In the morning, a group of young adventurers was summoned for an audience with the King of Verania. Among them was a princess fallen out of favor, a merchant from an unknown family, a warrior with no remarkable skills, a noblewoman from a once-prominent but now impoverished family and her commoner husband, a rough girl from a family of hereditary guards, a teacher-sorceress from a poor family, and some girl they could barely remember. It was a diverse and unlikely assembly, hardly fit for an audience with the ruler. However, since they knew things that couldn't be discussed beyond the castle walls, they were invited for a personal conversation.
"Yesterday, you performed well, and the rumors that reached me about your coordinated efforts seem to hold some truth," the King spoke calmly, though traces of irritation were discernible in his mind. "It is indeed disheartening that the assassins managed to infiltrate so deeply into the heart of the capital. I have ordered increased security and the punishment of those who were on duty yesterday. Perhaps you seek a reward?"
"I would be content with Aileen's release," Katrina retorted in dissatisfaction.
"That is impossible; she remains our only suspect, and we cannot take such risks."
"But they also tried to kill her! Doesn't it seem unlikely that they were acting together?"
"It appears your comrades stopped the assassin in front of her cell. Who knows, maybe he wanted to free her or simply eliminate an unnecessary witness."
"These are just your assumptions!" Katrina's patience waned, but the King's face remained indifferent. "All your accusations are laughable and built only on indirect evidence and speculation!"
"And that is the best we have. The main thing is that the crime should not go unpunished."
"And so, you will just find someone to pin it on? How righteous..."
The King's face contorted momentarily, but he quickly resumed his indifferent expression. "In any case, when facing the threat of war, we cannot sour relations with neighboring countries. This is the best way out."
"I would prefer to avoid war, but it seems you don't consider such an option."
"Let me remind you that the Empire also attacked us on fabricated grounds and now threatens full-scale war. I see no reason to show compassion to their spy."
"So, you admit that the reason to arrest Aileen was fabricated?"
Henry angrily thumped the throne's armrest, but his anger was restrained, and the conversation was taken over by the Archbishop standing nearby.
"Cough, you were invited here to be thanked for your help in repelling the attack, but it seems you are not pleased with that. You may go now," the man in red and white robes pointed towards the exit with disdain. "Oh yes, and due to the threat to His Majesty's life, the trial is moved to an earlier date. The fate of your... 'friend' will be decided in two days."
As soon as the doors of the throne room closed, the princess and Kurone rushed into the room where the magical crystal lay.
"Krito!! Respond quickly!" Katrina rubbed the crystal in her hands while Kurone tried to establish a connection.
"Ugh, who else is bothering us now," the companions known for their nocturnal escapades in Leran were not eager to answer the call.
"Krito, stop sleeping! We have a problem," Katrina shook the crystal, hoping her words would reach her semi-slumbering assistant faster.
"Yes, yes, people, we're waking up."
After a couple of minutes, the group in Leran gathered around the crystal.
"Seems like you all look quite worn out, sleepless nights?" Seleria snorted, examining the group at the other end of the connection.
"Well, yesterday we had an attack on the palace, and we had to fight off the assassins. Werner and Algo were seriously injured, but they will be fine," Katrina explained.
"Ho, I told you, this would be the optimal development of events," Seleria nodded understandingly.
"I'm amazed at your knowledge of criminal minds," Katrina said, looking intently at the red-haired princess.
"Well, did you know about it?"
"Well, yesterday I suspected as much, as killing you or King Henry would have caused chaos in Verania, and that's exactly what the conspirators wanted. Killing someone in Nordrune or Leran wouldn't have had the same effect."
"Well, I can't argue with that, but that's not the problem! Father rescheduled the trial. He wants to punish the criminals as soon as possible."
"From his perspective, it's the right decision, but it only complicates things for us... How much time do we have?"
"The trial will begin in two days in the morning. I hope you're ready."
"Hmph... just two nights then... Tonight we need to meet with Tein, and I hope he obtained the building plans. And tomorrow will be the final evening for the heist."
"Do you think you'll have enough time to prepare?"
"We don't have a choice. Just inform Hilda about it."
"I can't do that," Kurone appeared on the crystal. "Krito, why can't I reach her?"
"Oh... I suspected this might happen if they've gone far from the magical lines. It means they've already set off to the edge of Nordrune, and we won't be able to reach them there..."
"But then she might not make it to the trial!"
"I'm more concerned that she's now closest to the criminal, and if she doesn't bring him in, we'll lose."
"Do you think we won't have enough evidence?"
"We might be able to build a case against Aileen, but I'm afraid it won't be enough for them."
"I can buy some time," Seleria interjected, "I'll ask father to delay the trial. It seems they haven't informed him about it yet. But they'll have to consider his request if he demands to be personally involved."
"That will help a bit, but then our evidence will have even less weight."
"But why? If we find those who financed the assassins..."
"From their perspective, it will look like King Severin is protecting his trading partners, as the fact that there are Empire coins in Leran confirms ties with a possible adversary."
"Then we need to involve a third party, the great jarl."
"That will be the best option, and you know what..." I considered the possible course of events in my mind, "let them take as many witnesses as possible. If King Henry, the highest nobles of Verania, and I won't be surprised if the inquisition is involved too, then representatives from other countries should be present as well. For example, a few thanes, the head of the valkyries, Leranian nobles, even representatives of the dragons. With such witnesses, they won't be able to put forth their ridiculous accusations."
"But don't you think that gathering all poisonous snakes in one jar might be dangerous?"
"Yes, but only if we don't find the real killer! Most likely, as soon as the charges against Aileen are dropped, they'll start accusing each other, and then... I hope Hilda finally shows up, or we'll start a new great war."
"That's why I like you, for your unyielding optimism," Seleria made a dissatisfied face. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, we'll have to take the risk... It'll look quite amusing, hehe," for some reason, my laughter evoked disapproving glances, especially from the princess, "what's wrong?"
"You villain," Katrina sighed heavily. "Should I inform Father?"
"No, let it be a surprise," I smirked evilly and cut off the connection.
"We're short on time, we'll go tomorrow evening. Miri, I hope you've learned to handle those needles?"
"Yes, although it's a bit unfamiliar, I'll be able to cover you. But finding a suitable spot will be difficult."
"Don't worry about that. By my request, a young and less attentive guard at a tower in that area will be given a sleeping potion in his water, so you can shoot from there. It's the only place in the vicinity from where you can see the inner courtyard of the estate."
"Hmm, it'll be tough, but I'll have to get used to it."
"Krito, Rizel, and I will go inside. Don't forget the blades with the sleep-inducing poison."
"If they find the guards I knocked out, they'll raise the alarm."
"They'll have to wake them up first, and by that time, we'll already be at the trial, so they won't be able to do anything."
"And what if you're mistaken, and it's not the Oregol family?"
"Well, then we'll have big problems. But something tells me it's them. Voren holds a great grudge against me. It's a pity his son is still too young to take over the family."
"And what about me?" Rumy scratched her cheek wearily. "I'm not very strong in sneaking unnoticed."
"You know what," I gave a sly look to the surprised golem, "you'll be useful to us if we need to create some commotion. Riz, can you somehow signal Rumy when it's time to start?"
"I can try using shadow," Rizel gathered a dense mass of black mist in her hand and shaped something like a bat, "I can give her a simple command if she stays within half a kilometer from me."
"Excellent. Seli, have you learned anything about traps?"
"No, we'll have to go in blindly. Luckily, Tein will have prepared the estate's map in time. We'll start at sunset tomorrow. It's better if you all get some rest."