Kaylee removed the hood of her cloak.

"Crawford," she said in a cold voice.

The young man, Crawford, gave her a wounded look.

"Come now," he said. "Is that how you greet me? After everything we've been through?" He grinned at her. "Surely you can spare a smile for an old friend."

So, this Crawford was a regressor after all. Otherwise he wouldn't be talking to Kaylee with this much familiarity. I became more alert. While Crawford looked young, he was older and more experienced than he appeared. That made him more dangerous.

"We were never friends," Kaylee said.

Crawford pursed his lips and looked thoughtful.

"You're right," he said. "We weren't." He gave Kaylee a heated look and spoke in a suggestive tone. "We were more than that."

Excuse me? What exactly happened between my younger sister and this asshole? I resisted the urge to unsheathe my sword and threaten Crawford for answers.

"It doesn't matter," Kaylee said. "That happened in a past that no longer exists. We're comrades and colleagues now. Nothing more."

Hurt flashed across Crawford's eyes. It appeared and disappeared so fast, that I questioned if it existed at all.

"You're the same as always," Crawford said. "I thought that traveling back through time and reuniting with your family would warm that cold heart of yours, but it appeared I thought wrong." He gave her a self-deprecating smile. "Or are you only like this with me? That's flattering, from a certain point of view."

"Enough," Kaylee said, walking over to the couch opposite Crawford's and sitting down. "I'm here for a reason. Let us get it over with so I can leave. I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary."

I walked over and sat beside Kaylee, while Leroy stood behind us.

"Why the hurry?" Crawford asked, leaning back. "Please, introduce me to your friends." He snorted. "Not that you need to. I know who they are. The transmigrator possessing your brother's body and his bodyguard."

I snorted and pulled back the hood of my cloak.

"Are we supposed to be impressed?" I asked, gesturing to Kaylee and myself. "Anyone with a pair of working eyes can tell we're related."

Crawford narrowed his eyes at me, before focusing on Kaylee. Did he just ignore me? Prick.

"I'm surprised," he said. "Given your general dislike of transmigrators, and the brutal way you avenged your brother's death, I thought you would've killed this impostor by now."

My mind flashed back to my encounter with Kaylee, back at the Solarian Imperial Academy, where she trapped me in a runic circle. Granted, I walked into it on purpose, but still. Kaylee had been ready to kill me back then. I shuddered to think about what would've happened if I hadn't convinced her that I was, well, me.

"I need you to find someone for me," Kaylee said, ignoring Crawford's words.

He scowled at her.

"Is that how you're going to be?" he asked. "Ignore all my attempts at conversation?"

"Yes," Kaylee said without hesitation. "We have a certain kind of relationship. You are the informant, and I am your client. Nothing more, nothing less."

Crawford didn't respond right away.

"We were closer, once," he said in a quiet voice.

Kaylee shook her head.

"As I said earlier, that was in a past that no longer exists."

Crawford let out a resigned sigh.

"Fine," he said. "I'll back down for now." He grinned at Kaylee. "However, don't think I've given up. I'll keep trying to win you over again."

"As long as you give me the information I need, I don't care," my sister said.

"Of course. Here, let me get you a drink."

Crawford stood up and walked over to the bar area.

"That isn't necessary," Kaylee said.

"Consider this my price for hearing your request," Crawford said. "Normally, I'd charge you just to meet with me."

I glanced at Kaylee, who gave me a faint nod. Huh. Crawford's services must be in demand if that was the case.

"Very well," my sister said out loud.

Crawford filled three glasses with amber liquid, before making his way back to us. He handed two of the glasses to Kaylee and I, while keeping the third for himself. I gave my glass a sniff. The liquid had a woody scent.

"Is this whiskey?" I asked, surprised.

Wine and beer were the most common types of alcohol here in Lumina, but other kinds existed. However, they were rare, hard liquor in particular. This was my first time encountering whiskey here in Lumina.

"Why, yes it is," Crawford said, giving me a surprised look. "Not many people know about whiskey in these parts of the Solarian Empire. You must be well traveled… Actually, what is your name?"

I gave him a faint smile. He still thought I was a transmigrator who took over Gabriel Sturm's body, and I didn't intend to correct his misunderstanding. Neither did Kaylee. I didn't like Crawford, and I certainly didn't trust him. The less of my secrets he knew, the better.

"Just call me Gabriel Sturm," I said.

Crawford gave Kaylee a quick glance. However, she just took a sip of her whiskey and didn't say anything.

"Very well," Crawford said. "Lord Gabriel." He sipped his whiskey. When he spoke again, his demeanor became more professional. "Now then, what may I do for you?"

"We need you to find someone for us," I said. "A boy named Harvey."

"Ah, yes," Crawford said. "The lucky commoner from Outwall who received House Sturm's patronage."

I narrowed my eyes at him. He gave me a smug look.

"You've been keeping track of my family," Kaylee said.

Crawford shrugged.

"Only because of my interest in you," he said, before looking at me. "By the way, congratulations on your engagement, Lord Gabriel. And my condolences. I don't know why you decided to marry that madwoman, but good luck."

Kaylee snorted.

"You only say that because she broke your legs after…" she said, before trailing off.

Sorrow filled Kaylee's eyes, while Crawford faced away from her, looking ashamed. An awkward silence filled the room. Hmm, I was beginning to see what happened between them.

"Anyway," Kaylee said after clearing her throat. "It doesn't matter. We're here to find Harvey. According to the retainer that my father assigned to watch over him, a group of internal magic users kidnapped him."

Crawford recovered his composure and faced my sister again.

"You think martial artists kidnapped him," he said.

So, he was aware of Murim after all.

"Yes," I said. "The sooner we rescue him, the better."

Crawford nodded.

"Finding this Harvey won't be difficult," he said. "I can even find out who is behind his kidnapping."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What makes you so confident?" I asked.

Crawford gave me a half smile.

"Sunheart is my turf," he said. "I'm aware of everything going on in this city. And if there is something I don't know, I can find out with a snap of my fingers."

To emphasize his point, he snapped his fingers.

"There is a reason why I brought you here," Kaylee said, looking at me. "Crawford is good at what he does. As long as you pay his price, he can find out anything." She looked at the man in question. "Speaking of which, how much?"

Crawford shook his head.

"I don't want money." He gestured to the study around us. "As you can see, I'm doing quite well for myself."

Kaylee's expression hardened.

"If this is your attempt to-" she started to say, but Crawford held up a hand.

"Have some faith in me," he said. "Or at least in my intelligence. I'm not stupid enough to try and coerce you."

Kaylee gave him a skeptical look.

"If you don't want money," I said. "Then what do you want?"

Crawford's expression grew serious.

"One of my people died while on a job," he said in a flat voice. "I want you to look into it and, if possible, avenge him." He gestured to Kaylee. "This is also related to our overall goal. My man was investigating Eastwatch."

Kaylee frowned.

"Eastwatch?" she asked. "Why? That city isn't supposed to fall until five years from now." She paused. "No, six."

"Yes," Crawford said. "However, Eastwatch fell too quickly. According to the survivors, it didn't even put up a token resistance. I think the city was rotting from the inside well before the demons invaded. So, I sent my people to try and prevent that from happening. However, when they arrived, they noticed suspicious activity."

"What activity?" Kaylee asked.

"I'll tell you later," Crawford said. "Assuming you agree to help, of course."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Kaylee sighed.

"I don't know if I can," she said. "We don't know how long this will take, and I have to return to the Solarian Imperial Academy in the autumn. The connections I make there will be instrumental in keeping the Solarian Empire unified." She gestured to me. "However, our new comrade here can help."

Crawford gave me an assessing look.

"Is he capable?" he asked.

"He helped Cally defend the Icefall region."

Crawford let out a rueful chuckle.

"So, that ice witch regressed as well," he said.

"Cally once trapped Crawford's entire body in ice," Kaylee said, looking at me. "Leaving only his head free."

I blinked, before looking at Crawford.

"Just how many women have you offended?" I asked him.

Crawford shrugged, before grinning at me.

"I have a gift," he said.

"At angering people?" I asked. "I can believe that."

Crawford's left eye twitched.

"So," he said, moving the conversation along. "Will you help me, Lord Gabriel?"

I pretended to mull it over, before nodding.

"Yes," I said. "Both to rescue Harvey, and to stop the demons."

Crawford looked at me with mock admiration.

"This isn't even your home, but you're still willing to risk your life for it," he said in a sardonic tone. "I commend you."

The more this man opened his mouth, the less I liked him.

"Home is where the heart is," I said. "I love this realm and the people in it. Why wouldn't I risk my life to defend both?"

My earnest reply caught Crawford off guard. Kaylee chuckled.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," she said, before setting aside her drink and standing up. "If that's all, it's time for us to leave. We'll be waiting upstairs."

Thank goodness. I put my drink aside and stood up as well. Leroy followed behind us.

"Leaving so soon?" Crawford called out. "At least finish your drinks before you leave."

"No need," Kaylee said, walking towards the door without looking back. "Unlike some people, I don't want to give others false hope."

A heavy silence followed her words. Just as we reached the door, Crawford spoke up in a quiet voice.

"Will you ever forgive me?"

Kaylee paused, her hand on the door knob.

"Never," she said, her voice laced with pain.

With that, we left Crawford's study.

We spent the next half hour waiting in the Crow's Nest. The burly man, whose name was Bern, served us some beer. As we nursed our drinks, questions about Kaylee's relationship with Crawford kept buzzing about in my head. However, my younger sister wore a foul expression on her face, so I kept my questions to myself.

At least the beer tasted good.

When the half hour passed, Dagger arrived with a message from Crawford. The martial artists who took Harvey, and they were martial artists, brought him to an abandoned building located at the outskirts of Outwall. There were six of them in total, each at Third Star. The message also contained a map of the area, as well as instructions on how to reach the abandoned building.

While I detested Crawford as a person, I had to admit that he was an excellent informant. Not only did he find the information we wanted within such a short amount of time, but it was more detailed than I expected.

At the end of the message, Crawford stated that it would take a little longer to find out the identity of the person, or persons, behind Harvey's kidnapping.

"Boss also told me to help you rescue the kid you're looking for," Dagger said, toying with one of her many daggers.

"That isn't necessary," Kaylee said in a brusque tone. "We can handle it ourselves."

Dagger gave her a sharp look.

"Listen, girlie," she said. "I don't know what your relationship with Boss is, or why he's so hung up on you. However, there's only one person I obey, and it ain't you. I'm coming along, whether you want me to or not."

I shrugged.

"Fine by me," I said. "As long as you don't get in our way."

Dagger snorted.

"I could say the same to you, Pretty Boy."

Kaylee sighed.

"Fine," she said. "Let's just go."

We asked Bern to send a message to the House Sturm townhouse, to let our parents know what we found, before leaving the Crow's Nest with Dagger in tow. The four of us made our way to the carriage, which was still waiting for us, before making our way to Outwall. When we neared the abandoned building, we left the carriage again and approached on foot.

Unlike in the Earth District, there weren't many people up and about in Outwall. It was quiet out. Everyone was tucked away in their homes, safe and sound. Well, almost everyone. I believed that Harvey's family was still awake, worried for their son. I made a vow to return him to them.

The abandoned building, a one-story tall dilapidated wooden shack, stood by itself a fair distance away from the rest of Outwall. It occupied a grassy field. There were a few trees in the area, but otherwise there was no cover. Dagger proved invaluable here. She knew the area better than us. Thanks to her, we managed to draw near enough to the shack to observe it without alerting our enemies. The four of us lay atop a small rise that overlooked the grassy field.

Light from the waning moon gave us just enough light to see by. From our vantage point, we saw four martial artists standing outside the shack, maintaining a vigilant watch. Each one wielded a sword. Nothing about them stood out. They wore simple clothing, the kind that any Luminian commoner would wear. If I saw them on the streets of the Earth District or Outwall, I wouldn't give them a second glance. However, as Crawford's information stated, they were all at Third Star. The other two must've been inside with Harvey.

"What's the plan?" Dagger asked in a quiet voice. "Boss asked me to help you, but I'm more of a doer rather than a planner."

"First, let's scout out the inside of the building," I said, reaching my hand out. "Aurora, can you come out?"

My spirit crawled out of my hand. Dagger raised an eyebrow at me.

"So, this is your spirit," Kaylee whispered.

"Yes," Aurora said, puffing herself up. "I am the great and mighty frost dragon, Aurora. Bow before me, humans."

She spoke at a low volume, to avoid alerting our enemies, which made for an amusing contrast against her grandiose way of speaking.

"Yes, you are great and mighty indeed," I said, scratching underneath Aurora's chin.

My spirit closed her eyes and purred.

"Are you sure she isn't a cat spirit?" Kaylee asked, amused.

"I got some smoked kippers back home if you want some," Dagger said.

Leroy just sighed.

"I am not a cat!" Aurora said, opening her eyes and glaring at the two women. "I am a frost dragon. How dare you compare me to such lowly creatures?"

"Yes, you are far cuter than any cat," I said in an appeasing tone.

This appeared to mollify Aurora.

"You wish for me to look inside that building over there?" she asked me.

I nodded.

"Yes," I said. "Give us the general layout and tell us about the people inside."

Aurora nodded.

"Very well," she said. "In exchange, I want two hours."

"Done."

Aurora dove into the ground and disappeared from sight.

"Two hours?" Kaylee asked.

"Cuddling," I said.

Kaylee's eyes lit up with understanding before she turned away, an amused smile on her lips.

"Scouting is good and all," Dagger said. "But how are we going to handle the actual rescuing?" She nodded to the martial artists standing guard. "I can handle one of those pricks, maybe two if I'm lucky. That leaves the other four."

I pulled out a bracelet. It was the invisibility enchanted item I received back in the Icefall region. I hadn't had much reason to use these past few weeks, so I had almost forgotten about it. However, before heading out with Kaylee, I decided to bring it along just in case. My foresight paid off.

"This is an invisibility enchanted item," I said. "One that allows me to affect two other people, in addition to myself, as long as we stay close together. The plan is to sneak into the building, deal with the martial artists watching over Harvey, and then sneak him out of there."

While I was confident in my ability to handle a few Third Star martial artists, Harvey's safety took priority. What if something happened to him while we were fighting? I couldn't take that risk. We could deal with the remaining martial artists after we rescued Harvey.

"I like this plan," Dagger said, giving me a sharp smile. "You're bringing me along, right?"

Her tone suggested that I would regret it if I said no.

"Yes," I said. "Kaylee, Leroy. I want you two to stay out here and keep watch. The bracelet can only affect three people, and one of those people needs to be Harvey."

Leroy made a face.

"I don't like this," he said. "What if something happens to you while you're in there?"

I shrugged.

"Then come rescue us," I said.

Leroy let out a resigned sigh. However, before he could say anything else, Aurora appeared right in front of us.

"I return with good tidings," she said. "There is a single room in that building. There aren't any secret tunnels or hidden entrances anywhere."

Okay, good. That was a concern of mine. I've seen several passageways leading underground in the past few weeks. So much so, that I was beginning to think that there was a warren of tunnels hidden beneath Sunheart.

"The boy, Harvey, is inside with one of the martial artists," Aurora continued.

Wait, one? There should've been two. Unless…

"Damn!" I hissed. "The sixth martial artist must've been sent off to report that they have Harvey. We need to get him before any reinforcements show up!"

While I could've been wrong about that, I didn't want to take that risk.

"Go," Kaylee said, a serious expression on her face. "Leroy and I will keep watch out here."

I nodded, before I put the bracelet on and activated it, including Dagger in the effect. The two of us became invisible. Thanks to the bracelet's effects, we could see each other but no one else could. However, people could still hear us, so we needed to be quiet as we approached the shack. Martial artists had sharper senses than regular people

Dagger and I made our way to the shack, keeping our footsteps light and quiet. While I wanted to hurry and rescue Harvey as soon as possible, I kept myself in check. Panicking and rushing off wouldn't help anyone, least of all Harvey.

As we approached the shack, Dagger impressed me. It became clear that she was a martial artist, not a wizard. While I was pretty good at stealth, I had nothing on her. Dagger glided along like a wraith. I found it difficult to detect her movements, and I knew she was there. If we became enemies and I wasn't alert enough, she would catch me off guard.

The four martial artists standing guard failed to notice our approach, despite their vigilance. We soon reached the shack without alerting any of them. No enemy reinforcements arrived either. Good.

The shack had a few broken windows. I looked through one. Little light from the waning moon reached inside the shack, so I couldn't see much, even with my sharpened senses. Not that there was much to see. Just a few vague shadows, most of which I assumed was furniture.

Finding the martial artist wasn't difficult. He was the only shadow making noise and moving around. He muttered under his breath, speaking low enough that I couldn't understand his words.

I looked at Dagger and gestured to the martial artist. She nodded, before entering the shack through one of the broken windows. The way she moved and contorted her body fascinated me. I could do something similar with my [Elusive Mist] technique, but she appeared almost boneless. Was that a technique of hers, or just part of the way she moved?

When this was over, I wanted to spar with Dagger and exchange insights with her. From what I observed, our fighting styles shared many similarities. I believed there was a lot we could learn from each other.

While I had reached Supreme level of mastery, that didn't mean I knew everything. Even now, I still considered myself a student. Lumina was a wide and vast place. There was always something to learn, even from those who reached lesser mastery than me.

Dagger entered the shack without making a noise or touching any of the jagged glass protruding through the broken window. She became a vague shadow, making it difficult to keep track of her. I watched as she snuck up on the enemy martial artist, before grabbing him from behind. There was a faint scuffle, which worried me a little. However, none of the other enemy martial artists noticed anything. The scuffle soon stopped.

"I'm going to pick up the kid and pass him to you through the window," Dagger said, her voice a faint whisper.

"Understood," I said, my voice matching hers.

Dagger moved around in the shack. After what felt like hours, she picked something up and moved towards me. It looked like a shadowy bundle. Harvey.

When Dagger reached the window, she held Harvey out towards me. With great care, I grabbed him and pulled him through the window. As soon as I brought him close to me, I smelled the faint scent of blood. I checked his pulse and almost sighed with relief when I realized he was still alive. Unconscious, but alive.

However, it was clear that he was injured. His breathing sounded labored and shallow. A part of me wanted to check on Harvey, but I knew that this was neither the time nor the place. We needed to get out of here first. Instead, I included him in the bracelet's invisibility and waited for Dagger to exit the shack. However, just as she made it out, I noticed movement in the distance.

I saw a faint light heading in our direction. It looked like a carriage. Dagger and I shared a look, before heading towards the others. We moved as fast as we could while still remaining silent. I hefted Harvey over my shoulder, giving him a mental apology as I did so.

We made it halfway back to the others, when the carriage drew close enough to see in detail. I risked a glance and bit back a curse when I realized that the carriage belonged to House Montgomery.

So, it appeared that they valued Harvey more than I realized. To the point that they were willing to antagonize house Sturm. Unless…What if someone wanted us to think it was House Montgomery? Now that was an interesting possibility.

I alternated between keeping an eye on the carriage and heading back toward Kaylee and Leroy. The carriage stopped in front of the shack and three people climbed out. A man dressed similar to the other martial artists, a stern looking woman wearing a gray cloak, and a man dressed like a House scion. The first man and the cloaked woman were Third Ranked Awakened, while the House scion was a Fourth Ranked.

"He's in there, Lord Loren," the martial artist said, speaking in a fawning manner.

Lord Loren? I didn't know any scion of House Montgomery with that name, at least within the main family. Maybe he belonged to a collateral family, or perhaps he wasn't even a scion of House Montgomery.

Lore Loren took a step towards the shack, but then stopped in place. A sense of foreboding filled me when he looked around.

"Wait a moment," Lord Loren said. "I think there are rats scurrying about."

A chill ran down my spine. Moments later, Lord Loren looked towards me and Dagger.

"Found you," he said.

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