2026-01-22 12:06:14“I do not need an alias.” Heinrich’s gaze sharpened.
“There are no real names in our world,” Sergei replied softly, but with emphasis.
“I know your real name. And you know mine.”
Sergei let out a slow breath. “That is because we keep each other’s secrets.”
“Yes, though not always,” Heinrich answered. “So, where do I find Valkyrie?”
“As her name suggests. Valkyrie is in Norway. A place where it feels like you are visiting the edge of the world,” Sergei explained calmly, his eyes and expression heavy with meaning.
Heinrich fell silent. He knew he could not force Sergei to say more than that. “The edge of the world?” he repeated quietly. “Fine. Then get me a vehicle.”
Sergei took a sip of his coffee and set the empty cup back on its saucer. “Are you sure you want to look for her there?”
“I have to.”
“Acting in haste is not your nature, Luc.”
Heinrich went quiet. What Sergei said was not wrong. He gave a faint shake of his head. “Get me a vehicle.”
“Of course. That will not be difficult for me.”
Heinrich knew he could rely on Sergei in many things, including finding the right vehicle for him. In less than a day, the former spotter delivered a Volvo V90. A car no longer in production, but still available on the used market. Especially since Sergei had easy access to several independent car brokers, people who provided vehicles with very few questions.
“You do not need my prayers,” Sergei said lightly as he tossed the car keys, which Heinrich caught at once.
“I need weapons,” Heinrich said flatly.
“Hopefully you have not forgotten how to use them.” Sergei got in and took the passenger seat.
Heinrich followed, sitting behind the wheel and fastening his seat belt.
“You have not forgotten the route, right?” Sergei asked, glancing sideways.
“Hopefully,” Heinrich replied without looking. He drove toward the old Karelia route, a road cutting through pine forests and frozen lakes. Far from main traffic and rarely used.
At first, the journey was calm and even boring. Then the situation changed when a black sedan appeared, looking suspicious.
Heinrich checked the rearview mirror. His instincts stirred.
So did Sergei’s. The heavy smoker turned his head. “Looks like we have company,” he muttered while reaching inside his worn denim jacket and pulling out a semi-automatic pistol.
“You are far more skilled with this,” Sergei said as he handed the gun over.
The moment the weapon changed hands, a hard impact struck the rear bumper.
“Damn it,” Sergei cursed as his cigarette slipped from his lips and fell onto his lap.
At the same time, a shot rang out and hit the rear window, making it vibrate but not shatter.
“Do not worry. The glass is bulletproof. The previous owner of this car was ___.”
Sergei could not finish his sentence as the pursuing car tried to overtake them from the right. Its rear window slid halfway down, just enough to reveal the barrel of a rifle aimed directly at them.
“Do something, Luc!”
Heinrich did not answer. Instead of braking or accelerating, he eased off the speed, letting the car on the right move slightly ahead.
“Hold on.” Heinrich turned the wheel sharply to the left, forming a half circle. Then he slammed the accelerator and rammed the pursuing vehicle.
It was not a heavy collision, but it was enough to make the other car lose control. The rifle barrel wobbled, sending the shots harmlessly into the air.
“Are you trying to give me amnesia?” Sergei protested as his body jolted, his head nearly hitting the dashboard.
Moments later, the pursuing car returned to the lane, straight and steady again.
“Take the wheel. They have wasted my time.” Heinrich unfastened his seat belt and switched seats with Sergei.
“Hope your visibility is still good, Serg,” Heinrich said as he prepared to shoot. “Keep it steady.”
“Do not underestimate me,” Sergei snapped.
Once the car was in position, Heinrich lowered the window a few inches, letting the night air rush in. Cold and sharp.
“To the left,” Heinrich instructed. “Just a little.”
Sergei followed precisely.
Heinrich began to focus. After so long, he was holding a weapon again, even if it was not his long-range Accuracy International rifle. Still, the instincts of a sniper remained, and always would.
He did not fire immediately. He worked with one pull and one bullet. There was no such thing as a miss in his world. He narrowed his eyes, sharpening his focus. Everything around him faded. What remained was only the muzzle and the target.
With a single pull of the trigger, the bullet flew fast and pierced the front tire of the pursuing car. A perfect hit, even on a moving target.
The tire screeched loudly. The vehicle staggered in an uneven line before crashing into the road barrier and stopping sideways. Smoke billowed from under the hood.
Heinrich took a heavy breath and let it out. He raised the window and sat calmly, facing forward.
“That is it?” Sergei’s tone sounded dismissive.
“They only meant to intimidate,” Heinrich said flatly. “Not to kill.”
“You still need to be careful. That means they have picked up your trail.”
“It does not matter. Lucifer has returned.”
Sergei glanced at him and smiled faintly. “We are going to retrieve your treasure.”
“Yes. I am starting to miss it. My old rifle,” Heinrich said coldly.
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Chapter 20 : Blood in the Fog
Jonas nodded quickly. Without saying much, he took the position Heinrich had occupied earlier. The pistol in his hand felt heavier. For someone who used to be nothing more than an expedition truck driver, a situation like this was far beyond anything he had ever experienced.Meanwhile, Heinrich moved cautiously along the side of the wooden cabin. His body was lowered, almost blending into the shadow of the building. His steps were light, barely making any sound on the ground.Bang!A shot from Jonas shattered the silence. Several women who were being held hostage in the cemetery area screamed in fear and shock. Some even began crying hysterically.Return fire came almost at the same moment. A bullet struck the trunk of a pine tree with a loud crack, splintering pieces of wood.
Chapter 19 : Lucifer Returns
Heinrich did not answer. He stared at the crowd gathered at the village hall. His gaze was intense, moving from one face to another.A moment later, several adult men lifted a simple wooden stretcher. The poor boy’s body lay stiff beneath a dull white cloth.“They’re going to place the child’s body where they did yesterday,” Jonas said.Heinrich turned. “You’re not going?”“Don’t be crazy,” Jonas replied with a shudder, recalling the disgusting sight when he helped lay Hagen’s body down.“I’m not sure you’re that cowardly,” Heinrich muttered as he returned to checking the car engine.“That’s just a human reaction,” Jonas replied without turning.Heinrich said nothing more and focused on the engine. He tightened the hood bolts with quick, precise movements. His hands worked, but his thoughts wandered.Many things crossed Heinrich’s mind, one of them everything that had happened in the village. The atmosphere, the villagers’ stares, the consecutive deaths.“No serious damage,” Jonas sai
Chapter 18 : The Line That Must Not Be Crossed
Jonas laughed softly. “Good heavens. I accompanied you from the border, and I even helped deal with the Vokter attack.”“I didn’t accuse you directly. You’re the one who assumed it was an accusation,” Heinrich replied flatly.“I’m not some clueless kid who doesn’t understand the implied meaning of a sentence.”“So who’s being overly sensitive?” Heinrich gave a small smile, sharp enough in Jonas’s eyes. “The fact is, you always disappear whenever there’s a major incident. Hagen’s death, and the boy’s.”“Weren’t you the one who wanted to pray at the church?” Jonas replied calmly, raising one eyebrow.Heinrich fell silent for a moment. His gaze stayed on Jonas. “Praying, not killing a child.”“Who would believe you? You’re a stranger here.”A heavy breath left Heinrich’s lips, then he sat down on the edge of the bed. “We need to leave this place soon,” he said quietly.“Yes, you’re right. Staying here too long will
Chapter 17 : Silent Evidence
Heinrich lowered himself and checked the boy’s pulse. From that, he confirmed that there was no life left in the child.“Rest in peace, kid,” Heinrich said softly and deeply, brushing the boy’s face until his eyes closed.For a brief moment, Heinrich’s gaze fell on the boy’s shirt pocket. A corner of paper was sticking out. Curious, he took the paper, but did not open it right away because he did not want to spend too much time there.“Forgive me, kid. I have to go.” Heinrich stood up and turned away from the place. Big trouble would follow if the villagers caught him there. Especially since just that afternoon they had lost Hagen, who was killed by a mysterious shooter.Heinrich hurried out of the church. He walked fast, but still perfectly measured. There was no hesitation, even though his emotions were in turmoil.The village road was empty. Silent.As he kept walking toward the inn, Heinrich thought hard. “Why was that child
Chapter 16 : The Silent Witness
Heinrich stepped calmly, but very carefully. His gaze was measured and his hearing sharp. Every small movement that seemed suspicious was immediately caught by his senses. Including when a shadow flickered to the side of the church building, among the adult-height plants growing thickly.Heinrich froze. His hand reflexively went inside his jacket, reaching for the pistol hidden there. In a split second, he ran toward the church entrance, then stood behind a wall forming a recess.The man with hair starting to touch his shoulders pressed his body against the wall. Heinrich looked out, trying to catch a shadow from the reflection of a small light outside the church.Heinrich noticed subtle movements. Steps arranged deliberately. Slowly approaching, but not revealing a clear shadow. And it made him raise his eyebrows in thought.However, there was no time to guess, since the mysterious movement was getting closer. Heinrich moved reflexively, grabbing
Chapter 15 : Perilous
Heinrich stared at the light brown–haired boy. He stepped closer, then lowered himself in front of him. Moments later, Heinrich’s gaze shifted to the slip of paper the boy was holding.“What is that?” Heinrich asked.The boy did not answer. He only looked at Heinrich with a strange expression.“Did someone tell you to—” Heinrich had not finished his sentence when Solveig arrived, still grumbling as she walked.The boy quickly folded the paper, slipped it into the pocket of his trousers, then ran toward the main room. He did not seem frightened by the sight of Hagen’s blood-soaked corpse. Instead, the boy stood still, staring at the body of the middle-aged man. His eyes observed it closely, as if searching for something interesting.Several men came in with Solveig. One of them was Jonas, who appeared with a questioning look in his eyes.“Get the body out of my house at once. Not because I don’t respect the dead, but because I don
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