"Life always settles the debts."

"Director, I almost forgot," Azar said stopping his [Void Step]. He really was about to leave without telling Visderfis the most important reason of his visit.

"Because of our new friends, I want you to keep an eye on all the old locations and scan the tunnels at irregular intervals. If you can, please change the normal working schedule of the city patrols as well."

Azar said it in this way because he didn't want to alarm the director, but the real reason behind his request was Kaden's men. From what he learned from the guard in the tunnel, he had motives to believe that Kaden pulled some strings in helping the reko. If he was really implicated or not, that remained an uncertainty. But in any case, countermeasures needed to be taken.

"That's a given. I know how to make my job, don't worry. Changing the city guards schedule would be a little difficult, but I'll manage it," Visderfis said. "But you better not keep from me important matters that can endanger this city."

"Don't worry, i was just reminding you," Azar spoke half truths. "Well then, I should take my leave. Success on your meeting!" he said before stepping forward and disappearing.

With the matters regarding the director settled, Azar could now search for the reko disguised as a human. Just with the name obtained from the interrogation, Azar wasn't able to find Virshka, but after taking a look between Majah's memories, he found his human appearance. Midnight wasn't strong enough to hunt the rekos, but for a 1vs1, Azar was confident.

Using the information shared by Jormot, Azar now had the name of the noble and a vague location of his residence. If the person in case was from the higher nobility, then Midnight would've had almost all the knowledge about him. However, Roltus, as the name of the human was, was just a noble between the low and middle echelons, with a more then common background.

In the time Azar wandered around the city, in search for his playing partner, Director Visderfis didn't waste time and arrived at a luxurious restaurant - near the central area of the city. Inside a private dining room, she found herself sharing a table with a totally unexpected individual.

The man, dressed in a sophisticated white costume, and wearing a matching mask, was carefully assessing the director with his eyes. It wasn't quite what Visderfis expected from a member of Midnight, not after their previous interactions.

And there was a thing about the person in front of her that managed to make her nervous. The man got no aura or presence. He was like none existing, bypassing almost all her senses if not for his physical presence in the room.

'Hope he's not here for playback.'

Visderfis knew that not having any aura or presence was possible only if the man had a higher cultivation then her and possessed a concealment skill, or he was trained enough to perfectly control his energetic fields.

Both scenarios were more then qualified to make her alert. But her nervousness couldn't be perceived from outside as she had enough training and experience to conceal her emotional state.

"Director, forgive my lack of manners, but I'm not gonna present myself. I won't reveal my name because of privacy reasons and I won't be using a fake one from respect to your persona," the man said. Despite being in the company of such beautiful and influential women, he remained calm, facing her with a natural behavior and not a trained facade.

'He's of a high status,' Visderfis deduced immediately. Manners, tone, and behavior, nothing escaped her keen eyes.

"I much appreciate your tactful approach. But to facilitate the communication, I hope you won't mind if I'll address you as Mr. M."

Her letter of choice made the man open his eyes wide in delightment. That was actually his initial, as the man behind the mask was Markos.

"You can do as you please, director," Markos responded.

Being from Oriol, and having Lefeer Kingdom as the region under his care, he wasn't bothered by doing something so trivial as being a connection man. Especially when his job meant spending time in the company of an attractive women.

Markos perfectly fit the job description as he had high communication and adaptability skills. He knew his things, and could keep his ground and cold thinking in front of a women's charm. His player qualities turned useful for more then just getting a partner.

Jormot decision to wait for Azar's return had a solid base as Midnight wasn't that old in the game for contending against Visderfis' experience, and could make a devastating mistakes that could potentially endanger even Rivero City.

That was the biggest fear of Midnight's director. But having Azar as a safety pin in the association with Visderfis, things could proceed naturally, as she no longer represented any threat. Even if she found the identities of core members, and the location of their operation base, it wasn't a problem.

Midnight didn't have Kaden's experience, or the support of an entire empire at their back. Rivero City was still weak, even in front of a kingdom. And its biggest vulnerability was the secret of its existence.

There still were internal conflicts of interest between the people of Divine Feather Clan, and Azar was the only person who served as a bridge between them. Without him, the people from Rivero City could not put their hopes in that clan, as it might backstab.

"Then I will not beat around the bush," said Visderfis, making a mental analysis of the man before her. He revealed no exploitable weaknesses; not afraid to maintain eye contact for prolonged periods of time, and not having a single waver in his voice.

"What is the purpose of your organisation? I heard many things about Midnight, but most were just speculations as the people who really saw you and are still breathing, number few."

"Ah, you're flattering us," Markos overreacted in a joking manner. "I can assure you that not every target is dead. Those who disappeared without a trace are paying for their sins with their sweat, and will continue to pay until the end if their lives."

After a short pause where Markos faced Visderfis' gaze, he continued. "But to strictly answer your question, you can say that the purpose of our organisation is to protect the good people and punish those who deserve it. Exactly what the authorities and people who made vows, should do. For a better world, we take justice into our hands."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Isn't it too good to be true? Which organisation spends its time and resources on helping the people in need? Without a considerable reword of course," Visderfis said, not believing a word from what she heard.

"One that is tired of waiting for a change to fall from the sky. You saw with your own eyes that the guards plotted together with the rekos. You know that there are many corrupted nobles and justice workers in this kingdom." It was Markos' turn to fix Visderfis with his gaze.

'Did Midnight intervened to stop the construction of the portal?' Visderfis asked herself. 'Azar has a connection with them . . . that night he left in a hurry because they asked for his help? . . . It's a possibility. And he came back to notice me right after.' Visderfis assembled the puzzle in her mind. She knew that Azar couldn't be the only one involved in the underground battle, but never expected that Midnight was the other part.

'They can move unhindered through the city. And they seem to know about the gray race as well,' Visderfis concluded. All of a sudden, Midnight grew in her eyes. Not in a good way, but in the level of threat it possessed.

"We believe that, If people can turn things in an evil direction, then other people can turn things in the opposite direction. You should know what I'm talking about as you gave up even on your family and personal happiness, for justice and greater good," Markos said after giving the director some time to think.

"And we do have benefits. The people saved by us are praying day and night for our success and wellbeing. You might not be aware of the power of prayers and lighten candles," he started to manipulate the discussion in a more favorable direction.

Visderfis was shaken by the information revealed by him. 'How does he know about my family?' She asked herself before putting aside her thoughts and focusing on the conversation. She couldn't show any weakness.

"If you want to talk about me, I can say that it's much easier for a single person to pick the path of justice," said Visderfis. Bending the meaning of Markos' words. "An organisation is more difficult to manage, and the people need considerable benefits for even their loyalty. Perhaps, that's why you steal."

Markos chuckled, he really felt amused. "I'm sure you speak from your own experience, director, but the benefits you mentioned apply only to people who don't possess the same goal and motivation. I'm sure you have some trusted aids and can approve of my words. Midnight is not like your Law Enforcing Tower, as we are all family, and we share the same ideals and motivations." Markos paused, placing a pile of files on the table.

"We do steal from our targets because we use their dirty money for a good cause. We are not farmers or merchants, director, we don't have the backing of an empire or a kingdom. We are warriors, and we need to eat from somewhere."

His words made Visderfis rethink her idea, but she still kept her viewpoint. "It's impossible to create an organization with fully devoted people that are one in mind and soul, don't try to sell me that story!"

"Then I'm sorry, you didn't meet the right people." Markos smiled meaningfully. "I was sharing your ideas before I met someone who made me realize how powerless I became because of my own mentality. You definitely can't make an organization as big and solid as ours by recruiting people in the common ways, but it's a different story with the families of the victims that we saved. And with the people who endured hardships."

There was no turning back when the discussion reached his favorite part, and Markos became eager to share his beliefs. "When people are in suffering, and you show them support, compassion, and a way out, some of them will accept your helping hand and will climb up from misery, on their own. Those little few that climb up, are now respecting and being grateful for your help. They are a good material that can be molded into honorable and devoted individuals. Director, those people have something very special. An inner desire to help other people who suffered just like them."

"It's a nice story," Visderfis responded coldly. "Their desire for helping others will last a few years at most. After that, they can betray, or leave to do something more profitable."

"Not if you give them what their soul earns for," Markos replied. "You see, humans always want to live a happy life, but most of the time, society can't give them what they need. Are you aware of what people truly want?"

"Comfort, money, happiness, freedom, love. That's what people desire."

". . . yeah, but I asked about what their truly want. Those are just superficial things." Markos took a sip from his glass of wine to facilitate his talking, and continued. "Any human wants to be understood, a place where he can do what brings happiness to his soul and receive remuneration and recognition at the same time, and a social circle with positive people who are similar to him. This is the base of a human true desires and needs. That's why the people from the army are so close to each other and wish to be always with their group. They are not alone."

"Maybe, but you can't create such an environment for everyone. The social circles and society itself are build against that concept."

"Only because people forget that they are actually the society, and they make the rules. In our organisation, we select, and give jobs to people, in accordance with their talents and inclinations. Our assault teams are made from warriors, not bakers or painters. The healers save lives, not take them. By doing the things in the right way, everyone takes energy and joy from their activities. Soldiers need to fight, its their soul desire. Same with the healers, bakers, architects, all humans. Each have a calling for doing a certain activity."

Visderfis remained silent and let Mr. M. continue his idea.

"Every single person from Midnight serves a purpose, and we make them realize their importance. You have here the files of some the victims we saved. They are all citizens of this kingdom, so you might be interested." Markos pushed the pile of files on the table. "I will ask you to keep their personal information a secret, and act with discretion. No one wants for their neighborhood to know about their pain," he advised.

The director looked at the documents with astonishment. She took the file from the top to examine it closely, and to her surprise, it was an unresolved case that she worked on.

"You may not approve our way of handling things, I know I didn't at first. But it is the most efficient way that can really save lives. We do not answer to the authorities, or waste time with the bureaucracy and decision making of the officials. We don't abide to the law of the nations, or listen to their words. Do you know why?" Markos asked, not actually waiting for an answer.

"Because the same laws are stopping their lawful institutions from taking rapid, and effective actions. Because their own officials are responsible for illegal activities and the trading of lives. Do you know how many women and girls have we saved in those years? How many men and children have we helped, and how many families have we reunited? We killed, plundered, and forced the criminals to work for the rest of their lives, no matter their rank or power, and we have solid proofs to justify our every action. For those who want to listen, we can gladly show them," he said placing another pile of files on the table.

"Those are the files with the wrongdoings of the nobles and people we targeted on this kingdom's territory. We won't surrender to governments that wish to control us, afraid that we might go crazy and use our power to wreak havoc. We are self aware, and can prevent our own people from falling onto the path of destruction, and we respect our own laws."

Markos took a deep breath of air, calming his enthusiastic temper. "Director Visderfis, you came here to see if we can become allies, this is our gift for you, take them!" he said, pointing at the piles of documents.

Visderfis put the file down and asked in a polite tone. "Are you the ones who dealt with the matter from the tunnels?"

"Yes!" Markos said while struggling to hold back his laughter. It still seemed funny to him that everything happened because he felt some energy fluctuations when meditating. Strange were the ways of the universe.

"Are you the leader of Midnight?"

"I don't dare assume that position," Markos responded. His choice of words hinting at the enormous power of his organisation. A bluff, as Midnight wasn't yet at that level.

Visderfis nodded, falling into Mr. M.'s trap. "I will accept your gift and investigate the evidence before making my decision," she said storing the documents in her storage ring.

"Do as you wish," Markos said. "I also believe it would be for the best if we will consider our cooperation after you make your investigations."

Visderfis confirmed with a nod.

"Then, my business here is finished. You can set the day for our next meeting and notice us by leaving a message hidden under this table. You should do it between 10 to 12 in the morning, so there won't be any risks. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave." Markos bowed politely before leaving the room.

Visderfis didn't waste time either and left shortly after. Now she had more work to do and she needed to share the load with her subordinates.