The night of the oasis was beautiful. Fernandez gazed at the complex network of sewers stretching across the city, lost in admiration for a moment. The pure white moonlight shimmered on the water’s surface.
“Your Excellency, an hour has passed.”
Kirhas’s turquoise eyes sparkled in the darkness. Fernandez unfolded the map. Assuming a smoke screen for thirty minutes, waiting for them to prepare for another thirty. Thus, an hour. The dot on the map had remained in the same spot for an hour.
The classical tracking magic, which utilized the target’s blood and organs, was highly intuitive but also easy to detect if one was under its influence. Fernandez smiled contentedly, feeling the slight increase in the magical energy of the Bronze Throne.
-Thirteen attempts at reverse tracking. Their magical forces are relentless.
‘Even if they try thirty times, the result will be the same.’
All magic leaves a residue. Magic that lasts this long inevitably becomes easier to reverse-track. That is, if the caster is an ordinary mage.
Unfortunately, Fernandez was no ordinary mage. The opponent had already identified the magic and was attempting to reverse-track it. Since all reverse-tracking attempts had failed, the other side must have finished their preparations by now. Fernandez chuckled softly and sheathed his dagger.
Fernandez leaped down towards the vast city area radiating from the oasis.
“Kirhas, let’s go.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The city area of Mosat was intricately tangled. As a commercial city that developed around an oasis, and with the constant threat of war nearby, it was no surprise.
The city’s history dates back to the ancient Ashit Empire, but due to haphazard development, the old city area was a chaotic mess.
Fernandez was walking through the red-light district next to the market alley when he suddenly stopped at a sewer entrance. Without the map, finding the way would have been quite difficult.
The residual magic from the tracking spell connected to Vain’s blood was nearby. Fernandez looked at the flickering red blood droplets on the map and folded it.
“Kirhas. Get ready.”
“…Yes, Your Excellency.”
Kirhas gripped her sword hilt with a slightly tense expression, looking ready to charge at any moment. Fernandez shrugged and pushed open the creaky wooden door of a gloomy tavern.
-Squeak.
The rusty hinges made a loud noise as the door opened. Inside the tavern was dark, with a strong smell of tobacco. Fernandez frowned slightly and stepped inside.
-Clank.
Under the dim light of the tavern, the bartender and patrons all stared at them. A palpable sense of hostility filled the air. The bartender slowly lowered the cup he was cleaning and reached under the bar table.
To Diemonica’s sensitive hearing, the faint sound of blades being drawn from their sheaths could be heard from all directions.
“Welcome. A new face, I see…?”
“Let’s skip the small talk.”
“You don’t seem like the type who knows how to enjoy a meal. The most important and fun part, you know.”
Fernandez ignored the bartender’s smile and walked across the tavern. As he moved, the patrons lounging around began to stand up one by one.
“It seems you’ve caused some trouble for one of our friends. I don’t know why an Imperial would come this deep into our territory…”
The bartender slowly raised his hand, holding a long, thin dagger. At the same time, the tavern patrons all drew their swords.
“Your Excellency!!”
Kirhas drew her longsword and took a stance, shouting. They were outnumbered. Even though they had faced larger numbers before, even a great hero would die if a blade pierced their flesh!
“Enough. They’re not your opponents.”
From deep within the bar, behind a curtain, a soft voice spoke. The clear voice dispelled the sticky hostility that filled the tavern. Fernandez looked at the sparkling eyes behind the curtain.
“Bold, mage.”
“Are you Shaksisi?”
“The joy of life lies in such encounters, young mage.”
-Rustle.
The curtain parted, revealing a woman with black hair. She had the dark skin typical of desert tribes and eyes that sparkled like purple gemstones. She wore a thin garment that barely covered her brown skin.
She twirled a dagger on her finger, looking at Fernandez, and flashed a dazzling smile.
“Younger than I thought. Impressive. Given the level of your magic, I expected some old grand magician.”
Follow me. She smiled seductively and stepped into the room. Fernandez and Kirhas followed her.
*
The private room of the tavern was lavishly decorated with purple glass beads and dreamy oil lamps. The woman leaned back on a velvet sofa and lit a water pipe.
-Sizzle.
Soon, the liquid on the pipe began to boil. The woman held the pipe and took a puff. A decadent aroma filled the room. Kirhas, with her sensitive nose, coughed and covered her nose.
The woman chuckled at Kirhas’s reaction.
“A young beastwoman, huh? Which tribe are you from?”
“We’re not here to discuss personal matters.”
“Aren’t we? I invited you here for that very reason. You didn’t come just to track us down and eliminate us, did you?”
A tough one, huh. Fernandez narrowed his eyes and glared at her. The woman smiled seductively.
“Knight of the Round Table, Albert. At least, that’s the name we know you by. Care to share another name?”
“What if I tell you your name?”
“Ah, young mage. People like us have many names.”
The woman smiled like silk brushing against skin. A dizzyingly sweet scent followed her breath. Fernandez quickly inspected the pipe. Her eyes were clear and sharp, so it didn’t seem like there were any narcotics…
“Shaksisi’s Sadia Amal. That’s what you can call me now.”
“Angelo.”
“Oh. An unexpected name. From the Vaitas line, huh? Interesting.”
