As the meeting drew to an end, Gonz was just about to leave when he was stopped by Priest Richard. Clearly, the two still had some private dealings to discuss—matters better left out of the official meeting.
Gonz curled his lip in mild disdain. He obviously didn't think much of such secretive backroom dealings, but out of respect for his old friend, he still walked over, intending to hear what little schemes Antoine might have up his sleeve.
From the moment they stepped out of the hall, the dwarf Gloin—who had been following closely behind Aldric and his master—had been impatiently signaling to Aldric with his eyes. His tiny pupils darted back and forth so quickly that one might start to wonder if the dwarf had some sort of crossed-eye disorder.
"Master!" Aldric finally couldn't stand the dwarf's eager, burning gaze any longer and called out to his mentor. "Could you lend me your weapon for a moment? This dwarven master here looks like he can't wait any longer."
The dwarf nodded rapidly in agreement, rubbing his hands together with excitement. Combined with that hungry look in his eyes, he resembled a starved gourmand who hadn't eaten in three years—now faced with a grand imperial banquet, yet lacking chopsticks.
Sir Gonz, noble-born as he was, displayed his usual grace. He smoothly drew from his wrist the weapon [White Wolf's Claw], a blade nearly 1.4 meters in length, and handed it over to the wide-eyed Aldric.
"Take care of my weapon, apprentice," the Witcher said with a teasing grin. "And make sure this dwarf master doesn't drool on it. Don't just stand there in awe—it's only a minor magical weapon. You're not the only one who's gained something from this mission." He winked at his student, clearly pleased by his reaction.
Watching his mischievous mentor disappear back into the lord's castle, Aldric couldn't help feeling both anticipation and frustration. He had been granted permission to select one item from the lord's treasure vault, but when he looked at Vittoria—who was allowed to choose two—he couldn't help but feel cheated.
Since when did any game give out quest rewards with such blatant intimidation and coercion?
"Honored guests, please follow me to the lord's treasure vault to claim your respective rewards," said a servant who had been quietly waiting by the door.
Aldric gave the dwarf a helpless look, signaling him to stay calm and wait a bit longer. Then, he and Vittoria followed the servant deeper into the manor.
…
"Have you decided what you'll choose?" Vittoria asked as they walked. The female warrior wasn't carrying her intimidating heavy weapon today; since they were meeting with the local lord, she had only a decorative short sword at her waist, more for formality than function.
Aldric, on the other hand, was in quite a miserable state. The last mission had been a disaster—both of his straight-bladed Sabers were gone. One had been lost while dodging those writhing tentacles on the fleshy llatform, and the other had been completely corroded by the acidic blood of the Vanguard of Nurgle.
As for the rest of his equipment, aside from the mysterious [Damaged Pendant], most of it had been destroyed. According to his mentor, the [Elven Ranger's Leather Armor] he wore had been reduced to such a sorry state that there wasn't even enough left to make a vest out of it.
So, what did he plan to choose? The truth was—he lacked everything!
Aldric screamed inwardly. If he'd known Antoine was such a coward, he would've used the witcher's name to squeeze at least three or four more pieces of gear out of the man. But now, all he could do was sulk and mutter, "I'll see what's there first. My master said Antoine's vault should have some decent items, but not to expect too much—he's just an ordinary man, with little access to truly powerful gear."
Vittoria frowned in disappointment. "That's not what you promised before. You said we might even be able to take advantage of the chaos and empty out the whole place!"
Uh… right. He had used that excuse to lure her into helping before. Aldric glanced at the silent servant walking ahead. As expected of a trained noble retainer—despite overhearing the two of them openly lamenting their failed robbery attempt, the servant's expression didn't even twitch. He simply acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Aldric gave an awkward laugh. "Haha, well, plans never keep up with changes. I didn't expect the mission to end this fast. It's all that Shadow Assassin's fault—he sold out the entire cult's plan to my teacher. The city didn't even get the chance to descend into chaos before everything was over. By the way, you were telling me something earlier about the Warband?"
He decided to throw the blame elsewhere first. The Shadow Assassin already had enough people after him; adding one more bit of resentment wouldn't matter.
But before he could finish his sentence, the silent servant finally spoke.
"Sir, madam, we have arrived at the lord's private chamber. You may now claim the rewards that Lord Antoine promised you."
The servant stopped before a large portrait, pressed a hidden switch, and then inserted a luxurious-looking key into a concealed lock. With a soft click, the portrait swung open—revealing the door to the treasure vault disguised behind it.
Aldric nodded at him and, alongside Vittoria, stepped into the chamber—dropping their earlier conversation.
Once inside, Aldric couldn't help but marvel at Antoine's audacity. The man had actually built his secret vault inside the main castle of the Anthony family. Just how confident had Antoine been in his ability to usurp power?
Inside the vault, neatly stacked gold bars and silver ingots lined the walls. Coins of both metals were piled carelessly in corners, while several ornate suits of armor stood proudly on wooden mannequins, exuding a sense of majesty.
But to Aldric's trained eyes, the craftsmanship was questionable. The armor designs were overly angular and decorative, sacrificing mobility for appearance. They looked grand—but functionally, they were awful.
Neither he nor Vittoria was tempted by the piles of precious metals. The warrior woman headed straight for the armor display. The first suit had a mirror-polished surface. She reached out and pressed one of the plates—only for it to bend and twist under her fingers like soft metal.
Aldric shook his head and turned toward the weapon racks instead.
He could only take one item, so naturally, he needed to pick something that would enhance his combat strength the most.
The servant who had led them there stayed silently by the door, not following them in. He simply waited, expressionless, for them to finish choosing.
"Please, take your time and choose whatever you desire," he said quietly. "But be warned—every item here bears a magical seal. Do not let greed cloud your judgment."
As Aldric scrutinized Antoine's collection with a critical eye, he couldn't shake a growing sense of unease.
Something about this servant seemed off.
Though the man had behaved impeccably—speaking only when necessary, carrying out his duties flawlessly, showing no fear even before two extraordinary individuals—his composure was too perfect.
Even Antoine himself, the most powerful man in this castle, had panicked in Vittoria's presence. That was understandable; Antoine wasn't exactly a bold man, and without powerful guards in the city, his confidence had crumbled easily.
But this servant… he was completely unshaken. Unflinching. Not the slightest sign of deference or fear.
That was not normal—unless…
(End of Chapter)