Reborn As Noble Chapter 1275: Vanished in the Dark Streets ( 1275 )

Gorak stroked his chin, his gaze fixed on the worn leather map.

"This Beggar Jee fellow... what does he even look like? And more importantly, can he be trusted?"

The man clad in armor took a measured sip from his cup, placing it down gently before returning his attention to the book before him.

"Indeed, he is trustworthy. The very fact that the elves permit his presence, to beg and roam freely within their lands, is a testament to their absolute faith in him. He is the sole human in their territory, ensuring you'll encounter no difficulty in locating him. Should you inquire with the sentries at the entrance, they would readily assist in directing you to him."

"Ah... so this individual is, in essence, a beggar?"

"Mm... one might describe him as such. However, his sole requests revolve around sustenance and the liberty for his colossal, vibrant orange avian companion to remain by his side." The armored man flipped a page, his tone utterly nonchalant. "He merely seeks the elves' consent for his bird to accompany him, promising to ensure it causes no disturbances. To date, the elves have granted this privilege, a clear indication of their profound trust."

Gorak gave a slow nod, absorbing the imparted details.

"Very well... so our objective is simply to locate this Beggar Jee once we arrive at the Elven border settlement?"

The armored man nodded in affirmation, his eyes still partially engrossed in his reading.

"Mm... find him, present your request, and should he concur, he shall serve as your guide. Just a reminder, refrain from causing any disturbances. While the elves tolerate his presence, they will not hesitate to escort out or detain anyone who transgresses their regulations."

Gorak nodded again, his eyes returning to the map.

Excellent. It appears this armored individual possesses valuable intelligence that could aid our team in investigating Armand.

Heh... deceiving this fellow is quite simple...

Escorting a significant Halfling dignitary...

Haha... how utterly naive can this armored man be?

Well... now I have the intel to relay to the recon team designated for Armand.

Hmm...

He cast a glance toward his companions at a separate table, noting their increasingly agitated expressions. A few had already begun to fixate on the armored man, their concealed hostility almost palpable.

I have no intention of compensating him for this information.

However, abruptly departing would undoubtedly provoke a scene.

And my party members seem poised for conflict. Perhaps we could silence him permanently and test our mettle on this rather weak continent.

His musings were abruptly halted as the armored man extended a hand.

"Hmm? Yes?"

The armored man lifted his head from his book, his voice composed yet resolute.

"Payment. Let us not feign forgetfulness regarding our agreement."

"Ah..." Gorak offered a smile, reaching for his coin pouch and extracting a handful of copper pieces, scattering them onto the table with a gesture of disdain.

"Oi..." The armored man's voice deepened, adopting a low, serious timbre.

"This is insufficient. Our pact stipulated several silver coins, not a mere handful of copper. Are you attempting to defraud me?"

"What?" Gorak let out a chuckle, a smirk playing on his lips as he casually stood, as if utterly unashamed.

"Your supposed information isn't even worth a few copper pieces. You ought to be grateful I'm offering any payment at all."

He turned to depart from the table, an arrogant smirk still plastered on his face, his comrades observing from their seats, their expressions shifting from curiosity to outright amusement.

The armored man’s gaze fell upon the copper coins resting on the table before he raised his hand, signaling one of the dwarven waitresses.

"Aye, sir?" she inquired, approaching with a cheerful demeanor.

He reached into his pouch, withdrawing two gold coins and placing them beside the copper ones on the table.

"I shall be covering the cost of everyone's refreshments and meals this evening," he stated, gesturing towards Gorak and his associates.

"With the exception of that contingent of humans over there. Ensure they settle their own accounts for their food and beverages."

The dwarven waitress's eyes widened momentarily before erupting into a broad, beaming grin. She accepted the money and turned towards the bustling tavern, her voice escalating into a loud, hearty proclamation in Dwarven.

"Oi! Lend an ear, all of you! This distinguished gentleman is generously treating us all to drinks and fare tonight! Excluding that group over there!" She pointed directly at Gorak's table. "They're settling their own tabs!"

The tavern erupted in a cacophony of cheers and laughter, the dwarves raising their tankards in a gesture of gratitude while casting amused glances in Gorak's direction.

Gorak's face flushed crimson as he clenched his jaw, his voice descending into a low, enraged murmur directed at his own party.

"How dare that armored lout humiliate us in such a manner before these dwarves?"

Valcrea's glare intensified, her grip tightening on her weapon as she emitted a low, venomous whisper.

"We should dispatch this individual right here, right now."

Noji clenched the edge of the table with formidable force, her knuckles stark white as she fixed her gaze upon the armored man.

"Indeed, Leader. Simply give the command, and I shall sever his head from his body."

Gorak shook his head, his voice strained yet steady. "No... don't. Not here. If we eliminate him within this establishment, it will only invite greater complications. Subsequently, wanted notices will be posted, and bounty hunters will undoubtedly pursue us, forcing us into a continent-wide flight. We must exercise patience. Once he departs from this tavern, we shall shadow him. At the opportune moment, we will dispatch him discreetly."

"I shall ensure his swift demise with a single sweep of my battle scythe, Leader," Zume hissed, her hand already emitting a faint luminescence as she prepared to conjure her weapon.

"Negative," Gorak stated with unyielding resolve, his tone sharp. "We will not instigate a disturbance within this tavern. Doing so would escalate our troubles beyond our capacity to manage, thereby jeopardizing our mission. Such an outcome is unacceptable. We will address him later, externally, in a location unseen by others."

Falce narrowed her gaze as she observed the armored individual rising and preparing for departure.

"Leader..." she whispered with urgency.

"Hmm?"

"It appears he is about to leave."

Gorak's eyes immediately shifted towards the armored man. "Everyone, prepare yourselves. We are pursuing him."

Just as they were poised to rise and give chase, a stout dwarven waitress intercepted their path, impeding their movement.

"Oi, patrons! Your tab remains unsettled! No payment, no departure!"

Gorak instinctively reached for his waist, patting his pockets and belt, only to find his coin purse conspicuously absent. He swallowed audibly, his complexion paling as he conducted a more thorough search of his person.

"Grant me a moment..." he muttered, his hands moving with frantic haste.

"Leader!" Noji hissed. "He has already exited the tavern!"

"But... my coins... they are gone!"

"W... what? Ugh!" Valcrea retrieved her own coin purse and placed several copper coins upon the table.

The dwarven waitress meticulously collected the coins, counting them before expressing her dissatisfaction with a shake of her head. "This is insufficient, young lady. The total bill amounts to one silver coin and twelve copper coins."

"W... what?" Valcrea's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

Gorak attempted to push past the waitress in pursuit of the armored man, but several burly dwarven guards, who had been imbibing nearby, advanced, forming a barrier.

"Oi, lad." One of the guards raised his hand, his eyes glinting suspiciously. "Are ye attempting to abscond without settling your account? That constitutes a transgression, you comprehend. Should payment not be rendered, we shall be compelled to incarcerate you."

Falce swiftly produced her coin purse and provided the precise sum. The guard nodded, stepping aside.

Gorak clenched his teeth and bolted outside, his companions following closely. They scanned the dimly lit streets with frantic glances, but the armored man had vanished without a trace.

"Shit!" Gorak slammed his fist against a nearby wall in frustration. "He's escaped!"

( End Of Chapter )