As they walk through the streets in silence, the inn finally comes into view. The warm glow from its windows spills onto the road, the sounds of laughter and clinking mugs filling the air.
Angelo stretches his arms. "Ah, a nice, cozy inn. Smells like good ale and bad decisions."
Raphael doesn't react, walking beside him with his usual quiet presence.
Inside, the atmosphere is alive with drunken chatter, rowdy adventurers boasting about their exploits. Behind the counter, Charlie, the burly innkeeper, is wiping down a mug, his face set in a permanent scowl.
Angelo strides over with a grin. "Charlie, my man! Looking younger every day."
Charlie barely spares him a glance. "Get lost."
Angelo clutches his chest, gasping. "That hurts, Charlie. Truly. I thought we were close."
"We're not."
Raphael stands silently beside Angelo, head slightly tilted as if listening closely.
Charlie's eyes finally flick to him. "Who's the blind kid?"
Angelo pats Raphael on the shoulder. "My charming little sidekick."
Charlie snorts. "Poor kid."
Angelo ignores that. "Relax, we're just here to pick up something for Carlo and Yami."
Charlie narrows his eyes before sighing and tossing a key onto the counter. "Tell those bastards they owe me rent."
Angelo grabs the key. "Love you too, Charlie."
Charlie glares.
Upstairs, as they walk down the dim hallway, Raphael finally speaks. "How did you know where they lived?"
Angelo smirks. "I picked the place for them. Got them a great deal."
Raphael says nothing.
Inside the room, it's a mess—clothes, papers, and random junk scattered everywhere. Angelo groans. "Disgusting."
Raphael steps inside, his head turning slightly. "They weren't exactly tidy."
"No kidding." Angelo claps his hands together. "Alright, let's get this over with. You check under the wardrobe, I'll dig through their secrets."
They search in silence for a while before Angelo suddenly says, "So… how's the girl?"
Raphael doesn't pause. "She's doing better."
Angelo hums. "That's good." A beat of silence. "Listen, I know it's none of my business, but maybe you should let this go. That baby—she's not your responsibility."
Raphael doesn't respond.
Angelo exhales sharply. "You didn't kill her father, kid. You're not supposed to carry that weight."
Still, Raphael says nothing.
Frustration flickers across Angelo's face. He walks over and grabs Raphael by the collar. "Damn it, kid! You get what kind of man the boss is, right? He isn't who he used to be. If he ever decides that girl's a problem, she's gone. Just like that."
Raphael remains calm, his voice steady. "I know."
"Then why?"
Raphael tilts his head. "Why do you care?"
Angelo tenses before clicking his tongue and shoving him back. "Tch. I don't. But you're a killer, kid. Same as me. You don't get to be sentimental. What if someone finds out who you are?"
Raphael doesn't hesitate. "I'll kill anyone who tries to harm Lily."
Angelo scoffs, folding his arms. "Even the boss?"
Silence.
Angelo's eyes narrow. "So that's how it is."
Another silence.
Then, with a sudden jolt, he kicks the floorboard in frustration—only to yelp when it gives way.
"Ah—fuck!" He stumbles back, clutching his foot.
Raphael crouches down and effortlessly pulls out a wooden box from the hidden compartment. "Thank you."
Angelo glares at him. "Shut up."
Before they can continue, the sound of footsteps echoes down the hallway.
Raphael quickly pushes the box into Angelo's hands, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hide."
Angelo, rubbing his foot, mutters, "You owe me for this."
Mael and Takashi pushed through the doors of the inn, stepping into the warmth of the lively establishment. The scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air, mingling with the loud chatter of adventurers and merchants unwinding from the day's toil. The moment they entered, eyes turned toward them—some curious, some wary.
Takashi shifted uncomfortably, lowering his head. "Mael… they're all staring."
Mael barely glanced around, his focus set on the counter ahead. "Relax. Act like you belong, and they won't care."
"That's easy for you to say. You look like you belong anywhere," Takashi muttered.
Mael ignored him, making a beeline for the bar where a grizzled man wiped a mug with a cloth that had probably been dirty since the day it was made. Charlie, the innkeeper, didn't even acknowledge them as they approached.
"Hey, old man," Mael started, leaning against the counter. "We're looking for a room."
Charlie continued cleaning the mug, his face void of amusement. "We're full."
"We're not staying," Mael clarified. "We need to check out Yami and Carlo's room."
Charlie finally looked up, his deep-set eyes locking onto them like a man sizing up an unwanted guest. "Why?"
Before Mael could answer, an adventurer with unkempt hair and a sharp gaze sauntered over, placing a hand on the counter. "Got a problem here, Charlie?"
Charlie barely blinked. "No problem."
The man gave Mael and Takashi a slow, deliberate look before smirking and walking away.
Mael clenched his jaw, muttering under his breath, "I swear, I hate places like this."
Charlie turned his attention back to them, his face still unreadable. "Why are you looking for Yami and Carlo?"
Mael opened his mouth, "Me and my partner—"
Charlie cut him off, eyes shifting to Takashi instead. "I wasn't talking to you."
Takashi flinched. "Uh… we were assigned to investigate their deaths."
Charlie studied him for a long moment before exhaling. "Upstairs. End of the hall. The door's open."
Mael shot Charlie a glare before storming off, with Takashi trailing behind.
As they climbed the stairs, Takashi whispered, "Maybe we should have been more polite."
Mael snorted. "Why? He wasn't."
Takashi sighed. "You really don't help yourself."
They reached the open door, stepping inside. The room was a disaster. Papers lay scattered, drawers pulled out, and furniture overturned. Mael crouched by an open floorboard, examining the space beneath. "Someone beat us here."
Takashi swallowed hard, his fingers twitching. "Maybe they left something behind?"
Mael frowned, deep in thought. "No… whoever came was looking for something specific."
A creak from above.
Takashi's face paled. "M-Mael—"
Before he could finish, something dropped from the ceiling.
A solid kick slammed into Mael's chest, sending him crashing back into Takashi, both of them slamming against the hallway wall.
Mael gasped for breath, eyes widening as a blindfolded figure landed soundlessly before him.
Raphael straightened, barely acknowledging them as he turned to his partner. "We don't have time to waste."
From under the bed, Angelo rolled out, dusting himself off. "Damn, you didn't have to start a fight, kid." He picked up a small wooden box from the floor, shaking his head. "Yami and Carlo working with Paladin Knights? That's a joke."
Raphael was already moving. "Let's go."
Angelo smirked. "Don't have to tell me twice."
Mael groaned, pushing himself up, rage flaring in his chest. "You could've warned me, Takashi!"
"I tried!" Takashi whimpered, rubbing his bruised back.
"No, you didn't!" Mael snapped before shoving off the wall. "Come on, we're not letting them get away!"
Takashi groaned. "Do we have to?"
But Mael was already sprinting down the stairs. With a resigned sigh, Takashi followed.
Raphael moved swiftly, jumping down the creaky stairs, ignoring startled shouts as he pushed past the crowd. Angelo followed, yelling over his shoulder, "You could have helped, Charlie!"
Charlie barely looked up, his gaze shifting to whatever they were running from. Moments later, Mael landed with a heavy thud, followed by Takashi, moving soundlessly. Charlie muttered, smirking, "I really need to ban Angelo."
Outside, Raphael sprinted ahead, Angelo struggling to keep up. "Damn, kid, you're fast!" Angelo panted.
Raphael glanced back, seeing Mael and Takashi closing in. "We won't outrun them on foot."
"What?"
Raphael suddenly grabbed Angelo and launched them upward, bouncing off walls. Angelo yelped, "Hey! A little warning next time!"
Below, Mael scowled. "Move faster!"
Takashi hesitated. "I'm following your lead!"
"You're faster! Go!"
Takashi sighed, then surged ahead, leaping effortlessly onto the rooftops. Mael cursed and pushed through the crowd, dodging people—his eyes locked onto Raphael.
"Sightless Shadow... I won't let you escape again."
On the rooftops, Angelo stumbled as Raphael kept pace. "We won't lose them like this. We need to split up."
Raphael shook his head. "No."
"No? These guys are knights! If they catch us, who knows—"
"That's exactly why I'm not letting you get caught." Raphael's voice was calm. "Besides, the one tailing us isn't just some knight. He's strong."
Angelo groaned. "So what's the plan?"
"I'll distract them. You leave."
Angelo narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying I'm slowing you down?"
"Yes."
Raphael suddenly stopped, letting Angelo run ahead. He exhaled, gripping his daggers. Takashi was almost on him. In a single, precise motion, Raphael kicked him off the roof.
Takashi crashed to the ground with a groan. A nearby man with shaggy hair and a feline beastkin woman recoiled.
"You okay, kid?" the man asked.
Takashi groaned, "Not really."
Raphael landed softly, daggers raised. Takashi, despite the pain, drew his sword. Their blades clashed with a sharp ring. Raphael's grip tightened. "Fast."
The two onlookers gasped. "Sightless Shadow!" They bolted. "We didn't see anything!"
As Raphael steadied himself, Mael arrived, eyes cold. "You hurt?"
Takashi groaned. "Yeah. A lot."
Mael barely acknowledged it, drawing his sword. "Sightless Shadow. Surrender, or we take you down. Your choice."
Mael's eyes narrowed. "There's no way he can win. Not against both of us."
Takashi hesitated. His grip tightened slightly on his sword as he glanced at Raphael's stance. "…Maybe we don't have to fight," he said, voice soft but firm. He took a small step forward. "We can just talk."
Mael turned to him, incredulous. "Takashi, what are you doing?"
Takashi didn't look away from Raphael. "I just think… we should at least try to talk first." His voice faltered slightly, but he stood his ground. "Do you know anything about Carlo and Yami?"
Raphael didn't answer.
Takashi swallowed. "If you—"
Raphael moved.
Takashi barely saw it before Mael's sword clashed against Raphael's daggers. Sparks flew. Then—Raphael's boot slammed into Mael's stomach, sending him crashing into the wall.
Takashi flinched. His heart pounded. "Wait!"
Raphael appeared in front of him in an instant.
Takashi froze. Too close.
Raphael's breath was steady. "But I do."
The dagger flashed for his throat.
Takashi jerked back, just barely dodging. His heart leapt to his throat. He stumbled, breath quick, but before he could recover—
"Dodge!"
Takashi moved on instinct. A boot passed where his head had been. He rolled, eyes wide.
Mael was already back in the fight, lunging with a kick—
Raphael caught his leg mid-air and flung him away.
Mael twisted mid-air, landing with a scowl.
Takashi exhaled shakily. His hands trembled—but he wasn't weak. He forced himself to move, gripping his sword tighter. He wasn't going to hesitate again.
Both of them attacked at once.
Raphael met them head-on, his daggers a blur. Steel clashed, relentless. Mael struck high, Takashi low. Raphael twisted, deflecting both with inhuman precision.
Takashi gritted his teeth. He needed to be faster.
Mael's blade grazed Raphael's arm. A quick spray of blood.
Takashi saw it—an opening.
He moved. A strike, fast—too fast. Raphael barely dodged, but it forced him back.
Mael lunged.
Raphael vanished.
Takashi's stomach dropped.
A sharp kick sent Mael flying—straight into him.
He barely had time to react before Raphael disappeared again.
Silence.
Takashi's breath came quick.
"…He's gone," he murmured.
Mael groaned, pushing himself up. "I can't believe that thug got away!"
Takashi dusted himself off, shifting awkwardly. "…Technically, he's more of an assassin."
Mael shot him a look. "Yeah? So what?"
Takashi winced. "N-nothing…"
A long silence.
Mael sheathed his sword. "What do you think about him?"
Takashi hesitated. "He's strong… but I don't think he killed them."
Mael frowned. "Next time, don't waste time talking."
Takashi nodded slightly. "…Okay."
Mael turned. "Let's go."
Takashi followed quietly. "Are we reporting this to the commander?"
Mael gave him a look. "Obviously. We're telling her everything."
Takashi's stomach growled.
"…Can we stop somewhere first?" he mumbled.
Mael's stomach growled, too.
A long sigh. "Fine. But you're paying."
Takashi hesitated. "…I paid last time."
"That's what you get for talking instead of fighting," Mael muttered, smirking as they walked off into the night.