He glanced at Gorak again. "So don’t waste my time. State your business."

Gorak smiled before raising his hand toward the waitress nearby. "Umm... excuse me, one ale for me and another for this gentleman."

"Aye. Right away, sir."

The armor guy carefully put down his book, closed it, and fixed his gaze on Gorak. "I’m only doing this as a favor to the merchant. Since he arranged this meeting for one person, I expected that none of your companions would be sitting at this table. If they do, I’ll leave this area and continue my journey."

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I’m sure the merchant already mentioned the terms of the negotiation. I don’t work for free, and I don’t tolerate disrespect. Payment is determined by the value of the information."

Gorak nodded before signaling Valcrea to move back to their own table. She glared but complied, walking away in irritation.

After watching her leave, the armor guy turned his attention back to Gorak.

"So tell me, mister. What kind of information are you looking for? Monster levels? Special monsters? Hidden locations? Rare treasures? Or perhaps... information about certain people? Or something else?"

Gorak reached for the ale the waitress had just placed on the table and took a slow, deliberate sip before fixing his gaze on the armor guy.

"Are you sure you’ll be able to answer my questions or provide the information I need?"

"Maybe yes. Maybe no. It depends on the type of information you’re looking for."

Gorak nodded, his eyes locking onto the armor guy’s helmet. "Will you swear that if I ask for information you may or may not be able to provide, you will honor your promise not to reveal it to anyone?"

The armor guy let out a long exhale, his voice calm and steady.

"I’m not someone who spreads the secrets of those who seek my knowledge. The information I provide is based on what I know, and I have no interest in who you are or what you plan to do with it. Have you ever heard me ask for your name? No. Because I don’t need it. I won’t be able to tell anyone about you since I don’t even know who you are. And unless you choose to tell me your name, it will stay that way. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just another traveler seeking knowledge."

"Good... good." Gorak smirked, his expression easing slightly. "I appreciate your discretion."

"Mm... now, let’s get straight to the point. I don’t have time for pleasantries. Time is far more valuable to me than gold or treasure."

Gorak smiled, leaning forward and speaking in a low, serious voice.

"Do you have any information about Armand?"

The armor guy shook his head before pulling out a small leather map of the continent and spreading it on the table.

"You’re asking me for a general overview? Seriously? That’s like asking if the sky is blue. It’s common knowledge."

"Ah... well..." Gorak hesitated, his expression guarded. "I don’t know much about the region, and I can’t disclose why I need the information."

"Mm... you’re really weird." The armor guy pointed to the map. "The Armand region is here. From where we are now in the Dwarven Nation, if you go north, you’ll reach the Beastkin Nation." He traced a line eastward across Beastkin territory. "And east of Beastkin is the Armand region. Is that all you want to know?"

"Ah... actually, I was hoping you could tell me more... you know."

The armor guy exhaled softly. "Then tell me what you want to know."

"Do you have any other information about Armand? Perhaps a way to get there safely, or maybe some current details about the region?"

The armor guy took a slow sip of his liquor before exhaling. "Just get straight to the point. If you need information on their army or personnel, I’m sorry, I don’t know about that. It’s not within my interests. I don’t track military movements or political affairs."

"Then could you tell me..." Gorak leaned in, his voice dropping to a discreet whisper. "...a safe way to get there? We have a mission to escort an important figure from the Halfling Kingdom to Armand to seek refuge. I need to know the safest passage."

The armor guy pointed to the map again. "Mm... Since the Beastkin-Dwarven border is strict now, rumors say they’ve tightened security due to certain incidents. I don’t think your team will be able to pass through Beastkin to reach Armand. And from what I’ve experienced, the road from the Human Nation to Armand is now closed. Armand has sealed its border on that side."

He then pointed to the Elven-Amazarak border. "So, the only safe passage left, and the least strict, is through the Elven Nation."

"Ah... but aren’t the elves... you know..." Gorak said in a low voice, his tone cautious.

"Mm... yes. They are far more reclusive and distrustful of outsiders." The armor guy nodded. "But there is a way to get through. You’ll need a guide. Without one, you’ll only be able to go as far as the Elven border town. With a guide, you can pass the second border and head straight into Beastkin territory, then walk toward the Armand region. This is the only guide who can help you."

"Oh... so how can we meet this guide? Where is he? Could you arrange something for us?" Gorak asked, his voice eager.

"Hmm..." The armor guy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don’t know if I can arrange something like that. But he’s always at the Elven border town, usually near the gate or somewhere in the area."

Gorak leaned forward, his tone urgent.

"Even if we arrive at the Elven border, who knows if the border guards will let us inside? Can you help us with that?"

"True. But there is a way. And I’ll charge more for this information. Agreed?"

"Okay. Please tell me."

The armor guy reached for his bottle, poured more liquor into his cup, and took a full sip before pointing toward the Halfling Nation on the map. "Tell me, from which area in the Halfling Kingdom are you escorting this figure?"

"Ah... that part we’ve already secured. We can arrive at Amazarak safely. What we need now is a safe passage to Armand and a way to get past the Elven border."

"Mm... okay." The armor guy nodded slowly. "Once you arrive at their border, they will stop you at the gate. Their battlement and wall stretch end to end, so you have no choice but to stop. When the guards question you, just tell them you need to meet a certain someone."

Gorak’s eyes lit up. "So... who is this guy?"

"Ah... this person is known as Beggar Jee. He’s always inside the border town, begging near the streets. And he’s always accompanied by a huge monster bird, orange in color, following him around."

"Oh... Beggar Jee, huh."

( End Of Chapter )