The city bustled with the usual morning chatter, merchants hawking their wares and noble carriages rolling through the cobbled streets. But Leon had no interest in the mundane. His mind was already far ahead—plotting, calculating. Baron Everett Grayson wasn't just a target; he was an opportunity. And opportunities were meant to be seized, not wasted.

  Celica followed closely, her steps barely making a sound as they wound through the back alleys toward one of Leon’s lesser-known safehouses. She crossed her arms as they stepped inside, the dim candlelight casting flickering shadows on the wooden walls.

  "You’re going to try and flip Grayson, aren't you?" Celica said, her tone somewhere between incredulous and impressed.

  Leon smirked as he leaned against the table, tapping the rune-engraved bullet thoughtfully. "Of course. Killing him would be the easy way out. But if I can turn him into an asset, Draymore won’t know what hit them."

  Celica shook her head, dropping into a nearby chair. "And how exactly do you plan on convincing him? The man’s a paranoid wreck—he’s practically barricaded himself in his estate ever since rumors about Draymore targeting him started circulating."

  Leon’s eyes glinted with amusement. "Fear makes people predictable. He’s expecting assassins, not a friend."

  Celica arched an eyebrow. "And you're going to waltz right up and offer him a handshake?"

  "Something like that," Leon said, slipping the bullet back into his coat. "But first, we need leverage. Information. Grayson won’t trust me unless I give him a reason to."

  Celica groaned. "Which means breaking into his estate, doesn’t it?"

  Leon grinned. "Exactly."

  Later That Night – Grayson’s Estate

  Leon crouched in the shadows outside the towering walls of Baron Grayson’s estate. The structure was an imposing fortress, lined with magical warding runes that shimmered faintly under the moonlight. Celica knelt beside him, studying the guards patrolling along the perimeter.

  "This place is a nightmare," she whispered. "He's got magic sensors on the walls, two-man patrols every five minutes, and I’m willing to bet there are traps inside."

  Leon adjusted his gloves, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Good. It wouldn’t be fun if it was easy."

  Celica sighed. "Remind me why I agreed to this again?"

  "Because you're curious," Leon whispered back, a grin on his lips. "And because you know we can pull this off."

  Without another word, he moved, slipping through the shadows like a phantom. Celica followed, her movements equally silent as they approached a blind spot near the garden wall. Leon produced a small device from his coat—a sleek, metallic gadget with intricate arcane engravings. With a quiet hum, he pressed it against the warded wall, watching as the runes flickered and dimmed.

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  "That gives us ten seconds before the wards reboot," he murmured.

  They scaled the wall with practiced ease, landing silently in the manicured hedges below. The estate grounds were eerily quiet, save for the distant murmuring of guards at the front entrance.

  Leon gestured toward the western wing. "His study should be there. That’s where the real treasure is."

  Celica nodded, slipping ahead as they navigated through the shadows. They reached the study’s window, and Leon produced a thin wire, carefully working at the lock until it clicked open.

  Inside, the study was richly furnished—bookshelves lined with ancient tomes, a large desk littered with papers, and a roaring fireplace casting flickering light across the room.

  Leon wasted no time, sifting through the documents. "Look for anything linking him to Draymore or his enemies."

  Celica scanned the shelves, plucking a leather-bound ledger. "Here. Trade routes, bribes, deals... and this." She handed Leon a sealed letter bearing an unfamiliar crest.

  Leon broke the seal, scanning the contents. His lips curled into a grin. "Interesting. It looks like Grayson’s been secretly negotiating with the Merchant Guild—cutting Draymore out of key trade deals."

  Celica whistled. "No wonder they want him dead."

  Leon’s mind raced. This was exactly the leverage he needed. If Grayson was smart, he’d know he was out of his depth. And Leon was more than willing to offer him a way out—on his terms.

  A sudden noise from outside snapped both their attention to the window.

  "Patrol’s coming," Celica hissed.

  Leon tucked the letter inside his coat, moving quickly. "Time to go."

  They slipped out the way they came, scaling the wall just as the guards rounded the corner. Celica shot him a look as they disappeared into the night. "That was close."

  Leon grinned. "Too close. But worth it."

  The Meeting

  The next evening, Leon found himself standing in a private lounge at a high-end tavern, waiting. The letter had been delivered under the guise of an anonymous tip, and now it was only a matter of time.

  Baron Everett Grayson entered the room moments later, his face pale and drawn with tension. His eyes darted around nervously before landing on Leon.

  "You have a death wish, boy," Grayson muttered, sinking into the chair opposite him.

  Leon poured himself a glass of wine, offering a calm smile. "No death wishes. Just business."

  Grayson’s hands trembled slightly as he set the letter down. "What do you want?"

  Leon leaned forward, his tone measured. "Draymore wants you dead. But I don’t work for them—I work for myself."

  Grayson swallowed hard. "And what do you expect in return for... keeping me alive?"

  Leon smiled. "Your cooperation. You keep running your trade routes, but under my terms. In exchange, I make Draymore’s problem go away without bloodshed."

  Grayson eyed him warily. "And what happens if I refuse?"

  Leon’s eyes darkened. "Then someone else takes my place, and they won’t be nearly as reasonable."

  Silence hung between them before Grayson exhaled heavily. "Fine. What do you need?"

  Leon took a sip of wine. "A few favors. Access to certain shipping routes, a little discretion, and... information. You keep your head, and I’ll make sure Draymore never gets close."

  Grayson nodded slowly. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Lord Eryndor."

  Leon smirked. "It’s the only kind worth playing."

  As Grayson left, Leon leaned back in his chair, satisfied. With Grayson under his thumb, he had just turned Draymore’s plan on its head. Now, it was only a matter of waiting to see how they’d react.

  Celica, emerging from the shadows, gave him an approving nod. "Not bad, Leon."

  Leon chuckled. "Just the beginning, Cel. Just the beginning."

  End of Chapter Nine.