BXBX NOVEL Chapter 126: Preparations are necessary
"So, what's it about?" Samira asked, sitting at the table beside Strax.
"Finding a spy," Strax commented, taking a sip of coffee. In front of him, an invisible screen displayed crucial information.
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"A reputation system? Make your name... This sounds like that crappy game that was released full of problems... Why now, all of a sudden? The more reputation, the more fame, the more fame, the more problems... This isn't good...
It's a disguise to create future issues," Strax thought as he refocused on Samira, who was eating a toast.
"Do you have friends in Eldoria?" he asked, and Samira's eyes turned to him, intense.
"Damn! It's in fucking Eldoria?! Damn!" Samira said, clearly upset.
"Do you have problems there?" Strax asked, noticing Monica also sitting at the table.
"Don't tell me you have issues with someone from that place. It's the damn black market," Monica said, leaving Strax even more confused.
"How do you know that?" he asked, looking at Monica, who shrugged.
"I used to send letters to a slave supplier. The former Lord Stainhardt wanted to buy some slaves to work in the mines back then. Well, he bought a few," Monica said, and Strax was speechless. He didn't even know she had such a thing... Damn, this woman was like a living encyclopedia!
Strax sighed. As the leader of this group, he had much to think about regarding what to do at this moment. He looked at Samira, who still seemed nervous about having to go to Eldoria.
"Are you okay? You seem more nervous than usual," he finally said, breaking the silence.
"Eldoria isn't a common place. It's the heart of trade, guilds, adventurers, mercenaries, and the information center of the continent of Talassia. Besides, it's the center of the underworld, the black market... The problem is that... well, I'm not very accepted there after I fought with someone..." Samira said. After the brief explanation, she looked at Strax.
"I'm afraid that just by being with me, I'll cause problems this time," she said, making Strax's eyebrows furrow as he looked deeply into her eyes after the insinuation.
"Who cares what they think of you? I'm not leaving you here alone, and that's non-negotiable. There's no time limit for this mission, so even if it takes a while, I don't care. You're coming with me, no matter what. I'm not risking having another wife kidnapped." Strax said, almost piercing the girl with his words. Possession swept through his heart, feeling there was no other way.
"This man... irrational..." Samira thought with a long, tired sigh, still upset but agreeing. "I have some friends and... adversaries, let's say, but I can handle it. We'll need to be extremely careful..."
"What the hell did you do to be acting like this? I thought you weren't afraid of anything," Strax said, seeing her quite uncomfortable with the situation. "A guild master... one of her assistants, actually, double-crossed me on an escort job, like the contract I did with you. The problem is, the coins never arrived for me. So I went to collect...
and it didn't go very well, let's say," she seemed reluctant to talk much about it.
"I understand... well, it's alright... we'll manage somehow. We'll head there once Beatrice is ready... By the way, where is she?" Strax asked with a suspicious look, and Monica just shook her head, "She slept in my room after we talked for hours while you... loved each other.
She's just tired, actually," Monica said, easing his thoughts; just thinking about it made him furious. "I see," he said.
"I think that plan to ask Cristine for information will be necessary before anything else. I guess I'll do that now," Strax said as he got up, seeing Beatrice calmly descending the stairs, yawning, "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Strax said, making her blush slightly as she continued down, "Why the faces?" she asked him. "We're starting to move, get ready.
In three days, we'll leave here for a while. We have to capture a spy who stole and is spreading our information," he said, watching the girl approach and open her arms to hug him, "Alright, let's kill that bastard," she said in a cute but frightening tone.
"I'm going to find Cristine first," Strax said, kissing her forehead...
The night before...
The woman made her way to the designated meeting point, an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the Duchy. The full moon illuminated the path, and she walked with determined steps, the sound of her boots echoing through the silent streets. When she reached the rusty metal door, she knocked three times according to the agreed code.
"Zarask," she said, and the door slowly opened, revealing a masked man who led her through a maze of dark corridors. Finally, they arrived at a large room, where the only light came from a circle of lamps hanging from the ceiling. Around a long table, several hooded figures were seated, their faces hidden in the shadows. Cristine approached, feeling the tension in the air.
She sat in an empty chair, maintaining a firm posture and keen senses. The figure at the head of the table, evidently the leader of the meeting, began to speak with a deep, modulated voice, distorted by a voice modulator to hide their true identity.
"We're here to discuss the upcoming black market auction, which will take place in ten days. We've been hired to ensure the event's security. This will not be an easy task, as the items being auctioned are extremely valuable and have attracted the attention of several powerful factions."
Another figure, to Cristine's left, intervened. "We've received information that there is an imminent threat. Rumors say a group of mercenaries plans to attack during the auction. We need to be prepared for any eventuality."
Cristine nodded, absorbing the information. "What is our security strategy?" she asked, her voice firm.
The figure beside the leader responded, unrolling a detailed map of the auction area on the table. "We will have three levels of security. The first level will consist of uniformed guards who will perform overt surveillance. The second level will consist of us, disguised among the guests, ready to act at the first sign of trouble.
The third level will be a rapid response team, stationed at strategic points around the venue, prepared to intervene in case of an attack."
Cristine examined the map, noting the designated positions. "And what about emergency exits? We need to ensure that guests can evacuate safely if something goes wrong."
The leader nodded. "The emergency exits will be monitored by our team members. We'll also have alternative evacuation routes in case the main ones are compromised. Our goal is to ensure the safety of everyone present while also protecting the auctioned items."
A third figure, who had been silent until then, finally spoke. "There is one item in particular that has been requested for special attention. A rare and powerful artifact. We need to ensure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
Cristine raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of artifact?"
The leader hesitated for a moment before answering. "We don't have all the information, but we know it's an object of great magical value. The buyer's identity is confidential, but we know several factions are interested in it. This makes our mission even more crucial."
She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "So, our main focus will be this artifact. We need to ensure it is protected at all costs."
The leader agreed. "Exactly. Let's review our positions and coordinate the final details of the operation."
Those words were enough to make Cristine question various things, one of which crossed her mind... "Would the master be interested in this?" she pondered. "Well, it doesn't matter... I'll have a lot of work. Should I let him know I'm busy? Well, Carlos will likely serve just fine." She thought as she returned her attention to the discussion.
Over the next few hours, the team discussed every aspect of the security, from guest verification to contingency measures in case of an emergency. Cristine, attentive to every detail, made mental notes and contributed suggestions to improve the plan's effectiveness.
Finally, the meeting ended. The leader stood up, signaling the conclusion. "Remember, the security of this auction is our responsibility. We need to be prepared for anything. Be ready to act in ten days. Good luck to all."
"So... I have to go to that damned city," she said as she left the meeting.
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NOTE:
I had recommended that those who pay for the Tier wait until Friday to resubscribe, this recommendation still applies, but I came to say that along with a price adjustment I ended up opting to have not just one, but two new Tiers.
(I had warned at the beginning of the novel's posts that after the third month I would adjust the prices, following my main novel and I would make the first volume completely free)
Adjustment:
TIER 1 - 02 CH for 1 Coin -
TIER 2 - 05 CH for 250 Coins -
TIER 3 - 10 CH for 500 Coins -
TIER 4 - 15 CH for 750 Coins -
TIER 5 - 25 CH for 1250 Coins - (20% discount = 1000 Coins)