Paralyzed in helplessness and despair, Sougo and Mika could do nothing more than bear witness as the pitiless Toragol presided over the execution of the innocence. Mika, his teeth clenched in suppressed fury, maintained a strong self-control, holding back from initiating any hasty assault.
Then, the tranquility of the scene was shattered by a sudden, reckless incursion. An unanticipated intruder, a simple commoner, lunged at Toragol from behind, swinging a crude, spike-studded club. The blow was destined for Toragol's head, but Mika intervened, ensuring the mission wasn't doomed to premature failure.
Should Toragol have fallen, the government would immediately suspect assassination, escalating tensions and potentially placing the entire operation at risk. Roznok himself had forewarned them of such consequences, based on his intelligence about the repercussions of any harm befalling a government affiliate. The aftermath would be a calamitous fate for the populace, with the commoners bearing the brunt of the blame, as they were commonly depicted as mere beasts.
The town, predominantly inhabited by commoners, was held in the iron grip of the nobility, who steered it along the path of colonialism. One misstep, one insignificant harm to the town's governor, would spell their doom.
"How valiant of you, young aristocrat!" Toragol lauded Mika, who had just saved his life.
"You wretched cur! You dare attempt to claim my life!? Apprehend him and execute him at once!" Toragol commanded his men, who promptly disarmed the peasant and dragged him away from the execution grounds.
"Quite the gallant young man, aren't you? I admire that. Your courage will not be overlooked. How about you ascend my ranks and become my personal bodyguard, hm?" A smirk played on Toragol's lips as he saw promise in Mika.
Mika managed to keep his revulsion for Toragol hidden, recognizing this as a golden opportunity to infiltrate his circle.
"I would be honored," Mika responded, bowing with a duplicitous expression of feigned respect towards Toragol.
"Excellent. Consider this a privilege from your governor. I have great expectations for you." Toragol smirked, welcoming Mika into his ranks as his personal bodyguard.
Mika's strategy was falling into place, having garnered a modicum of trust from Toragol. Toragol, for his part, harbored no doubts about Mika, presuming him to be a fellow noble based on his appearance. As Mika subtly signaled the all-clear to Sougo, he moved closer to his ultimate goal – the unmasking of the government's sordid machinations.
"Sorry, Toragol Sir. I have other business to attend to. I will be back as soon as I can." Seeking permission to depart for other momentarily engagements, Mika was granted leave by Toragol. As Sougo and Mika exited together, Toragol's gaze followed them, curiosity piqued.
"Tail them," Toragol ordered two of his men, intrigued by the mysterious duo.
Mika, in his blissful ignorance, was unaware of their lurking tail, all but for Sougo's keen senses. With a firm grip on Mika's hand, Sougo surged forward with an inhuman velocity, instinctively aware of the stalking menace.
"Hey, what's the hurry?" Mika queried, perplexed by the sudden rush.
Without uttering a response, Sougo maneuvered them swiftly into Roznok's sanctuary, his concern not for his own safety, but for the oblivious Mika.
Roznok, discerning the urgency in their swift movements, hastily drew his curtains closed as Sougo gently released Mika. Luna, comfortably ensconced with her tea, welcomed the safe arrival of the two with a bright smile.
Peering through the curtains, Roznok confirmed their successful evasion. With a relieved sigh, he retreated to his desk.
"Well?" Roznok asked, leaning back into his chair.
"Disastrous... but there's a good news," Mika admitted, seating himself cross-legged on the floor, hands resting on his knees.
"Let's hear it," Roznok responded, propping his elbow on the desk, hands folded attentively.
"Apparently, I've been appointed as his personal guard. I'm under Toragol's command now. The plan is still, but I didn't predict this would happen. Not to mention being thrust into this role so suddenly."
"Interesting," Roznok mused, sitting up straight, "But remember, proximity doesn't guarantee access. Toragol isn't an easy man to read, he's resolute, but also obstinate. His privacy regarding his quarters, though, is an anomaly. The question is, what secrets is he harboring?"
"While I was on patrol, my senior landed me with some... "distasteful" task. I detest the idea of murdering the innocent, and I'm certain my senior was either coerced or bribed. I once came into contact with the man I was meant to eliminate. I instead exiled him from this town, and he divulged a valuable piece of information: he had glimpsed something within Toragol's quarters while being in his captive. His insubordination in refusing to enter Toragol's room subsequently led to his escape," Roznok disclosed the origins of his knowledge regarding Toragol's guarded sanctum.
"But... If Toragol was that strong of a man, how can he escape?" Luna asked Roznok as she listened to their conversations.
"True, Toragol isn't without his own flaws. Despite his significance to the administration, he's far from indefatigable or impervious. His ego inflates him, much like the other aristocrats. He employs his slaves for doing his dirty work, using them as if they were his personal shield," Roznok elucidated.
Mika began to comprehend how a commoner had come perilously close to slaying Toragol. He had, in fact, noticed a conspicuous absence of any guards around Toragol. Now understanding the extent of Toragol's folly, Mika swiftly formulated a strategy.
"If you're able to traverse through the shadows, why can't you infiltrate them?"
"Firstly, they're heavily fortified with surveillance cameras. Secondly, I'm a sheriff endowed with shadow magic. Naturally, they'd suspect my ability to move freely from one location to another as a potential threat, which led them to place this bracelet on me. This bracelet serves as an alarm; should I ever attempt to infiltrate, it would alert the population, releasing the town's commoners fate worse than death. And yes, I've been threatened as well. Does that answer to your question?" Roznok displayed the irremovable bracelet on his wrist, which would trigger an alarm if ever it was forcibly removed.
"Enough explanation," he said sharply. "You both need to prepare. Mika, your task is to serve as Toragol's bodyguard. Sir Sougo here, you have no direct involvement. I merely suggest that you both attend. Sougo, keep a discerning eye on the Royal Town, while Mika remains in close proximity to Toragol. There's no time to waste; your followers are growing suspicious," Roznok stated, his shadows alerting him to the fact that Mika's and Sougo's followers were growing wary.
Sougo and Mika promptly exited the building, maintaining a casual demeanor as they strolled about, engaging in idle chatter. Sougo kept his silence as he noticed they were being trailed and overheard. He asked Mika to suggest some food, and Mika proposed meat buns, thoughtfully steering clear of the commoner's district. As it happened, the meat bun vendor was conveniently located near the Royal Town, a fortunate circumstance for them.
"Hmph, nothing suspicious here. Thought they were some sort of spies. Let's report back to the boss." The goon then abandoned his pursuit, releasing them from his watchful gaze.
"Uwoghh, these meat buns... I can't get enough! They're so succulent and delicious!" Mika exclaimed, devouring the meat buns with an infectious joy.
As Sougo savored the rich, succulent flavors of the meat buns, he couldn't help but acknowledge their exquisite taste. The flavors, so robust and tantalizing, managed to lift his spirits for the first time since witnessing the harrowing spectacle of the execution.
"Oh, I almost let it slip my memory. Once I assume the role of his body guard, I need you to keep a vigil on Kimaru for me. She's in Room 32, on the third floor. She's a good girl, yet I'm kinda worried, should that damned Toragol ever suspect me of fraternizing with her, she may got into trouble with the nobles again," Mika confessed, his expression etched with concern.
With a firm grip, Sougo laid his hand on Mika's left shoulder, an unspoken promise swirling in his eyes. He would safeguard Kimaru's wellbeing with all he had.
A smile of relief blossomed on Mika's face, reassured by Sougo's resolve. He then left him to his mission, a daring quest to infiltrate the inner circle of the notorious Toragol.