"Alfred!" Balyn called happily. "It's good to see a friendly face!"

The head in the golden ardeo turned towards the former hunter, now odd-job specialist.

"…Well, so to speak. Seriously, I haven't seen you since I gave you that invitation to Cainhurst. How did that work out for you? Did you get in all right? That carriage they send doesn't look that safe."

"Indeed, it broke several spokes making the crossing from Hemwick. Fortunately, I was carrying an extra wheel, which assisted with the repairs."

"Mmm, Logarius must really have taught you guys to be prepared for anything."

"Quite. Thankfully, he can now be enshrined in glorious martyrdom."

"Probably forgot to tip the wrong pizza guy," Balyn muttered under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothing. Anyway, the Yharnam Employment Agency sent me over. Something about you needing some exterminator help. Did they get that name wrong?"

Alfred shook his head. The movement made the ardeo slip halfway around; he had to reach up to straighten it. Though why it mattered Balyn wasn't sure. Who cared which way a helmet without eyeholes was facing?

"On the contrary. With the plague of beasts in remission since the red moon passed and the Vilebloods not recruiting—something about their leadership having spread themselves too thin—our workshop needs to find new employment to keep the bills paid."

"I get that. You wouldn't believe what they charge for blood ministration these days. You'd think that Iosefka's would give a discount ever since that impostor took over the place for a night, but nope, they're still insisting on collecting every last coin. But I'm surprised that you're hiring subcontractors if money is tight."

"This is Executioner Exterminators' first big job, though, and it's important we take care of it properly if we want to build up our reputation."

"Got to make sure you're Yharnam's top debugger, huh? I get it. So who's the client?"

"It's most interesting. There's been a new administration installed at Byrgenwerth for the first time in decades, and they're planning to reopen for classes next semester. Unfortunately, some kind of blight seems to have drastically reduced their spider population, and as a result their fly problem has gotten quite out of control. I'm sure you can imagine how troublesome that is for the ophthalmology department."

"Yeah, and they've got these really big ones out there, too. I bet they really put the staff into a frenzy."

There was a moment's pause. Balyn got the idea that Alfred was looking at him strangely. The hat made it somewhat had to tell, but Balyn had a lot of experience at being stared at like people couldn't believe what he'd just said and he recognized the posture.

"…Anyway," he said, trying to move past the uncomfortable silence, "do they still have those plants that walk around and shoot fire? Do we need to take care of them as well?"

"No, you should leave those alone. They're strictly someone else's problem, and that department takes the division of responsibilities quite seriously."

"Groundskeeping is notorious for defending its turf, huh?"

"…I ask this as a friend; are you sure that you're in any condition to be out working?"