"I just walked five bells back from the rift with my shield and morningstar at the ready and boy are my arms tired!" I gave a little hip wiggle to indicate a joke. It got the reaction it should: one facepalm (Gabor), one eyeroll (Tiesa), and one confused stare (Jasna). "It's based on a joke from my world about flying and saying your arms are— and none of you care. Yeah, I get it. I am just so happy to see you and not be dead!"

Jumping up and down while trying to hug was an awkward affair but with my shield and weapon stowed, I made it work.

Mostly.

"Yes, yes, I am very excited to see you too. Now settle down. I swear, if this is how our kid behaves…" Tiesa gave Gabor a side eye.

"We'll make Risto and Jasna babysit them all the time?" Gabor added helpfully.

"I decline," was all Jasna said.

"Okay, I think I know what happened but we need to get inside the city and talk to some people before word gets out. We want to investigate before they get wind I'm alive."

Gabor looked away and it was hard to tell in the moonlight but I thought he was ashamed. "What? Not safe to get back in?"

"<Redacted> over here went and ran his mouth off to the guard. Yes, I know 'it's protocol' but you should have been smarter. This isn't some run-of-the-mill thing. They captured three of Verdant's Valorant – god, such an unoriginal name, at least make it cool and not dorky – and one is missing. They are trying to round her up, she ran ahead of the cart to give a full report." Tiesa was glaring daggers at Gabor.

"I could have lost my job, our livelihood."

"Yes, and you could have cost Terry his life and you likely already have cost us the ability to find the culprit. No, not the one who executed it, the one who ordered it." Tiesa was giving her husband an incredible 'I am so sick of your sodus' look, made all the more ominous by the lunar shading.

"You were foolish. Terry had a plan and you disrupted it. That is when you are supposed to apologize, right?" Jasna looked to Tiesa who gave her a nod and she smiled.

"Yeah, I had my reasons but you had yours too. I am sorry, I did what I thought was best." Gabor ran a hand through his hair.

I think I can trust him to do the 'right' thing but I can't always trust him to do what I need… Have to plan around that.

"I get it but I am still not happy here. That said, my number one priority is my safety right now. We can try to flush out whoever was involved but I am utterly exhausted, physically and especially mentally. Now, princess carry me to safety." I was joking at Gabor, trying to lighten the mood at least a bit but Jasna immediately complied, lifting me like I weighed nothing despite being much taller and presumably heavier.

Eh, I might be embarrassed if I were less tired. Not a terrible way to travel.

"Uh, thanks Jasna. Gabor, do you— actually, I'm throwing this one to Tiesa first. Any ideas for getting me in safely and unseen?"

Craning my neck around Jasna was hard and the woman was standing stock still.

"Yeah, I have a few contacts in the guard. This dingdong got spotted on the way out so he should go back alone. And not just because we are all mad at him. I'll arrange it. You, western gate." With a cutting motion of her hand, she stopped Gabor's response. "No, no complaints. You biffed it, you deal with the consequences. You know the rules. Off you trot." She turned him around and smacked her husband on the butt to get him moving.

"I will want a word about these 'contacts'," Gabor called back.

"The word you get is 'no'," she called back, a clear smile in her voice.

"Flirt later, safety and a bed now please," I lightly chided her.

"Pish posh, there's always time for some good flirting. Okay good steed Jasna, please carry this poor damsel into the city." At a confused look, Tiesa gave her a motherly, loving smile. "Sorry my friend. We are going to take Terry into the city. It looks like he might actually fall asleep so carrying him would be a nice thing to do."

With a nod, Jasna started moving fast towards the city, barely making a sound. Tiesa ran to get ahead of her, which I assumed was to go talk to the guard – someone running and carrying another person quickly towards the walls at night would probably alarm any guard worth a damn.

A woman came out from the guard station to meet us with a wagon, a blanket, and some cloaks for the women while I was unceremoniously tossed into said cart – literally tossed, slightly stressing the bottom from the impact – and covered.

I have to remember to give Jasna more literal instructions.

Tiesa grabbed the front of the cart and, with her cloak hiding her features, pulled us to the gate. The same guard did an 'inspection' and let us through.

The other guard rolled his eyes at the theatrics as the gates were supposed to be closed at this time of night but all procedures were followed and it would make it easier to ignore for the higher ups.

Which included the woman sneaking in's husband.

Tiesa ripped the blanket off me in a dramatic turn. "You really do love to put on a show, don't you?" I asked, half grumpy and half amused.

"Shhh, we are doing secret things!" She used a stage whisper to continue the charade then stuck a hand down and pulled me up.

We weren't at her and Gabor's house like I expected so I looked to Jasna who simply stared back and nodded.

"Uh, is this your house?" I asked, slightly confused.

"No, my house is close to Tiesa's so I can be there quickly if she needs me. Or if I need her."

Tiesa put her hand on Jasna's shoulder. "Once a teammate, always a teammate. Wait, that's an awful policy. Anyway, Jasna is basically my little sister in all but blood. Now shut up and get inside both of you." Her extremely strong arms guided me towards the front door of a small but well-kept home that would comfortably house one, maybe a couple.

Upon entering, I got safehouse vibes. Everything was a little too generically arranged and the place didn't look lived in recently despite the lack of dust.

"Who owns this? You guys? The guard? Is there such a thing as a safehouse here?" I asked, crashing onto the small bed in the corner and leaving the two chairs for the women.

"You rest for a bit and we'll wait for Gabor to get here before we chat. I know you sent for Risto too but we told him to hang back so as to not rouse suspicion. He'd be missed quickly if he got involved. Gabor will probably have to go to work in a few hours too. I am wondering how Councilor Illeva plays into all this…" Tiesa looked thoughtful then made a gesture to Jasna and the woman nodded appreciatively.

***

Swinging my fist at the noise, I startled awake. My hand was caught in a firm grip. "Woah there, friend not foe, you good?" Gabor asked.

Groggily, I watched him slowly swim into focus. "Yeah, what took you so long?" I asked, seeing the morning light peek through the windows.

"Eh, we decided to let you sleep." Holding up a hand, he said, "I lost the vote. Which of course I did because Jasna trusts Tiesa's judgment over her own. When it comes to boyfriends, that's smart. When it comes to investigations, time is of the essence. That's part of why I pushed the information up the chain, couldn't let them escape."

"It wasn't your call," I said simply. "I don't want to bet that someone in the guard wasn't in on it. What's done is done but it shouldn't have been done, you know? Now, is it time for the full story?"

"Yes, but unfortunately not for me. The girls are getting some rest and will relieve me soon. We decided to keep this under wraps. They will escort you to Councilor Illeva's home – she messaged in as sick for the day to the Council and is expecting you."

He started pacing about the room. "I think you can trust her. If I hadn't been dealing with the jebbie-ing dungeon break, I would have told you that before your meeting. She has been very honorable and trustworthy in her few dealings directly with the guard and I hear more grumbling about her being capable and trustworthy than her shady dealings. That's sadly rare for the Councilors. Plus, she's a looker!"

I wondered why he yelled the last part when I saw the hand swinging towards his head. He managed to duck it and stood up to face his attacker. And kissed her, even throwing in a dip.

"Fine, fine, I forgive you. Plus yes, she's hot. She showed up at some gala in this yellow and red number patterned after fire and it was very eye-catching. And keeping, couldn't look away. Now, here's your daily dose of pastries and I already smoothed things over with Vana." Tiesa tossed me two bags simultaneously and I was proud to easily snag both.

"She was apoplectic before Tiesa talked to her. But two minutes after going to the back together, she came out with a huge smile. It was like the smile Gabor comes back with when she pulls him off to the side for a bit." Jasna nodded and then sat down.

Tiesa's face reddened deeply, her mouth unconsciously making a great fish impression as she tried to say something. Gabor just laughed deeply and kissed her on the forehead. "Okay, you two fill Terry in on the plan. I can't get involved – I was not assigned to the case. Councilor Illeva should be able to help from the political side.

"The only update I have from the lead investigator – Platon – is that the fourth member of the delve team was found dead at her home, an apparent suicide. I'll send a copy of the note along when I get it." Gabor reached down to clasp my arm and nodded. "There are no better guardians than me and Risto. I'm sorry you only have these two buffoons." He ran out of the room to a series of light slaps from Tiesa and what looked like a real punch from Jasna.

"He was kidding," Tiesa chided.

"Yup, I'm aware," Jasna said and sat down in the chair. "Now, share your favorite pastries with me and tell us what happened."

***

"Oh dear, that is dreadful. But it does sound like the rest of the team probably weren't involved, right?" Katarina asked, once again hosting me in her study.

Maksim, Tiesa, and Jasna were also there and the hostess had ordered a sumptuous breakfast spread. My stomach rumbled happily as we paused for the servants to bring all the food trays in.

"If I were to bet on it, I would say 200 to one odds all of them were in on it. Just doesn't make sense. Probably five or ten to one that any of the others were even in on it. It felt like it was just Milica the more I look back but it easily could be one of the others kept everyone off her trail. Anyone want to take those odds?"

"What are odds? As in odd numbers?" Jasna asked, looking confused.

After a quick explanation of betting – almost getting distracted into talking about parlays – I got us back on track. "So yes, there was the likely fake reading, then the AAI interference, then the scent bag. It all points to only Milica, at least for the obvious portions. Though anyone could have used the disruptor, it was dropped in the middle of the fight where likely only her and Jovan were, in melee range of the most brutal fighting at the start. But it's all supposition without her and she's dead."

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"Yes, yes, dreadful business. I looked into it and they weren't even supposed to be on that delve but The Rakish Raiders were given a lucrative contract last minute to go elsewhere. And yes, we are digging further but it appears the credentials, if not the credits, for the job The RR were pulled onto were faked.

"We are trying to see if there was anything special about Verdant's Valorant but nothing is really coming up. They are ostensibly backed by Teodor and I really can't see him being this sloppy." Katarina took a long drink from her hallucinogen tea. Then a long pull from her wine glass. At my raised eyebrow, she chuckled. "If you think this little will do anything more than calm my nerves, you need to get to know more nobility."

"Maybe in better circumstances," Tiesa and I said simultaneously.

[Incoming Message from Tiesa Gogol: Jinx.]

I burst into laughter and Tiesa gave a little prideful shoulder shimmy.

Katarina raised her eyebrow but Jasna shrugged. "She likely sent him an AAI message. She finds that very funny to do. You can tell because she sticks her tongue out of the right side of her mouth slightly when she sends messages quickly."

"Guilty," Tiesa said, "but I was trying to lighten the mood. At least one and presumably more people tried to have Terry killed but we don't have to be all doom and gloom."

[Incoming Message from Gabor Gogol: Image]

"Agreed, but let's focus on the 'suicide' note." I made air quotes and got confused looks but they mostly got the context. "Gabor just sent it over." I forwarded it to everyone in the room but Gabor had already sent to them – excluding Maksim – as well.

Inbox etiquette error.

The note Gabor sent us read:

Dahlia, I am so sorry, I just can't go on knowing what I've done. What we've done. It was too terrible, not just to that transmigrator but also to Velez and even the Kingdom. I am leaving my payment here so you may recoup it. May this act reclaim some of my dignity.

-Milica Alekna

"Gabor sent me a follow-up that Dahlia is in custody already. Well, essentially under house arrest at the estate. Councilor Azarov is calling this an utter farce and is not allowing the guard in to see her without a full, public vote of the Council. Which he knows can't happen today because Katarina is ostensibly sick." Tiesa looked around the room.

"I am sending a message to Marko. You heard him at dinner Terry, this seems out of character, even for Dahlia. She's impetuous, yes, but assassination? I was shocked the little whelp had the essence stones to even do what she did." Katarina left the room, presumably to compose a message in peace.

Oh man, the dreaded 30 word email that needs to convey 20 pages of subtext. Won't miss that.

"Essence stones? She didn't need any though?" I asked.

"It means the guts to do something. Better than referencing anatomy." Maksim turned back to perusing the library.

The three of us rested, ate a considerable amount of food – yay 18 year old cultivator body –, and went over the highlights of my final fight in the rift.

Unfortunately, it was only via my recollection as AAI was still blocked at that point.

At least Risto can't smack me for every missed step from the recording.

Katarina returned 20 minutes later with a glass of wine in each hand. "We are still in the negotiation phase but I think he will let us see her. She has an alibi for the entire night – a gentleman caller was 'entertaining' her from essentially 5 bells past midday until 3 bells past midnight – yes, I know but the staff assigned to her villa all corroborate her story, there was too much noise for her to have snuck out during that time, at least to kill Milica. I mean, we all agree Milica didn't commit suicide, right?"

At no objections, Katarina muttered, "Unlucky but smart of Dahlia that she didn't record it this time."

Lots to unpack there.

Tiesa just nodded. "Yes, Dahlia is a rather high stamina delver, it's not a surprise. Back to the point, let's not bring out the scent bag but can you bring out the AAI disruptor?"

"Buh, buh, buh, not in the house!" Katarina screeched and then started yelling something else but I couldn't understand it as I had reacted quickly, pulling the device from my ring and holding it in my hand.

I quickly passed the shiny cylinder to Tiesa who started poking at it until it finally turned off, my interface and understanding winking back to life.

"You foolish girl! What if that damaged my infrastructure. I'll take it out of your wallet and your hide!" Katarina rose but immediately sat back down at the look from Jasna who was now standing between her and Tiesa.

Tiesa slowly turned her irate friend to look at her. "Okay, let's calm this down. Jazzy, she was just angry. If she tried to follow through, I know she once was a competent delver but she'd be de-armed in less than three seconds. Yes, that means I'd rip them off," she said, poking her head around Jasna to stare Katarina down momentarily. "I sincerely appreciate your help though. Can I give you a hug?"

At the quick embrace between the other women, Katarina looked to me for help.

Consultant survival tip #84: When an argument is concluded and one side has lost, if there's nothing to gain from it, don't interject. Even if the losing side is asking you to step in. There is no reason to reignite the argument and potentially lose credibility with both sides.

Isekonsultant survival tip #18: Don't. Piss off. Tiesa. Or Jasna honestly. If someone is willing to stand up for you with nothing in return, they are really in your court. Plus, they're scary.

***

Tempers slowly calmed down as we made our way to Councilor Azarov's estate. On the northwestern side of town, quite close to the wall, we found sprawling grounds almost the opposite of the Illeva residence.

Instead of one large building with gardens surrounding it, the Azarov estate had a main house that was much smaller but had five separate smaller buildings around it in a pentagram. Each building was painted with a focus on a different color: green was the most prominent as the first building as well as the main house, but there was one each for the same colors matching the Magister of Scans: brown, yellow, red, and blue. Everywhere I looked, all five colors were represented in the bushes and flowers. It was clearly well kept and meticulously designed.

"Why do I keep seeing those colors – green, brown, yellow, red, and blue – on so many things. Like that hilarious robe on the Magister of Scans?"

"Oh, those are the various prominent essence zones we have in the Kingdom. Or had, I should say. So there is a bit of a zeal around them," Katarina said, laying a hand on my arm like we were the best of friends as we exited the carriage to enter the grounds.

Unexpectedly, at least for me, our AAIs only went down for a moment before coming back on with only recording restricted. Three household members including two guards ushered us towards the green building rather than the main house.

"Thank you for coming Kata— Councilor Illeva, this is an urgent matter and my daughter is falsely accused. Uh, yet again," he finished uncertainly, looking at the two women next to the Councilor and me.

I was surprised he was the one waiting for us in the stark but gorgeous atrium, especially all alone.

"Marko, these people aren't here to play politics. That said, even though she was found not guilty, we both know she tampered with those bracelets. I think her starting with admitting that would go a long way – this is the guard in question's wife and his defeat in front of the Council has been weighing on her heavily." With a gesture to Tiesa, the woman wilted before our very eyes.

Wow, she can act!

"It has? I thought you found it funny yesterday?" Jasna looked at her confused. With a sharp look and tongue poking out, Jasna said, "Oh… I mean, I was mistaken. It was I who thought it was humorous."

Wow, she can't!

It was all theater of course so Councilor Azarov pretended like it was perfectly normal. Both he and Katarina were used to the political aspects and I thought I saw a shared smile between them at the foibles of we rubes.

"Yes, yes, I will of course ask her again. Maybe she recalls something that did not come up in the hearing. There was a heated exchange that day after all." He swept away with a small bow and Katarina rounded on Jasna.

Before she could even inhale to dress her down, Tiesa stepped in front this time. "Anything you say to her, you say to me. And you say to Terry," she added slightly uncertainly. With a small glance and my nod, which I hoped was undetectable to Katarina, she firmed her face.

Katarina took a deep, calming breath. "In… and yes… out… You are right. He was not expecting us to be perfect. I was devising my plan on the way here and I failed to inform you all appropriately, believing it would be the two of us negotiating while you ate through their house and home instead of mine.

"So, while they are away, let's build our quick plan of attack and contingencies. Terry, you seem more politically adroit so I will rely on you the most. Tiesa, step in when it makes sense. Jasna, I ask that you remain quiet unless spoken to directly and then only be brief. I will make it up to you somehow later."

[Incoming Message from Jasna Zupan: But that's what I want. I am confused.]

Tiesa chuckled merrily to my side and stuck her tongue out through her teeth.

***

"Really Father? You want me to apologize? To him? A simple commoner? He didn't even get hurt! Ratmir said he was stronger than even he'd hoped for! It helped him, he should be thanking me!"

Dahlia was in her petulant mood again. Still in her nightgown – I guess if she was up that late, she'd sleep late… – and with her alibi from last night having just skedaddled upon being dismissed by the two Councilors, Dahlia was radiant and defiant.

"Councilor Azarov… can we dismiss the sarange. It's just us and your brat of a daughter. And yes Dahlia, you were a brat when you stayed with us growing up and you haven't changed much since." Katarina looked to Marko pleadingly.

"Father! Are you going to let her—"

"ENOUGH! Dahlia, I know as well as you do this is an act." He paused and sighed, becoming more resigned and tired by the second. "Or at least partially an act. These people, these 'commoners', are your lifeline. I can't get involved like I did two days ago. Not even if I wanted to, which I don't." He ran his hands through his hair, clearly at wit's end.

"You are accused of what will likely be deemed a treason offense, at least at the city level. That is forced labor for a decade at best! Almost certainly execution and you're lucky if they don't work you to death first. This isn't just some delve mishap!" Marko was frothing mad by the end, and picked up a vase, looking like he might throw it before setting it back down and taking a breath.

"Marko, Dahlia, shut the jebbie up for a second. Let's take a breath and then lay out facts. Buh, buh, buh, no Dahlia. Thirty seconds then we restart. No, then I restart the conversation. Jasna, you have my permission to punch anyone who breaks the silence." Katarina nodded to the typically stoic woman, though this time she had a lopsided grin.

Cute but… nope, not gonna go there.

After we waited for a full minute, Katarina sighed. "Oka—" Tiesa caught Jasna's fist going for Katarina's gut.

"She meant no one could break the silence before the 30 seconds."

"I know, I was testing your reflexes," Jasna said with a smile.

Jasna sent me a quick AAI message [She asked me to do that. No idea why. Fun though, right?]. Her lopsided grin was all I could focus on for a second – nope, not going there, shut up 18 year old body.

"So, let's level set here. Dahlia, you are accused— now what?" Katarina looked genuinely pissed this time as I stepped forward.

Ignoring her, I approached the pouting woman of the house. "Dahlia, tell everyone why you did it. Ah, I mean tampered with the bracelets. Give everyone here your reasoning."

"It's obvious, isn't it. They thought you might be some kind of key to dealing with that awful null essence without it crippling people. We could get back to delving. Daddy's businesses need delving. And I'm so bored. I don't even get entertainment because of you!"

I truly can't tell what is an act and what isn't.

"Are you sorry you messed with my bracelet? Be honest. It's important," I said as I approached her and held her gaze, even through two eyerolls.

"Like I said, it would help the town. And the Kingdom. We needed a solution. So no, we need to get working on a fix now. And as much as I don't like you, you seem to be the start of one."

"So, then why would you try to kill me?" I asked, pretending to be genuinely curious.

"I wouldn't! That would be dumb as <redacted>, I am not some jebbie-ing moron here. What would that achieve? Nothing but bad. Sure, I don't like you but you aren't worth my time or effort. And it might actually hurt what I do care about. Plus I was here and the only thing I could do was invite Leonas over. I. AM. BORED." She threw herself back on the pillows with a dramatic sigh.

Consultant survival tip #222: Shitheads only look out for themselves. If you can't find a reason for them to do what you want, look for a reason for them to not do what you don't want them to do. The same comes when investigating who did what or who should do what. Always look to their incentives.

"Two things: first, I don't think the attitude is fake and second, I agree with her. What is her motive? And she probably had the means and opportunity but only if she really worked at it. And I don't think she was in the mood for that." At their blank stares, I explained, "To commit a crime you need motive: a reason to commit the crime; means: the capability to commit the crime; and opportunity: well, an opportunity to commit the crime.

"Motive is extremely shaky at best and likely exactly opposite to the crime; and to actually commit the crime, she'd have needed to orchestrate the team escorting me getting another offer. And then she would have to make sure that it was her team that was chosen and get Milica the scent bag and the AAI disruptor. Hell, she even had to know I'd been selected and which rift we were going to delve to get a rift-specific item like the bag.

"If she was free to move around and chat, sure it would be tough but doable, but the internal security staff provided an AAI-backed guarantee her communication has been blocked and they haven't detected the block falling, so she's presumably been here the whole time without sending messages out. It's likely she was chosen as a scapegoat."

"Thank you, I was so worried after her little… dalliance with… well, you know, the whole ceremony, that you might hold it against her. That's great, just let the guard know they can stand down and this will all be over." Marko looked extremely pleased.

I sent a message to Katarina [Hold them to the coals or let them go? I am thinking coals :)]

Consultant survival tip #71: In most instances, it's simply better to let things go. Trying to hold things over people is likely to create tension and as the external party, one who is extremely easy to fire without any real legal means to fight back, look to keep everyone generally on your good side.

Isekonsultant survival tip #19: When you have an asshole and have a lot of leverage on them, milk them for what they're worth. And find a better phrasing for that…

Katarina let out a tittering laugh and said, "Oh my," reminding me of a former Captain Sulu. "Looks like you won't be getting off that easy Marko," she said with a hungry smile.

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