The Town of Shining Stone (10)

I looked down at the town of Marmaros from the night sky, using levitation magic.

Several guards carrying torches patrolled various parts of the town in groups.

They had tightened security because of the two murders that had already occurred—and the murders likely to follow.

Viewed from the dark sky, the town looked as though it were trembling with anxiety.

Even if Count Marmaros yielded to the threats, the murders probably would not stop immediately.

Even after increasing the amount of marble sold to merchants closely connected to Archbishop Bischea, the murders would continue for a while.

They would issue veiled threats, pretend they had nothing to do with the murders, and then crush Count Marmaros's will to resist.

However, they would exclude his sons and important retainers from their targets, since cornering him too thoroughly might cause him to harbor a deep grudge.

It was a truly filthy affair.

No matter how vigilant the guards were, the darkness that descended over the town at night was deep...