Eurukus watched Lucian wipe his mouth like he had just finished drinking water and not a forbidden cup meant for the ruler of the capital.
This kid is insane… General Fürtwald must've raised him like this.
Footsteps echoed in the hall.
Eurukus' eyes widened. "Hide now. The mayor's coming."
Lucian looked around fast. "Where? Where?"
"Anywhere that's not here."
Lucian pointed at the mayor's desk. "I'll fit."
"What? No—you—"
But Lucian was already crouching, sliding himself under the table like it was normal. He curled up, pulling a chair in just enough to cover him.
Eurukus stared at the bulge under the tablecloth. This is so stupid. This is actually going to work, isn't it?
The doorknob clicked.
"I wish he can't hear this…" Eurukus whispered under his breath.
The door opened fully, and Mayor Mavis stepped inside with a stack of documents in hand.
"I found the records you wanted," the mayor said, unaware that a whole teenager was hiding under his desk. "Some of these criminals haven't been seen for months. Others… well, they prefer the shadows."
Eurukus forced a calm expression, keeping his foot planted so Lucian wouldn't accidentally slide out by mistake.
Please don't sneeze, kid.
The mayor didn't notice anything. He set the files down on the desk—directly above Lucian's head.
Mayor Mavis sat down with a soft grunt, completely unaware of the boy hiding just inches below him. Papers shifted above Lucian's head, each thump making him flinch.
Eurukus stood straight, hands behind his back, acting like nothing strange was happening.
"Let's go through these," the mayor said. "These are the most troublesome criminals in Gravenheim's underbelly."
He lifted the first file.
"R.K. He was wanted for smuggling rare scrolls and kidnapping minors from the Lower District. He slipped through our hands twice."
Eurukus nodded slowly.
Another file opened.
"V.L. A con artist. He poses himself as a merchant from other kingdoms. He escaped the Market District pursuit by disguising himself as a guard. Foolish guards let him pass the gate."
Lucian, under the table, muttered in his head, These guards suck.
The mayor continued.
"H.F. Leader of a minor gang. Murder, extortion, and theft. Escaped through the Farming District's fields when guards lost sight of him."
He placed that file aside.
Next.
"S.T. A dangerous alchemist. He makes illegal stimulants. Escaped the Citadel prison during a shift change. We still don't know how."
Eurukus watched the mayor's eyes narrow.
"And then," the mayor said, tapping one last document, "there is Q.R."
Lucian froze.
"We never caught him. He's never been officially linked to any case. But rumors say he moves through the capital like a ghost."
Eurukus kept his face blank.
The mayor sighed.
"All these criminals… and yet none of them ever leave enough evidence behind. This city looks peaceful on the surface, but underneath? It's getting worse."
Eurukus let out a slow breath and crossed his arms.
"You're too careless as a mayor," he said. "You let a black market grow under your nose. And half these criminals walk around like they own the city."
Mayor Mavis flinched slightly, but before he could answer, the office door opened.
A guard rushed in.
"Mayor! Something happened—your daughter, Fise, she's in trouble!"
The mayor stood up so fast his chair scraped the floor.
"Fise? What happened?" His voice shook.
Lucian, still hidden under the table, felt his heart skip.
Fise… that name again.
Quentin said that name too.
Children… experiments… and now this.
Everything clicked together.
Q.R.
Quentin Rupert.
It wasn't a guess anymore. It was obvious.
Mayor Mavis hurried out, the guard trailing behind him. The door slammed shut.
Lucian slowly crawled out from under the desk, dusting off his clothes.
Eurukus stared down at him. "You heard everything?"
Lucian nodded. "Yeah. All of it."
Eurukus lowered his voice. "Keep it quiet. No one knows why I'm really here. Even my knights think this is just a simple assignment."
Lucian nodded again. "I won't say anything."
"Good. Now leave before the mayor returns."
Lucian slipped out of the office, silent and careful.
He didn't mention that he already had his own reasons to chase Quentin Rupert.
And now those reasons were getting clearer by the second.
---
Lucian slipped deeper into the citadel's inner halls. The stone corridors were quiet. Torches burned low. He kept his steps light. I need him to expose himself without being suspicious.
The thought stayed sharp in his mind. If he forced it, Quentin Rupert would finally be exposed.
He paused beside a pillar when he noticed movement ahead. Eurukus stepped out from a side chamber, a heavy bag of documents hanging from his hand.
The man looked tired. His brow was pressed down, as if he had been fighting with numbers and names all day.
Lucian called out in a low voice.
"Commander Eurukus."
Eurukus stopped. He turned with a faint frown. "Why are you wandering here? You should be back home."
Lucian motioned him closer. "I need to tell you something important."
Eurukus approached. His steps quickened when he saw Lucian's expression. "What happened?"
Lucian didn't waste time. "I saw someone earlier. He was writing… and muttering about experiments."
Eurukus stiffened. "Experiments? Here?" His grip on the bag tightened. "Where?"
Lucian pointed down the right corridor. "In that room. He seemed nervous. I think he was hiding something."
Eurukus's face sharpened. He didn't hesitate. "Show me."
They started running. The air shifted as they moved, the halls echoing with their steps. Lucian kept ahead, guiding him through the narrow turns. Quentin should still be there. If he tries to leave now, he'll panic.
They reached the final door. Lucian stopped and pointed again.
"His name is Quentin Rupert," he said. "Louis' father."
Eurekus's eyes widened at the name. He grabbed the handle and pushed the door open with force.
Inside, a man stood by the doorway. Quentin Rupert froze the moment the door hit the wall. His eyes widened behind thin spectacles.
His hair was messy, his coat half-buttoned, as if he had been preparing to slip out unnoticed.
"What—? Why are you both—?" Quentin stuttered. His gaze darted between them.
His hand tightened around a bundle of papers he had been trying to hide under his coat. "I… I was just reviewing records. The mayor asked for—"
Eurukus stepped forward sharply. "Why are you trying to hide those documents under your coat?"
Quentin flinched. "This isn't— You're mistaken. I was only—"
His voice cracked. Sweat rolled down his temple. His eyes kept flicking toward Lucian, confused and unsettled.
Lucian met his eyes without blinking. You remember me, don't you?
Quentin took a step back. "Who… told you I was here?" His tone shook.
Lucian didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Quentin's panic spoke loud enough.