After several days of travelling Misa has made it to the rooftops of the buildings of the New quarter of Satharak, the map Amalas gave her indicates that their hide-out is on top of one of the many poorly maintained apartment complexes. She travels exclusively at night across the rooftops, to avoid any guard patrols, which are frequent in the city. The commoner areas of Satharak are densely populated and the streets, besides the main roads, are narrow. Their hideout is located in the new quarter of Satharak, a former slum area that is still inhabited by the poorer people of Satharak. On the many apartment complexes are cots which are also constructed in every space that is available.

Satharaks New quarter district is a lot less controlled. She approaches the trap door and knocks. No response.

Opening the trapdoor reveals several young armed men with their weapons drawn, angrily staring at her.

What do you want, demon?! A large, chubby boy in the back yells at her. She shows them the scroll with the map on it. I-I, was asked to c-come here by Amalas, she stutters, afraid of what might happen to her. Perhaps it was all a setup.

Oh you're familiar with Amalas? Yeah wait I know this girl, Amalas says. They lower their weapons. Most of the men return to playing cards and chatting. Why didn't you knock the entrance code?

Entrance code? Misa replies.

Look, it's right there on your scroll.

I can't read, Misa explains. They sit her down and Amalas brings her a drink. He seems genuinely happy to see her.

I'm surprised you made it, I thought you said you wouldn't come to the city?

Yeah well, things happened, I got nowhere else to go. I was hoping you guys could help me remove the entrapment seal on my back.

The large chubby boy joins the conversation. Sure we can do that. The name is Bhorn, I've been the leader of the freedom fighters for the past 5 months.

But before we help you, we need you to help us. You need to earn our trust.

A large buff guy interrupts the conversation, you can't trust demons, it's always the same with them. I say we just get rid of her, she's an unnecessary risk.

It angers Misa. Well I wouldn't trust you around a food supply, fatso. Some of the guys laugh.

Come on now, no fighting, that's why we have these tests, to see if you're trustworthy. You can go with Amalas and his crew. In the meantime, enjoy yourself. We have good food here, there's an expert weapon craftsman as well, we even have a tailor here.

I don't want different clothes. I like what I have. Her mood is bad, because the fat guy had to make that nasty remark. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut.

That's fine, you don't have to buy new clothes, I'm merely informing you that the option is there.

Misa looks around the room. It's quite large. There's all sorts of people here, most of them young. And most of them are men. There's very few girls here. They're also mostly humanoids although she can spot at least one feline roguelike person.

Come on Misa, let's play some dice. Then you can meet my friends! Amalas says.

[https://i.imgur.com/1tAzAld.jpg]

[https://i.imgur.com/WztfexV.jpg]

This here is Andrius, he's not much of a talker. He's addicted to health potions, so if you ever have any extras, send them his way! He's very skilled with the bow and arrow. Andrius looks at Misa and nods slightly, then looks away.

[https://i.imgur.com/RIXJluQ.jpg]

And this here is Hilbert. He points at the big buff guy that said you can't trust demons. He's very powerful, he's our berserker. But he's got a good head on him too. Hilbert sharpens his dual scimitar-like blades and gives Misa an unfriendly glare, before sitting down at their table. His large body barely fits on the chair, a second chair would fit under him easily.

His chair makes a squeaking sound as it can barely hold it's weight.

What's a berserker? Misa asks.

It's a melee fighter who charges in and fights up close, he channels his anger for combat, Amalas explains.

I'm the assassin of our group. I mostly do recon work and well, assassinations, he explains. But that's enough, for now, let's play some dice.

He explains the game to Misa and they roll dice for a while. Using potions as bets for the winner. It's a good team building exercise, the stakes are low and they get to know each other.

Misa isn't very lucky but it's not like she's losing a lot either. Honestly, the game kinds of bores her. Either you learn to cheat at it or you are left to fate. Not much you can do. The conversation isn't that good either. She actually has little in common with these guys.

Most of them were raised in slums and decided to fight the upper classes of Satharak. They help the poor too, and they've supposedly freed slaves before, which is commendable, but still, something about their humor and references makes Misa feel alone. Perhaps it's simply that they've known each other for years, and she is new. She's tired too, she'd rather be sleeping.

Then she hears a high pitched voice yell from across the room. Misa! I didn't think I'd see you here!

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

It's Venenia. In what is certainly a rare occurrence, the side of Misa's mouth retracts to form a smile. Venenia! She yells.

She runs toward her, and Venenia hugs her. She joins their table and they chat for an hour. Misa's spirit is lifted and they all get along.

Then Venenia brings Misa to her own nearby hideout. It is also hidden away on a rooftop. From the inside, it looks very cozy. There's lots of cute animal paintings and drawings hanging on her walls, and there's lots of old books. All of it is painted by her.

She rolls out a bed roll for Misa to sleep at.

The following morning when Misa awakes, Venenia takes her to a small breakfast cafe not far from her house.

They sit down and order pancakes. Lots of pancakes. They make a tower of pancakes and feast on it. It's the most delicious thing Misa has ever had. So sweet and fluffy.

The waiter walks over to their table and gives Venenia a drink. From the young man over there, miss Venenia.

Oh, tell him I said thanks.

Misa looks annoyed. Venenia can tell that she is a little bit jealous of all the male attention she gets.

Oh, excuse me I gotta go to the bathroom. She places Abaddon down on the table.

Then she walks over to a group of guys sitting in the back. Hey, could you do me a favour?

Sure, anything for a pretty girl like you!

Treat my friend to a drink, she's sitting over there, next to the hat.

What? She looks childish, I'd rather treat you!

I know, but just do it for me please! You don't have to talk to her.

Okay then.

Not long after Venenia returns, a waiter arrives, here, this is for you, from the man over there.

Wow. This for me? Misa looks overjoyed, and she is blushing.

S-should I go talk to him? Misa asks, somewhat flustered.

No no, guys have to approach you. Just enjoy your free drink.

Okay then.

So what are you doing with the freedom fighters Misa, Abaddon asks.

Well I need to get my entrapment seal removed. And it seems they can help me with it.

Oh. Well watch yourself. Those rebels have done some questionable things in the past. They do some noble things like freeing slaves and donating food to the poor, but at the same time they assassinate people who oppose them or mid-ranking officials.

Without addressing the real issues.

Ah they're not that bad, Venenia says. They're trying to make changes, it's just difficult is all.

Do you help them? Misa asks Venenia.

Well a little bit. I make potions which they buy from me, occasionally. Sometimes I help them with small things. Abaddon doesn't like it though. He thinks they're trying to use me.

Exactly. There's not many skilled mages out there, and they know that if you go on a mission I'll go along, and pretty much nobody can stop me.

Ah, you're always so pessimistic Abaddon.

You should just focus on collecting my items. We already have the staff and my book. If we can find my rings and boots we can restore my body.

We'll do that soon enough Abaddon, I know how important it is to you.

How exactly did you get trapped in a hat? Misa asks.

Alright I'll tell you the whole story.

About 200 years into the past, I was a powerful wizard. I was part of the wizard council for Satharak, a very powerful position. I even helped with the opening of the first rift in Achnasheen. Turned out to be a great mistake, but that's a story for another time.

Even though wizards were respected, those who practised dark magic were generally feared and shunned. So after the rift opening the negative consequences associated with that, a lot of us were forced into exile.

And I did live in exile. It wasn't so bad though. I had an army of slaves and loyal servants, who built me a small castle not too far from here. There I lived in luxury.

But when the famines started they began to revolt, I had to fight many of them. I admit, I was a pretty selfish person. I think I killed most of them. Then after most of my servants and slaves either died or fled, I had to subdue local peasants to work for me.

At some point, a group of quite powerful warriors attacked my castle and ambushed me. It was an entire raiding party, they had a priest, 2 magicians, each specialising in different elements, a shieldbearer, a knight, and an archer. They were very experienced, I fought them ruthlessly. I managed to kill the archer. I had to obliterate his body. It was tricky, you see, priests generally just revive people if you kill them. But I couldn't harm the priest since the shieldbearer protected her. It was a clever tactic. Because I practise dark magicks, I have mastered the ability to be reborn, I'd just take control of another body. That was the ace up my sleeve. But they knew about that, somehow. So instead they painstakingly eradicated every undead and living thing within the castle. Forcing me to put my soul into this hat instead. Then they took all the items that aided in my power and confiscated them, my book, my staff, my rings, my enchanted belt.

I would've been trapped for all eternity. I was trapped for many years there in total darkness.

I began to reflect upon my actions. In my desire for power I had become a terror to many. I swore then to never harm the innocent ever again. My power was waning. See I'm not really immortal. I still need arcane energy to continue my existence.

Then one day a girl found me. It was Venenia. She was a very young apprentice mage by then, who had heard that a powerful wizard once lived in the castle. And she hoped to find some special magic items there.

She saw how weak I was and brought me to a source of Arcane energy, restoring some of my power. Ever since I've been training her with her magic, and in return she will help me restore my body.

Now we're best friends! Venenia ads, cheerfully. She really seems to befriend everyone, even a former mass murderer. Scary stuff.

And she's making good progress, she can already cast lots of poison spells and her alchemy is quite good. And she's taught me to be kind to people. Venenia always tries to help everyone at her own expense. Making the world a better place everywhere she goes.

Yaaay!

What happened to the other wizards? Misa asks.

Oh I don't know, I think most of them died. Not all of them were fortunate enough to escape into a piece of clothing.

Let's go shopping for clothes! Venenia says. It's a lot of fun to try on new outfits! Even if you don't buy anything!

No please, anything but clothes shopping, Abaddon says frantically. You too Abaddon, we can buy you a hat for your hat! Hahaha.

They visit Venenia's favourite tailor, trying all sorts of wares.

Look, what do you think of this skirt Abaddon? Does it go well with my figure?

I really don't know anymore Venenia, just buy something, please, we've been here for an hour already.

Misa buys a skirt and top with custom embroidered symbols to the god of death. She doesn't really have much of a fashion sense, unlike Venenia.

Venenia buys far too many clothes, and a cute ribbon for her hat, much to the dismay of Abaddon, who was quite attached to the more masculine image of being a regular black hat, with no literal strings attached.

Afterwards they also buy Misa a new set of daggers, with a special poison reservoir inside of them. It will come in handy for tomorrow's mission.