Chapter 501: Tharion [Part 1]
"I'm still struggling to comprehend what we should be doing in the citadel itself. The fact that the intel organization might be a part of Tharion does not change the fact that they might be able to give us the information we seek," Shin said, facing Northern.
"You are indeed right, but isn't the entire reason we are going to a discreet intel organization so that we can be discreet?"
"Exactly, won't all of that be blown to dust if we go straight to Tharion and start announcing what we want to do?"
Northern let out a cunning grin, lingering for more than a second before weighing in.
"I was thinking of a trap... instead of moving under the nose of the devil. How about we just come face to face with him."
Shin raised a brow; he was still very confused at all that Northern had been saying. But he wasn't to be blamed; aside from when it concerned combat, critical thinking had never been his strong forte.
"You'll understand. Let's head to Tharion, father."
Shin sighed and brought out their pouch of money, shaking it as he spoke, "I don't know if this will be enough to register us as drifters under Tharion. Private Citadels charge insane amounts for registration, and their tariff on rifts is even astronomical."
"Don't worry, we won't need to register."
Shin looked at him with an even more puzzled expression. He lingered for a few seconds before tiredly asking,
"So what exactly are we going there to do?"
"We are going there to place a request. The citadel also accepts requests from civilians, drifters, and governments as long as we put a price."
Shin thought for a moment before responding, "That's indeed true."
It's easy for anyone to forget because it wasn't a thing people did every time, except for governments that place bounty requests on criminals.
Northern moved forward, saying to Shin and Ryan, "Let's go."
After a few minutes of trekking and cutting corners, the trio approached the gates of the citadel, where iron and stone intertwined to form an imposing barrier that loomed over all who dared draw near.
Tall, wrought iron gates stood before them, guarded by sentinels in gleaming armor, their spears glinting like polished silver under the warm morning star.
Shin stepped forward, bringing out his temporary protector ID card.
"I have come to place a request with the guild."
The two knightly dressed security guards looked at each other, then one of them proceeded to open a part of the barred gate, allowing them to enter.
As Northern passed beneath the archway, his eyes traced the intricacies carved into the gateposts-scenes of battles long forgotten, heroes and legends etched into the very fabric of the stone.
Beyond the gates, the citadel compound sprawled like a world of its own, an expanse of manicured gardens, courtyards, and pathways that stretched towards the central keep, the heart of this fortress of power.
The air inside was cooler, tinged with the faint scent of flowering vines that climbed the high stone walls, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the stern gray of the stone.
Gravel crunched beneath their boots as they stepped onto the main pathway, a wide avenue lined with statues of heroes past-both male and female, their marble forms frozen in postures of regal authority.
The gardens, despite their pristine beauty, had a sense of order that spoke of control rather than serenity.
Neatly trimmed hedges and towering topiaries flanked the path, each plant meticulously groomed into shapes of animals or geometric forms, as though even nature itself had to submit to the citadel's rule.
Small fountains bubbled along the edges, their waters sparkling like crystal as they trickled over ornate basins of carved stone.
The soft murmur of water was the only sound that broke the stillness, aside from the distant clang of a blacksmith's hammer in one of the outer yards.
The main building of the citadel seemed to swallow the light as they neared it, casting long shadows across the compound.
The great wooden doors, reinforced with steel, were adorned with intricate carvings of symbols and swirling designs that told of incomprehensible ancient power.
Another set of two knights stood before them, motionless as statues, their armor polished to a blinding sheen.
Northern stood and observed the symbols and design of the door around while Shin showed the knights his ID and said to them what he had told those outside.
With a nod from the guards, the doors creaked open, revealing a cavernous hall beyond, bustling with activities.
To their left, a vast lounge sprawled beneath high ceilings adorned with chandeliers fashioned from pure crystal.
Each shard refracted light into shimmering rainbows, casting a soft, welcoming glow over the lounge's plush, velvet-clad armchairs and gilded tables.
Deep within the room, drifters lounged in comfort, some reclining in worn leather armchairs with boots propped on stools, others clustered around intricately carved wooden tables, engaged in lively conversation.
The air here was filled with the rich scent of oak, leather, and the sweet tang of expensive
spirits.
A bar, stationed prominently against the far wall, was no humble watering hole. Crafted from dark mahogany and polished to a mirror sheen, it stretched along one side of the grand chamber, staffed by bartenders in fine attire.
Rows of glass bottles glimmered behind them, filled with rare and exotic liquors from distant lands-amber wines, deep burgundies, and glowing blue potions that promised more than just a pleasant buzz.
A few patrons stood leaning against the bar, sharing tales of their latest exploits, laughter and song mixing with the occasional clink of glass against wood.
Above the bar, a collection of ornate weapons, shields, and other items hung on display.
To their right, a massive notice board dominated the wall, its surface covered in an assortment of scrolls and parchment, each one bearing a different request or contract, mostly bounty requests from the government.
From lowly bounties on minor threats to grand quests requiring the strength of entire drifter
parties.
Golden borders framed the board, each corner adorned with the symbols of the kingdom's greatest guilds, their insignias etched into the wood.
Even though it was supposed to be the center of attraction, the place attracted less attention than other areas of the citadel.
In fact, there was a dark atmosphere when one drew closer to that area.
Just beyond the notice board, several reception desks were manned by clerks dressed in fine white shirts tucked into their pants.
As Northern and Shin approached one of the tables, the young, brimming lady behind it greeted them, a vibrant smile plastered on her face.
"Welcome to Tharion. Would you like to register as a drifter here, or are you already
registered in another branch? You can show us your identification card."
Northern responded this time. "No, we have come to place a request."
The lady was slightly taken aback, but she quickly fixed her expression and said to Northern
with a pleasing smile,
"Okay, so what request would you like to place, sir?"
Northern leaned on the reception table and said to her, his eyes darkly glued to hers.
"I am looking for an elf..."
Immediately he said the word, the lady's expression changed, becoming very grim.
Even Shin was shocked; he didn't expect that Northern was going to do that! "Tell me, Elf lady, what the hell are these many of you all doing on Earth?"