Outside, the sun was sinking toward the horizon. The sky had turned a deep orange, streaked with thin veins of red. All across the streets people hurried through the last motions of the day, shopkeepers shuttering their stalls while workers drifted home like a slow tide returning to shore.
Vidoria led the group toward a small shed standing beside the Citadel gate, only a few meters away. It was a squat wooden structure whose paint had long ago surrendered to layers of dust and grime. The door groaned loudly when he pushed it open, a complaint that suggested it had been opened thousands of times before.
Inside, Vidoria rummaged around briefly before returning with several long staves and a metal bucket filled with coal. He placed the bucket firmly into Riche's hands along with a small pack of matches.
"The strongest in the group carries the coal," he said casually. "And make sure you light every lantern using the coal provided. If any are left unlit, or you run out because of carelessness, there's a ten-penner deduction from your payment."
Riche raised an eyebrow. "And how much exactly is the payment?"
"You'll receive two Arivy per day," Vidoria replied. "And yes, that's two Arivy each."
Mihel did the math quickly in his head. 'So failing costs a quarter of our pay…'
He hesitated before asking, a little awkwardly, "Is… the deduction applied to everyone?"
The others slowly turned to stare at him.
Vidoria burst out laughing.
"Of course," he said. "You're a team now. Every responsibility is shared equally."
Riche reached over and lightly smacked the back of Mihel's head.
"What a stupid question," he muttered, though a teasing grin followed the words.
With that, the group began their task.
Led by Vidoria, they started along the same road where they had once stood after exiting the chamber in which they heard the Legatus's address. The work turned out to be more tiring than expected. Each lantern required careful handling so the flame caught properly without wasting coal. They had to move quickly, but not recklessly.
Vidoria followed behind them like a silent shadow, occasionally pointing out the next street or correcting them when they drifted off course.
They reached a bakery built from reddish-brown bricks. The ceiling was low, and a long line of customers crowded outside the door, waiting for fresh bread for the evening meal. The warm smell of baked dough drifted through the street.
Just then two figures appeared, both wrapped head to toe in black cloth. Between them they dragged a small cart, and resting on the cart was a desert bike.
They spoke quietly among themselves as they moved toward the outer gate.
Vidoria noticed them and called out.
"Salutis Exousia. Where might you two be heading with a desert rider?"
One of the men lowered the scarf covering his mouth. His voice came out rough and hoarse.
"We're going to retrieve the bodies of Frenky and Gurdion… you know… the ones that-"
His words trailed off.
Vidoria's expression softened.
"I see," he said quietly. "I wish you luck. When is the burial planned? Have their families been informed?"
Riche, still carrying the bucket of coal, stared intently at the two men while pretending to focus on the lantern beside him. The others were scattered along the street, each lighting a different post.
"If we're lucky enough to find them," the man replied, "the funeral will be tomorrow. Their families have already arrived…"
His gaze suddenly drifted past Vidoria and landed on Riche.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Hey… Master Kidt. I heard it was a blond Grade Two that killed them…"
He pointed slightly. "Don't tell me it's that boy."
Vidoria stepped forward at once, blocking the man's view. He gently patted the man's shoulder and leaned in, speaking in a low, steady voice.
"Yes… but don't hold that against him," he said softly. "Remember your own first mission. Didn't you think it was life or death back then too?"
The man hesitated.
Vidoria gave him another reassuring pat.
"Go on now."
Slowly, the man nodded and pulled the scarf back over his face. He returned to the cart and began drugging it down the road again, the wheels rattling softly against the stone.
Vidoria watched them leave for a moment.
Then he turned back to Riche and gave him a small, reassuring smile.
The rest of the evening passed without incident. The work settled into a steady rhythm, simple but demanding.
Riche stood roughly at the center of four lantern posts, the bucket of coal beside him. One by one, the others lit their staves and walked to the nearby poles, raising the burning tips to the cloth inside each lantern. The moment the flame touched it, the lantern flared to life with a soft orange glow.
Vidoria explained as they worked.
"The cloth inside the lanterns is soaked in alcohol beforehand by another team," he said. "That's why they catch fire so quickly. Perhaps one day you'll be assigned that duty as well."
Street after street slowly brightened behind them as the lanterns flickered awake against the deepening evening.
Toward the end of their route, Riche approached Vidoria.
"Mister Kidt…" he said quietly. "I would like to attend the funeral of those two soldiers."
He hesitated before continuing.
"I feel like I won't find peace unless I do."
Vidoria looked down into the eyes of the fifteen-year-old boy before him. There was sorrow there, heavy and undeniable. But unlike the shattered look Riche had worn the other day, something else now lingered beneath it.
Something in the form of quiet resolve.
"Alright," Vidoria said gently. "I'll come get you when the funeral is held."
His tone grew more cautious.
"But don't reveal yourself. Keep a low profile. Not everyone will be in the best of spirits."
Riche nodded silently and returned to the others.
The group continued their work, moving through the final stretch of streets until the last lantern burned steadily behind them.
Nearly two hours had passed.
Mihel pulled out his dial and checked the time.
5:27 Astra.
The five of them sank down onto the cobblestone pavement, breathing heavily as they wiped the sweat from their faces. The evening air had cooled, and the newly lit lanterns cast long golden pools across the street.
Vidoria walked over and handed each of them two small coins.
Two Arivy.
"Your timing was quite poor compared to the other teams," he said bluntly. "You'll need to improve your efficiency."
He folded his arms.
"And next time I won't be accompanying you. I hope you've memorized the routes."
Midia groaned loudly.
Then she turned her head and looked at Mihel. Slowly, the others did the same.
Mihel blinked.
'Eh? Why is everyone staring at me? Are they expecting me to-'
"Well," Halise said cheerfully while accepting her coins, "we have Mihel with us, so there's nothing to worry about!"
The others nodded in agreement as if the matter had already been settled.
Mihel sighed internally. 'I'm not even consciously memorizing these roads… they're just abusing my memory now…'
Vidoria watched the exchange with an amused smile.
"Well," he said at last, "that's enough for today. Tomorrow, same time. Be ready outside."
He paused briefly, glancing toward Riche before finishing his sentence.
"If there are any changes to the plan… I'll inform you."
He stepped back and raised his hand across his chest in salute. "Salutis Exousia."
The five recruits quickly followed.
"Salutis Exousia!"