After waiting in line and paying the fee, Rowan made his way into the city. Though, there was much damage done to the buildings, the majority of the city was left untouched. It seemed that a victor had been decided, at least in this city.
The streets were just as packed as when Rowan first saw it. Merchants, civilians, and workers among others littered the street, going about their business frantically.
However, things were not as it seemed, Rowan noticed soldiers this time. Most likely, they were part of Prince Declan's faction, which had won the battle. It appears that that battle was the deciding factor in this city, there would probably be nobody else getting in Prince Declan's way, and now he was probably consolidating and expanding his power. Rowan didn't know what happened in the other cities under Prince Declan, but it probably didn't go well for the siblings.
A moment later, Rowan was before Eoghan's building, and it was intact. Walking inside and speaking with the worker, Rowan learned that Eoghan was in the same room Rowan had been dragged into before. He walked in and saw Eoghan, sitting down while drinking a large glass of wine, not like how Rowan though his situation would be like at all.
"Congratulations, it seems that the first prince's ascension to the throne isn't very far off." Of course, Rowan supported neither sides, but he wanted to blend in, lest there were any unwanted problems.
"Hahaha, well said my friend! Come, come, sit down my dear friend." The man seemed to have put on even more weight, he was sporting a larger belly. And, indeed, as confirmed by Eoghan's response, Rowan could tell that the situation was very much in the favor of the first prince. It seems the first prince was fed up, and relied on his daddy, who obliged.
'The favorite child always wins...' Rowan lamented over the fate of the other children, but soon went back to business. They went over the contract again, and Rowan would have some shipments of chocolate bars for them tomorrow. Strangely enough, Eoghan didn't mention anything about Rowan leaving, which unsettled Rowan a bit, as he was expecting some questions. Questions regarding his loyalties or alignment.
Shortly after, Rowan left the shop, Eoghan pulled a bar of chocolate that he had hidden and started eating it slowly.
"Ahh, such a delicacy, how does it pair so well with wine." Eoghan sighed in satisfaction, the wine and chocolate was truly a match made in heaven, he had his own hidden stash. Eoghan seemed to not care about why Rowan wasn't there to support the prince or his disappearance, after all, Rowan was not a threat in their eyes.
Rowan came home after vising the pub and bathhouse, and started on the chocolate bars right away, activating Hot Chocolate and manipulating the shape and melting point. This process was repeated, over and over.
[195/200]
[190/200]
[185/200]
[180...
The chocolate bars were left in the room, Rowan had made a couple hundred of them.
He went to his room, some quality sleep, he yearned for the softness and comfort of his bed. He would try and find out more on locations to farm experience the next day, it was dark outside now. He drifted off to sleep peacefully, but not before barring the doors and windows with some chocolate, to act as sort of an alarm when intruders came.
Thump
Thump
Rowan was awoken from his dreams by noise coming from the front door, it was morning now.
'It's probably Eoghan's people again.' The people at the front were most likely not enemies, because what kind of enemy would knock? They would just barge or sneak in. Also, he assumed the Prince Declan had thoroughly cleaned the city of any of his siblings' side, and those that were left probably dared not come out of whatever hole they were hiding in.
Opening the door, he was greeted by several burly people, who came to take away the shipment.
An hour later of them going back and forth, filling chests and crates with chocolate, they left as quickly as they came. It seemed that Eoghan was eager to get the business going, there was a lot of profit to be had after all, especially on Rowan's part.
Rowan left the house shortly after, going to the pub as he usually did. Today, there was actually different food options on the menu, monsters. Yes, people had tested it and decided that it could be eaten and processed, albeit it was more expensive as it was actually better than normal meat. Rowan was sure that he could find some armor or weapons with such inclusions as well, that was further evidence that a new era was coming, heralded by magic and powers.
Rowan partook, and what he chose to try was actually some sort of deer, he heard that it could move quickly and use magic, making it so that much manpower was needed to take it down. It delicious, the meat was perfectly tender, and there was a rich, subtle earthy flavor. The meat had none of the gamey taste that he was used to, and though it was expensive, being priced at a silver, he thought it was worth it.
The talks from those around him were all about the same thing, the recent fight- or, fights between the first prince and all of his siblings. Rowan heard that the alliance of siblings, or The Persecutors, as they called themselves, were having a bad time in the other cities. Now, the areas they presided over, were being targeted by the first prince.
Rowan wished them luck, as he paid and left, going to the adventurers guild for information on any hunting grounds.