669 grumbled when dust from the barroom’s ceiling began showering over his head as he was enjoying his mid-morning cup of coffee. It was shortly followed with sounds of explosions and bangs from a nearby tower, which was on the far side of the headquarter’s complex but still close enough to cause an annoying disruption to his coffee time.
“789!” He growled one a small chunk of mortar dropped into his coffee with a crude splash.
He slammed his cup down on the bar and shuffled off the barstool to air his grievances of the mad women’s pill making. No doubt she was refining more troublesome pellets that would one day level an entire city.
Ever since their former unit leader had shown her the art of making pill weapons and devices, she had been obsessed with it. To the point they had been expelled from their barracks and peak because she had set the Staff Commander’s favorite litter not only on fire but soaring through the air like a blazing shooting star. And the litter had been filled with expensive trinket gifts for the regional Demon Overlord’s birthday, which ended up in the hands of the common demon civilians when the litter’s bottom had melted to rain the packages down on houses. Some even found their way into fireplaces that were rescued by kids eager to keep their unexpected gift. It was a winter day the commoner mistakenly saw the gift-raining as a praise from the Demon Overlord. Seeing how it kept the common masses in awe of the demon leaders and military, the Grand Demon Overlord decided to keep the lie going and made the day a public gifting holiday.
But for 789, 669 and 777 who were tagged as the culprits behind the faux pas, they were sent deep into the Amesgai forests of the Desert Barren Lands, where they had to keep the Scorpion King and his ugly minions happy for a few years. Especially, fight constant and deadly battles with the Holy Order knights and Demon Hunting squads. Those warriors had no sense of humor. So, by the time they returned to the civilized side of Salem Kingdom, they were ordered to form the Cannon Fodder 4Hire business.
Clearly, 789 hadn’t learned her lesson. 669 was worried she might create another public holiday with a pill concoction of mass destruction. It was fine to have a public holiday, but the punishment was too much. He shouted out a complaint when a piece of ceiling dropped on his mug to make it shatter. It was clear he had to be somewhere else for the day.
As he was making his way out of the headquarter’s wrought iron gates, he saw Emelia stepping out of a harse litter. She hurried over to him.
“Just the man I wanted to see. Come with me.” She grabbed his arm and hauled him into the litter.
“Where are we going?”
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“There’s another body.” She slammed the door closed and banged the side to get the harse moving.
“Another one? Where?”
“Miller Estate. Their young lord was killed the same way as the other two.”
669 frowned. This was becoming a more complex case to solve within three months.
Night was high in the sky when the litter rolled up to a tall set of iron gates and brick wall. But the harse pause a few meters before reaching the gate.
“Madam, sir, I smell blood.” The harse nervously said to them.
“Just drop us off here. We’ll walk the rest. You can return to base.”
669 gawked at the woman like she had said the stupidest thing ever, but he knew her well enough that her concern would most likely be ensuring the harse returned safely to the stables.
“Oh? And how do you suggest we return to your base?”
“You’re a smart lad, You’ll figure something out. For now, we need to investigate this area and deal with whatever we encounter.”
“Right. Well, ladies first.” He gestured for her to lead the way and watched the harse and litter retrace the path toward the village and recede from their sight.
“Let’s hope nothing dangerous happens.” He sighed to himself and refocused on his task ahead: following Emelia’s lead.
They stood before the gates, which had a swan insignia woven into the wrought iron. An odd energy emitted from the bars. It gave a dampening effect and slight drowsiness. 669 gasped and instantly switched on his Vast Eye magic, so both of them could see the hidden magic still active in the area.
“Residual Corpse Puppet Resin!” Emelia covered her mouth and nose with her arm.
Fortunately, 669 had a habit of being prepared for gas and poisonous terrain having spent his punishment years within the Amesgai. He pulled out a silk black mask and handed it to her, then fitted one over his mouth and nose.
“Silkworm masks filter deadly poisons and gases. They’ll protect us from breathing in the resin fumes.”
When they made sure they weren’t going to be poisoned, they searched the gate for a way in and saw it was ajar. Someone had already unlocked it and left it opened. 669 had a foreboding that someone or thing was waiting for them.
“Let’s be quick,” Emelia said as she slipped through the gates.
669 followed.