"Haha! Now that I've helped you how will you repay me?" The previously cold and aloof voice now sounded cheerful and warm.

"We'll I've never been here before, but if you know the way I can purchase you some clothing." I try to remain respectful to stay in this expert's good graces.

"Clothing? I've got perfectly-" The expert stops in the middle of their sentence as they look down at themself. "Ah I see now why that arrogant brat had the gall to call me a beggar..."

After this statement I can hardly suppress a laugh, how could someone not realize how dirty and ragged their clothing was?

"Ah, well there is no need to be worried, we shall go to a store to buy you new clothing right now."

"Haha, very well, lead the way."

Huh, lead the way? Didn't I just say I've never been here? I nearly blurt out these questions and instead enter the city gates.

Getting into the city was easy, and there didn't seem to be any other guards at the gate. Was that guy even a guard? Though I didn't wish to seem suspicious, so I returned the blood armor into a blood state and absorbed it into my body. The expert seemed to have some reaction to this action, but I can't see their face so I ignored it.

The hustle and bustle of the city is much more chaotic than I am used to. It's not that I live in a small town, but the only place I ever really go is school, and after years of staying in the same district most faces become familiar. However this city is filled with not only unfamiliar faces, but unfamiliar races as well.

After a few minutes of panic the expert got tired of following me and started to lead the way instead. I calmed down when I didn't need to both avoid bumping into people and finding a clothes store.

The expert led the way like they have lived in this area for a long time. They don't dawdle around looking for directions or making sure they are going the correct way, they move like a robot programmed to move on this direct path. Well they are an A.I., but after so long playing this game it's hard to not look at the A.I. as people as well.

After ten minutes of constantly ducking in and out of alley ways we arrive on a rather poorly maintained region.

"Is this where you plan to get clothes?" I cautiously question the expert in front of me.

"Haha, this place might not look very nice, but the quality can easily match any of the bigger stores with better materials."

"Ah, is that so? To know such complicated directions so well you must have come here previously correct?" I ask the expert what had been at the back of my mind. Were they trying to test me by making me go in the front?

The raggedy clothed expert entered a seemingly ordinary residential building. From the outside one wouldn't be able to tell it held a shop of any sort.

"Greetings." A laid back middle aged man reclines in his chair behind the counter with his feet up. I wonder how many customers this guy manages to get with such a personality. "Eh, sorry we can't accommodate begga-" before the man can call the expert a beggar their domineering aura explodes out.

"I didn't think you would call your old boss a beggar Emanuel." The expert releases a powerful wave of energy that incinerates a large portion of the dirty linen cloth wrapped around their body. Revealing their head and portions of their arms and legs. The linen that was destroyed seemed to be an outer layer of clothing to block the sun.

The experts long black hair was tied into a bun behind their head. Their delicate and pale looking skin seemed as though it had not seen the sun ever. Rather than healthy streaks of red under the skin all that can be seen are rather unsettling streaks of black. It seemed like their blood was replaced with tar.

"Your humble servant bows his head in apology, Princess of the ancient Valerian clan Elizabeth Mary Valerian." The shopkeeper Emanuel's movements are so quick I am startled. With both knees on the floor they place their head on the floor as a show of respect.

"Che- I've already said this thousands of times not to call me that. My sister inherited the power of the clan and all I got was this curse. I cast off my noble name and now travel as Gabriel. I'm no longer a woman let alone a princess. I now exist as a bringer of destruction to those who I deem unworthy of life." Gabriel clicks their before giving a speech that seems plenty rehearsed. Emanuel nods his head and stands up before eying me.

"I apologize sir customer, I had not noticed you previously." Emanuel nods his head in apology, luckily he remains standing instead of falling to the floor once more.

"Ah well I'm not a sir, but I ran into Gabriel earlier and they assisted me with a minor problem." I gesture towards Emanuel to calm down, such respect is rather discomforting.

"Ah I see. Well then respected customers, how may I be of help to you two." Emanuel's respect is toned down, but not completely gone. Gabriel walks in front of me.

"I require new garments. Travel under the sun was difficult due to my condition so I wrapped myself in rather fine cloth. However after so long traveling the cloth would obviously get dirty. It came to my attention earlier that I looked like a beggar, so Corvus here suggested I get some new clothing."

"I see, this can be easily remedied. Please enter." Emanuel points towards a staircase. This building didn't even have proper foundation, so how could it have a basement? I keep this question to myself as Gabriel takes the lead.