Farewell

Sheffield stiffened,(stung) by the's tone. "Your Excellency, I don't oppose searching for your daughter or mean to stop you. Giles and I have labored for years—we want closure too. But this must stay secret. A leak could plunge the kingdom into chaos, and your daughter would bear the brunt." 

The listened, remorse softening his voice. "Forgive my outburst. I know you've struggled. News of a daughter… it unhinged me. No offense intended." 

Sheffield and Giles sighed, accepting the apology. 

Aru, ignored for too long, snapped: "So what's the plan? We can't just *do nothing*." 

The shot him a glare. "Aru, your men are drunkards and brawlers. I won't entrust this to them. Sheffield, Giles—any suggestions?" 

Sheffield glanced at Giles. "We discussed this, Your Excellency. The agent must know little and not be tied to us." 

The nodded. "Your positions are too visible. Mercenaries, then?" 

To his surprise, they both nodded. 

"Really? Mercenaries?" The was taken aback. 

Sheffield grimaced. "A necessary evil. Success or failure, we can distance ourselves." He gestured cutting his throat. 

The understood, nodding solemnly. "Fine. No mistakes. Keep me informed." 

"Understood, Your Excellency," they chorused. 

The next day, a strange notice appeared on the mercenary guild's board: *"Seeking a female mercenary, age 16, for a confidential task. Reward: 10,000 gold coins."* No details, just the exorbitant prize, confusing all who read it. 

Houshao'nao missed the notice, too busy lugging Anna's luggage as she prepared for Aifar. The donkey trailed miserably, equally burdened. 

"Hurry up! I'll be late," Anna pouted. 

"Yes, Miss," Houshao'nao groaned, forcing a smile for Sheffield. 

"Father, do I *look* like a bully?" Anna clung to Sheffield, batting her lashes. 

"Of course not, dear. (Houshao'nao) knows you're all kindness," he lied, winking at the boy. 

*"Burned my ass and called it kindness? Liar,"* the donkey seethed. 

Sheffield's voice softened. "I'll miss you, Anna. Be good, and remember—" 

"I know, I know," she interrupted, hugging him. "Don't set the dorm on fire, don't duel professors, yadda yadda." 

He laughed, teary-eyed. "Your mother would faint if she saw you off. Now go—Giles' boy and the others are waiting." 

Anna scowled. "Ugh, little Giles is a bore, Ken's a fool, and(Jermyn) stares like a lovesick calf." 

Sheffield chuckled. "What about *you*? No boy can resist your charms." 

*"Except one idiot who'd rather stare at hay,"* the donkey snorted. 

Anna shot Houshao'nao a glare, but he kept his head down, dreaming of life without her fireballs. 

At the guild entrance, Giles and the other families greeted them. After endless goodbyes, the four teens mounted their horses—until Anna shrieked: "My lizard dragon! Wait, I forgot him!" 

"Sheffield frowned. "Let (Houshao'nao) get him." 

"No! I'll go. And you—" she grabbed Houshao'nao, "—find a cage. Now." 

He looked to Sheffield, who sighed: "Hurry back, both of you." 

*"I'll make sure they wait,"* Anna thought, dragging Houshao'nao inside. 

The donkey snickered: *"Boss is doomed. She'll torch him for sure."* 

In Sheffield's office, the lizard dragon hissed, spines rising. Houshao'nao froze, but Anna pushed him forward, smirking. 

"Choose: spines or fire?" she sang, (playing with) a fireball. 

Heart pounding, he reached for the (Kerry)'s wand in his pocket, recalling the lizard's weak spot—a red scale on its chest. With a quick jab, the creature collapsed, spines drooping. 

"Got it, Miss!" he cheered, triumphant. 

Anna stared, stunned. *Father never mentioned a weak spot!* Jealousy flared. Grabbing a sandbag from the desk, she swung it at his head—*whack!* 

Houshao'nao crumpled, stars exploding behind his eyes. Anna froze, horror replacing rage. The sandbag weighed heavily in her hand, and he lay motionless, blood trickling from his temple. 

"N-no… wake up!" she panicked, dropping to her knees. *Did I kill him? Father will skin me!* 

The donkey, waiting outside, perked up at the crash. *"Boss? Oh no… that idiot actually killed him."* It brayed mournfully, unaware that this "accident" would entangle them deeper in a web of secrets, curses, and a quest for a princess who wore a blood-red necklace. 

Somewhere, the (VIP) studied a map of Aifar, the *Blood Bond* necklace clenched in his fist. Somewhere, Dier polished a glass, wondering why Houshao'nao hadn't visited. And somewhere, a dark figure copied the guild's notice, a smirk beneath their hood—finally, a lead on the girl with the ruby pendant. 

The stage was set. The storm had begun.