Reaching Capital Jade and Valerie decided to split up to assess the area.
Valerie left her master and checked around the area for possible threats. She found them in every corner demons, Valok, Serpentine, and even decedents of Angles. Valerie didn't feel safe, unlike her strong master she is a lower-ranked. Strong but still not as strong as her Lord and master. She headed inside the alleyway and stood in the dark leaning on the wall.
Her peace was broken when a girl ran inside the alleyway, three men behind her. The girl stopped and looked back at them. Valerie looked at the scene in front of her in disgust. Harassing girls is a common occurrence outside her territory. She walked out getting both of their attention. The men smirked finding one more lady.
"Leave," Valerie ordered. The man barks out in laughter.
"Her, run away I will stop them. Find gaurds." The girl told her. Valerie shook her head and shielded the girl.
"Get her then." One of them screamed.
The man on the right dashed forward with his arm forward, Valerie pulled out her sword and cut his arm off before it could touch her. She kicked him away. She thought of killing him but didn't know if the girl could handle death. The man whimpers in pain clutching his arm. Another man pulled out a magic stone-throwing ice on her.
"Swords of Darkness," Valerie muttered and cut off his magic stone and his palm. She punched him causing him to go unconscious. The third one ran away.
Valerie glanced back finding the girl with a proud expression something she is used to. The girl doesn't look scared not even by seeing blood. Valerie wanted to blow off her stem but got tangled up with this kid who wasn't in her mind.
"You have remarkable swordsmanship. How about working with me? I will pay you a good amount." The girl offered. Valerie rolled her eyes.
"My master will be waiting for me. I should get going." Said, Valerie.
"I can pay you double than your master does."
"I work for no one except my master and lord. Funny that you think you can buy me."
"Loyal I see. I am Riona."
"Valerie."
Valerie left her alone. Riona groaned in disbelief, She was itching to fight but Valerie took her chance away. She is impressed but her plan is ruined. She couldn't even get to the place where Valerie belonged.
Meanwhile, Valerie in a hurry bumped into a boy causing him to fall. She wouldn't care but her master's voice reminded her again to be nice. Glancing down she found Rian who grumbled but stood up surprised.
"Oh, hey Valerie." Rian greeted her.
"What are you doing in the capital?" Valerie asked.
"Trying to find any of you. I have something important to tell Jade and Zebulon."
"Follow me then, boy. Be quick."
"You look tense."
"Later boy," Valerie grumbled. She never liked people talking too much. Without waiting for him she walked in the direction of finding her master.
I will never get used to these people, she thought to herself.
...
Jade strolled around the area of the tournament checking the area and enjoying her time. While walking she accidentally bumped into a nobleman knocking him on the ground. Jade offered him a hand and muttered a quick apology. The man ignored up and stood up embarrassed after getting knocked by the young girl. People around them laughed at him.
"Watch where are you going, girl." He orders her noticing she isn't noble or one of the powerful sect members.
Jade nods and tries to walk around him only to get stopped by him. Jade pause.
"Do you know how expensive these clothes are? You ruined them, commoner." He taunted her.
"You look rich but another pair." Jade shot him a look not liking his behavior. The man glared at her.
"Watch your mouth. I can ruin you."
"Good luck."
Before the fight increases further a boy older than Jade approaches them. Unlike the noble, he has horns on his head while his clothing is finer than the man who stopped the Jade. Jade instantly noticed it, a demon.
"Leave her, I will pay you." said the demon. He handed him money.
"She is the one who did it, why are you paying." the man protested.
"Take it." The demon's demeanor changed. The man gave up and left Jade alone.
Jade rolled her eyes. The demon smiled at Jade and offered her his hand. Jade shook it bored.
"Damian of Demonic sect." He said.
"Jade, I am new here." She replied.
"Then let me show you around."
"It's fine, I am not alone."
"Then I can show both of you around here."
Jade wouldn't mind but inspection will be a bit difficult. She sensed another presence instantly knowing who the person was. A muscular arm rested on her shoulders and a body pressed on her side. Zebulon grins at her.
"Hello there love." He greeted her. Jade narrowed her eyes at him.
"Where did you come from?" She questions.
"I was passing by and saw you. A nice way to start the day."
"Seems like you both know each other." Damian cut them off feeling left out.
"Yes, now if you excuse us. I will show her around." Zebulon said dragging Jade away. Jade didn't protest and followed him. Only he knows why she is in the capital she might find some clue. Once they are away Zebulon lets her go and takes her away to a place where they can get privacy. The tournament ground is empty so Zebulon took her inside. The royal guards bow to Zebulon and let them enter. Once they were alone Jade raised her eyebrows at him.
"Looks like you already found out," Zebulon said with a smirk.
"So you already know. Can you give me anything useful then?" Jade asked curiously.
"What will you give me in return?"
"Seriously we both have the same goal, can't you help me."
"Had you ever thought of becoming a future emperor's aide?" He question.
"No, never," Jade said without thinking twice.
Zebulon nods liking her answer. A funny plan formed in his head.
"I will tell you, meet me tomorrow at the tournament. The attack will be held at night most probably." Zebulon said.
"Fine by me. Where exactly?"
"I will find you just inside the competition."
"I will be going then."
"Wait, we both are inspecting the area. Let's do it together." He offered.
"Wouldn't it be easy to inspect alone?"
"I am a royal investigator and good at my job. Isn't it a good reason?"
"Plausible." Jade nods.
Zebulon and Jade inspected various areas finding nothing suspicious. Jade decided to leave but Zebulon stopped her offering food. Jade decided to join and buy some for Valerie. On the way, Jade and Zebulon found Valerie with Rian. Rian face lit up seeing Jade while Valerie stood beside her master. Jade noticed a bit of evil Spirit on Rian. She wasn't the only one to notice Zebulon noticed it too. He patted Rian shoulders and Jade couldn't sense it anymore.
"How are you doing?" Jade asked. Unlike last time he looks better and happier.
"I am good but guys." He lowered his voice. "I saw a masked man with Evil energy, he was there and it didn't feel good."
"You mean at the motel? What were you doing there?" Jade asked.
"I keep him there so he can watch and be useful," Zebulon answered.
"Don't worry I will be there," Jade reassured him.
"He seems more dangerous than the one you slayed."
"Then we need to get rid of him as soon as possible."
"You are right, But why buy kids? If he is strong."
"To use them as a vassals. He will turn them into monsters." Zebulon explained. Rian understood how serious the case was, if he raised monsters then he would attack other territories and his too. The adults are strong but kids will be manipulated easily.
"But kids won't be strong like adults." Rian pointed out.
"And there is one more reason, the kids can enter into the territory, and once they enter in they can possess adults forming a strong army." Said Jade. Zebulon nods liking how she catches things up like him.
"There is one more reason, there is illegal magic that causes fast development, he knows the way to turn kids into strong monsters," Zebulon added.
"Then we will meet on the day of the tournament." Rain concluded.
"Cut with this stuff. Let's eat." Zebulon said pointing at the stall.
Walking near the food stall, they eat with delight forgetting their problems for a while. After finishing the food Zebulon asked Jade.
"What will you do once you win the tournament?"
Jade looked at him confused. "I am not joining the tournament." She proclaimed.
"Sure."
Jade ignored him and came to regret it later.