Chapter 21
The Yecora marketplace was undeniably massive, especially for those who had never been there before. It was not your typical food market but rather a hub for selling everything from weapons to peculiar artefacts from long-lost civilisations. Avnas scanned the area, her eyes darting from one store to another. Some displayed their merchandise proudly on the walls, showcasing the exceptional quality of their armour and weapons. At the same time, others appeared to be more discreet in what they were selling. Still, Avnas had to admit, she was incredibly intrigued by what she was seeing, and it appeared she wasn't the only one.
The rest of the group, like Avnas, found themselves unable to tear their eyes away from the vast array of weapons and other intriguing merchandise that lay before them.
"This place has it all, no doubt," Lynas let out a whistle as she looked around before setting her eyes on an armoury where a set of arrows were on display. She noticed the tip of those arrows and smirked. "I'd love to get some arrows made of Stelmite steel."
"Stelmite steel? Why not Orbinium?" Elian asked Lynas. "Isn't it better?"
"Not really. Orbinium is denser and heavier," Lynas replied. "But not ideal for arrows."
"But Stelmite is so brittle," Elian answered back. "Why would you want your arrow to break when hitting a plate?"
"Oh, Stelmite can penetrate the plate just fine. Yes, sure, it breaks, but that's the point. This steel is perfect for injury; once it hits you, it breaks inside your body, leaving fragments inside you. Even if your plate breaks the pointy end, small fragmentations fly around, causing harm since the smaller Stelmite is, the denser it gets. It's one reason they use that steel in bullets." Lynas's voice was animated, perhaps too much for such sadistic knowledge of how to kill people or injure them.
"I didn't know that," Elian mumbled, surprised. "I just thought that the stronger the steel, the better."
"Well, it's not really that hard to understand why. For swords and daggers? Sure. But for arrows and projectiles, sometimes, it is about reaching the target, and it can be quite difficult when the arrow is heavy."
Elian admitted, with a hint of embarrassment in her voice, "It seems I need to dedicate more time to studying different steels. The extent of my knowledge is limited to what I was taught back in Liberia City." To be honest, there was a vast amount of information about steel and minerals to grasp. She had only familiarised herself with three crucial ones, primarily because they were frequently used in sword-making.
Lynas chuckled but smiled at the blue-haired girl. "Hey, it's not that important, really. It's not like you have to know all of them, just the important ones. The only reason why I know that is because I have to buy arrows constantly, and there is quite a variety. Each with their own uniqueness."
"I suppose," Elian replied, her mood lifting slightly. Suddenly, a mocking sound reached Elian and Lynas, catching them off guard.
"One reason why using magic is far superior. I don't need to concern myself with types of steel," Alex stated smugly as both Elian and Lynas glared at him.
"Oh, please shove that wand of yours up your arse!" Lynas hissed at him.
"Imperial rat," Elian mumbled at him.
"Have you three finished arguing?" Avnas asked as the trio noticed the white-haired demon and the small princess enjoying a scrumptious-looking bagel. The little princess seemed completely oblivious to their presence, fully engrossed in the delight of munching on her bagel.
"Where did you get that?" Lynas asked, a bit amused at what she was seeing.
"I didn't want Mariel to hear the three of you arguing, so I took her to a place where a vendor sells bagels of all flavours. It seems they also sell food here," Avnas explained, taking the last bite of her bagel. "So, want to see what's in that store?"
With unanimous nods, they ventured into the store. As they stepped inside, a potent blend of incense, oil, and flowers greeted their senses. Avnas's gaze fixated on the vast array of deadly instruments, not limited to swords but also encompassing daggers and maces, among other weapons. Additionally, an assortment of armours and collectable items caught her eye, seemingly perfect for a collector like herself.
Then, a loud voice beckoned them, "Welcome, welcome, to my humble corner of hell," came the voice of a petite figure standing about one meter tall, perhaps a bit taller. It was a woman, robust in stature with sizable hands and broad shoulders. Her countenance lacked any semblance of friendliness; a scowl etched upon her face that caused them to halt in their tracks. "This is Rul's armoury. I am Rul. I don't care what you are, as long as you have gold. I'll sell it to you."
Alex scoffed loudly but was quickly silenced by Avnas.
"Thank you. Is it alright if my friends look around?" Avnas asked, and Rul shrugged her shoulders.
"Suit yourself. Just be careful not to cut your fingers off! I'm not going to pay a healer to fix them!" Rul exclaimed angrily, possibly due to past experiences.
Avnas nodded at them, and they all decided to explore their surroundings. Even little Mariel appeared to be curious, so while the little princess was a few meters away, looking at some armour. Avnas made her way towards a petite woman whom she suspected to be a dwarf. "Excuse me, do you have perhaps a map you can sell me?"
Rul cast an almost insulted glance at the demon. "A map? Are you seriously searching for a map in an armoury? Are you blind? You won't find any paper here!"
Avnas found herself on the receiving end of insults now. She was simply asking a question, and there was no reason for the dwarf lady to be so rude. "You could have just said no. There is no need to be rude," she said, her annoyance evident towards Rul, who casually started picking her nose without care.
"Maybe I should take my business elsewhere," Avnas stated. She understood that losing a client was a vendor's worst fear, and judging by Rul's loud snort, she was right.
"Hold your tits down, demon," Rul said before smirking widely. "I do have maps here and other stuff."
"Why did you say you didn't?" Avnas asked, feeling both aggravated and confused. That smug smile on the dwarven face was starting to grate on her nerves. Rul seemed to be the type of person who took pleasure in messing with others, and perhaps that's why this place was so deserted.
"I love messing with people," Rul replied with a smile, and Avnas's face twitched in annoyance.
"Why?" Avnas hissed, and Rul shrugged.
"Because I can."
I like her. I truly like her. Albarien's voice only served to further infuriate her. Avnas's face morphed into a scowl. Rul, finding amusement in the situation, let out a loud cackle and shook her head. Avnas was growing to despise this small dwarf woman. Just as her anger was about to consume her, Rul, in a rather petty fashion, offered her a simple smile.
"I absolutely adore messing around with you trueborn demons," Rul said, a mischievous smirk playing across their face. "It's quite unusual to encounter a trueborn from the Demonic Kingdom just walking around with humans and an elf around. What led you to venture out? Did Hellfell become too cramped for your liking? Are you looking for some pets?"
Avnas took a deep breath, trying to regain control of her emotions. "I am not from the Demonic Kingdom, nor from Hellfell. Also, I am going to ask you not to call my companions pets."
Rul's smirk faded as she turned her gaze into a glare at Avnas, her brown eyes searching for any hint of deception. Avnas, undeterred, met her with unwavering golden eyes, prompting the dwarf woman to emit a deep hum. "Well, shit, you're actually telling the truth," Rul mumbled back.
"I suppose demons aren't usual here?" Avnas asked back, and Rul could only scoff.
"You're a trueborn, and reputation precedes your kind, and it's not a favourable one. It has been quite some time since one of your kind set foot on Iuphan, and the last time, it didn't end well for this continent," Rul replied, piquing Avnas's curiosity. If the other demons were anything like the ones she had slain in the past, then perhaps their reputation was well-deserved. However, Rul's statement left Avnas wondering about the identity of the other demon who had previously visited the continent. "So seeing one after such a long time here, in this city, is quite the surprise. Everyone is on edge because of you."
"Because of me?" Avnas asked, raising her eyebrow.
"As I mentioned earlier, you trueborn demons are known to be dangerous folk. However, you are also incredibly reclusive, even more so than the Dark Elves. However, in my experience, it seems that every time you venture out of your kingdom, it is with the intent to sow chaos," Rul mentioned before she started walking towards a set of drawers at the back. At that moment, Avnas noticed that Rul's legs were missing. In their place, she had what appeared to be metal prosthetics of some sort.
"But you say you weren't from there, and I believe you. No Kaarthan would be with humans in such a fashion."
"Thank you, I suppose," Avnas replied before hearing a roaring laugh coming from Rul.
"Ha! You're truly funny. A Kaarthan with a sense of humour! By the elders, this is incredible," Rul said before grumbling something. "Maps, maps. Where are they? Ah! Here they are!"
Rul then put a few maps on the desk, all in different sizes and states. "Here, maps of all Iuphan! And the rest of the world."
Avnas nodded, and a smile slowly appeared on her face. It became evident to her that the world she found herself in was vast in its scope. Iuphan seemed to be comparable in size to South America, while Alberam clearly stood out as the largest continent, rivalling the entirety of Eurasia, while Equidaeria shares the same scope as Africa. At least if the numbers were right, Avnas was far away from New Altes.
The seas turned out to be wider than she had anticipated, and it became evident that this was the reason why the voyage was not as straightforward as she had hoped. However, Avnas noticed something intriguing—there was an undiscovered continent that hadn't been included in the maps. "What's the deal with this continent? Why hasn't it been mapped?" Avnas inquired.
"Oh, that's Salmun, the elusive continent. Well, technically, it's not completely unknown since there are maps of it, but I personally don't have one. They're quite rare, as far as I'm aware. It's known to be quite a treacherous place."
"Treacherous, you say? How so?" Avnas asked, intrigued. And truth be told, information was key to her survival.
"Well, first, there's Bao, which is widely regarded as the worst city in the world. It has gained notoriety for being a haven for the most infamous pirates, slavers, and criminals. What's more, it proudly boasts the largest black market in the entire world, offering everything that you can't find in the Grand Free Market. There's a popular saying in Bao that goes, 'You can find it all here.' On the other hand, there's the Emerald City, which is the home of one of the Heralds in this world," Rul whispered, causing Avnas to furrow her brow as she recalled hearing that term before. Supposedly, the Heralds were considered to be the most powerful beings in this world. At least, that's what she remembered.
"And if you go south, you'll find only rain jungle and lots of creatures, big ones, small ones—tiny ones with a powerful poison that could even kill the biggest orc in seconds. There are also a lot of ruins there, from the Althos and Elthien to some other civilisations that lived during those times. Still, I don't recommend it."
Avnas nodded, making sure not to put everything in her mind. Albarien, you better pay attention to that.
What am I? Your personal notebook? Your diary? Albarien replied with a scoff.
You're in our head. You better be useful. Avnas said before looking at Rul once again. "I want the maps—all of them."
"Ha! I knew there was a reason I liked you, apart from your breasts!" Rul laughed boisterously, causing Avnas to emit a low growl in response. "Let me get them ready for you."
Avnas scoffed before sensing Mariel's hands on her. She looked at the princess, who appeared mildly amused about something. "Did you find anything interesting?" Avnas asked gently.
"Uh, not really. Lots of weapons! But very ugly ones," Mariel replied, causing Avnas to chuckle.
Soon, Lynas stepped forward, causing a loud "thud" as she placed all the items she desired on the desk. A smirk adorned her face while Elian and Alex seemed slightly hesitant about the objects they wanted. Avnas couldn't help but wonder what purpose these accessories would serve, as they were not weapons.
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"Isn't that a lot, Lynas?" Alex asked as the green-haired half-elf smiled at him.
"This, my dear friend, is quite possibly the ultimate fantasy for any archer!" Lynas exclaimed, gesturing towards the assortment of arrows displayed on the desk. "Take a look at this! These arrows are crafted from red stone steel, with intricate detonation runes engraved on the tips. Can you guess why? Because these are explosive arrows! They have the power to create a significant explosion upon impact!"
Lynas excitedly spoke up, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Oh, and we can't forget about the poison arrows! They have the power to instantly paralyse the target or even kill them outright. We also have arrows infused with lightning, ice, and fire runes. Some arrows even function as flash bombs, blinding our enemies. There are also arrows that release disgusting black smoke, which can be quite helpful for making a quick escape. And then there are these other arrows–I'm not exactly sure what they do, but they sure look like a lot of fun!"
"Isn't that a bit excessive?" Elian mumbled, a bit shocked.
"I mean, I never had the chance to collect all of them. Arrows can be quite costly!" Lynas defended herself. "Plus, all I really need is a pouch or bag with weightless and expansive room runes, and done! Problem solved!"
"Weightless and expansive room runes?" Avnas mumbled, her surprise evident. It gradually dawned on her that such things were unnecessary. In Antherion, there were no limits on weight and expanding one's inventory was both effortless and affordable. Consequently, no player ever had to worry about their inventory reaching full capacity.
However, it was clear that this was not the situation in this particular case. Therefore, when she heard that they had found a solution to address that issue, she realised the truly creative and astonishing nature of magic in this world.
How different are runes in this world compared to the ones in Antherion? Could they use Rune to fix everything? Avnas thought.
"What did you two pick?" Lynas asked them, and Elian showed her a set of small knives. "Those are cooking knives?"
"Yes," Elian replied.
"Why?" Lynas questioned, a bit surprised.
"We are not always going to be in cities. These knives are going to be useful for us, not only to skin an animal but also to prepare it. There's also a wooden axe and some ropes."
Lynas raised an eyebrow and looked at the rest, who shrugged at her. "I'll leave our survivability to you then," she said, and Elian's eyes shined with joy as she nodded quickly.
"Then, we'll need more things!" Elian whispered excitedly.
"What about you, Alex? What you got?" Avnas asked, and Alex showed a few things.
"Not much. I got a shaving knife and a pair of scissors. I use magic, so I don't need these primitive things."
Alex's words were soon met with a loud scoff coming from Rul.
"This boy with a feminine demeanour wouldn't be able to chop wood even if his life depended on it," Rul exclaimed as Lynas burst into laughter. "You went into an armoury and ended up with a pair of scissors and a shaving knife! How feeble-minded!"
Alex's face became red, but he simply scoffed. Even Avnas and Mariel smiled at his reaction. "Brutes, I am surrounded by brutes," Alex mumbled.
"In anycase, I'll pay for everything," Avnas said.
"By the elders, you're surely a unique demon!" Rul stated happily. "I believe you would like those pouches and bags with the runes, yes? Well, that surely will be quite expensive."
"Name your price," Avnas said without worry. Rul chuckled, but soon, the dwarf woman's eyes fell on Elian's sword.
"Wait, could I see that sword?" Rul whispered as she could sense something odd in that sword.
Elian's brows furrowed as she noticed Rul's abrupt shift in expression. She then turned her gaze towards Avnas, who gave her a reassuring nod. Without hesitation, the girl with blue hair placed the sword on the desk. Rul's eyes widened so much that they seemed on the verge of popping out of her face.
"W-what's this?" Rul whispered as she inspected the sword. "Where did you get such a sword?!"
"I made it. Is that a problem?" Avnas said, and the moment she stated that, Rul's face looked at her in shock.
"You made it?" Rul couldn't believe her eyes. She had devoted her entire life to mastering the art of blacksmithing. The forge was her sanctuary; the symphony of sparks and clanging metal brought her immense joy. However, she had never encountered a sword with such a complex design, exceptional steel, and, above all, such an astonishing display of power, especially from a seemingly unremarkable blade. She realised that she couldn't even recognise the steel used on the sword at all, and more importantly, the runes weren't like anything she had seen before.
"How many runes did you use in this?" Rul asked, almost fearful to hear the answer.
Avnas found herself pondering a question she couldn't quite answer. With thousands of meticulously crafted items in her inventory, it was no surprise that she couldn't recall the exact details of every single item she ever crafted. The truth was, she simply didn't know. Yet, as she observed it closely, Avnas deduced that there were likely five runes and approximately two gemstones involved.
"I believe there are approximately five runes and two gemstones on the sword. Some of them can be seen on the handle, while others are on the edge. See those small stones? I think one of them is called, "Never Fade Edge", and another one is called "Damage Beyond Count". I can't recall the others, but one of the gemstones is called "Fortitude of the Great Silver Lion". That's all I can remember, sorry," Avnas responded, feeling a bit embarrassed that she couldn't recall all the names of the runes and gemstones on her own sword. However, the others simply stared at her in complete astonishment.
"What's a gemstone?" Rul asked, her face getting pale.
"It's, um," Avnas scratched her chin, trying to gather her thoughts. She furrowed her brows, searching for the right words to express herself.
"Are they like Runes?" Rul said. "Like spell components? Enchantments?"
"Yes, it's something along those lines. However, Gemstones possess a greater level of power," Avnas responded, noticing Rul's eyes brimming with anticipation. "Here, runes are utilised as a form of enchantment for the sword, correct? The sword acts as the receiver of the enchantment. On the other hand, a Gemstone functions differently; it not only enchants the weapon but also bestows its powers upon the wielder."
"The wielder?" Elian whispered as she glanced at the sword on the desk.
"Yes," Avnas said, and soon enough, Rul glared at her.
"Please! Give me this weapon!" Rul yelled.
"What?! No, it's mine. It's a gift from my master!" Elian snapped back.
"I beg of you! You can take anything you want!" Rul pleaded, and if she could kneel, she would've done so already. "I spent all my life trying to become the best smith in the world! I need to learn how to make such a weapon!"
Avnas arched an eyebrow, curious about the dwarf's strong determination. Yet, she soon realised that assisting this aspiring young dwarf woman in pursuing her dream might actually be a worthwhile investment. Subsequently, Avnas began to examine the items in her inventory and ultimately retrieved a war hammer. When she did it, Rul was on the verge of passing out.
"What about this? You take this, and you gave us what we need," Avnas said as Rul nodded fervently.
"Of course! Of course!" Rul exclaimed as she took the war hammer with her hands. "So light! Look at the steel! Look at the balance!"
Avnas looked pleased with herself. "So, we have a deal?"
"You have a deal!" Rul smirked. "I can't wait to take this to Anzalatem! I need to show this to my pops!"
Avnas didn't think much of those words. However, she hoped that this seed would eventually flourish into something beneficial for her.
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The group exited the store, filled with joy over their abundant possessions. Lynas, in particular, was overwhelmed with emotion as she discovered she had acquired more toys than just a few arrows.
"You're glowing, Lynas," Alex drawled as Lynas sniffed hard.
"Lady Avnas, I promise you, no matter when or how you want me, no matter the position or what you desire to do to me! I'll do it! I swear I will marry you and love you for the rest of my life!" Lynas sobbed, her voice filled with desperation.
"Position? What is she talking about?" Mariel whispered as Elian shook her head.
"Don't listen to her; she just wants to—hug master Avnas, that's all," Elian mumbled back, a bit nervous.
"Oh, but I want to hug Lady Avnas, too," Mariel whispered, and Avnas simply smiled at the small girl, patting her cute hair.
"It's fine, princess. Just ignore this deranged half-elf," Avnas reassured, and the group proceeded to walk away.
"I'm serious! You can do anything you want with me!" Lynas exclaimed before Avnas's tail suddenly struck her on the ass, causing the green-haired girl to yelp in pain. "Oh, how kinky! Should we come up with a safe word?" Lynas playfully teased, but her words were cut short as Avnas's tail once again landed on Lynas's bottom, prompting her to moan in pain again. This time, Lynas appeared not to enjoy it.
"Alright, no safe word," Lynas groaned.
"We still have time to buy more. I suggest we should get more supplies. Also, perhaps a bookstore somewhere," Avnas stated as the rest nodded.
Mariel's smile widened as she gently clasped Avnas's hand. It had been a considerable amount of time since she had felt such overwhelming happiness. Mariel couldn't even recall her mother, as she had always been sheltered by her family. The idea of venturing beyond the confines of her room seemed unfathomable, but here she was, on a completely different continent, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Fear coursed through Mariel's young veins; after all, how could she not be afraid? She was just a child. Yet, Mariel knew that as long as she was beside Avnas. She would be safe.
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The nightlife of the city was absolutely mesmerising, and to truly immerse oneself in the exhilarating festivities, one had to enter one of the pleasure houses in Yecora. These were the places where enjoyment reached its peak, catering to all types of individuals—women, men, and those who exist beyond the boundaries of societal norms—here, they could find whatever their hearts desired without being judged. Of course, there were rules, and the punishment for breaking them, most of the time, was being banned from such a place. However, there were times when deadly force was used.
No one wanted to anger a duchess, the matron of the place.
The rooms were filled with a mix of soft and loud moans. Amidst the moans, occasional giggles could be heard, as well as the occasional grunts of men passionately enjoying their time with their partners. The atmosphere was filled with a symphony of pleasure.
Yet, on the main floor, it appeared to be just another tavern, with drinks and food going around.
In one corner of the tavern, a charming man in his late thirties seemed to have quite a following. Two stunning sex workers were giggling and playfully kissing his neck and chest, clearly drawn to his irresistible charm. And he, like any healthy man, was using his hand to grope and play with those two beautiful women. One was an Etline, with two long wolf ears and a fluffy tail, and the other appeared to be half-elf with long red hair.
"You were an animal last night," the Etline whispered sultry.
"Truly possessed by something!" The half-elf added, giggling.
"It's only natural, of course, after being on the sea for such a long period. Coming back and seeing two beautiful women, there is no way I could hold myself back."
"Such a charmer, aren't you?" They both mumbled at him, and he only chuckled loudly.
"My, my, who do we have here?" a sultry voice said, her voice carrying a sweet scent of honey. "Leon Goldenleaf. Here, I thought I'd never see you again. I hear you were captured by some Liberian admiral a few months ago. I was almost expecting to see your head on a spike in Little Red Stone."
Leon Goldenleaf lazily turned his gaze towards the source of the voices, only to be met with the sight of an astonishingly tall and heavily built woman. Although some might find her intimidating, there were others who found her incredibly captivating. Leon, without a doubt, belonged to the latter group, for he perceived her as nothing short of a stunning, almost divine figure reminiscent of an Amazonian goddess.
"My dear Shanar. I must be truly dreaming as I see the most beautiful half-orc in the world. What did I do to deserve the attention of the Duchess of this establishment?" Leon flirted, his thick accent clearly making effect as Shanar smiled.
"Did you use that charm of yours to escape capture?" Shanar asked with amusement.
"One of my greatest virtues. When even the prison guard likes you when you sing, you start making friends with everyone in prison," Leon proudly proclaims. "But I can tell you all about my little adventurers if you sit down with me."
"Aren't you the charmer?"
"For you, my dear, I am everything and more," Leon smirked.
"Oh, I think I would like to hear it all tonight," Shanar whispered before her expression turned serious. "Girls, do you mind if I bring him to my room? There's something I wish to discuss with him alone."
"Please, don't take so long, Shanar!"
"Don't keep us on edge, please!"
The girls whined loudly, and Leon chuckled as he stood up from his comfortable place. "Don't worry, my loves. I shall return shortly."
Leon accompanied Shanar to her private room. As soon as she closed the door, he promptly took a seat. His thoughts swiftly shifted from pleasure to business.
"So, my dear, what can I do for you?" Leon asked as Shanar swiftly gathered a handful of papers for him to read.
"A trueborn is here in the city," Shanar said without wasting any time. Leon's face became rigid and without emotions. "And not just anyone. But one named the Alabastrine."
"Alabastrine?" Leon whispered, confused. "It appears that I have some catch-up to do."
"She is powerful. The news coming from Equidaria is just reaching us now. It appeared that she killed three Demon Knights in a town called Riverfork."
"Taking down a Demon Knight is no walk in the park, let alone taking down three," Leon remarked as an old wound began to ache once again. One wound that he would carry forever. Still, his attention shifted to the newspaper from New Altes. It reported the devastating aftermath of an apparent attack that had left the palace in ruins. Tragically, the king, his son, and, reportedly, the daughter had all perished, leaving the Kingdom of Aplacia without a ruler. "A war between nobles is in the makings."
"Still, this is from not even a week ago, a few days perhaps. How is she here of all places?" Leon asked as Shanar shook her head.
"Nobody knows. She's here now, a trueborn demon. The newspapers say she's responsible for the tragedy, and no doubt soon a bounty would be placed on her head."
Leon scoffed loudly. "Who in the right mind would dare to fight her head-on? That sounds like suicide for me."
"Perhaps, but you must know that there are always people willing to take the gamble," Shanar sighed deeply, almost tiredly. "Also, she's not alone. She has two humans with her—a half-elf and a small girl. This is definitely not normal."
Leon hummed as he began to wonder about the small girl. "Could it be?" He muttered.
"Also, the Alabastrine petitioned a request to the guild. It appears she wants to travel back to Equidaeria."
Leon then looked up at Shanar and began to put the knots together. "My dear, it appears that you're arriving at the point."
"The Cartel and the Lady do not want her here. But they are not fool enough to fight her. They have been monitoring her; not even the most powerful Shadow Killers can approach her without being noticed by her. She doesn't even look concerned about them."
"And you want me to do that job, eh?" Leon smiled as he leaned back in the chair.
"If she can leave Yecora peacefully, well, the Cartel is more than happy," Shanar replied with a sigh. "Not only them. My lady also wants her out of Iuphan as fast as possible."
"The Silk Queen, too? Well, I don't blame her; she has a lot of problems on her hands currently, especially with what's happening in Xenia. Family problems, I know all about that," Leon whispered as Shanar frowned deeply.
"What do you mean by that?" Shanar asked quickly.
"Nothing, nothing, my love," Leon smiled at her. "So, the Cartel and the Silk Queen want me to take her away, huh? That won't come cheap."
Shanar replied, "As far as we know, the Alabastrine is willing to pay you whatever the price is." However, it was clear that Leon's priorities were always business first, followed by pleasure.
"Yes, but what about the Cartel and the Silk Queen?" Leon asked, his smirk never fading. "It's quite a journey for me and my crew, after all, especially considering the current lack of peace in the seas and skies."
"Of course, you know that the Cartel simply cannot afford to lose one of their best," Shanar said, a smile gracing her face, unaware of the piercing gaze fixed upon Leon's expression.
"Everyone is expendable for the Cartel," Leon replied, his charming voice gone. He then took a deep breath and stood up.
"I shall meet this Alabastrine first. Where is she staying?"
"The Weeping Queen."
Leon nodded before walking away. "It appears that our night will have to wait, my dear," he smiled as he kissed Shanar's hand.
"I'll make it up to you, I promise," Shanar replied with a teasing smirk.
"I can hardly wait," he exclaimed before shutting the door behind him. Shortly after, he bid farewell to the two sex workers who awaited him. Their expressions showed disappointment as he departed. However, they swiftly moved on, finding solace in the laps of other clients, leaving Leon unfazed. He was well aware of their true nature.
"Alabastrine, uh? What a name."
Leon remarked, gazing at the stars above him. He shut his eyes, relishing the chilly breeze against his cheeks. Retrieving a locket from his purse, he felt a tinge of sadness, as always, upon seeing the picture inside. Nonetheless, he needed to glimpse her face. With a sigh, Leon carefully returned the locket to its place and redirected his attention to his immediate task at hand.
"Let's go to work, then."