The tavern was filled with people, people of all kinds. There were humans, elves and dwarves. They were drinking and gambiling, it was a peaceful place.

Adrius sat in the corner of the tavern, well hidden from wandering eyes. He watched and listened to people talking, he tried to gather as much information as he could, because his plan needed it.

His plan was simple: he would play the role of a wandering Great Knight, then he would go to Lady Valq and ask if she would like to take him as her personal bodyguard. He was sure she would accept, after all, you don’t just cast aside a Great Knight. Then he would wait until the wedding, then he would act.

He was preparing the best gift for the bride and the groom, a gift so shocking and amazing that he was sure they would lose their mind from it. While sitting there trying to listen to any new info, he noticed a figure slide into the chair in front of him. The figure was hidden by a black tattered robe that covered every centimeter of their body. They had their hood on so he couldn’t see their appearance. But the voice identified them as a woman: “So, what do you want from us?” She spoke, her voice of someone who is old, it was rough to listen to.

Adrius gave her his best smile, with his new face he was sure his smile was a godly sight: “ Well, I want some of your ‘product’. I would say a thousand jars. Is it possible?”

The old woman thought about it for a second and then answered: “Yes it is, but we need a down payment first. The whole thing will cost around 100,000 gold coins. So we want 50,000 as down payment and another 50,000 after the handing.”

Adrius thought about the price for a minute, he was not afraid that he didn’t have enough money, after all he literally has a city that has a population of 1,5 million, under his control. And let's just say that Blood Raven’s orders weren’t just about killing the whole Saloman family.

So he was not that tight on coins: “You got yourself a deal, I will need the shipment in three weeks.”

The woman nodded and slid out of her chair and disappeared in the crowd of people. Leaving him alone again in his booth, his mind drifted back to that girl he met a couple of hours ago. He knew he sounded a hypocrite when he said that he won’t touch the girl because she was young, because he made Hadith force himself on a girl older than her by two years. But that was not him, he didn’t do it. He simply told his slave to have fun, and maybe Hadith misunderstood him. So he can easily shift the blame on Hadith, he doesn’t want these things on his hands or reputation because it could bring unnecessary attention from people with a hero complex like Illyan once was. So he has people to do his dirty job, so when that girl asked him to sleep with her he didn’t want to do it because it could bring him bad reputation if someone were to find out. But if Hadith was with him, then he could pretend to give Hadith a day off duty and Hadith can do his dirty work for him while he sits in a tavern or an inn.

But of course he doesn’t have Hadith with him because he sent him to guard Veronica and the baby. He doesn’t really care if the baby lives or dies, but he would prefer if it lives so he could do the sacrificing ritual. He cleared his mind and started to think of how he would approach Lady Valq, the Valq family were the family that built Valaq thus the name of the city.

It took over 50 years to build it all. It was a very good looking city, but it was small.

He decided that a normal approach was the best way to get her to accept him, of course he could orchestrate a situation where her life is on the edge and he could save her. But it probably won’t work because of her fiance. Because it seems that he is the heroic type.

And Adrius hates this type of people, that’s why he thought of the gift he would give to the happy couple. While he was in his mind a maid approached his table, he noticed her before she was at his table just in time to flash her a smile. A smile that made her blush: ‘I’m too powerful in this form’ He thought sarcastically.

The maid had long blond hair and a very pale skin, her eyes were deep blue. She was honestly a beauty, he then noticed her ears. They were pointy, but not long like pure blooded elves. Indicating she was a hybrid, it was a common thing to see human and elf hybrids. That’s because Elves look exactly like humans except for their ears.

The maid reached his table and flashed him a smile: “How can I help you Ser?”

“Telling me what is the best dish might help me.” He said with a grin.

The maid smiled and started to talk: “ Our best dish is the steak, the meat is fresh and it tastes really good. Hopp does a good job with the cooking.”

‘First step, done!’ He said in his mind.

He then looked at her from head to toe and said: “ What an unfortunate thing.”

She answered: “What is unfortunate Ser?”

“That you were not on the menu” He shot her a crooked grin

She was the color of a tomato.

‘Second step, done!’

She looked at her toes and played with her dress a little: “Well, if you would like that then it would be best if you wait upstairs.” She then immediately left.

Getting the hint, he immediately went up stairs, it was a barren place. After a few minutes of waiting she came up. He immediately held her by the throat choking her unconscious, he then started to search in her mind.

‘Fuck, I love this disguise’