Waking up late in the afternoon, Kino stood up from the bed and stretched as he walked over to the half-open wooden-window view. Turning to find the sun was going to set a while longer, Kino looked down onto the busy road and glanced all over until the scent of freshly-spilled blood caught his nose.
His eyes flickered with red and before long, dust scattered beneath his feet as he was out the window in seconds.
~
Racing above several rooftops, Kino's Scarlett gaze gleamed all over the city as he climbed up a spiral building. He stood holding onto a metal rod while taking in the passing current of cold air. Glancing down, in a dark alleyway was a group of men surrounding an old man.
Climbing down and silently sitting amid a wooden patio, Kino watched while swaying his legs as the group of men pushed the old injured man around.
"Are you going to tell us who was working the shop on the day when our boss lost his life?! Speak up, old man! We know you work for our boss' enemy, the Shildar company! No amount of praying is going to save you --"
"Stop! "Spooked, the group of men stood back as a small little girl rushed out from the house and stood between the men and the old man with her arms raised. "Leave my him alone! "
Kino's twisted smile shone as he tilted his head in delight at seeing the little girls fierce expression.
"Get out of the way you brat! You have five seconds before we throw you in with the demi-human slaves and have them kill you too! "Intimidating the little girl worked to no avail as her stern expression remained on her face. "Tsk! This doesn't make us even, old man! We'll be back to collect what is owed! Tell your bosses, the Trhina Company is coming for blood! "
Leaving, the group of men left the alleyway as Kino's grin soon faded into a pout. Glancing down his Scarlett red gaze at the old man and the little girl, Kino watched as the little girl helped the old man back into his shop.
Inhaling a yawn, Kino stood up while elegantly walking over a thin line over the wooden railing and crossed over onto the next store's rooftop.
Following the group of men that called themselves, the Thrina company, Kino hitched a ride in one of their wagons and shortly after a half-hour drive, Kino lowered his gaze as he glared backwards from over the wagon and turned to find an old three story building at the edge of the city.
Glancing up, Kino soon climbed over a nearby tree and rested over the branches as the group of men simply came to drop off a case filled with empty glass bottles. Kino then inhaled a long breath as he then felt how many people were inside. Calmly opening his eyes, Kino moved in closer and wandered inside through an open window on the thrid floor.
Muffled voices echoed from behind the many doors as Kino passed a narrow corridor. He soon heard a group of men cruddy talking about one of their routes they had taken.
"Yeah! The three of em', came out of them homes and -- get this, the husband shot an arrow into the miss' slave, killing the demi-human slave! Can you believe that-"Kino grew bored of the conversation and instead, continued walking along until reaching a set of wooden doors different from the rest.
Lightly placing his hand onto the silver handle, Kino opened the door wide and walked inside without a care in the world.
"-and with that alone, Fringred' is a perfect place to move our wares through -- uh, can I help you? "As three sharply dressed men turned their eyes from a map on a table, Kino casually walked around the room as the man behind the desk asked Kino who he was. "Who is she -- is she with either of you?! "
"No/No. "The three soon turned and watched in susrpise as Kino approached the three and glance down at the map.
"Here -- here. And here. "As the three men watched Kino place his beautiful fingers over the map gracefully, the three men snapped their gazes and watched more intnetly as the route Kino described would be twice as safer and less cost-effective.
"W-Who are you? How did you know about that route?! "One of the men grew angry as he knew about the route yet, purposely tried to get more coin by lying to the other two.
"I take it you knew about this route, didn't you Stafford! Hah! What a man you are -- bringing us here and trying to con us! "
"No, wait! I did know about the route b-but it isn't, urgh!"The other two men shook their heads as they turned to Kino still casually glancing and walking around the room.
"This lass saved me and mine a ton of coin... I'll have to thank her in kind by having her accumpony me to my company for her reward. "As the old man turned to Kino, Stafford and the other man soon glanced at each other and turned to Kino. "Tell you what, what does 5% of having access to my vast wealth sound, lass? "
"Count Inra! "Shrugging his shoulders as the man seated beside him spoke out in a surprised tone.
"I-Ill give you 10% of what I own! "Believing it must have been a ruse by one of the other two, Stafford threw his hat in the ring, thinking Kino was some brilliant strategist.
"Sir Stafford!? "Turning to Kino taking a few steps while crossing his arms and lightly tapping his lips, Kino scoffed as he turned and that alone caused the two men to argue over a better price.
"25% and I'll throw in Royal clothing from the palace I have procured last winter! "Clenching his teeth, Count Inra then argued in tern.
"Hah! 30% and I'll even throw my villa in East Thribal'! "Smug, Kino playfully giggled while still walking around the room as they continued to fight over Kino.
"Urgh! Count Inra, I find it hard to believe you can afford such luxury in the company of a woman! After all, are you not already married? "Count Inra shot up as Stafford sat clearing his ear with a triumphant expression.
Kino laughed in delight until Myrva's soft voice echoed in his ear.
[("Kino? ")]
Turning, Kino opened a glass window and jumped out into the night as the three men raced to see the ground and find no trace of Kino.
~
"Kino?! Are you in there?! "As Myrva knocked on the door to Kino's room, Kino was racing back to the inn as his every step shattered dozens of rooftops as if small explosions were erupting all at once.
As the handle to his room began to turn from outside, Kino dove across the air and as Myrva walked inside, Kino was standing beside the open window with his gaze tilted as the air calmed around him.
"Oh, you okay dear? I didnt hear a response and thought you be having a fever again? "Kino's eyes soon adjusted and returned back to normal however, as they reverted, Kino's energy soon plumited and fainted as Myrva walked over and caught him. "Oh!? Kino! Kino?! "
Setting Kino down on the bed, Myrva rushed out to get a warm towel and water as Kino was drenched in sweat.
During that time, Kino's soles to his feet had been badly bruised however, in the short amount of time Myrva came back, his skin had healed as if there was no damage whatsoever, despite having felt the stinging pain just a few minutes before.
"Oh, dear. You must be having a hard time adjusting to this city. Hmm. "As Kino glanced down at Myrva, Kino held her hand as he closed his eyes to rest for a while. "What a troublesome girl we have taken into our family... Huh, Retsu. "
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