But it was only after the mission began that they discovered in shock that even "watching the streets" could be this difficult!
Powerful Orcs, shrewd and mercenary Goblins, drunken and short-tempered Dwarves, highly skilled Elves in magic...
None of the outsiders were easy to deal with.
Once a dispute broke out, it became a vicious fight.
The adventurers in the taverns watched the battles between the city guards and the outsiders with excitement, raising their mugs and tearing into beef. They even ate two extra bowls of food.
But most of those openly visible were merely there to join in the excitement and could not stir up much trouble.
It was the people hiding in the shadows who were truly scheming, plotting all manner of things.
However, whenever someone in the shadows revealed even the slightest trace, someone would immediately pay them a visit.
The fights at such times were usually calm and quiet, ending very quickly without disturbing many people.
Open against open.
Hidden against hidden.
It had always been this way, since ancient times.
Duke's Mansion.
After dinner, Dark did not return to his bedroom.
After taking a stroll through the mansion's library, he went up to the rooftop observation deck. Sitting in a recliner, he narrowed his eyes and gazed into the night.
The Duke's Mansion covered an enormous area. Tall walls encircled the entire estate before extending into the back mountain.
The area around the walls, usually rather lively, was utterly silent today.
Both homes and shops had extinguished their lights early.
Dark could tell at a glance that the Duke's Mansion had imposed a curfew within this small area.
And beyond the walls, there had to be large numbers of people patrolling.
Inside the walls, the maids had also set up layers of security.