[Chapter 35 part 3] Rose – Argent Tobaskus

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Okkkay, what do I do now? The weighty monologue screamed for a respond, yet she was at a loss.

“I received an unofficial report of Roy Siegfried interfering in a conflict between ninjas and assassins. Kate Morgana was accompanying said ninjas…”

He’s competent, Rose realized. This was good and bad. Now is the bad.

“Which means you know why assassins are running around amok. Furthermore, given the timing, I can only assume it’s our little werewolf outbreak that prompted your visit… So, once again, where do you fit in? This relationship won’t work smoothly if you keep me in the dark.”

‘Keep me in the dark’… Rose smirked at the words, having made up her mind. “First, I must confirm. If I share confidential information, will you keep it private?”

Argent inclined his head, “As long as doing so doesn’t endanger the Isle, I can.”

“Alright,” Rose took a deep breath. “Then can I provide some answers you’re looking for, but this has to be a two way street. I’m hoping for assistance in investigating the disturbances of Isle.”

“Assuming what you say is of value, I can arrange that.“ Argent affirmed.

Let’s start with the big one. “Kain’s right arm is on the Isle, in possession of the Laughing Man.” Rose prayed the gamble didn’t backfire.

Argent leaned forward and crossed his fingers, “And the source of this is?”

“Gareth Black. He believes it’s a sign of desperation. That something on the Isle threatens the Northern Emperor’s rule.”

Argent slowly digested the revelation, “How do the assassins fit in?”

“The Northern Emperor is behind them too.” Rose described their first encounter, omitting only their target. Next, she described how their attempt to track them had lead to the confrontation in the Undercity. I’ll provide as much as I can afford to. It was too late to back out.

“Why is all this happening now?” Argent pressed.

This might be awkward. “We had a chance encounter with the Laughing Man the day before the Tartarus break in. It set everything in motion.” Rose admitted nervously.

“And the background of your group?”

“That’s the one area where I can’t go into detail. If you puzzle out the truth, please keep it to yourself.” Rose said. He likely already has more than enough to piece it together. Maybe she hadn’t thought this through.

Argent ruminated, “If I understand all this right, it’s your presence which has lead to a weapon of mass destruction threatening the Isle… Perhaps your departure would reverse the situation?”

Rose didn’t like where this was going. “No, the terrorist incidents happened before our arrival and the Laughing Man wouldn’t just return the arm…”

“But perhaps the Northern Emperor could free him from his obligation to use it here.” Argent countered.

Obligation…? “What?”

“The Laughing Man is known to keep his bargains. The Northern Emperor would only turn over the arm if he’d some guarantees as to its usage.”

That… makes sense. Perhaps their departure would prevent an outbreak. Then… Oh, no.

“Calm yourself,” Argent smiled softly at her panic. “I’m not planning on betraying you.”

“Really?” Rose clung to these words.

“Arther Bard was a close friend. For those of us who knew him personally, he was an inseparable part of the Isle.” Argent glanced over at the pictures on the wall. “The notion of aligning myself with his killers is inconceivable. They’ll forever be my, and the Isle’s, enemies.”

Argent suddenly stood up, startling Rose, “You said you’re keen to investigate the disturbances?”

“Yes?” Rose answered off-balance.

“Then let's continue this while taking a little trip.”

Walking behind Argent, Rose realized how tensed she’d been. I jeopardized our safety out of my desperation for information. She’d already experienced years of forced passivity. Instead of waiting for their enemy to strike, she wanted to flip the tables on them. Argent had presented the means to do so. Thank god my bet panned out.

Exiting an elevator into a hangar, Argent lead them to a ISF airship which resembled Lily’s gondola without the tinted glass. “My personal craft.” he explained.

“Where’re we going?” Rose followed him on board.

“Many of my most pressing investigations are at an impass.” Argent maneuvered out, and they plunged into the Hollow. “My gut is telling me a fresh perspective could prove useful. Since we’ll be discussing the Isle’s incidents, doing so from a vantage point only makes sense. What do you wish to know first?” Argent brought them to a halt above the pillar’s base.

“About Arther’s death.” Rose chose.

“There’s not much to say.” Argent said wistfully. “He vanished into the Morning Mist.”

“The Morning Mist?”

Argent gestured towards the watery horizon, “Most nights, a thick layer of fog rolls off the Blue Abyss and covers the lower Isle. It quickly fades once the sun rises. Arther was last spotted in the Undercity’s haze.”

“You must have some theory about what happened?” Rose pursued expectantly.

“There are three places Arther could have disappeared to: Spiral City, the Blue Abyss, and the gap between the two. My guess is he was lured into that third one so fast no one caught a glimpse.”

Under them, Spiral City ended in a precipice next to the floating ocean. The area down there is called the Darklands. Its caves and passageways were endless, pitch black, and devoid of life. Undead wander there.

“You’re positive Arther wasn’t murdered on the Isle?”

Argent shook his head, “Battles between immortals are loud and flashy. Someone would’ve seen something, even in the fog.”

“What about the Underground Coliseum?” Rose asked. She was quite proud in this theory she’d dreamed up. If it was on the Isle, it happened there.

“That’d explain the lack of witnesses,” Argent admitted. “But the place is sealed off.”

“And if there was another entrance?” Rose explained excitedly. “Perhaps a hidden means to sneak fighters in. Given his relationship with Maximilian, the Norther Emperor would know of it, right?”

Argent scowled, “It sounds far-fetched yet more plausible than what we have. Unfortunately, I’m not sure this helps. The main entrance at Maximilian’s casino was blocked off in a manner that was never meant to be undone. It’d be easier to tunnel back in, which would be time consuming. The Isle’s bedrock is reinforced by the HEAVENLY DAO, and the Blood Arena is in half a mile deep…”

“How long would it take?” Rose asked apprehensively.

“Two or three months. Lily could reach it in a week if she went at it nonstop, but I don’t know if she can afford the distraction. Especially since this is conjecture.”

Rose doubted they had that type of time. We need to find that secret passage. “Could you show me Arther’s last know location?”

“Of course.”

The Undercity was an indistinct jumble with no clear floors. A disjointed maze… Occasionally, in the midst of the patchwork, Rose spotted orderly ‘striped’ portions similar to the upper Hollow. There was also a section where a long layer circled down like a screw. No wonder Wise’s foresight ran into trouble.

Argent stopped South of the waterworks three quarters of a mile below the pillar. “He was heading West on that rooftop.”

It’s not far from where we fought the werewolves. “The underground coliseum is on this side?”

“Yes, two and half miles down, in the middle of the Southern half.” Argent confirmed. “That reminds me, there’s passage connecting to Calin’s Keep, but I doubt anyone would be permitted to use it.”

Rose contemplated. If we discount the edges and the very bottom, that leaves nearly two square miles. It’ll be tricky to find.

“Why have you been letting the assassins run free this long?” Rose asked out of frustration.

“They’re difficult to spot and incredibly agile. Isle Security would need to hire a team of high level adventurers specialized for the task. Considering we don’t have evidence against them because no one has submitted a report,” Argent fixed Rose with a stare. “There’s nothing to justify the expense.” Touché.

“Still, Isle Security has familiars for surveying the city.” Rose glanced at a nearby white hawk. “Couldn’t you at least try to ferret out their base?”

Argent shook his head, “Tracking them requires human eyes. Summons only notice them when they’re a few feet away. Other magical means of detection are entirely useless.”

Perhaps my firebirds aren’t so stupid after all, Rose realized. I’ve been sending them on an impossible errand. She’d have to apologize.

“Then couldn’t you canvass the Undercity with more officers?” Rose persisted.

“Not an option. Both Lily and Sarah would oppose a redeployment.” Noting Rose’s disbelief, Argent elaborated. “Both the Regent and the Steward are ultimately answerable to the World Council, whose members are solely concern with the safety of their citizens. They care nothing about what transpires below the pillar.”

“You mean, in spite of everything, you haven’t increased patrols in the Undercity?” Rose was stunned.

“It’s the result of an unstable, fractured leadership.” Argent shrugged. “While the ISF did get a budget increase, it was earmarked for the upper Isle. The Steward’s office controls the budget, which means Sarah can cut off our funding if we engage in ‘unapproved’ activities.”

I understand why World Leaders might not trust a fourteen year old with the Isle’s finances, but, Lily, what were you thinking? Leaving that authority permanently vested with the Steward was madness.

(continued in part 4)