Chapter 69 - The Black Death Appears In The Imperial City

Bertram frowned, "Torture? Is that really necessary? We should just leave it up to palace guards."

I frowned, "But that's no fun."

Bertram sighed, "Fine. If you really think you're capable of it."

I flipped my hair, "I'm more than capable."

He raised an eyebrow, "Really? Have you done it before?"

I paused, "Ah. Well no. But I have read a few books that describe torture."

"Why do you read such books?"

The man tied up cackled, "Kahaha! Don't make me laugh! Who would be scared of a girl like you?"

I turned and glared at him, "Excuse me?! Don't you know who my master is?! My master is the Black Death!"

The man blinked, "Who?"

Bertram spoke to me, "Young Miss. I'm afraid the Black Death is only known in your town. There are some in the Imperial City who know of him, but not enough to make the rumors spread."

I frowned, "Well that's no good. I guess we better go to the red light district and make a name for ourselves."

Bertram nodded, "I do know a few people in the Imperial City who could help us with that."

I clapped my hands, "Yaay! Ah, but I guess we should deal with this dumb*ss first."

We both turned to the man sitting in the chair. He looked at us dumbfounded, "Are you two idiots or something?"

I frowned, "That's not nice. I'm actually pretty smart." I held my hand out to Bertram, "Hey, hand me that knife."

He handed me the jagged blade. The man sitting down cackled, "Kahaha! What do you think you're gunna do with that? Cut me? Kahaha! Do you even realize how hilarious you look?"

I ignored the cackling man and tossed the dagger in the air, catching it skillfully. "I've always wanted to castrate a man."

The man's face fell, "Wut."

Bertram spoke full of concern, "Young Miss. That's a bit extreme."

I looked at him in confusion, "Isn't that the point of torture?"

He nodded, "Yes, but... Even torturer's have morals."

I shrugged, "Well I don't. I read in a book if you cauterize the wound then they won't die." I grabbed a nearby candle, "This should work."

The man's face paled. He tried to close his legs but the bondage rope wouldn't allow it. He shouted, "A-Are you crazy?! You can't do this!!"

I tossed the knife in the air, "Oh can't I? Just tell me who sent you and I won't."

"I-I won't tell!"

I shrugged, "Alright, fine. I guess I get to cross something off of my bucket list today." I looked at Bertram, "Alright hold it for me."

Bertram frowned, "I don't want to hold it."

"What? You want me to?! I'm a little girl Bertram! Besides, you're wearing gloves."

Bertram deflated, "I guess you're right. But these are my favorite gloves..."

"It's fine. I will buy you better ones."

The man looked between us hectically, "YOU TWO ARE PSYCHOPATHIC!"

I looked at him, "It's sociopathic. Not psychopathic. Learn the difference." I smiled maliciously, "Alright. Let's start."

As Bertram reached forward with an unwilling face, the man tried to squirm out of the way in vain. He shouted in a panic, "Fine fine! I will tell you!"

Bertram sighed in relief. I nodded, "Go on."

He swallowed hard, "It's Mister Nightingale. He's the one who hired me."

I raised my eyebrows, "Huh. I'm surprised that worked. Do men really love their little appendage that much?"

Bertram nodded not wanting to discuss it, "Yes... It is very precious to us."

"But who is Mister Nightingale?"

Bertram answered, "He's a crime boss that operates in the Imperial City."

I smiled, "Perfect! That's how we can make a name for ourselves here! We can take down a crime boss!"

The man laughed dryly, "You? Take down Mister Nightingale? Yeah right. He never leaves his den at the Red Hat and it's filled to the brim with his men."

"What's the Red Hat?"

Bertram answered me, "It's a gambling house."

I smiled, "Wonderful! I'm great at gambling!"

The man sneered, "To even get inside you need the password."

I smiled, "Great! What's the password?"

The man was startled by this, "Locona. Wait. You really intend to go?"

I nodded, "Of course! It sounds like fun."

The man looked at me carefully, "S-So? You're going to let me go?"

I smiled at him and he smiled back hesitantly. My smile turned sinister, "I said I wouldn't castrate you. But I didn't say I wouldn't kill you."

His face dropped. I looked to Bertram, "Bertram-"

"Yes." He snapped the man's neck in the blink of an eye.

My mouth dropped, "You interrupted me! I was going to say knock him out! Not kill him!!"

Bertram looked at him, "Oh. Well. Maybe he will be okay?"

I sighed and smacked my forehead, "Whatever. Let's just go find Mister Nightingale."

Bertram nodded and we put on our cloaks. I wrote a quick note and Bertram looked at me with an eyebrow raised. I smiled, "Just in case someone comes in to check on me."

I went over to the window and looked down, "I guess we will have to find some rope."

Bertram grabbed me and jumped out the window. I withheld my scream as we landed. I looked at him in surprise, "Why did you jump down?!"

"It wasn't that far down."

"It was four stories!!!" I sighed, "Alright. Let's just go. Don't get caught by the guards."

He nodded and skillfully dodged the guards on duty. I guess being a mercenary has its perks.

We walked to the red light district and Bertram paused, "Young Miss. I know the store owner. Can we stop in?"

I nodded, "Sure."

We walked inside and were met by a simple looking man. He smiled, "If it isn't Bertram! I haven't seen you in so long! Come in! Come in!"

Bertram nodded, "Hello Charles. We were on our way to the Red Hat. I saw you in here so I decided to stop in to say hello."

Charles nodded as if he understood something, "Ahh. I see. It's THAT kind of visit."

Bertram tried to speak, but Charles had already walked over and flipped the sign from open to close. He turned and pushed a bookcase, revealing stairs. He smiled and beckoned, "Alright. Follow me."

I glanced at Bertram who shrugged. We decided to follow him down. When we got to the bottom my eyes lit up. The room was filled with weapons.

I ran over and held my head, "Holy hell! There's so much sh*t!"

Charles looked at me while he spoke to Bertram, "By the way. Why did you bring a little girl with you? Don't you realize how dangerous it is?"

Bertram sighed, "I do. But she would go whether it was with me or by herself."

Charles thought for a moment, "Ah. Are you going to offer her up as collateral?"

Bertram glared at him, "No."

Charles looked at him, "My bad. I just thought... Well..." He cleared his throat, "So why are you going? Still doing that mercenary business?"

Bertram shook his head, "Actually. It's a secret, but we both work for the Black Death. He wanted us to come and take down a crime boss to make a name for him."

Charles eyes widened, "Wow. Your new boss is flashy isn't he?"

Bertram stared at me while I went around fawning over all of the weapons. He sighed, "You have no idea."

Charles chuckled and clapped his hands, "Well. For old times sake, feel free to take anything you want!"

My eyes sparkled. I pointed, "I want that."

Bertram frowned, "How about something less dangerous?"

"No way! That's perfect!"

Charles chuckled, "If you want to be flashy that certainly is the way to go!"

I grabbed it and smiled I walked over to them. I noticed masks on the wall. I pointed at them, "Could we take that too?"

He nodded, "Sure. Sure."

I grabbed them and smiled at Bertram, "Are you ready to go?"

He nodded and said his goodbyes to Charles. As we walked out Charles smiled happy and waved us off. Bertram placed me on his shoulders and we placed our masks on.

In the red light district, it wasn't strange to see someone covering their face and body. In fact, it was quite normal. Due to Bertrams immense height, people began moving out of our way quickly. I looked down on all of them.

That's right, you better move! You are all ants under my greatness!

We came to the Red Hat and Bertram knocked on the door. A sight hole opened up, "Password?"

I leaned over, "Locona."

He closed the hole and opened the door. Bertram stepped through and set me down. I glanced around ignoring the stares. I saw a man sitting at a table adorned in expensive jewelry to the point of being gaudy. As he was the only one not death staring me, I knew he was the boss.

I walked over to him and a rottweiler was sitting next to him growling viciously. He glanced down at the dog, "Hush Baxter."

The men around stood up taking out weapons. Mister Nightingale shook his head and they sat back down. He glanced at me, "This is not a place for little girls."

I chuckled and sat down at the table, "I'm here to play poker." I sat back, "Unless you're too scared to play poker with a little girl."

"Hah. What a joke. Do you even have anything to bet?"

I tossed out a necklace from my pocket. It was pure gold adorned with several jewels. Mister Nightingale's eyes sparkled seeing the jewels. Bertram frowned behind his mask realizing that I had stolen the necklace from the Royal Palace.

I chuckled, "I can see that you enjoy gaudy jewelry. Today I'm playing on behalf of my master, the Black Death."

He frowned, "The Black Death? Who is that?"

"Just a newcomer to the area. Now do you want to play or not? My master has much more expensive jewelry."

He smiled smugly, "Hmph. Very well. Let's play."

I'm sure he thought he could easily defeat a little girl. Unfortunately for him, I wasn't just any little girl. I was an adult who could play high stakes poker and not lose a single penny.

It only took me two rounds before I knew everyone's tells. It also helped that I was skilled at counting cards. All those days scamming casino's finally paid off.

I pulled the pile towards me laughing maniacally, "Looks like I win again boys."

Mister Nightingale stood up abruptly and slammed his hands on the table, "You're cheating! You must be!"

I chuckled, "Don't be a sore loser. It's your own fault for being so crappy at poker. Honestly, do you ever win?"

Several veins on his head bulged. Baxter started barking in response, sensing his owners distress. He shouted, "Get that girl!"

Before anyone could touch me, I smiled at Baxter and spoke in a fluffy voice, "Hey adorable cutie! Who's an adorable cutie? You are!"

I reached out and pet the dog who went from being viscous to being overjoyed with hearts in his eyes.

I smiled maliciously, "Now Baxter. Kill that annoying master of yours."

The dog instantly turned to Mister Nightingale growling. His face fell, "Baxter! No! Bad! You dumb dog! What are you doing?!"

Before he could say anymore, his prized dog turned on him and literally bit the hand that fed him. Mister Nightingale screamed as the dog ripped him apart.

The whole den broke out into chaos. I started dodging swords chuckling madly, "You all suck! You can't even hit a little girl!"

Their attacks were so slow and clumsy. I suppose knowing their attacks was due to all my horrific training with Dante. He was 100 times better than them, so I could easily dodge any attack.

Bertram defended himself and took them out with a single dagger. I jumped on the poker table and revealed the secret weapon I had strapped to me.

I wore a sash completely packed to the brim with explosives that I had gotten from Charles. I pulled out handfuls of bombs and set the fuses on fire.

"BURN B*TCHES!"

As I threw them, Bertram jumped over, grabbed me, then jumped out the window. I shouted, "BAXTER FOLLOW!"

Baxter jumped out without any hesitation. Before anyone else could act, the building exploded into flames with them inside.

*BOOM*

Debris went flying everywhere and Bertram dodged it skillfully. We stood off safely to the side watching it burn. A crowd came out to watch the commotion.

I giggled and clapped my hands. I shouted, "The Black Death will conquer all his enemies no matter where they are in this country!"

I tapped Bertram and he ran off. When we were far enough away, we ditched our masks and cloaks. I bent down to Baxter who followed faithfully. "Baxter, you're free now. You don't have to follow us."

Baxter wagged his tail and licked me on the face. I giggled and scratched his head. He barked at me then trotted off into the distance.

Bertram watched him go with a trace of surprise, "I thought he'd follow us."

I shook my head, "No. He has a wife and kids to return to."

Bertram eyes widened, "You speak dog?"

I shook my head, "No. I just like making up stories. Now let's go. It's almost morning and I told them to meet us at a cafe."

He put me on his shoulders and walked in the direction I told him to. "How do they know where to meet us?"

"I was worried they would notice me missing and come looking, so I left a note so they wouldn't panic."

We walked into the cafe and sat down. I happily chewed on my muffin and glanced at the time. Oh, they are a bit late.

Just then, several guards rushed into the building shouting.

"HANDS UP! DON'T MOVE!"

I stopped chewing on my muffin and looked over in surprise. Simon and Dante burst into the cafe with swords drawn. When their eyes rested on me, they grimaced at the same time.

I spoke with my mouth full of muffin, "Hewoo."

Simon and Dante both relaxed realizing everything was fine. They walked over to me with the same cold look in their eyes.

Simon spoke, "I thought you were kidnapped."

I forced a smile, "Why would you think that?"

Simon smacked down a note on the table. Bertram read it aloud, "Sally's Cafe. 9am."

He sighed realizing the mix up. I looked at it, "Oh yes! I was kidnapped. It was so scary. But don't worry, Bertram saved me."

Bertram frowned as I smiled at him. This is actually perfect. They might be suspicious of me if they learned the truth.

Both Simon and Dante spoke in the same tone, "Oh really?"

I frowned, "Geez. Are you two rela-" I stopped myself midsentence. My eyes almost popped out of my head with a sudden realization.

No. They can't be. Is it possible?

Both Simon and Dante had certain similarities that were hard to ignore. Although their hair was different tones, it was similar textures. They also had the same cold stare and forced expressions that looked natural but weren't. Not only that, but I always thought that Dante's skin was darker than the average citizen in this country. Although Simon's was a bit darker than Dante's.

Could they somehow be...

Dante spoke interrupting my thought, "We were worried."

I chuckled dryly, "I'm sorry. I should have had Bertram bring me back. But I was hungry so I decided to stay here and wait."

Simon smiled sadistically, "Then why was there dead assassins in your room with one tied up in a chair in such a strange fashion?"

I glanced at Bertram who stared forward without a trace of worry. He was good at maintaining a poker face, but he couldn't come up with lies on the spot.

I started telling my story grandly, "Well there I was, sleeping in my bed, when BAM! Several ninjas rushed in!"

Dante raised an eyebrow, "Ninjas?"

"Assassins. Whatever. Anyway, they were looking for William, but decided to kidnap me instead when I told them I was worth a lot of money. One tried to turn against the others, so BANG! They all attacked and tied him to a chair! After they killed him, Bertram heard the commotion and rushed in. Then they jumped out the window with me as Bertram fought them! Bertram followed me and was finally able to catch up and kill the rest. Then we waited here."

Simon chuckled, "Oh really? Bertram is this true?"

"Yes."

He smiled, "Such an outlandish tale. But I suppose I will believe it."

Just then my father pushed through the guards, "BABY GIRL! DADDY'S HERE!"

I cried, "Daddy!" He picked me up and I clung to him, "Daddy I was so scared! I want to go home!"

He sobbed, "My poor baby girl! Of course we will go home. What can I do to make you feel better?!"

I sniffled, "Lots and lots of cake."

He nodded, "I will have them prepare several cakes."

I snuggled into him as he carried me out. I smiled at Simon, "Don't forget to pay the bill."