Chapitre 30: 30. Return of Merus
CHAPTER XXX: Merus Returns
I've never been much of a spy. I've been a fan of such movies obviously but it just wasn't possible in my part of the world. Nevertheless it's an interesting occupation. The game of espionage and thrill. That was a dream, this is reality.
It's been 2 days since my arrival in Fort Defal. I've pretty much gotten my bearings around the networks of the city. Yesterday I spent the entire day at the library. Thanks to that I have a very good grasp of this world. It's religions, the gods they worship. The history of the world. The types of magic and magical technology. Unsurprisingly 95% of the information is only about Artaros. The other two continents are barely known. Not only because of the vast distances but the dangers the oceans pose. Only the brave and stupid travel through seas filled with monsters the size of mountains.
At this moment I'm atop the inn I stay at. A certain Freya Mikaelson is having a conversation with the soldiers. They seem to be quite acquainted with each other. Okay you don't have to laugh so hysterically. I'm not jealous fools. We are supposed to be having a casual thing. There are no hidden feelings or conflicting ideas.
Eventually they move the conversation into a nearby tavern. Their numbers increase along with the drinks. Before noon the whole thing quickly becomes some sort of party. The drinks start flowing along with the hysterical laughter. The food starts coming in. I join inside the tavern to watch from a hidden corner. With my hood covered like this I should avoid detection from her.
"Beer is fine!" I order to the approaching waitress. She simply nods and walks away.
I turn my attention Freya and her soldier buddies. She's not the only girl. There are a few who out shine her beauty my mind is focused on her. It's been about 4 days since we fucked. Mary's said to wait a minimum of 5 days before resumption of coitus. If my math is right, tomorrow night I can finally get laid again. I even checked for brothels as a back up plan but there are non in this city. I wonder how they keep the soldiers satisfied then.
The next few hours proceed as expected. Freya and her buddies continue to enjoy themselves. About 5 hours later, a servant I recognize comes to speak to Freya. The servant girl lives and Freya says it's her last drink before returning to the General's mansion. This is my chance.
I immediately get up and exit the tavern. I quickly run into an empty alley way. In a single jump I reach the roof of a three floor building. Making sure no one sees me. I scurry along the rooftop while crouching. When I reach the front I scan for any wondering eyes. Fortunately no one saw me. It's easier to move silently in the leather armour and not that heavy armour Freya bought for me.
I don't have to wait for long before Freya shows herself. She seems to be in a bit of a hurry. Cutting across an alley she starts heading north. What's going on? The mansion is towards the center to the South. She continues to travel further north, taking empty alleys along the way. I jump from roof to roof while making sure not to be noticed. So much north that she's approaching the city limits. I see…. How naïve of me. She reached a nicely secluded dead end just a few dozen meters away from the city walls.
"Show yourself!" She calls while looking towards the roof.
"My dear little niece!" A familiar voice suddenly reveals themselves. Wearing a long cloak he walks up to her.
Damn it! I thought she was talking to me and almost revealed myself. More importantly why the fuck is that old coot Merus here!?
"Why did you ask to meet me in such a conspicuous location?" Freya ask him.
I see now. That servant girl didn't whisper to her a message from Freya but from him. I didn't really pay attention to his Ki signature so I couldn't sense him. Since no one here uses Ki, there are only subtle differences between them. It's more like a blob for the common folks. The soldiers and adventurers have much different levels due to their physical abilities.
"I just arrived here yesterday myself. Saw you around town today and noticed your little friend wasn't around?" He answers casually.
Is he talking about me? Why does he give a damn whether I'm with her or not?
"That's classified uncle! He's on an important mission!" Freya nervously answers. Why is she lying?
"I see… well I was just curious about the situation with the parasites." I can't read him at all. What exactly is this guy thinking? He's the type I hate the most. So many fucking layers like a Russian nesting doll.
"So what's with the secrecy uncle?" Freya changes the subject.
"I've made quite a lot of enemies throughout the years. I just don't want you to get mixed in with my past." This guy is trouble.
He's not really lying but he's also not being truthful. If you can't make up a proper lie, just tell a different truth. It's something I mastered on earth. I have casually used it when people ask about my origins in this world.
"Well everything is fine with me uncle. I should get back but I'll see you later." Their conversation ends there. They exchange a hug before saying goodbye. Freya returns towards the crowded streets and starts heading for the Mansion.
As for Merus, he disappears into the crowd of people. I've memorized his Ki now. I should recognize it around the city. I would be stupid to ignore the signs he showed me. For now let's just let him be. I need to talk with Freya anyway.
I turn my attention to her. How did she get that far so fast. Maybe she's in a hurry. She's already nearing the Mansion. The Mansion is heavily guarded. I can't follow her in there. I guess I have to wait for tomorrow. It's getting late anyway. The sun is already just over the horizon.
It was a cold dead night in the northern plains of Rostalio. A lone shadowy figure in black walked amidst the dead of night. With his elderly feet he continued to shuffle along the rugged terrain. Stopping to turn and scan his surroundings on random intervals. He continued to walk further from the wall of black behind him.
Soon he was so far the city behind him became the same as the black of night. He reached a structure of long pea like stones that hid a certain crew of his. The large 10 feet tall rocks were arranged in a way that seemed natural yet hid the entrance to a hideout.
The old man however was familiar with the hideout. It was him who created it after all. He knew exactly where to go in for his compatriots. He once again stopped and turned to look around if he was followed. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Suddenly, like a ghost his body vanished into nothing. No one would find the entrance because there was no entrance.
Deep inside the hideout, the old man formed out of nothing. Shocking the inhabitants yet again with his magic. One of inhabitants casually walked over to him. A short very skinny young beastkin with an unruly expression. He looked at the old man like a bug he could stab on but that wasn't his thinking. It was only the default expression of his face.
"Did you find him?" the young beastkin asked.
"No! I walked around the city thrice over but I couldn't find a single stench of him!" The old man answered with a frustrated voice.
"I see… well so be it. The plan is already in motion. The duchess should have gotten the news already." The young wolfkin said.
"It is as you said. The plan is already in motion. There is nothing he or anybody can do to change it at this time."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone