Inside, Nia was leaning in her chair, holding a glass of water over the table. Her face was calm, but the water stain on her clothes gave her away.
Trying to act calm, she asked Anom, "Are we up?"
Anom nodded. "Let me tell you about our first objective before we depart."
"I hope we didn't interrupt your meal." Loreana suddenly said as she started acting like the polite host she was; she clearly considered it her responsibility, one that needed special attention, considering that the two girls were an important part of their plan to alleviate their crisis.
"It's fine." Kristin said as Nia followed up, "We were done anyway."
As they all set down, Anom began telling them about the urgent objective that was his priority:
"We have to delay, or possibly cancel, the marriage. The Handler family must not be allowed to continue with their plan. Only then will I be able to put my mind at ease and leave for the capital."
He looked at Nia and Kristin and asked, "You two are fine with the arrangement, right? Tell me now if you have anything to correct. I don't want any complaints while the plan is underway." His tone was stern, as he really didn't have too much at stake to gamble. These two ladies from the capital, given their backgrounds, were more than capable of handling the failure. But Anom could not, nor could the Safaira family. Therefore, he wanted to even out this unstable aspect before it could cause any deviation from his plan.
The ladies in question pondered for a while before Kristin replied, "No. It's great, to be honest. I'm amazed at how you've considered so many factors at once. The slip-up we caused at the Giro Gang's lair will also get covered up through your plan. It's just... perfect." Kristin ended her words with a sigh as she praised his creative mind.
Nia was silent, but her complicated expression when she looked at Anom displayed more than words could describe. It was just a day ago that they were locked in a fierce battle; now she was going to follow a plan he made.
On the other side, Loreana and Crystal were also amazed after listening to him. If undertaken successfully, his plan could solve all their immediate problems. At the very least, they would gain a temporary respite to follow up with something better.
"Alright." Anom stood up from his seat and looked at all the ladies present. "If everyone is fine with it, then we should leave now."
He was the first to walk out, and the rest followed. Nia and Kristin quickly gathered their stuff and followed Anom's group as they made their way out.
…
"Do your best to follow his instructions." Don't make any trouble for him. Take care of each other." Loreana exhorted her daughter. No matter how she had agreed to the plan, she was still worried about her daughter's safety. She also advised Nia and Kristin to be careful.
As she received the girls' assurance, Loreana turned towards Anom and smiled lightly. "I don't have to tell you the same, do I? After all, it's only because of you that I'm sending them out like this. I just want you to take care of them. Yourself too."
Anom nodded with a smile. "Let's go." He gestured to the three girls and turned to leave.
"Take care, Big Brother Anom. You too, Missy. Oh, and also, the two Big Sisters from the capital." Crystal also showed her support as she waved everyone off with her cheery voice.
Anom turned to smile before continuing on his way.
Crystal also smiled, but she still sniffed. "So Anom takes precedence now, huh?"
Nia and Kristin were also taken with her adorableness. They too waved her goodbye as their figures disappeared behind the buildings.
A few minutes passed as they covered a considerable distance in silence.
They were currently outside the main estate of the Safaira family but still inside the area of their influence. This was also the place where the spies concentrated their surveillance. So they had to be careful while passing through here.
It was not much of a problem for Anom and Nia, but the other two girls didn't specialise in stealth. Hence, Anom and Nia had to support them in leaving without making any commotion.
Only one point of surveillance was left before they'd finally be out. Nia wanted to finish it all in one breath, but Anom stopped to let her rest. It was not good to be hasty, lest they end up ruining their arrangement with a simple mistake.
As she relented, Nia took deep breaths and finally regained her calm.
Seeing her gesture to him, Anom nodded and moved to carry Crystal, while Nia did the same with Kristin.
A short sprint, and they were out.
Standing on the empty back alley that was only a few steps away from the main street, Kristin asked, "Where to now?"
Anom pondered for a moment before replying, "You mentioned informing your brother, right? Let us both go to finish that." He then turned towards Crystal and spoke while handing her a storage bag: "I want you to go with Nia and buy whatever you need, plus the things I had already specified to her, alright?"
Crystal nodded as she opened the bag to examine its contents.
"So much?" she exclaimed after checking the amount of money inside. Even as someone from a merchant family, she was still shocked to see the amount.
"That's only half." Anom shrugged. "What's so surprising about it? It's only because it's all gathered in one place. That gang leader was probably as rich as a small merchant family; if not for his extravagant expenditure on resources for training, the amount would have been even larger."
Crystal nodded and kept the bag.
"After we're done with your tasks, return here." Anom continued instructing.
Seeing everyone nod, he guided Kristin and left the area first. Nia and Crystal also prepared themselves and went in another direction.
They were covered in inconspicuous cloaks and didn't stand out too much in the hectic vibe of the city.
Anom observed his surroundings. It was not his first time coming here, but given his rushed schedule, he didn't have much time for anything but a quick glimpse.
Passing through the crowded streets of the residential area, they finally arrived at the trading area of Nulis City.
It was the main hub of this city's operations. Missions to gather materials and resources were issued and collected here.
Mercenaries and adventurers in dissimilar but defense-oriented ensembles could be seen everywhere. They either formed teams, small and large, or simply roamed individually.
All kinds of stores, shops, and outlets were scattered around the area. The buildings of the large stores were constructed with neatly cut stone blocks and wood; the small shops and the like were mostly constructed with stone as the foundation for the wooden walls and roof. The market place didn't have the elegance or finish of the residential area, but it had a certain wild charm that made anyone stepping inside want to become a part of the boisterous crowd.
"I'm curious." Suddenly, Kristin spoke. "Looking at your actions, you clearly don't seem to belong here. Then how did you end up with the Safaira family?" Her expression one of interest and curiosity, Kristin looked at Anom for an answer.
"Do I look like a bumpkin or something?" Anom smiled. "To be honest, it's not my first time in a city like this. But every city has its own special ambience—a special presence that lingers in your mind even after you have left. It doesn't matter whether a city is small or big, backward or high-class; each city gives you a different feeling that you can only feel but not describe."
He added. "I just like to soak in that feeling."
Kristin curled her lips. "How interesting." She then asked, "Then, would you like me to resolve any questions you might have?" Her expression was one of smugness as she seemed ready to impart knowledge to an ignorant one.
Anom didn't mind her tone. He just thought for a moment before asking, "What's the difference between the adventurers and the mercenary forces? Like, are they independent of the kingdom's rule, or is there a special division of power?" He then began to mutter, "No. The different classes clearly indicate that there is a division. Mercenaries should be the ones with more individuality."
"Uh, hello?" Kristin waved at him. "Am I supposed to solve your doubts, or are you going to finish solving them yourself?"
"Oh, please go on." Anom gestured as he ceased his chain of assumptions.
"Ahem." Kristin cleared her throat and began speaking, "Not bad. You guessed it somewhat correctly. Relatively speaking, mercenaries really are the ones with more freedom. They don't have to report directly to anyone, only to their own groups.
On the other hand, adventurers are required to be registered with a guild. The guilds all over the kingdom are collectively known as the Adventurer's Association. The head is usually a faction-less, retired adventurer. But, to be honest, that's only a guise since everyone knows that it's just the government's way of controlling the rowdy bunch, who are just a bit better than ordinary people."
Anom nodded and asked, "The mercenaries should also have a similar body, right?"
Nodding, Kristin explained, "There is, but it's just an oral agreement between the top-dogs among the mercenaries. What they really care about are their own benefits. Any union or whatever they form is just a temporary assembly to deal with the pressure." She then smiled and added, "But in reality, it's all an illusion. Whether the guided adventurers or the free mercenaries, no one can really fit into the system perfectly. When the system comes calling, their only way out is to either get assimilated obediently or...
Instead of finishing her sentence, Kristin made a throat cutting gesture with her hand.
Anom nodded in understanding, as it was in line with his thoughts.
They both continued like this for a while before Kristin finally stopped in front of a building.
"That's the place."