Chapter 427: Clean and Simple
Alice’s tail swayed, her dark violet eyes narrowing with curiosity as she watched Azrynn disappear into the shadows of the ruined street. She turned to Adam, her voice carrying a note of genuine curiosity.
"Why did you let Azrynn scout ahead? You could’ve done it yourself—easily. And I could’ve done it too, without breaking a sweat."
Adam’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile as he leaned against the crumbling wall of the alley.
"I wanted to see what she’s capable of." He paused, his gaze fixed on the direction Azrynn had disappeared. "We’ve been traveling together for a while now, but I don’t really know her limits. What she can handle, how she reacts under pressure. This is a good chance to learn."
Alice’s tail swayed slowly, her dark violet eyes studying Adam with a mixture of curiosity and mild amusement.
"Hoo? And here I thought you just trusted her."
Adam’s voice was light, but carried a note of quiet sincerity.
"I do trust her. But trust isn’t the same as knowing what someone can do. I want to see how she moves, how she thinks, how she handles herself when she’s on her own." He paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And if she gets into trouble, we’re close enough to step in."
Alice’s ear twitched, her tail stilling for a moment as she considered his words. Then she let out a soft, almost amused hum.
"Hmm. So you’re testing her." A pause. "And you’re using a group of thugs as the test."
Adam’s grin widened slightly.
"Seemed like a good opportunity."
Minutes stretched, the silence between them settled into a comfortable rhythm, broken only by the distant sounds of the city.
Alice’s voice was quiet, thoughtful, her dark violet eyes fixed on the spot where Azrynn had disappeared.
"She’s been gone a while."
Adam’s eyes flickered, a faint shadow of worry passing through them before he masked it.
"...Yeah. A little too long."
He straightened from the wall, his voice dropping to a low murmur.
"I’m going in."
Alice’s hand shot out, catching his wrist before he could take a step. Her voice was sharp, but carried a note of caution.
"Wait. If you go in now, you might ruin whatever she’s doing. Give her another minute."
Adam’s brow furrowed, but he paused, his crimson eyes fixed on the building ahead.
"...One minute."
The seconds stretched, each one heavier than the last. The distant sounds of the city seemed to fade, swallowed by the weight of the silence.
Then a shadow moved at the edge of the building.
Azrynn emerged from the darkness, her movements low and fluid, her yellow eyes sharp and alert. She crossed the gap between them in a few silent strides, her voice barely above a whisper.
"There are about fifteen of them inside. They’re not just thugs—they’re organized. They have a leader, a well-dressed man with a metal arm. He’s the one giving orders."
Adam’s eyebrows rose slightly.
"A metal arm? That’s unusual. Any idea who he is?"
Azrynn shook her head slowly, her yellow eyes narrowing.
"No. But he’s clearly in charge. And they’ve been collecting more than just levy payments—they’re also hoarding supplies. Weapons, food, building materials. They’re preparing for something."
Alice’s tail swayed slowly, her dark violet eyes gleaming with cold interest.
"Preparing for what?"
Azrynn’s voice dropped lower.
"I don’t know. But whatever it is, they’re expecting something to happen soon."
Adam’s expression flickered, a cold understanding settling behind his crimson eyes. The thugs weren’t just petty extortionists—they were stockpiling for a purpose. That changed things. That made them more than a simple nuisance.
"Well, looks like we found our target."
Alice’s tail lashed with eager anticipation, her dark violet eyes gleaming as she cracked her knuckles. "Let’s just go in and wipe them out. Clean and simple."
Adam’s lips curved into a sharp, approving grin. "That’s actually a good idea. They’re clearly planning something suspicious—better to deal with it now before it becomes a bigger problem."
Azrynn’s yellow eyes flickered with quiet practicality as she gestured toward the side of the building. "I found a path while scouting—we could enter through the back. It leads directly into their main hall. We’d have the element of surprise."
Adam’s grin widened, a spark of dark amusement lighting his crimson eyes. "Surprise is overrated. We already know they’re up to something. Let’s just kick the front door down and see what happens."
Alice’s grin mirrored his, her tail swaying with excitement. "I like the way you think."
Azrynn let out a soft, resigned sigh, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I suppose subtlety was never really an option with this group."
Adam cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward, his voice low and eager. "Alright. Let’s go say hello."
He walked toward the front door without hesitation, Alice falling into step beside him, her claws already extending. Azrynn followed a few paces behind, her bow in hand, an arrow already nocked but held low, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.
Adam’s fist connected with the wooden door.
The impact sent the door flying inward, splintering off its hinges and crashing into the room beyond. The sound echoed through the building, followed by a beat of stunned silence—then chaos.
Chairs scraped, boots pounded on stone, and shouts cut through the air. Figures scrambled for weapons, surprise hardening into fury as they turned toward the doorway.
Adam stepped through, his crimson eyes sweeping the room with calm, predatory focus.
"Anyone feel like telling me what you’re planning?"
A burly man shoved forward, brandishing a rusted sword. "Who the hell is this?!"
"Intruder! Get the Lord!"
"You’ve got some nerve, showing up here! Who sent you?!"
Adam’s lips curved into a cold smile as he surveyed the room. His voice carried a note of calm amusement, utterly unbothered by the weapons being leveled at him.
"Nobody sent me. I just don’t like bullies."
"You think you can just walk in here and—"
"I already did."
Adam’s voice cut through the man’s bluster like a blade. He took a slow, deliberate step forward.
"So. Who’s in charge here?"