Chapter 592: Empires Invasion [10] (1/2)

'Quite ironic if you think about it. Town Eden was a side-project to promote exchange between Hidros and Arda. A long time elapsed before the alliance was truly settled. In a time of crisis, the town of scrutiny from pro-humans and pro-demihumans faced a rude awakening. The border between the two evolved into one of comfort. Once used to divide now used to protect. The Federation's presence is heavy, good luck breaking the non-aggression pact.'

Amidst the wave of people moving to and fro; the lenses toggled into infiltration mode. Éclair worked to scan, record, evaluate, filter, and relay. Each word said was captured and played back. Gossip from the ladies, rumors from the men, deals from the merchants, and much more. 'Glenda's the prime location for the hunt, or so said the dead bandits. They would often bring the children here, at a more or less rambunctious town to exchange the cargo. The next trade is set to occur at 13:00, time's noon. I got an hour, the place is supposed to be a cottage, named Dead Man's Entra.' Across the mob of town-square and into the southern part of town, the overall atmosphere sucked into tense thinly lain tracks. Dark were the pathways and darker were the alleys. 'My kind of place,' thought he bursting through. Many onlookers were scanned, found, and displayed as outlines. Face against the world's leader in technology and magic, wit could only take one so far. Phantom's influence seemed to have no limits. There were rumors of another hidden research base where black projects were experimented with and successfully implemented.

He reached the end of the road, the mossy wall stood on high. Guards above slacked off and napped. 'Dead Man's Entra,' stood on the right, cupped between two hefty buildings. No indication of their purpose led to an impromptu visit.

'Bandits,' he entered, '-a bar, inn, and a place of secrets. This must be the red-light district of Glenda,' sat at the bar counter.

”What would you like, sir?” inquired the bartender.

”No idea at the moment,” said he with a charismatic smile, ”-what's your recommendation?”

”I'd say, Dead Man's Entra.”

”Then so be it.”

Cigar lit, '-succubus, a lot of them. There's even incubus for the ladies, quite the operation, a place of pleasure owned by demons. Should be a cesspool of life-essence. I wonder who's in charge.' By the looks of things, the bartender was quick to alert those at the top.

”Excuse me,” hailed Igna.

”What is it, sir?” he avoided direct eye contact.

”Where are the guards?” the tone dropped, ”-who was it you contacted. Best be frank, else I'll rip the whole building apart.”

”I apologize on his behalf,” said a masked man in a suit, ”-please, follow me this way, dear customer.”

Reddish-colored curtains parted, moans and grunts were far too common. The more they walked, the farther the hall seemed to get. ”-We're here,” said he, ”-after you,” a peculiar door opened.

*Slam,* ”Oh god, I'm trapped, someone, please help me.”

”Was that supposed to be a cry for help?” asked a discordant voice, ”-the words say one thing and the emotions say another, who are you, boy?”

”A wandering adventurer,” atrocious lighting made for a chilling room, ”-I suppose thou art the leader of said establishment?”

”How do you figure?”

”Pretty simple,” he continued forth, ”-why would a servant class demon come to fetch a customer. Why are there demons littered around? The bartender is a low-tiered demon, he could have easily killed me at a moment's notice. Still, he chose to call onto his superior,” finally at the desk, ”-might I ask your name?”

Cackles amplified, the chair rotated, ”-good on ya,” said a little boy, ”-figured me out pretty quickly.”

”Honestly,” he sighed, ”-why are demons such pains. Choosing the appearance of a little boy to conserve mana.”

”Oh, you're well-versed,” he smirked, ”-go on, take a seat.”

”Don't mind if I do,” sat and without worry. Puffs of smoke obnoxiously flew towards the boy's innocent visage.

”What brings someone like you to my humble abode?”

”Decided to talk, have we not?” straight and proper, ”-first things first, get the hounds away from my shadow, it's annoying. Secondly, the masked man of before, would you step out of the feeble darkened cloak. Lastly, the arachnid on the ceiling, please get down, *chip,* it fell onto his arms, ”-tis quite dangerous,” said he with allure.

”I-I-I,” her cheeks flushed. Early twenties, black hair, blacker eyes, pale skin, and awry hair.

”Don't worry,” he parted her hair, exposing the lush forehead, ”-I broke your fall. Go on, scurry back to the front.”

*Woosh,* ”-oh,” the wristed snapped onto a poisoned dart, ”-how nice of you,” the tip was cleaned and used to tie the lady's hair, ”-it shouldn't be of much trouble now,” he gently smiled, ”-a high-bun sure looks nice, few locks here and there should add to the natural female charisma.”

A hand rose to stop the needless trap, the lights toggled. The masked man stood behind the boy. He who shot the dart, joined by the arachnid, ambled to a sofa in the corner.

'He didn't flinch nor look around; the eyes were dead straight into mine. What a fearsome and powerful man. Those crimson daggers, a nightwalker, noble one at that.'

”Might I know the reason I was called here?” inquired he, ”-masked man, you're a butler right?”

”Y-yes,” returned he.

”Go fetch me my drink. I kindly asked of the bartender earlier before the rude interruption,” smokes puffed, the two behind enjoyed a party game of cards.

Glanced towards the leader, he nodded, and off the butler went.

”Who are you, honestly?”

”Igna Haggard, a wandering adventurer. I've come to seek information. Of course, I'll give equal compensation.”

”Hmm…”

”And, no need to explain the reason. The long hallway isn't nearly small enough to fit the tavern. The only logical explanation is the surrounding buildings, we're in one of them. The multiple rooms are for the exchange of soul fragments. A contract with a demon can be quite the hassle.”

”We're still better than the never present gods. We abide by the contracts and take on the promised payment. What's there to discuss? Igna, you're very smart. Figuring out the operations here and in such little time, how could you?”