Chapter 111: Kan’s Tavern


    Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion


    "Thend you see rising and falling before you is the Sighing Hills. The hills located at the border to the east of Sighing Mountains. Look, the snow-covered summits in the distance going straight into the clouds are the Sighing Mountains." As he rode on his horse, Putray pointed towards the mountains in the distance, which towered into the clouds as far as they could see. He was providing information regarding the geography of the Nortnd to Thales.


    Thales raised his head and expanded his field of vision. He then let out a puff of warm air in the biting, cold environment.


    "The Sighing Mountains were once the tallest mountains during the age of the Ancient Empire. The range was connected to cier Quiquer to the north and travelled south through the Nortnd Province as well as Eastern Soutnd Province, which separated the Empire’s northern region. It is currently Constetion’s Eastern Sea Hill, and also Duke Cullen’s fiefdom. The dangers in the Sighing Mountains and the difficulties faced when climbing them caused travellers to stop in their footsteps whenever they see it. They were only able to bow their heads and sigh. That is how this ce obtained its name." Putray put down the tobo pipe in his hand and lowered his head as well to sigh, as if he was responding to his own words.


    "When the Ancient Empire was still around, this was an infamous spot where criminals were banished to. This was a chaotic ce. When the Empire was destroyed, more unrest urred. Itsted until a branch of the elves moved to this ce and stayed here for nearly three hundred years. They moved around freely in the mountain, and when they reached the height of their power, they built their own kingdom... After the Battle of Eradication, the northwest section of the Sighing Mountains was owned by the Western Penins, and the southeast section of the mountains belonged to Eastern Penins’s Hanbol."


    ’Elves in the Sighing Mountains? Wait, "Battle of Eradication Chronicles: The World’s Destruction" seemed to have mentioned this before?


    Speaking of ’elves’, Thales could not help but cast a nce at Aida, who was behind him.


    "What is it?" Aida noticed Thales’ gaze and spread her hands in a frustrated manner. "I don’t know which generation of my rtives lived there either. My history’s bad!"


    Thales shook his head and turned his head around to continue listening to Putray’s exnations.


    He could not rely on that elf, who could not even remember his name.


    Even if she was in supreme ss.


    "...The dangerously steep northwest section of the Sighing Mountains runs through the eastern part of Eckstedt and Constetion. Archduke Trentida’s Reformation Tower and the Lonely Old Tower of Constetion’s Friess Family are respectively located on two different mountains with a valley between them. Both are incredibly wary of each other. Nheless, both are spots that are easy to fend against, but difficult to attack.


    "Further north of the mountain range is Eckstedt’s phure City, which is the fiefdom of the archduke there, and further south of the mountain range is Constetion’s Land of Cliffs Region, which is also the fiefdom of the guardian duke stationed there. However, it is precisely because of the steep cliffs in the Sighing Mountains and the weather in the north, that Eckstedt’s phure City as well as Constetion’s Land of Cliffs Region ended up near the Sea of Eradication. The number of ports are very few too, and the few that they have are situated in odd locations by the edge of the cliff..."


    Putray smoked his tobo and looked at the mountain range in the distance with a fascinated expression on his face.


    "During the First and Second Peninsr War, the allied forces from the Eastern Penins traversed the Sea of Eradication andnded on either Constetion’s Eastern Sea Hill or South Coast Hill. This was because Constetion’s Land of Cliffs Region and Eckstedt’s East Bank Port owned the natural sea cliff. It was easy to defend but difficult to attack due to its steep walls. In addition, it was bestowed upon them by the Sighing Mountains... During the Third Peninsr War, the Eastern Penins Army pretended to attack Constetion’s Eastern Sea Port, butunched a surprise attack on Eckstedt’s coastlines. With a small number of soldiers, they attacked the sea cliff and obtained astonishing results. In the end, they broke through phure City and entered Eckstedt’s heart..."


    ’Peninsr War?’


    Another question popped up in Thales’ heart.


    "The war started due to the conflict between the two peninss—for example, on the diminishing whales in the Sea of Eradication. After the Battle of Eradication, we found that the Eternal Oil within them was the best fuel, and it was even better than charcoal." Putray provided an answer to his question.


    "The rights to hunt them, the quotient, the hunting regions and seasons where we were not allowed to hunt the whales; these were constantly the main focus of the argument between these countries located on the two coasts... This was the main topic of discussion during the four Peninsr Wars. Of course, after the Third Peninsr War, the political situation in the two coasts changed too much. Our rtionship with Eckstedt turnedpletely sour, and Mane et Nox was engaged in a fight with Hanbol for absolute dominance in the Eastern Penins. In the end, under the Virtuous King, Midier the Third’s policy, we formed an alliance with Mane et Nox, while Eckstedt grew closer to Hanbol...


    "This caused the Fourth Peninsr War, which happened in Year 468 of the Calendar of Eradication, turning things into a true world war. The mes of war were no longer restricted to one faction of power traversing the sea to invade another faction of power, instead it reached every corner of the world."


    Thales remembered the middle-aged king who held a staff and had a smile on his face. He was one of the three Kings of Constetion in Mindis Hall. The portrait of his head was engraved on the country’s silver coins and burnt onto Thales’ chest. Then, he remembered the Corleone Sisters and the so-called ’Starlit Night Alliance’.


    Thales shook his head and chased all of these thoughts out of his head.


    "You do not agree to Mindis’ policy for diplomacy?" the prince asked curiously.


    "That is not the case." Putray shook his head. "Forming an alliance with Mane et Nox was something that happened naturally due to the progression of events. The Far Easterners have an ancient proverb that goes like this, ’Form a good rtionship with your allies in the distance, and attack your close enemies.’


    "The Fourth Peninsr War was on an incrediblyrge scale and the results were devastating," Putray was immersed in his thoughts as he slowly spoke, "but to me, the new political situation also strengthened the ties and rtionships between the two peninss. The reasons behind the start of a world war were destroyed by the increasinglyplicated linkages between the countries, such as the conflict between ourselves and the Western Penins. Since the Fourth Peninsr War, we have not gone to war with the peninss for two centuries. We have enjoyed more than two hundred years of peace... Before this, the two peninss would wage war against each other due to the conflicts between us umting so much that they reached a boiling point almost every single century."


    Thales frowned. He still believed that with the country’s productivity levels and its political system, this so-called Peninsr War was a little strange.


    Traversing the sea tounch an expedition on another peninsr... How much manpower and supplies were needed? Were the repercussions and sufferings caused as a result of these wars really something that a little Eternal Oil couldpensate for?


    They continued to move forward as the soldiers by their sides continued to nce at them. Soon, a vige materialized before their eyes.


    Thales listed his head. He noticed that there were ropes tied around the trees beyond the vige. There were quite arge number of food items bound there such as jerky, bread and other items. There were even prey like deer, foxes and rabbits.


    ’Is this Nortnd’s custom?’


    "My soldiers have already confirmed the safety of this vige." At that moment, the vassal under Archduke Lampard, Viscount Kentivida, went up to them from the back of the group. He moved past the crowd and proceeded into the vige before he dismounted and handed the reins to a soldier. "We will dismiss a portion of the enlisted soldiers from the viges around the area. You can search for an inn here to rest for a while and enjoy some lunch."


    With Ralf’s help, Thales got off his steed and let out a long sigh for being able to temporarily get off his horse. Then, he lifted his head in excitement to observe the vige, which was located beside Rayman Pass.


    The ce was supposed to be a small, peaceful vige that did not even have a wall. But at that moment, it was surrounded by strong, burly men dressed entirely in armor. Even though most of the army escorts were stationed outside the vige to rest, Thales could tell with just one nce that there were Nortnd soldiers who were moving about. They were engaged in activity under the single-storey houses built from bricks, earth and stone.


    Yet curiously, these soldiers did not seem to disturb the peace and quiet within the vige. They integrated themselves with the men and women in the vige, who were dressed in sackcloth. The vige square was already filled with soldiers as well as vigers sitting around and drinking from their mugs. Theirughter shook the skies.


    "This time, I’m going to win against you in drinking, Craydon!" There were two people sitting at a huge table, which seemed to be usually used for disying goods for sale. The table was filled with mugs and a viger was pounding his fist against it. He was looking at the soldier sitting across him, refusing to back down. "I can drink ten pints within a minute!"


    "We’ll know right away if you’re just bluffing." The soldier threw down his axe, took off his chest te and pounded the table with his fist in a simr manner, refusing to show weakness. "The person who wins is the only one who can get Arosa’s flower crown!"


    There was a group of onlookers surrounding them, enthusiastically causing a mor. One of them was a youngdy holding a flower basket. She wasughing loudly.


    "What a load of bull!" She put down the flower basket and boldly lifted her skirt to sit down, joining in the drinking contest at the table. "The person who can outdrink me is the one who will get my flower crown!"


    Thales could not help but chuckle softly. During that instant, he had even slightly forgotten that these Eckstedt soldiers had shed with his guards on the battlefield, trying to kill each other.


    This was differentpared to the well-behaved civilians Thales came into contact with in Constetion’s Eternal Star City; a different society from the city, which had distinct social ss boundaries. The rhythm in this Eckstedt vige was wild and lively, the atmosphere was rxed and full of enthusiasm. The vigers were basically tall and well-built Nortnders. They had bold appearances and theirughter was hearty.


    "Hey, Tolja, how long are we staying here?" A soldier with a full-grown beard shouted loudly in their direction. He seemed like a mid-rank officer and he was carrying a warhammer as well as a wooden mug in his other hand. "Come on, please tell me we’re staying overnight!"


    "We’re leaving by noon," Tolja replied loudly with displeasure, "Before that, tighten your pants around your waist, Metalhead Crocer!"


    "Pity." The officer with the beard took a big swig in his disappointment. Wine flowed down his beard as he mumbled, "I remember that Hero Tavern has a beautiful cook..."


    Thales did not bother about the soldiers and vigers who were pointing at him as they whispered among themselves. He did not bother about their disdainful and malicious gazes either. He followed Kentvida and Tolja, moving forward. Behind him were the members of the diplomat group.


    "Are you certain that the safest way is for the soldiers to enter the vige and drink with the vigers?" A Nortnd soldier was swinging his arm over the vigers’ shoulders andughing boisterously as the duo walked past them. The prince’s young attendant, Wya Caso saw this and cautiously pressed down on the sword by his waist. With a tone that showed he did not truly approve of this, he said, "If I was an assassin, I could blend in with the vigers."


    "Don’t be too nervous. This is not Constetion, it’s Eckstedt!" Viscount Kentvidaughed loudly. "Most of the people in the vige are veterans who have been released from military service. They can be trusted... In truth, due to their honor and dignity, the prince, who is a guest here, will be even safer in their midst."


    Wya shrugged, curling his lips to express his doubts.


    "Do not worry." Thales nodded at his attendant. "The soldiers have already dispersed and blended into the vige. Even assassins will have to think about the possibilities and consequences of an assassination."


    "This is Mountain Pass Vige, right?" Putray looked around him in fond nostalgia. "I recall there is a tavern here whose owner is very famous..."


    "Hero Tavern. It was opened twenty years ago by a retired veteran," Tolja said faintly by the side, "The rye wine in the tavern is well-known far and wide."


    Thales, who was curiously taking in the sights around him, followed Kentvida and Tolja into arger stone building. Arge sign of a wine mug was hung on the door. The Fire Knight pushed open the two doors and walked into the noisy Hero Tavern.


    Thales followed him and stepped into the warm stone building. Once the chill in his body was chased away, he noticed that the guests filling the tavern suddenly fell silent. Plenty of people cast their gazes on Thales. He recognized that some of the guests were Nortnd Soldiers, and it was clear that they had just arrived.


    However, several secondster, the lively atmosphere returned to the tavern, as if the people who came in were just a couple of normal people.


    "You did not clear the tavern," Wya frowned and said, "Then, His Highness’—"


    A bold and crude old voice rose into the air like an explosion.


    "Boy, this is my tavern." A burly old man with silver hair and a face full of wrinkles ced his elbows on the wooden bar counter.


    With a condescending expression, he said, "It doesn’t matter if it’s the king, a priest, a foreigner, or even a god. No one can chase away my customers here!"


    Wya frowned.


    The old man then narrowed his eyes and lowered his head to look at Thales. A strange expression appeared on his face. "You sure have a lot of people... I only serve customers who can pay to buy wine."


    Thales smiled at him.


    The prince could not help but notice that the old man in front of his eyes may be quite ripe in his age, probably at least sixty years old. However, his biceps and triceps were still well-toned, his waist was thick and he stood up straight. His gaze was direct and fierce.


    "Kan! Don’t worry about the numbers or the problem about money!" Kentvidaughed. He sat down without reservation in front of the bar counter before he dug out a money pouch. "We have plenty of golden circr pieces that have Raikaru’s head portrait on them... Let me tell you something else, the Archduke of ck Sand asked me to send you his regards and greet Madam Talia!"


    The old man threw him a deep look.


    A thought appeared in Thales’ head. ’He’s just a retired veteran and a normal owner of a tavern, yet the Archduke of ck Sand has taken personal interest in him?’


    But Kentvida did not obtain the response he should have gotten.


    "Each mug of rye wine is six Eckstedt bronze coins and the price of each mug for nobles is sixty." The owner of the tavern, the old Kan, cast a nce at the money pouch with an aloof expression. He then pushed it back before he let out a cold harrumph. "Also, I don’t ept gold coins.


    "Especially gold coins from Lampard, who killed his own family."


    Kentvida’s expression instantly froze.


    Thales was also shocked. ’Killed his own family?’


    Kentvida spread his hands towards Tolja, who was behind him, and put on a resigned expression.


    "That was a battle of inheritance. It is an ancient ceremony." Tolja walked forward and brought out a pouch full of Eckstedt bronze and silver coins. Without batting an eyelid, he continued to speak tly, "The archduke defeated his older brother, that is all... His death was just an ident."


    "He can argue however he wants. He killed his family and that’s that!" The old Kan received the money pouch in disdain. "As for that so called ancient ceremonial battle... That’s something in the past, and what the citizens of the Empire used to make us kill each other."


    ’The Archduke of ck Sand killed his older brother, won his right of inheritance, and adhered to a ceremonial battle that seemingly came from the Ancient Empire?’


    Thales quietly stored that information in his heart.


    He then cast a nce at the boorish old man. ’Additionally... this tavern owner does not have an ordinary background. He does not seem to be on the same side as Lampard.


    ’Perhaps I can obtain some information from him?’


    "So there’s one, two, three... six, seven, eight..." Kan weighed the money pouch in his hand and counted the number of people in front of him.


    "Wait!" An idea suddenly struck Thales and he spoke in the nick of time, "Let them pay with the Archduke of ck Sand’s money, but we will pay with our own money... We have, er... about a dozen people..."


    Kan’s eyes moved and noticed Thales, who was not even at the height of the bar counter.


    Kentvida frowned and looked at Thales, as if he had something in his mind.


    Thales nodded in Putray’s direction. Thetter raised his brows, then walked forward and brought out a few silver coins as well as bronze coins.


    "Ah, I recognize this head portrait... The Oath Keeper Midier, yes?" Kan took the silver coins and threw them away casually. Instead, he picked the bronze coin with Midier’s head portrait engraved on it. He scrutinized the picture on it before he lifted his head andughed, revealing a mouth full of yellowing teeth. "The lot of you are from the Empire?"


    Thales smiled and shook his head. "No, wee from Constetion."


    By his side, Wya’s expression changed, and Putray looked like he was thinking of something.


    "I get it, brat. You’re the Prince of Constetion... the one who hase to apologize." Kan stared at him straight. "You have a long and arduous journey ahead of you."


    Thales shrugged.


    "Alright." Kan snorted. "Constetion’s silver coins are even more valuable than our silver coins. There’s no reason for me to not receive your money."


    "Hey!" Kentvida protested. "Is Archduke Lampard’s gold coin not money now?"


    "Hmph, Brian!" Hero Tavern’s owner ignored the viscount. He shouted at the top of his lungs and tapped the wooden window behind him. "Twenty mugs of rye wine... The normal one will do!"


    A tall man with ck hair and in his thirties walked out from behind the counter. There was a scar from a burn on the left side of his face. He let out a cold harrumph.


    In a bad mood, the tavern assistant lifted a thin wooden stick and turned towards the wooden cab behind him. Then, with a shake of his arm, he hooked the ears of a dozen something wooden mugs with great proficiency and pulled them over, having them lined on the wooden stick like a kebab.


    He shook his arm again, and the dozen something mugs fell on the bar counter. Brian nimbly extracted the wooden stick and lifted a huge, wooden wine barrel. As he poured the wine into the mugs, he looked at the group with a hostile expression. He even red at Thales in the process.


    "This isn’t something that can be done with regr arm strength." Wya looked at the assistant’s movements and his expression changed. He spoke in a low tone, "I can bet that he’s an expert with the sword."


    "Don’t mind him." Kanughed boisterously. "My assistants here are all crude men who were once soldiers..."


    Tolja said tly, "Of course. Hero Tavern is the gathering and also parting ce for retired Nortnd soldiers."


    Thales discovered dejectedly that he could not even haul himself up the chair by the bar counter. He was just not tall enough. If he had spoken up while the crowd was watching him, it would have been incredibly awkward.


    At this moment, a guard who knew signnguage was incredibly important.


    Ralf picked Thales up and ced him on the bar counter’s high stool (The attendant, Wya, who discovered that he did not managed to perform his duty once more, frowned again). Kentvida and Putray sat down by his side. As for the citizens of Constetion and Eckstedt, they were split into two very distinct groups. They sat down on two round tables, and their soldiers red at each other.


    "Oh, heavens." Willow looked at the noisy Nortnd customers around him. Brimming with spirit, he said, "I have never drunk in a ce so far away before."


    "Keep those two pikes of yours close to your side." The veteran, Genard spoke with a frown, "They may pounce on us at any moment."


    Thales’ lips curled up as he brought out his skills of engaging in small talk with others. It had been lying dormant in his memories. "Mister Kan, when did you open Hero Tavern? Why did you name it as such?"


    "It’s been twenty years since I opened it." Kan watched as Brian filled the mugs with ackadaisical expression and brought three of them to the bar counter. He had Brian bring the other mugs to the others on a tray. "I got injured and I retired. Then, I returned to my hometown to open a tavern... As to why I called it Hero Tavern, heh, my wife was the one who gave it such a boring name."


    Thales touched the wooden mug, which was half the size of his head, then rationally decided not to touch it. "Oh, by the way, when I entered the vige, I noticed that there were all sorts of food tied on the trees near the entrance. What is that for?"


    "The Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter is about to arrive." Kan yawned and brought them a few tes of ck bread. The bread did not stir up any form of appetite in the others when they saw it. "That is a present to the mountains."


    ustomed to the ck bread, Tolja and Kentvida picked it up and ate it as they drank the rye wine. Thetter was even looking at the distressed Wya, who did not know how to eat the bread. He was looking at Wya as if he was watching a good show.


    "It’s best that you eat some of it," Kentvida said tly, "We have to press on in the afternoon... and we’ll only set up camp at night."


    ’Constetiates who have livedfortable lives...’ Kentvidaughed at them mockingly in his heart. ’This is Hero Tavern’s signature dish and a Nortnd vige staple made frommon coarse grain.’


    Wya stared at the ck bread in front of him with a frown.


    Putray sighed and picked up the bread. ’Looks like this is our food for today’s lunch.


    ’Perhaps Kentvida is doing this intentionally. He’s either testing the prince’s attitude, or perhaps, taking revenge on the prince for giving him the cold shoulder. It’s one of the two.’


    Yet soon, everyone discovered to their surprise that the noble Second Prince of Constetion, Prince Thales Jadestar grabbed a thick and hard piece of ck bread...


    And bit down on it without any hesitation.


    It made it seem like he was not eating something that was difficult to swallow, but...


    "Present for the mountains?" Thales chewed on the tough bread and asked curiously in a muffled tone, "The Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter?"


    ’Mm... the taste is not bad. I can actually bite through just by chewing on it... It’s not like the ck bread from the Brotherhood. When it gets really bad, we even have to use fire to roast it.’


    Kan’s expression changed. He looked at Thales, and his gaze was increasingly filled with interest.


    "The Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter is a natural phenomenon unique to the Nortnd. At this time, the Nortnd will wee the coldest time of the year. Daytime will be drastically cut short. The people who venture out must wear incredibly thick, fur-lined jackets and have enough materials to keep the fire going, and they cannot leave too far into the distance. The time where they can work outdoors will be limited to three hours." Putray observed with a strange expression on his face as Thales ate with gusto.


    ’I have been wandering outside all this while, and gotten myself a hard set of teeth as well as an iron stomach due to my adventures... but His Highness...’


    Wya ate the bread with a long face, and only felt like hurling. However, when he saw that Ralf was enjoying the bread, he gained his appetite once more as hispetitive spirit was instantly lit up.


    "The Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter willst for several weeks if it’s short; one month if it’s long," Putray continued saying, "As for the presents to the mountains..."


    "Those are gifts for the gods." The tavern’s owner, the old Kan grinned and continued, "We will hang the first game we obtain during the day or the first food we touch on the tree. It will belong entirely to the gods... Only the travellers who are forced to venture out during the Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter can partake of it, because it is by the gods’ grace."


    "Gods..." Thales swallowed the bread. "Which God is it? Sunset? Bright Moon? Dark Night?"


    In his memories, the more popr gods who had their own temples in Eternal Star City were these three.


    But Kan grinned. "Not them. What wememorate is the god that has been worshipped since the ancient times in Nortnd and even the world. He takes care of thend and the mountain ranges, and he is a generous god that protects travelers in the wild.


    "The people call him...


    "The Master of Mountains."


    ...


    Constetion, Eternal Star City’s Western District, Entrance to Western City Police Station.


    "I’m sorry, Captain Kohen Karabeyan has applied for a month’s leave." Western City Police Station’s secretary, Miss Jorah, looked coldly at the young brte with short hair who was standing in front of her. "I mean, at least a month."


    ’She’s taller than me.


    ’Her legs are longer than mine.


    ’Her a** is bigger than mine.’


    Miss Jorah thought furiously.


    ’Thankfully, my chest is bigger than hers.’


    Then, Miss Jorah straightened her figure, which she was proud of. She twirled her long, red hair, and said proudly, "If you’re looking for him, you can leave a message... I see him often, I can deliver your message to him."


    ’And, she isn’t as feminine as I am.


    ’She looks like a boy.’


    Miss Jorah sized up the brte with a disapproving stare.


    The woman furrowed her brows slowly and said, "Is that so? He’s not around...?"


    ’Yes, and she speaks in such a crude manner... She doesn’t seem like a woman at all.’


    As Miss Jorah thought about this, her mood instantly became better.


    ’Yup, that is the voice of a drake...’ She would absolutely not admit that it sounded heroic.


    The brte remained silent for a moment as she looked at Miss Jorah.


    Miss Jorah felt a little embarrassed.


    Shortly after, the brte lowered her head and looked at the Sword of the Twin Towers emblem on her right hand. Her lips then curled up into a smile.


    "Very well. Please pass this message to him." The brte looked at Miss Jorah’s expression and said with a teasing tone. "Just say..."


    Under the secretary’s impatient gaze, the brte licked her lips.


    "The woman whoid in his bosom that day in Red Street Market misses him."


    Miss Jorah’s expression changed, as if she had been struck by lightning.


    ’Red Street Market...


    ’Lay...


    ’In his bosom...


    ’Woman...


    ’Misses him...’


    Miss Jorah red at the woman in disbelief. She frowned while her expression continued to changed.


    ’How could it be?


    ’This woman?


    ’With the handsome Captain Kohen...


    ’They...’


    J Charleton immediately snickered.


    "Hahaha..."


    "Alright, I was just joking." Under the secretary’s murderous gaze, the descendant of the Assassin’s Flowerughed while she clutched her abdomen and waved her hand. "I only met... that blond co... police officer once."


    ’And saved his life.’


    "You like him, have a crush on him, you love him so much that you could die, you want to have his children, yada yada." As the secretary once again gave her a strange look, J shook her head. "I don’t care about that... I don’t want to be yourpetitor or your rival in love either. I’m just here to ask him for help."


    "Don’t worry... He isn’t my type." The former bartender put on a bright smile.


    In a rare show, the secretary blushed.


    She looked at J’s sincere gaze and was speechless. She suddenly nked out and did not know what to do at that moment.


    They remained silent for about ten seconds or more.


    "Alright." Miss Jorah turned her head away in embarrassment. The red flush on her cheeks had yet to disappear. She spoke resignedly, "The truth is, Captain Kohen... has returned to the Tower of Eradication. We can use messenger pigeons tomunicate with him. You can write him a letter, and then—"


    Jughed.


    "Alright, I’ll write him a letter." The young, former bartender nodded, as though she was thinking of something. "Thank you, Miss Jorah."


    "Honestly, if it isn’t anything too troublesome," the secretary said in slight embarrassment, "perhaps, I can help you. After all, you’re Kohen’s friend as well..."


    "...Even though I’m just a secretary in the police station, I know plenty of people... My brother works for the Royal Family, and he gets in touch with plenty of important people..."


    ’Then, you won’t have to look for Captain Kohen.’


    Miss Jorah clenched her fist in her heart. ’Did you think that it would end just because you said you didn’t like him?


    ’What a joke...


    ’Don’t underestimate a woman’s obsession, whether it’s her own or that of her rival in love!’


    J looked at Jorah in surprise, then she cracked a smile.


    "You won’t be able to help me with this." J shook her head resignedly. "You’re still too..."


    J suddenly stopped speaking. It looked as if she had thought of something.


    Miss Jorah had on an expectant expression.


    "Perhaps, you can actually help me," she said slowly, "Jorah, you’re the secretary of the police station. You can see all the files, bounties and information in there. Could you help me keep an eye out on some information?"


    Miss Jorah smiled and nodded. "Of course, if it isn’t something top secret... What do you want to know?"


    J let out a long sigh and said in a low tone, "I want to check out the location where weapons are smuggled from Constetion to other countries for the past few years... especially those rted to ck Street Brotherhood... and a man named Roda..."


    Miss Jorah took out a pen and paper.


    "Also..." J hesitated, but in the end, she said these words, "I want to find three children... They have very distinct characteristics and they may have been kidnapped by the Brotherhood. But, they are not in Eternal Star City..."


    Miss Jorah lifted her head in curiosity.


    "One of them is a ten-year-old boy called Sinti. He’s slightlyrger than the average child.


    "Another one is a small girl with a round scar left from a burn on her face. She’s Coria, about four or five years old.


    "And one more is a seven or eight-year-old named Ryan. He doesn’t have a right arm."


    "Is that all?" Miss Jorah nodded. "I’ll go back and see whether there are any notices or reports regarding cracks on human traffickers..."


    "Wait," J lifted her head and said with a serious expression, "I’m also looking for another boy.


    "He went missing near Red Street Market and could have possibly fallen into the hands of Blood Bottle Gang.


    "He has ck hair, grey eyes, and is about seven to eight years old."


    J’s eyes dimmed. "He is a-a boy that doesn’t seem like a normal boy."


    Miss Jorah lifted her head in surprise.


    "He’s a little too smart and mature," J lowered her eyes and continued exining.


    "Is that so? A mature child, hmm?" The secretary shrugged and continued taking notes.


    "My brother says that he has seen children like that before; a boy and a girl.


    "Anyway, I’ll keep an eye out for you."