The Villain Professor's Second Chance

"Hey, boss," she greeted, dropping into the chair across from me and tossing a bundle of papers onto the desk. "Got some juicy tidbits from Haverford. You're gonna love this."

I raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue. Liora's ability to blend into any environment and extract information was unmatched. Her reports were always thorough, detailed, and often came with a side of her unique, irreverent commentary.

"So," she began, leaning back casually, "Haverford's got a few cracks in its shiny facade. The biggest one? The local lord's stretched too thin. He's trying to juggle too many things at once—defense, trade, infrastructure, you name it. The security's a joke; I slipped past the guards like they were statues. And the people?

They're grumbling. High taxes, poor management, you get the picture."

I nodded, taking mental notes. Haverford's weaknesses could be exploited if necessary, but for now, the focus was elsewhere. "And the information you gathered about the banquet attack?"

Liora's expression turned serious, a rare sight. "That was a close call. From what I overheard, it wasn't just a random hit. Someone hired a group specifically to take out the prince. They were supposed to create a diversion while the real killers did their job. But here's the kicker—they never mentioned anything about the demonic attack.

It's like they didn't even know it was gonna happen."

I frowned, tapping my fingers on the desk. The demonic attack at the banquet had been a chaotic, unexpected twist. If the assassins were unaware, it suggested a deeper, more convoluted plot. "Interesting. The ones who knew about the demons must be a different group, possibly with their own agenda."

"Yeah," Liora agreed, her eyes narrowing in thought. "It's like someone wanted to ensure the chaos reached a boiling point. Double whammy."

I nodded, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to form a clearer picture. "Good work, Liora. Take a few days to rest. You've earned it. I'll have a new assignment for you soon."

She grinned, pushing herself up from the chair. "Sure thing, boss. Just don't make it too easy, okay?"

As Liora left, the room fell silent, the weight of the new information settling heavily. I turned to Alfred, who had been standing quietly by the door, his expression thoughtful. "We need to interrogate the captured bandits," I said, my voice cold and calculating. "There's more to this than meets the eye, and I want to know who's pulling the strings."

Alfred nodded, his face unreadable. "Shall I prepare the interrogation room, my lord?"

"Yes," I replied, rising from my seat. "And make sure the guards are doubled. We can't afford any more surprises."

The interrogation room was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced across the rough stone walls. The air was thick with a palpable tension, the kind that made every sound seem amplified. The bandit leader sat slumped in his chair, his face a mask of defiance, though the bruises marring his skin betrayed the truth of his situation.

His men, lined up along the wall, mirrored his defiance with a hint of fear glimmering in their eyes. Alfred stood beside me, a silent guardian, his presence a cold reminder of the control we held over the room.

I began with a simple question, my voice calm but carrying the weight of authority. "Who hired you?"

The leader sneered, spitting on the ground in a futile display of rebellion. "You think I'm gonna spill just because you ask nicely? Go to hell."

I sighed, leaning forward, my eyes narrowing slightly. "You're already in a bad spot. Cooperate, and maybe we can make things easier for you."

He laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed off the walls. "I don't know who hired us. Just a middleman, calls himself The Broker. Always shows up in a cloak and mask, so we never see his face."

The mention of The Broker piqued my interest, a thread to pull on. "And what does this Broker want with the Drakhan Earldom?"

The leader shrugged, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. His bravado was starting to crack. "He pays well, that's all we care about. Said something about stirring up trouble, making a statement. But there's more. The Broker… he's got a thing with magical creatures.

Brings 'em along sometimes. Creepy stuff."

I sensed there was more to this, and leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a cold whisper. "Describe these creatures."

The bandit leader hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. Alfred, ever perceptive, stepped forward, placing a hand on the bandit's shoulder. It was a gentle gesture, but the underlying menace was unmistakable. "Now, now," Alfred said, his voice smooth as silk. "We wouldn't want this to get any more unpleasant, would we?"

The leader flinched, then sighed, resigned. "Strange beasts. Things you don't see around here. Some look like they've been… altered, you know? Like they're part magic, part… something else."

The description matched what I knew of Sylara, the Beastmaster. Her ability to control magical creatures was a significant detail. The puzzle pieces were starting to fit together, revealing a more sinister picture.

I stood, pacing slowly around the room, my mind racing. I examined the bandit leader's attire closely: the worn leather armor, the scars on his hands, the way he flinched at certain sounds. Each detail painted a picture. He was older than he appeared, perhaps in his late thirties, and the roughness of his skin suggested a life spent outdoors, likely in a leadership role among his group.

The slight tremor in his hands indicated a recent injury, probably from the scuffle during their capture.

"You're a father," I said suddenly, turning to face him. The bandit leader's eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. "Two children, if I'm not mistaken. A boy and a girl. You've got a habit of checking your left wrist—probably because your daughter made you a bracelet. It's not there now, but the habit remains.

You flinch when you hear sharp noises, which suggests a recent trauma, likely from protecting your family."

The leader swallowed hard, his bravado crumbling. I pressed on, relentless. "You weren't always a bandit. A soldier, perhaps? Or a guard? The way you move suggests formal training.

And you're not doing this for the money, not entirely. There's fear in your eyes, not just for yourself but for your family. The Broker has something on you, doesn't he?"

He looked away, jaw clenched. The room fell silent, the tension thickening. Alfred's eyes met mine, and I nodded subtly. He stepped forward, his voice low and almost kind. "We can help you, but only if you help us. The Broker doesn't care about you or your family.

We can offer protection."

The bandit leader's shoulders sagged, the fight leaving him. "He threatened them," he muttered, voice barely above a whisper. "Said if we didn't do the job, he'd make sure they paid the price."

I nodded, my suspicions confirmed. "And what does he want with the magical creatures? Why bring them along?"

The leader shook his head, fear evident in his eyes. "I don't know. He never said. But... there's something wrong about them. They're not just creatures—they're...

enhanced. More dangerous. Like they've been changed somehow."

The implications were chilling. If The Broker and Sylara were using modified magical creatures, the threat was far greater than I had anticipated. The creatures could be used for attacks, subjugation, or worse—experiments.

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"Thank you for your cooperation," I said, stepping back. "You've been surprisingly helpful."

As Alfred and I exited the room, the weight of the new information settled heavily on my shoulders. The Broker and the Beastmaster, likely Sylara, were involved in something far more dangerous than simple banditry. The use of enhanced magical creatures suggested a larger, more organized operation, possibly with connections to other power players.

"We'll need to move quickly," Alfred said, his voice breaking the silence. "If The Broker is planning something, we have to stop it before it's too late."

I nodded, my mind already racing with plans. "We will. But first, we need to find out more about these creatures and their modifications. If they're as dangerous as the bandit says, they could be a significant threat."

Alfred glanced back at the interrogation room. "What about the bandits? They've been useful, but can we trust them?"

"Trust is a luxury we can't afford," I replied, my tone cold. "But fear is a powerful motivator. They know what will happen if they cross us. We'll keep them close for now, but under constant watch."

As we made our way back to the main hall, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were only scratching the surface of a much larger conspiracy. The Broker's use of Sylara and her creatures indicated resources and connections that extended beyond simple criminal activities. There were too many variables, too many unknowns.

But one thing was clear: the Drakhan Earldom was being targeted, and it was my duty to protect it.

"Prepare the men," I ordered, turning to Alfred. "We need to be ready for anything. And start gathering information on Sylara and her movements. If she's involved, we need to find her and put a stop to whatever she's planning."

Alfred nodded, his expression grim. "And The Broker?"

"We'll find him too," I said, a cold determination settling in my chest. "And when we do, we'll make sure he never threatens anyone again."