Trial XII

The next day, Leon could be seen frowning as he fed little Millie. "She's late," he mumbled to himself. Lana was supposed to be here last night, but now it's already morning, and there's no sign of her.

"What happened?" he muttered to himself as he patted the black wolf on the table. "Go and search City Lord's mansion for a girl named Luna," he said quietly to Roselia. She nodded and then, after jumping from the table, disintegrated into the air. Soon, she appeared in the streets of the slum.

"He lives in such a filthy place," Roselia thought as she looked around, her nose wrinkling at the stench of the dirty smell assaulting her senses.

"I should just kill the City Lord and take over the mansion," she thought with a sly smile, soon arriving at the mansion's wall. "Primitive defenses," she muttered under her breath, as she scaled the wall with ease.

"Division, huh? They're practically inviting enemies to kill them," Roselia shook her head as she kept moving.

Roselia frowned at the way Brain had divided the city into segments for the rich, poor, and nobles. "He's created a wedge between citizens himself."

"Now the enemy only needs to come and conquer them," she shook her head as she reached the outer area, where the rich who aren't nobles live.

The outer area of Blue Wind City, known for housing the wealthy citizens who aren't of noble status, stands as a sharp contrast to the slum-like outskirts of the city.

This district is filled with lavishly built homes, though not as grand as the estates of the nobles. The streets are wide and paved with cobblestones, lined with manicured trees, gardens, and ornate lamps that give the area a more polished, affluent feel. Despite its luxury, the outer area lacks the elegance and prestige of the inner noble districts. Large houses with intricate stonework, wrought iron gates, and sprawling gardens are common, though the architecture is more practical than opulent.

Though wealthier than the slum dwellers, the people here live in an uneasy state, aware that they are close to the poorer sections, yet unable to enter the noble circles. The area is calm and quiet, but there's a lingering sense of tension, as these citizens strive to maintain their status and protect their wealth. The outer walls separating the noble district from this part are imposing, reminding the inhabitants that they are still second-tier in the city's hierarchy.

From this outer area, the slum district is visible in the distance, a harsh reminder of the stark social divide within Blue Wind City.

Roselia glanced around the outer district for a moment, taking in the sight of the elegant homes and well-kept streets. However, the display of wealth held no interest for her. With a flick of her cloak, she dismissed the scene entirely and set her sights on the inner part of the city, where the nobles resided.

As she moved toward the inner walls, the atmosphere shifted noticeably. The streets became narrower, and the security heightened. Tall, ornate gates separated this district from the outer area, with guards stationed at various points. Beyond the gates, the noble estates loomed—grand structures adorned with intricate carvings, towering spires, and lush gardens that extended for acres. The air itself seemed different here, filled with a sense of superiority and arrogance that clung to the noble district.

Roselia's eyes narrowed as she approached, undeterred by the increasing barriers. The wealth and power concentrated in this part of the city didn't intimidate her—it only caused her disdain to rise even more.

Next, Roselia reached the central part of the city—her true goal. However, this area proved more difficult to infiltrate, as it was protected by a dome of energy. Only one entry point was accessible from the outside, and it was heavily guarded.

Roselia scanned her surroundings, analyzing every detail. She tried to find a weakness or a hidden path, but even with her keen senses, nothing stood out. Frustrated but determined, she turned her attention to the guards. Observing them from the shadows, she quickly memorized their patrol patterns and shifts. Once she was confident of their routine, she waited for the right moment.

Approaching one of the gates during a quieter time, Roselia knocked out a lone guard with a swift, silent blow. Disguising herself in the guard's uniform, she seamlessly blended in with the others, slipping past the outer defenses unnoticed. Now within the central part of Blue Wind City, her target lay just ahead—the City Lord's mansion, towering ominously in the distance.

Roselia, now disguised as a guard, patiently waited for her turn to enter the energy dome. As she stepped through, a subtle shift in the air confirmed her suspicion—her demonic eyes detected the faint curse radiating from the dome. "It's inside the mansion," she thought to herself, her gaze narrowing with resolve.

Maintaining her cover, she carried on with the usual rounds, her sharp ears attuned to any useful discussions. As she moved through the mansion, she couldn't help but notice the fearful stares of the maids. From their demeanor, she caught a whiff of something—faint but unmistakable—the scent of men who had been with them recently. "It seems City Lord Brian is more of a bastard than I thought. If that Luna is important to Leon, she might be in danger. I can't let that happen."

"Leon's woman... no one else should touch her," Roselia thought with cold determination.

She quickly during her patrol found another good target, a target that could get her inside the mansion without any suspicion.

Spying a maid with a lifeless expression nearby, Roselia made her move. She approached silently, knocking the maid out with a swift strike. After hiding the unconscious body in a secluded corner, Roselia used her shape-shifting abilities to assume the maid's appearance. With her disguise in place, she confidently entered deeper into the mansion, ready to infiltrate and uncover the truth about Luna's whereabouts.