Dance with the Nightingale-Chapter 88 - 83: A Clue

[Lower City of Lueurre, the North-Western District, the Slums]

[Evening]

[Rayne’s POV]

Despite what happened today, the slums in Lueurre didn’t feel any different. And it was somewhat reasonable.

The people here were already used to fear of death.

Walking through the slums, with only a piece of paper in my hand, I wondered if the information Claire had given me was correct or not.

Cause till now, even after half an hour of searching, I hadn’t seen a single building that even resembled like a runesmithing lab, not to mention the constant pickpocketing attempts that kids here tried to do.

-Snap

With a flick of my wrist I swatted another kid’s hand that got too close to my pocket, before the figure walking behind me asked a question, "Are you sure we are on the correct path?"

’That’s what I am wondering.’, I thought, but of course I didn’t say that.

"We just have to take the next right, and then the left to get there.", I actually said.

"You said the said thing a few minutes ago!", Cana complained. "Let me see it.", she said, before she walked forward and took the paper out of my hand.

Why was Cana here you ask?

Well, being fortunate enough in both of my lives, I never had the reason to venture in a slum, so I thought it would be good to have someone with experience accompany me. And, Cana kind of volunteered to come with me, so I was like, ’Why not?’

-Sigh

Hearing Cana sigh, I looked back at her, only for her to flash a small smile as she said, "Looks like there are things you can’t do, Young Master.", mouthing the ,’Young Master.’, of course.

’Is me being not good slums that satisfying?’, I wondered, before asking, "So you know the way?"

"Yes, but look here first.", she said, pointing at the piece of paper which had a small map drawn in it. "You see this symbol here? It is used to indicate that these buildings are underground."

Quickly understanding what she was saying, I asked, "So we were running around in circles when the place we were looking for was underground."

"Yes, now follow me leader~.", she goaded as she walked ahead of me.

A few turns, and a few minutes later we found the exact location of the place we were looking for. Apparently, it was located in a corner of one of the many underground complexes.

"Really, you can’t underestimate a slum.", I thought out loud, as we walked towards the building.

Cana remained silent for a while, but then, she started explaining, "There are a lot of such places in slums. Most made underground because there is no space on ground level. But there are some hidden places too, those that do illegal businesses and want to remain hidden from normal public’s view."

Most of the illegal bases that I covered in the novel were underground...so the goddess made it a general rule of sorts I think...it kinda makes sense but...

"The public? Not the officials?", I questioned.

"Yes, there is no way that an underground complex is fully autonomous. Not the ones I saw till now were, some official or another is bound to know about them. And is keeping it under wraps for a fee."

"Hoh, that’s systematic.", I exclaimed, before shutting my mouth.

Cause we had reached the place.

And when Claire said it was rundown she wasn’t joking.

[Gabber’s Runesmithing Hub], read a wooden sign that had mosses growing all over it.

’The inside would be better.’, I hoped but just like always my hopes never came true.

It was just as messy as the board implied.

It was a single room shop, with scraps of metal thrown haphazardly over the floor, the tables and shelfs were filled with half-finished or cheap products. The air was stagnant with mosses growing over walls too, thanks to the humid underground air. And most importantly, the air reeked of liquor.

Looking at the cheap products displayed, I felt that Claire was playing with me.

I mean, how could someone with the ’experience I was looking for’ screw up a simple ’Cut’ enchantment.

With the intention of examining it closely, I picked up the piece of sword. But the moment I did, the whole room turned red and an alarm went off, closely followed by a flash of light and an explosion happening on the inside of the shop, that shook the already dilapidated building.

-Beep, beep, beep...!

-Flash…!

-BOOM!!

"Who!? Who is it?", I heard a voice low voice yelling, followed by the sound of footsteps and door opening.

It was then, that I finally saw the owner of the store.

He was thin but tall, around two meters. Having two pairs of eyes, three pairs of hands, with metallic bluish-black scales covering him from head to toe. Each of his hand sported four fingers with sharp almost metallic nails while his eyes were yellow, with black reptilian pupils.

’A C-rank…!’, I thought astounded, not having imagined that Claire would send me to a C-rank’s den.

Covering Cana with my body, I took out my sword and readied myself for receiving some form of aggression.

But instead of attacking as I expected him to, the reptilian C-rank’s eyes widened as he jumped back and uttered a name, I didn’t expect him to, "Wait! Wait! Wait! You are Travis’s men right!?", he cowered, completely frightened despite his size.

’What? Travis’s men! He knew Travis!? And he doesn’t know he is dead? Is he in hiding?’, several thoughts ran through my head as I heard the name.

"Wait! Don’t kill me! Let me speak!", he trembled even more as he kept staring at my raised sword.

"Speak!", I spat aggressively as I lowered my sword a little. Deciding to play along with the situation.

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"I- I- I am working on the artefact Travis wanted! It will be ready soon! In fact, I was just working on it! I even took out parts from my masterpieces to put that artefact together!"

"Don’t give me that crap! Is it ready or not!?", I growled, pressuring him some more.

"It’s ready, its ready! But, as you know light element is hard to manipulate and doing it with a artefact is even more so! Not to mention the leaf you gave me doesn’t even emit pure light element…so I am doing some last time adjustments to it!"

’Leaf! He is talking about a leaf that emits light element! He has leaf of Tree of Light! Not Atlas, but the actual Tree of Light that I am searching for!’, I cheered in my heart.

’Wait! That Claire, did she know about?’ I questioned, before dismissing the thought, ’I’ll ask her later.’

"Do it fast you dimwit! I’ll visit you tomorrow, if you don’t have it ready by then, then I’ll have your head instead!", I played along my role till the end, before exiting the shop.

For now, let him complete the artefact. Plus, if he is done with the artefact, then, I can actually ask him to give back the leaf he has.

Leaving the shop, Cana who hadn’t uttered a word from start to end, finally spoke, "Was it okay to do that?"

To her, I explained, "Fear is one of the best driving forces one can have Cana, so let him do it."

"But sometimes a lot of fear brings out sparks of rebellion.", she rebuked.

"Did he look like someone who would rebel?", I asked her.

"No, but…you never know...", she muttered, with her head hung low.

’This girl…’. I thought exasperatedly, then the thought to tease her came into my mind.

"Just say it directly that you didn’t like it.", I patted her head with a smirk on my face.

This sudden gesture caught her off guard, causing her ears to redden in embarrassment.

"Let go!", she said as she swatted my hand off her head, and created a distance between us.

Shaking my head, I let her be for now.

For I had to another appointment to complete, it was time to meet Aneles.

***

[6:30 PM, Elista’s Café]

It was a half an hour earlier than designated time that we reached Elista’s place.

And though the place was in tatters two days ago, it was good as new today - yes, I remember it was me who destroyed it, so no need to point it out.

Walking in through the doors, I was again refreshed by the sweet smell that tickled my nose. Taking in the aroma, I walked towards counter, only to be greeted by a new face.

A girl with fluffy raccoon ears and tail, with light brown skin. With a cheerful smile the girl greeted us, "Welcome, Customer! You are free to sit on any empty table you like. The menu is already on the table. When you are ready to order, ring the bell on your table."

’Ah, right! Her old workers ran away that day...so she is probably new.’, I contemplated, as the girl before me completed her jargon.

Then, when she was done, I inquired, "Is Eli here?"

"Eli? Oh! Owner! Yes, she is inside? Do you want me to call her?", she tilted her head.

"Yes, please.", I chuckled, finding her naivety cute.

As she went into the kitchen, I looked around the café, finding it a lot less livelier than before. Well, that was expected, especially after what happened today. In fact, the ones who came here were mostly stress eating.

Funny how people of slums are more resilient than these guys.

And just as I was wondering this, Elista was here. I knew cause I heard an angry growl from behind me, "YOU...!"