Dove Alley is a bar that was intended for everybody, but the main intention of the owner has now not fully realized, because of the mercenaries, hunters, and adventurers gathering in this place, but most of the time, mercenaries occupied this place, especially in night-time.

When the sun would finally break out, the place would be filled with drunkards, though he managed to gather some formal customer, but they would only come during the daylight and add to it, it would be tough for him to handle them if they mixed up, other customers from, specifically in three mercenary branches are troublesome, unlike to the adventurers who rarely set their foot to the other people.

Henry did not expect the incoming guests, there were three of them, clad in a white coat with an earthly face. The youth came closer to Henry.

“Hey, mind if you cook us a steak?” He asked.

“Sure, as long as you have money to pay for it, then no problem.” Henry straightly replied.

A man intercepted, he wore eyeglasses, and his gloomy jaded eyes fixed on the young man.

“Forget it, we’re leaving.”

“Ugh, but we just came here. Come on, don’t be such a killjoy. We’ve been working nonstop these days.” The youth protested.

“I thought the reason why we came here is because of your intel-, Nah, we’ll just go, do whatever you want.” She and the man were completely alike. With her strict look, she dismisses him. The two of them think the same way, but the youth insisted.

He scratched his messy brown hair. “Dude, you know what? Just shut up and eat something healthy, kay?” He stood up and pushed the two of them, sitting on the woolen chair. Henry already got the gist of the youth and then he gave each one of them a list menu.

Their eyes are heavy as if they haven’t slept for a couple of days. The man that seemed to be the leader of the gang signs, forfeiting against the energetic youth. His eyes fixated on the wooden floor, thinking deeply of something.

The woman sitting beside him notices the contemplation, in which she had disturbed him of his daydreaming. He gazed up, expelling the air that made him feel heavier than he would normally be.

The thing that Henry noticed and bugs him is the unusual clothing. He first thought that they’re a member of the organization but think that maybe they’re just a band or a normal teen that tries that outfit maybe currently is a trend. Henry didn’t move for a moment and calmly nodded, confirming that they are just customers.

“So, the two of you are already picked your delight?” Henry asked.

The strict-looking lady pressed the tip of her finger at the menu as though she’s selecting a dish. He notices just now, the conditioned tied red hair, the glamour, and the radiant skin, along with her red lips attract the attention of the other customers.

He cautiously glanced at the corner of the pub, drunken men, there were five of them gazing at the woman, they didn’t even bother to hide their lustful glances.

Finally, deciding what to eat, she raised her hand and gently pressed her tip to it.

“I want this and this.”

“Fried Salmon and Cabbage Ham? You seem to be delicate when choosing what to eat, miss.” Henry seemed to be amused by her choice.

“Well, I have to maintain a balanced meal.” She nodded and showed a wry smile.

Henry gazed at the man, waiting also for his orders, and didn’t take long.

“Also steak and a cup of coffee.” He demanded and lowered his arms resting, putting down the menu.

“Coming right up.” Henry proceeded at the back and listed down the order and gave it to the chiefs in their quarter.

“We shouldn’t be here.” The eyeglass man said.

“Relax, chill, and enjoy the food.” He replied.

The youth yawn in stress as his stomachs growl in hunger. They waited patiently and not too long until Henry came back holding a tray and placed the plates one by one to them. He rested it on the counter as he counted the amounts of money, they had earned this evening.

“Hey, not bad.” The youth used the fork and the small knife to slice a portion of steak then taste it. He could feel the tenderness and the juiciness that slurped down to his throat.

His comrades silently ate their food. Henry darted his eyes back to the men and saw them staring towards the lady. They stand and walk towards them.

Henry murmured, “This could be trouble.”

The eyeglass man caught up with the phrase he muttered and could feel the presence approaching towards them. They were about to get closer but a seven feet tall man holding a butcher knife stand in front of them, threatening them with his glance, “You already gave us trouble last time, we were quiet on what you did, so if y’all insist to do it again, then you’ll facing all of us.” The kitchen staff throws a furious glance at them.

“Tsk. Fine.” The five of them have no choice but to retreat.

He was observing the situation and got closer to him, thanking “You saved us from trouble, thanks.”

“It was nothing, besides those men are being a pain in the ass for these past few days. I guess it’s time for them to learn their lesson.”

He gave a smile to him and proceeded back to the kitchen.

He scoffed dismissively as he lay down and drank his coffee, “Here.” He pulled the cash out of his pocket and handed it over to Henry.

“Hmph, we should go now.” Said Lance. Pulled over his trench coat before walking out.

The woman nodded and pinched the young lad, pulling him over, “Ow, ow. Hey, I haven’t finished eating yet!” He yelled.

“Forget it. We need to get out of here.”

“Oh, man.” He frowned.

Ɵ

As soon as their presence resurfaced from the underneath alleyway, he took a deep breath. The moon lightens up the environment like a strip film came crossing its way, the light of the buildings and the bustling crowds’ noises weeping off the loud clamors of vehicles as they follow up a path away from the metropolitan.

“Dude, I haven’t finished eating yet.” Gary cried out of discontentment.

“Forget it, Gary. We don’t want to get any attention especially to the criminals crawling here.” He snorted as his plain white hair gently sways in the air.

“Whatever.” Gary hissed.

They stop at the pedestrian lane, waiting for a stop signal light.

“We came here to investigate, not to go sightseeing.” She coldly interjected.

“Yeah, I get it. But we need to rest, I mean look at our eye bags.” Gary emphasized. He tried to put on a smile, but it won’t his tiresome, saggy skin would pull it back to his tired expression.

She looked at Gary’s face as if he were about to have a mental breakdown. She sighed, “I understand why you’re worried but it’s our job to keep an eye on Kayon City.”

It had been two months since they had been assigned to this city. Their director ordered them to investigate the unusual crime escalating for the past year. They’ve been working non-stop to unveil further cases like the missing persons, rumors about bioweapons, smuggling, etc.

“So much for the past months we spent investigating, but still ended up with nothing. Even the riot that happened last week didn’t give us any clues.” He murmured, sulking while crossing the street.

“Not for long.” He gazed at him, wondering what was inside his mind. He had noticed that they’re taking an unknown route, well for him. The two of them silently follow him. A few meters away, graffiti odor lingers in the air, the words that were written on it are more like an eyesore with words of profanity about the treaty of the other nations.

“You remember what happened to the Elfin Region?” Lance had questioned Gary as he began to walk steadily, he limited his breathing as he could taste the strong smell of odor coming from the spray can that the delinquent used.

“Oh yeah, a tension between their nation has arisen, if I remember correctly it was because of the commotion about the boundaries when they found out minerals lurking at the Alfahon mountain. Am I right?”

“Not exactly, that was two weeks ago. There’s a new issue rising.” Ina intercepted.

“You do know about Ylfon kingdom king Jven Teralhan?” Lance asked.

“Yes,” Gary replied.

“With the loss of their king, it has shaken the alliance, that means a civil war is probable, much worse than that is the other nations will see it as an opportunity to declare war.”

“But that’s impossible! Together with The Ylfon Kingdom, the six nations have formed a treaty to stop an unnecessary war.”

“You didn’t hear about what happened to their King?”

“Huh? What about him?” He grunted indifferently; his face looked perplexed, unable to grasp.

Lance's eyes darkened for a moment, “He died three days after the hearing between the nations. Neither of them can be trusted, thus, trust is stained by suspicion.”

“Now that’s alarming, he has no son to rule the Kingdom, he has only two daughters. I doubt that balance will remain unshaken for the next months.”

“You may think of that, but his first daughter is rather a competent one, unlike her sister.”

“Are you saying they allowed a woman to rule a kingdom?”

“What’s wrong with a woman who’s ruling a kingdom?” Ina said, her spirited voice grows serious.

Lance and Gary exchanged glances. Gary could feel the intensity radiating from Ina’s presence.

“Well, I guess it’s new for me to see one. Most of the time the woman I knew is a little bit emotional and cannot be relied on.”

Ina’s brows met, “Are you saying I’m emotional and unreliable?”

“Did I mention your name? I said most. Are you sure you’re one of them?”

“Well, I never saw you with another woman other than me before, so…”

“I don’t know if I should be glad or be insulted, but fine.”

Gary could hear the low tone of Ina’s chuckle as it was weeping off along the breeze.

“You can guess, but the point is that it is not necessary for a ruler to have a partner or not, you are your own man or a woman, you can be competent if you have wits to withstand the odds, so I think it is not questionable her credibility. Other than that, she has the council to consult.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Since the two of you are done arguing, I thought you might want to know, our fellow agents are on the move, and here what is interesting.” He shot them with a serious look, “This is supposed to be confidential, so don’t tell anyone.”

“Cross my heart,” Gary promised.

“Reports from our fellow agents said they saw soldiers meeting secretly at Thebasas canyon wearing the banner of each respective kingdom, Indine Nation and Hayan Empire.”

“That’s impossible, they will never ally with that Country, not after what they did thirty years ago. I am sure the Ark Renevaes and the other kingdoms will not just be at standby if they know those sly foxes are plotting something.”

“That is a question that has not yet been answered.”

Gary’s eyes altered, noticed by the punks that were doing it. They entered a dark alley, passing through countless paths as though they’re heading, leading the two of them to an unknown part of the city. Gary showed a perplexed expression, disturbed, then he asked, “Where are we supposed to be going?”

“Meeting Ground of the scums.” Lance blandly said.

“Meeting Ground? Care to elaborate?” Ina inquired, she turned to see Lance well known untethered composure.

“What’re we supposed to do there and what do you mean Meeting ground?”

“We’re going to pretend as mercenaries.”

“Mercenaries?!” Gary snapped.

“What the hell?” said Ina.

Gary breathes heavily, as he tries to calm down his racing heartbeat.

“I know this is a little bit crazy, but we have no choice.” He said calmly.

“Anyway, how the hell did you find out about this place?”

“I put a tracer at one of the thugs we met earlier?”

“Them? How did you know that they’re involved in this?”

“A hunch.”