Carey felt the Gold Coins in his pocket as he meandered through the alleyways, finally arriving at the rear door of a residence.
The door was unlocked.
Pushing it open, he was hit by the pungent smell of alcohol. Carey furrowed his brows and stepped inside, the wooden floorboards creaking laboriously under his feet.
The occupants remained indifferent to his arrival, merely glancing over before resuming their merry laughter and drinking.
"Kun!" Carey walked straight up to one of them and asked in a muffled voice, "Where is Maggi?"
"Don’t rush." Kun, dressed like a common street loafer, raised his droopy eyes and waved a hand at him. "Did you bring the money?"
Carey’s face tensed. He struggled to contain his anger as he pulled the Gold Coins from his pocket and slammed them onto the table.
The gleaming Gold Coins rolled across the tabletop.
"Ah, my lovely little beauty, you are always so charming." Kun picked up a Gold Coin, his eyes glazed over. He licked it back and forth, completely disregarding the filth clinging to it. "I love you more than anything!"
He paused. "But..." With a flick of his finger, the Gold Coin soared into the air before landing back in his palm. He toyed with the coin while turning his head to look at Carey, a strange expression on his face. "Obviously, not everyone feels that way—someone willing to pay any price for his first love."
"Where is Maggi?" Carey, already impatient, clenched his fists and demanded loudly, "I’ve given you the agreed-upon money. Now, it’s your turn to uphold the deal and hand Maggi over to me."
"Such an admirably lovesick man." Kun shook his head. "What a pity! It took you far too long to raise the money. Your beloved Maggi has already been taken by someone else."
"What did you say?" Carey’s face changed drastically. He lunged forward, grabbed Kun by the collar, and roared, "Say that again!"
His actions angered the others in the room.
"What do you think you’re doing?"
"Looking for trouble, are you?"
The men in the room set down their drinks and shouted. One even grabbed a nearby iron rod, glaring at Carey, ready to strike if he didn’t release Kun.
"Easy now." Kun, on the other hand, was as flippant as ever. He patted Carey’s shoulder and said with a smile, "She’s only been taken away, not beyond retrieval. It’s just that the price won’t be the same as before."
"You want more money?" Carey’s facial muscles twitched, the fury in his eyes almost murderous. The other party had already raised the price several times, and he had agreed each time. But every time he paid the full amount, he faced yet another price hike, like trying to fill an endless Abyss!
"That’s perfectly normal." Kun spread his hands. "If I’m getting her back from someone else, it won’t be for the original price. Why else would they hand her over?"
"Just tell me where Maggi is." Carey snatched the Gold Coins from the table and said, "I’ll find her myself!"
"Tsk, tsk..." Kun shook his head, clicking his tongue. "That’s a trade secret, not to be disclosed. Of course, if you pay enough, it’s not entirely out of the question." As he spoke, he tossed the Gold Coin in his hand.
"You!" Carey clenched his teeth, then nodded resentfully. "Fine! It seems you’re determined to bleed me dry. In that case, I don’t necessarily have to play by your rules."
"Oh?" Kun raised an eyebrow at his words. "And what do you plan to do?" His attitude was relaxed, completely unruffled.
He knew Carey’s situation well: a timid, weak-willed man with no significant background. Once in his grasp, Carey had no hope of turning the tables.
"I’ve always said," a strange voice suddenly spoke, calm and unhurried, "for such matters, you should come to me. My price might be a bit higher, but unlike some, I honor my agreements."
The floor vibrated slightly.
A tall, thin figure dropped from the ceiling beam, his wide cape billowing behind him.
When had he entered? No one had noticed!
The man, a sword much longer than ordinary weapons hanging at his waist, placed one hand across his chest and bowed to Carey. "Taro Sword—Daigo, at your service."
"I want to know where they’ve taken Maggi," Carey said, his expression grim. "I’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Daigo."
With that, he tossed the Gold Coins he held to the man.
"With money, anything can be discussed. Besides, I still owe you a favor." Daigo caught the Gold Coins, his eyes narrowing to slits. He turned to face Kun and his men. "Are you gentlemen planning to talk now, or..."
With a flick of his wrist, a long, sharp blade appeared in his hand, its edge glinting coldly. "...after I’ve beaten you down?"
Kun’s face darkened. After exchanging glances with his men, he slowly picked up a weapon from beside him.
Sword light flashed, and afterimages blurred across the room.
The mercenary named Daigo had one foot on Kun’s back, his longsword drawing a bloody line across Kun’s neck.
"Speak!" Daigo demanded. "Where is the person my employer is looking for?"
Carey, standing to the side, blinked, watching the scene in disbelief.
He could never have imagined that the indebted drunkard he’d befriended in a tavern not long ago was actually a Knight. A true Knight!
The cold blade sliced Kun’s skin, inching closer to his throat. Kun, already pale with fright, blurted out, "Foster! Brey Foster! The person you’re looking for is with him!"
Brey Foster? Carey’s expression darkened. That was the younger son of the Foster family. Most of the city’s trading houses were connected to them, and rumors said they were also secretly involved in the brothel business.
Brothels? At that thought, a wave of anxiety washed over Carey.