Chapter 36

Eva Lemuria

I am slowly walking along the wide mountain path and I notice that there are more and more merchants and travelers passing by here. A while ago I bought a cloak to cover myself with just because I want to stay inconspicuous until I get into the dwarven capital. I know I should be arriving anytime now from the conversations I have been listening in on. There are mostly dwarves around and a few humans that are traveling on this road. I have been keeping my senses sharp and trying to pick up if anyone is watching me because I can't trust anyone at this point.

Finally, I reach the dwarven capital after another hour and I can't help but take a minute to appreciate the beauty of this city. The entire city is basically surrounded by a circular ring of mountains and one giant mountain in the center. The outside of the ring of mountains looks just like normal mountains, but the inside is covered in houses, buildings, factories, workshops, and other things. There almost not a single piece of nature inside the ring and the central mountain is completely covered in beautiful homes that I assume are for nobility. There are several towers around the ring that connect bridges and waterways around the city. At first glance, it's a beautiful city, but the longer I look at it the more of a headache I get. Besides the central mountain, the rest of the city seems to be a complete mess. Buildings are built on top of homes and the reverse is also true. Waterways practically run all over the place and I can see every street and walkway is packed with people.

I take a deep breath and proceed forward towards the security checkpoint. They have a huge line at each gate and I watch as the security guard let each dwarf quickly pass through, but the humans and elves all have to stop and answer a long list of questions. I guess since it's their city they can do what they want, but I am too impatient for this. I immediately walk away from the lines towards a hidden spot behind a tree and I shift. I immediately fly low towards the wall low on the ground and before I hit the wall I shift up and then to the side as I make my way over to the gates. I easily slip unnoticed through the gates and then I fly through the city until I find a spot with no one around and I unshift. I thought of going over the wall, but I don't know what kind of enchantment the dwarves have. For all, I know they could actually have a giant shield over the city so I won't take the chance.

Now that I am in the city I slowly make my way through the streets. Munin is sticking closely to my head and looking all around. It seems like she's a little nervous because this is the first time she's been around so many people. Usually, she would be playing around or making a bunch of noise, but not she's basically trying to stick to my head in an attempt to remain hidden. I find her actions cute so I pet her head in hopes of comforting her.

This city really is crowded and noisy. I have had my shoulder bumped more times than I can count and it’s only been half an hour that I have been here. Right now I don't really have a destination, but I am looking for any place I can get news like a bar. I keep looking around until I eventually spot a road that seems to have considerably fewer people walking it. It’s practically completely covered by other buildings and walkways so it's more of a tunnel than a street. I decided I could probably find information and other interesting things if I go that way. As soon as I enter the street Munin perks up and starts acting normal since there are fewer people around. I notice this street is literally filled with shady people. Half the people are covering their faces and the rest look like they're bandits and thugs. The young one all look like they're going to make a move on me which I would welcome with open arms, but the older more experienced one pull them back. The older ones must all seem to be able to sense the danger that I represent to them. I am truly impressed by their instincts to not come cause trouble with me. It seems this street is where the veterans and the like hang out.

After a while, I spot a nice little shady run down bar. It practically screams danger so I enter. Inside is exactly what I expected which a simple bar and dangerous looking people all around. I wonder if there is some kind of rule that you have to have scars on your face to enter because even the woman have scars on their faces giving them a very dangerous but still attractive look. I walk up to a bar stool and sit down as I place Munin on the bar counter. I then look at the human bartender behind the counter and see that she is just an employee of the dwarven man on the other end of the bar who's giving me a glare.

“What can I do for you lady? I can tell your strong, but this still isn't really the kind of place for you when I look at your high-quality clothes.” Bartender

“A glass of whiskey for now and how much would it cost to have this flask filled?” I hand her the flask I finished long ago. I stole it a long time ago and just kept refilling it. It has probably been about two weeks since I had a drink so I am glad I found a bar finally. I will admit I wanted to find a bar for information and a drink.

“Okay, I will grab you a glass and to refill that would probably be 20. Is there anything else you need?” Bartender

“Yeah, you have nuts or bread crumbs she can snack on? If I don't give her something she will goof around and go annoy people.” I point to Munin because she really is a little troublemaker.

“Sure I'll grab some nuts for her and add it to your bill.” Bartender

After that, she walks away and then comes back with my drink and flask before walking away again. I put the flask into my clothes and then I start to enjoy my drink while listening to my surroundings. The bartender comes back with a bowl of nuts and puts it in front of Munin before watching Munin eat them. The bartender watches for a while before she reaches her hand towards Munin only for Munin to lighting shift to the other side of the bowl. The bartender and those that were watching look completely shocked and then they look at me. I am glad I changed my mask so it always covers my scales otherwise everyone would have caught me with my mask down. It used to be just a cloth mask but now it has a metal face guard that has a piece where the mouth is that can be removed.

“She’s a very special bird. She's also a bit shy and only like to come in direct contact with me.”

“No that's not the point! She just turned into lightning! Not just lighting either, but black lightning!” Bartender

“It’s just dark in here. You're seeing things which are a clear sign you've been working too hard. You should rest more often I am sure you always have to work hard and listen to people.”

“Yes, people always come in here and get drunk and then spill their secrets all over me. If it was anywhere else I would probably be killed for hearing some secrets. Wait! No, you're just distracting me from your bird!” Bartender

“Now who wants to talk about this immature brat when we can just talk about something else. I have been traveling for so long that I don't even know what the world is like. Tell me why's a human working in a dwarven bar like this?”

“I can tell you're not someone that will spill their secrets when they drink. Well, I guess I'll just comply and tell you. I simply had a merchant family who abandoned me in this mess of a city and I have lived here since. By the way whats your name? Mine is Mira.” Mira

“You can just call me Eva. Sad about your family and should someone that lives in this city call it a mess?”

“Well, it can't be anything but a mess. I'm sure you could tell at first glance beside the nobles mountain everything else is pretty much anarchy. Here your drinks empty. Nobles will pretty much stay on their mountain and guards only care about keeping people away from nobles. Oh by the way which country are you from?” Mira

“You’re so clearly trying to get me drunk, but whatever. Why does it matter which country I am from? I haven't been there in about three years. I will probably go back after I play around in this city though.”

“Well, this country is probably going to go to war soon. They are looking for any humans from certain countries, but the main one they're targeting is the humans the Lemuria Kingdom. I don't know why considering they've never even had much contact with each other and their border has always been peaceful. So where are you from? I can't even get a read on you with that calm face of yours.” Mira

“Hahaha. Don't worry about me I will be fine no matter what. I am not from any close by kingdoms. I told you I have been gone for so long that I am not even close to my home here so I will be safe. Are you caring for a complete stranger? I wonder why.”

“Dwarves are always trying to take advantage of other races and it's even worse for females. We have to look out for each other here. To be honest I am surprised no one has come to cause trouble for you yet. You are a beautiful young female and you also seem to be missing an arm so I'm not sure why no one has targeted you yet.” Mira

“That's because the veterans have an incredible danger sense. I'm truly impressed actually. They not only have a great danger sense, but they're actually preventing the young from making a move. The criminals in this city seem to have strong comradery. I'm just waiting for someone to come along that isn't part of that though. It will be interesting to watch their face when they realize they shouldn't have bothered me.”

“Oh, I actually saw a change in your face. It was just a predatory look in your eyes that sent shivers down my spine, but it was still a change. To be honest the only people that will make trouble for you are the guards that are questioning humans. I’ve actually been expecting them for a while now because it's well known that a human works here. My sources say they'll arrive soon. Maybe we will get to watch a good show soon.” Mira

“Have you been hoping I will be a distraction so you yourself will remain unnoticed? Is that why you've constantly been feeding me drinks? Also another refill, please. Seriously though I am looking for information while I'm here. Do you really not know anything about this countries war efforts?”

“Can't someone just want to see a pretty lady drunk? Well, this country has been aggressively recruiting manpower. They've even release criminals so they can be enlisted into the army. Word has it that an army left in the middle of the night a couple of days ago, but where they were going no one knows. There was also an elite squad that was sent out to train by fighting mana beast, but they still haven't returned either.” Mira

“Hasn't anyone told you flattery gets you nowhere? So they've just been randomly sending out troops? This city really is a mess. Maybe I should go grab an official and ask them some questions?” I mumble the last part, but it seems Mira heard.

“I don't think that's a good idea, but if that's the way you want to go now is a perfect time, because it seems the recruiters are here now. That's the captain of the 3rd squad leading those city guards. He is a son of a minor noble so you probably can already imagine his attitude.” Mira

She points out the window at the uniformed troops that are walking towards this bar. I can't help but feel annoyed by her teasing smile. I don't do anything, but extend my empty glass at her again. I really have lost track of how much I have drunk. It looks like it's already dark outside too, but It's hard to tell on this street. The troops surround the store and only five dwarves enter the bar and everything goes silent. There is a dwarf which gaudy armor and a flash sword on his him leading the other four dwarves in.

“We are looking for any humans. We will just ask some questions and then arrest any possible spies. Don't worry we are fair and agreeable people.” 3rd Squad Captain

“Squawk!” Munin

I look over at Munin and see that she's finished her bowl of nuts so she's pushing the bowl towards Mira. I smile under my mask at her gluttony and I pat her head before I push my empty glass at Mira and give her the same childish pleading look. Mira seems to be incredibly annoyed and I am sure the noble behind me has the same vein bulging on his forehead as Mira.

“Really? Just so you know the bird is cuter than a drunk lady begging for more to drink.” Mira

“Are you ignoring me human? Turn around so we can inspect you! And someone shut up that bird!” 3rd Squad Captain

I slowly turn around and see one of the soldiers approach Munin with his dirty hands and quicker than anyone can see I use my hand to form a lighting edge and cut off his hand that was stretched towards the oblivious Munin who's just watching Mira grab her some more food. The soldier stops and before he can scream I knock him on the temple and he falls over unconscious. All that left is the sound of Munin Squawking at Mira to hurry up.

“Geez stop yelling at me I have your food. How can a cute bird be so aggressive about food” Mira comes back and then sees the scene in the bar “Come on! I looked away and one of them is already dead? What the heck did you do?”

“Arrest them! No mercy!” 3rd Squad Captain

The other three soldiers draw their weapons and charge towards us. It seems like they don't actually plan on trying to arrest us, but instead kill us in cold blood. I draw my dagger and slash a simple lighting edge at them, but the instant deaths I was expecting does not happen. Instead, the runes on their armor light up and my attacks are diffracted so I shift and avoid their weapons. I appear behind them and use a destruction edge to stab one of them and my stack goes through, but it felt like I was using a spoon to dig through a wall. I sheath my dagger and draw my halberd out. It's weird using my left arm, but not impossible. I quickly through another destruction edge at the last two and they try to use their shield to block my attack, but they've been completely blown away. I then look at the 3rd Squad Captain and shift behind him where I hit him with the blunt end of my weapon. I then look at Mira who's holding her face in her hands and Munin is eating again. I walk over and put Munin on shoulder grab a bottle of whiskey from the counter to hide in my bag.

“I think you should come with me at this point. Guilty by association or something like that.”

“Ahhh, why'd you have to go and do that? Such a peaceful job is pretty much ruined! What about all the other soldiers out there? I can't turn into weird lighting like you!” Mira

“I’ll take them out and then you will lead us somewhere we can hide. I'm sure someone that has been around here as long as you can find someplace. Well, goodbye everyone.” I wave at the other drunks who have been silently watching before, but now they're exchanging money for bets.

I go outside and look at the soldiers that seem to understand whats happened just from the blood on my clothes and the fact that their own people haven't come out. I flip my halberd around and charge a powerful lighting scythe. The second the first soldier steps forward I release my attack and then theirs a second before all the soldiers fall over as they're split in half at their chests. I watch as several rows of building start to fall over and crumble as well. I thought I would just have enough to get through their enchantment, but it seems I was wrong. I sheath my halberd and walk into the bar to grab the unconscious 3rd Squad Captain. I then follow the pale Mira as she starts running between streets and alleyways for a couple of minutes until we end up at an inconspicuous door in an alleyway that she unlocks and enter as I follow her. It seems to be a very secure hideout with enchantments all over the walls. She walks over to the captain and drags him into another room where I hear some chains rattle and then she comes back out and looks at me unloading all my things. I grab my bottle of whiskey I stole and begin to down it. I admit I have been feeling a little tipsy for a while now. Mira grabs my shoulder and helps me to another room where she sets my on the edge of the bed and I notice I somehow finished the last of my bottle. It seems at some point Munin fell asleep and now there's only me and Mira.

I really feel like I am actually drunk for the first time and then Mira grabs my shoulders and begins to kiss me. I am completely shocked that I can't even react before I am pushed onto the bed and Mira’s on top of me taking off her shirt. She looks at me with a mixture of lust and sadness, but I can't even react because my head is spinning. I hear Mira mutter “what happened to you Princess?” and then she just seals my lips again before I can react. I feel my head get hazier before I feel myself start to slowly lose consciousness. The last thing I remember is Mira opening my shirt and me trying to struggle to stop her.