Chapter 35: Another Black Market Merchant, Sharan

Hendon Myre, the City of Freedom, was once a barren desert. It was the great mage Myre who used a powerful magic circle to transform the environment, giving birth to this bustling metropolis. Because the great mage Myre himself favored the color white, the architectural style of Hendon Myre remains predominantly white to this day.

The golden city of Withar, the City of Freedom of Hendon Myre, the martial arts capital of Shonan, and the mysterious Underfoot are the four most famous capitals on this continent. As for the Bandits' Frost Haven, the climate there is brutal; not only are there blizzards that last for half a month at a time, but there is also the mysterious Ice Dragon Skasa. Aside from the occasional adventurer or merchant with specific needs, practically no one is willing to venture there.

"Siya, we are about to enter the city. Will your identity be an issue?"

Siya was a victim of the transfer experiments and is now a wanted criminal of the Empire. Moreover, Hendon Myre has recently had its "defensive strength increased" by the De Los Empire...

"It's fine. I have a travel permit. The Empire doesn't have many troops in Hendon Myre, so they aren't at the point of cross-referencing every single person."

"Leave it to me." Linnus, having slept for most of the day, finally woke up. He took the reins from Yelin and signaled for him to sit to the side.

"Siya's arrest warrant is little known in Hendon Myre. What does a warrant from the De Los Empire have to do with Bel Myre? As long as she doesn't go flaunting herself in front of those officers, there won't be any trouble."

"Those imperial dogs! Back then, the Empire sent the Purple Mist group to investigate the Screaming Cavern recklessly, which caused the evil aura to surge and attracted Aganzo and Roxy, who happened to be passing by. Just thinking about that tragedy makes my blood boil! Damn it!"

Giddy up!

Linnus flicked the reins, and the carriage dashed toward Hendon Myre. Unsurprisingly, they were stopped upon entry.

"Here are my travel and business permits. Hurry it up, I'm in a rush."

Linnus looked impatient, a cigarette dangling from his lip as he tossed the documents at a De Los Empire soldier.

The soldiers exchanged glances, each seeing a bitter smile in the other's eyes. Well, another big shot, no doubt. Just go through the motions.

As the City of Freedom, Hendon Myre attracts countless powerful individuals. A random man on the side of the road might well be a professional combatant. The soldiers themselves were miserable; heaven knows how many powerhouses were hidden in Hendon Myre. After occupying Bel Myre, the Empire found itself paralyzed, completely unable to bring Hendon Myre under strict centralized control.

How could they control it?

Some blind old man in the back alleys could cleave a hundred-foot rift with a single sword stroke; a certain arms dealer and well-known wealthy resident on Central Avenue hid countless firearms in his home; a certain bald middle-aged man was the head of the Suju Martial Arts Association; and the headquarters of the priests, most beloved by the people, was also here... Make them listen to the Empire?

Just a few days ago, an imperial officer broke his equipment at the shop of a certain wealthy resident. In a fit of rage, he led troops to surround the reinforcement shop, only to be sent crying for their mothers by a barrage of landmines and robots. The owner was from Empyrean and only cared about making money—he couldn't care less about the Empire...

"Hiss, Linnus! It's actually Linnus!"

The soldier's hand trembled as he quickly returned the permits and respectfully cleared the way.

He was a close friend of the Sword Saint Aganzo, a master blacksmith, and a formidable swordsman in his own right. However, due to the Ghost Hand incident, word was that he had been holed up in Elvenguard all this time.

After the carriage passed, the imperial soldiers gathered to gossip.

"Brother, was it necessary to be so respectful to Linnus? Aren't we representing the Empire?"

One of them asked with a trace of dissatisfaction. He had joined the army because of the Empire's immense military strength and the sense of glory he felt deep down, hoping to achieve great things.

"You don't know a damn thing. Small fry like us are completely useless outside De Los Empire territory. This isn't the battlefield where we have a chance to earn military merit; we're just here to be insulted."

"When the Empire finally moves against Suju, that will be our chance."

***

"I came to Hendon Myre to see my old friend Shinda. After buying a few gifts, I'll head straight back to Frost Haven. By the way, Yelin, give me some of your desserts. The Bandit children rarely get to eat such things."

"Oh, sure."

Linnus drove the carriage away. Later, after borrowing some gold coins, Pinosia and Krahn also left, as they had their own places to return to.

Mael, clutching her rice cake, was persuaded by Tana to stay. Since they had to settle down in Hendon Myre anyway, they might as well go to the Moonlight Tavern together to find the local power broker, Seria.

The Moonlight Tavern is the most famous tavern in Hendon Myre. Its fame is purely due to something like an influencer effect: the owner, Seria, is the last of the Elves on the continent—at least, the last one in the public eye.

Over the years, many wealthy merchants and nobles have lusted after Seria. The title of "the last Elf" alone was enough to make corrupt nobles' eyes turn red with greed. However, because Seria’s own strength was unfathomable, and the connections the Moonlight Tavern brought her were intimidating—including the great adventurer Karakas, the Sword Saint Aganzo, and even ties to the street fighters in the back-alley slums—no one dared to cross her.

Although many people got drunk and fought in the Moonlight Tavern, no one ever dared to refuse to pay for the damages, and no one dared to lay a hand on Seria.

"Oh, welcome! Would you like a glass of delicious wine?"

Seria had received news of Seria and the others' arrival early on and had sent someone to meet them at the entrance of the back alley.

She wore a red gown, her golden hair swept up high, her face refined and graceful. Expensive ornaments hung from her pointed ears. Her bearing was elegant and noble compared to the naive Seria, and her figure was tall, exuding a mature charm.

"No thanks. I'd rather stand on the street and wait for my 'weakened' status to recover than buy your recovery wine!"

Yelin sounded righteous. Back when he failed to clear dungeons, this woman had taken full advantage of his misfortune.

"What recovery wine? Are you 'weak'?" Siya glared at him.

"Weak or not, you can find out tonight!"

"Shameless."

"You certainly know how to joke. My wine can't compare to the precious recovery items from the Lemidia Basilica."

Seria’s comment was pointed; it seemed she hadn't spent that time in Elvenguard without digging into his background.

"Come, sit inside. Tell me what you're looking for; I might be able to help."

Seria looked at the opulent decor of the Moonlight Tavern, her eyes sparkling as she looked around and touched the furniture. Compared to this, the inn she ran in Elvenguard could be considered downright shabby.

"The better it’s decorated, the more they have to pay for damages, isn't that right?"

Seria smiled faintly at Seria, causing several guests drinking nearby to shiver. Who wouldn't fear the black merchant who stood on par with Kiri in Hendon Myre?

Every few days, some drunkard or adventurer would get into a fight at the tavern. At those times, Seria would appear with a smile. Of course, she wasn't there to break up the fight; she was there to make things worse, intentionally placing wine glasses and chairs in the middle of the fray. The slightest ripple of combat would shatter them to pieces.

Then, everything followed logically: pay up!

Those without money were forced to work it off. In Hendon Myre, no one dared to disrespect Seria. She had formed an alliance with the street fighters of the slums, especially Parris. She provided items like throwing stars, blast bombs, and molotovs, while Parris took care of anyone who caused trouble.

The wine at the Moonlight Tavern was indeed top-tier, making it easy for people to overindulge. Seria and Kiri had become two of the most notorious and wealthy black merchants.

But now, Yelin turned his gaze to the wide-eyed, enthusiastic Seria. The third black merchant—and the strongest one—had arrived!