Epic Of The Demonic Sage



When Lucius arrived at the Blind Crow's Tavern, he knew what to expect to a certain extent, as Kiana informed him that Leif wished to inform him about the details of the two criminals' arrival.

'Now I'm only curious as to whether or not we'll be dealing with a threat similar to that of Mad Blade Bordeaux or something more different. They've taken their time coming here since I've heard of them. It's almost like they were on a stroll.'

Without any immediate information on hand, Lucius met up with the tavern owner and was granted a meeting in the usual meeting spot.

"Good evening, Leif. Thank you for readily informing us at a prompt time." Lucius greeted the man before he sat down. 

"It is a pleasure to readily convey the information to you, Lucius." Leif said with a bow. "After the last encounter with Mad Blade Bordeaux… it is in my inclination to prove better this time and provide things. It shall be a one time occurrence, Lord… Lucius."

"That would be optimal. However, these things can happen from time to time as there are things beyond our control, Leif. I am simply glad that we've managed to overcome that situation." Lucius nodded with an amicable tone in his voice. "In fact, it is good to learn from the mistakes of the past, but it is also best not to dwell on them."

"Of course. I agree with that." Leif said with a gruff tone. He usually didn't like being wrong as the mistakes could have high costs, and might have ended dangerously for him and his subordinates, but around Lucius, or the noble in front of him, the young man took it all with a rather relaxed tone that made Leif both uneasy and easy at the same time.

The silence hung in the air for a moment. Leif felt a bit unnerved and paid attention to the only person far more silent than him throughout the duration of the conversation.

'I do not usually pay any heed to the servant that Lucius brings with him. There is no use in learning whether they are male and female. However, I've enough information to know who she is… except some things are not exactly adding up.' Leif glanced in Kiana's way.

It wasn't like Leif was exactly 'Blind' as the Blind Crow Tavern, he may have turned a 'Blind Eye' to certain things but if he was incapable of getting enough information while on his own establishment, then he would be a poor information dealer.

'Lucius is…'

"Shall we get right on to business, Leif?" Lucius suddenly said.

At this point, there was almost no need for pleasantries, as Lucius and Leif had dealt with each other for quite a period of time now… but it did not necessarily mean that they were to always be removed.

Pleasantries were often called that way because of how they set the mood, and even though some people may have gotten sick of it, some often did stick with it for the purpose of pleasantness.

"Very well. Forgive me for the delays, Lucius. Here are some documents which detail the arrival of the two criminals. They have made contact with me now and have chosen to visit the Inanis city not for any reason similar to that of Mad Blade Bordeaux, but they wish to come here for what I've determined to be sanctuary purposes."

"Sanctuary?" Lucius lifted a brow in surprise.

'That is an odd thing, considering the fact that the rehabilitation center and the increased surveillance on the street would normally deter most criminals, so it can only speak of their desperation to come here.' Lucius thought.

Kiana blinked as well, but did not react much beyond her, twitching her fingers while she stayed leaning against a wall, but she stood with enough angles to actually strike the man known as Leif if it ever becomes necessary.

Precaution was necessary, so Kiana stayed still and reined back her expression.

Leif nodded his head and expressed his thoughts.

"Yes, I was surprised too. Out of anywhere else in the world to hide in, they've chosen Inanis City where it's more secure and safe now from criminal activity, however from what I can surmise, they do not have any intention of causing trouble."

It was rather impressive that Leif spoke it all without even showing much beyond a hint of distaste for what it meant to the information dealer.

It truly showed his professionalism with each client.

"Regardless, they will be approaching you," Lucius said as he thumbed through the documents and gave them a quick look. "Hmm, these are records about bandit groups. Ah, the most common denominator between them all is the fact that they've all vanished in recent time. You believe that these two criminals are from a bandit group?"

"I hope to receive confirmation when they have arrived, but that is the conclusion that I've drawn when they said that they were seeking for shelter," Leif explained. "It is the most likely thing unless they simply are just two criminals on their own, but an indication says that this is likely."

"Yes, the information so far tracks with what we're about to encounter." Lucius nodded as he rested the document back on the table. "In the likelihood that this is wrong, at least we're able to determine and discover a certain event. I was not aware of this. Thank you, Leif."

Lucius wouldn't have heard of the event of such bandit groups disappearing if it were not for the sources of Leif and others who were in the criminal world.

Otherwise, it would have been a difficult endeavor, and while not impossible, the channels of Count Inanis would have not necessarily been that useful, or rather, they were slower.

Lucius had far more need for immediate information.

"You're welcome. They are about to come here in about an hour and so you are free to interrogate them yourself."

"I will." Lucius replied.

***

The two criminals arrived in the city of Inanis and did their best to locate the whereabouts of the Blind Crow Tavern.

It was a difficult time, evading the guards of the Inanis family and the servants who were ordered to keep the city safe, but with help from the instructions they'd gotten from Leif, they were able to locate the area.

There was panic and weariness in their body when they stumbled into the Blind Crow Tavern and yet instead of being allowed to rest immediately, they were brought down underground of the tavern.

"Should we… run?"

"This is the only place I can think of. We have no other choice. We've got to trust that they'll take care of us."

"Why here?"

"It's the least place you'd expect criminals to go. We just need to stay low and undercover, you got that?"

Once the two entered the room, they saw not only one person who immediately was identified as Leif, but two other individuals.

One was sitting by the desk and looked like an important person, while another remained by the wall.

'What is this? Is this the boss of Leif? Seems rather important, but if we're going to stay here, then we have to adapt immediately.' One of the criminal thought and nudged the other to kneel alongside him.

Lucius raised a brow at the sudden gesture. It was a rather subservient thing to do and Lucius hadn't even said a word.

'It is clear that the direness of their situation is really upon them. A life and death situation. It seems like Leif's assessment is correct.'

Instead of Leif saying a word, he simply grunted at the two criminals and then glanced in Lucius's direction.

"Very well. What brings the two of you here to Inanis City?" Lucius asked in a casual and relaxed tone.

The first and more composed criminal immediately spoke with a tone.

"We came here to seek shelter, sir. We mean to cause no harm."

Lucius hummed slightly. It was a polite answer, but it was hardly satisfying. He glanced at the other criminal, who seemed more uneasy.

"… we need a place to hide, sir, lord! Our lives are in danger, and this is the only place we could think of."

"Who are you hiding from? What has caused two criminals to actually want to seek a place that's done their best to reduce criminals?"

"There… there is a group of people that are hunting bandit groups, my lord. My companion and I are the survivors and we barely escaped with our life."

"We really need just a place to hide. We know that this place is trying to minimize crimes and we won't do any of those while we're here. We'll behave and follow orders as long as we're allowed to protect ourselves."

Lucius saw the fear on their faces, even on the one that was doing his best to hold it together but was barely holding on.

However, while they were no Mad Blade Bordeaux, it also meant that Lucius could at least gather information from them.

"I have a couple of questions for the two of you."

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