Chapter 50: Chapter 50 – That Figure Again
"Someone’s coming?"
Rick turned around. Someone was walking out from the back room. It was his older brother, Jeck Donn. He had just arrived in Stromhall two days ago.
He came here because he had business with the head of the Belack family. Of course, it was related to his skill in forging weapons. Their appointment was supposed to be in two days, but arriving earlier was never a bad choice, especially when dealing with a noble family.
Rick jumped down from the chair and walked toward the back room. "Yeah. Someone asked me to forge a special weapon for him, and..."
Jeck frowned. "Why do you sound hesitant? Is it too difficult for you? If you need my help, just say it! I can easily lend a hand."
Rick kept walking without answering his brother’s question, which only made Jeck more curious. He followed Rick into the back room, entering the forging area.
Then Rick turned toward his brother. "Look at this!" he said.
Jeck walked closer. When he stepped onto the stool and saw what was on the table, he swallowed hard. His face turned pale, and even his hands trembled.
But he couldn’t hide the grin forming on his face. "Damn. You’ve got yourself a crazy client. How did he even get these rare materials? Even..." Jeck swallowed again. "Even a Dwarf Tree Branch. Something I’ve never seen in my entire life."
Rick nodded. "I have to forge the best weapon I’ve ever made. Building a good connection with this person is the smartest move."
"Yeah, you’re right. This person must be an old senior who’s lived for hundreds of years."
Rick shook his head. "No. He looked like a young man, maybe around eighteen to twenty-two."
Jeck’s eyes widened. "Damn. This is getting interesting. I want to meet him."
He couldn’t stop smiling. He couldn’t hide his curiosity about the person who asked his brother to forge such a weapon. He was sure that man was extraordinary.
"You can meet him in two days," said Rick.
Jeck nodded. "Of course."
**
Elsewhere, Crowne was walking casually. His eyes kept moving, observing the surroundings. He was heading back to the inn. However, along the way, he felt like someone was following him.
Crowne changed his direction, entering a dark alley. When he reached the middle of the narrow path, he stopped and immediately drew his weapon.
"Come out! I know you’re there!" Crowne shouted.
Moments later, someone stepped out and walked toward him. Then a few more appeared. Crowne was surrounded by several thugs.
Crowne sighed deeply. "This is such a bother," he muttered.
He hated dealing with people like this, but he couldn’t just run away. These people would keep chasing him. The only way out was to defeat them quickly.
"Come on! I don’t have time to deal with you all," he said impatiently.
The thugs were startled. Normally, people would ask their purpose first, then they would make threats before fighting started.
But this time, it was different. Their leader had just opened his mouth when Crowne suddenly appeared right in front of them and launched an attack.
"Don’t talk too much. I hate that," Crowne muttered.
The fight broke out. The thugs tried to defend themselves and fought back, but there was nothing they could do. The difference in power between both sides was far too great.
Crowne completely dominated the fight, leaving them powerless. He defeated every single one of them easily, in less than two minutes.
After finishing them off, Crowne continued his walk, not caring about what would happen to the thugs afterward.
However, without him realizing it, someone was watching him from a great distance. That figure smiled, then turned away.
"He’s not as strong as I thought. He won’t be able to stop the plan I’m about to set in motion. If he tries to interfere, I’ll kill him right away," said the figure.
They were about to leave, but suddenly felt something moving toward them. The figure smiled faintly.
"Ah, you noticed me, huh? Interesting, but this isn’t the right time for us to meet."
A second later, the figure disappeared completely. They vanished without a trace. Not long after, Velrisa arrived at the same location.
Her eyes were sharp and serious. "I’m sure he was here just now. I’m not wrong, am I?"
She closed her eyes, trying to sense the presence of that figure again, but failed. Even when she extended her detection range, she still found nothing.
Velrisa stood there for a long moment, looking confused.
"Was it just my imagination?" she murmured.
She tried once more, but the result was the same—nothing. Finally, she turned around and left with a disappointed look. Yet deep down, she was certain that the aura she had just felt was very familiar.
"I really hope it was only my instinct. Not actually that person," Velrisa said seriously.
**
Crowne was almost at the inn. As he walked, Velrisa arrived at the same place. Crowne frowned when he saw her expression.
"Why do you look so nervous?" he asked.
Velrisa didn’t want to tell him what happened because it was only her assumption. She shook her head three times.
"It’s nothing. I just had something to buy at the market," she replied.
Crowne grew even more suspicious. "Then what did you buy?"
Velrisa froze. Of course, she couldn’t show him what she bought because she never actually went to the market. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Crowne watched her for a while. "Forget it. I won’t force you to say it. If you think it’s something you need to tell me, then tell me. But if you don’t, keep it to yourself. Just remember one thing, I’m your master," Crowne said.
After saying that, Crowne continued walking. Velrisa just stood there, lowering her head in embarrassment.
"I’m sorry," she said softly.
Crowne only glanced at her. "It’s fine. We all have things we don’t want to reveal. I’m the same."
Velrisa nodded slowly. "I’ll tell you later."