Bleeding. I'm bleeding. I'm cold. The snowstorm howls as the snow clung into me soaking into my skin.
Before me stood the woman responsible for all my sufferings. Her face isn't visible yet heroic aura shines through the storm... Ridiculous.
"You never cared for all those lives you've taken."She spat "Pathetic fool!."
I fell silent.
"You, and your foolish pride. Blame me for all your misfortunes on me as that's all you know! Why should anyone mourn for you?"
I didn't fight back. I couldn't. And so I whispered hoarsely "Kill me.. then."
'End me along with my failures.' I failed to get these words out of my mouth.
Only the storm remained as she fell silent for a moment. Then-
Stab!
...
"Ughh" I quietly groaned.
In the Inn where we are staying. I saw Dominic, my butler, is reading something in the middle of the night.
"Young master, you should resting by now." He put down the book he's reading.
"So do you... I just couldn't sleep after waking up.." I replied while taking the book he was reading. I was still disoriented due to that dream earlier.
"Can't sleep? Having a nightmare, perhaps?"
"Not really, but you could say that."
It has been the third time I've been dreaming about the original Simon's past. I think he's been haunting me ever since I took over his body. I always wake up sweating with a little headache. Haunt me all you want but don't interrupt my sweet sleep!
"What is this?" I opened the book that Dominic was reading.
"It's a book about Rucefina's history." He replied while staring outside the window.
It feels odd to see Rucefina not crowded with people around the empire. It's nighttime so it makes sense.
"The abundance of relics also attracted thieves when it was founded. There seems to be a thieves guild that has been running since the foundation of the port." He talked while I read some key points of the book.
"Rucefina is one of the biggest ports in the empire so that's no surprise. The man I bumped into yesterday must be..."
"Indeed, young master. The symbol that he has on his robe was Rucefina Thieves Guild's."
"No wonder he was unsettling." I replied while handing him the book.
"He was, it's better to not make quick assumptions about strangers. Also, be cautious tomorrow. More people would come to the marketplace that would cause trouble for us." He advised me.
"Of course. Then, I'm going back to bed now."
I stared at the beds. Elvrett could be seen in the left bed drooling. We didn't woke him up, it seems.
I fell into sleep until morning.
Thirteen days before the banquet. Today will be a shopping trip to Rucefina's famous marketplace. Elvrett approached me immediately after he dressed up.
"Wake up sleepyhead! We. Are. Shopping!!" He tapped me cheerfully
I quickly dressed up some more comfortable clothes. I asked Dominic to bring me these since it would be a hassle to dressed all that fabulously in a crowded place. I also wore a robe for hiding my identity.
"Good morning, young master."
Dominic greeted me dressed more casually rather than his usual butler outfit. His attractive figures still stood out with common clothes.
I observed my appearance at the mirror. Simon's looks would make him every girls' dream—if it weren't for his irredeemable personality.
He definitely changed when he returned. Those dreams I'm having all had Simon's final moments before he died in the arms of the protagonist. He seemed to be more... cynical rather than the prideful guy he used to be. Just what have you experience during your absence in the story?
Brush it off. This is me now, as Simon Hannes, I would not dare repeat the atrocities you've done and as the author, it's my responsibility now to do my best for the best outcome of the story.
"Hey guys, are you done dressing up?" Elvrett appeared at the door.
"Let's go." I replied as I looked at Dominic who's about to ask me too.
...
As expected, the market was very busy. There seems to be many people that just arrived this morning. There are variety of shops with different products: meat, spices, dairy, clothing, premium delicacies, and so on. All of them are crowded with costumers ready to spend their money for whatever they're selling.
Among the busy people doing transaction. I noticed the unusual amount of hooded figures lurking in the shadows. Thieves, of course. More people means more opportunities for them. All those economics classes are coming back to me now.
Many things are happening at the same time. A merchant shouting, a thief getting arrested, a kid selling newspapers, drunkards blabbering nonsense, and so on.
"Now, should we find relics for you, Little Simon?"
"Yeah."
I'm also a little excited, to be honest. I hope I'm not that cringy while in battle.
"Don't worry! I know the best shop to find one!" He suddenly rushed to a certain direction.
"As always, you're still the guy I met years ago..." Dominic muttered staring at Elvrett then sighed.
We quickly followed. We somehow managed to not lose sight of him despite the amount of people in the area. His tall figure that seems to emit some aura that makes him stand out to the crowd.
While we follow Elvrett, I observed some suspicious people with robes. The same one I bumped into yesterday. I cannot do anything for now as I am trailing that relic nerd. Better watch out you suspicious fellas!
"Young master, I think I know where he's headed to."
"Really? Then-"
"Don't worry, he won't cause trouble. Where we're not headed to something shady." I was reassured by Dominic while still keeping up his pace.
As we ran to the place Elvrett is headed to, I passed through many areas of the market. Every shop seems to have costumers no matter how niche their product is. It goes until we went into more secluded areas. There were not as many businessmen or tourist in these places but the people who actually live here. The people at the bottom of the barrel. It's a sad sight to see but I really don't want to be in trouble right now and so I just ignored their existence for now.
Elvrett halted and suddenly got tensed. He looked around the surroundings and confirmed that we're the only ones around. Gladly, no one trailed us.
"We're here!" Elvrett stopped in a doorstep in front of him.
He knocked and the door slightly opened by someone.
"What do you need?" The person behind the door asked. The voice seems to be of a little boy.
"Hey Little Ren. It's me, Elvrett." He replied.
After that, the boy removed the door chain and opened the door. The kid behind the door seems to be around nine or ten years old.
"Good morning, big bro." The boy's voice softened after knowing the person knocking.
"Hey ya!" Elvrett smiled.
"Who are those?" The boy pointed at us. He seems to be concerned with us. Dominic and his sharp features and imposing air were no help.
"They're friends. Don't worry, I'll hit them if they cause trouble." Fortunately, Elvrett's grin reassured the boy's concern.
It seems that the boy was convinced by his words.
"Um, dad is upstairs. I'll tell him about your arrival." After that, the boy left us.
"Come in, guys." Elvrett gestured us to come in.
The boy was still concerned by our presence. It is a sudden visit so I understand.
A few moments later, we were welcomed by the boy's father. He told us to feel at home and served us green tea. What a nice guy, I almost forgot our business here.
"Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Lian and this is my son, Ren." He kindly introduced himself along with the boy beside him.
"My name is Simon, and this is Dominic." I bowed a little humbly introducing myself. I don't want to flaunt my status to a kind people like them, I'm not that shameless.
After observing me for a moment, he smiled recognizing something. "You're from the Hannes Family, I suppose?"
"Yes, second son of Count Hannes." I was slightly shocked by his reply. Nevertheless, my platinum hair makes it so obvious.
"I know your brother, young sir. He once saved me and my family's life." He responded with a warm smile. It seems that the experience has something deeper within it. I've decided not to pry.
Silvan is always mentioned by everyone but he's never around. How is he everywhere except the Hannes State? Nevermind.
"Oh, is that so? Then, you should tell that to my brother instead of me. He deserves it more than me." I was rather flustered. I'm not used to this interactions.
"You're right." As he chuckled "But now, let us focus on what you need. A relic that suits you, I assume? The relics I offer here is no ordinary so you'd be sure it is worth it."
"Uh, yes sir." I nodded in agreement.
"No need for formalities. Please feel at home. As for the relics, I'll bring you where I store them after you finish your tea."
We all enjoyed a little chat with each other. Ah, I'm very fond of these moments. I wish it was always like this. Who would've guessed this guy sell relics?
Simon relaxed for a while after being in this world. Unbeknownst to him, within the shelves of the storage room, something—or someone—waiting for him, ready to disturb the peace.