Chapter 11

Azure was a man who wasn't the strongest, fastest, or the smartest individual around. His life, for all intents and purposes, was shit, and when one of his mates mentioned that he worked for The Shadow Baron, Azure saw it as an easy way out. He begged his friend to let him work for the Baron as well, thinking that it couldn't possibly be that hard. However, he soon discovered that it was very actually incredibly hard. As the lowest in the hierarchy, he was essentially just an errand boy, always working tirelessly for little pay and no respect.

So when Azure went out with his new "mates" to collect a debt today, he expected it to be the usual routine where he would be assigned all the menial tasks while the others handled the more meaningful work. He resigned himself to using his own money to fulfill their requests. On this particular day, they instructed him to fetch some Steamfire Cigarettes. Obliging, he got some and returned, only to be met with a shocking sight. All of them were lying on the ground, beaten and defeated. Standing over them was a young woman with red hair wearing a guard uniform and a boy with blue hair. Fearing for his life, Azure concealed himself, realizing that if they were capable of overpowering his them, they could probably rip him in half.

But Azure saw that the boy was actually really injured, and he soon went unconscious. Azure thought to himself, *What the hell do I do now? Do I go back and tell someone else what happened so they can take action?* That seemed like the logical thing to do. After all, he was just an errand boy, and what else could he do? He observed as the man they were trying to collect debt from lifted the boy over his shoulder, while the woman, despite being smaller than his boss, managed to lift him up as well. It looked like she also used her radio to call the guard to help with the others.

*Maybe I should seize this opportunity and grab one of them before the guards arrive. If I bring them back to The Shadow Baron, I might finally be noticed and gain some recognition,* Azure thought to himself, feeling a surge of determination. *Yes, that's what I'll do.* Without wasting any time, he emerged from his hiding spot and swiftly lifted one of the women onto his shoulder. She seemed lighter compared to the others. With a sense of urgency, Azure made his way back to the hideout of The Shadow Baron. He knew its location because he had overheard his boss mentioning it before.

As Azure sprinted through the streets, he could hear the sirens of The Ironhelm Guard blaring in the distance. "Damn, they got here fast! Are they stationed nearby or something?" he muttered to himself. He increased his pace, determined to reach the hideout as quickly as possible.

He weaved through the crowded alleys and narrow streets, dodging pedestrians and obstacles along the way. His heart pounded in his chest as he focused on his goal reaching the hideout before anyone could catch up to him.

Some time later

Azure reached the hideout after about six minutes of running. The hideout blended in with the surrounding buildings, designed to be inconspicuous and unnoticed by casual observers. It appeared just like any other ordinary structure, with no distinguishing features or signs indicating its true nature. Azure knew that this was intentional, as it helped maintain secrecy and ensured that the hideout remained hidden from prying eyes.

Breathing heavily, Azure approached the entrance of the hideout. He felt a mix of exhaustion and uncertainty as he hadn't been to the hideout before. *I hope they let me in. I've never even been here before. I hope my boss wasn't just lying,* he thought to himself, his heart pounding in his chest as he headed towards the entrance.

There were two guards stationed at the entrance who looked liked ordinary individuals, blending seamlessly into the crowd with their unremarkable appearance. One man, one woman. Azure, with his distinct green hair, stood out in comparison. Feeling tired and anxious, he cautiously approached the guards, hoping that his identity would help him gain entry to the hideout.

"Hey, it's Azure," he called out, his voice tired and urgent. "Got someone with me who needs help. Can you let us in?" Azure hoped the guards would recognize him and understand the seriousness of the situation, allowing them entry into the hideout.

The female guard glanced at her male companion and asked in a casual tone, "Hey, you know anyone named Azure?" The man shook his head and replied, "Nah, doesn't ring a bell."

The man pointed directly at the person Azure was carrying and demanded, "Show us who's on your shoulder." Azure, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and nervousness, stammered, "O-okay, here." He turned around, carefully adjusting his grip to reveal the face of the woman he was carrying.

"Hey, isn't that Mary from Cagan's crew?" the woman guard exclaimed. "Yeah, it is! What the hell happened to her?" the man guard asked, his voice filled with surprise and concern.

"Can we head inside first? I'm really tired, and it seems like you guys don't know me. I'm also from Cagan's crew," Azure stated, his voice tinged with exhaustion. The two guards exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. "Fine," they said simultaneously, allowing Azure and the injured Mary to enter the hideout.

As they entered the hideout, the male guard spoke up. "Tell us everything that happened while we walk," he requested. Azure nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright," he replied, as he started to explain what happened.