Glen retrieved the proceeds from the business over the past few days from Luther and disbursed their monthly wages in advance.

The instant the three received the money, they could scarcely contain the elation on their countenances.

After a brief pause, Glen inquired of Luther,"How has Clive fared in selling the furniture? Has he visited these days?"

At this mention, Luther promptly wiped the smile from his face and replied,"I nearly overlooked it, Mr. Glen. Clive... he has passed away..."

Glen's brows furrowed."What transpired?"

An indignant expression suffused Luther's features as he began,

"For the initial days following your departure, all was well. Clive would report to me daily on the resounding success of the furniture business. He stated that the furniture crafted by your own hands had garnered immense popularity among the nobles there. So great was the demand that they flocked from far and wide, vying to acquire a piece, driving the prices to exorbitant heights.

"This, it seems, incited the envy of others, particularly those two individuals who visited previously. They sought to seize the unsold furniture by force, but Clive resolutely refused. This was recounted to me by Clive during our final encounter. Subsequently, news reached us of his tragic demise on his way back. I am certain that those scoundrels were the perpetrators, for soon thereafter, the furniture you made found its way into the abode of that fellow named Hubert and became his merchandise."

Upon hearing this, Glen remained silent, his expression darkening to a menacing degree.

Luther, even after his account, remained consumed by anger, as did the Carter brothers. They, too, had been incensed upon learning of these events.

Those bullies seemed to regard murder as an ordinary occurrence.

"We reported the matter to the authorities, yet with the limited capabilities of the local constabulary, they were unable to unearth any leads. Those villains had covered their tracks too meticulously," Cagin lamented, his tone despondent.

"Do they still reside in the same place?" Glen inquired abruptly.

Luther shook his head."I am unsure. Given the constables' inability to find evidence, I engaged a carriage and journeyed to Clive's town. I witnessed that Hubert character, jesting and conversing with others in a carpentry workshop. They displayed no semblance of remorse for their heinous act. Overcome with indignation, I approached and remonstrated with them, only to be assaulted in return. Had it not been for the throng of people on the street at that time, I might not have escaped unscathed."

Glen rose to his feet and addressed the three employees,"Very well, the workday has ended. You should hasten home and rest. Tomorrow may prove to be a busy day."

Assuming Glen was in a foul mood, the three refrained from comment, gathered their belongings, and with a word of farewell, departed.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Glen stood at the shop entrance, his gaze following the three receding figures, then shifted to the inky expanse of the night sky.

Work awaits me upon my return... Alas, forgive me, Clive. I shall avenge you forthwith... Glen turned, extinguished the shop's lights, and closed the door with care.

The next moment, his form vanished in a blur.

In Kanchi Road Town, a hundred kilometers distant from Dude Town.

Within a large civilian dwelling, Hubert and Chels were tallying the day's business earnings alongside five burly men.

They amassed copper and silver coins upon the wooden table, the metallic sheen captivating all present.

"One thousand two hundred and thirty - four copper coins?! Good heavens! This is significantly less than the earnings of previous days!"

A man with a balding pate groaned, his face etched with discontent.

"Come now, those pieces of furniture have all been sold. Earning this amount in these days is quite commendable. Even in the past, Clive's shop could not have achieved such profits," Chels retorted, rolling his eyes at the balding man.

"Why can we not obtain more of that furniture? Have you not witnessed how avidly the noble lords desire it? They were practically pleading with us!"

The balding man exclaimed, gesturing extravagantly.

"That lad named Glen crafted only a limited quantity. Moreover, Hubert and I have long intended to teach him a lesson. But confound it! We know not where he has been these past days. We lay in wait for several days, yet he was nowhere to be seen," Chels exclaimed, throwing up his hands in frustration.

"What concern is it of yours? Are you not both carpenters? Surely, you can fashion such seemingly simple furniture?"

Another man, adorned with a turban, interjected.

The others concurred, believing the furniture to be unremarkable and assuming they could replicate it.

Both Chels and Hubert flushed crimson.

"Easy for you to say! You have no inkling of the challenges involved! Do you know the tools required to sand the wood to such a smooth finish? Do you know how to bore a hole in a finger - sized piece of wood? If replication were possible, we would have done so long ago! Would we forgo such a lucrative venture?!"

"You laymen perceive it as simple, but there are numerous techniques involved! All you do is spout empty words!"

Observing the two, red - faced and vehemently arguing, the others fell silent.

"We ought to have refrained from killing Clive. Had we kept him under our control, we might have procured more," the balding man mused after a moment.

The others nodded in agreement.

At that moment, the barking of their dog outside the house pierced the air, soon giving way to terrified whimpers, and then silence.

The men in the room turned their heads towards the exterior.

Hubert muttered,

"What could be the matter? Has a wolf from the mountains infiltrated the town?"

No one replied. Chels, nearest to the door, rose to his feet, intending to open it and investigate.

But as he did, the door swung open of its own accord.

Glen entered, a smattering of dog blood upon him. After entering, he gently closed the door behind him.

Turning, he addressed the stunned group,"Good evening, gentlemen. I am here to exact retribution."

"Who is he?" One of the burly men, slower to react, queried.

"It's you! We did not seek you out, yet you have come of your own accord! And uttering such audacious words! Have you brought reinforcements? We have more men! They are in the adjacent room, and there are constables here! Do you intend to perish with us?!" Chels exclaimed, his words tumbling out in rapid succession, convinced that Glen must have brought a retinue of thugs.

Does he truly think he can instigate a brawl with us in the town? This youth lacks all sense!…Chels thought, filled with contempt.

"You have more men? Then summon them promptly, lest you suffer later," Glen said amiably, having been on the verge of action but halting upon hearing Chels' words.

"Hubert, summon all the men you can!" Chels commanded his companion, still seated on the bench.

For now, they would gather sufficient numbers to intimidate their opponent, then engage in a negotiation. It would be best to avoid conflict, for even the most inept constables in the town would not tolerate such a large - scale altercation.