CHAPTER 48: AUREN

Edward kept his back straight, though his hands clenched tighter against the armrest of the chair. Every word Auren spoke rubbed against his nerves like a blade across stone.

"So..." the new chief began, tone deceptively smooth, "...Chief Warren passing... it is truly unfortunate."

Not a flicker of grief touched his face.

Edward ground his jaw, forcing himself not to speak too soon. The man’s words were polished, but there was something else in them—a faint twist, a buried note of mockery that Edward couldn’t ignore.

"Luckily," Auren continued, folding his hands neatly on the desk, "the culprit has been caught." A smile ghosted his lips, one that never reached his eyes.

Edward stiffened. His grip on the chair’s armrest tightened until his knuckles whitened.

"He was...?" he asked carefully.

"Yes. You might recall him—the man the royal guards apprehended during the banquet." Auren’s voice was calm, almost rehearsed. "I had my soldiers visit him. After a brief interrogation, he confessed."

The words struck Edward like cold steel.

Shock rippled through him, sharp and sudden.

He remembered that man—the one who had sworn his innocence again and again, even under the torment of the royal guard. Edward himself had questioned him, tested his story, and come away believing he was framed. The man had held to his denial despite bruises and blood.

And now? He suddenly confessed?

Edward’s chest tightened with unease.

He lifted his eyes, meeting Auren’s gaze.

"Would it be possible for me to speak with him? I knew Chief Warren personally, and I—"

"Unfortunately not." Auren cut him off, his tone curt and final.

"The punishment for the murder of a high-ranking town official is death. The sentence was carried out earlier today."

"Earlier today?" Edward repeated under his breath.

His stomach twisted. Morning sunlight still barely warmed the streets. Which meant the execution had taken place in the dead of night, rushed through without pause or scrutiny. No trial, no appeal, not even a chance for the accused to utter another word.

It sounded convenient, almost too convenient.

"I see..." Edward forced the words past his teeth, masking his suspicion behind a mask of composure. "...I suppose that’s for the best."

Auren gave a slow nod, as if pleased by his agreement. Then he reached down and hefted two heavy sacks onto the desk. Metal clinked and shifted inside them.

"This is your compensation," Auren said smoothly. "For your assistance to the town. I have heard of your deeds alongside Prince Arthur, striking down the Crimson Oath. Truly a spectacular achievement."

Edward exchanged a brief glance with Aeris. Her expression remained blank, though he caught the faint tightening of her jaw.

His own gaze dropped to the sacks of gold, but he did not reach for them.

Compensation? The weight of the bags seemed more like an attempt to bind them with gold than an expression of gratitude.

It was bribery at its finest.

Edward leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "Perhaps it would be better if we held off on accepting these. The Crimson Oath is not yet gone."

For the first time, Auren’s expression shifted. A flicker of silence passed between them before he spoke again.

"Forgive me," he said, his tone suddenly colder, "but according to all reports, the Crimson Oath is gone. With their defeat, any arrangements you had with the late chief naturally end here as well."

Edward’s throat tightened.

Auren’s gaze slid from him to Aeris. "Do not worry. I have already increased recruitment for the town soldiers. We will be more than ready to deal with whatever threats remain." His lips curled faintly. "And Aeris..."

Her eyes lifted, sharp, but silent.

"I have already written to your father. I am sure he will be proud to hear of your accomplishments. Perhaps you should pay him a visit and celebrate—"

"That will not be necessary," Aeris cut the man off. Her voice was firm, though lower than usual. "I did only what was required. Nothing worth celebrating."

Auren chuckled quietly. "Very well."

He stood then, his movements graceful and controlled. A dismissal wrapped in politeness.

"If you wish to remain in our town, you are free to do so. But I have other matters to attend. I wish you both well in your next journeys, wherever they may take you."

Edward and Aeris rose almost in unison.

Without a word, they each gave a stiff nod and turned to leave. Edward reached for the sacks of gold only out of necessity, unwilling to show hesitation in front of the man.

But just as they neared the door—

"Oh... I almost forgot," Auren’s voice slid across the room.

The pair froze mid-step.

"Unfortunately, I must ask for the tokens Chief Warren gave you. Since your services are no longer required, it is purely a matter of security. I hope you understand." He said with a smile sharp enough to cut steel.

Edward’s stomach sank. The token was more than a badge—it was their proof of authority, their access, their shield within the town. Without it, they were nothing more than outsiders.

Aeris met Edward’s gaze briefly, silent communication flashing between them.

Together, they stepped back to the desk. Neither of them spoke as they placed their tokens on the table.

Auren’s hand slid them off the wood with almost casual ease.

"Excellent," he said softly.

Edward and Aeris turned and walked out, their footsteps heavy against the floorboards. The door shut behind them with a quiet finality.

Outside, Edward gave out a long exhale.

"That was—" he started.

"Weird?" Aeris finished for him, her voice low.

"Yeah." He rubbed at his temple, thoughts spiralling through his mind.

"Too weird. The accused was executed before dawn. Our tokens stripped. Compensation thrown at us like bribe money."

His chest tightened, and all the suspicions he had settled into certainty.

"Something is definitely going on," he muttered.

They walked down the steps of the Chief’s building, the air outside brighter than when they had entered, though to Edward it felt far colder. The city moved around them as if nothing had changed—vendors called, carts rattled, and children laughed all around them. Life seemed to continue as usual.

But to Edward, nothing seemed the same.

"What now?" Aeris asked quietly.

Edward slowed, his hand brushing against the pouch of gold at his side. It felt heavier than it should have been.

He looked at Aeris, her eyes steady on his.

"Now?" he echoed, then let a sharp breath escape his mouth.

"Now the real investigation begins."