Chương 90: Opponents

A gust of wind swept through the trees, their howls the only sound between the two facing faces. A thick aura surrounded Albert's right hand. Finally, the Mayor spoke up, "You claim to already have forged your s—""Yes." Albert interrupted.

"For quite a while now, actually." The Mayor's face morphed into disdain.

"And you think a newly advanced Anvil can beat me." Albert sighed.

"Again, I'm not interested in a fight I know I'd eventually lose, but I promise it won't be a fight you'll win. Don't underestimate how much damage to the city, and to your reputation, I can do before I croak."

"You're awfully confident for a man who's been out of the spotlight for almost a decade."

"You've heard of me; make your judgment." The Mayor's hateful gaze turned to Evel, causing a cold chill to travel down his spine. Then he turned to face Albert once more.

"Convince me, why should I allow a spy to get off scot free?" Albert sighed, and the aura compressed on his right arm slowly faded.

"Don't you think an Anvil killing a Core is a little wasteful? I'm sure even a kid with an affinity of fifty-six can be good combat practice for a young soldier with high hopes. No point making Weaver if you're just going to be target practice for the Ultor brutes."

"Fifty-six?" The Mayor looked at Evel with disappointment. The powerful man remained silent for the next few minutes, his face and body absolutely still. A small fluctuation of aura danced around him. Albert gave Evel a curt, then focused back on the problem at hand. The Mayor's disdain transformed into a subtle smile.

"Hm, so you've been thoroughly investigated already, and by two Redigo soldiers at that." Evel froze.

"It's their fault for failing to see through your disguise in the first place. You will kill them if you wish to survive." The Mayor twirled his glaive in the air before placing it back within the enderbag in a fluid motion.

"Here, tomorrow at noon, the three of you will battle without any outside help or consumables. I'm sure you know how to put on a good show. I've been quite enjoying the Legerdemain's performances."

"Isn't two a little unfair?" Albert asked. The Mayor scoffed.

"They're nothing but grunt workers. If the student of such a great character isn't even able to defeat them, he doesn't deserve to live. Do you object?"

"I wouldn't dare." Albert lightly bowed. The Mayor's eyes landed on Evel once more, his gaze unreadable. Without further words, his body shot off into the distance with a burst of aura. Evel released the breath he had been holding in, the change in pressure giving him whiplash.

"It's quite the blessing we never fought," Albert muttered, extending his arms to help support his staggered footing.

"Even if I ended up being strong enough to hold on, there's not a chance I could have saved you."

"The circus members…" Evel managed, his voice strained.

"You've got more pressing matters." Evel glanced in the direction the Mayor had flown off in, not a single proof, but the fear in Evel's heart left behind of his existence. Albert sighed.

"Whether or not you check their well-being won't affect their safety. They're no longer in your hands." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Evel closed his eyes and took a sharp breath.

"My upgraded cards…"

"No, it hasn't arrived. Come, let's get you back home. I can tell you haven't got proper sleep in a few days." With a heavy thud, Vito's fist dented the metal wall, the sound echoing from the large area. He breathed heavily, standing in an open space under Redigo's headquarters, originally meant to be a dungeon for captives, which was now four walls of various-sized dents. Beside him, Corinne leaned on the very wall with her arms crossed, rapidly tapping her biceps.

"Shit!" Vito's fist collapsed on the steel once more.

"It might not be as bad as it sounds," Corinne muttered.

"The kid's soon getting married for fucks sake!"

"You're acting like he's guaranteed to get in a fight…"

"Oh come on!" Vito threw his hands up.

"A secret task that we can't know about? They're Redigo soldiers, dammit, I'm the one responsible for giving them tasks!"

"You're blowing this way out of proportion. It could easily be something that he just needs to keep from us for a few weeks and needs some grunt work." Her tone was shaky and uneven, unlike her usual confident self. Vito stared deep into her eyes.

"You haven't worked with Magnus for as long as I have." He grit his teeth.

"I'm an idiot for thinking working together for so long would produce any hint of goodwill." He paused.

"I could completely ruin him." Corinne continued tapping her arms impatiently, her gaze fixed on the plain, grey floor.

"Fuck!" Vito's fist crashed onto the wall again. He stepped back and took a long, deep breath. Exhaling, he walked towards the door. Corienne pushed off the wall and walked behind him. The two scaled the stairs, dirtying the pristine velvet carpet that lined the pathway. Arriving at the wooden doors, Vito hesitated.

"Don't," Corinne grumbled from behind.

"We don't have a choice." Without looking back, Vito tapped on the door. After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing a short young man. He looked up at his visitors with a surprised but pleasant smile. A towel hung around his neck, and his normally wavy hair was frizzy and damp.

"Am I in trouble?" Graham joked, a half smile on his face. Vito and Corinne didn't react. His eyes narrowed, and he asked again, this time with genuine concern, "Am I in trouble?"

"Is Blake here?" Vito asked evenly.

"No… why?"

"Do you know where he is?"

"After the circus performance, he went to have dinner at Laura's house. Heh, that bastard's moving pretty quick."

"We have a task for Blake and you." Graham chuckled uncomfortably, "And it can't wait until tomorrow?"

"No. The Mayor himself demanded you two specifically."

"The Mayor?" Graham's eyes shifted between his two superiors.

"What… sort of task?"

"We don't know. You are to keep it a secret even after you complete it." Vito simply replied.

"Blake's about to switch to the book, so if it's a combat task, maybe he can get off it. I've almost completed the paperwork already. Look, I can show—""His only option would be to quit for good; all else is too late."

"You know that's not…" Graham's voice trailed off upon realizing his superiors weren't listening. Not really. He clicked his tongue and retreated back into the room. After a few minutes, he exited once again, covered in a common, brown hood.

"We'll go to the manor." He nodded, walking past Vito and Corinne.

"Hello?" A beautiful brunette girl with a slightly scrunched nose and a face full of freckles opened the door.

"Oh, it's you, Graham!"

"Hi, Laura." Graham politely bowed.

"Unfortunately, I'm here to rob Blake and you of whatever fun night the two of you had planned." Her face immediately flushed.

"W-w-w-we were just finishing up!" She stammered before bolting inside. When she came out, Blake was with her.

"What evil bastard needs me now?" Blake grumbled while putting on his hood.

"Admit it, Graham, was it you? Waiting until I was happiest to rip everything away from me." Graham raised his hands to his shoulders, palms forward.

"Looks like you caught me." Blake said his goodbyes to Laura and her family before walking out into the well-lit street. By now, the sun had fully set, so the artificial lights were in full glow.

"I assume you've somehow managed to fuck everything up?" Graham poked.

"Quite the opposite." Blake grinned.

"They all love me."

"Never let her go, I don't think you'll find another family that loves you ever again."

"Fuck you." Following closely behind Graham, Blake scanned the streets, his face dampening.

"What sort of task needs us to go so north this late?"

"Don't know." Graham shrugged.

"Apparently, the Mayor specifically asked for us. Vito and Corienne were acting all weird about it." Blake raised his eyebrow, "They told you themselves?"

"Uh huh."

"Maybe they finally recognized our talents!" Blake pumped his fists.

"All the good that's happening has gotten to your head," Graham scoffed.

"It's probably some sketchy shit that the Mayor doesn't want Redigo to know. We might even have to sign one of those temporary waivers."

"Eh, we'll be fine."

"Your optimism pisses me off." Blake groaned, "You're just mad no girl will ever step within a ten-foot radius of you."

"I wingmanned the shit out of you, and this is the thanks I get? You had no chance with Laura if it wasn't for me."

"Wingmanned? You were practically making fun of me the whole time!"

"And doesn't she like the goofy side of you?" Blake tsked and turned away. The two made their way to the northern manor, continuing to bicker along the way under the subtle hum of the lights. The two stood before the manor and exchanged looks. They'd never actually exchanged words with the Mayor himself, and the only time they'd arrived at his Manor was when they were stalking that Eth guy.

"I hope this isn't some long-term thing," Blake sighed.

"A quick and easy task that pays well before I'm out would be nice."

"It certainly would."