The trip back was surprisingly easy. They had food, light, water, everything else they could need, and most importantly…

A route. Mireille had been laying a thread down the whole way in, so to get back, they just had to follow it. And strangely… it was a peaceful trek. No spiders bothered them.

It still took time. It was a constant, grueling march up the slope, and they had injured members. But they were getting better, and they had company, so it was a lively trip back.

Mireille even managed to prod Fayette to share some of her songs, so they were all hollering along happily as they marched up. And oh how up they marched. Fayette felt dizzy as she thought about how far down she had fallen because the trip back up was just that long. A day? Two? They stopped twice for a brief rest, but how long were they awake really?

But their other breaks were little, just brief stops to eat and look over recovering injuries. Finally, they collapsed down into one heap as they reached the blocked-off exit, where a mountain of boulders still blocked off the exit.

They decided to take a break there. And plan.

This had only been a side distraction after all. The real enemies were still outside, up to who knows what. But they had leverage. Who would expect them to still be alive? Or to have found the [Lord’s] target in an ancient ruin?

Or to have leveled. Fayette was rather satisfied with her new capstone skill. After reading the description… she felt it was really fitting for her.

So, after resting and planning, they started excavating a way out, mainly with Marie’s magic, but the others helped too. When the rest of the mines were asleep, four women crept through the corridors, avoiding any watchful eyes.

And so it was that the [Chief Miner] received a rude awakening.

—

The man, Romaine, blinked in his bed, adjusting his eyes to the sudden flash of magical light in the room. Then he realized that there were four people standing above his bed.

He jolted up and began to shout, but no sound left the room or even arrived in his own ears. He quieted as soon as he had begun.

“Shush—we’re not here to harm you,” Marie said in a placating tone. She stood unsupported, exuding the calm confidence of a trained [Lady]. “We’ve just come to get some explanations.”

The man gradually calmed down, recognition finally passing through his eyes. He spoke more calmly, and Marie released the [Control Conversation]. “You four, you’re alive? I thought there was…”

“A mine collapse, explosion, yes—a most unpleasant business,” Marie said, waving him quiet. Then her eyes sharpened. “And betrayal.”

“The boy?” Romaine asked, voice quiet.

Fayette stepped forward and shook her head, tossing a gnawed-up skull at the bottom of the bed. The [Chief Miner’s] face froze. “This lad did his best, was the older guy who tried to blow us all up.”

A deep hiss of breath exited the man. “Henri, but how? He’s one of my best. He was devastated… Been drinking nonstop ever since.”

“We think there was someone else’s skill involved,” Mireille said, leaning against the back wall. A subtle aura of danger hovered around her too, now. Like a patient observer, waiting for the right moment to strike. “You should still take him in for questioning. But later. We want to stay discreet a while longer.”

Marie took the turn, gazing sharply at the man. “Where are those two strangers—Pierre and Marat?”

Romaine sighed. “Gone. They left soon after you did, saying something about meeting again later. And the [Strike]… it’s not going well. I can feel my skill slowly failing.”

“Why is it failing? Duration? Those two did something?” Marie asked, pacing.

“No, just the [Lord]. He’s acting.”

The [Lady] raised her gaze. “Acting how?”

The [Chief Miner] sat up in the bed, stretching out his hands. “Sent out all his [Guards] to siege us down, even hired some mercenaries. And our suppliers in town have quieted. Nobody can get in anymore.”

Mireille’s eyes flashed, and she walked forward. The [Seamstress] looked at her party. “All his [Guards]? He didn’t have many at the manor before, did he? How empty is it now?”

“He can’t have that many men,” Marie answered, thinking. “He is minor, not that much money. No friends either. And he is not in favor—he can’t have gotten much in the way of reinforcements. If everyone’s staking out this place…”

“Then he’s in his manor all alone, isn’t he?” Fayette finished, smiling. The [Maid] turned to the [Miner]. “By the way—how long were we down there?”

Romaine counted out in his mind for a moment, then nodded. “Eleven days.”

Fayette grimaced. She turned to Mireille. “Sorry, looks like I missed your birthday.”

The [Seamstress] rolled her eyes. “That was three days in—obviously it was longer than that. Just… Let’s get this bastard.”

Everyone nodded.

Marie turned to the [Chief Miner], one last time. “Go back to bed, don’t alert anyone. The [Lord] may have more spies in here. We’ll resolve this by morning.”

The man hesitated, then nodded. “Don’t know how I’ll sleep knowing this…” he muttered.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The hunters left—and went to hunt.

—

It was night out in town, but the mines were still surrounded. Torches and fires, and [Guards] sitting by them—a perimeter with no holes. The stars twinkled above, and Fayette felt like she was surrounded by waiting eyes. The cave’s still lurking in my soul…

Olivia was glaring at the perimeter—rapidly emptying a bottle of hard liquor.

“Are you sure about this?” Marie asked for the third time, looking at the [Doctor’s] pace with open horror.

“Don’t worry, I’ve done this before,” Olivia answered, wiping her mouth. Some liquid still dripped off her chin. “It’s the best way to get rid of just one [Guard]. Not technically an attack, so most skills don’t notice it.”

Fayette nodded. “It’s true, she has done this before.”

“Well—just be careful,” Marie finally said, relenting. She still looked worried.

“Don’t worry,” Olivia said, stepping into the darkness and heading towards a [Guard] just a bit away from the others. Her steps swayed a bit.

Now Fayette felt worried too. But as she followed the gloomy woman’s progress, she saw her unerringly get near the nodding-off [Guard], and tag the man, who slumped down against the building’s wall.

The rest of the party went forward, careful to keep their heads down. The [Guard] was snoring. And the [Doctor] was cursing, quietly.

Olivia rubbed at her eyes. “Shit, this bastard really was tired. I’m nodding off already.”

“You still alright to go?” Fayette asked, looking at her with worry. It had been a long night for them too.

The [Doctor] pulled out a flask full of foul-smelling liquid and drank a sip from it. Her eyes opened very wide. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this. I’m a professional.”

Nobody commented on the drink, and the four advanced into a sleeping town.

It stood silent around them, lit only by the glints of moonlight and star through the clouds. Almost as if abandoned. Just a bit unnerving.

There really were no [Guards] inside the town itself. After passing the perimeter, they saw nobody at all keeping watch. Just the steady circle of fire around the hill. They made quick progress, and only the tavern still had some signs of life. Fayette [Eavesdropped], heard some scandalous noises coming from inside, then stopped the skill on the spot. She shook her head. Uncivilized. The skill was sometimes unpleasant.

And they reached their target, the mining company’s silent main office. Only two stories, a simple building of wood, but it loomed. There was just something about night-time buildings. Silent but so large. After being underground for so long, even the sky felt unnerving.

“His bedroom was behind the office, right?” Marie asked, squinting at the building.

“Just so, workaholic types are always like that,” Olivia said, readying a scalpel into her hand.

Fayette stepped forward and tried the front door. Locked. She hit the handle with her broom three times. Unlocked.

The door opened, and nobody stood inside. Just a dark room “Are they really this careless?” Mireille asked, staring suspiciously.

Fayette stepped inside, and the floorboards creaked under her. Ominous. But there was nobody, just the simple room lit by moonlight. The clouds were clearing.

“Is this a trap?” she asked, saying what everyone was thinking. Her voice echoed in the empty room, like a murmuring ghost.

Marie stepped inside too, quiet. She thought long, then finally took a step in front of Fayette. “We can hardly run away from an empty building. Maybe he’s making a run for it? Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”

They had survived the abyss of the caverns and defeated a monstrous fire-spider. What was one [Lord]?

Mireille and Olivia stepped inside too, and the four advanced up the central staircase silently. Figures in paintings stared at them, watching their advance inside. And they reached the office, and they opened the door.

And the [Lord] was waiting at his desk. He smiled.

The room was dark, lit only by moonlight, but Marcel was at ease and sat at his writing desk in the middle of the night as if it was the most natural thing to do. His [Secretary], a woman with thick glasses and hair in a neat bun stood by his side, motionless, glasses gleaming like giant eyes.

Fayette shivered, and Marie froze in the doorway.

The [Lord] widened his smile, bony face like an ashen skull in the dim light, almost inhuman. “Welcome, family dearest. I’ve been expecting you,” the [Lord] said, gesturing them inside.

“What is the meaning of this?” Marie asked, not stepping inside.

“Ah, tut tut. [Don’t Be Impolite], I invited you in.” The man said, again gesturing inside. His smile took on a mischievous tint. “I’ve heard you’ve been a naughty girl indeed.”

Marie stared for a long second, measuring. “So you’ve contacted the family? It doesn’t matter. We know what you did.”

“And I know what you did,” Marcel answered, voice dripping with poison. “Are you going to be impolite? Must I invite you again?”

Fayette frowned, was this his gambit? A contest of etiquette skills and blackmail? They had defeated spiders. She had killed [Lords]. It would not be the first.

Fayette looked at Marie, and the [Lady] nodded at her. “His blackmail won’t matter,” she whispered, looking back at the man.

Fayette stepped inside the room.

Nothing happened. She glared at the [Lord] but saw no weapons. All his [Guards] had been at the mine. The [Secretary]? Fayette turned to stare at her, but the woman did not answer her gaze. Just stood there silent, like a puppet. No edge to her at all.

Marie hesitated for a moment and stepped inside too. Mireille and Olivia followed, weapons out.

“What are you doing Marcel? We’ve found out your plot—you have no leverage. Even if you know about my circumstances. I know what you’ve done”

The man chuckled, twiddling an admonishing finger at Marie. “Ironic words, sister dearest. Just the past few days, I happened to hear the most interesting story. You almost got me in trouble.”

Fayette and Marie advanced on the table, stepping in sync. They glared at him, and Marie spoke. “Don’t besmirch my name. Whatever you think you have on me—you don’t have it. Is that what you resort to—blackmail? Pathetic.”

The [Lord] looked between Marie and Fayette, still openly amused. “You think so? But really, just what plots have you gotten wrapped up in your despair?” He looked up at the [Lady], no hints of unease on him. “Two dead [Lords]? Something about a factory in Palogne of all places? Visitors coming here, trying to arrest me? They told the most interesting tale.”

Marie’s face was blank with confusion, but Fayette shivered, suddenly feeling her [Dangersense] blare out. She looked around wildly, holding her broom out, thoughts suddenly racing. No, have to—

“Ah—well then. I guess it’s time.” Marcel said, then clapped his hands twice.

Fayette began to jump at him. Marie began gathering magic around her, and Olivia and Mireille stepped forward, falling into formation.

The [Maid] was beginning her strike, ready to stop the [Lord] once and for all—

Then all the closed doors in the room exploded. And the windows.

Figures in heavy armor bashed the doors in, aiming swords and crossbows into the center. Cloaking skills were released, and suddenly three men in robes were in the room, readying glowing magic in their hands. Powerful auras blinked into being. Nimbler sorts even jumped through the second-story windows, smashing them in and reaching the room.

Shards of glass were thrown all over and papers strewn about, but even Fayette could ignore that now. She had an instinct about their classes. [Knights], [Lords] and [Mages]—elites, all of them. So many?

Fayette, Mireille, Marie, and Olivia had frozen solid at all the readied weapons, not moving an inch. Then... a figure in brilliant blue armor finally stepped inside. He walked in leisurely, last of all, from the main doorway.

“Marie Adrienne Du Noelle, [You Are Under Arrest], on suspicion of conspiring to murder [Lords] Aumont younger and Castellani, as well as industrial sabotage, and conspiring with foreign countries.”

Fayette recognized one of those names and felt her blood running cold. These things have consequences?

Calm eyes stared at the frozen-solid [Lady], who had no idea what was going on. But she managed to utter a skill. “[Elegant Tea Party],” voice like a mouse.

But this… It would not save them here, Fayette knew. They were the guilty party—the invaders. Etiquette was not on their side.

[Lord] Marcel smiled wide and gestured at his [Secretary]. “Isabelle, leave us and close the door behind you. Ready the men at the mines” He stared at Marie, like a jackal finding injured prey.

“This is a matter for nobility.”