As both of them, got out of the guild station and got up on their horses, Elissa seemed to be worrying about something. As aran looked at her, he saw that her expression was filled with worries.
" What happened? Don't tell me you are afraid about this mission. If you are afraid, then you can always leave. " Aran said.
" Who said I am afraid? I am just worried that it might take months to finish this mission "
As aran heard that he opened the book he got. The book had much information about the bandits and there were also some sketches of them.
According to the details, the bandit's crew had eighteen people in it. It was also said that the strongest bandit in their crew was at the profound stage eighth trier and these bandits were from a town called Ashton.
Since there was enough information in the book and none of the bandits were stronger than Elissa, Aran started to wonder what the problem was.
" I think it's a good mission. There are no strong targets and also I think this detail is enough to catch these bandits in less than a week. So what's the problem ?" He asked.
" Do you know where the bandits are from?"
"It's written here that they are from a town called Ashton. Why? Is it too far from here?"
" No. It's less than eighty miles northwest of here. It's just a three hours raid. But that's not the problem. The problem is the town! "
" What about the town?"
" Ashton is one of the largest towns in Alderaan. That town is also called the lawless town of alderman because the people there don't follow the rules of any of the two cities. Instead, they only care about money and power.
It's a town filled with, thousands of criminals from different countries. Although the town is not even one-third of this city, There are a total of eighty thousand people living there and most of them are criminals.
We can't get any information there even by paying money. So if we have to find them, then we will have to look all around the city. It will take more than a month. You know that I have to get here for their tournament in two weeks. right? Are you sure you exactly want this mission?" She asked.
Although it seemed like there might be problems, with Arrax staying on Aran's side, he knew he has nothing to worry about.
" Yes, I want this mission. And also don't worry about finding them. We can find them before your next round of the tournament. Finding what most people can is my speciality. I have a special gift. With my vision, I can see up to a mile. So it won't be big of a problem" He said confidently.
Hearing that Elissa stared at Aran for a while before replying. " I hope it won't get as chaotic as the last time," She thought to herself and decided to take the mission.
" Fine then. If you want to take this mission, Let's do it "
She said and started to move. As Aran heard it, he started to smile thinking that everything is going according to his plan and followed her.
As he continued to follow her, he suddenly remembered something. Arrax was still sitting on his left shoulder from the moment he started his journey but he hadn't talked anything. It was so unlike him.
" Are you really Arrax or did I accidentally exchange arrax for some normal cat on the way?" Aran asked sarcastically. But arrax remained silent.
" Why are you silent? Have you gone deaf? I am talking to you." Aran said. Hearing that arrax started to talk.
" I am playing my part. And I was busy looking around the lower realm. Although it's not as amazing as the demonic realm, it's not bad either.
Except for low lives, it's beautiful. " Arrax replied calmly.
" Was that a positive comment? " Aran asked smiling.
" And one more thing. The reason why I took this mission regardless of knowing how dangerous is this because of you. You have promised that you will help me with everything in this journey, so make sure you keep your word. "
" Shut up and do your business. I know how to do mine"
" Ah, what's that?" Aran asked but arrax didn't reply.
" Whatever. you have seen the sketches of bandits right? If you see any of them while looking around don't forget to inform me "
After saying that aran continued to ride fast to catch up to Elissa who had already gone far from them.
***
After three hours of riding they reached Ashton. As they reached the entrance, Aran looked at the town from there using his vision. That's when he realised how messy the town was and why Elissa said it will take months to find them.
The city was full of people and there very hundreds of shops selling stolen goods. As both of them started to move, the people there weirdly looked at Aran. Aran realised that it was because of his royal horse and the royal clothes he was wearing.
Looking at the people he could feel the hatred coming at him like arrows. Aran realised that if this continued, then it was most likely that he will leave this town.
Since Elissa had dressed casually and wore thin armour, she was fine in the town. As aran was following her, she suddenly stopped moving at a clothes shop.
" Buy some casual clothes from there, you can't walk around this town in those clothes!" She said.
Aran got down from his horse and went to the shop. After spending the last of the low-tier spirit stones he had, aran bought some new clothes.
As he got out of the shop and got on his horse Elissa told him to follow her.
" Where are we going now?" He asked.
" There is an inn here that I'm familiar with. We are going there. It's already evening, So we can start our mission tomorrow! " She said and started to move.
Hearing Elissa it seemed like she has been to this town many times. Aran realised its not her first mission in the city. He was pleased to have someone with him who knows about the town.
After continuously riding for almost half an hour, they had reached the other side of the town and Elissa was still going on.
" How long do we have to ride?" Aran Asked but Elissa didn't reply. He waited for a moment for her reply but she stayed silent. As Aran thought, she might have not heard him and was about to ask again,
" We are almost there! " She said.
As aran heard that he looked in front and he saw a building that looked like a medium-sized mansion, almost a mile from where they were.
After continuing the ride, when both of them reached there aran realised that it was at the northwest border of the town. As he saw from up close, it was an old mansion turned into an inn. He that its safe to stay there by using his vision. When he looked, he saw that most of its facilities were better than most inns.
As Elissa got down off her horse and walked towards the inn after storing her horse in her ring, aran also followed her.
Although Elissa had always acted as a fun person from the start, after entering Ashton town, she had always maintained a serious expression on her face. Even when she was walking into the inn, she had her guard up.
Looking at Elissa aran thought that she might be a good ally for the future but thinking about that now, he remembered she is not helping him for nothing. Wondering about what might she want from him to help him to this extent, Aran followed her to the inn.
As both of them entered the inn, many people were sitting at the tables and having conversations. As Elissa got in, an old man who was standing inside talking to someone saw her and left the conversation in the middle and walked towards her.
As the old man came towards her, he started to smile. It seemed he was someone familiar to her and he was meeting her after a long time. As he got close he welcomed her properly.
" Welcome my lady. It's good to see you again !" he said and bowed down to her for a moment.
"It's nice to see you too. uncle " She said. He seemed happier to hear that and as he saw aran following her asked
" Can I know who the young man is? "
" He is a friend of mine " Elissa replied. Aran immediately moved forward and stood in front of him.
" I am Aran Wilford! Nice to meet you " He said and extended his hand to shake his hand. The old man gave an odd look at aran, it seemed, that wasn't the custom they follow there. As aran was about to take his hands back, the old man shook his hand and said.
"Hello It's nice to meet you too "
Although aran didn't know who he was, he had guessed that he might be the manager of that inn.
" So, are there any free rooms for us to stay in? " Elissa asked as if she was exhausted by travelling and really looking forward to taking some rest.
" Yes, there are. Follow me !" The old man said and took them to show them the rooms. As both of them followed the old man, he showed them two rooms and gave them a key to each.
" You must be tired. Take some rest. The dinner will be ready in two hours " He said and left from there.
As Elissa took her key, she immediately went to the room and closed the door.