The flow of time seemed to slow down inside Lian's cozy home. Compared to the busy marketplace we were able to relax a bit, but now it's time to check out the relics that were here for.
Lian opened a locked wooden door hidden behind furniture. I sensed a huge amount of essence downstairs behind that door—it's odd that either me or Dominic haven't sensed it earlier. Elvrett was nonchalant as always—he was already aware of the room's existence. It's an impressive concealment.
As we go down the room, I was met with shelves of relics. They were stored like mundane products sold at the marketplace unlike your average relic shop where the relics are stored behind a glass protected by dangerous spells. This was no normal relics too, Simon's keen sensory of most forms of essence allowed me to observe the unique but minute properties.
"Welcome, my friends." Lian turned back at us "The relics here aren't protected but please do not touch anything yet."
Lian closed the door of the room. The oozing mana was contained again. After that I stared at the relics once again.
"Tell me what relics caught your eye. I'll gladly wait." Lian said while sitting in a chair of a desk in the corner.
"Young master, here." He stretched his hand to me.
"That's..."
"An arcane monocle. Lady Hannes ordered me to hand this to you once you have found a relic you're interested in." He told me while handing the monocle he was holding.
This monocle is used to identify items imbued with magic. Each relic has a unique names and descriptions carved using mana; that's the reason why even a low rank relic costs dozens of gold already.
I wore the monocle and stared at the eye catching artifacts. As expected, these monocle was a custom one forged just for Simon. It perfectly adjusts to my mana capacity. Forged from Drostern Ore, perhaps?
Dominic and Elvrett helped me choosing relics that they thought would fit me. We bickered in choosing the ones that was worth it. In the end, we unanimously decided on two relics.
[Gloves of Caine] and [Lady Staria's Left Bracelet].
"These relics... I commend your eyes. They're sure worth the gold." Lian applauded ignoring our little cat fights earlier.
"Thanks, I really think your shop is exceptional." I smiled in response.
I was satisfied with my choice. The relics I chose... those would be in the hands of powerful antagonists later on. I have no idea why they're openly lying in here but regardless taking these would also benefit me.
I unconsciously grinned which weirded out those besides me.
"Uh, sorry I'll-"
Thud!
'Huh?'
My body—it was shaking uncontrollably. Something was doing this to me! My whole body is numb. I sensed the thing that was controlling me...
I looked left, behind Elvrett's figure, a shelf containing the unknown power that seem to only target me.
The others were confused by my actions as I continued approaching the shelf and took the item.
The pressure was mysteriously reduced and I put the relic on the desk. Though, I still feel uneasy about the relic despite the pressure being lifted.
"How much?" I asked in a monotone voice.
Lian was also perplexed by my actions being out of nowhere.
Dominic quickly analyzed the relic in question.
[Jiménes], a mask that conceals most of the user's mana. Elvrett tried the mask for himself—it also seems to conceal the wearers presence. If that's the relic's function, then why did it made me so scared earlier.
I questioned its cost to Lian again. Then he spoke "I'll give you a discount for that, half the price."
"Huh, why?"
"Well, I've seen your eyes when you took interest in the mask." He smiled at me "It gave me a feeling that there's an ulterior motive on why you'll want this."
After we paid the relics, Dominic took out a cube and stored the them there. The cube had magical storing properties.
I could equip one of the artifacts right now but I chose not to do so. With my current mana capacity, I could only handle one relic at a time without overclocking.
Although, I couldn't help but feel anxious about that mask. My instincts tells me that it has more to it besides concealment—I tried to brush it off for the time being.
After that, we said our goodbyes to both Ren and Lian. We had relaxing time in there and so we headed to the marketplace to continue shopping what I need.
...
"Dad?" Ren called for his father.
"What is it, Ren?" Lian replied.
"You didn't have to lower the price of that mask." He complained about Lian's offer to Simon.
"Well..." Lian hesitated.
'That mask, I never had anything like that.'
The relic in question wasn't owned by Lian. It's not possible that someone would've snuck it there as he would immediately noticed it. That mask... seemed to appear when Simon and his companions entered the room.
"Let it go, Ren. I'll treat you some pasta for dinner if you do." He offered as a compensation.
"Um.. fine." Ren acted like he will refuse the offer hiding his excitement for his favorite dish.
...
We spent the rest of the afternoon the massive marketplace of the port. We checked out unique stalls and tried foods while we're at it. Dominic initially hesitated but I just ordered him to enjoy with us. Elvrett helped me convinced him too.
It was now evening and we're walking back to the inn after going to the food district. I was so stuffed earlier that I stored the leftover pie in the storage box. There are still many people in the marketplace as well. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but notice something.
"Hey..." I spoke silently just enough so Elvrett and Dominic would hear.
"Yeah, I'm noticing it too." Elvrett said before looking at Dominic who just nodded.
'The unusual amount of thieves earlier.. they're moving now.'
"I think we should-"
Boom!
Before I could even stand. An explosion from a nearby building happened, I quickly went to a good distance to witness what's happening. The two quickly followed.
I quickly analyzed what's happening. The explosion was from a premium relic store near the seaside. There were hooded figures entering the building—dozens of them. There were people running and some injured due to getting caught up with the explosion.
"Should we—" before Dominic finished his sentence, Elvrett rushed in the building.
I flinched at Elvrett's quick reaction but I told my butler "Let's follow him."
We ran to the building as fast as possible. However, several explosions happened suddenly in the area. All explosion was caused by one thing, a spell.
"Help us!" A woman near the area shouted while holding an injured person. The place was in chaos as many infrastructure collapse due to explosions and people being caught up resulting in injuries.
There were many people crying for help. My body couldn't help all of them so the only thing I could do is...
'Find the people that caused this!'
"Elvrett, can you detect them?" I asked Elvrett who was in front of me.
"Eighteen. Seventeen are inside the relic shop while the last one is hiding at a distance."
That one guy outside must be the one that caused this, he'll not be walking anymore once I find him.
"I'll go inside." Elvrett said after pausing "How about you two?"
"I'll find the guy outside." I answered.
"Then, I'll stay with the young master—"
"No, go with Elvrett." I interrupted Dominic's response.
"Young master, my duty is to ensure your safety. I ought to be with you during times like this!" He rejected my demand.
I would like to have Dominic with me for the worst-case scenario—however, I do not trust that Elvrett could handle all the enemies inside at this point of the story. I could not let him go on his own.
"It's an order!" I angrily responded.
I have no knowledge about this event, that's why I could not mess this up. I was able to sense other the mana of the enemies inside—they we're strong, I wouldn't dream to face even one with my current abilities. Elvrett couldn't die in this place, not right now!
"Young master, the person your going after would most likely be a mage hence you couldn't handle it your own!" He argued "Your first gate of awakening haven't even awakened yet." He continued.
How do I convince this guy!? Does he have a response for all of my arguments?
I became silent for a second but after that, I converted essence into a malicious aura.
"How dare you doubt my competence!? Do you believe that I, Simon Hannes, couldn't take down a mere thief!?" Speaking those words, I released the aura that I accumulated.
"No..."
Before I could even react, Dominic released his own essence. It's so strong—even Elvrett was affected in the distance. The monstrous pressure easily outweighs mine. However, I mustn't falter.
"I.. won't..." I managed to speak while struggling "Break my limbs but my decision won't change!"
I tried to fight back by consuming more mana yet it's still the same. Dominic is simply on another league.
Before my body was about to give in, the pressure that was gone. Dominic stopped releasing his aura—he then sighed. He refused to drag out the conflict more when the problem needs urgent response.
We stared at each other for a moment. Both of us refused to speak.
"Let's get going." Elvrett broke the silence tapping Dominic's shoulder—he then nodded at me.
I stared at Dominic again. I nodded at him and he did the same before they ran inside.
I sighed in relief.
"Now, should we get going?"
The hunt for the people that started this mess have begun.