I inspected the boards and found one with a one-star above it. Multiple people were crowded near the board and a giant heap of contracts were plastered against the large board. I inspected the boards and found one that was protecting a nobleman for a day. I ripped the contract off the board seeing it was an urgent contract that was gonna expire tomorrow. I walked out of the merc guild reading the contract. Apparently the nobleman needs a bodyguard for a deal with another noble. Payment will be given once the job is complete. My first objective was to meet said nobleman. I crossed the bridge as I immediately noticed it looked like I stepped into the wrong area. Even on the bridge it went from everyday people wearing a multitude of average cloth clothing and such to people wearing exquisite threads and silks. Women wearing lavish dresses and men wearing exotic coats. The buildings all constructed with constructed with more attention to detail. Signs for stores are made with exceptional care instead of a plank of wood with writing on it. Carriages were large and made with varnished wood with exquisite designs. I felt really out of place, more than I did back in the common area is what I'm assuming I was at. I checked the signs and made my way towards the residential area passing the large standout building reading the sign that read 'Zendria Bazaar'. Two guards stood in front of the golden double doors as the place screamed not-in-your-bank-account. Passing the bazaar, I reached the residential area and found the house I was looking for. A lavish house that contrasted the common area where buildings were two stories foe the sake of having the business on the first and the living on the second. This house was purely made for living it looked like a modern house from my time or at least one of those 1960s depictions. Freshly cut grass with a white pickett fence and a paved cemented walkway towards the front door. I opened the fence gate and approached the door and knocked on it. After a minute or two, the door swung open showing a female in a maid outfit. She quickly twisted her face into a fake smile and spoke in a monotone voice.
"Hello, what is your business here?"
"Looking for an Adrian Scienta."
"What business do you have for master Adrian?
"Well, Mr.Adrian put a contract up in the merc guild and said to come his residence."
The maid's brow twitched for a split second before she opened the door further.
"Come in."
"Thank you miss."
As I walked in I felt her glaring daggers at me making me shrug my shoulders as I saw the inside of the house. It showed every sign of someone in good living. Nice marbled floor, beautiful chandelier that hung in the entrance, expensive looking statuary on shelves, the whole nine yards.
"This way please." The maid said as I followed her into a common room where two sofas were across from each other with a coffee table in the middle. She motioned me to have a seat as I did.
"I shall retrieve Master Adrian. Stay here." She said as she briskly walked off. I pulled my backpack off and reached into my pack and grabbed Nick's G17 and took the mag out and unloaded said mag. I then placed the empty mag back into the glock and pulled the partially spent mag of my M18 and loaded the 9mm bullets into it before placing the spare bullets into a case in my pack.
"Ah good to meet you." A voice said behind me. I looked behind me as a young man who looked to be in his early twenties approached me. I stood up and shook hands with the young man who introduced himself as Adrian Scienta. We both sat down as the maid from earlier came and brought some tea and snacks.
"Thank you Lily."
"Of course, Young Master."
The maid left the area leaving me alone with the nobleman.
"I can't tell you how happy I am that you took this job." Adrian said.
"Why's that?"
"You see, my father owns a jewel company, and we sell elemental crystals to soldiers. We also refine the crystal and place them into jewelry as they give a splendid glow!" Adrian explained with a cheery salesperson tone.
"Okay so where are we going with this?"
"Right, I have a matter of upmost secrecy. You see, my sister has gone missing and I have reasonable suspicion that it was our rivals."
"Why do you think that?" Rowan asked.
"Everyone who is a noble usually are born into wealth and continues whatever is their main source of income. You see, my father has only been a noble for ten years. We were originally commoners but my father's craftsmanship made his little store stand out and it eventually snowballed into what you see today. Our rival has been a jewel company for decades now and wanted to buy my father's company but father refused. They didn't take too kindly to that."
"How long has your sister been missing?"
"Three days. I've been looking into every lead I can as my father continues to work but it's been challenging. My company's rival plays a very tight game that prevented me from gaining more intel. Alas, I was approached by some men that said they'd give some intel if I agreed to meet them tomorrow at a secluded part of town. It's most certainly a trap and the guards don't care as long as they're well compensated for looking the other way. So I decided to make a contract with the merc guild but in order to avoid suspicion I kept the payment hidden and put it in the one-star category as prominent companies in Zendria like the one my father runs, usually will rank their jobs higher in the seven-to-ten stars. To be honest, I didn't think I'd get someone to come on the last day before the posting expired. And you wear strange clothes with strange instruments. I can't quite fathom the enigma you are."
"Yeah I know I stick out like a sore thumb. As for my "strange instrument", just know it can kill things and kill them efficiently."
"I'll take your word for it. Now, for the full scope of the task I want you for. I need you to discreetly tail me to the meet and make sure I don't perish. I'm not well-versed in fighting so you need to make sure I stay alive. Do you have any questions for me?"
"Why do you need me? Surely you have bodyguards or that maid of yours that's been giving me death stares."
"Our rivals know my father's personnel including Lily. I needed someone fresh. Someone our rivals wouldn't expect."
"Alright then I have a few requests rather than questions."
"Lay it on me."
"I need money for new clothes. You want me to tail you, I'm gonna need clothes that don't stand out. Next, show me where the meet is so I can get a lay of the land. If you can provide me with this, I can guarantee your safety."
"Well if you are so sure then I accept your terms. I'll have Lily show you where the meet is. 100 gold pieces should suffice for new clothes."
I shook hands with Adrian as he went to a nearby cabinet and handed me the gold pieces before going to find Lily. He told me to wait for Lily as I finished my tea and snacks before heading out the door and gazing at the nearby houses in the neighborhood. After ten or so minutes, the door opened showing the maid Lily wearing normal clothes. She glanced at me for a moment before walking past me.
"Come on." She said in her usual monotone voice. I followed the maid across the town back into the commoner district until we arrived at a fairly empty patch of dirt. There were a few people sitting around varying from age. Some adults drinking, a kid sitting on the ground reading a book, couple of homeless people.
"I'll be leaving now. Listen well merc."
I looked at Lily who's blank expression now showed one of anger and disgust.
"If Master Adrian doesn't return, his death will on your hands. And I will not hesitate to dislodge that head from your shoulders."
"Sorry, but my head has a strict no detachment policy. But let me make something clear, maid. Try to do something and you will find your master putting out applications for a new maid."
Lily didn't reply and continued to glare at me her hand resting on the dagger that was strapped at her belt.
"Do it. I fucking dare you." I taunted with my hand firmly on my handgun and my other hand ready to push her back. My eyes intensely scanning her body language. After what seemed like ages, she took her hand off her dagger as I lowered my off hand still keeping my right hand close to my handgun.
"Fucking mercs...." She muttered before leaving. Wonder what's her problem. I decided to walk around the meet-up spot looking at potential vantage spots I could position myself but also where the rivals could position themselves. After feeling confident enough about the recon, I went back into the main areas to look for a merchant that can give me some new threads.