It took a few minutes for the Brandy’s men to be informed of the brutal demise of their comrades just a short distance away. Even then, the anticipated commotion didn’t occur. Or at least where Mila had expected it.

With nothing to do, Mila went over her equipment and appearance again. Everything was in order. She wished Naran would have helped out with adding a deadly toxin or two to her arsenal, but there had been none.

Those apparently were exceedingly rare. So Mila had to settle with just the usual dagger and a set of ten passable throwing knives. She had grown attached to the choice made by necessity. Although, at times, she did want to swing an unwieldy weapon with impunity. That had stayed the same. She wistfully recalled the halberds, axes and two-handed swords back in the armoury where Silinth had taught her companions.

The dark cloak was also new. Mila had not managed to clean out the blood stains and had chosen to replace her old tattered one. The blackish material blended excellently with the darkness. It was a common enough sight in the city to not invite curiosity by itself. It concealed everything but Mila’s size. It was a very recognisable feature of hers and not something she could change.

For a moment, Mila imagined herself sneaking around in large platformer shoes, then shuddered. No, she wouldn’t do that. It was practical, yes. It could be another layer of disinformation she could add, but she also felt like it injured her pride.

Instead, Mila pulled out a black silk mask and covered her face with it, leaving only her eyes open. The chances of anyone seeing her face and living were low, but there was no need to take chances. With this, she was ready. Mila watched someone rush inside the central building.

A moment later, a handful of people dispersed from it. They left through the main gates and headed for one of the nearby houses to kick up a fuss there.

The compound itself remained silent. Mila just shrugged. If the place were emptier, it would have been easier. But as it were, she would have to be a little more careful while moving.

When an angry band of lynchers burst out of the house where one of the men had vanished, they screamed and hooted for revenge. Most of the lookouts turned their attention towards the noise, and Mila used their wandering attention.

With a light step, Mila jumped off the roof she was hiding on and shortly landed on the wall, which she used as a support to launch herself deeper into the compound.

As expected, no one noticed her. Mila kneeled behind a bench, assessing the situation. According to Barcy’s information, given to her by Naran, Isabel had already killed one the most impressive fighters Brandy had found.

While Mila had not seen the fight, she felt it was impressive. Her girl was shaping up to be an excellent fighter. After a moment of internally praising Isabel, she began to sneak towards one of the smaller buildings.

A couple of men waltzed through the yard, talking about a hit against them. They speculated on who it might have been. The leading theory - it was Helly who had ordered it. The loss of the moustache had made them look weak in the woman’s eyes, and she had threatened them earlier today.

Mr Crow landed on the roof of the central and most impressive building. It sported a lot of carvings on the walls, depicting various hunts and beasts. He began searching for her, apparently having lost sight of Mila at some point.

As the duo of speculating men turned their backs, Mila showed herself to the bird. After nodding towards Mr Crow, Mila checked the shack. It was empty, containing only gardening tools.

With one place down, Mila continued to the next one. This time, it turned out to be a warehouse, and again - empty.

But the next building promised prey. It was a place where most likely servants stayed. Mila quickly crossed the yard while Mr Crow followed her and landed on the roof ledge. “Warn me if someone comes,” Mila instructed and entered the building.

It was quiet and dark inside. Mila took careful steps as she walked deeper into the corridor. The creaky floor tried to warn the inhabitants of her presence but failed due to her light advance.

Mila glanced through the rare windows as she checked the rooms - one after another. A few more times, she saw someone walk towards the main building.

As for the rooms? Most of them were empty. At least the first floor. When Mila climbed to the second one, the rooms turned from utility to personal quarters. Some of them were locked. Those she left alone, for now, choosing to check everything else first.

The next couple of rooms were inhibited. Mila silently studied the belongings of these sleeping people, deciding to let them live. They were just servants, from what she could tell.

But in the third room, Mila found weapons and simple leather armour. She looked towards the snoring man, then at the half-empty bottle of vile-smelling brew. Without further hesitation, she slit his throat. He bled out with just a token attempt at keeping his blood inside by grabbing his neck.

The same repeated in the fourth and fifth rooms. Mila reaped the souls of these creatures without remorse. The words of Isabel kept replying in her head. These people were vile creatures.

Perhaps the servants were innocent, but the rest? Hardly. Mila didn’t believe they had not partaken in atrocities. And for Isabel, she would do worse. Much worse.

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Soon, Mila was done with all of the open doors. She returned to repeat the same to the locked ones.

Breaking the locks without alerting anyone took more time than Mila liked. At the third door, she failed. Mila broke something in the lock that made too much noise and had to rush inside to knock out the poor, hysterical woman.

But that was the only mishap. After killing 9 people in total, Mila once more found herself in the yard. She watched the leisure patrol as it passed. Her position behind a flowering shrub offered enough concealment.

After checking everything besides the main building, Mila was ready to proceed. She rose from her position and shadowed the two men as they rounded the property.

Their inattention made it too easy for Mila. She simply followed their steps, close enough to strike at any moment. Their conversation about abusing a household nearby only reinforced her decision to clean this place.

And when they reached the shadows of the wall, Mila struck. There was no need to be fancy about it. A simple stab in the neck, and when the second man turned in surprise, a repeat.

As the lifeless bodies collapsed before Mila, she glanced back. Mr Crow had called out, and she noticed another messenger arrive through the gate.

With a click of her tongue, Mila kicked one of the corpses to land in a flowerbed while grabbing the other and holding it up. Some of the blood landed on her new cloak as she dragged the man forward, pretending he was patrolling.

Luckily, the messenger didn’t pay attention and rushed inside the main house. Mila discarded the corpse behind a shrubbery and, under Mr Crow’s watchful stare, started to sneak closer to her next target - the central building itself.

Another pair of men appeared soon after. One of them yawned while the other excitedly expanded on the importance of training in martial arts.

Some of the things the excited man said insulted Mila. She couldn’t figure out where he had gotten the idea that beating up someone less skilled would improve his skills.

So, Mila did the world a favour and freed it from the terrible notion. How simple it was just proved her point. The sleepy partner didn’t offer any resistance either.

With that, two patrols were gone. But there was a third. Mila rushed to dispose of the newly acquired corpses in more remote spots in the yard. This time, the choice fell on the shed.

Mila’s cloak acquired more blood during the endeavour. Now soaked in the red liquid, her visage had to be dreadful. She would have to ask Cecilia for a new cloak.

It didn’t take long for Mila to see the third pair of men arrive. They entered through the main gate, laughing. From their boisterous voices, she learned they had gone to see what the fuss was about. It was clear how confident they were in their ability.

And rightfully so. Mila could sense these two. They weren’t anything impressive to her, but well above anyone else she had seen in this dump. Perhaps around Norm… No, that wasn’t that pathetic instructor's name. Was it Nomnan, no? No, it was Nolman. Maybe.

But while Nordly’s instructor had been an inexperienced fool, these two reeked of brutal street history. They had seen a fair share of death and likely been the source of it in many cases.

Depending on how they grew up, these two could offer a token of resistance. Which made Mila cautious. She sniffed the air, fearing the wind would carry the smell of freshly shed blood towards them.

Luckily, that wasn’t the case. Mila kept the breeze in mind and circled behind her next prey. She concentrated on keeping her presence thin. One of the men glanced back, just barely missing her as she stepped behind a bush.

“Where is Hart and Nim?” The other frowned and started to study the yard.

“Probably pissing.” The first one’s gaze slid over Mila’s hiding place. Despite his words, he increased his vigilance.

“Hart! Nim!” There was a call for the dead guards.

Mila lowered her stance and pulled out a throwing knife, then gestured to Mr Crow, who hopped to the side and took a new position where he was better hidden.

When the yard remained silent, the duo grew increasingly alarmed. They didn’t raise the alarm just yet but did pull out swords.

Mila heard Mr Crow’s silent call and moved. At the same time, the clever bird dropped something from the rooftop he was hiding on, making the two guards snap at the sudden noise.

Just as Mila was about to reach them, the first one released there was something wrong. He began to turn to take a better look at the surroundings. But she was yet to be discovered.

With a practised ease, Mila threw the knife, aiming at the back of the still oblivious man, while preparing to engage with the other.

It took another second before Mila was discovered. She saw the moment it happened. The man’s eyes widened as the realisation they were being attacked hit. His mouth opened to warn his friend, but before he could, the thrown knife reached the man’s unprotected neck, leaving a deep gash on its side.

A gasp of pain escaped the injured man. The other one wanted to scream, but a penetrating, much more potent sound reached him before he could. Mr Crow’s song stupified them both.

Mila silently thanked Andrew’s bond. She could have done without it, but this made the killing effortless.

As her targets stumbled, Mila managed to pull a second knife from beneath her cloak and make a second attempt at the injured man’s life.

The wounded man had just turned to face the threat as Mr Crow had muddled his mind. The second knife flew true and punched right through the man’s windpipe, making him collapse.

Then, Mila was upon the last standing man. He gritted his teeth and wildly swung to keep her away, making her duck beneath.

It did buy him time, as Mila couldn’t reach vital spots from so low. Yet, it didn’t leave her without options.

Mila picked the obvious one. The one which guaranteed success. She sliced the man’s crotch as she felt the other man die. Part of his mana pool joined hers, confirming the kill.

The standing man gasped, taking in air to release an unholy scream as his jewels were torn apart by the sharp weapon. It left him completely defensless.

But the scream never came. Mila reaped the life by making an upward thrust through the man’s shoddy leather armour. The dagger penetrated deeply beneath the ribs, puncturing the heart. She felt more mana flow into her body.

It was done. These had been the most dangerous opponents outside, as far as Mila could tell. It was time to take a look at what was left inside.