Angelina stormed into the carriage, fuming at Angus for opposing her decision. However, she waited until they were far from the inn before speaking.
"Sir Angus, I have great respect for you, but if you don't provide a reasonable explanation for your actions, I will ensure you face the consequences!"
Despite the threat, Angus remained calm. "As I mentioned earlier, there's an assassin on the roof, likely here to kill Ethan."
"Of course I remember! That's precisely why I wanted to take Ethan with us. He can't be harmed, at least not while I'm responsible for him. He's my nominal fiancé, after all," Angelina retorted, her anger rising.
"No, you haven't held a formal ceremony; he is not officially your fiancé. He must face this threat alone. If he survives today, he may survive future attempts. The territory is far more dangerous than here. If he can't handle this, he won't manage there either. Besides, Miss, you wouldn't want to become a widow at your young age, would you?" Angus replied coolly.
Angelina was momentarily speechless. Though something felt off, Angus's reasoning made sense. Reluctantly, she let her anger dissipate.
"Sir Angus, stay with me tonight."
"I can't. I have a wife," Angus replied.
Angelina's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why have you never mentioned your wife before when you stayed with me? Angus, you're acting very strange tonight."
"…"
Meanwhile, Ethan was still puzzled, unsure why Angus had interfered. However, he noticed that the rooftop intruder had left when Angus appeared.
"It's better this way. The unknown is always unsettling."
Just as Ethan thought the intruder was gone for good, he heard faint footsteps on the roof again.
"It seems they aren't giving up."
Feeling a sense of dread, Ethan donned a coat, grabbed his sword, and stepped outside. While talking with Angelina, he had also been contemplating how to deal with the assassin. He knew there was no way to always be on guard. However, he had devised a plan to identify his pursuer.
Ethan walked out into the evening crowd, blending in with the passersby. He entered a nearby bar called "The Disappointed."
The bar was a hub for night owls, filled with people drinking to unwind or seeking a night of romance. The atmosphere was noisy and chaotic, with a mix of scents and sounds that made Ethan uncomfortable. He forced himself to endure it and looked for a place to sit, finding a spot at the bar where he could observe the entrance.
He ordered a few drinks, not to consume them but to wait for his prey. Ethan knew that a tracker, losing sight of their target in such a crowded place, would likely enter the bar to search. He hoped to identify the assassin by their presence.
Ethan waited, observing the many comings and goings, but didn't spot anyone matching the rooftop intruder's aura. Instead, a young woman approached him.
She had blonde, wavy hair, a beautiful face, and a curvaceous body. Her white skin stood out against her attire as she swayed over to Ethan.
"Why is a handsome gentleman like you drinking alone? Need some company?" she asked.
Ethan glanced at her, initially intending to dismiss her. But then he saw a man in a gray trench coat and wide-brimmed hat enter the bar, matching the intruder's aura.
"It's him," Ethan thought, keeping his expression neutral. Smiling at the woman, he said, "My name is Ethan."
"Nice to meet you, Ethan. I'm Lily."
"Lily, I don't need company, but I do need a favor. I'll pay you a gold coin," Ethan said.
Lily's eyes lit up at the mention of a gold coin. "What do you need?"
"First, don't look back. Just listen. A man in a gray trench coat and wide-brimmed hat just entered. I need you to casually walk around, approach him, and tell me what weapon he's carrying."
Lily seemed incredulous at the simplicity of the task. "That's it?"
"That's it. Now go, and come back to me with the information," Ethan confirmed.
Lily, skilled at reading people, saw Ethan was genuine. Without hesitation, she moved through the bar, eventually nearing the man. She pretended to stumble, spilling her drink on him, and used the opportunity to assess him while apologizing profusely.
The man, irritated, cleaned up and left the bar, muttering under his breath.
Lily returned to Ethan, her eyes gleaming as she extended her hand for the gold coin. Ethan, though pained, handed her the coin and asked, "Well?"
"He's not carrying any weapons," Lily said, pocketing the coin.
"No weapons? Impossible!" Ethan was incredulous. Assassins and even ordinary fighters always carried their weapons. It was instinctual.
"Really, I'm not lying. But he did have a lot of playing cards. Strange, isn't it?" Lily added.
Ethan's expression darkened. "Midnight Circus."