It was a dim and misty place but despite that, the atmosphere around was lively. There were many stalls open, with people manning them and buying from them. The lights, however blurry they may be, illuminated the spaces between, casting a sort of a night market of a festival. The peculiar thing though was that it was blurry. The merchandise, their faces, even the seemingly solid walls were blurry.

I raised my vision to look up at the night sky but it was hard to determine whether it was blurry as well, but the moon' shining light was as clear and as smooth as snow that was piled up high. There were people passing me by. I looked around and this street seemed to go on endlessly regardless of which direction I focus on.

The lively yet distorted voices of the people seemed foreign to me but there were snippets that I could understand. Words like "Festival", "Blessings", "God". However, there was one thing that truly perplexed me. I couldn't speak nor move freely. All I could do was turn and look around in place. A hand suddenly placed itself on my shoulders, causing me to turn around quickly. What greeted me was a person that was a head taller than me sporting a animal mask. He seemed to be speaking to me but I couldn't understand it all with the distorted sounds I've been hearing.

Still confused about the turn of events, he eventually pointed somewhere behind me, prompting me to look towards it. Somehow, there was now an open space for a crowd to gather around. There were men, women, and children in the audiences, with eagerness and excitement permeating the once mysterious marketplace.

I got closer and closer, as if being guided towards it by someone. Once I stopped, the commotion grew rather louder than it was earlier and a duo had presented themselves at the center. Though it was still unclear and vague, their shapes resembled a man and a woman, though their faces were still obscured by mask. The man had a mask resembling a wolf and had a bow with him as he danced around and performed. His partner wore a fox mask and held a hoe instead and swung it around like how you would plow a field.

The duo were performing some sort of festival dance as the cheers grew loudly and the lively atmosphere doubled. I was about to get swept in until I felt a tightening in my chest. The wolf mask man had stopped in front of me, his hand bow pointed at me while his other hand was free. I didn't notice when the crowd had deafened but it was clear that it was quiet compared to earlier. As I was struggling with my breathing, a loud and young voice proudly proclaimed, "The beast is dead, and the harvest is saved!"

I woke up in cold sweat. Breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Looking around the room, my mind seemed to regain its senses. The familiar bedsheets and the utilitarian design of the room eased my breathing. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths as I laid myself back down. Recollections from last night sprung to mind. The attempted assassination and the subsequent countermeasures of night watch. I was part of the second shift with Rona and we were replaced by Ian and Melanie.

Turning to look at the window, there was already a tinge of light visible from the horizon. I let out a sigh and readied myself a bit earlier than usual, eventually forgetting the dream that woke me up.

The day would call for one last visit to the Governor's office and be on our way back to the Capital after lunch. We couldn't spend too much time for our farewells to all our contacts personally and hoped that passing messages on should suffice because of the uncertainty of the situation.

Inside the command room was Melanie, and on top of the table were cookies and crumbs.

"You're up early Captain." She said as she stood up to salute me.

"At ease." I replied and took one of the cookies. "Guess we're back on rations again tomorrow huh." I chewed on with a resigned look.

"Such is the sacrifices for field works Captain. This is nothing new for us." She took a sip of what assumed to be coffee.

We passed the time idly until the sun was properly up and we could hear more of the house occupants to wake up and make their way towards the command room. The remaining housekeepers who volunteered to stay despite the situation were surprised by everyone's attendance earlier than usual and quickly prepared breakfast.

"Thank you for your services." I told them after they laid our breakfast. "Once you've had your turn at breakfast, your services are over. We'll be relaying our thanks to the Governor and be on our way." The remaining house servants, which numbered two maids, one butler, and one chef bowed respectfully and thanked us for our efforts.

After everyone was finished with their breakfasts, we didn't bother to relocate to the command room and started the discussion here in the dining room.

"Is everyone clear on plans for today?" I asked. Everyone nodded without an ounce of hesitation nor disagreements. After giving everyone a sweeping gaze and a nod, I continued, "Very well then. Let's meet up at the Governor's office by the second bell. Make sure everything assigned to you has been accounted for."

The room went loud as all six of them replied with a resounding "Sir Yes Sir!".

We split up the division of tasks in three groups. Cameron and Victor would go collect all our orders of supplies, whether or not they were already ready in the various shops we talked with. Melanie and I would visit the Governor to relay to him change of plans and what to look out for while the remaining three, Joran, Ian, and Rona would load up the carts with all our documents and reports, alongside double checking if any information is missing or tampered with from the breach last night.

Afterwards, we'll be meeting at the Governor's office by the second bell which should correspond to around lunch time. Once everyone has arrived at that time, we'd be setting off back to the Capital City. Prioritizing speed over comfort since the reports we have on hand is of utmost importance.

It was about half an hour after the first bell rang for the day, Melanie and I went on foot instead towards the Governor's office since we couldn't take the horses now. Walking through the streets at past the morning rush for breakfast servings made the scenery a bit somber with everyone who couldn't make a meal themselves dining in one of the various taverns and inns around the city. Not too much mention that since the locals pretty much know each other, some of them even eat together despite being different households.

"Must be nice living in a tight-knit community huh?" I whispered. Melanie must've still heard it.

"It means more people know your personal activities. Everyone will know immediately if you were gone for just a day".

On that point I agree with her. For someone who wants to live a quiet and carefree life, neighbors who would know you like you're their family might be a tad too close for comfort.

We continued onwards, passing by the same scenery as we've already did and quite frankly, it really starts to look like a quiet countryside city. The difference in their life of simply consisting of farm, wineries, and other animal husbandry skills makes a stark contrast to the previous city, Mineras.

It had an industrial feel to it because of its main source of exports, magicite alloy and how it was closer to a gigantic production line than a city. Then again, it is exactly because of that expertise made that city stand out more economically and identity, making it a popular destination for folks looking for high quality materials.

While mulling that comparison, Melanie called out to me that we've arrived the the Governor's office. From the outside, there isn't much activity visible which may mean that the staff inside aren't swamped with work or that they haven't earnestly started on the day yet. Nevertheless, we would just need to squeeze in our talks with the Governor and just wait for everyone afterwards.

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We stopped and announced ourselves at the front door. An attendant that seemed familiar to me greeted us, "Ah the Enforcers from the estate!"

I stood there surprised that they know us but maybe one of the housekeepers loaned to us had already relayed the information to their peers as well. "Ah, then does the Governor know our appointment?"

He nodded, "Of course, I'll inform him of your arrival." We were escorted to the parlor room we were in during our first meeting and waited for the Governor to be called. Waiting felt like hours since it was the time between breakfast and lunch. People are either resting after their breakfast or are on their way to their work. I could already hear some hustle from the other government workers in the background.

My partner was idly staring out the window with her blank expression. Since it didn't seem to be that important, I didn't bother to ask her about it. After about another minute or so, the same attendant from earlier reentered the room, "Governor Carlos will see you now." He said with a bow.

Being escorted to the Governor's office of a city considered to be remote is a different feeling since it didn't even take a minute to reach our destination. He knocked our behalf and announced our arrival. We entered the room and saluted, "Thank you for meeting us on short notice." I loudly announced. The difference between being part of the Imperial Bureau are leagues compared to city officials.

Governor Carlos bowed as well. "I have been notified that a certain issue has expedited your departure." he turned serious as he spoke next, "I presume your arrival will explain the situation further?" I nodded at him and took the seat offered to us in front of him.

I explained to him the course of the events that took place since our last meeting. After sorting through the various locations suspected of Federation activity, then the altercation with the rogue terrorist attack, to the string of missing persons, and eventually to the break-in of an assassin last night.

He nodded gravely and mulled it over, occasionally tapping his pointer finger on the table. "I see." He took in a deep breath and straightened his posture, "I fear the effects of this situation is far beyond my capabilities, as much as I am loathe to admit." He leaned back as he exhaled, "But I shall tread cautiously and inform Count Leonhart of your findings."

I sighed, "Thank you. Though we planned to send a letter in the coming days, the event last night expedited our departure and hasn't even us enough time to adjust everything we needed to do." He closed his eyes and nodded.

"Yes, I applaud your skills for surviving this ordeal and informing us of these shadow assassins." He retrieved a paper from underneath his table and started scribbling on it. "I shall be sending the letter posthaste."

He continued to scribble fast and we were had already told him our plans and findings. It was time for us to leave and wait outside for the others. "We shall wait for our comrades here until the second bell then." I saluted before I left his office, guided by the same attendant who was waiting for us on the other side of the door.

Estimating the time left until the second bell leaves us with around an hour and a half. Though we couldn't exactly time it as soon as the second bell rang. Though it was hard to line up all those schedules accurately, but we decided to just wait outside the office. There were benches lined outside for visitors to sit on as they wait around.

"It's a shame we have to leave the city in these circumstances." I sighed forlornly. I sat down on one of the benches with Melanie following suit. "All that's left now is to wait for everyone to arrive."

We sat there on the bench, admiring the tranquility of the city. "Say Melanie.." I glanced at her before continuing, "Is this sort of situation normal for people in your field?" She threw a furrow of her brow so I expounded, "I meant this kind of dangerous tension?"

Melanie rested a finger under her chin as she thought about it. "I suppose for the average Enforcer Unit it would be not." She looked me in the eye, "Since our unit consisted of two fire mages, we would be unsuited to any urban takedowns and are mostly used for extermination missions."

I paused for a moment there and digested her explanation, "Wait... extermination?!" I stood up and pointed at her, "Was it already decided by Director Lightfield that you would exterminate Lucian?".

She nodded, a bit nonchalantly, "Not explicitly no, but it was a tacit understanding should the situation be unstable that as long as confidential information didn't leak, silencing him was an option."

A loud sigh escaped from my breath, causing me to deflate and slump on the bench again. "So I was the only one unaccustomed to this type of situation huh." I never felt this betrayed since I graduated from the academy. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. Then, expelled them all out in a huff and sat up straight. "Then I hope that we all make it back to the capital without any drastic incident."

Melanie nodded, "Of course Captain. Though it may not be seen visually, we are a capable unit in terms of combat prowess." A fearless smile was evident on her usual blank face.

We passed the time through more chatter, since I never got the chance to ask about their past missions. It was kind of crazy that there would be Imperial Law and Order Units being used as a mobile strike force. Apart from what I already knew beforehand from just taking a look at their records, they're more hardened than I would've thought.

The clatter of horseshoes are faintly audible as a lull in our conversation settled in. Looking towards the source, I saw the familiar wagon we've used to travel here, along with Victor at the helm. "Looks like they're here." We stood up and met them at the gate of the estate.

"Anything happened?" I inquired as I stopped in front of Victor. He gave a cheerful grin,

"Nothing out of the ordinary Captain." He hopped down and motioned for me to follow him towards the back. "We were able to get most of the provisions we requested Captain but with our accelerated departure, we couldn't get enough for the whole return trip." He opened up the covered supplies at the back, "At best we could spread it out enough for four days, maybe five if we could hunt some game."

I nodded at him and turned to ask at the driver of the second wagon, Cameron, "What do you think? Can we alleviate our lack of supplies with some hunting while we're out and about?"

Cameron took on his usual thinking face, eyebrows scrunched and looking downwards. "If we're not going to follow the exact same route we used to get here, it would be possible to venture out some hunting detours. However, that would put a different burden since we would be avoiding the rest stops with their proper camping utilities."

Narrowing my eyes in thought, I pondered it a bit more. By purposeful detouring to hunt some game for provisions, we would also be avoiding the rest stops with their clean water, and designated spots for campfire cooking. Not bad of a choice, but it would entirely be dependent if we would actually find enough animals to hunt to supplement our supplies.

"Can we make adjustments to our route now? or will you depend it on the circumstances of the weather for the day?" I asked. Melanie was already making her towards to the back of the second wagon.

Cameron nodded, "We'll base it on the weather conditions for the day. Animals will be sensitive to any changes in the weather which would both impact our hunting time and the time needed to progress through the forest trails."

"Then, shall we?" I grinned at him as I waved by him and went to the back of the wagon.

Though our departure was an abrupt one, fueled by the mysterious events surrounding the disappearance of the Federation spies, the missing informants, and the masked assassin. Come to think of it, there was a lingering question at the back of my head.

"Where is Commander Blue?" I was in our second wagon, along with Melanie, Rona, and Cameron at the reins. I heard a short groan before he replied,

"Come to think of it, we didn't find time to both look for her and inform her of our plan," he continued, "But I'm pretty sure she would've caught wind of our plans soon enough."

"True." Melanie piped in. "She works for the Imperial Spies after all," She turned too look towards the gates of Auburn that was only visible on the horizon now. "There are no secrets that the Empire will never find out." She added, a bit ominously.

I expelled a sigh, "Don't say such ominous things." I leaned back on the covers of the wagon, and looked back at the same scenery. Auburn was a nice city for some unwinding and vacation time with how easy-going day to day life there was. Maybe I should save up for a summer home here, or maybe choose to retire here when the time comes. But I would save thought for another day, after all, I still have some thirty or so years left before being of retirement age. I may not have intentionally done it, but I'm pretty sure I cracked a longing smile back at the city, eager for a chance to return for some true relaxation.