Chapter 10 - Squatter, Identified as Homeless Florida Man, Mistook Government Parliament for Abandoned Mansion
The deal was concluded. In the end, Felix haggled with Bill and managed to increase the price tag to 3,000 gold coins. Bill Turo received two handguns from Felix in exchange for 3,000 gold coins. As for the cloth crate, Bill paid Felix a silver coin.
After Felix had left, Bill returned to his chamber and let out a long sigh of relief. His bedroom was even more extravagant than the meeting room, featuring a king-sized bed, gold furniture, gemstone-encrusted walls, a carpet made of gold coins, and two human toilets, where two beautiful female retainers spread their legs and waited for their master to use them.
"Fuck! For a moment there, I thought he was an inquisitor from the Royal Family!" Bill complained.
Bill Turo stripped off his clothes and tossed them into a nearby trash bin. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he thought about the earlier reports from the front gate guards. The captain of the south gate had reported Felix's arrival, but Bill hadn't expected him to show up at his guild.
Involved in shady businesses in Aero Academy City, Bill was always wary of inquisitors and inspectors from the Royal Family and the local Dukedom. Fortunately, Felix didn't seem to be one of them. Not only was Felix not a threat, but he also sold Bill two rare artifacts. As a merchant, Bill pondered how useful these would be for his noble family.
"I should keep one for myself. As for the other, I'll give it to Father. No, I can even exchange this with Father's troops! I can finally get rid of Lundop House for good and get my pretty 'Valley' as a new toilet! Hehehehehe!"
Bill's manhood was erected as he thought of the granddaughter of his father's rival.
.
.
Meanwhile, Felix was in a good mood. He stored the gold coin bags in his inventory. As he left the building, Bill's bodyguards and the greeting girls deeply bowed to show their respect, confusing the bystanders.
With enough funds, Felix looked at the sky. The sun had already set, and night enveloped the city. Some townspeople still wandered the busy streets, carrying torches, lamps, or candlelights. Various light sources illuminated the houses, leaking orange light through the windows.
Felix frowned and scratched his head, realizing he had forgotten to ask Bill an important question.
"I forgot to ask him where the local motels are." Turning to his assistant, Felix asked, "Jessica, have you seen any inns or motels since we arrived?"
"I don't care. Where is the 42nd alley again?"
*DING*
Jessica's screen transformed into a map, showing the area Felix had visited. Most of the map was still shrouded in gray fog, but it revealed the entire southern road and the deserted cabin in the purple mist forest.
Fortunately, the city map displayed points of interest, such as shops and service centers. It wasn't difficult to locate the tavern and navigate his way there.
After walking for 10 minutes down the southern main road, Felix reached the red-light district, also known as the 42nd alley. Unlike the main street, this road was narrow and dirty, littered with discarded rotten food and random trash, such as dirty rags, broken clay pots, human feces, and mud water. The smell of wet trash, thick perfume, body odor, and moldy clothes made Felix turn his head away.
"Oh. My. Alligator. I just can't..."
Felix turned around. This street was a no-go, as the local hygiene standards were not up to his liking. Frustrated, he spat profanity.
"I thought I was a dirty son of a beach at home. But god damn! DAMN!"
Shaking his head, Felix looked at the floating map, searching for another place to stay. However, none of them provided daily rental services.
Without a choice, Felix came up with a plan. He rushed to an empty alley and changed his clothes back to his modern t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Then, he marched along the main road, heading to the inner city's gate.
Arriving at the inner city gate, Felix encountered a sealed portcullis, which blocked the entrance. Behind the barricade was a platoon of knights in red gowns, giving Felix death glares.
Felix stood in front of the portcullis and waved his hands at the knights.
"Hello? Can you open this gate? I was on an errand and I need to go back inside." Felix came up with a random lie.
The knights sized up Felix and looked at each other. One of them was confused.
"Is he a servant on an errand? His clothes are different. Which noble family is he from?"
Another knight shrugged as if he didn't care. "It's past curfew. Unless he has a permit, he can't enter. Tell him to wait for sunrise."
The previous knight snickered and passed the message. "You heard him! Wait for the sunrise, lad!"
Once again, Felix scratched his head in frustration. He fetched a gold coin from his inventory and showed it to the knights, doubling down on his story.
"Can you let me through just this once, please? My master will kill me if I don't return tonight!"
Noticing the gold coin, the knights grinned. They gestured to their friends on the walls to pull the lever, and the portcullis was raised enough for Felix to slip in.
"Get in before we change our mind!" ordered the knights.
"Thank you, sir!" Felix laughed and crawled inside. Upon crossing to the other side, he flicked the gold coin to the knight, who caught it and showed it to his colleagues. The others cheered and slapped Felix's back, showing their appreciation.
Felix wryly smiled and suppressed the urge to transform into a berserk shooter. He adjusted his clothes and proceeded into the inner city district.
.
.
Entering the inner district, Felix quickly understood why security was tighter. Half of the district was filled with massive mansions and large entertainment complexes. As for the other half, it belonged to a giant complex, which reeked the air of a medieval college. The roads were wider, smoother, and sturdier than those in the outer areas. Street lamps were brighter, and a squad of knights was stationed at every intersection.
Felix smacked his lips, understanding the reason behind the segregation.
"Man, is this the rich people's area? What is this place, Beverley Hill?"
Felix nodded in agreement. He looked at the mini-map while walking on the side road, searching for a hotel or a place to rent. Fortunately, he didn't need to wander long. A giant mansion next to the main road had a huge signboard that caught his interest.
[For Rent or For Sale]
"A mansion for sale? Here? How convenient! Do I have one of those Japanese anime MC's plot armor?" Felix muttered.
Inspecting closer, Felix noticed an ancient plate inscribed with faint gold letters. As he couldn't comprehend the local language, he asked Jessica for help.
"Do you see that plate over there by the fence? What does it say?"
Jessica switched her window screen back to her avatar. She floated toward the metal plate and deciphered the language.
Recalling the fruit vendor's testimony, Felix licked his lips.
"Didn't that lady mention something about this family being in decline? Are they moving out or something?"
"Meh, fine."
Since the signboard didn't mention a contact method or phone number, Felix couldn't figure out how to reach the mansion's owner. Thus, he tried opening the front gate.
*CLANK*
The iron fences and the main gates were so neglected that rust consumed half of the surface. By exerting a bit of force, the lock behind the main gate crumbled and fell to the ground.
The gate creaked open. Felix frowned, noticing the two iron bars he'd accidentally broken.
"That wasn't my fault," Felix muttered, closing the gate behind him.
As Felix entered the premises, he took in the scenery. No lights were on, and the overgrown trees and grass made the garden look like a small forest. Grasses and dried leaves covered the path as if nobody had maintained it for decades. The mansion ahead looked equally deserted.
Felix grinned, recalling a news story about the Florida government passing a bill to combat squatters and the Sheriff encouraging locals to shoot home invaders. He giggled and rubbed his hands in glee.
"Well, well, well. What a turn of events. Don't mind me if a wild Florida man suddenly decides to 'squat' your house."