Shadows In Carrowhelm-4

Linlin sized up the boy in front of her, casually reclined and mischief dancing on his lips in a manner that was at once unsettling and charismatic. She played with a red strand of her hair while considering him, tilting her head. "So, tell me darling. Who is Alfrenzo, really? A mysterious merchant with a Grand Knight wrapped around his little finger?"

Still playing the role of Alfrenzo, Luenor sat back in the velvet chair, arms behind his head. "Let's just say… Alfrenzo has a certain charm, enough to convince even the strongest to follow."

Linlin's eyes narrowed as she pointed at Hunter, who stood by the door like a statue, arms crossed. "And this one? Grand Knight. You think I'm to believe he follows a merchant out of loyalty? Or is it blackmail?"

"I outrank him," Luenor said flatly. His smile bent, for just a moment. "And I'm not here to play games. I want my man, Arwin, safe and sound. And I will give you a better position than the Marquess."

Linlin raised one finely arched brow. "Oh? And what would Alfrenzo want?"

Luenor leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Control of the skyshard forges. I'll pay you more for your silence than the Marquess ever will for your loyalty."

Linlin tapped her nails on the table, deliberating. "Do you have any idea what you're asking of me? To cross the Marquess of Carrowhelm, or worse, to interfere in his dealings with the capital? The Kingdom may not care now, but Duke Siegfried has his ears everywhere."

"And that's why I want you quiet." He locked eyes with her. "Keep your eyes closed and your mouth shut. No whispers. No loyalties. Just profit."

She studied him, a pensive silence stretching between them. Eventually, she said, "You want Arwin, and you want me to be quiet. That's two big favors for a little boy with a fake name."

Luenor chuckled lightly and gestured at Hunter. "If you doubt Alfrenzo can do the job, think on this: Why would a Grand Knight that served surevas be standing beside me instead of you?"

That made her eyes widen with intrigue and discomfort. "You're tempting, sweetheart, I'll admit. But here's the deal." She crossed her legs and leaned forward. "I'll release Arwin and remain silent—but only if you get rid of my competition." 

"Who is that?" Luenor asked. 

"Some noble from the capital, who is backed by Duke Siegfried himself. He is a four-star knight. Brutish, tactical, and unfortunately... good at his job. Had I been able to kill him without risk, I would have. Even I fear going after the Duke." 

Luenor did not flinch. "Then let me go." 

Linlin snickered, entertained. "A child that thinks he can take on a four-star knight. Cute. And suicidal." 

"I simply need you to sign a mana contract," he replied calmly. "Leave the assassination to me." 

She stared at him long and hard, then finally drew a mana rune with her finger. The parchment glowed faintly as the contract materialized. "Okay. But when your bones are crushed and your blood is pooled at his feet, I will mourn your arrogance.... with wine."

____

The next morning, Dion barged into Luenor's room, kicking the door in with a smile on his face. "Boss, good morning!"

Luenor groaned from under the sheets. "What do you want, Dion?"

"Remember those lowlands kids? Well, I might have promised them a job. And salary every week. And to employ them as you."

There was silence.

"Oh, and they may see you as a reincarnate of some saint or something..."

"Dion," Luenor growled, sitting upright. "Did you sell my soul to a sewer full of delinquents?"

"I told them you were a generous man, Also, many of them are the same age as you." Dion sheepishly replied.

Luenor got to his feet and stretched, rubbing his temples. "You're an idiot."

"An idiot who rescued a kid and his sister," Dion replied proudly.

"...You're still an idiot," Luenor muttered as he got his coat.

After giving Dion a smack upside the head and making him scrub the floor to punish him, Luenor began to pace. Linlin's challenge weighed heavily in his mind; the four-star knight under the Duke, and the information network to find him.

Taking over the gangs was an option—but it would draw too much attention right now. Plus, they would be better off as canon fodder fighting the mysterious noble and the marquess.

His gaze shifted to Dion, still sweating under the pressure of cleaning. His mind drifted back to the lowlands. The children. Tio's busted-up face. 

Nobody pays attention to children.

He signaled Dion to come forward. "Get up. We are heading back to the lowlands."

"What for?" Dion asked, rubbing his hurting head.

"You're going to help me be the saint they think I am."

____

When they reached the lowlands, children and teens scurried out of the shadows, watching the man who brought Tio back.

Luenor stood on top of a pile of crates in the ruined town square, raising his voice. "I know you're afraid. You've been used. Abandoned. Abused. The city only uses you when it needs to fill the gutters with orphans."

A few of the children moved closer.

"But I remember you. I remember your fight for scraps. You stood for your friend, even if it meant pain. And now I want to give you something. Even if I haven't seen anything, I'm only guessing." 

He gestured at Dion. "My idiot friend made a promise, and I'm here to keep that promise."

The teenagers looked at each other, confused.

"I am offering all of you a job," Luenor continued. "You will be my ears in the city. You will learn to read people; you will learn to blend in. You will listen, watch, and report. In return, you will get food, protection, and gold.

"Do you want us to be spies?" one girl asked straight on.

"I want you to be better," Luenor said. "I want you to be the shadow this city fears."

Murmurs began to swirl around the group.

Tio, still bandaged, stepped next to Eva. "He kept his word. He saved me. We should listen."

Luenor returned his nod. "There will be rules. There will be training. But this — this is your home. And I will make it strong." Luenor looked at them, at the broken buildings, at the children, hungry enough to kill—and smiled.

The children filled the room with soft cheers and incidental laughter. For the first time in years, hope whispered beneath the cobblestones.