The top floor of the Black Stone Hand Merchant Guild.
Hector sat behind a mahogany desk, holding an exquisite silver file in his hand. Before him lay a human skull. Its bone was as white as jade, clearly having undergone an extremely complex treatment process.
"You're telling me another one has gone missing?"
Hector didn't look up. The silver file gently scraped along the edge of the skull's eye socket, making a soft rustling sound as fine powder drifted down.
The guild manager standing before the desk was ramrod straight, cold sweat trickling from his temples into his collar and soaking a large patch of his expensive silk shirt.
"Yes, Lord Marquis." The manager's voice trembled. "This is the third one this week. The 'Black Daffodil,' carrying refined iron and Magic Potion Ingredients traded from the north. According to its itinerary, it should have reached Black Stone Port yesterday, but even now..."
