Elysar descended from his horse, a picture of grace amidst the surrounding chaos. His polished boots, reflecting the scant light around, met the dust-laden ground with a soft thud. His gaze flicked over to Garrick, his trusted bodyguard and a knight of a formidable presence. Garrick, having seen more battles than he cared to remember, was an imposing presence, even in this lawless part of the city.
Garrick returned Elysar's nod, his understanding clear. He was not there to question or advise; his duty was singular - to protect his lord. His entire being was honed for this purpose, to shield Elysar from any harm that might dare approach. With a commanding gesture, he signaled the remaining knights on horseback. Their task was as clear as his own: ensure Elysar's safety at all costs.
As Elysar moved, Garrick moved in tandem, his eyes scanning their surroundings with hawk-like vigilance. Elysar's every step was echoed by the equally measured stride of Garrick.
The building they approached was inconspicuous, just another hovel amid the rest. Yet, the single, unassuming door served as the gateway to the hidden, darker underbelly of the city. Elysar gave a pre-arranged knock, a rhythmic pattern that was answered almost immediately.
The door creaked open to reveal a slim figure, his eyes darting to Elysar then to Garrick, and finally, resting back on Elysar. His name was Kael, a wiry man known in the underworld for his extensive connections and resources. He had an uncanny ability to procure things, especially those items that were hard to come by.
The sight of Elysar stepping into the dimly lit space was enough to make Kael's jaw drop. He knew rumors of the noble's reclusive nature, tales of a man who preferred the solitude of his room over the company of the world. He also knew his personality as they conversed through secret letters many times in the past. To see him here, in the heart of the Outer Ring, was a sight Kael had never expected to witness. His eyes widened in stunned surprise, the realization that the high-ranking noble had personally ventured into the ghettos rendering him momentarily speechless.
But, Kael's initial surprise at seeing Elysar soon stopped and gave way to a smirk, "Well, well, if it isn't the illustrious Lord Elysar himself. To what do we owe this honor? Has the nobleman lost his way, or has he perhaps come to sample the delights of the Outer Ring?"
Despite the casual tone, there was newfound respect in his gaze. After all, it was not every day that a high-ranking noble graced his doorstep. Even if they conversed through letters for a long time, Kael was internally very apprehensive of Elysar's mountainous background.
Elysar, not one to engage in petty banter, cut to the chase, "I hear you've procured a newfound cognitive booster of some interest, Kael. I've come to see it for myself.", Elysar said, his voice cutting right to the chase. His personality still had to match the old Elysar's in front of outsiders.
Kael's smirk widened, "Straight to business, I see. That's what I like about you, Lord Elysar. No time for small talk." He turned around, gesturing for them to follow. "Right this way, my lord."
Elysar, with Garrick at his side, followed Kael deeper into the building. As they ventured further, the atmosphere shifted. The cluttered chaos of the entrance gave way to an unexpectedly orderly interior.
Shelves upon shelves filled with various illegally-procured magical substances, artifacts, pieces of art, and scrolls lined the stone walls, illuminated by the dim glow of enchanted lanterns. The air was heavy with the scent of herbs, dust, and something else - a distinct metallic tang that hinted at the presence of potent magic. It was clear that despite its humble exterior, this was the lair of someone deeply involved in the darker aspects of magical trade.
Kael led them through a labyrinth of corridors until they arrived at a sturdy oak door. He reached into his pocket, withdrawing an intricate key that he inserted into the lock. The door creaked open, revealing a room bathed in a soft blue glow.
"Please, have a seat...", Kael gestured towards two ornate chairs situated around a low table. On the table sat an unassuming wooden box.
Elysar took a seat, his demeanor calm and collected, while Garrick remained standing, his vigilant gaze never leaving his lord. Kael carefully lifted the lid of the box, revealing a single, shimmering vial containing a luminescent liquid.
"Here it is, Lord Elysar, the cognitive booster you requested," Kael announced, presenting the vial with a flourish. "The brew is the result of an intensive magical process, utilizing rare ingredients. It's not easy to come by, but I understand its capabilities are... impressive."
Elysar's gaze was fixed on the vial, the liquid inside glowing brightly in the dimly lit room. His mind was already spinning with the potential applications of the drug. This, he thought, could be a game-changer. The beginning of his plans. The start of a new era for the Dreamroot Empire. And he, Elysar Valthoren, would be at the helm.
"Good," he said, his voice steady and commanding, "I'll take it." His icy gaze locked onto Kael, leaving no room for negotiation. "And Kael, ensure that no one else knows about this transaction.", Kael nodded, "Of course, Lord Elysar. Discretion is a part of our service."
And after a while, Kael watched in silence as Elysar rose from his seat, the deal sealed, gold coins given, and future shipments agreed upon. Elysar turned, his cloak billowing around him, and made his way out of the room with Garrick at his side. They navigated the maze of corridors once more until they stepped out into the harsh light of the Outer Ring, leaving the shadowy underworld behind.
Elysar swung himself onto his horse with practiced ease, the cognitive booster safely tucked away in his pouch. Garrick followed suit, his gaze never leaving Elysar. With a brief nod to his bodyguard, Elysar led the way out of the narrow lanes and into the wider streets of the slums. Garrick signaled to the other bodyguards and they all followed suit without question.
'I'm first time here. If sons of luck were to be found everywhere, maybe it is here...', Elysar thought as he rode through the squalid streets, his gaze swept over the teeming, vary, and a bit hostile populace. He noticed that there was a huge number of children in these slums, 'It's true no matter which world... Poor people always have more children...', These were the people most desperate for change, and he knew from his past life, the harsher treatment someone got, the more loved and gifted he was by fate. It was as the fate tested them in that way too. It was proven through hundreds of different web novels in his past life that they were truly worthy of being given such great gifts and responsibilities. On the other hand, villains like him were often given everything from the start, making them foolish and arrogant, without any blessings from fate, and always easy prey for various protagonists.
Elysar slowed his horse to a walk, his eyes keenly observing the people around him, 'I'm not going anywhere until I scan as much as possible with my Fate's Gaze, I feel like with this body I could last for days, and the same is true for my bodyguards... But even if I find nothing in the end, with this drug, I feel like I would get the ability to remember in detail many different types of protagonist templates from my past life's web novel reading experiences and then send my mother merchant's intelligence department to search for them around the whole world. Then I would just pick them up, instead of searching aimlessly like this throughout the whole world every day...', Elysar decided on his next steps and continued.