The guards spent several more minutes asking Shion and Eren about the details of the job. They confirmed how many bandits had been present, how the fight had started, whether anyone had escaped, and what they could expect to find once they reached the hideout.
"One of them fled into the woods after Veylan was captured," Eren explained. "The others are either here or dead."
The guard writing the report nodded before turning his attention to the prisoners. "Names."
The woman answered first. "Marla."
The others followed after a moment of hesitation, each giving their names while the guards noted everything down. The questions continued, moving through the towns they had targeted, how long they had been operating, and the role each person had played in the attacks.
Eventually, one of the older guards looked directly at Veylan.
"Have you ever worked with someone known as The Spider?"
Veylan did not hesitate. "No."
The answer came so quickly that it caused a few of the guards to exchange looks.
"Never?" one of them asked.
"Never," Veylan repeated. "I have never met anyone by that name."
"That's a lie."
The voice came from Marla.
Every eye in the room shifted toward her. Veylan's expression remained calm, but his eyes settled on her with a colder edge.
"You should be careful with your words."
She met his gaze without lowering hers. "I spent years doing exactly that."
The room remained silent for a moment before one of the guards stepped closer. "Tell me what you know."
"Not much," Marla admitted. "Veylan kept those conversations private. But I heard him speak about someone above him before. He said some of the work we did wasn't just for our own benefit."
The guards exchanged another glance.
"Could be one of The Spider's smaller groups," one of them muttered.
"Or someone using his name," another added. "Either way, the captain will want to hear about this."
Eren looked at the guards for a moment before speaking.
"We encountered that name in Trivale."
That got their attention immediately.
One of the guards looked up from his notes. "The Spider?"
Eren nodded.
"Couple weeks ago. A group operating under him was involved in a series of incidents near Trivale. The investigation led us into the forest, where we encountered a troll."
The room grew slightly quieter. Even some of the mercenaries nearby stopped what they were doing to listen.
"The captain of Trivale's guard died during that fight," she continued. "We never found the Spider himself, but it was clear he had people operating beyond a single town."
The guards exchanged serious looks.
"Then this may be more important than we thought," one of them said.
"It is," Eren replied. "You should send a letter to Trivale. They may have information on his methods, the people connected to him, or anything that can help determine whether Veylan was truly working for him."
The older guard gave a slow nod.
"I'll make sure the captain hears about this. If the Spider has reached as far as Reka, this is no longer a problem for a single town."
Only then did Veylan speak again.
"You think writing letters and sharing stories will help you find him?"
His voice carried the same arrogance as before, though it was weakened by exhaustion.
"You don't even understand what you're chasing."
Eren looked toward him.
"Maybe."
She didn't sound offended.
"But you seem very interested in making sure we don't."
Once the questioning was finished, the guards took custody of the prisoners. The remaining bandits followed without resistance. Marla walked with her hands bound, but she never looked back at Veylan. He, however, watched her until the guards forced him forward.
The room became noticeably quieter after they left. The clerk closed the ledger and reached beneath the counter, returning a small pouch that contained the reward for the contract.
"Six silver coins," he said, placing it in front of them. "The reward for capturing Veylan the Red."
Eren looked at the pouch and let out a tired breath.
"After almost getting killed, that feels like very little."
The clerk raised an eyebrow. "You are welcome to discuss the matter with the person who posted the contract."
A small smile appeared on Eren's face.
"I'll consider it after I can walk without my leg complaining every time I take a step."
Even the clerk gave a faint smile at that.
Shion picked up the pouch and secured it with their belongings. "We'll be returning to the inn."
"I expected as much," the clerk replied. "I recommend you both spend the rest of the day doing nothing."
"We'll think about it," Shion answered.
The clerk looked at the two women covered in dried blood, their clothes torn from the fight, and the exhaustion written across their faces.
"That wasn't a suggestion."
Eren laughed quietly. It hurt more than she expected, but she found she did not particularly care.
By the time they reached the inn, neither of them had enough strength left for another conversation. They removed their equipment, set their weapons aside, and collapsed onto their beds. Sleep came almost immediately.
The next morning was the first peaceful one they had experienced in several days. There were no missing people to investigate, no suspicious tracks to follow, and no plans to enter another fight before the day was over.
Eren sat near the window while Shion checked through their supplies, making a small list of what they would eventually need for Lucien's request.
"We should start preparing for the capital," Eren said.
Shion glanced toward her. "We're not going there anytime soon."
"I know. That's why we have time to think."
Shion nodded and returned her attention to the supplies. "Then what are you thinking about?"
Eren was quiet for a moment.
"You."
That was enough to make Shion stop.
"What about me?"
Eren shifted in her chair. "The capital is not like Trivale or Reka. The people there are different."
"More polite?"
"Better at pretending to be."
A small smile crossed Shion's face.
"That sounds worse."
"It can be."
The humor disappeared from Eren's expression.
"The nobles, many of the merchants, even some of the city guards—they won't care that you were raised by humans, that you're a skilled mercenary, or that you've spent your time protecting people."
"They'll see an orc," Shion finished.
Eren looked away briefly before nodding.
"Yes."
Shion did not look surprised. If anything, she looked like someone remembering something she had known for a very long time.
"They usually do."