Chapter 15: Sabotage II

Point of View: Lorian VellornI pulled the child by the arms as we moved through the corridor. He was wearing a perception inhibitor collar I had brought as a backup. His eyes looked apathetic, lifeless, devoid of energy. The hallways were empty; the floors had been completely evacuated. Apparently, Abimael had decided to face my associates personally. A courageous mage, no doubt. As I dragged the boy, who barely seemed able to move, the smell of smoke filled my lungs. It was a mix of burning wood, flesh, and melted glass.I approached the room from which the stench originated—a large open space between the corridors. The center of the room was used for magical circle experiments, so it was spacious and had a shallow pool filled with mana-conducting ferrous sand. The walls were lined with shelves that had once held beakers and hundreds of mixtures and components, now reduced to ashes. What remained had turned into a black, melted paste.At the center of the room, lying on the pool, was Abimael, completely unconscious. This would be a good moment to get rid of him. But what would be the consequences? I looked at the boy trailing behind me. Killing him would make the guards and other mages search for the attackers.I glanced at Abimael. "You're lucky." I resumed pulling the boy through the corridors—I needed to get him out of the palace. If we moved quickly enough, we wouldn't have any trouble.After nearly an hour of almost constant movement, we exited the tower and made our way toward a grove located at the back of the city, enclosed by the walls that protected the palaces. The nobles used it for recreation. I felt the boy's weight increasing. He had lost consciousness, likely dehydrated and malnourished. I let out a deep sigh."I suppose we can slow down from here." I lifted him into my arms. The child was heavy, but I was a grown man. I moved through the grove. There was a tunnel leading to my hideout. Its entrance was hidden beneath a rock.I found it quickly. I was used to sneaking in and out of the palace, after all, I thought amusedly. I placed the boy on the ground and slid the stone hatch aside just enough for two people to fit through. The stone, after all, was fake.After entering with the boy in my arms and closing the false hatch, I took a moment to appreciate the stone corridor, which twisted and stretched to every corner of this city. A labyrinth. Its center was the Vellorn Merchant Guild.When I reached my office, a gray-haired elf with green eyes, as straight as a board, was waiting in a nearly military posture. She was wearing a classic butler's outfit."Agent Six, please go fetch Agent One."She didn't respond, simply leaving my office.I placed the boy on a brown leather couch and lit the fireplace. I walked to my desk and picked up a silver tray holding a jug of water, cheese, and bread. A simple meal, but it was what I had at the moment. I woke the brat with small taps on his face and shoved the bread into his mouth. He started with a slow bite. Tears rolled down his face. His eyes filled with life, and he began devouring the meal.The boy was eating bread and cheese, trembling as he devoured it with desperate hunger. I noticed several scars on his skin, possibly healed by an emitter's magic. "Boy, what's your name?" He stopped eating and looked at me."T-thank you, sir. They… they hurt me." Tears streamed down his face. I couldn't imagine what he had endured. The mission's goal had been to gather information, but when I saw the girl's dissected body, I couldn't hold myself back. As a noble, I had an obligation to act. I sighed and looked at him. "Since you don't have a name, from now on, you'll be called Seven." He looked at me and nodded. His name no longer mattered; it was better this way. It was highly likely his own family had sold him."Lord Zero, Agent One reporting for duty." The voice coming from beyond the door sounded tired."Enter," I said while looking at the boy. "Don't worry, everything will be fine, Seven."The door opened. Stella entered—she was enormous compared to when I had first brought her here. A slender body hidden beneath a cloak, a long-sleeved shirt, dark cotton pants, and a blackened leather armor dusted with ash. Her face was concealed by a mask; even here, for security reasons, I made my subordinates hide their identities. Stella was the only one who truly knew who I was."I have come to present my report, Master Zero." I gestured for her to stop. That wasn't why I had summoned her."This boy here is a vessel for a hero. His name is Seven. I found him while searching the research facilities." She looked at him curiously. I saw him shrink under her gaze. She was quite intimidating for a woman."He will likely become a target, which is why I want him taken out of Eryndell." Now came the hard part. "I want you to accompany him," I declared.I saw her lips tighten. "But Master Zero, I am needed here..." I immediately interrupted her: "This mission takes priority over all others."Silence filled the room. She stared at me intensely. For a moment, I felt threatened. Was she going to slit my throat?"Where should I take him?" She seemed calmer. I carefully considered my next words—I was good at sneaking around. If I irritated her, I would surely lose my life."Valdora, a prosperous port city along the coast, famous for its spice market and merchant navy. I have a small property there. You are to train him and assume a new identity." I felt her furious gaze on me. She took a step forward, and I leaned back in my chair."Lorian, are you discarding me?" She certainly seemed furious, but that wasn't it at all."Be careful using our real names. Remember the golden rule: never trust anyone. And I'm not discarding you. I want you to watch over the boy and keep him safe until things in the capital settle down." I braced myself for the worst, but she walked over to the boy, who was still eating bread, and pulled him by the arm. "Come on, kid, it's at least a two-week journey." The boy looked scared, but I wasn't worried. She wouldn't harm a defenseless child."Goodbye, Seven," I said with a warm smile.