Several days later, Holden and Sable were sitting in their office. Holden proudly stared at the pocket watch Atticus had given him as payment when Sable suddenly hopped onto the desk with the newspaper in his mouth.


    “Hey, Hilden,” Sable said, patting the newspaper with his paw. “Check out the front page.”


    Holden stuffed the watch in his pocket, then read the headline. It read Leudox Drug Lab Discovered in Undercity. Rare Intelligent Species Known As Nox-Dragon Held Captive In Warehouse.


    Holden smirked when he read Through the entire article. “So, they managed to free the nox-dragon and get him out of the city. Guess they had to clear the streets of Undercity to get it to the sewers, then wait for the gas to disperse. Captain Hardfall’s got to be pissed at me for making him do all that work.”


    “Yes indeed,” Sable concurred. “Though he should be grateful, too. Thanks to our efforts, the police department had enough evidence to prosecute some of the Leudox’s men. Enough that they abandoned their operations in the Middows.”


    “Yeah. But they’ll probably set up elsewhere.”


    “I heard something else actually. Apparently, several of their drug labs have been attacked recently. No one knows who did it, though.” There was a lingering silence after that before Sable changed the subject. “Now what of Alwin? You said something about laying back a favor you owed him back when we were in the warehouse district.”


    “Yes. He said we were square for him providing me with the information about the nox-dragon. Not sure what he’s going to do with that information, though.”


    “You still aren’t clear with me about that guy. What exactly is his deal?”


    Holden set down the newspaper, and grinned at Sable. “Let’s just say you’re better off not getting involved. Knowing will come back to bite you. Plausible deniability is your friend here.”


    “So, he’s a spy just like you. Probably for the same nation as you, since you two know each other so well.”


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    Holden ignored Sable’s theory by changing the subject. “We discovered who was behind the trafficking of magical creatures thanks to him. Why not let him be?”


    Seeing as he wasn’t going to get anything out of Holden, Sable decided to drop the subject. “That’s true. I guess you’re right. I’ll leave it be. I’m just disappointed we didn’t find the red pixie. I’m sure she’d target the Leudox given their involvement in trafficking.”


    “There’s plenty of criminal organizations involved in trafficking. Your red pixie could be targeting any of them. She could’ve even been involved in the attacks on the Leudox drug labs.”


    Sable huffed. “I’ll catch that red pixie. With that in mind, I’m heading back to the Grand Library to study.”


    “Okay then.” Holden then put his feet up on the desk, and pulled out the pocket watch he received from Atticus to continue staring at it. “Finding the red pixie. Stopping the trafficking of magical creatures. There’s so much corruption in this city.” Holden then sighed. “I guess I entered the right profession. There’s no end to the depravity of the city of merchants.”


    ***


    Later that evening, Alwin donned his face-changing mask to look like a man with a grey face and long black hair. He wore black leather armor that covered his entire body, and wielded a rapier, along with a bow and arrow.


    Alwin had taken the information Holden had provided and attacked the warehouse where Holden had seen crates marked with a black flame. He initiated his assault by setting fire to the warehouse with magic, then shot everyone who fled the buildings with his bow and arrow.


    Once people stopped fleeing, Alwin jumped to the ground. He drew his rapier, preparing for the last man walking out of the building.


    Alwin talked to the man with an altered voice much deeper than his real one. “You’re the leader of the Black-Flame Mercenaries. What are you doing here in Chrimoria?”


    The man grimaced at Alwin. “You burnt down my warehouse just to ask me that question?”


    “No. I just thought I’d confirm what I already know. You were hired to purchase supplies and weapons who I plan to kill. I just have to draw them out.”


    Alwin charged forward swinging his rapier. His opponent drew a long sword, parrying Alwin’s blow. However, Alwin quickly recovered, and used magic to enhance his speed. The sudden burst in speed caught the man off guard, allowing Alwin to cut his arm off.


    The man’s eyes went wide from shock before he fell to his knees at Alwin’s feet. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?”


    Alwin huffed. “This city is full of corruption. I’m going to root it out at its source.” He then brought his rapier down, chopping his opponent’s head off with a clean cut. Alwin then walked away, disappearing into the streets of Undercity.