"Here you go."
I handed the schematics for the enhanced crossbow to Sorine Jurard.
"Hmm, interesting."
She took the diagrams, resting her chin on her hand as she slowly looked them over. After a moment, she rolled the paper back up and spoke.
"This has significant research value. Good work on the commission."
"Don't mention it."
I had helped Sorine as Isran requested, but now there was no time left for leisurely side quests. Quite a bit of time had passed since Choi Ha-neul left, and if my veteran meta-knowledge was correct, she’d be filling the Bloodstone Chalice by now and starting the hunt for a Moth Priest.
*I have to make a move before she reads the Elder Scroll.*
It was unlikely, but if the Volkihar Clan secured all three Elder Scrolls and recruited a Moth Priest, it would be game over. I had to hurry.
*They already have one scroll in their hands...*
I needed to find that Moth Priest first.
"Isran, I’m back from helping Sorine."
I approached Isran, who was busy building a wooden palisade with Gunmar to house the armored trolls.
"Good timing. Gunmar says he needs food for the trolls. Can you go fetch some?"
*This guy is really trying to work us to the bone.*
I let out a small sigh.
"Isran, it looks like you’re just interested in slowly building up the Dawnguard's strength."
"Why? Is there a reason I shouldn't?"
Isran stopped hammering and glared at me.
*Does this bastard still not grasp the situation?*
"The enemy has an Elder Scroll! We don't have time to sit around and build fences!"
My voice rose slightly in frustration.
"Sigh... then what exactly can you do?"
"What?"
"Those monsters you mentioned—can you handle them alone? Does it look like the Dawnguard has the resources for that right now?"
"Then we're just going to let—"
—Clap!
Serana clapped her hands together to draw our attention. Beside her, Meriden Eloise and Lydia watched with uneasy expressions.
Sensing the tension, even Gunmar had stopped working and was looking our way.
"Please... let's not fight..."
"I agree. We are on the same side, aren't we?"
*What am I doing...*
They were right. This wasn't the time for infighting.
Maybe I was just sensitive because Choi Ha-neul wasn't around. I didn't know anymore.
"I apologize for raising my voice."
"Hmph..."
Isran didn't offer much of a response to my apology.
"I've received word that a Moth Priest is somewhere in Skyrim. We're going to find him."
After a long silence, Isran finally spoke.
"...Fine."
After finishing that barren conversation, we headed toward Dragon Bridge. Since I’d never been there—meaning I hadn’t left any soul gems for my portal trick—we had to start from Solitude.
"Phew..."
Dealing with Isran was mentally exhausting. I could see why the Vigilants of Stendarr had kicked him out.
"By the way, how did you get information about a Moth Priest? I already knew, but that’s not exactly easy information to come by."
Serana's question, asked as she walked beside me, made me flinch.
How was I supposed to explain this? Normally, Serana is the one who mentions the Moth Priest during the quest, but since the story had gone off the rails, I’d blurted it out without thinking.
"I... I heard it from Savos Aren when we visited the College of Winterhold last time."
"Hmm... really?"
Serana gave me an incredibly suspicious look, but I pushed through with a desperate improv.
—Ding!
[Speech Skill Increased!]
— Current: Speech Level 83
For some reason, my Speech skill was leveling up faster than anything else. I wasn't sure if I should be happy about that.
*Good grief, I might end up a silver-tongued diplomat at this rate...*
"You’re quite interesting for a human," Serana said, meeting my eyes. For a moment, it felt like she was looking straight through my pupils and into my very soul.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Talking to you... it’s like you aren't someone born in Tamriel at all."
—Flinch.
"Haha, you’ve got a great sense of humor...!"
Was it because she had lived for hundreds of years? Her intuition was terrifying, and I could only mask my panic with a laugh.
"I see Dragon Bridge ahead."
Serana was closing in on me, but thankfully, Dragon Bridge finally came into view. Thanks to Lydia’s sharp eyes, I was able to make a quick subject change.
"Should we check the inn first?"
Inns were the only places travelers stayed, so it was the most likely stop. I left the women behind and ran toward the building.
*Phew.*
I really needed to be more careful with my words around Serana.
"I'm sorry, but no one like that has stayed here..."
According to the innkeeper, the priest hadn't reached the heart of Skyrim yet. He was likely still in a village near the border. Even if he’d already passed through, I just needed to gather information from the locals.
"It looks like we should investigate other towns. Let's check the ones near the borders."
Serana suggested trying Riften.
"Riften isn't..."
"Hehe, now that I think about it, you might have some bad memories of that place."
"Bad memories?"
"Ah... well, there's a thing or two."
I had been thrown in jail there once. But honestly, it was more that I was afraid of running into Camilla Valerius.
"Anyway, I think it's better to go to Falkreath before Riften."
"I agree."
"I'm fine with that too..."
And so, the trip to Riften was postponed as I led my party toward Falkreath. I wonder what Camilla is up to right now?
"Stop! You traitors!"
"Wait...! Listen to us!"
"You think I’ll fall for such a shallow trick?"
Karliah and Camilla, having returned to the Thieves Guild headquarters, were met by Brynjolf and the rest of the guild.
They wanted to be believed, but the reaction of the members—thoroughly deceived by Mercer Frey’s lies—was cold. They surrounded the pair, weapons drawn.
*I can still persuade them.*
Karliah didn't give up.
"Camilla! I trusted you, I even helped train you, and you betray us? Was that your intention for joining the guild in the first place?!" Vex shouted.
They raised their hands to show they had no intention of fighting. This caused the guild members' vigilance to waver slightly.
"I'll explain. Just listen to us first."
"Explain? Fine. But if you say anything ridiculous, your heads will roll immediately."
After Brynjolf made the guarantee and gestured, the guild members lowered their weapons in unison.
"First, read this. It's Gallus's journal."
Karliah pulled a paper from her pocket and tossed it in front of Brynjolf. He picked up the note and scanned the contents carefully.
A moment later, his face contorted in shock.
"No, this can't be...! Karliah, are you sure this document isn't a forgery?"
"It's the truth."
"Fine. Let's go to the guild vault."
Everyone followed Brynjolf to the vault door.
—Click.
Delvin Mallory used his key. But the door didn't budge. The special lock was designed to open only when the keys of two high-ranking members, Delvin and Brynjolf, were used simultaneously.
It was a lock that could never be opened with something like a lockpick.
Finally, with a groan and a cloud of dust, the thick iron door swung open.
—Creeak.
"Madness!"
"Karliah was right..."
The vault room was open. And inside, it was desolately empty.
Upon seeing the sight, Delvin threw open the chests, checking for any remaining wealth. There wasn't so much as a single gold Septim left. Furthermore, other valuables like paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and statues had vanished without a trace.
The truth was finally laid bare.
Mercer had been embezzling guild funds, and when Gallus, the previous guild leader, found out, Mercer murdered him. After Mercer became the guild master, he had been free to siphon off even more of their wealth.
"I truly can't believe it...."
"I'm sorry for doubting you..."
Apologies from the guild members followed as they faced the reality. Karliah and Camilla then recounted everything they had experienced in the dungeon.
"Sigh... Camilla, Karliah, I hope you can forgive me..."
A drained Brynjolf rubbed his face as he apologized to them.
"We're fine. But are you just going to sit there and stay defeated?"
"..."
After a brief silence in response to Camilla's question, Brynjolf regained his composure.
"No. I can't let that bastard enjoy his riches in peace."
"Good. That's the spirit."
"Find Mercer! I'll show that bastard what happens to a traitor."
Now Mercer Frey, the leader and former core of the guild, was a complete enemy.
"Karliah, Vex, Delvin. I'll ask you three to clean up the guild's mess and search for any trace of Mercer."
""Got it.""
The three followed Brynjolf's instructions. The remaining members also departed to their respective posts to maintain the guild’s integrity. The Thieves Guild was no longer a collection of random thugs, but a group of 'real' professionals.
Anyway, Camilla looked for an opening to leave the guild for real this time, but given the circumstances, it was hard to find the right words.
"Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, I'll be leaving this place—"
"Camilla, I’ve seen your skills through this ordeal. Take this as both an apology and a reward."
Despite her attempt to quit, Brynjolf cut her off and spoke relatively politely. In his hand was a sword.
"This is?"
Even to her eyes, it wasn't an ordinary sword. With its unique enchantments and design, it was clearly no common item.
"It's the Nightingale Blade. Keep it."
"Uh... okay."
*This makes it even harder to leave.*
Telling herself that 'this really is the last time,' Camilla asked Brynjolf about the next step.
"So, what should I do?"
"I like how quick you are. I want you to investigate Mercer's home."
"Mercer had a house?"
"Yes. He received it long before you joined as a reward for a mission from Maven Black-Briar."
"And Mercer used that house alone?"
"He was the Guild Master then. Though he's nothing now."
"Am I going alone?"
Mercer's house would be filled with all sorts of traps and mercenaries he had hired. Going alone carried a fair amount of risk.
"No. That house is the 'place no one wants to visit most' in Skyrim, but as a senior member, I believe it's my responsibility to take on this task."
"The place no one wants to visit?"
At Camilla's question, Brynjolf answered meaningfully.
"You'll see when we get there."
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