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Asura and Avrin spent a bit of time heading towards the village. They were in no real rush, Avrin mostly wanted to take in the sights that was the lifestyle of the people living in this area. They noticed merchants peddling, what seemed to be an assortment of vegetables as well as fruits.
Others seemed to be tending to caged beasts Avrin had never seen before, although one was familiar. One of the gorilla creatures Avrin had issues with before. Asura noticed it as he eyed it curiously “Stupid thing let itself get caught…” Avrin chuckled and spoke “Reminds me of someone I know”
Asura growled quietly as he knew Avrin was talking about him. “Asura, im guessing this is your first time around so many people. How do you feel?” Asura looked around a bit. He was hidden under a thick cloak that covered his entire body, and he was at least nearly a full meter taller than Avrin.
“I’ve never seen these things before...What are they Master?” Asura spoke, referring to the humans. It was obvious, considering he spent his entire life in the forest and was then taken by the Sylph.
“Oh, the people? They’re called humans. You didn’t think the Sylph were the only ones who had that sort of look, did you?”
Asura mumbled curious words to himself before him and Avrin continued down the path. Avrin stopped as he gazed to the side to see a man dressed in a robe, standing on what seemed to be a platform. The man seemed to be dressed like a clown, but had a sort of mage like vibe.
Avrin decided to watch for a bit. After he spotted the man playing with magic as he had summoned spheres of fire and began to juggle them while the crowd applauded and threw coins, he saw another nearby man who was casually dressed.
This show of playful magic seemed to appeal to the young children that lived here or came with the merchant convoys.
Asura spoke in a boastful manner “Stupid magic like that doesn’t look impressive.” Avrin continued on with Asura as the show stopped for a bit for the mage/clown to rest.
As they neared the gate of the village, an abundance of activity welled up. For those who couldn’t get into the village that seemed heavily guarded, they had set up shop to sell their wares.
While there were several beggars lined up at dirt corner of the village, Avrin frowned. He had never liked the sight of seeing people down on their luck, but he didn’t know their circumstances so he continued on.
As he approached the gate, while waiting in line, there seemed to be a small scuffle outside. A man was yelling at a guard. “What do you mean we can’t get in without the proper paperwork!! This is the first time I‘ve heard of such stupid shit” The man roared into the face of the guard.
He seemed to give a disgruntled look as he gazed at the man. “I don’t make the rules, I only follow them. If you want to take this up with someone, go to GreenWing village east of here and get one there”
The guard spoke. And from there the man seemed to become more aggressive. Although Avrin frowned quietly “Paperwork? I guess it would make sense. I’m guessing it has something to do with lowering crime?” Avrin’s theory wasn't far off.
The reason behind the paperwork was to keep tabs on people that may be wanted criminals that may have bounties on their head, or even people of importance so the village knew how to handle them.
“Master, do we have this paperwork?..” Asura spoke curiously. He had no knowledge about affairs or objects of the commonplace world.
“Not at all Asura. But fear not, I have a plan.” Avrin grinned as his turn came up. The guard eyed Avrin first before looking at Asura and began to sweat a bit.
He couldn't see their faces, but he was frightened by Asura who seemed to accidently leak a bit of his menacing aura. The guard spoke quickly as if to get things over with.
“P..Papers please…” Avrin smiled. “I apologise dear Sir, but unfortunately we lost our papers on our travels” The guard frowned. “Another one huh…” He seemed to recover from the aura that seemed to vanish.
Mainly the reason was he was a guard stationed here for years, he had heard many excuses and this was nothing new to him.
“Well you know the rules from the commotion before, no papers no entry…” Avrin chuckled softly. “Indeed, but I'm sure this may help change your mind. “
Avrin had secretly formed a bunch of gold coins in his left palm that seemed to number to at least 15-18. As he opened his cloak a bit to show the guard, the guard’s eyes lit up.
The average guard here made 5 gold a year. To be bribed with 3 and a half years worth of work was a dream. He was silent for a moment as he looked around, seeing his fellow guard was dealing with a merchant, and even more so the merchants caravan was in between which acted as cover to a degree.
The guard quickly cleared his throat and spoke quietly to Avrin. “I see everything is in order. You may pass.“ As those words left his mouth, he gave a hungry look as he placed his weapon on the side, leaning it against a stone wall that went around the length of the village and stood several meters high in case someone intended to attack.
As the guard opened his now free hands, Avrin placed the gold down and passed him with Asura looking at the guard who seemed to be preoccupied counting the gold and mentally planning his plans.
“Master, why do humans love that shiny stuff? You can't eat it can you?..” Asura, always thinking about his stomach, was indeed curious. “Unless you can devour metal, not at all. People use that as currency Asura. You can buy a lot in a world like this.”
As they continued on, the first sign that greeted them was a booming trade village. Being in the center of things that led from here to the port city, there was a lot of miscellaneous and exotic things that made their way here.
Fruits and vegetables never heard of or seen before. Even what seemed to be groups of adventurers selling things to merchants who tried to haggle the prices.
Asura and Avrin, keeping to themselves, just eyed the sights. Avrin was making a mental note on things that may seem useful, but couldn’t find much he needed. Although he was in a good mood, having his emotions back, to a degree, made him feel a bit more real.
“Finest weapons in all of Wayfarer village!! Come get them while they’re hot off the anvil!” One merchant, which seemed to be connected to a blacksmith, called out. It seemed to prove effective as people clad in armor and other attire rushed to him, trying to buy it all up.
Avrin deduced a few things. First was this was wayfarer village. Second was that it had a high adventurer population that seemed to help it boom. He found many products that would help them but none he needed for himself or Asura.
There were guards roaming around in groups of 4, they seemed to be making sure everything was in check and didn’t seem to bother anyone. Then again, with a high concentration of adventurers, having this many guards per group seemed fair. Just incase something happened.
As Avrin and Asura made their way through the village, Avrin frowned. It was somewhat a waste to come here so far other than admiring the sights and a few scraps of information.
Then again, Asura seemed to be enjoying it. He was looking in many directions as they both entered the food district. Avrin felt Asura was barely able to contain himself for his Master.
Avrin smiled faintly. “Asura, lets have a little break and eat something.” Asura quickly looked to Avrin “Yes Master! A break is needed for food!!” Always thinking with the stomach. Asura nearly roared out which made a couple of close people look before passing on.
Avrin picked out a somewhat large outdoor restaurant as him and Asura went over and sat in one of the corner tables. Asura himself nearly dwarfed it as he looked at it, seeing Avrin sit opposite of him. “Master...This is uncomfortable.” Avrin let a soft laugh. “No doubt considering the chair might break under you.”
As Avrin laughed quietly Asura only growled before they both stopped as the waitress came by to take their orders, bringing two makeshift menus which Avrin looked at. He then noticed something and peaked at Asura.
It seemed Asura was focused on the menu as if looking at something. Avrin wondered if he could even read. Avrin then took his order. “I’ll have a steak special.” The waitress smiled, unable to see either of their faces.
She felt a little intimidated as these two individuals seemed to emit a unique powerful aura. Avrin’s was more calm while Asura’s was rough and violent.
“And the tall individual?” She spoke to which Asura spoke. “Hmm… So many...I’ll just have one of everything…” Silence. Not only at their table, but the other dozen or so tables that heard his somewhat loud voice went quiet as they all turned to look at the individual with a seemingly bottomless pit of a stomach.
“Ahh… That’s--..” Before she continued, a large man made his way over, folding his arms. He had a mustache and a serious look as he wore a chefs apron he spoke towards the two.
“Do you have the gold for this or are you guys planning to dine and dash..” He spoke seriously. Clearly orders like these weren’t commonplace and he was being cautious.
Avrin’s hand under his cloak had formed 5 gold coins in a neat stacked pile and placed it softly onto the table. The owners eyes, just like the guard, gave a hungry look before he smiled, placing his hands together. “Hahaha, please forgive me Masters. I have to be careful.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
It seems there have been a few people who eat without paying recently going around. “ He then gazes to the waitress. “Please go tell the others to get everything ready.” As the waitress went off, still curious about the two, Avrin spoke.
“That’s fine. It’s only fair to be cautious, especially when such a large order is given.” Avrin gave a slight glare to Asura who seemed to be quiet, wondering if he did something wrong. The owner then spoke “It’s fine. In all honesty, when I heard the words one of everything, I wondered what sort of person could eat so much. I’ll have someone bring another table over”
“Thank you, that would be good. “ Avrin spoke, thanking the man before the owner went off. Soon afterwards, two men came and placed another table against theres, making it larger. And after that the first dishes began to flood out.
The diners, still curious to see if the individual could even eat that much, were welcomed by the sight of Asura eating away as if the food were air to him. Avrin, eating his own dish, paid no attention to Asura, not bothering to scold him for his eating habits. He would have to slowly learn himself what was right and wrong.
Dishes that seemed pricey, a sort of roast pig glazed with a special sauce. Fried duck stuffed with several other ingredients. And unique dishes Avrin was curious to try himself.
As Asura continued to eat, the plates stacking up, requiring a waitress to come take them away, Avrin grabbed a bun looking piece of food and began to eat it.
“That’s good... I should have ordered these instead.” He mumbled as he chewed. The steak special was to be expected. It had a sort of homey taste, but this bun had a unique flavour.
As the waitress came by to deliver more dishes, Asura only happily took it off her to eat more. Avrin spoke “What’s in these buns?” Avrin curiously spoke as he grabbed another and ate away.
The waitress then smiled “That’s a special bun unique only to our shop” She spoke pridefully and continued on “It’s made by taking high quality fat from lean cuts of erlk (A.N cow like creature) and infusing it with meat from a targi (A.N pig like creature)”
Avrin smiled as he stuffed his face, taking the entire plate of buns away from Asura, who seemed to growl softly but didn’t dare speak up as food kept flooding him. “These are incredible..Would you be willing to sell some to take on the road?” Avrin couldn’t resist asking as he was somewhat excited
It seems his emotions being freed somewhat helped him be more social and open. The waitress thought carefully before giving a slight bow. “I’ll have to check with the owner.”
She spoke to which Avrin nodded. As she went off, both Asura and Avrin eating, Avrin saw from the corner of his eye something that made his heart stop for a moment.
This scene had played out before in the first village he went to, but it didn’t cause him concern. This was on a higher level, as his feelings had allowed him to feel what was blocked before.
An old man who seemed to have almost no flesh on his bones wearing ragged clothing, his beard large and unkempt, was sitting in the corner of an alley with a bowl for donations.
Avrin quietly stared at him. In his universe, poverty had nearly been eradicated with so much being done and so much work available as well as the increase in technology. The homeless were taken care of.
Seleria didn’t seem to be the great world he thought highly of anymore. Issues were still needed to be taken care of. As Avrin watched him, a few men walked by, clearly adventurers. One of them who seemed to look like a snake, gazed at the old man and grinned.
“Hey old man….your life is pretty easy...Just sitting here waiting for handouts… while we go out and risk our lives for glory…” The old man looked up at him and gave a soft smile as he weakly spoke “I...apologise dear Sirs..But my bones have been fragile ever since I was born..I’ve barely been able to do much…”
The two men behind the first one only snickered as they gazed at each other. “Well then…” One of the adventurers spoke “Then we’ll just take a bit of what you earned since you respect us so much…” The man places his hand in the bowl taking all the rusty looking coins that seemed like scrap before backing away, pocketing them.
The old man reached up as if to protest, but was met with glares from the three men. “T..Thank you...for your kindness... “ He spoke, knowing he got off easily. Avrin had already left his seat. Asura had barely noticed him leave as he was eating.
Emotions are a powerful thing. Lock them up and you’re no better than a robot who sets and follows priorities over morals. But let them out and they will get you into trouble. A perfect balance is needed. Avrin’s body, without him knowing, was still trying to balance these out, trying to find the best harmony of them for survival.
Before the men left, Avrin was several meters behind them. He spoke. “Stealing from the old? And you call yourselves adventurers. You’re no better than bandits. “
Avrin’s words in this somewhat crowded part made the three men turn around. They knew he was referring to them. The first man with the somewhat snake looking face spoke to Avrin first “Bastard, I hope you’re not speaking to us?”
Avrin stood steady, his face hidden, his arms under his cloak. He then looked around before looking at him “Sorry but theres no other filth around here but the three of you” He smirked.
“Why you..” The chubby looking man in the group went over to Avrin while clenching his fists. The nearby crowd stopped to look and see what was going on. Before anything occurred, the old man weakly stepped in front of them.
“P..Please forgive him Sirs...Here.. please take this..” The old man handed them what seemed to be 2 silver coins. Although his hand seemed somewhat white from clenching them tightly.
The bandit stopped and grinned as he snatched the two coins. “We’ll let you off this time…” Then they walked off, the three soon vanishing into the crowd that resumed its activity. The old man, staring off in their direction. Avrin spoke in an annoyed tone. “Why did you interfere…?” The man then spoke.
“I don’t like violence...I won’t have myself be the center of it…” He mumbled out before shakily making his way back to his corner near the alley. Avrin walked up to him and looked down. The man seemed to be near sobbing, as if the life that still remained left his face. “Those coins…” Avrin realised.
The old man spoke softly. “My lifes savings…” He quietly whispered. Avrin’s anger had resurfaced from his body, his fist tightening to the point of inflicting a bit of pain. “I’m sorry..” He spoke apologetically.
The man then smiled “It’s fine. No one has ever stood up for me like that… It’s good to see young people who still have that mindset.” Before Avrin could speak, the restaurant owner rushed over and spoke.
“Dear Sir, that was close. I saw what happened, you should be careful… The leader of those three has a brother who is captain of the guard.” Avrin tilted his head, and thought to himself “-Corruption runs deep-” He nodded and spoke “That’s fine, I’m sorry if I caused an inconvenience.”
The shop owner then shook his head. “I think you did well.. No one has ever stood up to them like that. Everyone is scared of the consequences. Oh, yes, the food you wanted, we indeed to sell them for adventurers. “
Avrin then gazed at the old man who seemed to quickly mind his own business as if he was forgotten about. Avrin then walked off leaving the man there as he left with the shop owner.
As they returned, Asura had finished eating all the dishes and was completely stuffed. He had no idea Avrin had left as he was gouging himself. “Ahh Master, where'd you go?” He spoke to which Avrin smiled.
Later that night they ended up renting a room at an inn the restaurant owner’s friend has. Avrin gave Asura his own room after instructing him to not tamper with anything. There was no way he was going to be in the same room with that curiously tampered creature. Pet or not. And privacy was a must for Avrin.
As Asura could be heard snoring as he was somewhat laid in a rolled up position on the bed without his cloak, Avrin was sitting on the side of him. Under the hood that revealed darkness, were his glowing blue eyes gazing in a daze. A quick memory of the old man and those three.
“If I am to do that….The risk would be great...I don’t feel as if he would use it for bad… Maybe I can use this as a sort of test…” He had been sitting on that bed for 2 hours thinking about something he was going to offer the beggar who seemed to be in his 80’s-90’s.
Avrin gazed at his glove covered hand, and decided on his course of action. “Gold is wasted over time.. A proper permanent method is the perfect solution.” A menacing glint in his eye as he grinned and stood up.
Moments later, the door shut behind him as he headed towards where the beggar man was last seen by him.
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