The autumn sun hung high at noon, bright but no longer scorching. Its warmth fell across the archway of Rose Town, built from massive blocks of gray stone.
Rose Town was one of the largest gathering places for adventurers in the Dusk Duchy—and indeed, in the entire Emerald Federation.
The town gate was like a tireless giant mouth, constantly swallowing and spitting out streams of all kinds of people.
There were lone travelers carrying enormous packs; adventuring parties of three or five; merchants hurrying about; and even a few small goblins slowly driving two carts pulled by mountain lizards, loaded with strange ores and root vegetables harvested that autumn.
Above the archway was the Night Thorn Family crest: a rose blooming among thorns.
The guards at the gate wore chainmail and had sharp eyes.
Though they were long accustomed to the usual bustle and potential dangers at Rose Town's entrance, today they seemed especially vigilant. Their hands stayed on the shafts of the spears at their waists as their gazes carefully swept over everyone entering or leaving.
Beside the cobbled road not far outside the archway, six burly men in matching azure-blue coats were clearing the way.
A middle-aged man wearing a long silk coat patterned with waves stood at the front. His hair was neatly combed, and he nervously kept adjusting his collar and cuffs, trying to make every crease look perfect.
Two young men dressed like shop assistants stood straight behind him, staring silently into the distance.
The impressive display drew the attention of many passersby.
Lost in the crowd, Dimi tugged at his ill-fitting coat.
He rose onto his toes to get a better look at the unusual scene, then nudged the man beside him, who wore old black leather armor, with his elbow.
The man had the air of a low-level adventurer who'd been around the block a few times. His shrewd eyes held a trace of slickness, and a well-maintained curved saber hung at his waist.
"Boss Wilson," Dimi asked in a low, curious voice, "what are these people doing? Why the big show?"
Wilson folded his arms and put on the air of someone who knew everything about Rose Town. "That's Mr. Ford, the manager of Four Seas General Goods.
"Four Seas General Goods is the biggest shop in Rose Town. You might not know that since you just got here. But you've heard of the Tidal Trade Union, right?"
Dimi nodded like a pecking chicken, his face full of awe. "Of course! A huge trade union! Basically... they're really rich!"
"Exactly!" Wilson lifted his chin proudly, as though the trade union belonged to him. "Four Seas General Goods is the Tidal Trade Union's shop in Rose Town!
"I just asked around. Word is, Mr. Ford came out in person today to welcome the Tidal Trade Union's young lady."
He patted Dimi on the shoulder and boasted, "That's why I told you joining our Shadowless Squad was the right move for you and your brother!
"See? Even a huge organization like the Tidal Trade Union sent their young lady here. That means there are plenty of opportunities!"
At the words "the Tidal Trade Union's young lady," Dimi immediately grew nervous and timid. He tugged at Wilson's sleeve. "Boss Wilson, with this big show at the gate today... maybe we should just forget it?
"My brother and I didn't lose much, really. My dagger was a piece of junk I picked up at a street stall, and there were only a few dozen copper nails in my brother's money pouch..."
Wilson glared at him and muttered irritably, "Forget it, my ass! What are you scared of? They're waiting for the young lady. What's that got to do with us? You think she cares whether you lost a dagger?"
Dimi looked miserable and mumbled, "I'm usually pretty brave... but, Boss Wilson, you didn't go through what happened last night. It was really terrifying. My legs are still a little weak..."
Thinking back to the previous night, Wilson felt both annoyed and amused.
Those two idiots, Dimi and his companion, had agreed to come to him today, but then showed up in the middle of the night, stark naked and covering their crotches. They'd found the address he'd left for his home and office, banging on the door and shouting about some talking Undead Dog...
He lowered his voice and scolded them. "You two idiots! Use your brains! How many mages can there be in a town as big as Rose Town? What respectable mage would stay at some dump like the 'Roadside Inn'? And a necromancer? Why would a necromancer want your worthless junk?"
"Rupert told us when he hurried back with the news! He saw that carriage from a distance. There wasn't any Undead Dog! There was just a brown-and-white mutt dozing inside!
"You two were definitely tricked! The people in that carriage are almost certainly con artists who specialize in spooky tricks!
"Don't worry. Rupert saw them heading toward Rose Town too!
"I'll get your stuff back myself in a bit—and shake them down while I'm at it!"
Dimi looked unconvinced. "Boss... are you... sure you can get it back? What if they..."
Wilson patted the curved saber at his waist and glanced at the guards standing nearby, his confidence bolstered. "What's there to be afraid of? The guards are right there! If they refuse, we'll make a scene and get the guards to arrest them as con artists! Let's see if they're scared then!"
Just then, Dimi's eyes lit up. He pointed at a carriage slowly approaching in the distance and whispered excitedly, "Boss! They're here! That's the carriage! That black horse! I can't be mistaken!"
At that moment, Mr. Ford, the manager of Four Seas General Goods, turned around with a solemn expression and instructed the shop assistants behind him, "Raise the flags!"
At his command, the six burly men in blue coats patterned with waves immediately grabbed the ropes attached to the flagpoles already set up on either side of the road and pulled hard!
With a loud flutter—
Six enormous trade union banners, each more than a yard tall, unfurled at once.
The azure silk shimmered in the midday sun. Golden thread had been used to embroider raging waves across the fabric, and now the banners snapped in the breeze as if the waves might surge right off them.
The sudden, splendid display drew a low chorus of gasps and murmurs from the surrounding crowd.
But Dimi, Wilson, and the other two members of their Shadowless Squad hadn't noticed the commotion behind them at all.
Keeping to the shade of the trees along the road, they crept forward silently like hyenas closing in on prey.
Inside the carriage.
He Xi looked somewhat helplessly at the empty corner.
The clothes they'd "confiscated" last night had all been thrown away along the way at the young lady's insistence. She said they reeked of an unbearable stench and poverty.
What a waste. He thought he might have been able to sell them for one Silver Scale.
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