Wade slowed as he approached the mansion gate, careful not to look threatening. After all, this was night, not day.

Two guards stood at the gate, both dressed in dark blue livery, but Wade was sure they were the only visible guards. There had to be others right out of sight.

However, the two visible guards stood tall. Their armor was finely made, polished and well-maintained. Anyone who saw them would immediately know they were not city guards, but trained house soldiers.

One of them stepped forward, his halberd angled slightly towards Wade's chest. "Halt. State your name and business."

"Wade Barrett," he said, raising his hands in a gesture to show he meant no harm. "I'm here to see Viscount Fairchild."

The guards exchanged a glance.

The one who'd spoken looked Wade over again, eyeing his plain clothes, the pauldrons on his shoulders, and the faint scuff marks on his boots.

It was clear Wade was an adventurer. He wasn't exactly the sort of man nobles welcomed through the front door without notice.

"Do you have an appointment, sir?" the guard asked, his tone polite but firm.

Wade blinked. In his eagerness to get here, he hadn't even thought about it. The Viscount could already be asleep.

But he was already here. He could try his luck.

"Not exactly," Wade replied. "But tell him it's regarding a business arrangement. He'll want to hear it."

The guard's brows furrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Wait here."

The second guard stayed behind, watching Wade carefully while his companion strode up the long, lantern-lit path leading to the mansion doors.

Wade could see the soft orange glow of candles through the tall arched windows.

The place was unnaturally quiet. He hadn't been expecting laughter or music, but with the amount of trees that lined the property, he hadn't even heard one faint rustle from the trees.

He waited. A few minutes passed. The other guard stood still, his halberd unmoving.

Finally, the first guard returned, walking briskly. He gave a curt nod. "The Viscount will see you."

The gates swung open with a low creak.

"Follow the messenger inside. Do not stray," the guard warned.

A young man in the household livery appeared at the edge of the path. A messenger, probably a servant. He bowed slightly. "If you would come with me, sir."

Wade nodded and followed him up the path towards the main mansion.

Up close, the structure was even more impressive. It had two columns framing the entrance, and beautiful carvings of beasts and winged figures on the stone walls.

They didn't enter through the grand double doors, however. The servant led Wade around to the side, down a narrower passageway that opened into a simpler door. The servant route.

Wade wasn't surprised. Nobles never let adventurers walk through their main halls, not unless they were wearing medals or noble crests of their own.

Inside, the narrow corridor was lined with modest lamps and carpets that softened every footstep.

"Please wait here," the servant said, leading him to a smaller door at the end of the hall. He opened it, and motioned Wade inside. "The Viscount will be with you shortly."

Wade inclined his head. "Thank you."

He entered, and the servant left quietly, closing the door behind him.

Though he hadn't been here before, the study was exactly as he expected it to look like.

It looked tasteful, extravagant, and designed to impress without being gaudy.

Gold-trimmed bookcases lined the walls, filled with volumes bound in deep leather and embossed with sigils of old families.

A massive rug covered most of the floor, woven with a pattern that resembled coiling serpents. On one wall hung a landscape painting of the Hiving skyline at dusk.

And, as expected, there was only one chair in the entire study. It sat behind the desk.

The rest of the room was intentionally bare of seating, as if to remind any visitor that they stood beneath the man sitting behind that desk.

Wade remained standing, hands clasped behind his back, scanning the shelves idly.

A few minutes passed before the door finally opened behind him.

"Ah, Barrett!"

Viscount Fairchild strode in with a grin on his face, his robe hanging loose over his shoulders.

His chest was still bare, as if he'd been interrupted mid-change. A faint sheen of sweat clung to his neck and hairline. He was laughing softly to himself, his energy oddly jovial.

"Forgive my appearance," he said, waving a hand dismissively as he crossed the room. "I just finished something… important."

Wade arched a brow. "I hope I didn't interrupt."

"Oh, not at all," Fairchild said cheerfully, dropping into his chair. "In fact, I'm pleasantly surprised. The messenger said you wanted to see me. At this hour, no less. That means either good news, or trouble. So…"

He steepled his fingers and smiled. "Which is it?"

Wade's face remained neutral. "Good news."

"Oh?"

"I'm here to make a payment," Wade said. "Towards my debt."

The Viscount's eyes flickered with surprise. "So soon?" He leaned forward slightly, elbows on the desk. "You've only had the funds for what, a few days?"

"Four," Wade replied.

Fairchild chuckled, shaking his head. "Remarkable. I must say, Barrett, I didn't take you for the overly cautious type. Most adventurers wait until the very last day before crawling to my door."

"But you…" He pointed at Wade, smiling. "You're the kind who pays early."

"I prefer sleeping well," Wade said.

"Hah!" Fairchild laughed, slapping the arm of his chair. "Fair enough. I assume this is your weekly installment then. Twenty-five thousand coins?"

Wade shook his head. "No. I'm here to pay for two months."

The laughter died.

Fairchild straightened in his chair, his gaze fixing on Wade. "Two months?"

"One hundred thousand coins per month," Wade said. "Two hundred thousand total."

For a long moment, the Viscount said nothing. Then he leaned back slowly, expression shifting to mild disbelief.

"Two hundred thousand…" He let the number roll off his tongue, as if tasting it. "You expect me to believe you have that much lying around after only four days?"

"I don't expect you to believe anything," Wade said. His tone was polite but he didn't back down. "I'm simply here to pay it."

Fairchild studied him, the silence stretching. His eyes were calculating, dissecting every twitch of Wade's face.

Finally, he smiled. It wasn't friendly.

"If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the money?"

"I overestimated what I needed," Wade said smoothly. "After making my purchases, I realized I'd been too conservative."

"I had two hundred thousand left from the five hundred thousand you loaned me. So I decided to use it to clear part of my debt."

The Viscount's smile widened, amused now. "You expect me to believe you spent three hundred thousand coins in less than a week and somehow, couldn't come up with a way to spend the rest?"

"Does it matter?" Wade asked mildly, "Whether you believe me or not doesn't affect our transaction, does it?"

Fairchild laughed, though the sound carried a faint edge of exasperation. "You really are a curious one."

He drummed his fingers on the desk. "Still… I can't say I dislike your attitude. Efficient. Confident. A little arrogant, but that comes with youth."

Wade said nothing.

The Viscount sighed, leaning back once more. "You're either telling me the truth or you've found another backer. Either way, I'm impressed. Most of the fools who come through my door can't pay a single installment without begging for an extension."

He gestured lazily toward the door. "Very well. Shall we?"

He stretched a hand towards Wade.

Wade activated Exchange, shaking his hand. And just like that, 200,000 coins changed hands.

"Meet my steward on your way out. That way, the payment would be recorded immediately."

"Of course," Wade said, bowing his head slightly.

Fairchild studied him for another moment, his expression hard to read. Then, just before Wade turned to leave, the noble spoke again, his tone softer.

"Barrett," he said. "You're a very interesting man. I can't quite decide whether you'll end up rich or dead. Either way, it'll be entertaining to find out."

"I'll aim for the first," Wade replied dryly.

The Viscount's grin returned, teeth flashing. "See that you do. The world needs more men who pay their debts early. Especially if they're in debt to me."

Wade gave a faint nod. "Then, if there's nothing else…"

"Go on." Fairchild waved dismissively, reaching for a decanter of dark wine. "You've bought yourself a brief reprieve. Enjoy it while it lasts."

Wade turned, stepping towards the door.

As he reached for the handle, Fairchild called out one last time, his voice almost playful.

"Next time you come, Barrett… bring me another surprise. I quite enjoyed this one."

Wade didn't respond. He simply stepped out, closing the door quietly behind him.

The Viscount's laughter followed him down the hall, the sound low, amused, and faintly dangerous.

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