CHAPTER 6

Upon hearing the accusations, Ekdantan became incensed. If indeed true, they had no right to assert it. His reason was simple; he disliked it. Despite Morgentaa giving him a stern look, warning against rash actions, Ekdantan seemed indifferent. Swift as lightning, he beheaded the bald-headed individual. The onlookers expressed their shock a little late. Their screams only erupted when the head rolled and the neck created a fountain of blood. Simple. Yet Ekdantan reveled in it.

"Good grief, I warned you discussing the leader is highly perilous. Is this the leader's spy's doing? If so, am I to be the next victim?" said the Bearded Man while holding his neck, feeling pain, suffocation, and an instant shiver. He struggled to exit the crowd with cold sweat.

Meanwhile, the Man with the Dagger-Wrapped Belt seemed to have a near heart attack on the spot. Not fatal, but enough to add commotion to the tavern.

Ekdantan remained composed. He was not interested in the Bearded Man and the Man with the Dagger-Wrapped Belt because they still had some semblance of sanity—albeit minimal. Although his actions were hasty, there would be no witnesses capable of capturing his movements, except for high-level wizards. Nevertheless, high-level wizards would not interfere in such trivial matters.

However, it was this concern that prompted Morgentaa to smack Ekdantan's head. "Fool! I told you, you can't act on your own like in our territory."

"True. I'm used to living there, even though I originally came from a place like this. But my surprise is not over. Their gossiping abilities are quicker than the effects of my magic." Ekdantan grabbed Morgentaa's waist, leaning his head on Morgentaa's shoulder. The two of them continued their journey.

And now, the incident was brought up again by Morgentaa. Ekdantan wore a sulky expression, prompting Morgentaa to pinch his cheek. "Alright, I apologize," Morgentaa said.

"I don't forgive you." Ekdantan huffed and pouted.

"Suit yourself." Morgentaa walked away.

Ekdantan, left behind, followed him. "Fine, I forgive you."

Morgentaa turned, then smiled and held Ekdantan's hand. It was truly a simple way of making amends. Of course, they had never had a major argument before. They were highly cohesive in their collaboration.

"Do you know the position of the Bald Man?" Morgentaa asked.

"No. Do you?" Ekdantan replied.

"Yes."

Ekdantan raised Morgentaa's eyebrow. "Why ask me if you already know?"

"If you didn't know, I would inform you."

"Alright, go ahead."

"He is in charge of managing the finances of the Hawk Clan. Remarkably, he has never engaged in corruption. He is honest in his work." Morgentaa looked serious.

"So, his only flaw is his mouth ethics. Unfortunate for a dedicated person like him to encounter someone like me," Ekdantan said, slightly surprised.

"Indeed unfortunate. So, because of his dedication, I won't forget his sacrifices," Morgentaa stated.

Ekdantan was enchanted. "Well, let me guess. Is the position of the Hawk Clan's financial manager still vacant?"

Morgentaa nodded.

"Are you filling that vacancy?"

"No." Morgentaa shook his head. "The clan's finances have been disorganized for two months. Typically, the clan's purchase receipts are collected and placed on his desk. Information is provided by each division through their temporary records."

"Are you planning to steal?"

"Smart. We must steal cleverly."

Ekdantan moved his arms. "I am skilled in manipulating accounting. Because in the past, when my father didn't give me pocket money, I would steal in the same way."

"You truly are my best partner," Morgentaa praised.

"And you too." Ekdantan smiled.

They executed the plan smoothly. At night, when all illumination through crystal lamps ceased, Morgentaa and Ekdantan casually entered the Bald Man's room. Boxes labeled with division names were stacked there.

Ekdantan quickly understood the temporary bookkeeping and the well-organized Hawk Clan's books. It took the entire night to complete it. The division of tasks was very clear. Morgentaa stole money from each division's safe according to fake receipts and temporary bookkeeping—which had, of course, been manipulated by Ekdantan.

The reason for the theft was simple. They needed money—well, not really. The hidden reason they needed to do this was the more significant motive. The stolen money was a bonus from this move. Both of them believed that this scene was already known to others. Of course, it was certain. High-level wizards had a strong intuition, except for some who were born and destined to be less sensitive—and that was a minority.

Morgentaa and Ekdantan were curious: which cat would catch mice like them?

And unsurprisingly in their assumption, although the reality still surprised them when Erhillmen caught them red-handed. "What are you doing?"

Erhillmen's gaze was sharp. Even though he was at the outer threshold of the door, Morgentaa and Ekdantan knew the reality well.

"Stealing," Morgentaa said.

"And manipulating," added Ekdantan.

Erhillmen stepped inside. His appearance was different from their previous meeting. No leader's staff. No grand Hawk Clan robe. No aura of seriousness like before. He looked simple, wearing a long white pajama and slightly disheveled hair.

"It's more suspicious if you say it too easily," Erhillmen approached. He stared at both of them one by one, then glanced at Ekdantan's ledger illuminated by the dim light from the crystal. "Can you handle bookkeeping?"

"I can. My abilities are excellent," replied Morgentaa.

"In that case, become the financial head of the Hawk Clan. Only temporarily, until we find a suitable person," said Erhillmen.

"No. Because I will manipulate and steal money again very easily. After all, we are just guests, not your members. If you don't want to tarnish our reputation, especially mine, don't act like that." Ekdantan gave a disapproving look. Indeed, Ekdantan was not someone who casually showed his feelings. There was a reason he couldn't explain, but he genuinely despised Erhillmen.

"I'm asking you to do it, not Morgentaa."

"We are close. Our names are intertwined. Do you understand what I mean?" asked Ekdantan.

Erhillmen glanced at Morgentaa. "Yes."

"Will you catch us?" Morgentaa started talking to Erhillmen for the first time in ten years.

"No, if you return it," Erhillmen asserted.

"But we won't. So, just capture and punish us," Morgentaa offered his hands, ready to be tied.

Erhillmen closed his eyes for a moment. "What is your purpose in returning and staying here?"

"Just longing for my childhood environment," Morgentaa gazed at Erhillmen.

Ekdantan closed the book, pushed the chair, then stood up. "We're done. State your decision."

Erhillmen didn't look at Ekdantan, but he said, "If that's all, you won't steal."

"I'm poor," said Morgentaa.

"I will give you money, but return the stolen proceeds and the manipulated bookkeeping." Erhillmen was serious.

Ekdantan responded, "We don't want it. We'd rather steal than be pitied."

"You're lying. There's another reason you steal." Erhillmen was unshaken.

"Perhaps true. So, find out for yourself." Morgentaa issued a challenge.

Erhillmen was left alone in the room. Alone. Meanwhile, Morgentaa and Ekdantan headed to their room. They didn't leave until they were kicked out. Isn't that more interesting?

Stealing. It's like hitting two birds with one stone.

Basically, they were trying to find out the origin of the Hawk Clan's finances at present. And they wanted to see the condition of each division of the clan. The important data stored in the safes explained their situation quite well. So far, things had improved. There was a new division in the clan.

"There is financial support from an external source. It's unclear, as it uses a special code. The funds are substantial, affecting twenty percent of the clan's activities." Ekdantan began to chatter. "Compared to the funds before the tragedy in the Tuli-Tuli mountains, the current finances are eight percent higher."

The Hawk Clan was not considered rich but prosperous. Previously, the Tuli-Tuli mountains were the largest territory in the agricultural sector of Murch. The fact that there was no incoming fund from that mountain meant it had undoubtedly been sealed off. Whether for investigation, dark memories, or burial. Anyway, 345 high-level wizards had died there.

And Morgentaa was one of those high-level wizards who had died.

Indeed. Morgentaa died there.