At the train station, Adam scans the nearly empty platform with growing unease. The vast iron canopy above echoes faintly with distant steam, but there are no crowds, no vendors, no bustle, only silence. A station conductor steps out onto the platform, a steam lantern swinging gently in his hand, its pale glow cutting through the lingering mist.
Adam turns to Reese beside him.
"What should we do?" he asks quietly.
Reese keeps his voice low.
"I heard a member of the Crown is among the expedition party," he replies. "They might be able to help us leave the city."
Adam frowns.
Since last night, the city has been under lockdown following the murder of two prominent figures, one a general, the other a nobleman. Soldiers have been stationed at every gate. No one enters. No one leaves.
Before they see it, they hear it.
The distant horn of the approaching train pierces the still air, followed by the rolling thunder of steel wheels. A plume of steam appears along the tracks, swelling larger as the locomotive approaches.
Adam rolls his eyes slightly, trying to recall details.
"Which coach are they in?" he asks.
"The Crown private coach," Reese answers without hesitation.
The train grows in their vision, slowing as it nears the station. The massive engine roars past them, steam venting in sharp bursts. One by one, the coaches follow.
Then they see it.
The Crown Private Coach was painted a deep, unmistakable red.
As it passes, Adam and Reese begin walking alongside it, keeping pace as it gradually slows. Finally, the train comes to a complete stop.
Doors open.
Passengers begin to disembark.
Adam quickly lifts the wooden board he has prepared: Archaeologist Team written boldly across it. He holds it high above his head.
This is a direct train from Olden City to Mariopoll. It does not stop at any intermediate stations. The passengers stepping onto the platform look confused as they glance around the near-empty station, seeing only a handful of waiting figures and uniformed guards at the perimeter.
Then the announcement crackles through the station speakers.
"Passengers, the city is currently under lockdown. Please exit the station calmly. Avoid unnecessary commotion."
The message repeats.
Adam and Reese glance at each other just as they notice three figures walking toward them.
A young man with sharp features.
Another slightly older man with a calm bearing.
And a beautiful young woman.
Their eyes linger on the woman a fraction too long. For a brief moment, they stare, unable to look away.
Clive steps forward and snaps his fingers sharply in front of them.
The two men blink, regaining their composure.
Clive frowns inwardly, once again cursing how easily men fall under the quiet influence of someone like Rosalyn.
He speaks directly.
"Are you two from Professor Hamlett's archaeology team?"
Both men nod quickly.
The one wearing spectacles steps forward first.
"Hi, I'm Adam," he says, extending his hand.
Clive shakes it.
Then the other.
"I'm Reese. We're interning under Professor Hamlett."
Clive shakes Reese's hand as well.
"I'm Clive," he says simply.
He gestures toward Kaelan.
"This is Master Kaelan, a Master Alchemist and an expert in antiquities."
Adam and Reese are ordinary people, but they are not ignorant. They have entered ruins. They have read ancient historical texts. They know alchemists are real, and they understand the weight of the title Master Alchemist.
Their eyes brighten visibly as they look at Kaelan with open admiration.
Rosalyn steps forward slightly.
"Why is the city under lockdown?" she asks.
Adam and Reese glance at her questioningly, then instinctively look toward Clive before allowing their gaze to return to her.
Clive answers dryly, "She's from the Crown."
Rosalyn repeats, her tone firmer, "Why is the city under lockdown?"
Adam exhales.
"Last night, three people were murdered," he says. "One was a general. Another was a nobleman."
Reese adds, "It's said rebels were responsible. So the city was sealed immediately."
A brief silence falls between them as passengers continue exiting the station under the watchful eyes of armed guards.
Reese glances at Rosalyn.
"If you speak with the City Mayor," he says carefully, "he might authorise our departure."
Clive glances sideways at Rosalyn.
Rosalyn nods once.
"Then we'll speak with Baron Melkos."
Reese hesitates briefly.
"The mayor also requested to meet your group," he says.
They begin walking toward the station exit, Adam and Reese leading the way. Kaelan follows at a measured pace behind the others.
As they step out of the station, Clive asks, "How were you two allowed inside during lockdown?"
Adam replies, "We arrived earlier with a city official. He escorted us through the checkpoint, then left."
Outside the station, a large carriage waits, drawn not by horses but by two steam automatons. Brass plating gleams along their mechanical frames, pistons moving rhythmically as steam vents softly from hidden valves.
Adam gestures toward it.
They board.
The carriage doors close.
And the steam-driven vehicle begins to move.
The mechanical wheels roll smoothly over the cobbled streets, pistons hissing rhythmically as thin trails of steam vent from brass fittings along the carriage frame. Through the glass windows, the city of Mariopoll appears tense and subdued. Shops are shuttered. Patrols move in pairs. Citizens walk quickly, speaking in hushed tones.
The carriage stops before the City Government building, a wide stone structure crowned with tall windows and iron balconies.
They are escorted inside by a young woman in official attire. Her steps are brisk, professional, and silent against the polished floors. Without unnecessary words, she leads them down a corridor and into a waiting room furnished with modest sofas, a long wooden table, and tall curtains drawn halfway over the windows.
"Please wait here," she says, offering a slight bow before stepping out.
The door closes behind her.
Silence settles.
Five minutes pass.
Clive exhales sharply, tapping his fingers against the armrest.
"What's taking the mayor so long?" he mutters.
Rosalyn glances at him calmly.
"Do you know how busy a mayor is?"
Clive scoffs.
"If he's so busy, then why did he request to meet us? Just give us permission to leave the city and be done with it."
Rosalyn folds her arms.
"Perhaps he wants to inform us of bad news."
Clive frowns.
"What do you mean?"
Before she can respond, the door opens again. The same woman steps inside.
"Guests, the Mayor will see you now."
They rise.
Following her, they enter a larger chamber deeper within the building.
The Mayor's office is spacious, lined with shelves filled with documents and city maps. A heavy desk sits near the far end, behind which a middle-aged man in formal attire stands as they approach.
"Thank you all for coming to assist us," he says. "But I bring unfortunate news."
Kaelan does not respond. Instead, he walks calmly toward the balcony doors, pushing them open to let in fresh air.
Baron Melkos frowns slightly at what he perceives as disrespect, but continues speaking.
"You must have heard about the heinous murders committed last night. Until the culprit is apprehended, the city will remain under lockdown."
Rosalyn steps forward.
"Nothing can be done? We are not the murderers. We should be allowed to leave."
The mayor shakes his head.
"The decision is not mine alone. Major General Abel has ordered the lockdown."
Clive narrows his eyes.
"Aren't you the highest authority in this city?"
Baron Melkos chuckles lightly.
"A decade ago, this city belonged to the Celtic Kingdom. Its strategic position makes it extremely important. Military authority here carries… considerable weight."
Before anyone else speaks, Kaelan's voice comes calmly from the balcony.
"I am going to the ruin."
All heads turn.
Kaelan steps forward and rises into the air as if gravity has no claim over him. His robes flutter lightly as he ascends above the balcony railing.
For a moment, no one moves.
Then Baron Melkos' mouth falls open.
His eyes widen in disbelief as Kaelan lifts higher into the sky and vanishes from sight beyond the rooftops.
The mayor rushes to the balcony.
Clive and Rosalyn follow, leaning out to look upward.
There is nothing.
Only blue sky and distant clouds.
They exchange glances.
Baron Melkos turns back slowly.
"Who… who is he?" he asks.
Rosalyn straightens.
"He is Master Alchemist Kaelan. The Crown invited him to assist in exploring the ruin."
The mayor falls silent.
Then he sighs heavily.
"Major General Abel will cause trouble for me again…"
He walks back to his chair and sinks into it.
After a long breath, he says, "Follow Sara. She will take you to your rooms."
Rosalyn does not immediately move.
"Mayor," she says firmly, "I am Official Rosalyn Everblood of the Crown. I request permission to assist in investigating the murders."
Clive raises his hand slightly.
"Me too. I'm a private detective, Clive Holmes."
Baron Melkos looks at both of them carefully.
"That authority does not rest with me," he says at last. "You must speak with Chief Galen."
He turns to the woman standing near the door.
"Sara, take them."
Sara nods politely.
"Please follow me."
They leave the office, stepping back into the corridor.
Behind them, Baron Melkos remains seated, staring thoughtfully at the balcony doors where a Master Alchemist had just flown away without concern for municipal authority or military orders.
Outside, the city remains under lockdown.
Above it, somewhere beyond sight, Kaelan heads toward the ancient ruin.
And below, tension tightens across Mariopoll like a drawn bowstring.
They follow Sara down the hall.
The door closes softly behind them.