Another Historical Event

One of the notable events in Hernisse's history is the marriage of Count Yannik to a commoner. Another significant event was the sudden death of Count Yannik.

Unsettling rumors circled the kingdom, suggesting that the countess was responsible for his untimely demise.

Having sensed foul play since the visit of Countess Augusta and Miss Natali to the tavern, Yohana made the decision to resign from her job before things took a turn for the worse.

As a key eyewitness to Countess Augusta's acquisition of the Angel Weed, despite being fully aware of its dire consequences, Yohana feared what the countess might do to ensure her silence.

However, she remained in Harnisse, hiding in the shadows, until she could ensure that her mission was completed before returning to Grossfeld.

Today marked the public funeral of Count Yannik, a solemn occasion that drew villagers from all around as a gesture of respect for the esteemed count and the countless acts of goodwill he had performed during his lifetime.

Blending in with the rest of the villagers, Yohana discreetly attended the funeral, driven by her desire to lay her eyes upon Count Yannik's lifeless body.

Amidst the somber atmosphere, she couldn't help but notice Countess Augusta, who stood draped in mourning attire, her golden hair providing a stark contrast against the darkness.

A man stood by her side, offering comfort by rubbing her arms as she delicately wiped away tears with her handkerchief.

As the whispers of the villagers permeated the air, Yohana caught fragments of their conversations:

"Isn't that Count Yannik's brother?"

"Will Mr. Isaak inherit the count's title?"

"But isn't he known for his explosive temper?"

"Have you heard about the alleged affair he had with the countess?"

The villagers shared their opinions and concerns in hushed tones, unwittingly keeping Yohana informed of the latest gossip and rumors surrounding the funeral.

After confirming Count Yannik's death, Yohana wasted no time. She swiftly gathered her belongings and discreetly left Harnisse behind.

Choosing to travel inconspicuously, she hailed a passing wagon instead of opting for a more conspicuous coach. In her line of work, caution was paramount, and she couldn't afford to take any unnecessary risks.

***

Grossfeld buzzed with its usual hustle and bustle, and Yohana found herself in high demand among those seeking her herbs and guidance.

After several weeks of settling back in the capital, Yohana could finally breathe freely. Her peaceful life had been restored, allowing her to enjoy leisurely days with ample free time.

Her main job as an assassin provided her with enough money to last for a long time, but she consciously maintained a humble lifestyle for a facade.

Sometimes she wondered about her employer, who had remained a mystery throughout her career in this field. If he could pay her such a substantial amount of money, she couldn't help but ponder how wealthy he must be.

Yohana had never met her employer, who was only known as The Shadow. The Shadow would deliver orders through various methods, including slipping a note behind a rock or sending someone to deliver the order directly.

While strolling around the park, several children ran about, giggling as they chased each other. The youngest of the bunch bumped into Yohana, and shortly after, another child latched onto her legs.

"Do you have any spares, ma'am?" the child asked.

As the older boy diverted Yohana's attention to himself, the youngest attempted to slip his hand into Yohana's purse.

"Aren't you little thieves?" Yohana said as she caught the youngest child by the collar.

"Let him go!" the older child demanded, attempting to pry Yohana's grasp from the youngest but failing.

The third boy, the largest among them, who was already quite far ahead, returned and questioned them in a commanding tone, "What are you doing?"

"It appears that your friends here were attempting to steal from me," Yohana replied.

"No, we're not!" the youngest child retorted.

"Didn't I tell you not to do that?!" the oldest scolded them. "That's not what we were paid for."

"But I couldn't help it. It's a habit," the youngest murmured, ceasing his struggle and instead playing with his fingers.

The oldest boy rummaged through his canvas bag and retrieved an expensive-looking jewelry box, holding it with both hands. It appeared to be quite heavy.

"A man paid us to deliver this to you," he explained, handing the box to Yohana. "I apologize for my brother's inappropriate behavior, but could you please release him now? He didn't steal anything from you, did he?"

Yohana was impressed by the oldest boy's composure. She released her grip on the boys and examined the box. It was medium-sized, larger than the average jewelry box.

As the box was locked, Yohana began to understand the situation. This must be her employer's new method of delivering orders.

The Shadow had compensated the children to deliver the locked box to her, fully aware that Yohana would be capable of unlocking it herself. She turned around and surveyed her surroundings, scanning for any signs of her suspicions being accurate.

If she was correct, The Shadow would be lurking nearby, keeping a watchful eye on the children to ensure they carried out their assigned tasks.

However, Yohana couldn't spot anyone suspicious in the vicinity.

She returned home and proceeded to pick the lock of the box, revealing a substantial amount of paper money and coins inside. Resting on top was a small piece of paper with her new target's name and location written on it.

[Target: Ramona]

[Location: Nanty Narking]

Yohana couldn't believe what she was seeing.

The large sum of money indicated that the target must be of significant importance. However, the information provided in the paper seemed contradictory.

Nanty Narking was a renowned brothel located in the red district of Grossfeld, known as one of the most famous establishments across the Reichwein Kingdom.

Taking a deep breath, Yohana scolded herself for being biased and questioning her employer's judgment. She reminded herself that her role was to eliminate the target, not to question the decisions made by The Shadow.

***

Located near the river was a dimly lit narrow alley that led to the renowned red district. During the day, this alley would go unnoticed by passersby, as the canopy of trees almost entirely concealed its entrance.

However, at night, the atmosphere transformed entirely. The path alongside the river became engulfed in darkness, while the alley itself became illuminated, leading to a vibrant and bustling area.

The sounds of raucous laughter and music were getting louder as Yohana entered the area. The smell of smoke, alcohol, and other dubious scents filled the air as she made her way through the crowded alleyways and streets.

She passed by a row of shops and brothels with flashy signs and provocative women standing outside, beckoning customers to come in.

"Evening, good sir, care to join me?"

"You'll have the finest experience with me."

"Darling, I can cure your loneliness. Shall we go inside?"

She kept walking, and as she turned a corner, she saw a door marked with a sign that read 'Nanty Narking' in bold, bright letters. Several women stood there, and a few sat on the street, showing their bosoms in the cold night.

Some of them stared at Yohana with lust, thinking that she sought unique pleasure. But others scorned her, cursing under their breath, as her beauty won over theirs.

She proceeded inside, paying no heed to the beckoning women.

The interior of the brothel was dimly lit with candles, with a smoky haze hanging in the air. Rowdy sailors and other unsavory characters filled the area. All kinds of prostitutes tried their luck, leeching on any man they could find.

The more beautiful ones demanded a higher price for their services. Yohana noticed that most of them were young, probably not even twenty years old, and they stood on a stage, displaying their assets.

The host introduced each girl one by one, highlighting their best features while the girl twirled around. However, Yohana didn't hear Ramona's name.

Turning away from the stage, she made her way to the creaky stairs that led to a corridor of rooms. Some of the doors were closed, while others were open.

Despite the lewd noises that almost entirely drowned out any other sound, Yohana managed to catch a faint conversation from a small gap at the end of the corridor. Dozens of women rested in that room, gossiping.

"Ramona again? What's her game with them gents that makes them go all soft?! Every bloke only chases her," one of the girls remarked.

"Yeah, right! The boxes of treats just keep coming her way. Who knows what they gave her? Flowers, jewels, diamonds! She even gets the grandest room there is, and never has to peddle herself like us," another one chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

The oldest one stopped them. "You better zip your mouth now, if you don't want to cross the madam. That girl is her darling."

From what she overheard, Yohana presumed that Ramona only provided services to high-status clients. She was probably given preferential treatment due to her beauty and profitability.

Yohana returned to the main area and approached an older woman, who appeared to be the madam of the brothel. "Pardon me, I am here on His Lordship's behalf, who is in need of a companion tonight."

She leaned in and added, "Might you direct me to the best this establishment has? We will reward handsomely, but mind you, His Lordship is of great importance, so confidentiality is of the utmost importance."

The madam smiled understandingly, closed her paper fan, and raised her hand to call for someone from the stage.

A young girl with pale skin caught her attention. The girl had a heart-shaped face with a small nose and full lips, and her large, expressive eyes met Yohana's gaze.