Anemoi 21 – Anemoi 22, Imperial Year 1645
The Capital, Luminara – The Hunters' Hall
The morning shift was quiet. Margot – the older clerk, grey-streaked hair, scarred knuckles – sat behind the counter, updating her ledger. The other clerk, Elara – young, freckled, with auburn hair pulled into a messy bun – sorted through bounty notices.
"Another goblin nest," Elara said, holding up a parchment. "Three silver a head."
"He'll take it."
"How do you know?"
Margot didn't look up. "He always takes it."
The door chimed. The Goblin Slayer entered.
Elara's pen stopped. Her cheeks flushed. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear – then tucked it again.
He walked to the counter. Dented armor. Scratched helmet. Stained cloak. He set down a leather pouch. Wet sound.
"Goblins," he said.
Margot opened the pouch. Counted. "Twelve?"
He nodded.
"One nest?"
He nodded again.
She made a note. "Bounty is thirty-six silver."
He waited. Silent.
Elara slid the coins across the counter. Her hand brushed his gauntlet. She pulled back quickly.
"There's another nest," she said. "South ridge. The farmer's lost three sheep."
He took the coins. "How many?"
"Don't know. Maybe a dozen."
He turned to leave.
"Wait," Elara said. He stopped. "You could… you could take a map. So you don't get lost."
"I don't get lost."
"I know. But just in case."
He looked at her. The scratched visor made his expression unreadable. Then he took the map.
"Thank you."
He left.
The door chimed.
Elara stared at the door. Margot sighed.
"You gave him a map."
"He might need it."
"He's been to the south ridge twenty times."
"Twenty-one."
"You're counting?"
Elara's face turned red. "No."
Margot smiled. "You're hopeless."
"I'm efficient."
"You're infatuated."
"I'm not." Elara picked up a stack of parchments. "He's just… dedicated."
"He's covered in goblin blood."
"It washes off."
"Not from his personality."
Elara set down the parchments. "At least I'm not you."
Margot raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Alucard. The black coat. The silver hair. You practically melt when he walks in."
Margot's pen stopped. "I do not melt."
"You called him 'impossible' and smiled. That's melting."
"That's professionalism."
"That's flirting."
The door chimed. Both clerks looked up.
Vlad entered. Black coat, silver buttons. Wide‑brimmed hat. He walked to the counter.
Margot straightened her shoulders. Adjusted her ledger. "Alucard."
"The coven's head. You wanted proof."
He set a sack on the counter. It thudded.
Margot opened it. Peered inside. Closed it quickly. "That's… sufficient."
"The rest of the bounty."
She counted coins. Her fingers trembled slightly. "Four hundred."
He took them. Turned to leave.
"There's a witch in the western valley," Margot said. Her voice was a little too quick. "Reports of missing children."
"I'll take it."
"You don't want to rest?"
"Witches don't rest."
He left.
The door chimed.
Elara grinned. "You melted."
"I did not."
"You stammered."
"I did not stammer."
"You said 'that's sufficient' like you were proposing."
Margot threw a quill at her. Elara ducked. Both women laughed.
The Counter – Afternoon
The Goblin Slayer returned. His cloak was wetter. His sword was notched. He set down another pouch.
"Goblins," he said.
Margot opened it. Counted. "Eight?"
He nodded.
"South ridge?"
He nodded.
Elara slid the coins across. "Twenty-four silver."
He took them. Didn't move.
"Something else?" Elara asked.
"The map," he said. "It was accurate."
Her heart skipped. "I… good. I'm glad."
He turned to leave.
"The goblin slayer," Margot called. He paused. "There's a hunter asking about you. Alucard. He hunts witches."
"Not interested."
"He might want to team up."
"I work alone."
He left.
Elara watched the door. Margot watched Elara.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Staring."
"I'm observing."
"You're infatuated."
"I'm appreciating dedication."
Margot snorted. "Same thing."
End of Chapter One Hundred Six