The three women walked down Arvalen's main street, the city's hustle and bustle growing with each step. The sun was already beginning to set, tinting the sky with orange and purple hues that reflected in the windows of the houses and the banners hanging from their facades. Anticipation grew among them as they approached the famous Freedom Guild—an imposing gray stone building with tall, arched windows, and a blue flag flying proudly over the entrance, bearing a silver symbol resembling an eagle in flight.

Sylphie watched the hustle and bustle around her, the guards at the door, the occasional adventurer coming and going, and the almost palpable energy of the place, which seemed to pulse with stories and secrets.

"We're here," Irelia announced, her eyes shining.

The door creaked open, revealing a spacious hall lit by wrought-iron chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The scent of polished wood, leather, and a hint of fresh beer mingled with the constant murmur of voices. Several tables lined the counter, holding groups discussing plans, maps, and contracts. At the main counter, a young attendant typed in a thick book, her eyes attentive to everything around her.

The woman was petite, with short brown hair and eyes that seemed electric, constantly moving, as if absorbing every detail of the guild with the energy of lightning.

Irelia was the first to approach the counter.

"Good afternoon," she said with a restrained smile. "We're looking for information on a recent member. A tall, red-haired young man with golden eyes."

The attendant looked up quickly, stopping what she was doing.

"Are you looking to register with the guild?" she asked, her tone brisk, full of enthusiasm.

"No, no. We're just looking for information," Amelia replied calmly. "He's already registered."

"Ah!" The attendant made an exaggerated gesture, nearly dropping the book in her excitement. "You've come straight to the source, then! This redhead has been causing quite a stir."

Sylphie exchanged a quick glance with Irelia and Amelia, excited.

"So you know where to find him?"

"Calm down, calm down." The girl raised her hands, gesturing for them to calm down.

"First, you know that the guild isn't just about coming and going, right? If you want to use our facilities, train, take quests, you need to register. Documents, background, tests..."

Irelia frowned, already impatient. "We understand, but we're not interested in registering. We just want to know about Kael."

The attendant stood still for a second, then her eyes widened. "Kael? The redhead?"

"Yes," Sylphie confirmed. "Tall, golden eyes."

The girl's expression changed completely, a mixture of surprise and admiration.

"Ah, that man!" she exclaimed, leaning forward on the counter. "The killer of imbecile brutes! You know that, don't you? He's not afraid to stick his sword in the faces of those brutes who think they can beat up whoever they want."

Amélia arched an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with her companions.

"Our dear Kael is already known as the killer of imbecile brutes..." she commented with a half-smile.

Sylphie laughed, her tone full of pride. "Well... who better than him to keep order, right?"

The waitress laughed along, then looked at them with a curious expression. "And what are you to him?"

The question came out quickly, like a spark of doubt.

For a moment, the three of them were silent, looking at each other. Then, as if they had rehearsed their answer, they spoke in unison: "Wife."

The silence that followed was almost palpable.

The attendant blinked several times, as if needing a few seconds to process what she had just heard. Her electric expression froze in place—mouth half-open, eyebrows arched—before she let out a soft, incredulous:

"...What?"

But it wasn't just her. The guild's hubbub suddenly died down. Several eyes turned in their direction. A group of mercenaries as large as cabinets, sitting two tables away, stopped discussing their contract and fixed their gazes on the three of them. An archer in the corner, polishing his weapon, froze in motion, keeping his arrow in his hand. Even an elderly wizard reading a scroll looked up over his glasses, frowning.

"They said... wife?" whispered someone nearby, low, but not enough to go unnoticed.

Sylphie, sensing the tension, crossed her arms and met their gazes with a mischievous smile, as if to say, "Yes, you heard correctly." Irelia simply kept her chin high, ignoring any judgment. Amelia seemed the most relaxed, as if oblivious to the collective reaction.

The attendant finally blinked again, snapping back to reality. "You..." She pointed hesitantly with a finger, first at Irelia, then at Amelia, then at Sylphie. "The three of you... are Kael's wives?"

"Exactly," Irelia replied, unblinking.

A murmur or two spread through the room. Some laughed, others looked merely shocked. An older warrior shook his head as if it were hard to believe the redhead had accomplished something like that.

But the three completely ignored any comments or expressions of disbelief.

"So," Sylphie continued, leaning against the counter and leaning forward, "do you know where he usually goes?"

The bartender still looked a little bewildered, but forced herself to restore her professional smile. "Look... I can't know exactly where he is right now." She bit her lower lip thoughtfully. "But... there's a place he usually visits when he's not on a mission or here."

Amélia arched an eyebrow. "And where would that be?"

"A bar nearby," the girl replied, lowering her voice slightly, as if it were almost a secret. "It's not the fanciest in town, but... let's just say it's quieter than the main tavern."

Irelia gave a small nod, her tone carrying formality.

"Understood. Thank you for the information."

"Very much," Amélia added, giving a slight smile that made the bartender relax a little.

Sylphie merely tilted her head to the side, assessing the girl for a moment before straightening. "It's nearby, right?"

"That's right," the attendant confirmed, still with that hint of disbelief in her eyes.

Without further ado, the three turned. The sound of murmurs and comments once again spread through the room, but none of them seemed to pay it any mind. They passed through the groups of adventurers as if crossing an open field—steady steps, eyes fixed on the exit, completely ignoring the curiosity of others.

The heavy guild door creaked open and closed behind them with a dull thud, muffling the chatter within.

The street air was cooler, tinged with the golden light of sunset. The shadows of the buildings stretched across the stone sidewalk, and the blue guild flag fluttered in the wind behind them.

Sylphie took a deep breath, adjusting the straps of her leather outfit on her shoulders. "Well... let's find our redhead."

As soon as they turned the corner, leaving the guild behind, the hustle and bustle of the main street took over again. Vendors shouted their offers, carts laden with goods passed slowly, and the aroma of fresh bread mingled with that of grilled meat wafting from a nearby tavern.

However, even with all the commotion, the three soon noticed something was off.

"We're being followed," Amelia murmured, without even turning her head. Her brown eyes scanned the reflections in the shop windows.

Sylphie lifted her chin slightly, as if simply admiring the sky, but her senses picked up every extra step that echoed behind them. "Four men... one of them limps on his left leg."

"They're keeping their distance, but not enough to go unnoticed," Irelia added, her tone low and cold.

They continued walking as if nothing had happened, turning into narrower streets, away from the crowd. Until, spotting a dimly lit stone alley between two ancient buildings, Irelia whispered:

"Here."

They entered as if it were just a shortcut, their steps firm, without hesitation. Shadows enveloped them, muffling the sounds of the city. A few seconds later, the four men appeared at the alley's entrance. They were tall, broad-shouldered, wearing worn leather and dark fabric.

"Hey, hey... what's the hurry, ladies?" said the one who appeared to be the leader, smiling with yellowed teeth.

Before any of them could take another step, a gust of wind cut through the air, followed by the crack of a spell. Golden runes formed on the ground, glowing brightly, and in an instant, the four were lifted into the air, bound by ethereal chains that closed like invisible claws.

"What is this?!" shouted one of the men, struggling.

"Magic," Sylphie replied with a cold smile, raising her hand and tightening her fingers, making the chains tighten even more. "And you're on the wrong side of it."

Irelia stepped forward, the blade of her sword reflecting the dim light of the alley. She pointed it directly at the leader, who, even suspended in midair, tried to maintain his posture.

"Who sent you?" she asked, her voice low and steady, devoid of emotion.

The man hesitated, swallowing hard, but remained silent. The other three exchanged nervous glances, one of them beginning to sweat.

"I have no patience for games," Irelia continued, angling the blade slightly so that the tip touched his shoulder. "And my sword cuts through flesh as easily as it cuts through air."

Sylphie looked at Amelia, who approached, her eyes glowing a deep blue. The temperature in the alley dropped a few degrees as a light fog began to form around the prisoners.

"I can freeze you all to the bone before I decide to break each piece," Amelia said calmly. "Then I suggest you speak."

The man spat in Irelia's face. "There are more people coming. We're going to rape you and hand you over to that bastard who killed our leader."