Chapter 110: A Quiet Town, Loud Secrets


    Abel descended the staircase from his room, feeling a quiet satisfaction with how smoothly things were running. It had only been a day since the villa staff started, and already, the household was well-coordinated and lively. Two maids were tending to the villa’s many flowers, moving quietly as they watered and pruned. Their shifts were brief, only three hours each morning, but they kept the gardens flourishing, enhancing the calming atmosphere Abel had come to appreciate.


    As he reached the ground floor, Abel was met by his housekeeper, a dignified older man who greeted him with a slight bow. “Good morning, sir. Breakfast is prepared—a local favorite from Reinhart,” he announced, guiding Abel to the dining area.


    The head chef stood by the table, a respectful yet confident smile on his face as he explained the dish: a savory stew with a mix of regional herbs, served alongside freshly baked bread and a selection of preserves. “I hope it meets your expectations, sir,” the chef said before excusing himself, leaving Abel to his meal.


    The flavors were rich and satisfying, a grounding start to the day. Between bites, Abel turned to the housekeeper. “Has anyone delivered messages this morning?”


    “No, sir, none yet,” the housekeeper replied. “Though, I imagine most people are giving you time to settle in.”


    Abel nodded thoughtfully, understanding what this meant. Despite the initial wave of interest from the town’s nobles, their curiosity had seemed to wane. Likely, they’d deemed him a curiosity but nothing too consequential—a foreigner, perhaps in possession of a few magical trinkets, but hardly a force to be reckoned with. He preferred it that way; as long as they overlooked him, he could move about unnoticed.


    The housekeeper interrupted his thoughts. “I’ve also placed the orders for your basement equipment. They should arrive within the next few days.”


    “Excellent,” Abel replied, a slight smile breaking his usual calm. The basement was his next project, an ideal space for his private studies and experiments. He finished his breakfast, thanked the housekeeper, and stepped outside.


    His personal guard, a quiet but steadfast man stationed by the entrance, nodded in acknowledgment as Abel approached the carriage. Inside, he found Jet waiting with an expectant smile.


    “I thought I’d tag along,” Jet greeted him with a nod. “Since you’ll be going to the law enforcement office, might as well make sure you know the ins and outs.”


    They set off, the carriage rumbling along the cobbled streets of Reinhart. As they traveled, Abel gazed out at the passing buildings, people bustling through their morning routines. Jet leaned forward, his tone growing serious. “So, we’ve had a bit of trouble lately. Some say it’s just bad luck; others think it’s something worse. You might have heard whispers of people disappearing.”


    Abel raised an eyebrow. “Really? What’s the speculation?”This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Jet gave a slight shrug, glancing around before lowering his voice. “I’m not sure anyone knows yet. Burt’s been stretched thin dealing with it all, and with your arrival, he has even more pressure. I wouldn’t say he’s thrilled about it, but the mayor can be... persuasive.” He chuckled, though there was a note of sincerity in his gaze.


    “I understand,” Abel replied, his mind already turning. He could tell Jet’s insight into the town ran deep, and he appreciated that Jet was willing to share what he knew. Abel felt the weight of his own plans simmering below the surface, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves. But for now, he would play along, gather information, and let the town''s routine reveal its secrets.


    Upon arriving at the law enforcement office, Abel was led through the familiar hallways to Burt’s office. Burt sat behind his desk, his usual intense gaze softened just slightly by Abel’s presence. He gestured for Abel to sit down, his tone brisk yet polite.


    “So, how’s the new villa treating you?” Burt asked, clearly more focused on other matters.


    “It’s... better than I expected,” Abel replied with a slight nod.


    “Good,” Burt said, leaning back. “Now, listen closely. I’m letting you in on this because the mayor insists, but don’t get in my way.” He met Abel’s gaze firmly. “We’re dealing with a man we’ve been watching for weeks now—a beggar, supposedly, but he’s got his hands in some very suspicious dealings. There’s a house just outside of town that we believe is connected to him, and it’s likely used for... less than legal activities.”


    Burt’s eyes narrowed slightly as he continued. “I don’t need you complicating things. Just follow along, and if things get tense, leave the handling to us.”


    Abel nodded, fighting back a faint smirk. He could sense Burt’s tension, the subtle notes of frustration laced with the confidence of someone who believed he knew the true scope of their mission. Still, Abel could also tell that Burt was no stranger to the mystical world; the faint pulse of magic from Burt hinted at an artifact, one that perhaps explained his bold approach to law enforcement in Reinhart.


    “Understood,” Abel replied evenly. “I’m here to help, not interfere.”


    Satisfied, Burt nodded and handed him a folded parchment. “Good. The full details of the mission will be sent to you later. We move in a week. This individual’s visit to his house seems sporadic and we want to time it properly..”


    With that, the meeting was over, and Abel made his way back to the carriage. As they left the law enforcement office, he requested the driver to take him to the bar he had visited before near, feeling the allure of the bustling space once again. Once there, Abel took a seat in the same corner, greeting the bartender with a nod.


    The bartender leaned forward with a friendly smile. “Back so soon, eh? Must be getting used to the town.”


    “Could say that,” Abel replied, his tone light but his senses attuned to the bar’s patrons. He chatted with the bartender, but his attention was on the conversations around him, his exceptional hearing picking up snippets here and there.


    It wasn’t long before a conversation caught his attention. Across the room, a woman leaned close to a man, her voice low but clear. “I have the zealot’s blue eyes. Julius. Meet me to the south after the flower field in three hours.” She gave the man a sly smile as only her mouth was revealed under her low-hanging hood, before standing, brushing her cloak behind her as she exited the bar full of mystery.


    Abel’s eyes narrowed as he observed the man left behind. He was wearing a cloak similar to the woman, however, his handsome face was exposed, revealing bright green eyes and vibrant blonde hair. The man glanced around before continuing to sip his drink, a look of quiet anticipation in his eyes. Abel’s curiosity was piqued, a flicker of interest sparking within him.