As Adolph Li and Manuel Stunner neared the grand palace's exit, they passed a courtyard where elite imperial soldiers were undergoing rigorous training.
The leader of the group—a hulking figure of muscle and discipline—stood by the side, arms crossed, silently observing his men. His presence was like that of a beast on a leash: silent, yet always ready to pounce.
In the center of the formation, two young soldiers sparred with ferocious intensity. One of them let out a guttural yell—"Haaaaaaa!"—before executing a powerful double kick that forced his opponent backward. At that moment, the shadows of Adolph Li and Manuel Stunner crept to the edge of the courtyard.
Almost immediately, the commanding officer, Darke Dean, who had been keeping a watchful eye on them from the corner of his vision, stepped away from the group. His soldiers paused their movements, turning to see what had drawn their leader's attention.
"Reagent Li," Darke Dean said as he approached, his tone deceptively cordial. "It's been a while since our last spar. Care to indulge me again?"
Though it sounded like a question, Darke didn't wait for an answer. Without warning, his fist lashed out towards Adolph Li's face.
But Adolph Li was ready. He had anticipated this moment. Bracing his legs like the grounded wheels of a war chariot, he calmly raised a single palm to intercept the blow.
Psssstttt—a sharp sound pierced the air as fist met palm. But the expected impact never happened.
Adolph Li didn't budge. Only his robes fluttered slightly from the force. In contrast, Darke Dean staggered backward, his footing lost like a drunk searching for balance. The courtyard fell silent.
Humiliated, Darke clenched his teeth, regaining composure before speaking. "As expected of the Reagent, Adolph Li. We'll meet again." He spat to the side, turned on his heel, and returned to his men with stoic grace, resuming his role as if nothing had happened.
On the other side of the courtyard…
"That guy really hates you," Manuel Stunner broke the silence.
"You think? You must be a clairvoyant," Adolph Li replied dryly with the tone of sarcasm.
"Come on, don't be a snob. What's the story between you two?" Manuel frowned, but couldn't care to retort, curiosity getting the better of him.
Adolph's expression darkened. "We trained together in the imperial academy, rose through the ranks side by side, overcoming every challenge thrown our way as brothers in arms, and being hailed as the top two soldiers trainees of our set—until the placement exams. The final match was between the two of us."
He paused, letting the weight of the memory settle. "Whoever won would be promoted to the rank of Reagent—gaining respect, influence, and the chance to rise as an elite under the emperor. The loser would remain a regular soldier, with the best outcome being a foot-soldier commander or trainer."
"And from the look of things, you should be able to deduce who got what...!" Reagent Adolph Li completed.
Manuel's eyes widened. "So that's how it is…"
"He's convinced I cheated," Adolph continued quietly. "He has never let it go since then. Every time he sees me, he challenges me—as if trying to prove something. And if I weren't strong enough to hold him back… he might even try to kill me."
His voice drifted, eyes narrowing as though wrestling with a painful memory. "But that's all in the past now."
"Well, no wonder he wants to break your bones," Manuel said, exhaling. "Alright, setting that aside—how do we find a priestess now, especially after your emperor managed to ruin every alliance with their order?"
Reagent Adolph Li walked quietly for a moment, his eyes scanning the horizon as if measuring the weight of the problem. "I might have an idea…"
"Spill it," Manuel said quickly, his curiosity piqued. Despite their short acquaintance, he was already growing fond of Adolph. The man's calm demeanor and his effortless handling of Darke Dean had left a strong impression.
"There's an inn I know. A popular one. It's called Lofty Pleasures—" Adolph began, but was cut off mid-sentence by Manuel's sudden frown.
"You're kidding," Manuel interrupted. "That sounds like a tavern for broke traders and wandering mercenaries. I was expecting a real strategy, not a supper house solution."
Adolph Li didn't seem offended. In fact, he smiled faintly, as if he had expected that reaction. "First of all, Lofty Pleasures is not some dingy roadside eatery. It's a hub. Second, you'd be surprised how much valuable intel floats through the air when drunk merchants and loose-tongued couriers gather in one place. Some of my most useful leads have come from nothing more than overhearing the right conversation."
He leaned in slightly. "And they offer more than food, drinks, and gossip. If you're looking to unwind—or engage the company of someone special—they accommodate that too. With enough coin, you can access information, pleasure, or privacy. Sometimes all three."
Manuel blinked, caught between skepticism and intrigue.
"One more thing," Adolph added, his voice turning serious. "If we're going, we can't show up like this—in royal garb. We need to dress like commoners. Blend in."
Manuel's face twisted in protest. "Why would I do that? I'm the Hand of the Emperor. People clear the streets at the sight of my insignia. I don't even need to raise my voice to command a room. I am the face of the emperor—why would I throw that away?"
Adolph gave a patient sigh. "Because if you show up dressed like that, anyone with half a brain will either run or shut their mouth. They'll think you're there to arrest someone or shut the place down. If we want real talk, loose lips, and unfiltered truth, we have to look like we belong."
There was a pause.
Reluctantly, Manuel nodded, the logic slowly sinking in. "Alright... fine. We'll do it your way. I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a giant waste of time."
The two men veered off toward a nearby alley, searching for a place to change their clothes, as they prepared to enter the curious underworld of the Lofty Pleasures inn.