Bronzegate City,the fourth of the ten royal cities in Arcadia Empire,named after its ranked-first defense system and the three Titan Gates which were completely built from bronze.

Legends,Bronzegate was a city under benediction from Owen Turag,also called The Ruining Warhammer,the fourth of The Nine Valhallas.

However those myths or something more like common senses were not familiar to Halley.So he went curious when he brushed past flocks and flocks of hammer warriors over and over again in a certain time.But frankly speaking,was there anything he was not curious about?

Ingredients hunters,bounty hunters,paladins,warriors,each figure matched to a certain career,he even met some characteristic ones of Monsterslayers.

They were transferred from senior hunters or huntresses,ranked the Master.Symbolic full sets of armor displayed their status,derived from spoils of defeated monsters were their weapons,no matter two-handed swords,axes or assembled crossbows were all extremely large,equipped by them as heavy armaments which could be used to slay a dragon.

So that was so-called bearing of the strong!

"Incredible!"He couldn't help showing his admiration.

Hundreds of street vendors hawked their goods,boasting of their ordinary treasures.Intact hides,fragrant fruits,resplendent jewels,and then spice,wares,brass-made candlesticks......Those variety of merchandise dazzled Halley,especially arms and armors.Golden ornamental-engraved swords,light and handy throwing axes,bucklers claimed to be made from dragon scales,all were unheard for Halley who only grew up in such villages.

Moreover he found a broadsword in a booth of a granny who had only one eye left.The broadsword resembled his father's mega fellow"Heavenmachete " to a great extent.The only distinction was the size,either size of the hilt or size of the blade was much more tinier that the origin, just like a son of it.

With the eye of acquiescence Halley drew the blade out.The edge was as sharp as a ray of cold light.The wicked-looking blade arose an itch on the thumb,seducing one to press on it and release a drop of blood. The smell on it reminded people that it was not a fresh product but a slaughter tool once stained with blood.

"Wow!"Halley expressed his approval ,"How much,granny?"

"Seventy thousand silver-rings or six thousand and nine hundred golden-knife coins."Said the granny.

On hearing this he felt as if a thorny ache on the hands and he returned the sword. His entire possession was only one point five thousand silver-rings,less than a hundred and fifty if exchanged to golden-knives.It was a astronomical cost for an academician.

"A man is never defeated by money if he is a man."Said the granny with a sardonic grin,"And dignity is tougher than gold."

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"Uh,really couldn't afford it..."His face turned fairly red due to the roundabout slap on his face.

"Well,well.I thought you knew what's what,and then?Just casting pearls before swine."She caressed the scabbard gently as caressing an ancient scroll,"The sword,Elemental Sword,reformed from Elven Royalty sabres,ancient smithing,Wind Veins.Elementals were all ruined in the Great Victory,the rest are less than a hundred,drifting about the three Empires."

And it turned to Halley's sneer.Jonahhan was right,as for merchants,nine out of ten trick.

Elven Royalty?The Great Victory?Come on,three hundred years!

Put aside the fact that a sword would rust away after three hundred years of time,let's assume it would not.Dare who would put this in broad daylight,in a tumultuous market for sale?

And it was a pretty nonsense about the amounts survived.It was simply the Heavenmachete used by father after enlarged into two times scales.A bounty hunter with an antique?

"So,granny,it is worthy of seventy thousand silvers, what about a resemble one in this size,as tall as I am?"Halley gestured with a palm above his head,"Marked one hundred thousand,huh?"

"Stop making fun,that never existed."Remarked her firmly.

"Far more than existence but a plaything sometimes, I mean,for me."

"Hell out,jerky nasty yokel!Out of my sight!"She went mad,picked up a piece of rock and threw it to Halley,though she missed.

Considering as not to get into troubles here,he was not on purpose pissing the granny off.Hurrily he dashed away before onlookers came.

Single-eyed granny gazed at Halley till he was out of sight,narrowing her only right eye, the expression was rather plain as she always did.

And SOMETHING happened.

Her shadow beneath her feet stretched as a cobra,writhing and cohering into a human shape lowered on one knee.

"Keep an eye on him."She commanded.

High noon past.Halley being kept in the dark,following his bloody starvation,finally he reached the barbecue stall.Fragrance of spices and rising smoke filled the air,grease dropped from the sizzing meat,alluring his stomach and wallet.Two copper-cents for three pieces,each piece was about the size of tongue,wrapped with greaseproof paper.It cost twice as much as the same amount in villages but it tasted better in exchange.

Halley ordered some,gorging as a beast.At the same time he found a man also with a long spear on the opposite side. The spear seemed shorter than his,thinner than his,presumably lighter than his. The man finished his food,cast a glance at Halley's spear,and he was truly surprised,then left with his jaw dropped and tongue out.

Halley attained a spiritual victory,with his moods refreshed he ordered more,eating while strolling.

As was expected,no street entertainers,no markets.Magics,somersaulting,flame shows,juggling torches,all about their popular performances gaining waves and waves of applause with a cent and a cent of coppers.

One of the buskers truly under spotlight was a rather coquettish maiden dancer with bold dress that Halley had never seen.Curvy figure,cherry-red bandeau,slit skirt down to her feet,tan color waist seemed as supple as a snake,slender thigh occasionally rose from her skirt,teasing heartstrings of every men onlooking.

More to people's attention,the dancing girl covered her face with a golden mask,only baring jet black long hair and delicate eyes.Those eyes talked,with a sort of mysterious magic they held Halley tightly.But once they two creatures came to an eye-contact HE always avoided in a hurry.

Drifting with current Halley cast a handful of coppers equaled to two silver-rings.That was all his power,after all tuition came first.

Dance stopped soon.The dancer got into a small tent behind the place and a harp-playing old man started collecting the coins on the floor which could be a big fortune.

"Is there more touch?"

"Encore,encore,HOO!"

Audiences threw constant questions and bravos.

"Please wait on,sirs and lords!"Cried the old man in an oily voice,"Just an hour later."

So kept strolling around before that,thought Halley ,and he left the crowds.