  Viscount Roderick led the trio into Marquess Gerado's chambers, where he announced upon their entry, "May I present to you, esteemed Marquess Gerado, the distinguished trio of the Royal Covert Division: Knight Commander Edwin, and Knight Bachelors Lucas and Malcolm."

  The three Knights, each exuding an aura of quiet confidence, bowed in unison. Commander Edwin said with respect, "The honor is ours, Marquess Gerado."

  Lucas, with a piercing gaze that seemed to bore into the shadows, added, "We are humbled by your consideration, My Lord."

  Malcolm, the youngest of the three, with an unruly mop of red hair, completed the introduction, "At your service, Marquess Gerado."

  Marquess Gerado's countenance turned solemn; as his eyes reflected the weight of his forthcoming declaration, he said, "Behold, the future cornerstones of our realm's covert prowess. Commander Edwin, as vanguard of the Royal Covert Division, your team shall operate under Viscount George's strategic leadership, a synergy pivotal to securing the operation's triumph."

  "As you command, My Lord," Commander Edwin said with a courteous bow.

  Marquess Gerado's gaze then shifted to Count Rupert, who nodded in respectful comprehension, "I understand, My Lord. Arrangements for their integration under Viscount George's command will be promptly made."

  Marquess Gerado then shifted into a contemplative hue, his voice infused with a prudent caution, "Fate, as we've learned, can deal unkind hands. In the eventuality that Viscount George encounters the unforeseen, Knight Commander Edwin is hereby vested with the authority to assume de facto leadership, thus ensuring the operation's continuity."

  "The prudent caveat, thus articulated, has been duly noted and appreciated, My Lord," Commander Edwin replied with a nod.

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