But there was hardly anyone on the streets.
The dim yellow light of the Gas Lamps illuminated patches of ground, with darkness stretching between one lamp and the next.
Occasionally, the sound of carriage wheels rolling over Stone Slabs came from afar, then swiftly faded away.
The River of Light flowed slowly across the night sky overhead.
Its pale violet radiance was more pronounced than during the day, spreading across half the sky.
Lu Yuan walked behind Hogger.
His Revolver rested inside his coat. Judging by the time, the weapon he had commissioned earlier should be arriving soon.
Franz and Conrad walked on either side of the group.
Besides the four of them, three Night Watchers from the enforcement division followed behind.
Seven people.
Their footsteps were light.
They rounded two street corners.
Then arrived at Crownforge Alley.
The alley was not long, and at its end stood a wrought-iron gate.
An eagle-emblazoned crest was set above the entrance, made of Copper and gleaming darkly beneath the Gas Lamp light.
The gatehouse light was on.
Hogger stopped before the gate.
He turned and glanced at everyone.
Without saying a word, he made three gestures.
Franz to the left, Conrad to the right, everyone else with him.
Franz and Conrad silently vanished into either side of the alley with two Night Watchers.
Hogger waited roughly thirty seconds.
That was enough time for both sides to get into position.
He stepped forward, raised his hand, and knocked three times on the gate.
The iron gate gave off a dull sound in the night.
The gatehouse curtain shifted. A pale face pressed against the glass and looked outside.
Hogger took out his Night Watcher badge and held it level with the gatekeeper's line of sight.
"Night Watchers. Routine security inspection. Open the gate."