"I also need a new sword," Alex told Violet as the two walked to the latter's office.
"I don't know how much I can help with that. I don't deal with weapons much around here." The Madam replied matter-of-factly.
Alex rolled his eyes behind her. "Oh, come on. I know you know someone that deals with them."
"Perhaps I do," Violet evaded a clear answer.
"Will it be hard to introduce me to them?" He inquired further. Alex won't accept anything less than a yes or no - or at least silence.
"I don't know."
Realizing Violet had no intention of giving him a clear answer, Alex closed his mouth. He could say things like he couldn't kill her targets without a proper sword, but that wouldn't work. Alex already had a sword.
Even though it wasn't the best, it was still a sword. If you stick it into someone, they will die. It was that simple.
Reaching her office, Violet opened the door and walked inside, followed by Alex.
Closing the door behind him, Alex turned to Violet. "Did you perhaps think I could choose not to accept this job?"
Violet jerked her head around. "You wouldn't."
Alex raised his shoulders, faking uncertainty.
Violet sighed. "Fine. Fine. You'll get your sword, but I'll cut the reward to 3 gold in that case."
Even though he would get only half his cut, Alex didn't care. If he could get his hands on a custom-made sword of his choosing, losing three gold was something he was willing to accept. "That's fine by me. Now, tell me about your fencers."
Even so, three gold was a lot of coin for someone like Alex, a mere Recen. One needed to remember the monthly pay of a moderately high-ranking noble was just four gold, meaning over 4000 copper coins. Someone like a city official, for example.
If Alex were to buy a sword for that money, he would not skimp out. He will get a sword worth three gold from this weaponsmith.
Violet approached a side cabinet and took out a thin ledger. She threw the book onto the table.
Alex opened the ledger and saw roughly drawn pictures of men. He raised an eyebrow and sent a weird look toward Violet. "Is this your taste in men, I assume?"
"No, dumbass. Those are your targets."
Alex faked an 'aha' look and continued inquiring. "There's too many of them. I won't be able to kill them all."
Even if Alex was ten times as strong as now and a hundred times faster, he still couldn't kill more than 100 people in a single night. Alex doubted even Geralt, Enrilth's headmaster, could pull such an accomplishment off.
"I didn't expect you to," Violet answered before clarifying. "Those are all the people that I have to keep an eye on. You only have to kill the marked ones."
After Alex flipped through the ledger, he counted around five marked portraits. "That's a lot more feasible. Where would I find them?"
"You won't need to go around the city to sniff them out. These five usually have meetings to talk about business. You can deal with them during one such meeting."
Alex nodded, placing the ledger down. "Other information? Their power, guards, etc?"
"There's little I can share. Vie?" Violet apologized before shouting for Vie.
Alex was slightly confused but soon settled down as Vie and a man entered the office.
"Share everything you know with this man right here," Violet said to the newcomer, pointing at Alex.
Alex nodded to Violet before asking his own questions. "Number of guards, the fencers' power level, what do you know of these things?"
The man was taken aback by seeing Alex and stuttered while talking.
"Umm, the leaders aren't that powerful, but each has five personal guards for protection."
Alex's eyes sharpened for an instant before nodding. He turned to Violet. "I've got my answers."
The Lady nodded and motioned for Vie to lead the man outside. To Alex, she asked. "What do you think?"
"I don't trust him."
"Neither do I," Violet said curtly.
Realizing he didn't explain adequately, Alex clarified. "I believe that man lied. Whether everything he said was a lie or just a small part, I don't know. But I know he was lying."
The Recen sighed and continued. "I don't think I'll be able to do much without trustworthy info."
Violet grew curious and asked. "You don't believe that man because he was one of them?"
Alex shook his head, correcting the Lady. "Is."
"Oh? And how do you know that?"
Alex answered with a question of his own. "Would an ex-thief refer to their old boss as leader?"
Violet was unconvinced. "It's hard to let go of old habits."
Alex agreed. "That's true. The thing is, I'm betting my life on an assumption. Maybe it was an old, harmless habit…"
Violet fell silent.
"… or maybe not." Alex finished.
"Okay, I get it. So, what will you do now?"
Alex pondered for a moment, sharing his thoughts. "Let's assume the worst. The five fence leaders are expecting movement against them, so they upped their guard count.
"The only time when they are the least protected is when they let their guard down. For now, at least, I believe the best course of action is to play the long game.
"Let them bleed money on expensive bodyguards. After a few days without any attempts at their life, the fencers would undoubtedly relax slightly.
"Of course, the moment the leaders would let off employees, they will be at their most tense. I would wait for another day after that before attacking."
Violet nodded, pondering things of her own.
Alex continued. "Of course, we would need eyes on the ground at all times, monitoring the targets."
"Oh, I already took care of that. Several of my girls should return tomorrow to relay info."
"That surely makes my life easier," Alex said before standing up. "Now, would you mind introducing me to your weaponsmith?"
Violet raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"
Alex turned around. "Yes? Do you have anything else to do?"
Violet scoffed at Alex's poor choice of words. "Well, that's rude." Even as she said that the Lady stood up and followed after Alex.
Truthfully, she really didn't have anything else to do. Violet would preferably go with Alex than only sit in her chair and die of boredom. And if she really thought about it, Violet could also visit her friend, a win-win for both.
"Well? Follow me, Recen boy." Violet made up her mind and led Alex through windy roads into a more distant and utilitarian part of the city.
There weren't many homes around here, and there were absolutely no barns or anything flammable. Nobody would like to deal with a spontaneous fire due to some hay catching fire.
"They live here." Violet suddenly said, stopping in front of a modest but clean-looking house. Made out of bricks and mortar, this home surely won't catch fire in case of a mishap.
"Oh? Lorelei, what brings you here?" Slamming the sturdy wooden door open, a petite woman ran out of the house and brought Violet in a tight hug.
Although Violet seemed distressed about her name being divulged, Alex couldn't care less.
Realizing there was someone else standing near her friend, the weaponsmith let go and apologized. "I'm so sorry..." She paused, unsure what name to use. "...Violet. I didn't see you were with someone else. And, this is?"
Violet sighed and pointed at Alex. "He's Alex. He's helped me get rid of a pesky problem."
A knowing light sparkled in the weaponsmith's eyes. She nodded, turning towards Alex. "So, you're the young man that saved all those poor souls?" Looking at her friend once again, she continued. "How old are you, dear?"
Alex nodded with a faint smile on his face. "Yes, I did save those women. I am twenty."
"My, I would've mistaken you for a grown man. For a moment, I thought my friend was lying to me." The weaponsmith said with a smile.
"I do get that a lot."
"Oh, don't just stand outside. Come, please enter." Turning around, the host shouted. "Dear, we have guests. Bring out the good tableware."
Violet saw her friend's gestures and hastily stepped in. "Please, Elara, you don't have to busy yourself."
"Nonsense, dear." Elara categorically denied her friend. "It's rare when we have visitors and even rarer when you show up." Subtly winking at Violet, Elara continued with a smirk. "And I want to hear every detail..."