Seeing Silver crying, Adam felt a pang in his chest. He quickly stepped forward and hugged her.
"Don't cry. Once we settle things here, we'll head straight to Krimasha. You'll get to see your father and brother soon." Adam gently patted her back, trying to comfort her.
For this five-hundred-year-old little girl, he still felt a twinge of guilt. If it weren't for him, she would probably still be living in that beautiful little world. A bit lonely, yes—but still better than wandering with him, constantly risking her life.
Silver's sobs continued, so Adam added, "Maybe I should have Kumu arrange for you to go to Krimasha first. Yujia and I can handle things here."
"Don't include me! I'm leaving! Staying with you… I'd need nine lives just to survive!" Yujia shouted, hopping up.
Silver opened her mouth to protest, but Kumu gently interrupted, bowing slightly. "Your Highness, let me write a letter to Smoke. They're likely waiting for news. Once they receive it, they'll come quickly."
Adam shook his head. "No, Silver should go. I can't let them take another risk for me."
Silver, still sniffling, nodded in agreement. Adam sighed. "Fine. You handle this. And from now on, no more 'Your Highness.' We're all fugitives. Just call each other Adam, Silver, and Smoke."
Kumu hesitated, then bowed. "Understood, Your Highness." It was clear he still struggled to drop the formalities with Adam.
Yujia, still fuming, wobbled slightly. "I quit! You realize we're teaming up with global fugitives?"
"You're free to leave anytime," Adam said casually.
Yujia stretched out his hand toward Adam. "Then give me that bottle of Chelman!" He wanted to take the supplies; surviving outside alone without them would be impossible.
Silver, still wiping her tears, jumped in. "No! You can't take those!" Their identities had to stay hidden; venturing outside would be far too dangerous.
Adam, however, simply handed over the bottle. Yujia twisted the cap open. Black smoke spiraled out, dissipating quickly. Chelman appeared, adjusting his goatee in the mirror.
"What? You're bringing all this junk back?" Chelman's eyes were dead. He didn't expect much.
"Chelman! Move everything here!" Yujia shouted.
"Fine. Ten thousand five hundred gold coins." Chelman glanced at Adam.
"Are you kidding me? That's way too expensive!" Yujia screeched. He had zero coins; all the money belonged to Adam.
"Don't forget the last debt of ten thousand gold. Shipping is five hundred gold, plus the rest you still owe. Pay it, or don't expect me to budge!" Chelman's face twisted with anger, almost comical. Then he vanished in a puff of smoke.
With Chelman gone, the basement fell silent.
Yujia slowly turned to Adam. "Can you… settle the ten thousand gold first?"
"You tell me," Adam shrugged. "Wait until I have it, then we can discuss it."
Kumu tugged Yujia aside. "Step aside for a moment?" he whispered. They spoke briefly in low tones.
Yujia's eyes lit up. He nodded, shot Adam a glare, and trudged back to his coffin.
Adam turned to Silver. "He trusts me to arrange a proper vampire identity for him?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Kumu confirmed. He understood Yujia cared most about his official status. Dreaming of a life without hiding, without fleeing.
Adam glanced at Yujia. There was no alternative—taking the supplies and parting ways with Adam would be suicidal.
Night fell. Yujia sulked in his coffin. Silver kept watch to prevent trouble. Meanwhile, Adam and Kumu quietly slipped out of the basement. They brought back the books Adam needed and sent the letter to Smoke.
For the next few days, Adam and Silver practiced magic in the basement. Yujia continued his experiments. Kumu resumed his book trade and scouted for ways into the Athena Library.
Everything remained calm, except for a minor worry from Bibu, who received word that his secretary, Cheno, had been detained for fighting.
This uneasy peace lasted until the fifth night, when Bibu knocked again.
"Hello, Adam. My secretary Cheno is back and wishes to apologize for his past behavior. He's hosting a dinner for you tonight," Bibu said cheerfully. He assumed the past grudge between Cheno and Adam was minor.
Adam squinted. Cheno's back already? They had only paid the three-month deposit, twelve weeks total. This was just five days.
"Alright, Baron Bibu," Adam replied promptly, though his mind was racing. Tonight, he'd go find the Rat and figure out what really happened.