Chapter 302: Issues (1/2)

After a few minutes of interacting with the Lustful Rogue, Arthur realized why he earned that title. The topics chosen by this man were nothing less than plain disgusting. He talked about buying slaves, selling slaves, drugs, wine, alcohol, and how stupid the people were.

”So, that's how I slept with the finest cat woman in Greva.” He finished his story with both pride and a slur. ”Where are my manners? You haven't told me stories of your own!” He said with a drunken expression.

”Well, there's isn't much to tell.” Arthur smiled. ”The dishes I carry around are all I have, and being the only one to supply them, I make a decent profit. However, sometimes things get since there are a few dishes which I can't sell.”

”Nonsense!” The Rogue blurted. ”Why wouldn't one of your dishes sell? I'll buy all of them!” He pounded his chest with pride. Arthur managed to glean off some greed in his eyes.

”That would be difficult since it's illegal to trade in some of the ingredients used. After all, they are...” Arthur allowed his sentence to trail as she shook his head regretfully.

”What kind of materials?” The Rouge suddenly turned sober, despite the wine's toxicity. His eyes darted left and right at the word 'illegal.'

”Well, let's say that the chefs who made these are rather bizarre. They used the flesh of...” Arthur looked around before he leaned to whisper in his ears. ”Humans.”

”That is illegal indeed, such disgusting people!” The Rogue gave a dismissive shake. ”No wonder you're having difficulty selling them.”

”True indeed. It's a pity that such materials were used since the dishes' effects go beyond being delicious. They enhance evolution! A pity, tsk, tsk.” Arthur clicked his tongue and sipped on his wine.

”I see,” The Rogue sipped on his wine as well while looking around. ”It's getting a little crowded over here. How about we take this elsewhere? How about my family's branch?” He said with a wide smile.

Arthur nodded with a smile of his own. Greed has taken hold of this Rogue. They left the tavern together and walked through the streets until they reached an empty alley. They walked far into it before the Rogue opened a door with a key.

The place they arrived at was nothing like the outside. It was a pavilion split into many rooms, with gardens and ponds everywhere. The fishes that danced in the water sparkled like the night's sky.

”You followed me without any mistrust, aren't you fearful for your life?” The Rogue had a playful tone as he guided Arthur through the pavilion.

”I'm a merchant too, so I know that we share the same mindset.” Arthur smiled. ”If you try to rob me, then this will be a one-time profit. It's better if we establish a proper business relationship.”

”So, you didn't tell me about those dishes arbitrarily.” The Rogue smiled. ”Did you specifically offer it to me?”

”I know the young master is an insightful one, but I don't control fate.” Arthur shrugged it off. ”If it brings us benefits both, then no harm is done.”

”I'll drink to that!”

They arrived at a room with extravagant decor. Sitting on the high-quality chair, the Rogue went straight to business. Being blinded by greed, he didn't see that a sphere of light left Arthur's body.

***

After selling twenty dishes for large amounts of money, Arthur checked what Gala's spirit has gathered as he left the pavilion. It worked like a recording orb that could go through walls, making it very useful.

'This is the one, dates and routes. I need to meet up with Gala and see what paths would lead to the border.' Arthur walked through the streets.

His body stiffened when he felt someone following after him. He glanced back and saw a robed figure. With a frown, Arthur remained walking at the same pace.

'Either one of the Rouge's men or someone who saw me with him. Was my disguise seen through?' Nikolai concluded. 'Little Spirit, lend me your eyes.'

The spirit left his body and went a separate way. The robed person passed by, and Arthur managed to see his face through the spirit's eyes.

'Galman?' Arthur was baffled, almost laughing out loud. It seems the tavern owner couldn't handle the fact Arthur had better dishes than him. He must have thought he could recreate their recipe.

'Little Spirit, can you pull a little prank on him?'

The spirit followed his request and started sending random images into Galman's head. The man suddenly walked head-first into a wall and fell to the ground.

”What is going?”

Galman was confused as he began backing away. He then walked into the wall again. Arthur realized that the spirit was showing him an empty road.