115 3.27 When fools gather

Note: Not from Nara's POV

Four days ago.

"This city looks lively as ever," one of the thirteen men wearing black hooded cloak said.

The only recognizable difference in their attire was the number of club symbols — which looked like a clover leaf — drawn on the back of their cloaks. The man who just spoke had only one club symbol drawn in the back of his cloak.

"Yes, but something feels lacking don't you think?" Another man dressed in clown-like clothes said.

"Indeed. They lack fear. Fear of species that are superior to them. They think they are secured just by grouping inside these walls. They need to realize how naive their thoughts are."

The man dressed in a clown costume clapped his hand. "Well said Cassius, well said"—his eyes widened—"Now, let's give them what they deserve."

It was evening and a cold wind was blowing from the north. All fourteen of them were standing in front of the city gate behind the carts seeking entrance.

The checking at the entrance was tighter than normal during the fall, and there was no way they would allow anyone suspicious in without the identification documents.

"Are you sure the boy you told us about can get us through?"

"Absolutely. You see, he is a very ambitious fellow and an even greater fool than me."

As they were talking, a young blonde man, who appeared to be in his late teens, came walking towards them. The way he was looking around and staying vigilant was the giveaway that he wasn't here for a noble reason.

"Lord Goro, it's an honor to finally meet you, your grace," the man dressed in a clown costume said with a slight bow while putting his right hand over his chest.

"Save the flattery for later. Before that, are you sure your plan is going to work?"

"Your highness, this is just my humble opinion of you. And as far as I know, this plan of mine will perfectly help us in reaching our common goal. You will get the crown while we will be able to find the person we are looking for."

Goro looked towards the entrance. There was still some time before the guards changed, but with every passing moment, he was getting impatient.

The guards at the entrance right now were new guards appointed by the knight's headquarter. Unlike the old guards who were loyal to nobility, they were more loyal to the knight's headquarter.

This was one of the changes done by duke to reduce the nobility's influence over the city resources. There were several other changes that he did over the years with that goal in mind. Those included making a knight station at every growing village and creating a network of knights in every major town and city in the province.

"Wait till the guards change. I have arranged your stay at the residential district, but you need to be careful not to rampage too much."

There was a moment of silence as they waited for the guards to change. After the guards changed Goro hastily walked towards the entrance.

"Wait here… And don't speak until you reach the residential district."

After saying that, Goro walked to the entrance and talked to one of the guards. After that conversation with the guard, he signaled the men to get inside.

None of the guards at the gate stopped them as they entered, and after all of them entered, Goro followed them.

Even though the streets were less crowded, there were a lot of people who would recognize Goro at a sight. So, instead of going through the main street, they walked through the alley that was a little further from the entrance.

The alley was full of barely sane drunk men. This part of the city had one of the biggest necessities of almost every civilized city since ancient times: a brothel.

When the ladies saw them walking in the city, instead of approaching them, they went inside. The vibe around them was just that mysterious. Only a fool would approach an unknown group of men wearing a hooded cloak with a strange pattern.

After they passed through the alley, they reached the main street of the residential district. This part of the city barely had anyone walking outside. Goro stopped in front of an old house that had long grass growing in the front garden.

"This is where you can stay until your task here is done... With this I completed my end of the deal, now it's your turn."

"Of course, master. Our ritual will be completed in four days. Please gather the nobles on your end and tell them to be prepared."

"You don't need to worry about that. All you need to worry about is taking my elder brother and father out of my way, kill them if you need to."

"Please don't worry about it. We know what we are doing, and we won't disappoint you."

"You better not."

After saying that, Goro walked a little further where a carriage was ready to pick him up. 

Even though the Duke disowned him, nobody could deny the fact that he was still his blood. And if the duke his other sons were out of the picture, the crown would obviously fall on him.

Due to this fact, there were still many nobles who were looking for an opportunity to bring the Duke down and put this puppet on the throne.

After Goro left, the hooded men and the Joker walked inside the house.

It was an old house that was barely livable without renovations. Though this wasn't an issue for the creatures of night. For them, this house was just perfect.

"What a fool. Though I am a fool myself to expect a decent intelligence from a fool," Cassius said as they entered.

"Yes, though ambitious fools tend to be very useful," Joker replied.

"Do you think the boy we are looking for will show up here?"

"Of course. I know those hero type fools; they will show up wherever there is trouble."

: Rescuing the civilians