Even though it was already late at night when she arrived at Lindheim, Isabel didn't show any signs of tiredness or sleepiness. Instead, Isabel remains focused on her goal of tracking Malcolm's whereabouts. She headed towards the corner of the city where Lindheim's nightlife was.
A place she used to frequent when she was an agent for Secretglaives. An ordinary place where people like herself look for information or things that are illegal.
There were several people who were drunk and women who offered themselves along the way she passed. Isabel got off her horse and entered the tavern in front of her.
The smell of cigarette smoke and booze greeted her immediately. Isabel walked over to the bar and sat down quickly.
A man with a mustache who seems to be a bartender approached her immediately.
"Drink?"
"Whiskey."
The bartender immediately made Isabel's order while glancing at her from behind the counter.
"I've never seen you before but your face is familiar.", The bartender said as he served Isabel's drink.
Isabel didn't answer right away but stared at her drink.
"I'm looking for information.", Isabel replied as she threw her bag of money.
The bartender took the money bag and examined its contents.
"What are you looking for?"
"A man. Light brown hair and messy. Brown eyes. Possibly he was around here yesterday."
The bartender was silent as he stared at Isabel intently. Then he went behind a shelf and appeared to be talking to one of his friends.
Isabel was watching everything closely.
The bartender came back shaking his head.
"Sorry. My friend said he didn't know anyone like that. Good luck finding him.", The bartender answered while pushing back the bag of money that Isabel gave him.
Isabel drank her whiskey down and left immediately after paying for her drink.
Outside the tavern when she was about to ride her horse suddenly three thugs surrounded her.
"Said, you were looking for a young man with brown hair? We know where he is. Follow us and you will find him.", one of them said as he drew closer to Isabel.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then we will take you by force." One of the thugs who was behind held Isabel's shoulder.
Isabel quickly twisted his hand and pushed him down. The thugs who were standing in front of her did not accept it and attacked too.
Isabel rolled nimbly to avoid him as she pointed her rapier at the thug's neck.
"Tell me where is the person I'm looking for-"
Suddenly Isabel grabbed her head. Dizziness that made her head spin. Her body felt paralyzed.
Her vision was dizzy. Isabel fell to her knees. The rapier in her hand slipped.
"Finally, the effect of the drugs worked. Bring her."
The thugs then picked Isabel up and took her away. Isabel tried to maintain the last bit of consciousness while watching where they took her.
The thugs took her to an old abandoned warehouse.
They sat Isabel down on a chair and tied her hands. Meanwhile her rapier was on the table.
One of the thugs who looked gaunt approached Isabel, who was still in a semi-conscious state while holding Isabel's collar.
"You're wearing a uniform. Are you working for the nobles, huh?"
"….…who are you guys on the other hand? The pathetic Free Insurgents whose actions were thwarted by the palace?"
PLAK!
The gaunt thug slapped Isabel.
"Bitch no one told you to ask questions! After all yesterday's action did not fail. We successfully killed our target. We are getting closer to our goal."
"... goal? What's the point of you guys killing some nobles. After all, it doesn't change anything."
The gaunt thug slapped Isabel back then pulled her hair.
"You fool! We killed the bastards that intruded in. We are not willing to live side by side with trash like them."
"Sneak in? What do you mean? Haven't we lived side by side with them for a long time? You think by attacking the nobility you can drive them away?"
"Haha who said this is just an ordinary revolution! Even we have the support of nobles. They even sent a witch to help-"
"Hey. Don't talk too much. We'd better finish our business as soon as possible." Another thug who looked bearded approached while tapping his friend on the shoulder.
"You are right. We'd better finish her off quickly, just like we finished off her friend too. So, our secret is safe.", replied the gaunt thug while holding Isabel's face.
Isabel looked wide-eyed, "So… you really killed him?!"
"Ha ha. Finally, you're scared too bitch! Don't worry, you will soon meet him in the afterlife when he dies."
"Later? So, he means he's still alive?"
"Haha your friend was in the next room in a stupor. Now we'll take care of you first while you're still under the influence of drugs and… you're also more attractive." The gaunt thug brought his face closer to Isabel then began to unbutton Isabel's clothes.
"Good that's what I wanted to hear."
After saying that, Isabel kicked the gaunt thug in front of her with all her might. The gaunt thug screamed in pain loudly. Then he fell.
Isabel lunged at the bearded thug while using the chair she was tied to to slam into him. One of her legs kicked another thug's leg. When the bearded thug was about to get up, Isabel sat down on the soles of his feet with her chair then hit him in the face hard with her head.
When Isabel saw that the gaunt thug was about to get up, she immediately kicked his leg. The gaunt thug screamed in pain.
Isabel slammed the chair that was still strapping her on the remaining thugs. Until the chair shattered and the thug passed out. With the ties in her hands loose. Isabel immediately picked up her rapier and prepared to face them.
However, the three thugs were in a state of sprawl. Two of them passed out.
Isabel approached the gaunt thug who was still groaning in pain while thrusting the rapier at his neck.
"Give me the key to get out of here."
"Ugh…it hurts…okay…here."
The gaunt thug raised his hand holding the key. Isabel picked it up with her rapier.
"How can you move? Even though we drugged you before?"
"Oh, you mean the Devil Trumpet spice that the bartender mixed in the whiskey I drank? I realized it."
"S-So you were pretending earlier?"
"Not really. I used to take it in small doses so I was quite immune. When I found out there was something wrong in my drink. I decided this was the quickest way to find my colleague."
Then Isabel stepped on the head of the gaunt thug.
"These keys better lead me to my colleague. Otherwise, I will come back to kill you!"
The gaunt thug seemed frightened by Isabel's sinister look and then lost his consciousness.
With a sigh, Isabel sheathed her rapier and buttoned up her open clothes.
Isabel quickly rushed into the next room and found Malcolm tied to a chair. Unconscious.
"Malcolm, malcolm can you hear me?"
"Isa…. bel?", Malcolm answered in a weak voice and passed out again.
Isabel immediately cut the rope that tied Malcolm and helped him out of the place.
As soon as they came out of the old warehouse, screams were heard from inside. It seems that the thugs are starting to wake up and are looking for Isabel and Malcolm.
Isabel hurriedly carried Malcolm and hid behind a wall.
"Isabel…. leave me… you go first….", it seemed that Malcolm was starting to wake up even though he was still weak.
"No. They must have given you more of the Devil Trumpet's dose. You won't be able to fight in your current state."
Malcolm grabbed Isabel's collar, "Hey… don't…. underestimate me…. I got the same training as you... We are members…. Secretglaives."
Isabel released Malcolm's grip on her collar." You are right. But I'm the one who's conscious right now, not you."
Malcolm shook his head weakly.
"Stubbor-"
"Hush."
Isabel was about to motion for Malcolm to be quiet. But Malcolm fainted again.
Isabel sighed and then hurried away while carried Malcolm. They walked stealthily in the gloom. Until they arrived in a safe area from the pursuit of thugs.
Isabel soon entered a nearby inn and rented a room.
Inside Isabel lays an unconscious Malcolm.
"Isa…bel...", With the remnants of his consciousness, Malcolm grabbed Isabel's collar.
"You…. Having a more important task...Lady Elizabeth is in danger...they…. planning to attack Red Peak..."
After saying that, Malcolm fainted again.
Isabel's face looked worried when she heard Malcolm's last words. She knew she had to return to Red Peak immediately. After making sure that Malcolm wasn't seriously injured, Isabel hurriedly left the inn.
When a carriage stopped not far from her, Isabel quickly released one of the horses.
"Hey that's my horse!" shouted the coachman who realized Isabel's action.
But Isabel didn't care about the screams and spurred the horse fast.
The moment that was on her mind, she had to return to Red Peak immediately. And in her heart, Isabel wished whatever Malcolm said didn't happen…. at least until she returned to Red Peak.