Chapter 52: Chapter 52 - Prelude

It would be soon now. Mila stalked her target. The evening sky was still not dark enough for her to hide entirely, so she had to play a role. She pretended to window shop while checking the mana signature constantly.

People still milled on the streets, finishing their last duties or heading out to one place or another. Isabel was still back at the Obron’s, finishing preparations as did Silinth and Andrew.

Mila had refused Isabel’s offer to come with her. It did take some coaxing, but her girlfriend had understood. Being sneaky was easier alone, and killing was something she didn’t want to show to Isabel if it could be helped.

Besides, if Isabel had come with her, Mila doubted she could keep her mind from rolling into a gutter. It was already hard not to foolishly smile. Distractions would not do.

After her target entered her home, Mila waited for a few minutes. There was always a guard nearby who watched over the girl.

Mila started to circle the area. She passed by the guard to see who it was. A single, bored man stood near her target's house. He wasn’t too vigilant, and while he was strong, she judged him not a threat.

After hiding nearby, Mila settled to wait for the streets to clear and darkness to fall. But before long, her target left her home.

This wasn’t the plan. From what Mila had gathered, the girl spent the nights here. She glanced out of her hiding spot to see her mark head for the guard. They exchanged a few phrases before walking towards her.

Mila waited for them to pass and followed, trying to listen in.

“Can’t you tell me anything?” The girl asked her guard.

“Sorry, Munny. Head’s orders. You can’t stay at your place tonight.”

Mila frowned. This did not bode well. She did not take any further risks and started to fall back, letting Munny and her guard head back to the temple.

This was certainly not good. Instead of trying to kill Munny, Mila headed back. Plans had to be adjusted.

Her first destination was the contact person that Viola had indicated would be there. After Mila waited for a moment at the agreed spot, a man appeared, greeted her and walked towards her.

“Hey, decided you needed us in the end?” The man asked.

“I want to speak with Pepper,” Mila demanded.

“That could be arranged.” The man smiled and leisurely walked away.

It took fifteen minutes for the woman to arrive.

“Viola.” Mila greeted the new arrival.

“Mila! I am happy to see you. Did you have a change of heart?”

“Something definitely changed. Was your group discovered?” Mila started to walk, and Viola joined her.

“Yes, but the members who got caught were silenced in time.” Viola didn’t hide it.

“The Temple is alert.” Mila pursed her lips. “I expected better of you.”

Viola shrugged. “Our operation grew too big. A leak was expected, and this is not the worst-case scenario. Are you going to cancel your plans?”

Mila considered the suggestion. Her first reaction was to rob the temple at a later date, but after tonight, the security was bound to increase.

“You said it grew too big.” Mila pondered. “How big?”

“Very.” Viola gave a short answer.

“We will delay for around half an hour and see what crawls out of that place and-” Mila hesitated. Depending on how it went, they might need to cancel their operation after all. She looked at Viola and studied the woman. “We may need to borrow your help, but…”

“So reluctant, it’s not like we are asking for much.”

“That’s what is bothering me. What are your motives for offering your help without asking for anything in return?”

“We just want to get along with you. Honestly.”

“But why?”

Viola stopped them both. “Okay, I get why you don’t trust me, but that is the main goal.” She looked at Mila, her body oozing sincerity. “It’s because I can tell there is something special about you and your friends.”

This revelation immediately put Mila on her guard. However, outwardly, she didn’t do anything more but furrow her brows. “That claim seems unfounded. I certainly have not felt anything like you claim.”

“Mila,” Viola grinned. “You can’t fool my nose.” She tapped it. “You have this smell of danger and mystery, while Isabel and Andrew had something similar. Silinth stunk of hazard as well. I am glad I could stick with you, and he bothered only Percy.”

“Interesting,” Mila studied Viola’s face. This didn’t feel like a spell. It was something more intrinsic. Perhaps a blessing? It would mean Mila’s countermeasures wouldn’t help. “But ultimately, if your nose does not tell what it is, I can’t help you either.”

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“In time, perhaps it will.” Viola’s grin grew wider. “But now, what do you want us to help with?”

Mila resumed walking. “I have a target. It is essential I get to her before she can escape or do something foolish like die by another hand.”

Viola hummed happily. She didn’t seem bothered by the upcoming bloodshed at all. “And that target is?”

“Munny Shalack.”

“The blessed one?” Viola whistled while thinking. “I can’t recall anything of note about her. It was a minor blessing at best. Something about plants if our sources could be believed. I checked her once, and she didn’t have the smell of danger.”

“Yes, her.” Mila nodded. “I need a squad that helps me locate and lead to her. Possibly more.”

“Well, that just sounds like a job for me.” Viola happily announced. “I’ll see what I can do. I can’t promise the squad will be capable, but they will be competent. Anything else?”

“Yes, but for another time.” Mila looked up at the darkening sky. People started to vanish off of the streets. She had to get back. “We will wait for you at the Obron’s compound.”

After Mila finished speaking, Viola left, leaving her with just her thoughts. She turned around a corner and headed back to where Isabel was waiting.

Reflecting on her actions, Mila felt there was something wrong. The recent dream still hung over her head.

As she passed parents taking their children on a walk, Mila could easily imagine their lifeless bodies lying on the ground. Viola’s words had made the premonition of the tragedy even more pronounced.

It wasn’t Mila’s fault. The conflict between the countries could not be avoided at this point. These kingdoms had a long and turbulent history between them.

This would be just one of the many catastrophes that would strike the world in the following months and years.

It was an open question whether they would survive till morning.

And yet, Mila felt more conflicted than she thought was appropriate. She passed a group of people enjoying their lives. It was an open question whether they would survive till morning.

Despite her mood, Mila’s determination did not waver. Munny was innocent, but she was one of the known blessed persons who was nonthreatening and had no real guards.

Munny was also weak. Her blessing was barely there and had gone unnoticed by the Temple for the longest time.

Mila needed to test how her absorption worked. She had killed two people who had mana and absorbed it.

But what about other sources of power? What about someone who was blessed by a god? Would Mila absorb that as well? Would it impact her any? Perhaps more importantly, would it impact what she had hidden inside her?

After stopping before a tavern and watching people go in and out of it, Mila continued. Would the city recover, or would it be left to rot by the kingdom? It was hard to tell. She didn’t know enough about the king Oispio.

Killing Munny had another crucial purpose. If Mila gained anything more than mana from the girl, she would have to reconsider how to deal with Silinth.

The corruption that ate away at the man was too deadly. It wasn’t contagious, but Mila did not know if she could do better than Silinth in fighting against it.

So, was killing Munny justified?

Mila pondered. The logic was sound. The girl was not a threat, and she was not well-guarded. There was no time to find anyone else, and Munny was part of the enemy faction.

Then, where was the issue? What was Mila missing?

But all Mila got from thinking was a headache. She shook her head, trying to free it from the messy thoughts. This wasn’t the time.

After another moment, she was back. Mila pushed the entrance doors open and found herself inside the usual courtyard. Andrew was sitting next to the warehouse talking with Mr Crow.

“Andrew.” Mila nodded.

“Where were you?” Andrew turned to look at her.

“Out.” Mila walked towards her room.

“Killing before the killing?” Andrew jeered.

“No.”

“Why weren't you here?”

Mila stopped. “For?” She wondered.

“To help Hanna. To help Nordly and Bazil carry their father. To see them off. Even Galtron left with them.” Andrew sighed. “Just well wishes are enough, Mila. Just your presence could have helped.” Mr Crow cawed in support of his bond’s words.

It wasn’t like Mila had forgotten about Obron’s leaving. It was just that…

Would Mila’s presence really help? She didn’t feel close to them. What would they want her here for anyway?

“I am not sure what you are getting at.” Mila finally said.

Andrew let out a sigh. “Mila. You can’t talk with just Isabel and me.”

“I talk with other people as well.” Mila pointed out. “For example, Viola.”

“That crazy spy woman?” Andrew was stupified. “Why? She is…” He shook his head. “I guess it’s better than no one. And anyone else?”

Mila pondered. “Hanna?” She finally suggested. “I talked with her quite a lot.”

“And yet, you didn’t see her off. She was suffering, Mila. She left everything she had behind. Don’t you feel anything?”

After a moment of silence, Mila slowly spoke. “I could not have helped. I have nothing to offer.”

“Friendship is not a transaction. You know that, Mila.” Andrew disagreed. “It’s about being there and talking. It’s about spending time together. And you were not there for them. You don’t have to offer anything.”

Andrew wasn’t wrong. He rarely was. Mila agreed with him. His words made sense.

So why hadn’t she? Was forming bonds this hard? Mila stared at Andrew, who started to look uncomfortable.

How had Mila gotten close to Isabel and Andrew?

It was easy to tell. They both had taken the initiative to barge into Mila’s life. They had pushed until she had simply accepted them.

When Mila told them about her dreams, she already thought of them as more than acquaintances.

But did Mila want anyone else in her life?

She didn’t know. What Mila did know was that she wanted to see her girlfriend. “I am going.” She finally left Andrew sitting where he was. Her head was once again acting up.

The mangled thoughts made it only worse. Instead of entering her room, Mila knocked on Isabel’s.

After a moment, an invite came, and Mila opened the doors. Isabell was currently sitting in her bed, checking her equipment.

Without saying anything else, Mila walked to her girlfriend and sat down on her lap.

After wrapping her arms around Isabel, Mila let her insecurities and dark emotions slip away.

Isabel responded by caressing Mila’s hair. She did not ask anything.

Mila closed her eyes and let the moment stretch.