Free Web NovelChapter 13: Day 1
"Miss Nora, let’s be a little quieter. So, will you help me?" — Ruthless said with a smile on his face.
"And will you tell me who she is?" — she asked, whispering again and leaning forward conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"When I get an answer, then I’ll tell you," — he replied with a smirk.
"What are you talking about there?" — Ari joined the conversation with a serious face. She took a step forward, crossing her arms over her chest and looking intently from one to the other.
"Oh no, we have our own talk," — Nora replied, waving her hands to smooth over her friend’s suspicions. "Arichka, I have some urgent business, I’ll be back soon, okay?"
"More likely, you have business with Ruthless, don’t you?" — she continued with a somber face. In the falling twilight, her strict silhouette seemed even more monolithic against the background of the massive city gates.
’And she, apparently, won’t back off immediately’ — Ruthless noted, mentally calculating how this unexpected tail might affect his plans.
"I just really need Miss Nora’s help, so I’ll take her for about half an hour. Do you mind, Miss Ari?" — he said gentlemanly, with a smile on his face.
"Alright, good luck to you," — she said and took her post, marching back to the wall.
After this unpleasant conversation, they went to the bazaar to buy that same love envelope Ruthless had asked for.
They delved deeper into the evening commercial districts of the city. The camera led them through the bustle: carts pulled by strange mounts rushed past, small bits of trash rustled underfoot, and above, between the roofs of shops pressed tightly against each other, a narrow strip of crimson sky was visible. The air here was saturated with the sharp smells of spices, roasted meat, and cheap tobacco. Nora confidently led the boy through the crowd until they turned into a quieter, more civilized artisan alley, which smelled of paper, sealing wax, and fresh ink.
"Here we are," — she said, pointing to a shop that was full of envelopes. It was clear there that they had them for love, for friendship, for family, and so on.
They were arranged very neatly and beautifully. Using different colors of envelopes, they had created the word "Welcome" at the top, and it was really cool. Soft light from magical lamps at the entrance illuminated this paper collage, making it shimmer softly with all the colors of the rainbow.
They entered the store, and at the same time, Ruthless immediately changed the subject, asking another question:
"Tell me, can you tell me a little bit about this bazaar? Just curious," — he asked, while being focused on the colors.
While Nora opened her mouth to answer, Ruthless cast a glance through the shop’s panoramic window at the market sprawling outside. The bazaar resembled a living, chaotic organism: it was divided into strict color zones. The weapons rows glinted dully with steel in the bluish twilight, the magic shops burned with poison-green and purple lights from their signs, and the fabric awnings of the food stalls shimmered with a dirty yellow. Merchants called out to customers, shouting over one another, creating a continuous hum that echoed off the stone walls of the shops.
’A convenient place to get lost or find something rare, if you know the right color and sector...’ — Ruthless noted, evaluating the market’s logistics under the guise of innocent curiosity.
’Well then, let’s begin then...’
The next morning met them with soft golden light breaking through the high arched windows of the spacious office. A thin aroma of freshly brewed tea and old paper floated in the air.
"Ruthless, your plan worked very well. Although there were minor problems, I solved them," — Princess Lysandra said, unhurriedly drinking tea and simultaneously reviewing the documents spread out on the massive oak desk.
’It is morning now, and as promised, I must help her in exchange for the academy.’
"Princess, may I ask a question?" — Ruthless suddenly asked, shifting from foot to foot at the edge of the desk.
"Of course, what do you want to ask?" — placing the documents on the polished wood, she set down the cup with an elegant gesture and fixed an attentive gaze on him.
"Are there thieves in the city of Syoga? That is, I mean, popular ones or whole teams?" — Ruthless asked the question, trying to speak as naturally as possible.
The Princess was immediately surprised, and her eyes rounded in amazement. Well, that was to be expected, as such a question from him was completely impossible to foresee in such a setting.
"Why do you ask?" — she asked immediately with clear curiosity, leaning forward slightly.
"Because I am just very interested in such topics. I had many such cases in my childhood," — he said, looking away for a moment, and his face took on a slightly sad expression.
"Ah, I see. But what exactly interests you?" — she asked the question again, narrowing her eyes as if she didn’t want to give away valuable information so easily.
’Apparently, she won’t just give me the answers to my questions.’
"Because I myself was once a thief in my childhood due to poverty, so this topic is close to me."
After these words, silence hung in the office for a second, broken only by the quiet ticking of a floor clock. The Princess peered intently into his face, as if trying to find traces of a lie.
"Fine, I will answer your question, but promise me that someday you will tell me about your past. Of course, I could force you right now since you are a shrimp, but by my mercy, I am not that cruel," — she said, taking another sip of tea as evenly and gracefully as if she were at an official royal ceremony.
’She has a very large ego, or there is something else...’ — Ruthless thought, mentally making a note for the future.
"Alright," — he replied shortly and clearly, accepting her conditions.
"Then listen. Yes, we have such groups of thieves, and quite a lot, but many of them are petty thieves, like you in your childhood. But there are two large groups that are very dangerous. They never tell their names or even nicknames, but they have their own symbol-tattoos," — having said this, she smoothly rose from her chair and approached the open window.
"The first one’s symbol is a dragonfly, and the second one’s symbol is a snake biting itself. We have tried to catch them many times, but alas, it did not work," — she added quietly, casting a thoughtful gaze into the endless blue sky.
’I see, then it’s for the best for me. If it is as I think, the plan might work.’
"Primal Gaze!"
<Current Stats: Lysandra Lurius
Strength: 700
Speed: 700
Stamina: 700
Intelligence: 45
Primal Level: 2
Chosen Path: Path of Business (25% mastered)>
’Now she has 25%, I think that is why she has started solving business tasks better now.’_
’Now I need to deal with Valerian Sterling...’ — he also looked at that blue sky.
