Inside of a dark room, two figures sat, only their silhouettes formed. One sat in a clearly dominant pose, giving off an aura of respect and fear, while the other was slightly docile, shoulders slumped and head bowed.

"Tonight, something enters the city," the leader said. "I hope you know what it is?"

"Yes, my lord. Everything has been set. The preparations are in place, and the material will be entering through the Crimson Auction House."

"That means everything is going as planned," he replied.

"Indeed. It was impossible for us to get it into a main city like Ravenhold without using some sort of cover-up method, so we met with one of our great merchants, one who buys from all kingdoms. He is one of the best suppliers of the Crimson Auction House, and he was able to have the material placed into one of his sword artifacts," the man said.

"I see. Then you must go there today, during the auction, and ensure that you purchase that sword. That sword will allow us to have a footing in this city and allow us to continue the plan. The queen has taken note of everything that is happening, and that isn't good, because it will slow us down if she begins to put effort against us. So we must take down a major city like Ravenhold. If only we had more opportunities and access, more major cities would have followed. But I guess this is good enough."

He moved his hand as the little streaks of light in the room glimmered over it while he caressed his chin.

"There will be some big shots in the auction today, so the product has to be one of the last. By then, everyone would have spent the majority of their money, and your funds would be enough," the man said.

"But my lord… why not just give me more than enough, so that I can ensure we get it?"

"Do not ask for more," the leader said sharply. "You were the one who laid out the plan to use the auction house. You allocated every resource needed to get the material. You will use what you were given, within the scope of your abilities, and you will get it. It is not up for discussion. You must show that you are worth the time and attention you are given. You must show that you are reliable and can use what has been placed in your hands. Do not allow the night to end without the material in your possession. You must ensure you do, at any cost."

The man's head lowered further.

"I understand, my lord. I will ensure I do everything as I am meant to."

"Good."

The leader stood up. He walked over to the window and pushed it open, allowing the moonlight to pour in. It shined on his silhouette, his long hair dancing in the breeze. His face was still unseen, but his eyes glowed through the darkness.

"You must understand… what we are doing here is an important aspect of the plans that have been constructed for so long. If you fail, you will lose your life. And your family, as well as everything you own and love, will go along with you."

The man looked up sharply. "I understand, my lord. Please… do not harm my family."

"That is up to you. Completely up to you," the man replied. "You came to us for connections, for power, for a foothold in the kingdom of Vermilion. We did everything possible to get you there. Now you must repay appropriately… or pay it back in a different way."

He waved his hand dismissively.

"You should be going. You don't want to stay too long and make your plan fail."

The second man stood quickly and walked to the door. He opened it, letting a streak of corridor light spill inside, then shut it behind him as he left.

He stepped into the street, an average-height man with a round belly, beady eyes, and a bald head. Despite his appearance, he wore noble regalia. A carriage waited for him outside with several guards at its side. He boarded without hesitation, and the carriage rode off toward the Crimson Auction House.

From the window above, the man from the dark room watched him leave, moonlight glinting in his glowing eyes as the carriage disappeared into the night.

The trip was short. The carriage cut through the streets quickly, and moments later the noble arrived at the Auction House. His guards followed closely behind as he strode forward. He flashed his VIP card at the entrance guards, earning immediate passage into the upper floors.

A hostess stepped forward the moment he reached the balcony leading to the VIP rooms.

"My lord, right this way, there is a room available—"

"No." He barked, his voice booming through the hall. "I'll take the room I always go to."

He jabbed a finger toward a particular door.

The hostess swallowed hard.

"I-I'm sorry, my lord, but there are already very important guests inside that room. We can arrange—"

"Are you trying to tell me," he thundered, stepping closer, "that someone is more important than me?"

His voice cracked with outrage.

The lady bowed her head slightly. She could not shout back at a noble… but she also could not disobey her superior. Lady Terra had specifically ordered that room to be given to the pair who had arrived earlier.

She gathered her courage and whispered, "My lord, it was Lady Terra who instructed me to—"

SLAP!

Her head snapped to the side. The sound echoed across the hallway.

"Don't tell me rubbish!" he yelled. "I always use that room! Lady Terra knows it! If someone is inside, that means you put them there without permission! I'll have you thrown out of this establishment!"

She held her burning cheek, fighting back tears.

The noble marched past her and slammed his fist repeatedly into the door.

He was a man who couldn't raise his head to the person he answered to in that secret room… But outside, where people trembled before his status, his arrogance roared like a beast.

He banged on the door again—

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The door finally opened.

Standing there was a young boy he had never seen before.

Raze smiled at him, calm and unbothered.

"Do you have a problem?" he asked.

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