Chapter 22 – In the Town of Cali Again

A youth was walking the streets of a town with a refreshed expression on his face.

Despite his handsome appearance, the youth was currently dressed in casual clothes, with only a pair of shorts accompanied with a black jacket. In his feet were a pair of sandals, making anyone seeing his clothes think about a village youth.

But different from his casual clothes, the presence emitted from him was calm and peaceful, like a still well, giving a slight impression of nobility and elegance.

The youth walking was, of course, Aiden and he was currently in the Borden Town of Cali again.

It was already seven days from the fight against the seed of calamity and the few wounds him received were already completely recovered.

After the shadow left them, Aiden carried Lia all the way back to the village which gave the commission.

The travel took Aiden almost ten hours and Lia didn’t awaken in all that time. Aiden even thought that something happened but was able to feel that her breathing was stable so attributed it to fatigue.

Luckily, they not encountered any danger during that time, probably because almost every living being in the surroundings were scared for the recent events, so, though the travel was tiring to Aiden, it wasn’t too difficult.

When the pair reached the village, the chief came to receive them directly. Apparently, the commotions caused for Lia and the black stone were felt even here, causing preoccupation in the village inhabitants.

Fortunately, the village chief was able to notice the state of Lia and Aiden and not made many questions before offering them a place to rest.

Aiden slept for an entire day after it. Lia finally awoke while he was sleeping and personally reported everything to the village chief, with exception of sensitive stuff like the details about her transformation.

The village chief hadn’t any knowledge about the seed of calamities so he had not any special reaction hearing about it, though he was visibly relieved knowing that the boars would not be a problem in the future.

After staying in the village for another day to recover a bit more the pair finally departed to the town of Cali to complete the commission. Thankfully the travel was without any mishaps and the pair could see the town after half a day.

Following the procedure, the pair went to the town hall directly after entering the town. There, they again explained what happened while omitting a few things. When the receptionist heard about the see of calamity she immediately called the one in charge and explained everything. Aiden and Lia were then called to explain again about the mission.

After explaining again the events during the mission and answering all the questions they made, Aiden and Lia were finally allowed to return to home.

Strangely, the personal of the town hall didn’t ask about the shadow what took the seed of calamity with him and only looked surprised for a moment after hearing about him. Aiden thought that perhaps they knew the identity of the shadow but he didn’t ask about it.

Fortunately, the town paid for all the proofs of killing the boars at the market price besides giving a bonus due to the high difficulty of the mission, so the earnings the pair got after the mission were considerable.

From that day Aiden and Lia had been in the town for five days. Though they were a bit tired at the beginning, the pair had already recovered by today, so Aiden decided go around the town to buy a few things they were needing in the house.

As always, many peoples in the street recognized Aiden when they saw he} was buying, and thanks to the good reputation him had around the town many stores even offered him discounts for their products.

Aiden made a round around the marketplace and got everything that Lia entrusted. Thinking that every necessary thing was already bought Aiden finally began to walk towards home.

When Aiden was exiting the marketplace, Aiden passed near a rundown store. Thinking for a moment and seeing the youth sleeping in the counter Aiden finally made up his mind to enter.

Entering the place and speaking the necessary password, Aiden proceeded to go down the stairs not paying attention to the sleeping youth ignoring his presence as always.

Reaching the door, Aiden knocked the door twice and waited for the answer.

“Enter.” Came the decrepit voice after a few seconds.

Entering the dark room and feeling the oppressive atmosphere of the place, Aiden looked towards the only table in the room and saw the wrinkled face of the old man illuminated for the only candle in the place.

Aiden sat without waiting for the old man speak and looked towards him sarcastically.

“I thought that the information in this place was always trustable.”

“Keke, you are more impatient every time young boy. Don’t you know it is good manners give a greeting when you see someone after a long time?”

“Don’t give me that thing old man.” Aiden frowned upon hearing the words of the old man, “You know the reason for my attitude.”

“Kekeke, okay young man, I give up. Though you could no hope for me apologize about a piece of information I gave you like a freebie, right?”

The expression of Aiden darkened even more before leaving a sigh and slumping his shoulder in the chair. Then, looking towards the candle, he said:

“You knew that the reason of the boars’ behavior was a seed of calamity, right? Why you didn’t tell me about it then?”

“Hahaha, such a joke boy. Do you think we are charity? Don’t I told you about the mission being more complicated than your information? How am I to blame because you were trapped after being too impulsive? You better thank me because I warned you free of charge.

Being unable of refuting the words of the old man, Aiden could only suppress his anger. After all, though Aiden was a repetitive customer from the place, in the end, he knew that the old man didn’t have the responsibility of warning him. Though he was a bit surprised that the old man knew about the details of the mission already.

“Okay boy, let’s leave that topic behind. Tell me, is the reason because you are here only to take your anger in me? If not, then speak about your purpose.”

Aiden put a serious expression after hearing the old man, then, taking a paper sheet from his pouch, wrote some names in it.

“Do you want to know about it?” Receiving the sheet from Aiden, the old man began to read the contents before raising a brow. “Are them medicinal ingredients? Do you want for me get them for you? You know we don’t make this kind of deal here right?”

“I know, old man,” Aiden spoke while looking seriously. “But I hope you can help me to get them.”

The old man thought for a moment and looked the contents of the sheet again, then, he spoke towards Aiden: “I can help you to get them, but are you sure you will use them? I had an idea about what you are going to do, and I don’t think it is alright. The risks are too great.”

Aiden fell silent upon hearing the word of the old man. Though he already knew that the old man was conscious of his identity, he was surprised that the old man knew also about his goal. But even knowing about it, Aiden didn’t doubt his choice for even an instant.

“I will do it, old man. I had been living till now with only that goal in mind.”

“Sigh.” The old man suspired, looking helpless. “Well, I am nobody to convince you of the contrary. Very well, I will help you to get the ingredients, though the price will be expensive.”

“Don’t worry old man.” Aiden answered with a smile, “I already imagine it.”

Seeing Aiden stand from his seat and prepare to leave, the old man opened his mouth once more and gifted him a piece of information.

“I told you before, but a few troubles are coming to the town. My advice is for you maintain away from it lest you end in something you cannot handle.”

“You speak as if you know I’m going to interfere.”

“Well, I know a bit about you, so I think you will be involucrate sooner or later.”

Hearing the words of the old man, Aiden smiled awkwardly gave his thanks.

For some reason, he thought the old man seemed much more affable today.