Night fell fast over Brunhild. Lanterns flickered across the streets, casting dancing shadows as Juichi and Sakura approached a weather-worn building at the edge of the eastern district. No sign hung above the door, but the dim crimson glow from inside was enough.
The Broken Halo Inn.
Sakura tugged her hood low. "Don't talk unless I signal. Eyes open."
Juichi nodded. "Got it."
Inside, the inn was thick with smoke and secrets. Dim lighting revealed scattered tables, cloaked figures hunched over drinks, and a bard strumming a haunting tune in the corner. A pair of sharp-eyed bouncers flanked the entrance.
They moved toward the bar, slipping into an empty booth near the back.
A waitress approached—dark lipstick and tattoos on her arms. "You're new. Names?"
"Alias," Sakura said. "We're here for the Crimson Room."
The waitress raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Private business, huh? You've got ten minutes. Don't make noise." She slid a key across the table. "Second floor. Left hall."
Once the woman left, Juichi whispered, "What's the Crimson Room?"
"Where contacts exchange intel without interruption," Sakura murmured. "People pay big coins to stay anonymous."
They climbed the stairs quietly. The hallway was narrow, lined with old portraits whose eyes seemed to follow them. Sakura unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The room was small—a round table, two chairs, and soundproofed walls. Juichi sat while Sakura stayed near the door, listening for footsteps.
"Now we wait," she said.
Minutes passed.
Then the door creaked open.
A man in a silver mask entered, his cloak trailing smoke. "You've got questions," he rasped. "I've got answers. But information isn't free."
Juichi leaned forward. "Name your price."
The man's eyes glinted. "Names. I want to know who's hunting the Duke's enemies. There's a third party moving in the shadows—killing without a trace. You two seem like you'd know."
Sakura's eyes narrowed. "That's not what we came for. We want info on the Duke's network."
The masked man hesitated, then dropped a folded parchment onto the table. "Everything I know. Smuggling routes. Code names. Meeting points."
Juichi reached for it—but the masked man stood suddenly.
"Use it fast," he said, voice grim. "Because you're already being followed."
He turned and vanished down the hallway, leaving only a faint trail of ash behind.
---
Back on the street, Juichi and Sakura walked briskly under cover of night.
"You believe him?" Juichi asked.
"Doesn't matter. We move now," Sakura replied. "If someone's trailing us, we can't afford to stay in one place."
Suddenly, Juichi stopped. He turned toward an alley.
Something—someone—was there.
"I know you're watching," he said aloud.
No response. Just the whisper of wind.
Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder. "Keep walking."
As they disappeared into the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes blinked open from the rooftop above.
Watching. Waiting.
To be continued…