CHAPTER 735: 577 TRANSACTIONS? ARE YOU SICK?

The next morning.

As expected, the people at the Sunset Tavern had eventually discovered Reiger and Liz’s identities when they woke up.

However, by the time the City Lord’s office had been informed and a large number of knights were dispatched, arriving in force, Reiger and Liz had already left the room.

The two were clad in overcoats, hoods pulled down, braving the somewhat hot wind as they walked the streets, conversing with each other.

"Let’s buy what we need first, otherwise, once we leave, we might not have a chance to come back to this city."

Reiger instructed Liz, who nodded seriously in response.

Reiger had leveled the City Lord’s mansion, almost killing Sgranot, the City Lord himself. If he were to frequent this city in the future, he would likely never find peace.

Therefore, Reiger had decided never to return to Xinyel, planning to head straight to the ancient ruins to explore and find clues related to the ancient magic civilization, the Sword of Moslo, and even the Dimensional Cube.

If all went well, after this, Reiger wouldn’t have the opportunity to return to Xinyel.

Thus, Reiger and Liz acted with the mindset that they would never return to this Neutral City again.

Under such circumstances, it was natural to gather supplies as quickly as possible to avoid being unable to find provisions later.

Although Reiger could use magic to eliminate fatigue and didn’t need food or drink, Liz still required sustenance and rest.

Furthermore, outside was a desert, nearly devoid of resources, not even a drop of water — leaving Xinyel, the only oasis in the Neutral Zone, without stocking up extensively was simply not feasible.

So, the two began wandering the streets of Xinyel, making extravagant purchases in various shops.

This caused Reiger’s wallet to shrink significantly, and soon, it might be completely emptied.

"After we’re done with the ruins, if we’re still traveling, we’ll need to find a way to make some money."

Reiger weighed his nearly empty purse and shook his head.

This was the downside to the continent of Akasha; the currency was not made of ordinary metal, making it difficult for Reiger to operate and constantly think about how to earn money.

Fortunately, he had already found a way.

"If it comes to it, I’ll just have to start selling monster meat."

Reiger tucked away his purse, looking at the bustling street and at Liz who was unknowingly heading to the next shop in front of him, and suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Master, what’s wrong?"

Liz noticed this, stopped as well, turned around, and looked at Reiger.

"...It’s nothing."

Reiger remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"Let’s continue."

Hearing this, Liz, though confused, followed Reiger’s lead without questioning and kept walking.

Reiger, seemingly bored, followed behind Liz, watching her timidly interact with shopkeepers, purchasing various supplies, and slowly found himself thinking that this was not too bad.

At least, it was quite comfortable.

Unfortunately, this comfort was doomed not to last.

......

While Reiger and Liz were leisurely strolling through the streets, a figure slowly peeked out from a corner behind them.

Upon closer inspection, it was a woman who had once met Reiger and Liz.

Indeed, it was Lipum, the sister of the leader of one of Xinyel’s top three mercenary groups — the "Play Magician".

This female mercenary, who had once intended to pull Reiger into her ranks to fight against the Underworld forces and seize a forbidden item opportunistically, was now following Reiger and Liz, her face filled with unexpected joy.

"I never thought that while out buying Magic Potions to heal my brother’s wounds, I would encounter these two."

Lipum’s heart swelled with delight.

This was merely a coincidence, with no other factors involved.

While buying Magic Potion for her injured brother, Lipum happened to spot Reiger and Liz shopping extravagantly on the street.

They were covered in overcoats, but Lipum recognized them immediately.

Especially Reiger — Lipum had dreamt of him more than once in recent days, and she would never mistake his figure.

Of course, the reason she dreamt of Reiger was not random but rather due to Reiger’s performance on the night at the warehouse district.

Killing a veteran Swordsman with one blow and effortlessly leaving the battlefield with the box, amid numerous forces and formidable figures as if they were nothing — such actions had left a deep impression in Lipum’s heart.

Moreover, this impression had deepened the day before.

Because of the incident at the City Lord’s mansion.

Yes, Lipum seriously suspected that Reiger was connected to the leveling of the City Lord’s mansion.

This was an easy association to make.

"The night before last, he took the box from the abandoned warehouse district and left."

"But afterwards, there was significant activity from the City Lord’s side, dispatching many Oasis Knights to surround an inn."

"There was a fierce struggle in that inn, so much so that the entire building almost burned down."

"Then, shortly after, the City Lord’s Mansion caught fire and was completely flattened."

"If this isn’t related to that mysterious swordsman, I definitely won’t believe it."

Not only Lipum thought this way, but everyone aware of the battle in the warehouse district and those aware of the City Lord’s unexpected dispatch of troops to an inn in the dead of night all made this association.

They believed that the City Lord’s mansion must have known that the forbidden item was stolen and had even identified the location of the thieves, otherwise they wouldn’t have made such a drastic move.

And the City Lord’s mansion had been leveled to the ground. They absolutely wouldn’t believe that this had nothing to do with the person who had stolen the forbidden artifact.

Therefore, many from the underworld forces and the mercenary circles had already started to search for Reiger’s traces, secretly commencing their actions.

Surprisingly, the first to discover Reiger’s location wasn’t any of the major forces’ spies, but Lipum, who was out buying Magic Potions.

"This is a good opportunity."

Thinking this, Lipum tiptoed to follow Reiger and Liz.

But gradually, Lipum grew anxious.

She had spotted others from different forces noticing Reiger and were tracking him while reporting to their superiors.

At this rate, those forces would definitely make their move on Reiger.

If things turned out that way, the situation would become very complicated.

"This won’t do."

Lipum bit her lip, coming out from the corner.

"I need to act quickly, or I’ll definitely miss the opportunity."

Thinking this, Lipum took a deep breath and headed directly toward Reiger.

Just as Lipum reached behind Reiger and was about to call out to him, the other coldly spoke first.

"I thought you wouldn’t dare show yourself."

Reiger hadn’t turned around but spoke to Lipum who had approached him from behind.

However, Lipum’s body stiffened, and a cold sweat trickled down her forehead as she looked at Reiger who spoke without turning back.

"You... you already knew I was there?"

Lipum forced a very strained smile.

"You called me ’young lad’ before?" Reiger still didn’t turn around, and his voice took on a mocking tone, "Didn’t you used to call me that?"

Lipum nearly cursed out loud.

This guy, he actually remembered that?

"...Earlier, I couldn’t see properly and didn’t realize you were such a formidable person. Please forgive me."

Lipum quickly bowed and apologized.

For that, Reiger had only one sentence.

"Your judgment indeed lacks," Reiger said indifferently, "I know why you have come."

"But do you really think you can force me to hand over the item?"

"If that’s really what you think, then I must say, not only does your judgment lack, but you also have no clue."

Upon hearing this, Lipum’s face stiffened again.

Her expression changed several times and she contemplated many strategies inside, including attacking this unguarded youth who had exposed his back to her immediately.

But her instincts told Lipum that if she dared to do this, the next second it wouldn’t be this mysterious Swordsman lying in a pool of blood, but herself.

The capability to slay a senior Swordsman with a single blow, to break through the encirclement of multiple Moslo Knights, and to set fire to the City Lord’s mansion—his strength was evident.

That he had dared to attack the City Lord’s mansion and set it afire, a reckless deed unheard of, was something Lipum knew no one had ever done.

Even Leo, recognized as the strongest in the Underworld, wouldn’t dare to set fire to the City Lord’s mansion, no matter how crazy he was.

Reiger not only dared to do it but had succeeded. If he didn’t have the chops, wouldn’t it be strange?

Luckily for Lipum, she didn’t know that even the City Lord, Sgranot Bayard, had been defeated by Reiger, or else she would have turned and fled.

As for now...

"...I would like to negotiate a trade on behalf of our mercenary group."

Lipum took another deep breath, still not taking her eyes off Reiger’s back.

"A trade?"

Finally, Reiger turned to face her, his voice tinged with curiosity as he looked at the familiar female mercenary.

"I am curious to see what you have to trade with me."

With that, Lipum’s spirits lifted.

"Gold Coins, magical weapons, magical tools, Magic Potions, and various alchemical items," Lipum promised boldly, "Just name your price, and we will provide it, or find a way to acquire it."

This was practically giving him a chance to demand anything.

Reiger looked deeply at Lipum for a moment and then suddenly asked a question.

"What exactly is the use of this item? Why is everyone after it?"

Finally seizing the opportunity, Reiger voiced his doubt.

"You... you don’t know?"

Lipum was immediately taken aback.

"I don’t know," Reiger admitted plainly, "All I know is, since it’s called a forbidden artifact, it probably has something to do with the ancient ruins that were listed as taboo, right?"

Lipum was at a loss for words.

This guy, he had stolen the item without even knowing what it was?

Is he crazy!?