POP!

"HOLY—!"

With a snap of his fingers, and a surge of [Chaos], Smoking Mirror had reduced the thief that had started this riotous conflict into a fine mist.

Literally.

There was no blood, gore, or bones; the thief simply turned into mist and smoke as if that was his true nature all along.

To the observers, this might as well have been the case.

Powerful aether warriors have been known to brutalize or murder anyone who dared to even look in their direction the wrong way.Dishonoring their name was a surefire way to get killed by them, and such instances were usually met by the warrior in question releasing a powerful pulse of aether that simply vaporized the poor sods.

In other words, this was a moment of pity, not pain, for those outside looking in.

To the people who were more familiar with the man on a personal level, this was a horrifying sight to process.

All of those memories, all of those bonds, every single iota that once was a familiar face...gone in an instant.

And to those who were able to sense what had just happened, those who understood what had actually happened...they were even more concerned, but they didn't dare to let it show on their faces.

After all, [Chaos] was supposed to be something of a secret.

^Well, that takes care of the malefactor,^ Smoking Mirror casually remarked as if he didn't just snuff a man's entire existence in an instant. ^Now to deal with the remnants.^

Hearing that they were next on the proverbial chopping block, the misted thief's associates began to understandably cower or feebly raise their defenses in the face of such overwhelming might.

As such, they were completely caught off guard when they heard Smoking Mirror's next few statements.

^Congratulations, you sorry saps. You have the privilege of being a member of our ranks and being re-educated in the ways of proper etiquette and warfare,^ Smoking Mirror declared in a voice that sounded more maleficent than magnanimous. ^Mister Florez?^

^At once, sir.^

Florez, the man who had handed Smoking Mirror a cigarette alongside and explanation earlier, proceeded to gesture for several subordinates to make their way over to the trembling thieves and take them all into their custody.

Whether it was due to fear or confusion, the gang of thieves ended up putting up no resistance as they were being dragged... somewhere.

...Meanwhile, at a table overseeing this whole affair play out...

[And that's our cue to get moving, girls. Vamanos!]

Seeing an opportunity to learn more about their opponent, Hurricroak and the Doll Twins proceeded to ditch their human disguises and switch to their shrunken forms.

Using [Chaos] to cloak their movements, the kaijin proceeded to tail Smoking Mirror's men.

...Hurray, for skullduggery...

After that little moment, though, Smoking Mirror turned to address the onlookers.

^What on Valresta do you think you're all doing? The sun is still up and you guys still have businesses to run. Show's over. Get back to work so that you can put food on the table.^

^What the...^

The onlookers were expecting a stern word of warning, or perhaps a deadly threat, so the fact that Smoking Mirror went with such a gentle admonishment was...confusing, to say the least.

Regardless, once these words fully sunk into their skulls, the observing merchants and passersby went back to their respective businesses.

Alice, Olstenna, and Antonio were all set to follow suit, blending in with the dispersing crowd in order to avoid interacting with Smoking Mirror and his men further.

"Let's go."

"Right."

However…

"Un momento, por favor."

"Fuck."

Just before they could leave the area, they were called out specifically by Smoking Mirror.

Not wanting to draw any ire or additional attention, the trio turned to face the being that none of them personally fought but definitely felt the presence of when he exchanged blows with Zhen Liu in the City of Mirrors.

Judging from the way he was looking at them, though, he didn't recognize them in the slightest.

Which, honestly, was to their advantage.

Isekai rule for survival: If you recognize an enemy, but they don't recognize you, lie through your teeth.

Addendum: This applies to people who aren't isekaied schmucks.

^I must apologize to you three for getting involved with what was essentially fallout from my own affairs,^ the fragment of a god apologized in a gentleman's tone that clashed with his appearance. ^My name is Tezca. May I have the name of the ones who helped to right this moment of injustice?^

After asking this question, "Tezca" made sure to extend a hand as if he was presenting a handshake.

Technically speaking, only one of them had to give this guy a name, and the other two could just skate by by pretending to be the first person's subordinates.

Side-eyeing Alice, both Olstenna and Antonio understood that out of the three of them, she was the most proper-looking among them.

Thankfully, she went along with the bit.

"My name is Addison," Alice lied as smoothly as a serpent in the grass. "We're a simple mercenary band known as the Shadow Sparks."

"The Shadow Sparks?"

"Yes."

At this exact moment in time, Antonio and Olstenna wanted to smack their foreheads over Alice's janky naming sensibilities. Then again, they both got their asses handed to them by at least one person with questionable naming sensibilities and didn't want the shame of that happening for a second time.

Regardless, this ruse of Alice's actually seemed to be working.

"Hmmm. It's not often seeing a mercenary group willing to put a stop to petty crimes. Normally they think with their wallets first."

"A good mercenary knows that reputation is a lot harder to build than a good hoard of money," Alice replied with a charming smile. "Word of mouth works wonders in advertising a mercenary group's ability. More so than winning battles."

"A compelling argument," Tezca nodded in understanding. "But I find that winning is a much better form of advertisement."

"Indeed…"

On the surface, this exchange appeared to be a simple swap of greetings and philosophies. However, if one were actually involved in this conversation, one could sense the overwhelming sense of condescension that came with nobility colliding with the natural rigidness that came with having a warrior's pride.

Unusually, the former aura was coming from Tezca, while the latter aura was coming from Alice.

Regardless of this violent etiquette, both members of this little conversation had other matters to attend to, so they mutually decided to wrap things up.

"Regardless, the fact that you're mercenaries is actually a boon to me," Tezca stated as he made sure his clothes were fitted correctly. "I am in need of warriors."

"Oh?"

"I don't know if you heard the rumors, but I have been…making my way through the local underworld and uniting the conflicting groups under a single banner," Tezca explained while humblebragging. "Such a conquest, no matter how vulgar, still requires pure military might. Judging by your aura, you're not just a simple mercenary, are you?"

"...no. I am not."

If Alice had chosen to lie any further, she would've been easily detected. However, by sharing a small modicum of truth, she was able to play a role… similar to a certain dragon-blooded princess.

"If you must know, I am a fallen noble turned mercenary," Alice said as the beginning of her fabricated identity.

"My house was one of the military ones at the border of the Light and Shadow continents. Constantly, we saw conflict with our 'beloved' neighbors; thus, every member of that household is taught to act as a commander, a warrior, or both. I happen to be of the latter."

"Really?"

"Yes," Alice continued as if she had told this story a thousand and one times before. "However, as was the fate of many other noble households before us, we were defeated at a key yet ultimately meaningless battle. My father and mother perished by the blade, while my siblings were scattered to the wind, taking whatever champions and soldiers we had left under our command. These two are the only ones who were left."

"Hmm."

"Mmm."

Understanding their part in this, Antonio and Olstenna both let out noises of approval.

"Now back to your earlier statement… you're not looking for hired muscle, are you?"

"No," Tezca shook his head in disapproval. "I have plenty of that…what I need are trainers?"

"Trainers?"

"You saw it for yourself," Tezca noted with a smooth voice. "The underworld is filled with people who are desperate and willing to get bloody for a couple of coins. However, they all lack the discipline of proper warriors. Proper tactics, too."

"So you're saying…"

"I'm saying, little miss general," Tezca leaned closer to Alice in order to practically whisper in her ear.

[If you help me, I'll help you retake your inheritance,] Tezca whispered with a voice laced with [Chaos]. [No, that's not the right word… I'll help you retake your past.]