"Guildmaster, is this really worth it?" asked Baros, the deputy beside VanCleef. "That was a keepsake your wife left behind! When little Vanessa grows up, she'll definitely hate you."
VanCleef's face was taut, and it was clear that he was deeply conflicted. Since his wife had died in the Second War, that pendant had been the only thing she had left behind. Yet just yesterday, VanCleef had sold it to the pawnshop owner for a dozen or so silver coins.
After a moment, he said quietly, "But Julia is already dead. The dead must make way for the living, Baros! Besides, I only pawned Julia's pendant, didn't I? As soon as those nobles pay us, I can redeem it from the pawnshop owner."
"Guildmaster, think about yesterday. Do you really still believe the Council of Nobles will allocate the money to us?" Baros sounded indignant. "They said the Blackrock Orcs were raiding the Redridge Mountains again. Even Countess Katrana, who's always spoken up for us, advised King Varian to lead the army in person this time. Sending an army out will certainly require a huge amount of military funding. I'm afraid we'll have even less chance of getting our money then!"
The Blackrock Orcs were attacking the Redridge Mountains? Katrana had advised the king to lead the campaign himself?
Felix was certain that the Black Dragon Princess was trying to lure the king away, intending to take advantage of King Varian's absence to secretly plot a conspiracy within Stormwind City.
For now, though, the most important thing was to keep listening in on their conversation.
"But whatever happens, saving lives comes first. I can't stand by and watch our brothers' families die because they don't have the money!" VanCleef clenched his teeth. "You know I still have a house in Goldshire. When the time comes, I could also-"
"Guildmaster, have you gone mad?" Baros cried out. "If you sell the house, where will Vanessa live?"
"Mad? To hell with it, I really have gone mad!" VanCleef finally erupted. "Bazil's wife needs money to give birth, Joseph's mother needs money for treatment, Jack's family needs money to repay their debts, Blanco needs money for the rent and taxes he owes the farmer, and Uncle Angus was disabled by an injury at work, so we need money to support him too... Money, money, money! Without money, we can't do anything. Those damned nobles, I want to slaughter them!"
"Shh, Guildmaster," Baros hurriedly interrupted. "Stop. If anyone hears us, we'll be in serious trouble."
VanCleef took several deep breaths, finally managing to calm himself a little. "If I don't sell that house, what do you expect me to do? Should I stand by and watch Bazil's wife die in childbirth, or just let Benny Blanco's sister be sold to that damned farmer Blackwell by their good-for-nothing parents to settle their debts?"
Baros Alexston lowered his head. He knew he could not persuade the man before him.
VanCleef treated his brothers well. He always had.
"We just need to get through this difficult stretch." VanCleef seemed to be speaking to Baros and muttering to himself at the same time. "You know Katrana and Queen Tiffin will speak up for us. And we all know Varian. He's not the sort to refuse to pay what he owes, and House Wrynn has never had a tradition of reneging on its debts... Who? Who's listening over there!"
VanCleef suddenly grew alert, instantly tightening his grip on the Cruel Barb. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, swept toward Felix's hiding place, and that gaze sent a chill through Felix.
Felix had no choice but to step out.
"You're another brother from the guild... No, you're a spy sent by the Council of Nobles!" VanCleef glared at him. "I'm a high-ranking assassin. Did you think hiding there would let you escape my notice?"
"No, Guildmaster, you've misunderstood." Felix appeared remarkably calm now, rather like a man with nothing left to lose. "My name is Felix Walkpatin. I'm a stonemason too, not a spy."
"Why aren't you doing your work instead of coming here? You should know that if we fall behind schedule, those greedy nobles will use it as another excuse to dock our pay!"
Felix looked helpless. He wanted to do his work properly too, but he hadn't majored in civil engineering. Pouring concrete really wasn't his field!
Besides, saying something like "It's all Onyxia's conspiracy" was absolutely out of the question. After all, in the eyes of the Stonemasons' Guild at this point, Katrana was a beautiful, kindhearted countess worthy of respect.
Without the information he possessed as someone who had transmigrated, he probably would have regarded Onyxia as a good person himself.
After thinking for a moment, Felix spoke.
"Guildmaster VanCleef, please allow me to speak." He shifted the subject. "Although the Kingdom of Stormwind is currently facing a serious financial crisis, and the council cannot meet our needs through the treasury, those nobles have no shortage of private funds. Perhaps we could ask them for a small temporary loan."
He straightened up and walked openly toward VanCleef. "Mr. Baros has a point. You don't need to rush into selling your house now. There must be other ways."
"Then who should we approach? Varian or Katrana? You should know that although Lady Katrana is willing to help, she's only an impoverished noble from Alterac. Her family fell on hard times long ago, and I'm afraid she can't provide much money either-Joseph, you're here."
At VanCleef's words, Felix turned his head to one side and saw a short young man with a full beard shuffling toward them. He looked haggard, reduced to skin and bones.
"Guildmaster, you wanted to see me," he said weakly.
"Take these silver coins, Joseph." VanCleef handed him the pouch he was holding and said gravely, "This should be enough for one course of treatment for your mother. As for the costs after that, don't worry. I'll keep looking for a way."
The dejection and disappointment on Joseph's face vanished at once. He hurriedly bowed to VanCleef. "Thank you, Guildmaster. Thank you so much!"
Then Joseph left like a shot, running toward the monastery. Presumably, his mother was still there waiting for treatment.
Watching him go, VanCleef finally gave a relieved smile. Even the air around him seemed filled with sunshine, and everything had become better-but only for an instant.
A moment later, VanCleef's spirits sank again, and deep gloom enveloped him completely.
He had readily made Joseph that promise, but aside from selling his own house, what reliable way could he come up with to cover the subsequent costs?
"All right, Felix. Let's try what you suggested." At this point, VanCleef could only give it a shot as a last resort. "Tomorrow, let's first visit Duke Wishock in Old Town. I've heard he's fairly wealthy."
Before you continue