The ninja returns to his employer.

The next day, Taern heads to the estate of the Dennison family. He does so subtle of course by knocking on the window of the lord's office room. When the lord turns, he gives the ninja an unimpressed scowl. There's an uncomfortable rage in his eyes. Yet, he stands up from his desk and walks straight to the window and lifts it open to allow the elf inside.

Taern enters. The room is worryingly silent.

Lord Dennison shuts the window. He pauses for a long moment, and then turns to stare daggers at his employee.

"Did you find the crystal?" he asks. It sounds like he's speaking through clenches teeth.

"Yes, sir." Taern pulls the box from his pouch.

The lord snatches it from his hand and opens it up. With a sigh, he shuts it, and takes another moment to think in silence.

"You idiot!" he suddenly shouts.

"Is that not it?!" Taern replies in panic.

"Of course this is it. The fact that you brought it to me is the only reason you're still standing here right now. Are you sure you're even a ninja? All you needed to do was sneak in, obtain, the target, and sneak back out. What kind of professional are you?" He takes a stomping step forward, forcing Taern to take a fearful step back. "Not only is Lord Baskvil fully aware he was robbed last night, but news is he nearly saw the thief as he escaped his daughter's bedroom. The thief also supposedly left his fucking pants at the scene of the crime!"

At this point, the lord's face is radiantly red.

"I c-can explain," Taern stutters out.

"Really? Explain this one. The lord claims his daughter's innocence was taken from her by the thief. So not only did you break into his estate in such a terrible manner that everybody in the world knows, but you took advantage of his daughter?!"

"No, no, no. I am not that kind of man, I swear. She seduced me."

Lord Dennison crosses his arms. "The adorable Sophie Baskvil seduced you."

"Please, sir. Do you really believe I am the kind of man to do something so terrible? I would never do such a thing. Not even if it was a job. I did make a mistake, and I was nearly caught, but I swear on my honour as a ninja that... she was completely nude and asking me to make love to her, or else she would call her father!"

That's sort of true anyway. I guess I could have just run right then.

He lets out a long sigh. "Now there's going to be an investigation for sure. I wanted this to be low key. But you did get the crystal for me. I'll pay you for a mission accomplished, but there's not a chance I'm going to pay it in full."

Taern lowers his head. "Of course, sir."

"Where was it located anyway?"

"Her bedroom in a safe."

"Do you remember the combination? I'll at least tip you extra if you do, just in case it comes up again."

He purses his lips. I was looking at her ass when she was unlocking it.

Once again, the lord sighs.

Being a ninja can pay well with the right client and job. His pay will still buy him more than enough food for awhile, though Lord Dennison has deep pockets. It would have likely been a lot more if it didn't become such a disaster. His credibility is on the line though, so he isn't going to argue. He'll take what he can get after that.

He stows away the pouch of coins and bows. "Thank you. Feel free to contact me again if you need more work done."

The lord furls his brow. "Yeah right."

After that, Taern departs. The mission comes to a conclusion. All things considered, at least it was completed successfully to a degree. He heads back out into the world to eventually find a new job, and hopefully he won't run into any other strangeness that'll lead to disaster.