“Drop the act, Rosenborg. All who are present here know the truth” Bruce harshly said “what you really want?” the old Loremaster continued.

The bulky man turned to Rose, speaking directly to her.

“I come to offer you a way out. If you withdraw from the race immediately, a fall guy for the murder will show up, saving your reputation. I’ll even give you a high position once I take over as a guild head”

Leon tensed, her lips tightening. Lucas could feel anger emanating from the aura of the woman and was fairly certain the offer is about to be turned down. And sure enough, he was proven right as soon as Rose spoke.

“Fuck you, Rosenborg”

“I’m disappointed in you, Leon. I thought of you as a rational woman. Enjoy your stay in the prison than, I assure you it is the most pleasant place” Rosenborg said and started strolling through the door. When he caught the door handle, Lucas called to him.

“Remember that you are living on a borrowed time. Soon, the politics will be over and your immunity will expire and then you will find me waiting. You speak a lot of words and you will soon have the chance to prove the strength behind them” Lucas said, freezing the man for a second. Fear flashed through his face before the man managed to regain control of himself.

“And now I receive threats from the owner of the settlement in broad daylight. You have allied yourself with the wrong people, Leon. Our kind has no need for the settlements or the petty rules that guide the lives there. We are strong and in this reality we live now, the strong shall inherit the world” Rosenborg said before exiting the Bruce’s office.

Lucas watched the door behind him, before sighing and returning his attention his attention to the room. There, Rose was retelling the events to Bruce, who listened to her intently. Having played his part for the moment, Lucas left his mind wander a bit. Although he managed to save Leon from the assassination, her position was still precarious. She was still under investigation from the guard and that news would soon spread and Lucas was fairly certain that the fact he was the one who took her out of the prison wouldn’t remain a secret. From there, crazy theories will start to emerge, with Rosenborg pushing the narrative in the direction of Lucas manipulating the events to get a figurehead as the head of the Adventurer’s guild. A lot of undecided adventurers will then give a vote for Rosenborg and in the process they will sign a death warrant for both of themselves and Adventurer’s guild, seeing that Lucas hadn’t any desire to let Rosenborg live a day longer after the elections are finished. Lucas would prefer if he didn’t have to come to blows with the whole guild and so, he had to find a way to exonerate Leon without a doubt and only way to prove that would be to find evidence about Rosenborg’s involvement.

“I have my work cut out for me and I haven’t the slightest idea where to start” Lucas thought to himself as the Rose tale was coming to the end. He refocused himself on the room, expecting to soon be involved in the conversation. Bruce was silent for a few moments, probably thinking about the same things Lucas thought. Audible sigh was heard from him before he spoke.

“I will not lie to you, Miss Leon. You are not in a good position right now and not only in terms of election. One attempt on your life was thwarted, but more are surely on the way and I think priority should be to ensure your safety”

“I’m perfectly capable of defending myself from scum Rosenborg send after me, now that I’m not locked up” Rose said, her voice tight. Lucas had to admit that it would be nonsensical that someone without any fighting skills would have such high standings in the Adventurer’s guild.

“And I’m well aware of that. But if you indulge an old man, I would like to offer some more protection, if you are willing to temporarily change your residence” Bruce said

“I have outmost respect of you, Loremaster, but additional protection is not needed and I would have to decline. Even if I disregard potential reputation hits, I’m not a princess kidnapped by a scary dragon. Any would – be assassin would have his work cut out for him if they come after me” Leon said.

“I will respect your wishes, but I urge you to reconsider your stance. Every person is capable of being blindsided and constant vigilance is always more effective in groups” Bruce responded. Lucas sensed a slightest amount of frustration slipping from the old Loremaster before he recollected and masked his aura once again. Rose nodded her head and that left only to make plans for their next move.

“So, what now?” Lucas asked.

“If Miss Leon approves, I would like to send you to investigate this whole matter” Bruce said, looking at Leon for approval.

“I would gladly accept your help” Rose said.

“So then, it is settled. I will do from my end what I can, but you will have to be boots on the ground” Bruce said to Lucas who nodded. There wasn’t any reason for him not to be out there, especially when he painted a target on his back by threatening Rosenborg. If he could draw assassins to him, less will go after Rose.

“And how will we coordinate? My house is hardly a good place for frequent meetings, Main Street being what it is” Leon asked.

“You see, there is another reason for you to temporarily move out.” Bruce said. The tone of his voice was dangerously close to “I told you so” and Lucas could only hope that the years hadn’t made the old Loremaster petty.

“And where would my “temporary residence” even be?” Rose asked, annoyed. Bruce had gone on to explain the location, Lucas shocked to realize he was talking about the tavern that housed their spy network. He casted a questioning glance at Bruce as subtly as he was able and Bruce also subtly waved him off. Deciding he will ask later, Lucas settled in to listening. Leon had a number of additional questions to which Bruce responded patiently. After exhausting every question she could think of, Rose finally relented and agreed to the plan.

“Wonderful” Bruce delightedly clapped his hands and turned to Lucas’s team “if you don’t mind, I would have you escort Miss Leon to the tavern” he said. Lucas got the hint he should stay and while his party diligently went on with their new task, he made himself comfortable.

“It was Goldilocks idea, in case you were wondering. She is already stretched thin and she proposed this as the best solution” Bruce opened up.

“And if she finds out about the true nature of the building?” Lucas asked.

“I hope she will take it as token of trust. And she will not find out about spying our own citizens, even if suspect we will continue to do that after this whole shit show is over” Bruce said “Anyway, you should also head down there, but sometime later, to have an excuse about checking up on our ally. Our network should have initial report about where to start your investigation” old Loremaster finished.

Lucas nodded and that prompted the System to send a wave of announcements

New quest: You have involved yourself in a murder investigation that is just a part of the game of notable people in your town. Find out what happened and help the one you decided to back in this game.

Rewards:

3000 EXP

1000 Credits

1 random piece of gear

Potential hidden awards

Accept quest (Y/N)?

Without any thoughts, Lucas accepted the quest. He took a moment to send it to Bruce, who looked as surprised as Lucas about the quest showing up, System having a mind of his own. However, he wasn’t about to complain about free rewards for doing something he would do anyways. He said his goodbyes to Bruce and went to get some training. He was sure there will not be much gain from it, but there wasn’t a better time waster than that.

The evening was almost upon Lucas when he exited the showers back in his house. The training was fulfilling mentally, even if he hadn’t had much gain. His control was excellent and his skills were sharp and Lucas had a feeling he would need everything really soon. Even if Rosenborg don’t prove as much of the challenge, the blue – skinned invaders, the looming threat that awaited Camp Hearth, certainly will. And so he had to improve and to always be on top of his game. He locked his door, now donned in his armor and his sword arm ready to draw his sword at a moment notice. He didn’t find any trouble on the way and he entered the tavern, ready to get this show started.