“That’s quite enough.” Koldon stopped his new retainer just before he could spill the tea. “You may leave.”

The poor soul almost dropped the teapot before bowing so deep he was about to break himself in half. Then, he, with a flurry of apologies, exited the room.

Now alone in the rather lavishly decorated room, Koldon allowed the displeasure to show on his face. He had avoided doing it before his retainer to not scare him.

The paintings of long-gone nobles looking down on him didn’t improve Koldon’s dour mood. The whole place was pointless. He had never understood the need for the overbearing opulence.

After semi-seriously considering ruining the gem-decorated chandelier, Koldon reigned in his impulses. He had protested against taking over the sinning noble's place, but his companions had disagreed.

Well, Koldon had to admit the beds were very comfortable to sleep in. And his newest mercenaries had plenty of space to live in.

“It’s not that bad.” Suddenly, the other person in the room inserted. Arhk was currently lying on a small couch reading a book.

Koldon disagreed. So had Insy. The woman was currently terrorising the mayor of this small city. She was looking for information about what had happened to the local Temple.

“We are losing control of the situation.” Koldon voiced his thoughts. Arhk looked at him in askance. He started to count. “None of the locals know what happened to the leadership of their Temple. We have lost the trail of heretics. King Oispio has been too forthcoming with giving us power - we have overextended. The Tordgo’s military has been too incompetent. Despite them being ready and gathering resources for years, they have done nothing but lose to Imeglenmo. Harantin was killed in one such battle where Tordgo had the upper hand, but in the end, they lost. Harantin was my friend, Arhk. We also lost Nini and Poley. We don’t even know how.”

Outside, the noise of a carriage interrupted the peace. Arhk put down his book. “The situation is still within acceptable parameters.” He rose from the couch and walked to the window. “Insy is back.” He paused. “She does not look happy. We likely have a dead mayor on our hands and no leads.”

“This is what I meant. There is too much we don’t understand.” Koldon insisted. “We have to do something.”

“And what do you suggest?” Arhk sighed. He didn’t want to deal with angry Insy.

“We ask for help,” Koldon stated.

“From whom? While our northern borders are secure, we can’t pull the forces from there. Tetean theocracy will take advantage of it. We still have our own lands to govern as well. The Emperor won’t be happy to put more resources into acquiring Tordgo.”

“No, he won’t.” Koldon agreed. The nobles would gain too much if the Emperor made concessions to appease them. “We need someone who knows Tordgo. We need not just strength but also knowledge.”

“I see…” Arhk whispered. “But the Torch is under house arrest. Tordgo forbade his entrance into its territory as well.”

“King Oispio did state as much, but perhaps it’s time to renegotiate.”

“He is not known to take back his words.” Arhk disagreed. “Besides, even if King Oispio agreed, our Elders…” He stopped. “No, they likely would. Losing three Inquisitors to questionable circumstances might make them lean towards letting the Torch return. If nothing else, then just to spite King Oispio.”

Koldon nodded. That was his reasoning as well. “Right. And-”

“It is risky.” Arhk interrupted. He looked into Koldon’s eyes. “You do understand Kaldiro can be even more ruthless than Insy.”

“I…” Koldon felt his heart still. He had been seen through.… “I won’t interfere. Just as I didn’t with Ocheon.”

“Ocheon was different.” Arhk frowned. “With the taint possibly lingering, we had to. But the Torch…” He shook his head. “It is possible we will have a repeat of the tragedy for much less.”

“That is…” Koldon didn’t know what to make of it. He cared for the common folk. Maybe a little too much. “But from how Kaldiro has acted for the last few decades… It would suggest he has grown softer.”

“Back in his homeland - perhaps.” Arhk agreed. “But Tordgo is not that. Granted, I have not spoken to Kaldiro for some years now… The rumours do say he has grown old and soft.” His tone indicated he didn’t believe these tales.

Koldon began to pray. Arhk joined, and when Insy joined them in the room, so did she.

When the prayer was finished, Insy plopped down at the table and began drinking Koldon’s tea. “What did I miss?”

“We discussed bringing the Torch into the matters.” Koldon easily admitted.

Insy looked at him in surprise. “I take it was your suggestion. I thought you were too soft for something like that.”

“Hardly.” Koldon played up his coldness. “There are too many things we don’t understand. We need his help.”

“The old man is…” Insy looked at both of her companions. “Well, I guess it’s fine. You already discussed it, didn’t you?”

“We did.” Koldon nodded. “I’ll draft a letter immediately.” He prepared to leave the room before Insy and Arhk found a reason to start arguing.

“Before you go,” Insy stopped him. The mayor didn’t know much, but there was news I wanted someone to check on.”

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Koldon waited for Insy to continue. If she suggested he leave for a task, he was finally free from being suspected of being a possible traitor. It was a good thing. The constant scrutiny had worn on his nerves.

“Lenel - the guy we sent to Stilag, he asked for reinforcements,” Insy explained. “We didn’t have anyone who could go, and the city wasn’t all that important.” She poured herself more tea. “Well, Lenel informed us of some nobles being… Rather uncooperative, possibly corrupt and hiding something. He wants someone to help sort them out.

“And that someone is me.” Koldon finished.

“Yes.” Insy nodded.

“I’ll leave right after preparing the letter.” Koldon nodded. He was eager to prove his loyalty.

—

“What's wrong with him staying here?” Andrew stared down the unhappy bandit in front of him. “Isn’t Terminator cute and cuddly? He is properly raised and won’t make a mess.”

The wolf behind him yawned, revealing his large fangs. The bandit trembled in fear.

“I-it’s not that. I-I mean, the food and…”

“Yeah, your Boss already agreed to feed my companion.” Andrew turned around and patted Terminator’s side. The thick fur was pleasant to touch. He had spent several nights pressed against the beast, enjoying the luxury.

“B-But…”

Luckily, before Andrew got involved in the brawl that had gotten him arrested, he had finished getting his permit. Leaving the city and bringing his puppy in had been a breeze. No one wanted to anger the large wolf or his owner.

“Anyway! I don’t have time. Feed him regularly. Just meat. No need for vegetables.” Andrew walked out of the building meant for keeping horses. Those had been placed elsewhere after he had requested a place to keep his bond.

Mila was likely to wake up today. Andrew wanted to be there for that. Despite his apprehension of her methods, she HAD saved him.

After learning more about Stilag, Andrew had an inkling of what would have happened if Mila hadn’t come for him…

… Even if it had resulted in slaughter. Even Andrew wasn’t naive enough to believe these guards were innocent. Now that he had spent a couple days exploring the surroundings, he had seen the supposed ‘law reinforcement’ do more deplorable things than a hardened criminal would.

Isabel had somewhat explained how they had gotten involved with Naran. Andrew didn’t like it. The man was a criminal who dealt with extortion, racketeering and smuggling.

It wasn’t the worst. After hearing what Brandy had been up to… Andrew shook his head and jumped down in one of the channels scattered throughout the city. He had met some of the rescued night workers. Their stories were not something he could listen to for long.

But so many lives…

No, no. Andrew couldn’t allow himself to think like that. But it was hard. He kept defaulting to the values he had learned back on Earth. And frankly - he didn’t want to lose them.

When Andrew returned to his family, he wanted to look them in the eyes and claim he was a proper man. No lies. Just a simple truth - a truth he slowly stopped believing in.

Especially when Andrew had been avoiding thinking about Kefo and Tiff for a while now. They were… He hesitated to admit it. They were friends. Connections to this world… It was not something he wanted or needed.

But they were friends… Andrew felt sick. Should he talk to someone about it?

No, he couldn’t. Not after Andrew had lectured his companions so many times. He couldn’t… He didn’t want to…

Pushing past the guard at the tunnel entrances wasn’t hard either. Andrew had gotten to know most of the people worth knowing. Not by name, of course, but he could at least remember their faces and introduce himself.

Soon enough, Andrew found Mortimer. The man was playing with Vatim. Kanna wasn’t here. She was likely trying to make Isabel eat something.

Isabel had not been dealing with Mila’s injured state gracefully. For the past two days, she had not eaten. Didn’t sleep. She left the room Mila had been put into, only to go to the bathroom. And Kanna had taken it upon herself to help her.

Andrew ruffled Vatim's hair. The boy quickly moved away to hide in Mortimer’s shadow. “ Hey. How have you been holding up?”

Vatim peeked from behind Mortimer but didn’t answer.

“And you?” Andrew turned to Mortimer.

“I have been better.” Mortimer tried to smile but failed. “Helly’s men ruined my home. They took everything. Everything I had from my childhood.” Vatim patted his hand in an attempt to help. “I have nothing now.”

Mortimer failed to hold his tears. “I tried to go back. See if… Well, there is nothing now.”

It was heartbreaking to hear. Andrew gestured to a nearby table. “Do you want to sit down? Talk about your childhood. What was it like?”

“No, no! I am fine. Or I will be.” Mortimer refused and did what Andrew couldn’t - play with Vatim’s hair. “Aren’t you in a rush?”

“There is time to talk, no? Get something to eat and drink. Just spend time gossiping, you know?”

These words touched Mortimer, who finally managed to make a crooked smile. “Maybe later. I promised Vatim to help and get the toy hero he saw in one of the crates.”

These words were enough. Andrew knew Mortimer wasn’t going to do anything rash. The man was determined to help Vatim and Kanna. He watched the two for a while before leaving to see how Mila was doing.

The healers had reassured Mila was fine - the scar on her left upper arm notwithstanding. So would Isabel. His friend was too sturdy for her own good.

Andrew was more worried about Mortimer, Vatim and Kanna. That Helly woman had made it clear - it was forbidden to employ Mortimer. If someone did, they would have to deal with her.

And no one wanted Helly’s craziness to be turned against them. Mortimer himself had just shrugged. Apparently, it wasn’t anything new. He was straight-up banned from some of the Stilag’s districts - courtesy of his father not being the best person.

“Ah, dammit.” Andrew kicked a pebble that had found its way down into the dark tunnels. “Oh, there you are.” He found Mr Crow sitting on one of the sconces found on the walls from time to time. “Is Mila still out?”

Mr Crow cooed before jumping on Andrew’s shoulder. “Yeah? I know it’s boring, but Termi was feeling lonely, and I trust you to keep the watch.”

There they were. A man and a bird in front of an injured person's room. Andrew breathed in and knocked. A moment later, Kanna opened the doors and immediately escaped deeper into the room.

“Hey,” Andrew stepped in. “How is she?”

The room was illuminated by a few candles. There were a few chairs for visitors and a bed - occupied by Mila. A small nightstand contained everything his murderous friend had.

Mila had been given this room due to the proximity to the healers in case there were complications. Isabel was currently sitting in the bed, holding her girlfriend’s hand, while Kanna sent a pleading look at Andrew.

The girl then glanced at the untouched dish placed on the nightstand.

“Okay, Musclehead. Let’s talk about the importance of nutrient intake.” Andrew prepared for a pointless discussion. At least Isabel had the mind to look a little guilty.