Chapter 5 | Shoreline city.
In the kingdom of masol stood five great cities. Each ones
Essential to the function of the country.
Each city has its protected by a guardian also known as The royal knights. The highest honor to a knight as it symbols nobility strength and authority.
Author note: yes , lilith is one of the five guardian knights .
Meanwhile the duo of lucio and jaked finally arrived at the city gates. Thier one goal was to get rest resupply and gather the requirements for lucio ' s plan.
The two observed the city walking along with the pedestrians. Once they reached the adventurers hall they claimed the bounty on the gang of iron clads.
They brought thier collars as proof of thier work . As jake and lucio showed thier adventurer id.
" here is the bounty sir , im glad you took care of those bandits . they have been causing a lot og trouble on travelers lately. " The attendant said with a polite smile.
Jake smiled. " yeah it wasnt hard at all " .
The cashier smiled at the adventurers confidence she did not doubt him after all he was a of the Class A adventurer of another city. But somehow that smile was a bit endearing.
Suddenly lucio ' s voice rang out. Snapping her away from her thoughts . " Sorry what was it ? " .
" I asked how much did we earn ? " Lucio asked. Looking at jake playfully. Its clear to him that the attendant is attracted to jake..
" Ah about 4000 gold coins. " She replied.
The two looked at each other it wasnt good nor was it bad it was a normal rate for a low level bandits.
The two soon exited leaving the hall. Currently lucio had about 4 million gold coins after selling all his assets for this journey which he deposited to the bank.
Tho it was a large mount of money it is not nearly enough to get him any artifacts or prosthetic limbs to help his handicapped state. He is aware he needs to get stronger before going to agartha as the dragon kings enemies are probably no push over.
" Where are we going now ? " Jake asked curiously. It was indeed his first time in the city. And is dependent on lucio for directions.
" I know a place where do alot of shady things. We have to
Do something there. " Lucio replied as he continued to lead jake to the uglier parts of the city.
The environment could be discribed as filtthy uncleaned .
Moss grew from the stone ground as the houses were barely standing. They have reached the abandoned part of the city. As they continued lucio and jake reached an abandoned church.
" Ah here to say your prayers ? " Jake joked earning a chuckle from lucio.
Lucio led jake to a secret chamber that connected to the basement of the church , where the base of operations of not so legal activities happen.
The place was similar to an adventurers guild. However this wasnt an adventurer guild. It was a mercinary guild
You may ask whats the difference between the adventurers and mercinaries ?.
Adventurers are recognize by the world as a legal organization that follow ' s a set of rules and regulations.
Ex:
( No assassination missions )
(Cant be involve in politics , ex: War )
( Could only hunt a specific pool of monsters/creatures)
However mercinary guild are the same but they dont play by those rules so they are not exactly legal. They dont mind doing assasinations or getting involved with politicians mess. Nor do they mind pillaging and destroying villages and hunting endangered species everything had its price .
" Before we go in . Hide your adventurer badge " lucio said pointing at gold badge tugged on jakes shirt. As well as lucio ' s silver badge the two quickly took it off and hide it in thier pockets..
Mercinaries kind of view adventurers as hypocrytes and softies the two sides have a grudge against each other.
" What are we doing here? If they find out were adventurers they would jump us or worse kill us. " Jake whispered as they got closer to the door.
" Trust me. Its part of my plan " lucio reassured his friend before opening the door.
The two entered the basement the attentands made a mini pub inside where the mercenaries could relax and socialize.
There was a few people thier glancing at them they were unfamilliar faces to them so they would be naturally weary.
They were greeted by the attendant a fat man with a thick beard. " Hello. Young sirs what brings you here today ? "
" We have a job. And were looking for capable men. "
Lucio spoke. As jake observed the place and the men inside.
" Ah may i ask what kind of a job it is? And your budget range. " The fat man asked.
" We need a hand ambushing someone we have a grudge on. As for the budget. You dont have to worry. Im looking to hire your best men. " Lucio replied.
Hearing this the fat man ' s eyes lit up. " Is that so , please pardon me the name is Jorkniv i am the attendant of this station. May i request you to wait ? ".
" Take your time "
As jurkniv the fat man got into the back of the counter. Soon group of Grumpy looking men entered the basement.
" Are you the clients ? " A man with a towering figure and a funny mustsch asked. He had a giant axe strapped on his back. As well as his companions who were jocked swordsmen.
" I suppose. " Lucio replied.
Soon jurkniv went out back to the counter. And introduced the group of men before them.
" This is our best agents. Band of the Ox " . Jurkniv explained..
" Thats Gore the leader of the group " pointing at the previous mustsched jocked.
Lucio has indeed heard of them before they were a nututrious band of mercinaries responsible for many attrocities in the past .
" Its nice to meet you. My name is Li and this is Jay. "
Lucio introduced themself in different names in order to play safe. They weren't famous adventurers and he doubt they would sniff our thier real identity since they are from another city. But it was better safe than sorry.
" I see , so whats the job? Just give us instructions and consider it done. " Gore said. His tone was impatient as if he was already itching for some action.
" Halt there Gore they havent paid yet. " Jurkniv reminded.
Rubbing his beard.
"Alright how much does it take to hire the band of the ox?"
Lucio asked.
" 1 million " jurkniv replied firmly. As jakes eyes widened. For reference a lucio ' s house in Little tommy city was sold for a million. And he worked his whole career to afford it.
" Is that a problem ? " Jurkniv asked seeing jakes reaction.
" No not at all . " Lucio answered firmly.
" You do checks ? "
-----
As the skies slowly turned to night , the hosts and guest of the auction were already going to thier individual destination.
As multiple carraige ' s made its way through the roads it contained the powerful and influencial bandit king who was reowned for his skils as a thief where he sold items he stole from tombs and temples for a hefty price.
He was one of the richest people in the country hosting his own auction ' s , Selling slaves , illegal smuggling was all source of his wealth.
Suddenly his carraiges came to an halt.
" Why did we stop driver ? " He asked his tone annoyed.
" The others i dont see them anymore.. " the old driver explained.
The bandit kings eyebrows met as he looked at his right hand man. " What do you mean ? " .
" I dont see the others. The escorts thier not with us. Were alone ? . And sir.. it appears to be a young woman is blockign our path. " .
" A woman? , What about it ? " The bandit king asked confused.
" She has peircing red eyes.. "