Vince and the group left the area, stopping by a store to buy an expensive, fancy suit.
As they prepared to board the carriage, Vince's throat tightened, his breath catching for a moment. Sitting inside, he felt the air grow heavy. Everyone around him wore the same blank expression, silent and cold.
He turned toward Adam, worry clear in his face.
"How long is the party going to last?"
Adam looked back at him with a calm, almost pleading smile.
"Well, you know it's going to take a while. You'll be staying there overnight."
Staying the night? What kind of place does Adam want me to be in? Am I going to die?
Vince swallowed, his palms slick with sweat, before asking again.
"H-How powerful is Estill?"
Adam rested his thumb under his chin, thinking for a moment.
"Well, we haven't met in a long time, but my guess is around a third Stacker."
A third Stacker? That's only one level below the man controlling the black market.
"Will anything happen inside the party?" Vince asked.
Adam let out a light chuckle.
"I have no clue, but be ready, Salomon."
Vince thought about that for a moment, then pressed on.
"Wait, why are we spreading a disease? Isn't there a faster way to deal with this?"
Adam crossed his arms and leaned back slightly.
"There are, but Salomon, are you familiar with the era called the Dark Age, or the Deathen Times?"
"I think I've heard about it, but not much. School didn't really teach it."
Adam raised his hand, his tone deepening.
"Well, in short, a horrible plague spread across different kingdoms, killing thousands. What most people don't know, what the books left out, was the reason it spread so quickly. It came from a god, or rather a fallen god, named Aarus, the god of Plague and Rot. Someone once found an artifact touched by him and couldn't control it. The artifact went on a rampage, spreading disease and death wherever it went. That same kind of power is what we need. Anything that spreads and destroys will draw Aarus's attention, and when it does, we'll find another artifact tied to him."
Aarus… Vince thought, the name echoing in his mind. A god whose power wiped out thousands. Could I even control something like that?
The carriage rolled through the darkening streets as the hours passed.
By the time they reached the city of Whiteband, it was already 10 p.m. The moon hung high above, casting a pale light over the cobblestone roads. The air was alive with music and laughter, the scent of fresh food drifting through the streets. The houses were low and wide, most no more than one or two stories. Many of the gas lamps stood unlit, their owners gone to join the celebration.
Vince walked along the sidewalk, his steps steady but his thoughts restless. The party wasn't far now.
Vince had cleaned up well. His eyebrows were trimmed, his hair freshly cut, and he had taken a long, warm shower beforehand.
He wore a black tailcoat suit over a fitted waistcoat, with polished dress shoes and perfectly white gloves lined with gold.
All Vince carried was thirty gold coins. His book and revolver were being held by Ara for safety.
Sweat ran lightly down his temple as he tried to steady his breathing.
I only have to go in, stay two nights or more, find Estill, shoot him, and leave. That's it. He told himself over and over, trying to keep his thoughts calm.
The sound of chatter and music grew louder as the carriage neared the mansion.
When Vince stepped out and got his first view of the estate, his jaw nearly dropped.
It was massive. The mansion towered over everything nearby, a pure white structure topped with a crimson roof. Rows of windows lined every floor, shining from within. It had to be at least five stories tall. Huge pillars supported the front like an ancient temple, and trimmed bushes surrounded the walls inside a tall iron gate.
Behind the mansion, he caught sight of a large pool, and beyond that, another structure even bigger six stories high, looming like a separate palace.
At the entrance stood five armed guards, and a long line of guests stretched before them. Each person wore clothing that ranged from modest to extravagant, poor to noble.
How many Stackers will be here? he wondered. No… how many will try to kill him? Is it only me?
Vince swallowed and took his place at the back of the line, keeping quiet as the minutes passed.
By the time he reached the entrance, it was already close to 11 p.m.
One of the guards stepped forward, dressed in a thick uniform of boots and dark trousers. His voice was deep and commanding.
"Name?"
Vince froze for a second, then cleared his throat.
"Roe Vilca."
Another guard with a paper and pen quickly wrote the name down.
The first guard patted Vince down, finding only the stack of gold coins tucked safely away.
"For entrance," Vince said quickly, handing over three gold coins.
The guard nodded, took the payment, and handed him a small tag along with a room key marked 501.
"Welcome in, Roe."
Vince bowed his head slightly in thanks before stepping through the front doors.
The sound of the music hit him like a wave. Inside, the mansion was bright and alive, filled with people in fine suits and dresses talking in groups, their laughter mixing with the melody of a live band.
A worker beside him approached quietly, offering a folded piece of paper.
"Your floor layout, sir."
Vince nodded and took it, unfolding the paper to read the sketch of the mansion's layout:
First Floor: Dining hall, gentlemen's lounge, kitchen, ballroom, bar.
Second Floor: Nursery, library, private dining, family bedrooms.
Third Floor: Study display, meeting rooms, main study.
Fourth Floor: Laundry, storage.
Fifth Floor: Guest rooms 1–200.
Beside the map, another structure was drawn
Additional building: Guest rooms 200–800.
Vince folded the paper back up and tucked it away, his heart still pounding. The mission had begun.