Published at 21st of October 2026 6:32 am

Chapter 2126: Something Personal

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Shield’s Brewery was a popular pub in the Lords’ Borough.

It was a place where men and women of the City Watch loved to gather after their work for the day was over.

Adam sat quietly by the counter, drinking coffa.

All around him, the place was filled mostly with people from the Watch, some still wearing their uniforms while others had changed into civilian clothes. The atmosphere was lively but strangely orderly.

There was laughter, conversation, and an occasional drunken shout. Mugs tapped against the wooden tables and music softly played in the background. Yet even when drunk, there was a certain discipline in the way they moved and behaved.

No one got excessively rowdy. No one picked unnecessary fights. And whenever someone raised their voice a little too much, there was always another person nearby to bring them back under control.

These were the men and women who enforced the laws of the Free City of Davos.

Humans, dwarves, half-orcs, half-elves, and other races sat together beneath the same roof, drinking, laughing, and sharing stories about their day.

For a few hours, they were not officers. They were simply friends and colleagues enjoying a well-earned rest.

"You sure you don’t want anything to drink, son?" The old proprietor of the pub stood behind the bar counter and glanced at Adam.

"Another cup of coffa, please." Adam smiled faintly.

The old man grunted. "I meant a real drink."

Adam laughed. "I’m afraid not. Last time I had a real drink, I had my heart gripped, twisted, and shattered." He placed a hand on his chest. "It’s still broken, you see."

The old man’s gaze softened. "Very well. Forget I asked," he said as he poured steaming coffa into Adam’s empty cup. "It’s on the house."

Adam smiled. "Thank you."

"Know anyone at the Watch?" the old man asked, appearing much more kind and friendly now.

"Yes. I’m waiting for a friend." Adam sipped from the cup. "Good coffa, by the way."

"Alright then. If you need anything, holler at me."

Adam nodded.

He shifted his gaze to the rippling surface of the brownish-dark liquid inside his cup. He could see his reflection. Could almost see the hesitation in his eyes.

What am I doing here?

He had told himself that he had wanted nothing to do with the Leto Morgan Mission. Yet here he was, unbelievably drawn to the very danger he had been trying to avoid.

It wasn’t the allure of the item that drew him. The item must be truly valuable if it was something related to Nigel Norwood. And the fact that the Night Guild was trying to get its tentacles on it further strengthened that view.

If not for the dreamy whispers that gently plucked the strings to Adam’s avaricious heart, then what?

What was it that drew him to it?

The doors to the pub opened, and Adam heard a familiar voice, chatting and laughing. He turned his head and spotted the man he was looking for.

Clad in leather and chain armor, the man wore a white-and-blue tabard just like the other men and women of the Watch. He proudly bore the crest of Davos on his armor—a mountain rising above the water and seven stars shining overhead.

The man had blond hair and blue eyes. He separated from his group, looking around the pub, searching for someone. Until finally, his gaze landed on a lean youth in black robes. The most eye-catching thing about this young man was the patch of bone-white hair on his raven-black crown.

His eyes lit up, and he rushed toward the bar counter with his arms open wide. "Adam, my friend!"

Adam rose to his feet and embraced the youth. He clasped his pauldrons and observed with a smile. "It suits you, Michael."

Michael rubbed his nose in a shy manner and chuckled. "It was always my dream, you know. To walk in my Da’s footsteps and join the Watch. Look." He pointed at the brooch. "I’m a Sergeant now."

"I’m proud of you." Adam smiled.

Michael laughed with satisfaction. He seemed to have grown a few inches taller in that moment when Adam praised him. He looked up to Adam, after all.

"So, what’s up?" Michael asked as he took a seat.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Adam said.

"Shoot. Shoot." Michael was eager to help his friend. "I’ll do my best. Well... unless it’s illegal, of course."

"I want to know more about the night that Leto Morgan was apprehended by the Watch," Adam said in a hushed voice. "I’m sure you keep records at the headquarters, yeah?"

Michael frowned. This wasn’t what he was expecting. "Huh. Odd," he murmured. "Why are you suddenly so interested in that thief?"

"Call it a passing curiosity," Adam said nonchalantly.

"Hmm." Michael stroked the stubble on his chin.

"Okay. Okay. Alright. It’s not impossible. But it’ll take time. Paperwork and filing is a disaster at HQ. Even the clerks hate it. And you have to understand, this event took place almost a decade ago."

"No rush. Take your time," Adam said understandingly.

"Alright. Alright." Michael took out a notepad and asked the old bartender for a pencil. He wrote down some words and codes, then asked Adam, "Do you happen to know the date?"

"Of course." Adam’s smile deepened. "How could I forget? It was the night when the survivors of the Blood Moon Secret Plane celebrated at the Rabbit Hole."

And also the night Valerian was abducted. He added inwardly.

Michael’s eyes lit up. "Oh, that’s right! It really was that night, wasn’t it?"

He scribbled a few more words before putting away the notepad. He turned to Adam and said confidently, "Alright, don’t worry about this. I got you."

"Is there any way I could help?"

"Nah." Michael waved a hand dismissively. "I can take care of the clerks down at HQ. Leave this to me."

Adam smiled. "Thank you."

"Don’t mention it." Michael clasped Adam’s shoulders and said, "This is nothing."

They talked for a few more minutes before separating. Michael rejoined his group of constables to drink and enjoy the night. Adam left the pub and walked back home.

Lightning rumbled overhead, and rain began to fall. He retrieved his hat from his wide sleeve and placed it atop his head. The shadows of the rim covered half his face. It was dark and menacing.

The reason Adam was suddenly interested in the Leto Morgan Mission was never because of the item that the Night Guild was after.

No. It was because of something personal.

After contemplating for many days, he just couldn’t get this thought out of his head. It had bloomed inside his mind and refused to disperse.

On the same night almost a decade ago, Leto Morgan was apprehended, Valerian was abducted, and the Venia siblings made their presence known.

Coincidence?

Share