53 The Wrath of a Loli (1/2)

”Yes, but how did you know my name?”, Edwin became nervous; and he became even more so when he took off his mask.

”Who are you?” He asked with great courage. He doesn't know what would happen next and why did the person in front of him removed his mask. He's like a clueless kid who doesn't know how society ran.

”We first met a few years ago. I gave you a few bronze coins after you tried to steal from my pockets .”, Allen said.

”Umm...” Edwin dug deep into his memory. ”You're Allen?” He said as he recalled the kid that gave him ten bronze coin. However, he couldn't match the look of the cold-looking person in front of him to the warm and friendly kid that he first encountered.

”Good.” Allen nodded. ”Help me put everything I throw to you into this bag.” He threw the extra enchanted satchel to Edwin.

The boy got hold of the spatial storage and could only nod in submission.

Allen started to raid the carts and carriages of the caravan, finding rare herbs, plants, food, weapons, even some magical and enchanted objects, though they could only be classified as trash.

While Allen searched, Edwin put the things that the former found into the bag. One searcher, one storer. This process has been going for some time and only stopped after all of the remaining carts and carriages were checked.

”Give me the bag.”, Allen said and Edwin followed it.

The shop owner then took out a white robe from the bag and gave it to Edwin, ”Wear that, we'll be going towards a secret passageway. Just follow what I say and go ahead of me so I could hide our tracks.”

Edwin obeyed again. After wearing the robe, the two of them set off after they freed the other horses that were left.

***

It was already afternoon when the two of them returned to the shop. As soon as they entered the shop, the cold from outside was no longer felt, and Edwin sensed the addicting smell of the plants and herbs in the air inside the shop.

The both of them took off their robes, meanwhile, Allen brought out a mask from the counter and told Edwin to wear it to prevent the addictive scent entering his nostrils.

”Why were you with the smugglers' caravan?”, Allen sat down and replaced his eyepatch with a leather one while signaling Edwin to sit down on the chair by the door.

”It's because I had no choice.”, Edwin shrugged.

”What do you mean?”

”It's because that the whole Crescent Town is in chaos.”, Edwin answered. Avoiding eye contact due to Allen's suppressing look.

”Why is it in chaos?”, Allen asked.

”It's because the mayor was killed three years ago at the start of winter that time. The government still hasn't sent a replacement for him. So, some of the merchants took the opportunity to raise up the prices of goods. The guards tried their best to arrest and suppress all of them, but it only did a little bit of help. Without the leadership of the mayor, even the new chief guard became loose and beared his fangs. It's all a mess now.”, Edwin explained and shook his head in dismay.

”How did the mayor die?”, Allen asked.

”It wasn't opened to all, but because my grandfather was once the chief guard, some of his fellow guards told me that he was probably tortured before he died. His eyes were plucked out of their sockets, his ribs were out of his body, and many more.”, Edwin shivered as he imagined the scene. ”They said his guts were almost everywhere!”

On the other hand, Allen unconsciously touched his eyepatch and thought of Mr. Sanchez.

'They did that?', Allen thought. Referring to ”them”.

”Do you know a tavern named Three Heads Tavern in Crescent Town by those times?”, Allen asked.

”No.”, Edwin shook his head.

'It seems that they were not implicated.', Allen thought.

”When did you leave Crescent Town?”, he questioned.

”About the start of fall, sir.”, Edwin said.

”Don't call me sir, I'm not a noble.”, Allen said.

”Okay.”, Edwin nodded. However, he suddenly lowered his head, hesitating to say something.

Meanwhile, Allen noticed it and asked, ”What is it that you want to say?”

Hearing Allen's question, Edwin gathered his bravery and worded out, ”Can you... teach me how to fight?” A few words, yet, he began to sweat crazy and looked like he just took a bath.

”What do you mean? Just say what you want to say.”, Allen added.

”When I saw those dead people earlier. I figured out that you are really good at fighting. Can you teach me how to fight?”, Edwin's fist curled up tightly and finished the sentence. ”It's because, I want to find out who killed my father... and kill whoever that was.

”Do you want to get killed?” Allen suddenly interjected.

”What?”, Edwin was startled by the other's words.

”Do you even know who are you up against in the first place?”, Allen forcefully made Edwin to look straight to him by grabbing his face.

”No.”, Edwin said. ”Ow, ow, please not too tight.”

”Then you can easily die if you don't have a single clue.”, Allen replied again. His grip on Edwin's face became tighter, almost causing the boy to shout in pain.

”Nevermind. I'll teach you then.” Allen let go of Edwin and walked in front the door.

”Thank you!”, Edwin almost jumped in joy. The ecstasy that he was feeling right now due to his request being granted overshadowed the pain on his jaws.