Chapter 51: Bristol Street
Raven approached Bristol Street and immediately felt the tension in the air.
Even at the entrance, two uniformed police officers were stationed, batons secured at their waists, scanning everyone who tried to enter.
Security is stricter than I expected, he muttered. The two officers noticed him instantly.
"Hey! Come here!" The more muscular of the two waved him over.
[Don't avoid their gaze. Move confidently. Create a temporary identity.]
Easier said than done, Raven thought, his face settling into a neutral expression as he walked forward.
He recalled all his conversations with Daisy Spade, piecing together the details she had shared about her childhood friends and her neighborhood.
I can't claim this is my street… But Daisy mentioned her friends—Aiden, Luna, Isaac, Scarlet, Carter… children of the Spade Family's old servants.
When Raven reached the officers, he greeted them politely with a smile.
"May I know why you called me, sir?"
The older, portly officer with a crooked nose scrutinized him. "What are you doing here at this hour? You seem… from Southward or Eastmine Borough."
[Smart. The outfit alone signals middle-class origins; that narrows it down immediately.]
Raven pressed on. "I'm Aiden, from Eastmine Borough. Butler Ben's grandson. I came to visit my childhood friend, Daisy."
"Daisy? Who's that?"
"Daisy Spade, sir. I used to visit her whenever she returned from the Darkcross Knight Training Academy. But… why is security so tight here?"
The muscular officer's frown eased slightly. "Sir Ben's grandson, you say? How is your grandfather doing?"
Raven bowed his head, adopting a sorrowful tone. "He… passed away two months ago. Even Lord Count attended his last rites."
"My condolences. He watches over you still," the crooked-nosed officer said, patting his shoulder. "Go on. We have work to do."
Nodding, Raven slipped past them and moved deeper into the street.
…
The two officers exchanged glances once he was out of earshot.
"Is that him?" the muscular one asked.
"Matches the description, but he knows too much for a random outsider," said the older officer, puffing on his cigar. "Mentions Darkcross Knight Academy, Sir Ben… not something anyone would know. Let's wait—he can fool us, but not the ones inside the mansion."
…
Raven walked down the quiet street, noting the contrast with the bustling roads he had passed. Here, mansions lined both sides, some modest two-story homes with courtyards, others massive estates guarded by silent sentinels.
So many of these must be Walkers or nobles. This is trickier than I thought.
He reached a three-story mansion and slipped into the shadow of a nearby tree, activating Shadow Stealth. His hands shimmered and vanished.
Incredible… he thought, stepping out from the shadows and moving toward the gate.
A young blonde officer in green stood at the entrance, lost in thought.
Why a guard here? Empty house? Something's hiding inside… Raven stayed calm and skirted the compound wall, scanning the other side with his spiritual sense.
Just grass… but I can't risk making a sound.
Concentrating, he leapt over the two-meter wall, landing silently on the lawn. Stealthily, he made his way toward the main building.
He paused by the side of the mansion, considering the front door.
No key. And even if I force it open, the noise could alert the officer.
His gaze shifted to a balcony on the second floor. No ladder. Then movement caught his eye through a window, and Raven froze.
Someone's inside.
He crouched closer, listening. Voices carried from the main hall:
"Why do we have to do this without pay, boss? We were supposed to kill the three servants last week… Now a new kid? Inspector Bennett's obsessed with that brat's blood!"
"Aron, don't dig into it. Big payout when it's done—ten gold coins up front."
"I still don't trust that sly fox. If this fails, we'll take the blame. Backed by the Falcons, after all," a woman's voice warned.
"Relax, Remy. As long as Thomas is in our hands, no one—Inspector or Falcons—dares act. Worst case? Lord Count's mansion and the Spades handle it. We move after, start fresh," the rough voice said.
Raven's jaw tightened. Did the innkeeper sell me out? Or did they already expect me?
He remained calm, pulling out his monocle. Instantly, a cascade of information appeared in his vision:
Remy — Member of the Gold Thieves, Official Walker (Fourth Circle)
Aron — Member of the Gold Thieves (Greedy Chargers), Official Walker (Fifth Circle)
Harlan — Leader of the Gold Thieves, Expert Walker (Eighth Circle)
Tommy — Member of the Gold Thieves, Official Walker (Sixth Circle)
Zyad — Member of the Gold Thieves, Official Walker (Fourth Circle)
Alvin — Member of the Gold Thieves, Official Walker (Fifth Circle)
Mia — Vice-Leader of the Gold Thieves (Viper Syndicate), Expert Walker (Ninth Circle)
Raven's mind raced.
'Alright… this just got complicated.'