Chapter 157: A plan

"Let them pass!" The shout came from one of the guards who had just finished a thorough inspection. At least nothing went wrong with their identities, and Strax felt more at ease. He didn't want any special treatment or anything like that. In fact, he wasn't even sure if something like that could happen—maybe people wouldn't even know who he was.

Fortunately, at this moment, he didn't really care and preferred not to find out.

"Looks like everything's in order..." Strax muttered, hearing a small whinny from his mare, Apocalypse, who had been quite agitated during the entire journey. But now, she seemed much calmer... Maybe she liked civilization? Well, Strax couldn't say for sure. Despite understanding some of her emotions and what she wanted at times, that kind of connection between them didn't exist yet.

As he walked beside the carriage, Samira stuck her head out of the window, looking directly at him. "Let's try to get out of the convoy before nightfall. There are only a few hours left before the sun sets again; we need an inn," Samira said, catching Strax's attention, who nodded in agreement. "Besides, maybe we could even buy a house here.

We need a base in this area, and we've got plenty of money after you robbed so many people..." Samira said with a sarcastic smile. She didn't like to admit that he was a thief, but... he was... a scoundrel who didn't leave a single body with its belongings intact.

"You talk as if I'm the villain here..." Strax said, pretending to be upset, but it was just a joke to him.

"Being a villain isn't so bad," Beatrice chimed in, also poking her head out of the carriage. "A villain who just wants a good life with his wives... That's a villain I respect," she said, smiling, while the women looked at him calmly.

"What are we going to do next?" Strax asked, this time looking directly at Samira, after all, she and Monica knew the city better. "We're heading to the Wolf's Den. I need to talk to an idiot," Samira said. "After that... well, I've got to settle that mess I mentioned. If I don't, our chances of finding this informant are slim," Samira added.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Strax offered, but she shook her head.

"Believe me... if you come with me, you'll see things you won't like," Samira said, her voice distant, but Strax didn't quite understand at first.

"I'm going to meet Jhonatan, a werewolf I know... The wolf is an idiot, but what I really want is a meeting with his boss... She's the problem... Damn her," Samira muttered, almost to herself. "To think I'd have to speak to that bitch again," she cursed, sitting back pensively, her face showing that many things were running through her mind, and she was sure it would be completely unpleasant.

"It'll all work out, don't worry too much," Monica said, placing a hand on Samira's shoulder. Samira nodded, her mood calming down. "While I handle my business, I need you to contact that assassin. Cristine should be waiting for you," Samira said, looking at Strax, who slightly nodded, feeling it was the best course of action, but...

"Alone in enemy territory? Over my dead body. Either you tell me you've got a reliable plan, or I'm going with you," Strax said, not caring what she thought.

"But..." Samira tried to protest, but...

"I'll be back so quickly you won't even notice I was gone!" Samira said excitedly. Strax could see the adventurer inside her shining through... "We're approaching our destination," Lyana's voice entered the room through a communication spell. "Understood." Strax nodded and looked at Samira. "When we stop, you can go.

I already have all your things here..." Strax said, still a bit hesitant, but now that he had agreed, there was no reason not to let her handle her own mission...

But elsewhere...

"Master! Master!" A man panted as he ran through the commercial establishment, his footsteps echoing through the medieval shop. It was a peculiar place, a mix of department store and tavern, where sharp swords hung on the walls alongside gleaming armor and travel cloaks.

On sturdy shelves, healing potions and worn maps shared space with bows, arrows, and other essential tools for adventurers preparing for their quests. The aroma of fresh beer and hot food floated in the air, coming from the bar at the back, where a few mercenaries relaxed after long days of travel.

"She's upstairs," grunted the bartender, not even looking up from the glass he was polishing as the man darted toward the wooden staircase. Each step creaked under the weight of his urgency, but he ascended with the agility of someone who knew there was no time to waste. There was no room for errors, stumbles, or hesitation.

At the top, the man found himself in a narrow, dimly lit corridor, the walls lined with ancient tapestries that absorbed the scant light from the torches. The air was thick, heavy with a metallic and slightly sweet scent, like old blood mixed with something unnameable. He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart before moving forward.

The corridor seemed to stretch on endlessly, but he knew exactly where he was going. His boots, still dirty from the road, left smudged prints on the polished wooden floor as he advanced with determination. Finally, he reached a heavy door made of dark wood, adorned with symbols that glowed faintly in the torchlight.

He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle before he turned it and pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was steeped in deep shadows, broken only by the soft light of a few candles arranged in a candelabrum at the center of a table. Ancient books, grimoires, and scrolls were scattered everywhere, mingling with glass vials containing liquids of disturbing colors.

In the back, sitting in a carved wooden chair with her legs propped up on the table, was a woman—a Demi-human, smoking something that seemed to be tobacco.

She slowly lifted her gaze, her presence dominating the space. "What happened now?" Her voice was low but carried an undeniable authority.

"B-Blaze! Sighted at the main gate! Entered with her own convoy, seemed like someone important..." he said, trying to steady himself, aware that a single wrong word could seal his fate.

"You can leave," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument, but the man hesitated, confusion crossing his face. "I said, leave, Dom," she repeated, her feline blue eyes flashing with a deadly intimidation that made him quickly scramble to comply. He blinked rapidly, feeling the weight of her gaze, knowing full well that those eyes could end him in an instant.