"Well, if it's my favorite criminal," said Nierosh, his large tail swishing lazily from side to side. "Karno favors me on this day. I hoped to see you on my way to the Tower Stands, and here you are."
Adam wanted badly to make a snarky quip about the lizardkin's interest in him but barely managed to restrain himself.
"Cleric Nierosh, what a surprise," Adam said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Always a pleasure. To what do I owe the honor?"
Nierosh narrowed his vertical-slit eyes, studying Adam with a gaze that felt more like a snake sizing up its prey. "I merely wished to congratulate you. I've heard how successful your little… business has become. You must've become quite flush with gold recently."
If Adam had only reincarnated in Askar instead of enduring its pervasive corruption for over a year, he would likely be angry. Instead, he only felt a familiar sense of frustration and yearning to become powerful enough that nobody would dare harass him like this again.
"You flatter me, but business is not quite as good as you might think," Adam lied, feigning embarrassment as he rubbed his neck awkwardly. "However, I do think I can spare a small donation for the great temple of Karno. You all do so much for this city, that I think it's only fair. How does… six silver sound?"
Adam didn't want to allow his bribes to increase in price just because he was making more than he used to. Nierosh was greedy, frequently using his authority to threaten anyone he could get away with extorting. Given that only the military and the Great Houses could rival the Temple of Karno in power, Nierosh had a long list of potential victims.
Adam mentally made sure to prepare to haggle as much as he possibly could, which was why he was taken back when Nierosh only sneered at him and extended his scaly hand.
"Very well. Six silver it is," said Nierosh, voice thick with impatience.
"Oh? Is there something big happening today?" Adam asked as he carefully retrieved six silver coins from his pouch and handed it over to the lizardkin. Knowing the value of information, he pulled out an extra silver and waved it suggestively toward Nierosh.
"The Temple is gathering in the palace," said Nierosh, only hesitating for a single moment before greedily grabbing the silver. "The reasons are none of your concern, Criminal, so don't bother asking."
Whatever. It's got nothing to do with me. So long as this means that I don't need to worry about running into any more of the bastards, I'll just count my blessings.
Seemingly in a hurry, Nierosh turned without another word and began walking.
Adam waited until the lizard was out of sight before continuing on his way, a stride in his step.
His clients weren't exactly the patient type and he didn't want to get on their bad side.
It took a few minutes of walking, but Adam eventually reached the towering walls that separated the Inner Circle of Askar from the rest of the city.
As he approached the armored guards, Adam reached into his pouch and retrieved a sun-shaped silver emblem that would grant him free access to the Inner Circle, a gift from one of his previous clients.
The guards glanced at the emblem before lazily waving him through.
The Inner City was an oasis of opulence and serenity. Streets paved with polished white stones gleamed under the sun, flanked by lush gardens and opulent manors. The atmosphere was much quieter, making Adam feel as though he had stepped into an entirely different world.
The buildings were constructed from polished stone and gleaming marble, unlike more modest clay and adobe buildings in the outer districts. Many of the residences even had gardens with exotic magical plants, expensive fountains, or other luxurious displays meant to show their wealth and power.
Personally, Adam felt that the upper class of Askar being comfortable enough to flaunt their wealth said enough about the influence they held in the city. After all, you had to feel pretty secure to build a fountain in the middle of a desert.
Adam noticed the crowd becoming significantly less diverse the further he walked Soon, he became the only human walking along a street with nothing but lizard kin and the occasional snake-like naga.
Thankfully, Adam had begun to cultivate something of a reputation since he began his business, so fewer people were looking at him strangely than when he first started.
It didn't take long before he arrived at his destination, one of the larger manors in the district. A grand entrance flanked by two intricate carved stone pillars led to a courtyard filled with lush greenery and a beautiful fountain out of place in a desert city. The manor itself was a sprawling, multi-tiered structure with elegantly arched windows and balconies that offered a view of the well-manicured gardens below.
As Adam approached the entrance, his [Magic Perception] allowed him to sense the potent wards surrounding the building, the outermost layer designed to alert the inhabitants of any guests. A lizard kin guard with dark red scales and finely crafted armor stood watch at the entrance. As Adam approached, the guard raised a hand and gestured for him to halt.
"State your business, human," the guard demanded, his voice cold and authoritative.