Siderius pulled his half-scarf over his face and wrapped it around, covering everything except his eyes.
His hair was too recognizable and he would only be more popular from now on. It was only logical to hide his identity.
In the veil of the night, a shadow dashed through the landscape and reached Mucktown inner walls. The gate was protected by two guards, who wore the same attire as Siderius.
They blocked Siderius once he got close.
"Stop right there. Who are you? Why are you covering your face?" One of the guards said.
Mucktown was a small town with a tiny population. All the guards knew each other. Because of that, Siderius became very suspicious for trying to hide his identity.
"Who I am is not of your concern. Move away." Siderius continued on his path.
A guard reached out his hand to grab Siderius but he reacted immediately. He drew his sword and slammed the pommel into the side of the soldier, causing him to crumble in pain.
"You?!" The other guard drew his sword also.
Siderius flexed his arm, the silver bracer appeared. It wrapped around his clothes and stayed at the top.
Siderius drew a V on the air with a horizontal line in the middle. The sigil immediately took effect and the guard wobbled in place. He couldn't even draw his sword out properly.
Siderius kicked the guy and made him fall on his butt. His attacks were gentle and only caused the two of them to be incapacitated.
These guards were amateur warriors at best. They didn't have a lot of training and lacked a lot of real combat experience. For an average commoner, they were menaces. But for a real warrior, they were children playing with sharp ticks.
"That's… Magic?" A guard said.
"At least you have an eye. I am from a High Noble clan. Check your eyes next time and do not bother me.
Understood?"
The two guards nodded repeatedly.
Siderius pulled the two of them up and patted each of them on the shoulder.
"Sorry for the strikes."
"It's alright, sir! It's our fault."
The guards kept their heads down. They bought Siderius' story wholeheartedly.
"There was a High Noble member in this town. Her last name is Costeau. Where is she?"
"Costeau? The tailor?"
The two guards looked at each other. It's no secret that Ashe was casted out of her family. However, a High Noble was still a High Noble, even if they lost their status.
"We saw her walking into the market earlier this morning. But she didn't leave yet…"
"Oh no? I hope it's not that thug again."
"Trouble?" Siderius raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, sir. There is a thug called Gert that operates in the market. People call him Big Snout Gert. Gert has caused many troubles for Lady Costeau many times. So if she's missing, that's who we would find first."
"Where can I find him?"
"I would try to look at the commoner's area first. He is probably around there at this time of the day."
"Understood. Thank you, boys. Continue with your duty."
"Yes, sir!"
Siderius went inside the inner walls. It was a small town with a low rockwall running around in a circle. There were two main gates. The South gate was where Siderius had just entered.
He followed the path to the commoner's area. Siderius used Snow's memory to find his way.
Soon he found the only structure that was still brightly lit at this time of the day, the inn.
Siderius could hear voices of drunken men inside the inn.
"Come on, girl! You're a commoner, now. Stop that arrogant act and just follow our leader!"
"Yes! Yes! Follow Gert! He will take care of you."
The loudest voice erupted, "Hear that, Ashe! They are all telling you to follow me.
Who do you think you are now, huh? A noble?!
You ain't a noble anymore, bitch. Know your place!"
There was a young woman and an older woman stood outside of the inn. Their faces were filled with fear. But they didn't dare to intrude on the group.
When they saw Siderius, they mistaken him for a guard.
"Thank the Gods! Finally a guard shows up!" The older woman said.
Siderius didn't say anything and kept on walking. He kicked open the door to the inn.
Silence fell down.
Ashe was tied into a chair. Her clothes were still intact and it seemed to be no act of violence that had taken place yet. However, a man was dangling dangerously close to her.
A muscular man with a brown tunic on his body and an unusually big nose on his face. He was probably Big Snout Gert.
His hand caressed Ashe's face and he showed no hesitation to trace it along her necks. Lust filled his face and a big wide grin of cruelty drew on his lips.
The inn was trashed. Beer and ale were all over the floor. There were some broken pieces of furniture laying around. A chair broke in half. A table was flipped upside down.
The line of mugs on the bar counter was in chaos and food scattered disgustingly.
The only people there belonged to the Big Snout group. A pack of shady individuals. Some didn't even wear a shirt.
"A guard? Don't bother us…"
A thug approached Siderius with his nose up in the sky. Before he could finish his sentence, Siderius' elbow flew over, banging on his nose.
The second strike followed fluently, a big haymaker to the liver. The skinny thug crumbled down to the ground, losing any fighting capabilities within seconds.
Siderius may not have his old body but his skill was still there. These untrained thugs were no match for him.
All the thugs stood up straight. They picked up their wooden clubs.
The Big Snout gang rarely got in trouble with the guards as they knew their limit. But the guards also didn't care much, allowing the group to do almost anything they wanted.
As long as they did not burn down any structure or bothered any Citizens and Nobles, the guard wouldn't care.
"Hey! We didn't do anything wrong. So fuck off or we will let you have it!" Big Snout Gert screamed. He let go of Ashe and walked toward Siderius.
Ashe's gaze met Siderius. She could see disappointment in him. An expression that made her feel utterly ashamed.
Siderius stayed silent. His left hand drew the Vertigo sigil. The sigil floated in the air and illuminated gently.
Immediately, the world in Gert's vision went upside down.
They all thought the same thing.
"Magic…"
Siderius walked forward and with one slap, he pushed Gert down on his knees.
The other thugs dropped their clubs immediately.
"A high lord!"
"Me high lord! Please forgive us!"
"I was wrong! I didn't do anything!"
The thugs gave up without a fight but that wasn't enough for Siderius.
He kicked Gert while he was down and repeatedly stomped on his stomach.
His ruthlessness caused the other thugs to lose their colors. They're visibly sweating, imagining that they would share the same fate as Gert.
Siderius drew his sword and stabbed it onto the wooden floor.
"If he survives, you will all die."
His message was clear. Now the choice rested at the thugs.
Siderius walked toward Ashe and untied her. At his back, a thug picked up his sword, his hand shook like a tree in the wind.