Kapitel 18: Search for Information (2)
Cytherea was wide-eyed. She regretted it and wanted to escape from this village before that bastard blacksmith spread his whereabouts.
"But calm down, madam. Don't panic," the blacksmith said, trying to explain. "I might know what you were doing here at a time when they were enjoying the glory days. The previous head of the village, otherwise known as Mr. Edward. He built this village and as I'm sure you know, when you arrived here, you must have been shocked by the current conditions."
"Yes, I was very surprised. I didn't even know that I would find this village when I was looking for a potentially powerful witch." Cytherea rambled on
"A potentially powerful witch? What are you looking for someone like that for?" The blacksmith repeated and was confused.
"That's none of your business. Incidentally, I've already said what I wanted to ask you."
"Potentially powerful witches..." He repeated again. "I know someone who can use 'abilities'. But I don't know if it can be called magic or not. Because..."
"Good! Tell me who that person is, now!" The goddess interrupted, very hasty and active.
"About 7 miles from this village."
"What the... How many weeks will it take to meet him!" Her hands trembled while estimating such a long distance.
The blacksmith shook his head softly, he was only giving enough information because he had no reward and no offer from the goddess. His decision to stop this conversation was a good one.
"I don't know what business you have looking for such witch criteria, but I suggest you should leave here as soon as possible." The blacksmith looked right and left, voice a low whisper, making sure no one saw or heard their conversation.
"Why? I have business here with my partner. You can't kick us out."
"I know, madam. But this is all for your own good. The villagers may look gloomy, careless, and disgusting. But they still won't accept you. Because to them, you're the one who turned this village into a garbage dump."
The goddess gaped, incredulous. "Because I crippled the village chief? That's strange and ridiculous. Isn't one of them competent to be the replacement leader?"
He shook his head, his face showing no hope in the near future. "Most importantly, I told you that you're not safe in the long run. At the very least, put your cloak back on or one of them will attack you. Whoever manages to get your head will be richly rewarded."
Cytherea nodded. She looked panicked and frightened as she became a fugitive and was rewarded handsomely. Her hands quickly twisted and tied the robe even though she was getting sick of wearing it.
"To be sure, you will not take my head or report my whereabouts, right?" Cytherea looked wary.
"I won't say anything to them if I don't see you after this. But if we meet again, don't expect me to keep quiet, madam. All the residents will need that reward. It's fortunate that I still have a bit of kindness for you. Think of it as returning the favour." The blacksmith smiled, but he quickly closed his mouth too tightly.
"What are you talking about?" Cytherea was beginning to think she had bad hidden intentions.
"It's nothing. Now, get out of here!" His shout was shrill, as if signalling Cytherea and her partner not to stay too long in this village.
The neighbouring residents watched the two of them as they scratched their temples in surprise. In the end, their thoughts were the same, assuming that the person behind the cloak was trying to steal a second time.
An old woman came out of the door, a subtle creak distracting the blacksmith's eyes.
"What's the need? I thought you wouldn't want to look at this village until we left."
"I seem to hear the voice of someone I recognise. Who are you talking to?" The old woman was very frail and stammered. She even used a walking stick to support her bent body. Her white hair was like a pile of straight threads tied together with old rubber. Her face was not too wrinkled but her eyes could not function properly like she did a few months ago.
"Just a passer-by. Are you still waiting for the arrival of the woman who saved your life?"
"Of course. I stayed alive as long as possible to wait for her to be in front of me. I never forget to thank someone who saved my family. Especially you, my son."
The blacksmith smiled a little, his heart tugged almost to tears. His mother was very old and just waiting for her death to arrive. He was prepared for that and it was all the more elevated when he thanked the person who had saved his mother's life.
***
It was the shabbiest and smelliest market he had ever encountered. Anything she could get for information or reinforcements that volunteered to become the Goddess of Beauty's army. Despite their mutual hatred, when a soldier is loyal, he will show his loyalty to his superiors, even if his position is only as the Village Chief.
The second time back to the market, met the seller of the white robe that had never been cleaned since it was produced. He looked frightened as if he was dealing with the market thugs who always deprived him of his daily income.
"You... You still dare to step your foot here!"
"I don't have time to deal with you, old fool. Do you know any informers in this village?" Xavier stared with killing intent.
That bullied him a little. "Informant? I can be an impromptu informant, depending on the questions asked." His face suddenly broke into a sly grin. Both hands rubbed gently expecting a fee to be offered.
Xavier reached into his pocket and pulled out an unexpected object. "What do you want? You want to extort me when you're just a poor amateur extortionist. I don't really need money but I don't want to give one per cent of my lunch to an old fool."
"Don't need money? What kind of abnormal human are you? Everyone needs it to live..."
His nonsense was cut short when Xavier pointed a knife at his mouth. It almost cut his outer lip.
"I'm not in the mood to hear lectures from weaklings. Tell me where I can find an informant or a flood of blood will flood this market."
His gaze was like a bloodthirsty monster ready to devour its prey in seconds.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein