Chapter 77 Spider Web Conspiracy.

“With everything, the Tunnel-Horror rings, bounty for both of you and the extra gold those in the caravan threw together as a thank you…” Alice dropped a bag of coins onto the counter with a jingling thud. “Two thousand, five hundred, and seventeen gold.” She didn’t actually give it to them all in gold coins as that would weigh far too much to lug around but it was still a lot of coins. Two hundred and fifty one platinum and seven gold coins to be exact. It was quite a hefty bag.

“Thanks.” Isaac replied and covered it in shadows as he dropped it into his Inventory. It was about as heavy as expected. “I wasn’t expecting the bonus but it is appreciated.”

“Your rescue was appreciated!” Ellem called out from the other side of the Guild Hall.

Isaac just chuckled. “Do you know which inn Aria and Claus are staying at?” Isaac asked Alice but loud enough that anyone listening could hear and answer.

Alice shook her head so Isaac looked over to Ellem with a raised eyebrow. Eric, who was sitting across from him, answered instead: “Across the street.”

Isaac gave him a nod. “Thanks.”

As Isaac turned to leave Lenna leaned in towards Alice. “Make sure your sister doesn’t work too hard. She looked dead on her feet last night.” She advised the small receptionist.

Alice nodded. “She should have come home to get me instead of trying to do it all herself.” She shook her head. “She tries to be too independent sometimes.” She gave Lenna a flat look. “Apparently the fact that we literally pretend to be the same person while at work hasn’t gotten it through her head that maybe work can be shared sometimes.”

Lenna chuckled softly. “You should tell her that. Exactly the same as you just did now.” She recommended. “Who knows, maybe it’ll get through to her.”

Alice nodded. “I’ll try.” She looked past Lenna to see Isaac leaning against the inside of the doorway with a smirk on his face and a warm look in his eyes. Alice had absolutely no delusions of the warm look being directed at her in the slightest. “You should get going before the death mage behind you gets mad at me for keeping you.”

Lenna chuckled again, this time a bit more pronounced, and shook her head while pushing off the counter. “He won’t get mad at you.” She assured the smaller woman. “Bye Alice.” She said with a wave.

“See you!” Alice called after her with her own wave. Isaac gave her a casual smile and a nod before leaving with Lenna. After they were gone Alice shook her head. “He’s so confusing.” She grumbled to herself. “Kills some guy in cold blood one day and then rescues a caravan the next…” Her voice trailed off in thought.

“Is he a hero or a villain?” A familiar male voice came from behind her causing her to jump slightly. She turned around to see Edward standing with his arms crossed looking towards the door with eyes narrowed and brows furrowed in deep thought.

Alice nodded. “It sounds weird hearing it out loud. How many people are actually heroes and villains out there?” She wondered.

“More than you would think.” Edward replied. “He hasn’t killed any heroes yet so I’m reserving my judgment. At the very least he is no hero.” Edward sighed. “He’s a battle junky with his own morals and a god complex. I have a feeling he is either going to change Safeharbor to match himself or destroy it in the process.” If only Edward knew how accurate his prediction would be.

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—

Isaac decided to wait to meet up with Aria and Claus until they had some more information about the Safeharbor General Smithy. The first place to go was the house of a certain informant. Unfortunately no one was home. “Every other time we’ve been here someone has been home.” Isaac commented as the pair stood inside James and Lenny’s main room. A couch that looked at least a hundred years old with just as many stains was up against one wall and a round table with a handful of chairs around it took up the rest of the room. A deck of cards was left on the table but otherwise the rest of the place was clean, well, save for years of dust. It was clear that neither man knew how to dust.

“Wait or go?” Lenna asked. She knew that it was still a strain for Isaac to keep them both invisible until they got inside. Keeping eyes off of James while Isaac was the most ‘popular’ person in Safeharbor was easier said than done.

Isaac shrugged. “Cards?” He asked Lenna who shrugged and walked over to the table. “Do you think he’s got anything to drink in here?” He questioned while wandering into the brothers’ kitchen. A minute later he returned with an unopened bottle of cheap wine. The label was peeled off meaning that it was probably stolen.

The pair made themselves at home for the better part of an hour until James returned and froze a step inside the door. “Wh-How? The door was still locked when I got here?” He stammered.

Isaac looked up from his cards and took another sip out of the wine bottle before setting it back in the middle of the table, he and Lenna were sharing as the brothers’ cups didn’t look clean enough to use. “I locked it once we were inside.” He replied casually. “Don’t just stand in the doorway, people will know that someone is in here with you.”

James jolted at that and hurried inside. He set a sack of something down next to the door and joined them at the table. “Glad you made yourselves at home.” He grumbled to which the duo just continued silently playing their card game. “So? Who are you after this time?”

“What do you know about the Safeharbor General Smithy?” Isaac asked casually without even looking at him. He really wanted to beat Lenna at a card game, just once, without cheating.

James scratched the back of his head. “Not much. I know that they’ve fenced weapons on occasion but that’s about… wait, no, there was something.” He said and jumped up from his seat. James crossed the room to the old couch and knelt down next to it. He reached his arm under and up into the inside. He searched around for a bit before withdrawing a small book. He quickly rejoined Isaac and Lenna at the table before opening the book and flipping through it for a bit. “Here!” He said and handed the book to Isaac.

“Mr. Nobody.” Isaac said with a frown.

James nodded. “He’s used them as money drop offs a few times. He has a dozen different places around town. The only thing any of the places have in common is that they have nothing in common.” He explained. “All different types of businesses.”

Isaac nodded. He was reading while listening to James. “You have a note here.” Isaac said and then summarized it for Lenna. “Mr. Nothing has used the appearance of one of the workers here more than once.” He looked up at James. “You don’t think that the real Mr. Nobody is one of the workers there, do you?”

James shook his head. “Not likely. He’s too careful.” He replied.

Isaac flipped through the book. Everything inside pertained to Mr. Nobody. Unfortunately none of the information was deeper than surface level but it was full of known faces he’d used and information about the money drop locations. One of the mortal trafficking rings that Isaac had gotten shut down used to work with him to sell off debtors. He wondered if any of the thugs had talked about the dreaded Mr. Nobody while in Tim’s custody. “I really hope that this isn’t one massive spider web conspiracy.” Isaac groaned. “Do you need this?” He asked James while holding up the book.

“Nah boss, I figured you’d go after him eventually.” James replied. “It’s impossible to get any damning information on him though.” He gave Isaac a nod. “If you are goin’ after him, good luck.” He said earnestly.

Isaac nodded in return. “Thanks.” He turned to Lenna. “Let’s go.” He told her.

“You don’t want to finish the game?” She asked teasingly.

Isaac frowned. “No. This way I can claim I could have still won.” It was clear that he wouldn’t have.

—

“I found it’s easier to wait for you where I know you will eventually be than try to follow you when you get like this.” A familiar voice said from a chair by the door. Isaac and Lenna had just walked into the Inn where Aria and Claus were staying.

If Isaac ever jumped while being startled then he would have. Lenna’s hand shot to her sword hilt before she realized who it was and relaxed. Neither of them had noticed him while walking in.

“Thomas, it’s been a while. I thought maybe you’d found someone else to stalk.” Isaac said casually and joined the man at his empty table.

“It’s complicated.” Thomas replied. “You know how it is.”

Isaac nodded. “Yeah.” Isaac searched Thomas’s eyes for the reason for his visit but found nothing. “I take it this isn’t a personal visit.”

Thomas smiled. “Actually it is. Thanks for saving my idiot little brother.” He replied.

“Oh?” Isaac asked. “When?”

“A few days ago. He was in the caravan you two saved.” Thomas explained. “Figured I’d at least say thanks. I’m still supposed to be keeping tabs on you but the pressure has lessened recently. Probably because you have gotten a lot more high profile. Anyway, it means I have a lot more free time, so, thanks for that too.”

Isaac chuckled. “Well, do you want to fill that free time with something exciting?” He asked with a smirk and a glint in his eyes.

Thomas got serious and leaned in. “Why? What do you have in mind?”