Chapter 40: The Arms Deal
Amon and Arthur were on their way to the Port district inside of their new private carriage in order to partake in the arms deal.
It was quite easy to drive such a carriage since the horse like automatons were made well enough not to bump into random stuff and all that was required of the person driving it was to give it directions while leisurely sitting inside.
By the way, why did Amon take Arthur, who still has not the slightest clue what is going on, to the meeting?
"Listen to me Arthur. We are about to meet with an important… investor who if all goes well will help us tremendously with our charity. I need you to be on your best behavior, do you understand?"
Arthur nodded repeatedly as to show he understood how important it was but this caused Amon to shake his head as if he was disappointed with the response.
"Sigh… It seems like you don't understand at all"
Amon looked at Arthur in a very serious manner almost as if he was about to tell him his parents died in a terrible accident but since it was obviously not the case Arthur just leaned forward showing he was ready to listen.
"It's important to always bargain and for that you need to show that you are tough so here's what I need you to do…"
***
In one of the many warehouses in the Port district a movie like scene was playing out. Amon alone was confronting a group of people with Arthur nowhere to be seen.
"You got the stuff?"
"You got the money?"
"Depends if you have the stuff"
"And that depends whether you have the money"
"Then do you have the stuff?"
The person who Amon was talking to was named Fernandez. He was a foreigner from Urien, a country in the northern continent that, similarly to the Verondian Republic, was a member of the Iris Confederation.
Although Urien and Veron were separated by the middle sea they were in close proximity to each other so they conducted a lot of trade. Fernandez liked to think that he was a part of this 'beautiful monetary exchange' but instead of grain and wine which Urien produces a lot of he was simply selling firearms.
"Quite humorous are we?"
"It's practically a part of my brand but why don't we focus on the business? I got the money"
"Haha! Then I've got your stuff"
Fernandez kicked towards Amon a large briefcase that produced a lot of metallic sounds similarly Amon threw a pouch filled with noble vin coins that Fernadez skilfully caught.
"That's only half of the agreed amount"
"And you gave me guns without any ammo"
They smiled at each other acknowledging that they both knew how to conduct this type of business however the atmosphere quickly changed.
"I must say Mr. Angel, you made me laugh a bit but why don't you give me my money now?"
"Oh? Then I will figure out how to shoot with air? Give me my ammo then you will get your money"
Fernandez turned impatient and clicked his tongue which must have been some sort of signal since his companions suddenly pulled their guns and aimed at Amon.
"I have not heard about any Angels the last time I visited Veron so either I turned deaf or you are just some runner ups without any background whatsoever. What say… would stop me from taking money from your dead corpse?"
Amon rolled his eyes as if annoyed and reached for something inside of his pocket. Fernadez thought that he finally understood the situation he was in and decided to give in but instead he… checked the time?
Fernadez wanted to ask whether he was crazy or dumb but found himself unable to do so. He suddenly started to shake and he felt an overwhelming cold spreading from his heart to the rest of the body.
What he experienced was an extreme state of fear.
Confusion was written all over his face since he failed to understand why he felt like running yet couldn't. He barely glanced at his companions and was terrified to see that they were similarly acting like stone statues.
His brain worked in overdrive trying to figure out what was going on and his fear deepened when he recalled that when he was in Iris he did offend a mage. He remembered now that the mage when angered caused him to feel slightly off. It was more like a feeling, an instinct that he shouldn't mess with him.
Thankfully at the time he managed to salvage the situation and reconciled with the mage. He learned from him over some alcohol or rather the mage informed him of a fact that:
"Weak fear the strong. It is a matter of pure instinct"
Fernandez almost shit himself when comparing two experiences. In one case he felt slightly off and now he couldn't even breathe properly. What sort of terrifying being could cause such a feeling? What terrifying monster could achieve something like this?
***
Arthur was sitting alone in a carriage. The door was open so he had a full view of the warehouse Amon was in.
He was swinging his legs and humming a song. Something about happy kittens? Probably even children would find that song too childish but Arthur seemed to be really enjoying himself.
At some point he checked his pocket watch and almost fell off the carriage when he noticed that only a few seconds remained until the time Amon and he agreed upon.
His expression was full of determination and the watch was practically glued to his face. He was holding it with both of his hands and a large drop of sweat formed on his forehead.
The time seemed to slow down with each tick of the watch. The drop of sweat fell yet stopped mid air. A terrifying amount of spirituality left his body with the next tick. Everything completely froze with another tick. With the next tick however everything returned to normal.
The drop of sweat fell to the ground and Amon could be seen exiting the warehouse. He was holding two large briefcases.