Chapter 16

  Drakkel walked to the inn with hurried steps as Shia, Drion, and Fargos followed him, asking what was wrong.

  “I’ll be in my room…” He snapped back at them.

  Halting for a moment, he said to Fargos, “Fargos, look into that dancing troupe.”

  Fargos bowed his head and the rest stopped following him.

  After what had occurred, Drakkel decided to close the inn until he was done with his business in the capital. With the demons sensing his emotions as well, he wasn’t disturbed by anyone else as he made his way to his room.

  As he sat on his bed with his eyes closed for meditation, he couldn't stop a single tear drop from falling from his eye.

  The next day, Drakkel was not in a good mood. He snapped at everyone who spoke to him. He knew he couldn’t meet the merchants in his current state, so he decided to mediate.

  A few hours later, a nice-looking carriage had been sent to pick him up.

  Because of this, Drakkel knew that those he was going to meet wanted to curry favor with him, but he was also aware that he wouldn't know their complete intentions until he met them in person.

  Suppressing his mood, he got ready to head out.

  As Fargos was still looking into the troupe, he only took Shion and Drion with him. They also brought some small, but expensive gifts that they were to present to the three.

  The ride to Mistress Fina’s manor wasn’t too bad. Drakkel’s inn was located closer to the outskirts of the capital while her home was closer to the middle where the palace lay. As Drakkel drew closer to it, he noticed more carriages on the road. But this was to be expected as most noble manors were located near the palace.

  When Drakkel finally arrived at Mistress Fina's manor, he took a moment to examine it. It was just as he expected, overly lavish and dripping with expensive embellishments. Really not too different from the nobles’ manors.

  It most likely looked good to those whose tastes weren’t more refined, but besides that, it told a deeper story. Manors of nobles were never supposed to look similar to those of non-noble officials and merchants since it would be considered a sign of disrespect. No matter how bountiful the life of a commoner got, although their lifestyle could be lived similar to a noble’s, it couldn’t be helped that some things were inevitably different. Since long ago, there had always been a class difference between the two parties. But now, the lines were blurred with merchants living like nobles and nobles living like royalty. It was no wonder the Emperor had his hands full.

  Considering that a good part of the Emperor's officials who were also nobles had dealings with merchants, it actually wasn't that surprising to see that Mistress Fina would dare match their manors in looks. In fact, they probably allowed it.

  When Drakkel stepped inside the manor, he couldn’t ignore what he saw. All the servants were handsome men beautiful in the face and graceful in demeanor. But their heads didn't quite match their bodies. They were the picture of innocence and charm from the neck up, but their garb… well… one could say it was rather inappropriate. In fact, if they walked out as they were, one would say it was too inappropriate.

  They wore only decorated long silk trousers and no robes on their physiques, revealing their sturdy builds. With silk trousers being used as undergarments, it basically meant that the men were walking around in only their underwear.

  Trying to avoid suspicion, Drakkel carried on as if he saw nothing. But it was also hard to stop one corner of his lips from turning up into a smile before disappearing a moment later.

  The woman's preferences were really too tasteless and the thought almost made him laugh.

  Soon, a servant approached, offering to show the waiting group to the meeting area.

  This servant was loosely garbed as well. However, his clothing was more decorated than the rest.

  Drakkel wondered if that meant that they were organized in ranks.

  Looking around, actually, a small few of the men standing around had differently designed trousers than the rest and after pondering for a moment and noticing that those with different trousers also had similar characteristics, he started to think that the designs didn’t actually signify rank, but favor.

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  The group walked through the long and tall halls in silence until they reached a room bursting with laughter of happiness and merriment.

  The servant patiently waited for the laughter to die down before announcing their presence.

  “My lady, your guest and his assistants have arrived.”

  Mistress Fina’s voice rang through the halls in an echo, “Let them in.”

  The servant nodded and gestured for them to walk into the room.

  The entrance to the room was covered only by a thin veil of golden lace.

  Drakkel and his group walked through and were greeted to an interesting sight.

  The room had golden wallpaper and red velvet carpeting. The furniture was made of red wood and silk. Lamps, accessories and other items were embellished with gems, gold and silver. Beautiful tapestries hung on the walls. The pieces were intricate and unique, perhaps tailor made.

  But this lavish and gaudy atmosphere only gave Drakkel one emotion: repulsion.

  As he glanced at the two men and one woman who were surrounded by scantily dressed handsome men and beautiful women, seeming to enjoy the atmosphere he forced himself to feign a friendly smile.

  “Is this him?” An old man with a balding head and chubby build asked.

  “It is,” Mistress Fina answered.

  The man looked Drakkel up and down, his eyes narrowing in interest. “From what you’ve told us, he may be associated with the Emperor and his affiliates.”

  Drakkel smiled. “Sir, I have no deep ties with them. They were only interested in me because I’m a newcomer who happened to solve a case by accident.”

  He stepped forward. “Actually, I seek to form different relations. If you don't believe me, I’ve brought you gifts to show my sincerity.”

  Shia and Drion handed the gifts off to some servants at the side.

  But the man who originally spoke wasn't focused on them. He eyed Drakkel for a little too long, his lips curving into a wide smile.

  With a gaze at Drakkel’s comrades, his eyes widened and and his excitement only seemed to grow.

  Because Drakkel was a foreigner, the man needed no more convincing. After all, when would an unknown foreigner have time to form ties with the Emperor of another nation? Especially under prying eyes.

  “I understand. I understand!” The man said. “We can discuss further later. Mistress Fina, continue with your introductions.”

  Drakkel's smiling lips slightly twitched.

  Mistress Fina stood up and said to him, “Sylas. It’s good to see you. Let me introduce you to my associates.”

  She signaled to the older man first, “This is Master Som.”

  The old man named Som, smiled nervously as he waved at Drakkel.

  Mistress Fina gestured to another man who was younger and better built than master Som. He also seemed to have more restraint, for he didn’t seem to completely trust Drakkel yet. He eyed the new group not only in interest, but with caution as well.

  “This is Master Tifu.” Mistress Fina continued.

  Drakkel slightly bowed his head. “It's a pleasure to meet you all.”

  After finishing their introductions, the four commenced their meeting. Drakkel took a seat in between Master Som and Master Tifu and pastries and tea were served.

  They started by sharing insights into their current and future business ventures and discussed how they could help each other out.

  They were reserved at first, but Drakkel managed to get them to talk eventually.

  However, as time went on, Drakkel began to have some of his focus taken by Master Som, who used any chance he could to touch his body or caress his hand.

  Not wanting to subject others to the same treatment, he had the Shia and Drion stand a good distance away.

  They were both on edge, but he had warned them before coming that they should not make a move unless ordered to.

  By the end of the meeting, Drakkel felt disgusted. It didn't help that the place stunk of perfume and sweat.

  When he returned to his inn, he had a bath prepared.

  As he sat in the tub for a while, he thought of the horrible state of that place. If Lord Tincaid had his way when he had met him, that was probably where he would have ended up. But then again, Mistress Fina was not the only one who showed an interest in handsome men. He shuddered to think about the state of Master Som’s manor only imagining it to be worse. The man was already brazenly lecherous so who knew what he hid behind closed doors?

  Drakkel scowled.

  They were annoying, but it was fine.

  His lips curved up.

  The man, Som, looked like he would make a great pawn. Perhaps it wouldn't be too long until he captured Firo Fieren.

  Once he was done with his bath, Drakkel went to his room to wait for news from Fargos.

  After he had just exited his cultivation state, Fargos finally showed up.

  Fargos bowed. “Young Master.”

  “Go on.” Drakkel said.

  Fargos nodded. “Unfortunately, it seems the troupe has disappeared.”

  Drakkel's heart dropped, but he kept his composure.

  “Where have they gone?” He calmly asked.

  “As they are a traveling troupe surrounded in mystery, no one can anticipate where they will show up,” Fargos answered. “Their name has spread in fame throughout the inner cities of the Empire, but their presence is elusive.”

  Drakkel frowned.

  “Forget about them then. We have more important things to handle.”

  “Yes, Young Master.” Fargos said.

  Drakkel waved him away and he exited the room.

  The news would have been disheartening if he was expecting something. But truth be told, he wasn't. In fact, he didn't want to hold out hope for a slim possibility. If he did, he might give up everything to chase that hope just for it to disappear like a wisp of smoke.

  He sighed.

  As he did, a great anger rose up from his heart to his chest.

  He was so close. So very close to achieving his goals. He worked to suppress this anger as he entered meditation.

  Before he fell asleep that night, he asked someone to bring him calming candles. He couldn't help but think that the scent was familiar as he closed his eyes and drifted off.