"But before that..." Fyar looked at his companions in turn. "I’m hungry... how about we talk while we eat??"
Rasie scratched her red hair. "Haa.. I already ate at the banquet..."
"I’m not too hungry either..." Zaefal said, leaning back in his chair.
"I’ll order food for you, Fyar! What do you want to eat?" Illya said, leaning forward slightly while giving Fyar a sweet smile.
This girl... I think I... Fyar shook his head slowly, chasing the thought away. "Anything is fine, Illya."
"Just a moment, then~" Illya nodded and walked toward the bell cord near the door to call a servant.
"You’re seriously not hungry??" Fyar asked the other two.
Rasie hissed. "I said I’m full, purple hair!"
"We’re already full, Fyar. Just enjoy your meal," Zaefal added.
A short while later, a servant dressed in all red arrived. Illya ordered a large portion of food for Fyar.
Thirty minutes later, the servant returned with a silver tray. The servant placed the tray on the table in their luxurious suite’s dining room, then bowed and left.
The round table was now filled with a plate of steaming roasted meat, several pieces of thick, honey-coated bread, a glass of water, and also fresh milk. The savory aroma of the meat immediately filled the air.
Fyar didn’t wait long. He immediately sat down, picked up a fork and knife, and began to cut a large piece of meat. He chewed it quickly.
The taste is so different from Dark Town... hah, maybe I shouldn’t have been so clever to take on this role, Fyar thought. He then looked at Illya, Zaefal, and Rasie, who were sitting and keeping him company. But at least they’re safe... Fyar thought, a thin smile forming on his face.
"So," Fyar said after his first swallow. He pointed at them with his fork. "First and most important information. As Zaefal and I suspected, that tournament is Martis’s way of recruiting his security."
His three companions listened intently.
"It’s Martis’s main recruitment ground," Fyar continued. He cut another piece of meat. "He looks for strong and desperate people there to make into his private forces. Bodyguards, debt collectors, assassins, he takes them all."
"An effective and smart method," Zaefal murmured.
Fyar nodded. "Exactly." He chewed again, then continued. "Martis himself never gets his hands dirty directly in Dark Town. He’s too ’clean’ for that. He uses several local gangs as his intermediaries. I’ve already dealt with one of them, the Iron Fang Gang. And my god, they fucking love to gamble!"
Fyar sighed before continuing, "I was even recruited to be their betting horse."
Rasie leaned her body forward slightly. "Did you enjoy your time there, purple hair? I think that place suits you!"
"Maybe... maybe not," Fyar replied with a smile.
"Gang?" Illya asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"They’re the ones who manage the arena and security in most of the district," Fyar explained. "Well, from what I heard there and also based on my meeting with their leader." Fyar paused for a moment before continuing, "They offer services like protection or hmm, maybe manual labor for gold coins, and my guess is... they have some influence there, because they were able to register me for the tournament on Tuesday."
Fyar’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning more serious. "I also got some important information from that gang leader..."
He looked at Zaefal. "Since you met with the Guardian, you might already know it."
Zaefal gave a slight nod. "It’s possible. But try telling me first, just in case I don’t know."
After drinking his milk, Fyar continued, "This Martis... he seems more dangerous and bigger than we thought..." He held up one finger. "First, as the rumors say, he does have a connection with Vampires."
Illya gasped softly, her hand unconsciously rising to cover her mouth. Rasie stopped chewing on Fyar’s bread, her eyes wide. Meanwhile, Zaefal just remained silent.
Fyar held up a second finger. "Second, he has a connection with 000."
The air in the room felt colder. Zaefal’s fist on the table clenched tightly. Cold sweat began to appear on Illya’s temples. Rasie’s right hand, which was in her lap, began to tremble slightly she quickly held it with her left hand, hoping no one would see.
Fyar continued, forming a three with his fingers. "Third... he has a connection with Whitening."
"the Guardian also told me about that," Zaefal said, massaging his temples.
Illya and Rasie looked at each other, not saying anything. Their faces showed their fear.
I bet they’re thinking what am I really doing here!, what are we really facing! Yeah, yeah, I know Rasie... I know Illya, our situation is crazy! Fyar thought.
Fyar sighed and held up a fourth finger. "Fourth—"
"Whoa, whoa, what the fuck?? wait wait!" Rasie cut in, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you trying to say that after Vampires, 000, and Whitening, this Motherfucker still other connections?!"
Fyar nodded and bit his lip slightly. "Yes, Rasie. I know, I understand how you feel. Please let me finish my sentence."
Rasie let out a long sigh and nodded at Fyar.
Fyar continued again, "Fourth, this Motherfucker has connections with the demi-human kingdom, the dragon race, orcs, dwarves, and even demons."
Rasie closed her eyes and massaged her forehead. "We’re done. we fucking DONE!..This is a suicide mission." She slammed the table and shouted slightly, "This is a fucking suicide mission,FUCK!!!"
Does the kingdom know about this? Is the reason the kingdom assigned us this mission to confirm this?! But why us?! Why? We’re just a mid-level party! What is the Prince really thinking? Zaefal’s mind raced, thinking of several wild theories.
Fyar looked at Zaefal, who looked surprised and confused. "From your expression, you didn’t know this... Do you think the kingdom knows?"
Zaefal looked at Fyar and shook his head. "I don’t know... I can’t guess." Zaefal was silent for a moment before saying, "Maybe... maybe the reason the kingdom sent us here was to confirm that."
Fyar nodded slowly. "that makes sense..."
Rasie lowered her head, scratching her hair in frustration. "A-Are we going to die? We just made an alliance to fight him! And now that shit Kingdom is telling us to attack Martis no matter what!!!" Her voice started to get hoarse. Soft sobs began to be heard.
"This is insane! What are they really thinking!! Haaahhh!!! What did I do wrong to be given a mission like this!!!!" Rasie yelled.
kingdom is telling us to attack?! whao the fuck!! Fyar thought.
Illya just sat frozen, her left hand in her lap trembling violently. Fyar, who was sitting next to her, immediately reached for that hand and held it gently.
Illya looked startled. She turned toward Fyar. When their eyes met, Fyar gave her a gentle smile.
He hoped this simple gesture could calm Illya down a little.
Zaefal, who was sitting next to Rasie, rubbed the girl’s back. "I know, Rasie. I really understand how you feel..." Zaefal paused for a moment. "But despair won’t change anything." Zaefal then looked at Fyar and Illya in front of him, and at Rasie beside him. "We have to remember the fact that the Guardians are in this city, and they will protect us. We’ll be fine."
"I’m sure of it! The Guardians will protect us!! I’m sure we’ll all be fine!! Trust me, I won’t let you die!!" Zaefal said, his jaw tightening slightly.
"Fyar..." Illya whispered. Her eyes looked down at their intertwined hands.
"Yes, Illya?" Fyar asked.
"I’m... scared... I don’t know... how long I can act strong like this... or act like a noble... I’m... scared fyar...i really...scared...," Illya said. Her face was pointed down, her voice barely audible.
Fyar was silent, he didn’t know what to say. He just gently caressed Illya’s wrist, hoping this small gesture could ease her fear, even just a little.
Silence filled the room. The information Fyar had brought completed their picture of Martis, making him seem far more dangerous than they had imagined.
"I have to get back soon," Fyar said softly, breaking the silence. He stood up from his chair.
Illya seemed reluctant to let go of Fyar’s hand. She looked up, her eyes showing her worry. Fyar smiled gently at the girl. "Illya," he said, as he slowly pulled his hand away.
Illya reluctantly let go of his hand. Her face looked gloomy.
As Fyar was about to leave, he suddenly stopped. He was silent for several seconds.
I-I could die at any moment... Fyar thought.
He then turned around.
"What is it, Fyar? Did you forget something?" Zaefal asked, still rubbing Rasie’s back.
Fyar shook his head. He walked back toward Illya.
"Illya."
Illya lifted her head. Fyar smiled once more. He brought his face close to the girl’s ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"I-ithink... I think... I’m in love with you, Illya."
Illya’s pupils widened. She could feel her heart beating very fast, and her cheeks turn red and her ears felt hot.
After that, Fyar moved away from the girl’s face.
He looked at Illya with a slightly awkward and sincere smile,
a smile the girl had never seen before.