Sterling city was perhaps the most prosperous and trade oriented city in the entire human domain, and dare I say in the whole of Nahaar too.
The city was all about trade mainly because the largest branch of the aetherial association practically owned this city. Sterling city was located at the eastern reaches of the Drakara continent, conveniently far away from the direct influence of the Ashton Empire.
Currently, I was roaming the city alone. To enter the spire chain of mountains, one would have to register with the Aetherial association and receive a token. So like the aweso boss I was, I sent my subordinates to go register us as a rcenary group.
Which was why I decided to use the free ti I had to explore. It was not everyday that I found myself in the largest trade hub of an entire fantasy world.
I saw massive caravans being pulled by equally massive beasts. I saw rchants shouting, calling custors to their shops or stalls. I saw bipedal beings with absurdly pointed ears, so with small fins behind their ears, and so with a crown of horns on their foreheads. They were Elves, rfolks, and Demons. So were selling, so were buying, and so were simply absorbed in the sheer scale of the city.
As the city where the largest branch of the aetherial association stood, it naturally drew interest from the other races, hence why there was an abundance of them in this city.
Unfortunately, my roaming was soon cut short when I received a ssage from Bran. Apparently they had already finished with the registration and had secured the token. Reluctant as I was, I made my way towards the huge tower in the distance.
It was only when I was in front of it that I realized the true scale of it’s size. It easily had over fifty floors, and as opposed to a glass exterior, it had the vibe of an eastern architecture, like what were those things called again? Yes, a Pagoda. At it’s entrance was a sign that read; Aetherial Association Tower.
The area leading the tower was perhaps the most bustling and the most crowded in the entire city. I began walking towards the entrance while lost in my thoughts.
Snap!
However, a sudden snap, snapped out of my thoughts. I turned in the direction the sound ca from, and there I saw a grand carriage being pulled by a giant rhino like beast. Barricading it were several armoured n on beasts, and guessing from the whip in the front runner’s hand, he was the source of the sound.
"Move out of the way!" He yelled as the whip in his hand detonated the air once more. "The young miss is passing through!"
At his words, the people on the incredibly busy street that led to the tower’s entrance parted like waves. anwhile I frowned. ’Young miss?’ I Muttered. ’Is she the one?’
"You!" The guard with the whip galloped ahead and made a beeline for . "Do you not have ears?!" He yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Ah, forgive ." I muttered after looking behind and seeing that I was the only one still on the path. I quickly stepped away from the path after that. There was no need to create a scene, after all, I wasn’t Damon Darkfell at the mont, but Arus Dom, a rogue rcenary with a humble background. Unlike Alistair, I wasn’t so face slapping protagonist.
Had it been Alistair who was in this position, the bastard would have refused to move, get dragged into a fight with the guard, and at the end, when the situation escalated, he would reveal his identity, essentially face slapping everyone who had gone against him.
Anyway, after I moved to the side, the entourage continued, went past and stopped right before the entrance of tower. The doors of the carriage then sprang open, and from it alighted a young woman.
She was extrely beautiful, and had royal blue eyes, and long pale golden hair.
"Hannah Hargreaves." I muttered. Hannah was the granddaughter of the chairwoman of the Aetherial Association, and another one of Alistair’s harem mbers.
And the cheat I was going to get was connected to her, after all, she was the one who gave it to Alistair in the novel, but it wasn’t going to happen this ti because I was going to steal it.
I watched as the young woman and her entourage disappeared into the tower, before I sent Bran and the others a ssage, after which we agreed, or rather, I decided on the place we’d et up. The quite street also resud it’s bustling trade.
An hour later, the team and I converged in the canyon that lead to the spire chain of mountains. Even from here, I could see nurous mountain peaks that pierced into the clouds like ancient spires.
The chain of mountains was primarily a hunting ground. rcenaries and wanderers could obtain a token from the Aetherial association, and enter the chain of mountains to hunt beasts, in exchange for a small commission fee.
After we t up, we continued in the direction of the mountain chain, but at the exit of the canyon were several armoured soldiers.
"Where is your token?" One of the guards asked in a condescending manner as if I was his servant. I suppressed the urge to smack him, and inwardly heaved a sigh. It wasn’t his fault, it was the fault of this world. We lived in a world where even a guard dog could shout at anyone just because their master was powerful.
But that wasn’t the only reason I suppressed the urge to smack him. You see... dude was radiating an aura that was at the very least that of the Zeta rank. Not only that, the rest of his colleagues were also radiating similar auras, so even stronger.
And at the edge of the canyon where there were a few tents standing, I could sense an even stronger aura, of which I could swear was definitely of the Gamma rank.
It kind of makes sense if you think about it. There was no way the Aetherial association would appoint weak guards. If they appointed guard at the Theta rank range or so, most, including would be able to blitz past them all.
So, without making any fuss, I took out the token and handed it over to the guard. After verifying it, he handed it back to .
"You can pass now." He waved is off.
"Much appreciated, thank you." I smiled as I led the others outside the canyon, and into the chain of mountains. Oh , but I had marked his his face, years from now that particular guard was going to wonder how his life turned like that and who did he offend?
"Vera and Hugo, you two should move together." I instructed once we reached the actual base of the mountain. "Bran and Alan, the two of you will also move together, and lastly, Pixie and Bob," I turned to the twins. "You two will also move together."
Why was I splitting them you ask? Well, I would need them to hunt down beasts as a cover while I seek out the cheat. It wouldn’t do well for an entire rcenary team to not have hint at least thirty beasts or more. So their jobs were more to make a convincing cover.
Just before I walked away, I turned back to them. "If you do not see , assu I am dead."
"What?! Their expressions shifted.
"What does that an, Boss?!" Pixie shot.
"Why are you speaking of death?" Bob exclaid. Alan and Hugo were also the sa.
Bran didn’t say a word, but his eyes were narrowed in a questioning manner.
Vera on the other hand, shook her head. "Calm down you idiots. Does he look like he has anything to be worried about?"
"Quite an astute observation, young Vera." I nodded solemnly. In reality though, I was trying my hardest not to laugh. Each and everyone of this people believed I was older than they were, but they actually were the ones older. Ah, what a spectacle it would be when they find out.
Anyway, I continued talking. "If I don’t et up back with you all in three days, then you are to leave this mountain chain. And if anyone asks about your seventh mber, I was killed and eaten by a beast." I explained before continuing.
"I’ll then et you all back at the base, do you understand?" I asked.
"Yes, Boss." They chorused.
"Good," I said as my cloak appeared on , and my mask in my hand. "Let the hunt begin." I put the mask on my face.
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