Wish Upon a Sin

Arc 2 - Chapter 6

The mercenary stared at the two of them, tensed up in her seat, waiting for a response.

Subaru's mind was blank. Reinhard had said it wasn't common knowledge that the cult used unique daggers, but perhaps they had overestimated their obscurity.

"You would be right that this is not merely a dispute between rivals," Otto said, "but we cannot answer that question lightly. We have no proof that this manor houses any cultists."

"But?" Velia prodded.

"But we have reason to believe it does," Otto admitted. "While we apologise for attempting to deceive you, we need a competent infiltrator to scout the residence. If you desire, I can offer you compensation in exchange for a referral to another in your line of work. One who would be willing to work with us on this job."

"Hah!" She snorted, relaxing back into her chair, crossing her arms. "You came to me because I'm the best in the capital. You think anyone else will be able to match my skills?"

"Perhaps not. However, so long as they are enough to acquire the proof we need, we'll be satisfied."

"Proof, huh?" She gave Subaru an odd look. "I'm already aware that you're involved with whatever's going on in the Astrea manor. I would have thought it would be a simple matter to get the knights involved, if it's for the Witch Cult of all things."

"We could," Otto said. "And it's possible that if they did, they would be able to capture the cultists and their plans intact. However, history has shown that raids on cultist strongholds do not turn out well. It's unlikely that we'd gain anything substantive from it."

Velia met held his gaze for a moment, then sighed. "I can't really deny that. You don't get anything out of them by charging in blindly. That's where I come in then? You mentioned you wanted documents."

"If you agreed to help us, then yes. We want the locations of the other hideouts in the city."

"Other hideouts?" She narrowed her eyes. "The fact that there's just one in a city as important as the capital is one thing, but you think there are several."

There was a moment of silence, as she worked through the details in her mind. "You're attempting to purge the Witch Cult out of the city. Why?"

"Listen, if you don't want to be a part of this, you can leave," Subaru interrupted. If conversation continued down this path, they might have to bring up Emilia. Subaru didn't want to tarnish her reputation before she was even announced as a candidate.

The mercenary remained silent for a moment. "I suppose I am asking a little much. But I am interested in the job. It's somewhat personal for me. After all, the Witch Cult gave me this, when they attacked my village." She raised a hand and touched the scar on her face. "But I'm not stupid enough to jump onboard an idealistic crusade. No mercenary would be."

She's been attacked by the cult before? Subaru felt his blood chill. So, if she finds out about Emilia...

She crossed her arms. "But, I can't help but feel that you have another goal in mind. Neither of you have hatred in your eyes."

"Hatred?" Subaru asked. "Of course I hate the cult! They're evil! They—"

"Whatever they've done to you was light compared to what they're capable of." She closed her eyes, seeming to sink into her own mind. "You don't know the fear of hiding while your friends and family are slaughtered around you, not daring to draw breath in case you alert them. You don't know how it feels to stare through the cracks in the walls, seeing them burn the houses, hoping desperately that the one you're in won't be next."