Chapter 90: Infiltration (1)
Reinhard descended in the elevator, the mechanism creaking softly as it carried him down to the reception level. When the cage settled and he stepped out, he approached the desk clerk, a different person than before for the night shift.
A young man who looked up from his paperwork with a polite inquiry.
"Do you have a map of the city?" Reinhard asked gently.
The clerk nodded, reaching beneath the desk to produce a folded map. "Of course, my dear guest."
Reinhard accepted the map before unfolding it as he walked toward the hotel’s exit. His finger traced routes, identifying landmarks and distances. The closest Bolner Storage building was on the east side of Phane City, which was perhaps a twenty-minute walk from his current position.
As he stepped outside, he noted the changes in the city at night. Adults and teenagers filled the streets, moving in groups or as couples. Their laughter carried clearly through the cooler air, punctuated by music drifting from multiple directions and lots of talking.
Reinhard moved from the hotel and headed to the east side. A street performance was underway at the next intersection. Musicians played a violin, a flute, and something that looked like a small accordion while dancers moved in synchronized patterns.
A crowd had gathered, watching with appreciation evident in their rapt attention and occasional applause.
Food vendors lined portions of the street, their stalls illuminated by gas lamps that cast warm glows across their offerings. Lines of people waited patiently for skewered meats, fried dough dusted with sugar, and roasted nuts in paper cones.
Reinhard passed cafes with windows revealing packed interiors of people drinking, talking, and playing card games at tables. Bars showed similar scenes but with more excited energy, voices raised in toasts, arguments, or songs.
The eastern district approached gradually, the architecture shifting subtly as residential buildings gave way to more commercial structures.
Warehouses appeared, their bulk more imposing than decorative, and the street traffic thinned as entertainment gave way to industry.
The Bolner Storage building loomed ahead, it was a massive three-story structure occupying an entire block. Its walls were thick stone with small windows positioned high, and metal gates marked the main entrance. It was currently closed but showing signs of recent use in the tracks worn into the cobblestones before them.
Reinhard continued past the building’s front, maintaining his casual pace until he reached an alley that ran along its side. He glanced back, confirming no one was paying him attention, and then slipped into the shadows.
The black suit emerged from his bag. He changed quickly, largely due to being in a similar situation of needing to change between clothing items.
The materials were surprisingly lighter and more flexible, designed to move without restriction or sound.
Then he placed the crow mask over his face, its curved beak extending just past his nose, its eye holes providing adequate vision while obscuring his features.
Mimir manifested on his shoulder without being summoned, the crow’s intelligence apparently recognizing that the situation required reconnaissance.
"Scout the building. And then report everything you see to me." Reinhard whispered.
Mimir launched without response, wings spreading wide as it climbed into the night sky.
...
Mimir flapped his wings as he sailed past the streets, over the metal gate, and into the Bolner storage building area.
The storage building sprawled below, its roof flat and unremarkable. Mimir descended toward the yard surrounding the structure, wings angling to bring it closer while maintaining altitude that kept it invisible against the night sky.
Mimir saw dozens of workers moving through the yard from the angle it was at. They wore beige pants stained with dirt and wear, dirty shoes covered in dirt and dust, work gloves, and white shirts stained with sweat and dirt. They were moving around crates of various sizes, with some crates only needing two people and the bigger ones needing five to six.
Mimir’s gaze tracked their activities as four workers approached a particularly large crate that was easily eight feet tall and six feet wide. They positioned themselves at its corners, gripping handles that had been built into its frame.
On an unheard count, they lifted simultaneously, muscles straining visibly even through their clothing. The crate rose, and they began carrying it toward the building’s entrance with care.
Another group worked on opening a different crate, prying wooden doors free with crowbars. Mimir could see that inside it were beds with headboards, couches covered in rich fabrics, tables with carved legs, and other Household items of quality suggesting wealthy owners.
Then more workers emerged from the building carrying empty crates, their lighter burden allowing faster movement. They stacked the empties in a designated area before returning inside for more loads.
Mimir then started circling the building’s perimeter and cataloging details. The structure was roughly rectangular, its walls sealed off everything except for windows and two sets of double doors.
In addition to the main entrance at the front, there appeared to be a loading dock at the rear. He descended toward ground level, gliding along the building’s western wall.
Mimir saw windows positioned about eight feet up from the ground, which was high enough to discourage casual access but not impossible to reach. Most were dark, but some showed interior illumination suggesting active work areas within.
Mimir approached one lit window, wings adjusting to bring him close enough for observation without risking being seen. Through the glass, he observed a vast open space filled with more crates and boxes stacked in organized rows.
Workers moved between the stacks, consulting papers and marking items with chalk.
Then he saw the Warehouse Guards were present. Two stood near the building’s far corner, positioned where they could observe a significant portion of the interior space. They wore different uniforms from the workers in darker colors, more fitted, and with weapons belts at their waists.
Mimir neared his eyes and muttered. "Beast Master, Tier E. Beast Spirit Actaeon." Then he flew higher before going to the building’s opposite side.
More windows revealed similar scenes, such as storage areas with organized inventory, and occasional guards stationed at corners. The pattern suggested security focused on preventing theft from within rather than infiltration.
The guards watched over the entire area with their gazes moving from guard to entrances and then to the crates.
The loading dock at the rear showed the most activity. The double doors there stood open, revealing a ramp leading up into the building’s interior.
Workers streamed in and out, carrying items or pushing hand carts loaded with goods. More guards were visible here, and up to four of them were positioned at the dock’s entrance.
Mimir ascended to the third floor, finding windows that showed different interiors. These spaces were smaller, making him realize it was an Office.
He saw a single room with a desk visible through the glass alongside papers scattered across the desk’s surface, and a filing cabinet stood against the far wall.
No people were visible in that office recently.
Mimir made his way to return to where Reinhard waited, gliding down silently to land on his shoulder.
...
Reinhard felt Mimir’s weight settle, and immediately the crow began relaying information. Reinhard slowly nodded as Mimir described everything in detail, his blue eyes narrowing in surprise and confusion.
Reinhard processed everything quickly. Workers in beige pants and white shirts were constantly moving crates. Guards are stationed at corners, watching internal spaces rather than external threats. Windows are positioned high but accessible, and a third-floor office that appeared to be the administrative center.
"You should wait until some workers are going inside, then use the Drasil Step to rush forward into the building." Mimir suggested, his voice quiet even inside Reinhard’s mind.
Reinhard’s eyes lit up with approval before nodding once.
Mimir faded away, dissolving back into the mark on Reinhard’s hand.