Chapter 86: Walk Through Phanes
Joseph and Marie both trembled slightly but kept their expression the same as they continued following.
"You think he’ll send people to follow us?" Marie asked, her voice dropping lower despite the ambient noise of the street around them.
Joseph’s hand rose to caress his chin, his eyes distant with thought. "It would make sense for him to. Regardless of how we feel about him, he does care that we make it to the time of his ’stage performance’ and wouldn’t want us to get hurt or leave."
Reinhard nodded, his gaze scanning the street ahead while he spoke. "Phineas will have people keeping tabs on us and knowing where we are so he can incorporate us in his performance anytime he wants."
Joseph sighed. "So we have to look out for the sponsor group?"
Reinhard shook his head. "The thing is, it could be anyone. Since he’s a sponsor, he has a lot of money and can hire multiple people to keep an eye on us."
Memories surfaced in Reinhard’s mind that were unwanted but relevant. His time with various gangs and working alongside hitmen had taught him how surveillance operations functioned.
The use of hiring investigators to track targets. Paying ordinary citizens to report on specific people’s movements while bribing officials for information. Blackmailing others to commit acts that wouldn’t trace back to the original orchestrator.
He’d seen it all and had participated in it during darker periods, one that he didn’t want to dwell on. And he knew that for someone as obsessed as Phineas, who is so determined to implement whatever plot he’d been creating.
He would believe knowing their location at all times would be essential, especially after hearing that Joseph got injured.
Ensuring they didn’t leave the city would be paramount.
"Obviously, we can’t stop it." Marie said quietly, her tone carrying reluctant acceptance. "So what’s the plan? Should we just ignore it and"
"We just need to assume we’re being watched constantly and be careful with what we say and how we move." Reinhard said calmly. "Right now is fine because he wasn’t expecting us and won’t have anyone following yet."
Marie nodded before smiling and saying. "Then we should go buy clothing to change into and then find a place to stay."
Reinhard and Joseph both nodded in agreement as their current clothing was dirty, and they needed a place for the night.
They began navigating through the streets, stopping occasionally to ask passersby for directions.
The people they approached were universally helpful as they pointed them toward commercial districts and provided landmarks to watch for.
The clothing store they found was modest but well-stocked, its windows displaying garments similar to what most city residents wore.
They entered, browsed quickly, and purchased outfits that would let them blend into Phane City’s population.
When they emerged, they’d transformed from their dirty Academy uniforms. Instead, they were wearing the darker colors and fitted styles common throughout the city. Reinhard wore black trousers with a black shirt, shoes, and a grey cap, while Joseph wore beige trousers with a black shirt and shoes. Marie wore black shoes and a skirt with a white blouse, plus a black hat on her head.
Reinhard carried a bag containing their uniforms and additional clothing.
Marie’s eyes swept across the street, landing on a cafe visible down the block, and her expression brightened immediately. "Let’s go to the cafe!"
Joseph shook his head as he gave an amused smile. "Why don’t we check into a hotel first, so we have a place to stay and put our bags away?"
Marie paused mid-step, her excitement deflating. She looked down at the cobblestones beneath her feet, shoulders dropping slightly, and then she nodded slowly, disappointment evident but accepted.
Reinhard’s hand rose, gently caressing her hair with a smile. "We’ll be quick, and then we can explore lots more after. Let’s go."
His words seemed to restore some of Marie’s energy as she lifted her head and faintly smiled at him.
They asked for directions again, this time seeking lodging recommendations. A merchant pointed them toward one of the city’s ten hotels, a mid-range establishment that would provide comfort without attracting excessive attention.
The hotel’s exterior was well-maintained, its walls matching the general architectural style of the surrounding district.
They entered through double doors into a reception area with wood floors and walls painted in crimson.
The desk clerk greeted them with a polite nod and smile.
Marie handled the transaction, producing gold coins from her coin purse with practiced ease. Ninety gold for a week’s stay in a room large enough for three.
The clerk accepted payment, made note in her ledger, and handed over a key attached to a wooden tag marked "540."
"Fifth floor." The clerk said, gesturing toward the elevator in the corner of the reception area.
They stepped inside the metal cage, the clerk pulled a lever from outside, and the mechanism engaged with grinding sounds. The rise was smooth despite the noise of the gears turning overhead, and the cage rose steadily past the second floor, third, fourth, finally settling at the fifth with a gentle bump.
They exited into a hallway lined with numbered doors. Room 540 was halfway down, distinguished only by the brass numbers affixed to its dark wood surface.
The key turned smoothly.
The door opened to reveal a modest but clean space with multiple rooms, a table, a window overlooking the street below, a wardrobe for clothing, and a small table with chairs.
They entered quickly, depositing their bags on the beds without unpacking.
"Ready?" Reinhard asked, already moving back toward the door.
Marie and Joseph both nodded, following immediately.
They retraced their path to the elevator, descended back to the reception level, and emerged onto the street. It was evening at the moment, with the breeze being cooler and longer shadows appearing around.
"Now." Marie said as she held her hips and grinned. "We found a cafe!"
Joseph and Reinhard both laughed before nodding as they told her to lead the way. They began walking, their eyes scanning storefronts and following the scent of coffee and baked goods that drifted through the streets.