They walked until the alley bent and opened onto a broader street. Erwin scanned both directions only a few pedestrians, bundled in coats and hats moving through the haze. A train whistled somewhere in the distance
Only then did they remove their disguises
Louis tugged off his ceramic mask and tossed his hair back. The Marauder's ring he wore glinted faintly before he hid it beneath his glove
"Well" he exhaled "No one tried to poison us, rob us, or recruit us for a cult. I'd say that counts as smooth"
Abel peeled his mask off carefully, rubbing the spots where is sat tight against his temples "I still think a quarter of the people in that room could've murdered us with a sneeze"
"Probably" Louis said cheerfully
Erwin unclipped his iron mask slowly. His expression stayed calm, though his eyes were alert
"Let's not talk out here" he murmured "Eyes and ears everywhere"
They turned to the right
The Braveheart Bar was not far in fact it was across the main road and down around the slight bend
The carved sign had once been painted gold now it looked more like bronze. Warm light spilled through the windows
Louis pushed through the door first
Noise washed over them the clink of glasses, raised voices, someone laughing too loudly in the corner. The air was thick with alcohol and pipe smoke
Before they could move further in the bartender from last time motioned for them to come over
"He's waiting for you" he said simply, jerking his chin toward a door at the back of the bar
Erwin nodded
They weaved between tables until they reached the door and made their way down the hallway behind eventually getting to the door at the end Erwin knocked once before opening the door
Kaspars sat inside and raised his head as they entered and said "You have a good time"
"Yeah" Erwin replied as they took their seats
Kaspars reached beneath the table and produced a small leather pouch. He layed down its contents onto the table forged identification papers, residency permits and supporting documents
Louis reached first, examining the quality "These seem official"
Kaspars smirked "They are official just not issued through official channels"
Abel laughed under his breath "You're talent amazes us"
Kaspars didn't deny it
Erwin inspected his own set closely before placing them back into the pouch "These will get us through general checks?"
"Absolutely" Kaspars said "Just don't commit any crimes in front of a high-ranking inspector"
Louis clicked his tongue "Well, there goes half my plans"
Kaspars ignored him and cleared his throat. "There's another matter"
The three leaned in
"I received a retrieval commission only an hour ago. The buyer wants fresh faces. Anonymous ones."
Abel exhaled slowly "Which means he's desperate"
Kaspars continued "A noble Viscount recently had a shipment confiscated at the port. Customs seized it he wants it back quickly"
Louis's eyebrow arched "What kind of shipment?"
Kaspars shrugged "The letter didn't specify. Only that it must be returned unopened"
A silence stretched
Erwin's fingers tapped once against the old table "Suspicious"
"Dangerous" Abel corrected
Kaspars leaned back. "He's paying extremely well two hundred pounds"
Louis whistled under his breath "That's… a lot for a small job"
Erwin didn't smile but his eyes sharpened "We want to scout first. Observe the port, patrols, warehouse. If it looks feasible we'll accept"
Kaspars nodded immediately "I already assumed you would I'll inform him you're evaluating"
Abel frowned "Why us? We're no bodies with zero reputation"
Kaspars gave a small almost knowing smile "Some people value new variables, less predictable, less connected"
Louis lifted a brow "Or more disposable."
Kaspars neither agreed nor disagreed
He slid three glasses of whiskey toward them They clinked lightly, drank, and rose
"We'll return with an answer tomorrow," Erwin said
Kaspars nodded once "Stay careful"
The three stepped out closing the door behind them
But Kaspars didn't return to sitting
The moment the door clicked shut he released a slow breath and started stretching his shoulders. He walked to the other door leading upstairs and slipped through it quietly closing it behind him
The upstairs corridor was dim lit by a single oil lamp. The floorboards creaked as Kaspars ascended to the second floor
At the top a figure stood waiting
A young woman with blonde hair, translucent skin and a gown that draped like mist. Her blue eyes seemed unfocused, distant, dreamy yet aware of everything
Madam Sharon
Kaspars bowed slightly "They've left and it seems like theyll take the mission"
Sharon noddedher expression unchanged
Kaspars hesitated before speaking "May I ask why you offered such a lucrative job to them? It's far more than what even experienced beyonders"
"It's a test" Sharon said quietly her voice soft and hollow like a whisper from a dream "A test for future plans, a test of caution and character"
"Do you have use for them?"
"Potentially" Sharon answered "They are definitely new, but not arrogant as others and not entangled in schemes and factions"
Kaspars rubbed his hands nervously "Still a retrieval mission with that kind of profile… If they mishandle it.."
"They won't" Sharon said.
Her gaze unfocused for a moment, drifting somewhere far beyond walls of the room "Maric will be watching from the sidelines whether they succeed or fail… we will learn what we need"
Kaspars nodded "As you say Madam"
"you may leave" she finished
Kaspars bowed again "Of course"
Sharon drifted backward, her form almost seeming to fade into the darker corner of the corridor
Kaspars shuddered once and descended the stairs again
---
Outside, Erwin, Abel, and Louis walked through the cold night toward their rented apartment
The fog had thickened, swirling eerily under the lamps. The city streets had quieted only the occasional carriage clattered past. Their modest building was a few minutes away, a cramped, creaking structure sandwiched between other houses
They entered their flat hung their coats and gathered around their small table
Abel stretched his arms "All right. Before we do anything, we need divination"
Erwin nodded and took out a simple pendulum—a thread with a small polished crystal tied at the end
He shut the curtains dimmed the lantern and sat still for a few breaths
Louis watched silently
Abel took notes
Erwin steadied his breathing holding the pendulum in his left hand he whispered the sentence seven times
"Will accepting the Viscount's retrieval request place us in lethal danger?"
The fog outside seemed to press against the window
Slowly, the pendulum began to move counter clockwise but only very slightly indicating there was danger but minimal
Erwin opened his eyes
"Small danger" he murmured "Not fatal.. not overwhelming.. Just a slight risk"
"Honestly still better than I expected" Louis said relieved
Abel nodded "Then scouting tomorrow is the right call"
"Yes" Erwin agreed "We observe the customs station no contact, no engagement. If it looks safe enough we accept if not we decline"
"Now onto other things" Erwin said as he placed a jar on the table "what's the spoils from tonight"
(A/N. Sorry for the big delay & short chapter I hit a blank but I have a general idea of how this vol will go now still any suggestions or ideas are appreciated)