Chapter Nine: The Assistant Priest

Ironhammer drank himself half into a stupor at the Cripple’s Tavern, then caught a passing barge and drifted downstream along the Seine toward Dunkirk. During the welcome banquet for Ironhammer at the Cripple’s, Lin Qi gave Enzo a brief account of some of Ironhammer’s legendary exploits. As one of the top ten most wanted individuals on the Braly Security Office’s list, Ironhammer had a bounty of a thousand gold coins on his head, dead or alive. For this reason, he rarely ventured far from Dunkirk and almost never approached Braly itself.

Even this time, Ironhammer only dared to appear in the chaotic and unruly docklands of Braly; not for a moment would he step beyond that district. The secret police under the Braly Security Office, not to mention the dragoons, were far from mere decoration. If Ironhammer ever caught their attention, he would be in for serious trouble.

The letter Lin Qi received from his father had only one message: he was to return home for the holiday, and no other instructions. Ironhammer was his father’s most trusted confidant, so for him to brave the risks and deliver the letter in person showed exactly how determined his father was—this time, Lin Qi had to go home, or the consequences would be severe.

After burning the letter over a candle, Lin Qi, still a little tipsy, glanced out at the gray sky, thick with falling snow, rubbed his hands, bade farewell to the Cripple, and staggered outside with a hiccup. Enzo, thoroughly satisfied, patted his round belly as he followed Lin Qi. The Cripple had spared no expense for Ironhammer’s welcome feast: fine wine, delicacies, beautiful women, and all for free. Enzo had indulged himself so much that he now found it hard even to breathe.

The two ambled along the main road toward University City, taking their time. After a while, Enzo belched and finally asked, “Boss, I’ve always wondered, why haven’t you gone home in three years? With the Seine waterway, it’s just two days by boat from Braly to Dunkirk, isn’t it?”

Lin Qi kept his hands in his sleeves, his eyes darting restlessly to the bulging money belts of passersby, estimating how much glittering gold or silver treasure they might contain based on their clothes and manner. He didn’t answer Enzo’s question, only muttering under his breath, “Have Vic keep an eye on the Cripple’s Tavern. Make sure those easterners don’t notice.”

Smacking his lips, Lin Qi said with layered meaning, “They deal in gold bars at a single stroke—these people are dripping with wealth, Enzo. The Cripple is being greedy, trying to keep it all to himself?”

Enzo’s fingers cracked as he squeezed his fists, his attention now diverted by Lin Qi’s words. He no longer dwelled on why Lin Qi hadn’t gone home in three years. Grinning eagerly, he said, “That damned cripple! Boss, we need to find a way to get a slice of this sudden windfall. That guy named Jiang Yong—if we took off his right hand, those rings alone would keep the brothers rolling in luxury for a long time!”

Lin Qi waved his hand dismissively, a shadow on his face. “I know, I know, of course I know. Have Vic be careful, don’t let anyone notice. This is a tricky crowd, not so easy to handle. First, figure out what they’re doing in Braly, then trace their origins. And if there’s enough in it, I don’t mind letting my father’s people take a share.”

Enzo cried out in mock surprise, “Boss, you always say your father is ‘just a miller’!”

Shooting Enzo an impatient look, Lin Qi gritted his teeth. “Of course, he’s just a miller. But who says a miller can’t pull off a heist?”

Enzo stared helplessly at the sky. He resolved then and there that when the university closed for the holiday and Lin Qi returned home, he would follow along for a look. He was intensely curious about what kind of family Lin Qi really came from.

By the time they reached the University City district, the feast had mostly been digested. Lin Qi sneezed forcefully, feeling much more refreshed. He greeted students from various colleges with hearty enthusiasm, but the female students recoiled from him as if he were a viper, and the male students responded with the caution one might give a wild beast, only a few having the courage to meet his gaze directly.

In particular, those cadets from the Imperial Military Academy, clad in tight uniforms and swords at their waists, paid Lin Qi no regard at all. But when they caught sight of Enzo at Lin Qi’s side, even these future officers of the Empire revealed a trace of wariness.

And so, Lin Qi swaggered down the avenue, drawing the eye of everyone he passed, but few dared to meet his gaze.

“These model students are so dull!” Lin Qi muttered to Enzo with a sneer. “They tremble like quails frozen stiff. Is the future of the Empire really in the hands of such cowards? I see little hope for the Empire if its supposed elite can’t even look a bad student like me in the eye—how can we expect them to sacrifice for the Empire’s interests in the future?”

Enzo only sneered arrogantly, his chin tilted at a provocative forty-five degrees as he challenged the marching cadets with his gaze. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to issue a duel at the slightest provocation.

“Mad Swordsman” Enzo—this was a name earned at the cost of nearly a hundred wounded cadets from the Military Academy.

Seeing the fearful glances from the students, Enzo grinned broadly. This was his turf, and he relished the respect and awe it inspired.

The two arrived at the gates of the Fifth University. From here, a right turn and another half-mile would take you to the side entrance of the Military Academy. Here, they parted ways: Enzo would go inform Vic to assign more men to monitor the Cripple’s Tavern, while Lin Qi had his own affairs to attend to.

Just in front of the gate, a clear, melodious bell rang out. A priest in a black cassock, swinging a copper bell, called out to Lin Qi. “Hey, Mr. Lin Qi, long time no see. You’re looking well!”

Father Barren, assistant chaplain of Braly’s Fifth University, spiritual guide to the students and Lin Qi’s close friend. He was short, round-bellied, with a face as white and smooth as a peeled egg, his eyes glinting with clever mischief.

Lin Qi walked over with a smile, tossing him the last twenty coppers from his purse in exchange for two church-issued “indulgence notes.”

Stuffing the indulgence notes carelessly into his sleeve, Father Barren nodded in satisfaction. “The Lord will bless you, dear young master Lin Qi. And, as it happens, I have some good news for you.”

Glancing around, Father Barren lowered his voice and whispered, “A new Ghiselle troupe has arrived outside the city. Their lead dancer is quite something. The esteemed Dean of Academic Affairs, Mr. Grand, is very taken with her. If you can arrange an introduction, Mr. Lin Qi, your credits this year will be guaranteed.”

Lin Qi squinted with a satisfied smile, patted Father Barren on the shoulder, and strode through the university gate.

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