Few lights illuminated the cramped, stinky streets of the northeast districts, making the way darker and grimmer compared to the rest of Inanna.
Many of the decaying, broken buildings around were abandoned, covered by broken windows and doors. Cracks, smashed craters, and wooden beams stood out.
Dirty water puddles spilled through the edges of the trashy streets. Although no one was to be seen, William felt as if they'd get jumped on and mogged by some nasty figure at any moment…
"Strange. On days like this, this place is usually full of hobos or hooligans doing something nasty, but it's mostly quiet right now," said Visidia. "I'd almost lower my guard. They say Bloodsucker took another victim in these streets a few days ago… "
"I hope we don't run into him, then…" William looked back just in case. "By the way, I thought you had it under control. What's the rest of your plan, huh? You haven't said much. Hard to think we just get there and get our loot just like that."
"Of course not, where's the fun in doing easy stuff? The brothel is an old, four-floored building that was once a Mauric outpost, back before the Independence War some 60 years ago. After the Mauris were kicked out, it remained mostly abandoned until Erish Dagrim and his toads took place for it. What a waste of architecture."
Independence War. That must have been when the Mauric Empire was kicked out of Reniram, as he heard before. Although 60 years was more than a lifetime for many people, it was still nothing for such an important, historical event for a kingdom.
A war with the same objective was taking place in his homeland, Sunia. Would the liberalist reach the same victorious conclusion?
He wondered about those old enough to have lived that conflict in person. Maybe they'd like to share some story about it, though it was hard to say if they'd bother talking with a westerner about it.
Oraesh and Zho? Although they had lived way more than that, their secluded lifestyle made them look as if they weren't related —or didn't care— about the events of the outside world. Still, maybe Zho would like to share something...
"Interesting," he said. "But what's up with that? How does that make any difference? What are we supposed to do once inside?"
"Just a fun fact. I thought you'd like to see a rectangular door here in this dark land for once," she giggled. "Erish Dagrim and his goons are so brutish that they haven't even taken the time to change locks or give them any maintenance. Did you know that Mauric locks are the easiest to break and pick? I even found some spares in their basement to practice on. We won't have any trouble bypassing their locks and chains."
"I see where this is going," he said. "but I bet that man doesn't have his safe right next to the entrance or in some forgotten corner. How are we getting to it without getting caught?"
"William, William, William… What would a pretty lass like me be doing in such a stinky and vulgar place like that? The plan's simple. You're gonna pay for my services, and we're gonna have fun in no less than in Venikh-Nesh's room. He's a popular legend among the Oksidi, you know?"
"Eh, never heard of that..."
"Some saint of love and creation. To put it in short, the local legend puts he once appeared and slept in one room of that stinky brothel. It's supposed to be blessed since then. Making love in it is supposed to change your life and put out 10 years from you."
"R-really?" William's phylactery skipped a buzz.
She chuckled. "How does that sound? Heh, we're not getting that far, boy, sadly. But do you think I'm just an easy courtesan like those whores working there? Anyways, that room is located on the third floor, in a wing that's mostly alone as only Erish Dagrim or his wealthy associates use it when they come and visit. And this room happens to be right below his office, where his safe is located…"
"I see… What's up once we're in that 'blessed' room? How can we expect the mafia lord to not be in his office when we're there? And how do you know all of that? How are we gonna get into that room?"
He wondered; she seemed to know that building well enough to be aware of its locations, and she had been in the basement too. She also said that he was supposed to hire her 'services'. What kind of secret past did she hold?
"Didn't I tell you I had my connections? Though I'd be lying if I didn't say I've had to do some… questionable, nasty, and perverted stuff to ever get inside Venikh-Nesh room more than once to glimpse around it and realize it's right below the office. Hope that doesn't bother you, handsome…"
"Eh, I guess so... What else?"
Winging ringed in the night sky above. Looking up, the same moth Visidia signaled was gliding above them. Was it following their steps?
"Ah, yes. As you already know, I've been intercepting Erish Dagrim's mail. Today he's receiving a special visit, someone who opened his mouth too much and has interfered with the mafia's business when he should not. He needs to be 'tamed' as the fat pig likes to use that word. They'll be busy in the torture room in the basement, so the safe and his office are gonna be alone. Poor bastard. I saw a cage full of hungry rats. He's not getting alive of that one..."
William preferred not to think about their methods. He just hoped she was right in her information and they didn't end up against a bunch of angry mafia hitmen. Even if they got out of that, was it wise to get known as an enemy of that mafia in all of Inanna? A westerner like him had it impossible to hide.
"Once in Saint Venikh-Nesh room, we have three ways to get into the office. I don't know if there are gonna be some of his goons guarding the way so we'll have to choose once there. Option one: we use the stairs, though we might run into someone. Option two: we climb through the windows —let's be careful not to fall— and option three: we blow up a hole, get in and out, and kill everyone that dares get in our way. Which do you like the most?"
William frowned. Was she that risky and reckless, or just frivolous and uncaring? Now she was talking about killing, and she was carrying explosives!
Was she just playing, or was whatever was inside that safe worth enough that trouble? Well, there was the Katosi Grail. Maybe it was worth the risk.
"Heh, relax! the third option is our last resort," she chuckled at his face. "We're committing burglary and robbery, not assault and murder. Oh, look, the brothel is at the end of the street. Time to get work."
A tall, rectangular building of shiny, square windows stood amidst the dark in the distance, humanoid figures wandering around it. William just hoped they didn't get in a nasty situation. He wouldn't know who to blame for it: Zho, Visidia, or himself...