When Abe entered the manor, the sight of its vast interior caught his eye. Though he was surprised somewhat, he maintained his calm immediately after. This manor was larger than the entirety of the Blackbird base. Marble stairs, leading up to the top floor by a pair of silver, embroidered railings pressed up against the walls of the interior. A chandelier – one of the most wasteful uses of light – hung neatly from the ceiling, sparkling against the sunlight which shone through from a tall, arched window against the elevated middle base of the stairs.

“If you would please follow me,” said a maid from within the doorway. A few other maids and butlers stood next to her, heads bowed, honoring Abe as a guest. Abe grunted, but nodded his head and began following the maid.

The pair began walking up the marble stairs, turning right and heading down the large expanse of a hallway. As they passed an endless series of rooms, the pair found themselves in an arched skywalk, sunlight poured through the arches. The warmth and atmosphere here felt almost dreamlike. As Abe looked down at the scenery below him, he saw farmers and servants toiling away at the acres below, or assisting in other mundane matters. He wondered if this is how the wealthy had always lived, avoiding the reality outside, or if there was another reason for this strangeness.

“The Countess’ room is up ahead,” the maid said, walking towards a set of towering, ornate double-doors. Two guards stood posted on each side, carrying what looked to be simple Johrei javelins and donning standard Bastion armor. They felt…somewhat flimsy when compared to the average hunter in Lucens Mundi, or any other district for that matter. However, they spoke no word, eyes never straying from Abe as the maid approached and opened the doors.

Well, they have the discipline…he thought.

A large chamber with tall ceilings opened up before him. A little like the monasteries of New Celebrant, the room itself was adorned with stained-glass windows and a small set of stairs leading up to a throne sitting in the center. A large patterned red and gold carpet strewn out in front of him invitingly, the crest of the Etresca family sitting weaved into its center.

A young woman, who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, sat on the large, embroidered seat at the end of the room. Banners of similar red and gold design hung behind her and a small drone floated above her head to her left, facing Abe, though Abe couldn’t tell if it was truly watching him, as it had no eyes.

In the corner, Abe spotted a lone hooded figure, who was sitting on the stairs, acting inconspicuous. A hunter, no doubt, but of what nature, Abe couldn’t quite discern.

“It’s alright, Erik,” the woman spoke. “I’ll be fine. You may leave now.”

The man, Erik, stood from where he sat and began walking slowly towards the set of double-doors behind Abe. When he walked out, the maid from earlier, closed the door behind him. She was still inside the room, which he found strange.

“So I presume you’re the Countess calling the shots around here?” Abe asked.

“And I presume you’re Mr…what was your last name again?” Countess Etresca asked back.

“Don’t got one. Parents died when I was young. Not all the kids of the underground get to live with such privileges,” he replied. “Just call me Abe.”

“I…see,” the Countess said, face stoic. Her voice though, betrayed a hint of pity.

“Look, let’s just get this over with. We both don’t want to waste each other’s time, and I got bigger hunts to catch. I need some info, and I hear you’re the one who’s got them.”

Countess Etresca, whose almost-white hair shone brilliantly against the light streaming through the windows, began to stand from her throne. Even at her higher elevation, she wasn’t very tall. Her long, frilled dress, designed with some type of shiny fabric and interwoven with an intricate web of complex patterns, stood out against the stone gray walls behind her. She looked at Abe with an expression that mixed fascination and disdain with a healthy dose of intrigue.

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“Reina did say you weren’t going to listen to any of my servants’ advice.” She began to laugh. “A fresh of breath air. I didn’t expect you to bow or anything, but to speak to a high noble of Vitadale like that. Had it been with any of the others, they might have forcefully evicted you from the premises already. But…” She smiled, pausing.

“Tell me,” she continued. “What information do you seek?”

Abe pulled on his beard thoughtfully.

“You’ve heard about the events which conspired in the Brusk sector of Necronova recently?” Abe stated.

“Only bits and pieces. The Auditors who arrived at the location were being very discreet about what exactly happened there that day, but enough witnesses were around the area afterwards to confirm something conspired between the hunters and even rumors of Division hunters’ involvement began circulating.”

“Well, to put it bluntly, cause I need us to work together on this,” Abe began, thoughtful, “the Trepidor brothers, leaders of Revenant’s Forge, were involved in a massacre at the warehouse in that district. A lot of men died that day, for reasons we can’t quite figure out. However, one thing we did note was that one of the mercenaries who died that day, had connections with Vitadale, as well as some other districts.”

Valurian Etresca’s eyes widened a bit, but she calmed down a moment later, as dignified as the noblewoman she represented.

Abe continued, “Did you hear of a man named Tor before?”

“The merchant?” Countess Etresca responded. Abe nodded. “I know of him. Why?” Abe didn’t notice the subtle clenching of her fist at hearing his name.

“The Twindust rebellion. I’ve heard some of his product was directly manufactured and imported from Vitadale itself.”

Etresca said nothing for a while.

“…Yes. Though none will admit it, there has been connections between him and a few of the noble hosues including…” she scowled in frustration, “- including our own. My brothers were receiving part of the profits from that terrible incident, and once I caught wind of their dealings…I knew our house would fall if that information were to ever escape.”

“And you’re okay with telling me this?” he asked.

“You shared the details of the events in Necronova. That’s information few are privy to and it seems you understand the necessity of quid pro quo. Since you offered first, it is only natural I share my knowledge as well.”

“Reina did seem to like you quite a bit,” Abe mentioned.

The Countess seemed pleased at that. “Well, she’s always had good taste.” She began to walk down the steps in front of her, speaking as she eased her way towards a long, draped table near one of the walls. Paintings hung from above, depicting a number of faces Abe didn’t recognize. The Countess grabbed a strange round pot with a curved spout, and poured a dark yellow-green liquid into a strangely designed porcelain cup.

“Tea always helps me calm down,” she said.

“About the-” Abe began.

“Tor wasn’t always a merchant. He was originally known as Toren Dydrian, a minor nobleman. He was…a strange individual, who loved to venture, telling those he passed of the great offerings bestowed upon us by the outsiders, which is nothing but colloquialism to non-resident ears. Apparently, my brothers, as well as some other noteworthy influential noblemen, got caught up in his Twindust scheme during its early stages. With the backing of a Division hunting group, Tor was able to circulate a steady supply of Twindust throughout all of Neo-Kamakura. At least…until the rebellion caught up with and he was marked and ultimately ousted.”

“Wait,” Abe asked, putting out his hand to stop her from continuing. “You’re saying that a Division was working with him? How come no one ever brought this up before? Are you sure what you’re saying is real?

“Yes,” Countress Etresca said, bringing her hand in and taking light sips from the tea. “I knew it was a Division because I overheard my brothers talking with one of their members. He was a man with green hair tied up into a ponytail. He had some kind of strange suit on, with patterns etched onto it. And the way he spoke-”

She remembered this strange man, whose voice grated on her ears like nails on a chalkboard. He was tall, and skinny, and seemed to mention something about keeping “it” safe. After that, Tor disappeared, never to be seen again…until recently.

“-the way he spoke just reminded me of an interrogation. Someone who, like myself, tried to glean information from the smallest slip of the tongue. Someone who, despite no one else noticing, had already resolved to kill my brothers on the spot, had they refused Tor’s offer.” She paused, face serious. “It wasn’t until later until I realized his resemblance to a member of the Division group which was sent to hunt Tor during his initial persecution. I’m sure you’ve seen the news yourself, given the information Division hunters are privy to.”

The man sounded familiar to Abe…

It couldn’t be, right?

The leader of the Vipers Division, Urien Vasser.