The herb keeper paced back and forth, muttering curses under his breath.
"Stupid little noble brat… Who does she think she is, talking like that? My herbs don't sll!"
He slamd his hand against the wooden counter of his shop, then paused, his scowl deepening.
"…But what if she did notice sothing?"
His anger wavered, replaced by a creeping unease.
That "niece" of the Margrave had seen through too much—her tone hadn't been just arrogant; it had been warning.
The more he thought about it, the more the suspicion grew.
She hadn't been impressed, she'd been inspecting. And that smile… it hadn't belonged to so pampered little noble.
"No way a real noble brat would co here, dressed like that."|
He muttered.
He paced again, faster now.
"She's a plant. An investigator, maybe. Or worse… an agent from the capital."
The thought made his stomach churn.
If his operation was being watched, he couldn't afford to stay any longer.
With his link to the Margrave's household practically severed, he was on borrowed ti.
"This village… it's finished."
He needed to cut ties. Wipe everything clean.
Burn the evidence. Hide the trails.
But to do that, he'd need help—more than what the weak minds of this town could offer.
And that's when he saw them—two figures walking calmly through the village's edge.
They didn't belong. They were too confident, too well-ard, too sharp.
Power. That's what they had. Exactly what he needed.
"Perfect."
______
lissa tugged her gloves tighter as she walked beside Bruce, her sharp eyes scanning the quiet streets.
"It's too quiet here."
Bruce nodded slowly.
"Sothing's off. The whole village feels… wrong."
lissa frowned, trying to pin down the unease in her gut.
"I don't see anything dangerous, though."
"Look closer."
Bruce murmured, motioning subtly toward the market stalls.
lissa narrowed her eyes. The stands were open, but barely stocked. The shopkeepers looked anxious. And the prices? Absurdly high. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"They're starving the locals."
Bruce said.
"…But why?" lissa's tone was low, dangerous. "Shouldn't the Margrave have kept things under control?"
Bruce shook his head.
"Maybe she isn't in control anymore."
lissa bit back her comnt.
"We don't have ti. We need to get to the young master."
Bruce nodded.
"After we find him, we'll figure out what's going on here."
As they turned to move on, a smooth voice called out.
"Travelers! Looking for sothing… special?"
Both turned sharply to see a man with slicked-back hair and a wide grin standing in front of a stall full of colorful pouches.
"Herbs. Rare and exotic. Not sothing you see just anywhere."
He said, eyes gleaming.
lissa didn't hide her frown.
"We're not interested."
"Oh, but you should be. I think you'll find my wares quite… enlightening."
The herb keeper pressed, stepping closer.
Bruce subtly shifted his stance, placing himself just slightly in front of lissa.
"We said no."
The man's grin faltered for a split second—just long enough for lissa to notice the flicker of mana weaving subtly through the air. Her hand dropped to her waist.
"You trying to spell us?"
She asked, voice cold.
The herb keeper chuckled, trying to play it off.
"Just a little charm. You looked tired. Thought I'd help."
lissa's eyes narrowed.
"We don't like strangers trying to help."
Bruce gave him a hard look.
"Back off."
The seller raised his hands, still smiling.
"No offense ant. Just being friendly."
lissa didn't respond. She just turned and walked away, Bruce following silently.
From behind them, the herb keeper watched with narrowed eyes.
"So… you two aren't ordinary, huh?"
His smile returned, sharper than before.
"Fine. Let's see just how strong you really are."
The herb master stood near the edge of the market street, watching the backs of the two unfamiliar "guards" as they disappeared into the crowd.
A smug smile curled his lips.
"Heh… go on. Walk proud. You've already stepped into my web."
He murmured to himself.
He turned back toward his stall, seemingly relaxed, but inside, he was positively giddy.
That little encounter? It had been perfect. A little charm here, a light mana imprint there. Subtle. Harmless-looking.
But now… they were marked.
He could feel it clearly—his mana clung to them like dust. Imperceptible unless you knew what to look for.
He'd embedded just enough of his signature into their body to be able to track them anywhere. And more importantly, to exploit it later.
"Won't even know what hit them."
He chuckled.
There was still much to do. His next step was preparing the village-wide array.
One strong enough to bury the whole place beneath layers of mana mist and illusion, erasing it from the outside world.
He'd already laid the foundation—just a few more adjustnts, and it would be done. Then, he'd disappear… and take whatever was useful with him.
"No one gets in. No one gets out. And no one finds a thing."
His grin widened.
anwhile, Bruce and lissa were moving quickly through the dusty streets, cutting through the village with sharp eyes and sharper instincts.
"That was weird."
lissa muttered under her breath.
"Yeah. That man was too friendly."
Bruce replied quietly.
lissa nodded.
"He gave off the wrong kind of energy. Like he knew sothing."
Bruce glanced at her.
"I didn't feel any hostility, but…"
lissa frowned.
"Still. We should keep an eye out. That guy wasn't normal."
They reached the edge of the Margrave's mansion in record ti.
The towering gate lood in front of them, flanked by two ard guards who imdiately stepped forward, weapons lowered cautiously.
"Halt. State your business."
One of the guards demanded.
lissa's hand twitched toward her sword. She was tired, annoyed, and her patience had thinned sowhere around the fifth empty shop they'd passed in the village.
"We don't have ti for this.|
She snapped.
"lissa—wait!"
Bruce said quickly, stepping in front of her before she started sothing unnecessary. He raised his hands calmly and addressed the guards.
"We're here on orders from our young master—Kyle. He's expecting us. You can confirm with him if needed."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances.
"Master Kyle? No one ntioned—"
"
One of them murmured, hesitating.
But he stopped mid-sentence as another presence entered the courtyard.
Kyle.
The guards straightened up quickly, eyes widening as they caught sight of the Margrave's precious guest approaching.
"Lord Kyle!"
the guards called out, bowing imdiately.
Kyle raised a hand lightly, his voice calm and composed.
"They're with ."
The two guards stiffened.
"Of course, Lord Kyle. Forgive us, we weren't inford—"
Kyle smiled gently.
"It's fine. Just let them through."
The guards practically tripped over themselves moving out of the way, their earlier confidence evaporating under the weight of their mistake.
Bruce gave a short nod, his voice respectful.
"We're just glad to see you safe, young master."
Kyle gestured for them to follow.
"Let's head inside. I'll explain everything on the way."
The trio moved past the embarrassed guards and through the polished courtyard, the tension of their separate missions slowly starting to rge into a new understanding.
Behind them, the guards remained frozen, exchanging glances of pure confusion.
"…That was the Margrave's guest?"
One whispered.
"And those were her subordinates?"
"Do you think we're getting reassigned?"
"…I hope so."
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