After delegating all of his work to Cornelius, Edward left to meet with Leyla, Charles, and the whole group of adventurers. He was in an excellent mood, his plan had gone even better than he had hoped for. With the Vega family out of the picture and the Potentia and Regalis families not opposing him, Cornelius was free to implement Gobéliard’s council, introducing the city to voting rights. Edward’s work here was done and it was time to announce the good news to his friends and celebrate.

Edward was lazily running along the rooftops still clad in full armor, with his expanded aura perception he was able to perceive everything that was happening in the streets below. This was a flood of information that he wasn’t paying particular attention to. He couldn’t process this amount of information happening all at the same time, so it stayed as some kind of background noise. He couldn’t survey everything but he would be able to discern if something unusual was going on.

He noticed that the passersby were paying close attention to him, of course, someone running atop rooftops in black armor wasn’t exactly common, but still, Edward felt there was something else from their attention. They look frightened to see me. Some are even outright sneaking in side alleys to attempt to avoid me. Hush whispers spread in the streets below. I guess the news about Quintus’ death already spread out. I had hoped there would be more hope and joy than fear. I guess the council implementation didn’t make it to the streets yet. For them I am but an unknown fighter who managed to kill the Vega family’s master. They don’t know my intentions yet. I’ll let Cornelius spread the news. It should be easier for citizens to trust someone that they already know.

Edward quickly reached the adventurer’s guild, choosing to teleport to the entrance rather than jumping from his vantage point. A few gasps echoed as people moved out of their way keeping their distance and liberating empty space around him. This is quickly becoming annoying. Edward removed his helmet, displaying his face to the crowd, proving that he was a human just like them and not some kind of strange monster. It was not much, but displaying his face instead of a faceless black helmet already somewhat sooth out the crowd’s fears.

Edward entered the building, immediately spotting Leyla and his adventurers’ friends. He waved before teleporting to them. “Hey there? What’s up?” he asked smiling brightly.

“We heard about Quintus. Are you all right?” Aquamarine asked.

Leyla watched him from head to toe. “He seems pretty all right to me,” she said with a coy smile.

Edward blushed, his cheeks turning slightly red. “I’m fine. Not even injured. The situation is resolved. The Vega family is dealt with and the Potentia and the Regalis families won’t act against my council proposition. I even had the time to notify Cornelius. He will manage the details.”

Brian shook his head. “I’m still not able to believe you killed Quintus. This is insane.”

Edward shrugged. “Well, it was a pretty intense fight. It also got me frightened at one point, but all is good in the end.”

“So, what are you planning to do from now on?” Charles asked him.

Edward grinned. “Explore the world. I’ll let Cornelius manage the city. Just after breaking through the predator stage, I had the revelation that doing paperwork constrained in an office wasn’t for me. Seriously, guys, the physical enhancements are no joke. This is just too much fun to waste them by staying inside.”

Norte nodded in appreciation. “Free as the wind. This is how life is meant to be.”

Leyla frowned. “Are you going to leave us behind just like that?”

Edward looked awkward. “I wouldn’t say it like that. I’ll stay for some time to make sure that everything is going well. All of those monsters’ growth is worrying me too. I will need to make a trip to Agripin. From what you have told me if I don’t do anything the forest will be crawling with wolves before long. I’m concerned for Agripin security, I’m sure they have a lot of awakens by now, but in these troubled times it may not be enough. Also, Leyla, if it is possible, could you write some more runes booklets? It would be nice to publish them in public libraries so that the citizen get access to those runes. Free from the families’ repression and with an abundance of new runes I’m sure Gobéliard will thrive.”

She pouted. “You are still leaving and giving everybody free runes when I had to make a deal with you to obtain said runes.”

“You still have a lot more runes than them. And honestly, I expect innovation to thrive with so many people having access to them. Also, I have a few ideas myself. Maybe we could have a talk later?” Edward asked her.

Leyla found back her smile. “Sure.”

“Are you just flirting in front of me?” Brian asked flabbergasted and annoyed.

“Who is flirting?” Leyla spat. “I certainly don’t see anyone flirting with you.”

Brian’s mouth was shut in shock while the rest of the group laughed at Leyla’s sharp reply.

Edward stayed with the group, enjoying their presence and making sure everything was all right. This came to a stop when one of the city guards came to fetch him.

The man was nervous and intimidated, clearly not at ease with his mission. Gobéliard’s citizens had been used to the major families being forceful and imposing their wills. Even as a city guard, the city didn’t have anyone at the predator level as a backing and they had to submit to the main families’ demands. Edward was someone able to kill a representative from the main families. The guard was afraid of obfuscating him. If things went very poorly it could even cost him his life. That’s why he behaved extremely politely.

“Sir? May I bother you? Cornelius has asked me to fetch you,” he asked Edward.

“Cornelius already needs me?” Edward exclaimed surprised by this turn of events. “I thought the issue with the council was already decided.” Edward’s face turned gloomy, “Did the Regalis and Potentia families break their promise?”

“Cornelius didn’t give me the details, but I don’t think the situation is this dire.” The guard told him all he knew.

“All right. I’m going. Let’s see what it’s all about. You don’t need to show the way, I’ll reach the city hall before you.” Edward declared before putting back his helmet and teleporting directly into the streets outside of the adventurer guild. With another teleportation, he was on the roof of the opposite building before running on the rooftops, leaving the city guard far behind. Although the guard ensured him the situation wasn’t dire Edward was nervous and he didn’t slow down. Cornelius wouldn’t send someone asking for me for no reason. I’ve managed to win against Acanthio, and Strobilus doesn’t seem to be much of a fighter, but if they really decide to face me together it could cause problems.

Within minutes Edward appeared in front of the city hall, teleporting directly inside Cornelius’ office in what was becoming a habit. “You asked for me? What is the situation?” he asked Cornelius as soon as he teleported inside his office.

Cornelius stood up from his chair to welcome him. “Yes, the situation is still under control but your assistance would be appreciated,” he paused before adding. “It is heartwarming to know that I can call upon you and have you respond so quickly. I am one of the few who can ask for a service from someone at the predator stage,” he laughed.

“You wouldn’t have called for me for nothing. But don’t rely too much on me, I won’t be there all the time.” Edward answered sternly.

Cornelius nodded. “It is duly noted. I called upon you because the Vega family is causing a mess at the docks.”

“The Vega family? I thought they would have tried to make themselves small after losing their headmaster.” Edward asked surprised.

“Actually, they are causing a mess because they are trying to leave the city. They do have their own vessels but it seems they want to take all of their possession with them and don’t have enough storage capacity. They tried to requisition merchants’ vessels. The merchants naturally opposed, especially since they already know by now that Quintus is dead. News sure travels fast. All this ruckus attracted the attention of the city guard who reported it to me. The city guards are protecting the merchants right now but the situation is tense. The Vega family knows they have to leave quickly, and we don’t have currently enough guards to win against them in a full-blown confrontation. At least, not without heavy losses. I would be glad if you could resolve this situation for me.”

“That’s fine by me. I still have someone I need to deal with within the Vega family anyway,” Edward snorted thinking about Carlson.

“Try not to create a bloodbath if possible. The city is tense right now. Lots of changes are happening in a short period. A massacre so soon after a change in governance could have long lasted impacts. The citizens have to trust us, I don’t want them to feel threatened instead.”

Edward turned back and waved his hand dismissively “Diplomacy is my middle name. I’ll leave them a choice, leave peacefully or die.”

*****

Edward stood on the roof of a building facing the docks. It was crowded both on land and on the sea. Moor to the docks were four Vega family vessels. They were massive sailing ships with three masts. Their boarding planks were lowered on the dock, sailors doing roundtrip loaded with goods including gold, silverware, and furniture.

Even from a distance, he could hear the shouts, from one side the Vega family was gathered together and screaming at city guards who were protecting merchants and their boats. The different blazons enabled the spectators to easily differentiate the two sides. A crowd of bystanders had stopped to watch the conflict, wondering how the situation would play out. An open conflict between the city guards and one of the main families was something unheard of. Lots of things were unheard of lately. The population could feel a wind of change blowing on the city.

They certainly are rich. Four vessels and they don’t have enough place to take all of their belongings. It just shows how much profit they did at the expense of Gobéliard’s population.

Having seen enough, Edward teleported next to the city guards and blanketed the surroundings with his aura, although not at full power to spare the civilians. This was enough to shut the yelling.

Now that he was close enough, Edward recognized some familiar faces. Some that he didn’t know the name of but that he had met on the Murlocs expedition, and some that he knew more closely. Specifically, Carlson and Appio the Vega family’s young master.