"W-who? Who are you?"
His voice trembled under the pressure from this figure.
"Heh, no need for dead men to know,"
I stood back a few feet as I watched the spectacle unfold. The newcomer took a couple steps forward before hopping on top of one of the footmen, stomping him underfoot and entrapping him in his malicious aura. The other's froze up as they watched their companion flail and shrivel into a husk, void of any vitality.
"ARRRGHGFG!"
It was quite a horrifying sight, seeing bodies just dry up like that. Is this what the dark arts were? No wonder they're outlawed.
The footmen, being rookies themselves were not up to handle such a high risk situation and crumbled under the pressure as they attempted to sell each other out, or stay stock still. Though, it did nothing to prevent the inevitable, as they're quickly cut down. Their screams dying out in this dark backstreet.
Sigh.
Even when I try to use diplomacy, this still happens. I might as well have just been aggressive at the start and save me the trouble.
Smacking their lips, the killer turned to me and said playfully, "You should've had some,"
Seeing me make no visible reaction, he tacks on another comment.
"Heh, so you're a silent guy, eh?"
What a weird fellow, he dresses like me and says innocuous phrases in a dark context. Judging solely from these factors only and none others, he must be a dark arts cultist.
"So? Who are you?" Their eyes turn sharp, as they watch for my reaction.
Really now? So you're gonna land me in all this trouble, for legitimately no reason? Why even pretend like you knew me?
Why couldn't you just leave me alone? Nonetheless, fighting him will be tricky and since I've started using diplomacy, I might as well go all the way.
"Jeffrey," I sigh.
"Hm, you're an interesting fella, you know that?"
I didn't know that.
"You got anywhere to be?"
"Nah, the state hates me,"
"Is that right? Anyway, I dunno what, but you strike me as a trustworthy fellow," He leans against a wall, "So how 'bout this,"
"You willin' to join us or, as the realm calls it, the cult of dark arts?" He extends a hand.
"How about yesn't?"
I am sure that I ain't gonna join these guys, then I'll actually be a cultist. And if that happens…
Where would my moral high ground be? I would actually be the bad guy at that point, justifying their manhunt for me.
"We aren't the bad guys,"
I look at his eyes, and they're still, no turbulence to be found in them at all. Now I can't tell whether he's lying or not.
"Sigh, how about I put it this way, the Kingdom hates us, so we can stand together and hate the Kingdom back. That way, the Kingdom won't be able to get you so easily,"
That was a rather childish way to put things into perspective. Does he think I'm an idiot?
Well, there's nothing wrong with going with the flow.
I assent with his proposal, after all despite his background, I'd still need help to find refuge from the Kingdom.
"Heh, nice, follow me,"
And as such, I follow this fellow through obscure pathways and hidden passages as we make our way to an inconspicuous inn, far out of sight of the common populace. As we moved along, I noticed that they would frequently look behind them and check around corners as they made small talk with me. Despite their carefree attitude, they were actually pretty cautious.
"Alright, we're here, I'll introduce you, then you can settle down,"
They whisper, before knocking on the door in a quick rhythm. Soon after, I could hear locks being slid off the braced door as it was slowly opened. Swiftly entering the building I follow them in, making sure Lily and Lazari come in as well.
We entered into what can be considered a reception room as musky air flowed out of the inn. Immediately faced with a counter right at the front with hallways leading into what I would assume were inn rooms, along with a hallway to the left being a dining room presumably. Though I couldn't be sure not because of how dark it is in here, but due to how the hallways bend after a certain point.
"Comrade Laffer, who you bring this time?"
A gruff voice spoke. He had a rather distinct accent. Is he from the empire?
Interesting.
Getting a proper look on him, he's a tall, bulky man, white hair, square jaw, and unsurprisingly, he wears a black hooded robe covering his other dark clothes.
Way to fall into the stereotypes.
The guy who brought me here, now, introduced me to the doorman, stating me as a comrade new to town.
"I'm in name rector of this post, people call me Lacer, how about you, comrade?"
"People call me Jeff," I say, slightly mimicking his introduction.
Nodding his head, Lacer turned to look at Lazari,
"Interesting lass you got, what monster is she?"
"Demon,"
Oh crap, I just spontaneously answered. I'm a damned fool, I really didn't mean to do that, but thankfully, instead of going ballistic and trying to kill her, his eyes seemed to light up.
"Heh, not bad, probably defective, but better than nothing am I right?"
He speaks, nudging his elbow against Laffer. Though I'm a bit mad that he was treating Lazari like an item I can only assume that Lacer made such a deduction because of how hollow her eyes looked, which was usually a key factor concerning one's sense of self and personality.
"Alright, enough of that, Jeff, I tell you straight, but I do not trust you so don't do weird crap and no killin', got it?" He waits for my agreement, of which I promptly give with a small nod.
"Good, all's good, other than that, you're free to do whatever, though don't get followed. That'll be a pain in ass for everyone and I'll beat if you do get followed,"
Okay…
Joining a cult was easier than I thought.
I'm allocated a room in the inn. The third room to the left to be precise.
Entering, the small room, it's fitted with a simple bed and desk. Not too shabby considering how suspicious everything here looks.
Closing the door behind me, I make sure to lock it. Though it probably wouldn't do much if someone tried to bust in, it's more so just for my peace of mind. The room is near pitch black, but no one here really needs that much light to see, plus even if someone did need light, the location of the place wasn't exactly where much sunlight would be found.
Sitting at the desk I bring out some more jerky because apparently, that's all I have.
Like, I virtually have nothing else of real value aside from some coins I looted.
Alright, time for a stroll! Now that I'm in a city and not being hunted down, I can finally get some real food and acquire some bolts as well.
"What are we doing here?" Lazari asks.
"No clue, but I'm just gonna go for a walk,"
She seems to nod knowingly to my response. Though seriously, I have no clue as to what I'm doing here.
I don't quite trust these guys yet, so I bring everyone with me as we leave.
"Oh, leaving' so soon comrade?"
I tense up.
"Yes,"
"Oh, don't die then,"
Well… That was unexpected. I thought he'd be all suspicious of me or something. I have no idea how cults run, but I don't think they should be recruiting members all willy nilly.
Actually, that comes into question, what even was the threshold for that guy to invite me here?
All he said was, 'oh, you seem like a trustworthy guy,' like what did that even mean?
Is he judging me based on my clothing?
But then, it doesn't take long for me to find the most likely cause. I have a bloody demon trailing me. No sane man would keep a demon by their side.
On the 'must kill on sight' list, just after fallen races and heretics are devils, then demons. So any man willingly accommodating a demon must either be a cultist or just plain insane.
And by that logic, due to my lack of sanity and proper judgement, it made me a trustworthy ally in whatever their cause may be.
Sigh, of course I get roped into this cultist crap after being framed as one.
Is this destiny playing a sick joke on me?
Oh wait, I should probably ask them for some new clothing for Lazari.