Saga of the Two-World Emperor
Volume 1: A Spark in the Ashes
Chapter 9 – The Black Market and Whispers
The month passed by in a blur of quiet, focused effort.
Demian's deadline loomed, but Adrian felt no pressure. He poured all his time and energy into the small, once-abandoned garden, tending to it with a meticulous care that bordered on obsession.
With his knowledge of agriculture from a future world, combined with the precise analysis of soil and weather conditions from the System, Adrian's "Silverleaf Sage" flourished miraculously. It grew faster, and its leaves were a more vibrant, shimmering silver and thicker than anything sold in the common market. The unique, cool scent of the herb was so potent that even Lilia, who brought him his meals, could smell it from several feet away.
He now had a superior "product" in his hands. But the next problem was… how to sell it?
He couldn't possibly take it to the normal market. Lady Isabella would surely find out and confiscate all the earnings. He needed a channel to convert these herbs into cash without anyone knowing… and the only place that could be done was the "black market."
From the old Adrian's memories, he knew that in the poorest district of the capital, there was a small network of alleyways known as the "Shadow Alley." It was the hub for everything illicit, from the trade of stolen goods and gambling to the buying and selling of secret information.
Adrian was well aware that for a sickly young nobleman like himself to just walk into such a place was tantamount to suicide. He needed a "guide"… and the most suitable person would be someone who knew every nook and cranny of the underworld.
He spent several days gathering information discreetly. He didn't ask directly, but used seemingly unimportant conversations with Lilia and other servants to piece together a picture. He inquired about city gossip, tales of local ruffians, and even jokes about various swindlers, until one name was mentioned more frequently than any other…
"Finn, the Silver-Tongued Swindler."
On a moonless night, Adrian waited until the entire manor was deep in sleep. He donned an old, hooded cloak he had found in a storage room to conceal his face, and placed the harvested "Silverleaf Sage," carefully wrapped in linen cloth, into a satchel. He stealthily climbed out of his bedroom window, a feat that, despite his improved health, still left him panting from the exertion.
He headed towards the Shadow Alley with caution.
The atmosphere in the alley was a world away from the noble district. The moment he stepped in, the smell of dampness, cheap ale, and despair assaulted his nostrils. The sound of boisterous chatter, hoarse laughter, and clinking glasses spilled out from a shabby-looking tavern. The dim light from oil lamps cast long, dancing shadows of suspicious figures moving about. Every pair of eyes that fell on him was filled with mistrust and assessment, like a pack of wolves eyeing a lost lamb that had wandered into their territory.
Adrian pulled his hood lower to cover more of his face. He walked deeper into the alley with a calm demeanor, trying not to show any fear. He went deeper until he reached the oldest tavern in the alley, a place called "The Rat in the Jar," which, according to his information, was Finn's usual haunt.
He pushed open the creaky door. The sight inside was a haze of smoke and a motley crew of people. There were mercenaries with scarred faces, cunning-looking merchants, and women who offered seductive smiles to everyone.
He found Finn sitting in the darkest corner of the establishment, playing cards with a few other travelers. Finn didn't look like a ruffian at all. He had a playful smile and eyes that sparkled with the cunning of a fox.
Adrian walked straight to his table.
"I need to speak with you… Finn."
Finn and his companions all turned to look at him. Finn glanced him up and down, from head to toe, before breaking into a wide grin.
"Well, well! Look what we have here! How did a little young master from a noble family get lost all the way out here?" he said loudly, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. "What can I do for you? Or perhaps you'd like to try your luck in a game of cards with us?"
"I'm not here to play," Adrian said in a flat tone. "I have something to 'sell'… and I heard you're the man who can find me the right 'buyer'."
The word "sell" made Finn's playful smile shift slightly. A glint of interest flashed in his eyes.
"Something to sell, you say? What kind of thing would make a young master like you venture all the way out here?"
Adrian slowly opened his satchel, revealing the leaves of the "Silverleaf Sage," which shimmered with a silvery sheen even in the dim light. The unique, cool aroma of the herb wafted out faintly.
Finn's eyes widened slightly. He knew this stuff… and he knew what it was worth.
"Interesting… very interesting," he said, stroking his chin. "So, what do you need from me?"
"Find me a buyer who will pay the highest price… and keep this a secret," Adrian stated. "Your payment… ten percent of the final sale price."
Finn laughed out loud.
"Ten percent? Kid… don't you know that in this alley… the standard fee starts at thirty percent?"
"That's for others… not for me," Adrian retorted without a hint of fear. "And I will give you more than just ten percent."
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"An opportunity… to work with someone who can provide you with a steady supply of 'goods' like this," Adrian said with a faint smile. "Think about it, Finn… this could be the start of the biggest business deal of your life."
Finn stared into Adrian's cold eyes. He felt as if he were being watched by a wolf, not the lamb he appeared to be on the outside.
He grinned wider than before.
"Alright… I like the way you think," Finn said. "But first… I need to make sure your goods are genuine."
(End of Chapter 9)