The Kind of Evil

‎Rasmus and Aris continued their journey, leaving the Jester behind. On their way to the city gate, Rasmus noticed that nobody talked about the dead bodies he had killed last night. It wasn't because they didn't care, but it was as if the bodies were never found and disappeared.

‎"Did they get rid of the bodies?" Rasmus muttered as he looked around, observing the people who seemed to be talking casually.

‎"Yur said that the bodies were devoured by black substances like liquid. It could be tar, and we both know where it's connected to," Aris responded as she rode her horse beside Rasmus.

‎"Tar? So there's a high-ranking demon in this city," Rasmus looked at the palace in the distance with a stoic and cold gaze. "It will be a grandiose stage then," he said, and then looked at the city gate in front of him.

‎As soon as they left the capital city, Rasmus wanted to visit someone. Someone who had so many connections with nobles in the Refenus Kingdom.

‎It took them three days to reach the closest town, Drunel Town. A town that belonged to Viscount Heward Rednil, a man who climbed up his status from a commoner to a noble because of his wealth and connection. The town was said to be the place where the fate of wealth resided, bringing good fortune or bad fortune to those who sought it.

‎Rasmus and Aris looked at how lively the town was, and how many merchants came and went. It was a busy town, and the people were selling their unique products since Drunel was a land of fortune. There were unaffiliated mages, scholars, and merchants that tried to sell their creations from books, magic tools, and rare goods.

‎"The Mana is abundant here, quite a surprise," Rasmus said as he looked at the Mana flowing freely in the air.

‎"I wasn't expecting this as well," Aris nodded in agreement as she looked at the people around her. "Who are we going to meet here?" She looked at Rasmus.

‎"The Viscount himself. It's fortunate that Eduard knows this man and is smart enough to make a partnership with him," Rasmus answered as he pulled out a letter with the seal still intact. "I wonder what the content of this letter is," he said as he stared at the letter.

‎"Doing an errand for a friend, that's first," Aris said as she chuckled at Rasmus.

‎"He was the one who helped me when I was struggling to survive. I don't forget the hands that reached me," Rasmus responded and nodded. "Let's find the merchant's guild," he said, and continued to ride his horse.

‎When they arrived at the merchant's guild, they saw how crowded it was from both merchants and adventurers. One who traded goods and paid fees for affiliating with the guild, while the adventurers were hired for their escort service.

‎"The Silver Platter Guild," Rasmus smiled softly, finding the name to be quite catchy and interesting.

They entered the crowded building, and the receptionists were overwhelmed by the amount of members and customers that came in. Rasmus decided to wait, finding an empty space for him to stand on without blocking anyone. He observed the crowd in the guild and found out how odd it was based on the expressions of the merchants and the receptionists.

"You're going to wait for a while, Sir. Is this your first time here?" A skinny old man asked as he looked up at Rasmus. The old man seemed to be sick and tired, and how he was constantly coughing.

"Yes, is something the matter here? I noticed the number of the members demanding more adventurers for their journey the amount of goods that are being sold, and the unhandled paperwork on the counter," Rasmus said as he observed the chaos.

"Ah, you haven't heard? These merchants used to affiliate with the Holy Nation, but after the rumor spread that the Holy Nation didn't need any help, these merchants decided to sell their goods here. You can say that this is some kind of a protest where the Holy Nation have to realize that without the people, they're nothing," the old man answered, staring at the hectic situation in the guild.

"Honestly, this is just wrong..." The old man said. "These people only look at half of the picture and ignore the other half. The Holy Nation didn't need any help because they didn't want anyone to spend their money or materials on the Holy Nation. However, this is has been going too far, and I don't think people care anymore about what they're protesting anymore, and just follow where the crowds go," he continued as he coughed badly.

Rasmus hummed while Aris observed the old man's condition, knowing that he was extremely ill and that his body was slowly dying. However, Aris didn't try to warn the old man and chose to be silent and waited until Rasmus finished with his business here in the merchant guild.

"You seem to be a wealthy young man, a noble perhaps?" The old man asked with his brows raised, staring at Rasmus from top to bottom. "You doesn't seem to be here to buy or sell goods," he pointed out.

"Yes, I'm looking for the guild master, but I'm not sure if I can with this kind of situation they're dealing with," Rasmus answered with a smile on his face.

"Ahh, the guild master is always free in his office. He doesn't deal with these things here. If you want to ask for an audience with the guild master, you talk to that young lady over there. It will depends on what purpose you want to meet the guild master whether he accepts your request or not," the old man said as he pointed at the lady that stood behind the counter with barely any line in front of her. "I also want to meet with the guild master for a loan, but I'm too scared to ask because I know that he won't give me any..." he continued.

Rasmus hummed as he looked at the lady as he pulled out a gold coin from his spatial ring. He stealthily put the two gold coins into the old man's hand, and smiled at him. When the old man looked down at his hand and opened it slightly, he was baffled when he saw two gold coins in his hand.

"Sir?" The old man's eyes were watery, touched by the generosity of a random person.

"That's the payment for your useful information. You said you came here for a loan, and I'm repaying you with something that you need as well," Rasmus said with a smile. "Treat yourself, old man. Get some best medicine," he said as he patted the old man's shoulder and then walked away.

Rasmus and Aris waited in line, and everyone paid attention to them because of how tall they were. They had never seen two people so tall and standing side by side, making them easy to spot. They were quite intimidating to look at as well because of how distant their cold gazes were, and how they both wore a stoic expression.

"Yes? What can I help you Sir?" The lady receptionist asked with a smile.

"Can I meet with the guild master? I have something important to deliver to Viscount Rednil," Rasmus said as he showed a letter with a seal on it. "I believe this is an important letter, and I do believe I can't just meet with the Viscount like walking in the park," he continued.

"Ah, give me a moment. I will inform the guild master," the lady nodded with understanding and hurriedly went upstairs.

"You could just meet the Viscount, why do you choose to go here first?" Aris asked with her brows raised.

"I have a good intention, and since this is someone that Eduard knows well, I don't want to ruin his name and reputation. I wouldn't bother to do this if this is my own business," Rasmus answered as he watched the lady walk down the stairs.

"Sir, the guild master is waiting for you, please come this way," the lady said with a smile as she pointed at the stairs.

Rasmus nodded and went upstairs with the lady escorting him. When they reached the second floor, they saw a few adventurers, sitting on couches with their expensive armor and weapons. They all immediately looked at those two and at their hands. Warriors could see the hands of someone who held a sword, and they could tell immediately that those two weren't ordinary people.

"The guild master is right behind this door, Sir..." The lady pointed at the door behind her.

Rasmus nodded and entered the room with Aris following behind him. Aris glanced at those adventurers with a cold gaze, and they all immediately felt a killing intent like when they saw a blade right under their chin. They immediately looked away and minded their own business.

"Weaklings..." Aris muttered as she entered the room and closed the door behind her.