Lucas quickly found himself in front of headquarters of the Town guard. He knocked on the door and was let in by a scrawny looking guardsman, immediately asking him about the whereabouts of Rose Leon.

“She is down into the holding cells. She is suspected of murder” the guard responded.

“I know, but she is being framed. Who should I see for her to go free?” Lucas asked.

“The captain. He is currently in his office” the guard said and turned to leave, wanting no further part in this. Lucas couldn’t blame him, seeing as he would probably thought this as a game between powerful people if he was in the guard’s position. And in a way, it was, Rosenborg playing a dangerous game against the settlement. The man will not calm down until he was either dead or got his way and Lucas was looking forward to the day where he would be able to make sure it was the first option. He arrived to the office of the captain and swung it open.

“I apologize, captain, but time is of the essence” he said as the captain startled and looked angrily at Lucas before calming himself.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of the town owner barging through my door” he asked, Lucas having a feeling the man already had an idea what Lucas wanted to talk about.

“I came to set Rose Leon free. Or in better word, to transfer her to my care” Lucas said.

“You know she is suspected of murder, don’t you? Why would you want for a potential murderer to be let go?” captain asked, steel in his voice telling Lucas this will not be an easy job. Lucas remembered that Bruce spoke highly of the man, labeling him as nigh incorruptible figure and a man dedicated to law and order, but also competent and capable of making right decisions under pressure.

“She is being framed. The man framing her, Rosenborg, wants her locked up and isolated. My guess is that assassin is on his way” Lucas explained.

“And what evidence do you have for such bold claims?” captain asked, Lucas sensing a feeling of defeat. It was not like he could tell him about his spy network, nor were there any guarantees that even if he did told him, he would take it as damning evidence. Even worse, based on what Lucas knew of the man, he would be most displeased about spying on the citizens of Camp Hearth, which Rosenborg unfortunately still was.

“I’m sorry captain, but I cannot tell you about my sources. I’m pleading with you to take my word for it” Lucas said “I still haven’t lied to anybody in this city, nor did I break any laws. I hope my word has some weight” he finished, his voice pleading.

The captain was deep in his thought for a few moments, before speaking up again.

“Even if I believe you, why should any harm befall Miss Leon while she is locked up here? I assure you this is impenetrable fortress and no assassin is breaking through, no matter how skilled the person in question is.” the captain said almost boasting. Lucas could see he really believed that so he turned his brain to the question of would assassin get to Rose. He was aware of the defenses surrounding the headquarters of the guard and he knew general capabilities of the people who served under its flag. There really were slim chances of anybody slipping through. Except if you were let in. And how would one be let in the holding cells?

“You are right, there is no way for anybody to sneak in. But, there is an option for someone to be brought in and put into the cells, correct?” Lucas asked, Rosenborg’s plan clicking in Lucas’s head.

“That is their purpose, yes. But nobody could get out if not let out, I assure you” captain once again boasted.

“I would implore you to finish our conversation in the cells, if you don’t mind? I fully believe you, but nothing can stop a skilled individual with the right tools to break one layer of defense” Lucas said, turning to head towards the cell.

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“As you wish” Captain said and went in front of Lucas to guide him to the cells. The guard was posted in front of the doors and he saluted when seeing captain and Lucas, swiftly putting a key into the lock when captain ordered it.

“Tell me, good man, has someone been arrested in the last half an hour?” Lucas asked.

“It was a quiet day, sir. There was only one drunkard harassing folks, so he had been brought to sober up” the guard said.

The atmosphere in the room tensed up, even the captain quickening his pace. It was obvious he had some time to digest and came to the same conclusion as Lucas. Every defense had a tool to break it that is how the System liked for things to be. When they cleared all the steps, first thing that greeted them was a guard laying on the ground, his throat slit. The man was fiddling with the cell doors, unaware that he had company.

“Leon is in that cell, right?” Lucas asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, not wanting to antagonize his captain. The man nodded and drew his weapon, an impressive looking mace. Lucas drew his owns sword and muttered “Doom infusion”, letting the captain to lead, as this was his home turf.

“Town guard! Drop everything and put your hands over your head!” the captain yelled. The assassin was startled, dropping what he was doing and drawing his weapons. The captain charged, pinning the man to the nearest wall. The formidable armor clanked as the daggers from the assassin tried to retaliate, but they weren’t able to find purchase.

“Your cells cannot hold me” the assassin said to the captain, earning himself a smack across the face.

“Maybe they can’t, but I’m willing to try them” the captain responded and smack the man again, knocking him unconscious.

“You were right. I will release Miss Rose to your care, but the guard will continue their investigation into the matter” the captain declared.

“And I wouldn’t expect anything less. You have my word, if I’m wrong, I will deliver Leon personally” Lucas said, extending his hand. The captain accepted it and the shook on it, before the man took the keys from his belt and unlocked the cell. Rose Leon was sitting in the cell, freshly awoken. She was woman in her early forties, her looks and dress by the book, although the edges of her bun were wrong and the damp from the cell made edges of her dress wet.

“What is happening? Why are you here?” she exclaimed. Lucas took a good look, deciding she was okay, if a little ragged.

“Hello, Miss Leon. I’m Lucas, the owner of this settlement. I’m here to take you away from your cell” Lucas said politely.

“I know you, everybody in the city knows you. But why are you helping me?” she asked.

“You are being framed by Rosenborg and the good captain here had just stopped an attempt on your life. You will be more secured with me” Lucas explained and offered the woman his hand, which she gladly took and used it to stood up.

“So it’s definitely him. I had my suspicions, but I didn’t have any evidence. I assure you I came with the guard willingly.” the woman said. Lucas completely forgot to ask captain about that and when he heard the last word, he looked to the captain who nodded in confirmation of her words.

“I have evidence, but I’m afraid I am not able to disclose them at the moment. We will talk more when we get to Bruce’s office, including what can we do to counter Rosenborg, if you are still interested in position of head of Adventurer’s guild” Lucas told her, watching her reaction. The woman relaxed slightly after hearing first part of his sentence and then tensed while hr blue eyes flared with resolve after the second.

“Oh, that big fuck is going down, don’t you worry about that” she simply said.

“Do you need some man for escort?” the captain asked from behind their back.

“No, our escort should already be here” Lucas declined, hoping his party had arrived. He wasn’t disappointed, as they were already present, crowding both Lucas and Rose as soon as they exited the building. While they shuffled, Margaret approached him, carrying big sack.

“I thought you would need that, so I dropped by your house. You shouldn’t be so predictable when hiding spare keys” she said, prompting Lucas to chuckle. He took the sack from her and found his armor. Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to properly change, so he just stuffed it into his ring, happy to at least have it nearby. Soon, their little group was off to Bruce’s office, where the Loremaster would fill both Lucas and Rose about next steps, as he stayed with Goldilocks to discuss their plan. Lucas was expecting another attack, a sort of desperate gamble by Rosenborg after Leon escaped his first attempt, but was pleasantly surprised when he was proved wrong. This pleasantness turned to shock when they entered the Bruce’s office, finding the old Loremaster sitting with a muscular frame of Rosenborg.

“I guessed you will bring her here” Rosenborg said as he registered their entrance. The atmosphere in the room tensed immediately, before the man continued.

“I came here to demand justice, she had killed one of my closest allies”