blacksmith of a Thousand tales

Chapter 99: The Shadowed Path

The city in the northeastern dukedom was a stark contrast to the villages Alarcus had passed through on his journey. The cobbled streets were well-maintained, and the buildings stood tall and orderly, but the atmosphere was far from welcoming. The citizens moved with caution, their eyes darting to city guards, knights, and adventurers as if wary of drawing unwanted attention. Alarcus noted how much better they lived compared to the roadside villages, where corpses often littered the dirt paths, victims of starvation or worse.

Walking beside him, Zetsuei's cloaked figure moved silently, drawing no attention. Though the companion said nothing, Alarcus noticed how Zetsuei's gaze shifted constantly, scanning every detail of their surroundings. The slightest flick of the head toward the market stalls or the city guards betrayed a deep wariness that matched the tension in the air.

"Even here, fear hangs in the air," Alarcus thought, keeping his voice low as he approached a merchant packing up his wares.

He stopped the man with a polite nod. "I'm looking for information about the black monster. Have you heard anything?"

The merchant froze mid-motion, his face draining of color. Without a word, he slammed the shutters of his cart and hurried away, his retreat echoing in the unnervingly quiet marketplace.

Another attempt with a fruit vendor ended similarly. The mere mention of the black monster sent people scurrying, as though the words themselves carried a curse.

Alarcus clenched his fists but kept his composure. He glanced at Zetsuei, whose hooded head turned toward a distant sound—the toll of a bell.

The bustling streets came to an abrupt halt as citizens quickly lined up along the main road, heads bowed in reverence. A noble's carriage, emblazoned with the crest of the city lord, rolled through the street. Alarcus stepped to the side, observing the scene.

Inside the carriage sat a young girl, perhaps in her late teens, adorned in fine silks and jewels. Her expression was serene, almost unnervingly so, as she gazed out the window. For a fleeting moment, her eyes locked with Alarcus's. He couldn't shake the feeling that her gaze lingered just a second too long, as though she recognized him. Her hand clutched a small object—a pendant, perhaps—before she looked away.

Zetsuei's hooded head tilted slightly as the carriage passed. Alarcus noted the subtle gesture but didn't speak.

"They know something," he thought, his mind racing as the streets returned to their uneasy bustle.

That evening, Alarcus secured a room at a modest inn near the city's outskirts. The innkeeper, an older man with a thick beard and wary eyes, served him a simple meal of stew and bread. As Alarcus ate, the innkeeper approached cautiously.

"You're not from around here," the man said, glancing briefly at Zetsuei, who sat silently by the fire, the flickering flames reflecting off the edge of the cloak's hem.

"No," Alarcus replied. "I'm looking for something—or someone."

The innkeeper hesitated, his fingers drumming nervously on the edge of the table. Finally, he leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone. "If you're seeking answers, there's a group in the city—an information network called the Raven's Shadow. They deal in secrets, but their services don't come cheap."

Alarcus raised an eyebrow. "Where can I find them?"

The innkeeper glanced around the room, ensuring no one else was listening. "Go to the abandoned warehouse near the eastern wall. Knock three times and say, 'The raven sees what the sun does not.' But be careful. They're not ones to trust lightly."

Alarcus nodded his thanks and retired to his room. As he lay on the narrow bed, his thoughts drifted to the noble girl in the carriage and the fear-stricken citizens. What could they know about the black monster that he didn't? And why would a noblewoman seem so calm in a city gripped by such unease?

Late that night, Alarcus and Zetsuei made their way to the eastern wall. The streets were silent, save for the occasional patrol of guards. The warehouse loomed in the darkness, its windows boarded up and its structure appearing long abandoned.

Alarcus approached the door and knocked three times.

"The raven sees what the sun does not," he said firmly.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the door creaked open, revealing a figure cloaked in shadows. A faint glint of light reflected off the edge of a dagger in their hand.

"Step inside," the figure said, their voice cold and commanding.

Alarcus entered, Zetsuei following close behind. The door shut behind them with a heavy thud, sealing them in darkness.

The faint glow of a single lantern illuminated the room, casting long shadows. As Alarcus's eyes adjusted, he saw the figure lower their hood, revealing a scarred face with sharp, calculating eyes.

"You seek the black monster," they said, a smirk curling their lips. "But what will you do when you find it?"

Alarcus didn't hesitate. "That's none of your business," he replied curtly to the cloaked figure. "Just name your price for the information."

The figure remained silent for a moment, their hidden face unreadable. The tension in the air grew, but Alarcus didn't flinch. Finally, the figure spoke. "We don't have much information about the monster you're looking for. But we know someone who's also been searching for it—and they've fought it and lived to tell the tale."

Alarcus's interest piqued, though his suspicion lingered. "Who?"

The figure tilted their head slightly. "Information for information, adventurer. That's the deal."

Grumbling, Alarcus relented. "Fine. My name is Alarcus. I'm an adventurer, and the black monster you speak of killed my family and destroyed my village years ago. I want revenge." He paused, debating whether to continue but ultimately added, "I work for the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales."

The broker straightened slightly at the mention of the blacksmith, their tone becoming sharper. "Interesting. Your employer's reputation is spreading faster than wildfire. Now, about the monster…"

The figure leaned closer, their voice dropping. "The one who fought it is a holy knight named Seraphine. She's wounded and hiding in an abandoned church on the outskirts. But you'd better hurry."

Alarcus narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

The broker chuckled. "More information, more payment."

Grinding his teeth, Alarcus relented once again. "I have one of the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales' best creations with me—a super-advanced golem."

The broker leaned back, clearly satisfied. "The noble girl you saw earlier—the one in the carriage—has a rare gift for healing magic. The local lords won't let Seraphine's interference go unanswered. They've already mobilized a large force of knights to eliminate her, and that noble girl will be with them to heal their wounds. If you wait, you'll find only ashes when you arrive."

Alarcus cursed under his breath and stormed out of the room, Zetsuei close behind, its head turning slightly to observe the broker as they left.

Once the door closed, the broker leaned back in their chair and addressed the shadows lingering in the corners of the room. "You heard him," they said. "Spread the word. The nobles will want to know their precious healer might be at risk."

A figure stepped out of the shadows, bowing slightly. "And the rebellion?"

The broker smirked. "Tell them as well. They'll be interested in knowing a knight like Seraphine is still causing chaos—and that she's now allied with someone connected to the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales."

The figure hesitated. "Won't this create a conflict?"

The broker chuckled darkly. "That's the point. Let them fight over her. The more chaos, the more business for us."

The shadowed figure nodded and disappeared, leaving the broker alone, their smile widening.

---

The dawn painted the crumbling church in hues of orange and gold as Alarcus and Zetsuei arrived. Inside, Alarcus found Seraphine kneeling before the altar, her armor battered and bloodied. She was whispering a prayer, her voice steady despite her wounds.

Alarcus hesitated. Her resolve reminded him of his own determination to avenge his village. But before he could speak, the sound of marching boots echoed outside.

"They're here," Seraphine said without turning around. She stood slowly, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword. "I take it you're not with them?"

"No," Alarcus replied firmly. "I came to find you."

Before they could exchange more words, the doors of the church burst open, and a group of knights flooded in, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. At their center stood the noble girl from the carriage, her hands glowing faintly with healing magic.

"Seraphine, surrender now!" the lead knight commanded. "You've caused enough trouble for the lords of this land."

Seraphine smirked, her grip tightening on her sword. "I'd rather die standing than live kneeling."

Alarcus stepped forward, Zetsuei moving in sync beside him. "She's not alone."

The lead knight sneered. "Then you'll both fall."

The battle erupted. The knights charged forward, their swords clashing against Seraphine's glowing blade. Alarcus joined the fray, his strikes quick and precise, while Zetsuei tore through their ranks with relentless efficiency.

The noble girl moved among the knights, her healing magic keeping them on their feet. Every time Seraphine or Alarcus landed a blow, the wounds would seal moments later under the girl's glowing hands.

Seraphine gritted her teeth, her movements becoming more desperate. "She's undoing everything we're doing!"

Alarcus cursed under his breath. "Zetsuei, target her!"

Zetsuei's head turned toward the noble girl, its glowing eyes narrowing. It lunged with terrifying speed, its metallic arms wrapping around her before she could react. The girl let out a startled cry as the golem restrained her, lifting her off the ground.

"Let her go!" the lead knight shouted, but his voice faltered when Zetsuei tightened its grip, the noble girl gasping in fear.

Alarcus smirked coldly. "Stand down, or your healer won't be able to save anyone."

The knights hesitated, their weapons lowering as panic spread through their ranks. Without the noble girl's healing magic, they knew they wouldn't stand a chance against Seraphine and Alarcus.

"Retreat!" one of the knights yelled.

The group began to withdraw, dragging their injured comrades with them. The lead knight glared at Alarcus and Seraphine before turning and retreating with the rest.

Zetsuei held the noble girl tightly as Alarcus and Seraphine stepped outside, watching the knights flee into the distance.

"What now?" Seraphine asked, leaning heavily on her sword.

Alarcus glanced at the girl, her face pale with fear. "We use her to cover our escape. Once we're far enough, we'll let her go."

Seraphine hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. But we need to move fast. They'll regroup."

With Zetsuei carrying the noble girl as a reluctant hostage, the group disappeared into the forest, leaving the abandoned church behind as the first rays of sunlight pierced the sky.