The clashing of steel had faded. The chaotic battlefield was now quiet, filled only with the rustle of leaves and heavy breaths. Bodies lay across the ground—some groaning in pain, others silent in defeat. Most of the remaining thugs, those who hadn't been killed during the skirmish, were being bound with enchanted ropes that shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
Shirou hummed to himself as he worked, tying a struggling thug with surprising cheer. He even began to whistle a tune, pretending to ignore the piercing gaze that was burning a hole into the side of his face.
"I thought I told you to keep as many of them alive as possible," Elliot said calmly, his arms crossed as he surveyed the battlefield.
Shirou scratched the back of his head and looked away. "Well... they didn't exactly make it easy."
Elliot's eyes narrowed. "They were weak. Most of them were early-stage apprentices."
Shirou paused, then said with a shrug, "Sure, but they worked together really well. Real tight teamwork, you know?"
"Or maybe you're just dumb," Amelia said from behind, her voice cutting through the night like a blade.
Shirou turned with a grin. "Oh really? I don't remember dumb people having three elements, an innate ability, and hitting early adept level. Not to brag, of course."
Amelia rolled her eyes. "We get it. You don't have to say it every five minutes."
"If you say so, Princess," Shirou smirked.
Amelia looked like she was going to say something, but turned away with a frustrated huff.
The last of the thugs were now fully restrained, groaning and grumbling as they lay in lines on the grassy field. Five figures now stood over them—Shirou, Elliot, Amelia, Lucas, and Darwin.
Lucas crossed his arms and stepped forward, staring down at the group of captured thugs. "Now then," he said in a firm voice, "who are you really?"
One of the men opened his mouth to protest, but before he could finish, a spear of ice materialised from thin air and slammed into his abdomen, pinning him to the ground. The man gasped, staring up in shock at Elliot's cold, emotionless eyes.
"Talk," Elliot said simply.
The others looked at the man in horror. One of them finally broke. "If we tell you... Will you let us go?"
Lucas stepped forward. "You have my word. But you will still be punished by the law. I don't make empty promises."
There was a long pause. Then the man spoke. "We... we belong to the Rust Blade Gang."
Lucas' expression darkened. "The Rust Blade, huh... so they're the ones you joined hands with."
Elliot tilted his head. "You know them?"
Lucas nodded. "Not personally. But I've heard stories. A brutal gang that kills and robs without hesitation. They're led by a man named Kane. There's a bounty on his head. A big one."
Lucas turned to Darwin. "Call the guards. Take these men to the basement for holding. We'll contact the officials once all this is over."
Darwin gave a firm nod and disappeared into the manor.
As Lucus turned to leave, Shirou called out, "This Kane guy… is he strong?"
Lucas shrugged. "Hard to say. If he were really that powerful, I doubt he'd be wasting his time robbing estates. Based on what I've heard, he might be in the late apprentice stage. Maybe early adept. Nothing you and Elliot can't handle."
"Not too much trouble, then," Shirou said.
Lucus gave a short nod. "Especially not with Elliot here. With this many of their members caught, Kane might not even try anything anymore."
Elliot nodded, calm as always.
"But if he's planning to strike again," Shirou said, "it'll probably be tomorrow night. He'll act before stronger reinforcements arrive."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly. "You're absolutely right."
With that, Lucas turned and headed inside.
Darwin returned with several guards who began dragging the prisoners to the basement. After ensuring they were secured, Darwin, too, went inside, leaving Shirou, Amelia, and Elliot alone in the dimly lit courtyard.
There was a moment of silence. Then Amelia said quietly, "Those guys... the ones in the basement. They..."
Elliot nodded. "Yeah. They won't be walking out of here alive."
Shirou didn't say anything. He knew it too. They all did. The captured thugs knew something they shouldn't have. Something that should have been kept a secret. And secrets in a place like this didn't survive long. Neither did those who told them.
The three of them resumed their patrol as if nothing had happened.
---
Deep beneath a mansion, in a hidden underground lair, another kind of meeting was taking place.
A man sat on a wooden chair, built like a boulder. His muscles bulged beneath his leather armour, and a thick brown beard covered the lower half of his face. His eyes were cold and sharp, watching his men as they stood nervously before him.
One man, trembling, stepped forward and dropped to his knees. "Sir Kane... we failed to bring anything back."
Kane didn't react. He merely raised an eyebrow.
The man continued, sweating. "They had reinforcements. A group of three... strong ones. Possibly from a guild."
Kane leaned forward. "I expected as much. Things were going too smoothly. And the mission?"
"It was a success," the man said quickly. "During the battle, one of us managed to find the location of the vault. But... we don't have enough men to fight them."
Kane's eyes narrowed. "You think they can defeat me?"
The man froze. "N-No, sir. Of course not."
Kane stood, his large frame casting a shadow over the room. "You're right. They can. Especially after today. We lost too many men. Attacking now would be suicide."
The man looked up. "So... what do we do?".
Kane's voice was low and firm. "We increase our strength."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the doorway. Everyone turned.
A lean man stepped into the room. He had messy, curly purple hair and a wicked grin. In his hand, he held a sleek dagger, which he lazily ran across his tongue.
Gasps echoed around the room.
"It's him... Cruz. Leader of Viper's Den," someone whispered.
Cruz looked around. "What's with the long faces? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Kane smirked and stepped up beside him. "We're outnumbered, and our chances are slim. That's why we're joining forces. The Rust Blade Gang and Viper's Den, united.
Cruz chuckled darkly. "Together, we'll take everything we want."
Kane nodded. "Tomorrow night... we strike."