The baker teared up slightly feeling like there would soon be a change in the city for the better. She had been dressed as a man this whole time. Out of fear of being controlled by the second Vice-City Lord.
~~The City Lord's Palace~~
"The information we gathered from that bun shop. It seems to indicate there are three mansions in the City Lords Palace. The larger of the three is where the City Lord Lives. While the other two are where the Vice-City Lords live. It also seems to be the place where they raise their families." Fang Qing told me, since she was sorting through the information while I made myself look inconspicuous.
"I see, then we should take a look at those two places when we get the chance. The City Lord will probably have been moved to the smaller mansion so he isn't disturbed by the happenings of the City. Or by any guests. Let's try to find someone who is eager to find help. Perhaps they can give us more information on the situation…" I replied to Fang Qing while I walked through the streets, slowly making my way closer to the Center where the City Lord is.
As I inched closer the prices of goods seemed to lower. However, everything still looked like garbage. Hell I could make better artifacts with a snap of my fingers than these hunks of wasted materials.
"This really is a scam isn't it. They likely charge that price for the displayed items and then upcharge to a degree that would make anyone faint. Such scammers are here. But it seems like the situation gets less and less terrible the closer we get to the Palace. Perhaps there aren't any issues there?" I thought.
"This is likely the case. Either the Vice-City Lord is incompetent and thus doesn't care about it. Or the more likely option. He stays inside the Palace all the time. We won't know for sure yet. We need to keep investigating." Fang Qing said, relaxing now that her job was done.
I walked closer and closer. It was like I made circles around the city that grew ever smaller. This took a little time. But for some reason I never felt as though I should stop. The night life here was just the same as the day life. It was odd, until I turned the corner one time.
"No! No! I don't want this. No!" A woman cried out. She was even ripping her clothes to try and get away.
"Whether you want to or not doesn't matter! You are suspected of committing fraud! And must be brought to the City Lord for… interrogation and just punishment! As a city guard I am tasked with this. Do you dare to disobey?" One of the many guards said with a wryly smile.
The term 'Guard' here was not the term I would have chosen. More like a slightly better dressed 'Alley Thug'. I say slightly because the gear they wore was clearly trash to anybody who could tell. But to those who lacked experience with actually well… Useable Artifacts, this was clear as day. The armor could last for about 5 hits from the same level of gear. And the Weapons might as well be hot trash ranging from 1 to 3 uses against on level gear.
"Hey, I'm curious. What was the crime you say this woman committed?" I said, walking up calm and collected.
Though Fang Qing could sense the Dragon swirling in fury. It wasn't like we didn't just see the after effects of what happens to defenseless people. That combined with the total lack of proper cultivation of these so called 'guards', she didn't try to stop me. Instead she opted for a 'wait and see' approach. After all, it wasn't like these scumbags were going to be left alive anyways.
"Eh… What does this little boy want? You want to suckle your mommas tit or something. Get lost." A 'guard' said, with a typical bandit-like demeanor.
"You are required to state the crime are you not? Or are not city guards. If I'm not mistaken this City falls under the territory of a powerful sect. They are the ones who make the rules. So tell me will you go against them?" I said, continuing to walk forward.
"Yeah that's right! A guard is required to state the nature of the crime upon arrest! The kid is right!" A bystander said, getting in on the action now that some very clear information has been stated.
I sighed at this, he didn't get involved earlier before and now hides behind a little boy he doesn't know. Probably a man that was placed there by somebody, hopefully. Otherwise… Well… He would be a new level of pathetic.
"The City has no such law under the…" The idiot guard said.
"This woman is charged with fraudulent merchandise. She is selling Saint King level artifacts that couldn't possibly work." The smarter guard said, realizing the situation. Seems one of these idiots has a little brain matter after all.
"Oh. Then you mind me testing them out. Though what will you do if I find them to be acceptable? Unlike the shit you have that you call equipment." I said, with my brow raised.
"You!" The idiot guard said, his face becoming like a ripe tomato.
"Then take a look at this artifact we confiscated from her." The smart guard said, handing me an artifact that was clearly not a part of the woman's handy work.
I took it and inspected it. "Yeah this is a piece of trash." I said, simply tossing it to the side. "Though, I'm not stupid enough to let you pass the same shotty equipment that you're wearing as made by her." I added.
"You! That was made by this woman!" The smart guard yelled. Seems like he isn't as smart as I thought then becoming like this.
"Miss, go grab a saint level spear from your shop. Any will do." I said.
The woman did so quickly knowing that this was the only thing that would save her from tyranny. "Why is it that I feel so calm in his presence? It's as if he is an incarnation against bad guys. I hope I can get his name later." She thought, rummaging around for the spear I asked for.