Gorak rubbed his chin while glancing at the leather map.

"This Beggar Jee... what does he look like? And can he be trusted?"

The armor guy took a slow sip from his cup before setting it down and reaching for his book again.

"Yes, he can be trusted. The fact that the elves allow him to stay, let alone beg and move around casually, is a sign of their full trust in him. He’s the only human there, so you won’t have trouble finding him. If you ask the guards at the gate, they’ll even help you locate him."

"Oh... so this guy is a beggar, huh?"

"Mm... you could say that. But all he asks for is food and permission for his huge orange monster bird to follow him around." The armor guy turned a page in his book, his tone casual. "He only asks for the elves’ permission to let his bird accompany him, and he promises to ensure it doesn’t cause any trouble. So far, the elves have allowed it, which speaks volumes about their trust in him."

Gorak nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Alright... so we just need to find this Beggar Jee once we reach the Elven border town, huh?"

The armor guy nodded, his attention still partly on his book. "Mm... find him, make your request, and if he agrees, he’ll guide you through. Just remember, don’t cause trouble. The elves tolerate him, but they won’t hesitate to expel or imprison anyone who breaks their rules."

Gorak nodded, glancing at the map.

Good. Looks like this armor guy has useful information that could help our team investigate Armand.

Heh... it’s easy to trick this guy...

Escorting a Halfling important figure...

Haha... how dumb can this armor guy be?

Well... now I have the information to pass on to the team that will be sent to scout Armand.

Hmm...

He glanced at his party members at the other table, noticing their impatient expressions. Some of them were already eyeing the armor guy with barely concealed hostility.

I don’t want to pay this guy for his information.

But it’ll cause a scene if I just walk away.

And my party members look like they’re itching for a fight. Maybe we could silence him permanently and test our strength on this weak continent.

His thoughts were interrupted when the armor guy extended his hand.

"Hmm? Yes?"

The armor guy tilted his head up from his book, his voice calm but firm.

"Payment. Don’t pretend like you forgot our deal."

"Ah..." Gorak smiled, reaching for his coin pouch and pulling out a few copper coins, placing them on the table with a dismissive flick. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Oi..." The armor guy’s voice dropped to a low, serious tone. "This isn’t enough. Our deal was for a few silver coins, not a few copper coins. Are you trying to cheat me?"

"What?" Gorak chuckled and smirked, standing up casually as if there was nothing to be ashamed of. "Your information isn’t even worth a few coppers. You should be thankful I’m paying you at all."

He turned to leave the table with an arrogant smirk, his party members watching from their seats, their expressions shifting from curiosity to amusement.

The armor guy glanced at the copper coins on the table before raising his hand toward one of the dwarven girl waitresses.

"Aye, sir?" she asked, walking over with a cheerful smile.

He reached into his purse and pulled out two gold coins, placing them on the table alongside the copper coins.

"I’m paying for everyone’s drinks and food tonight," He gestured toward Gorak and his party. "Except for that table of humans over there. Make sure they pay for their own food and drinks."

The dwarven girl’s eyes widened before breaking into a wide grin. She took the money and turned toward the tavern, raising her voice in a loud, cheerful shout in Dwarven.

"Oi! Listen up, everyone! This fine gentleman is treatin’ us all to drinks and food tonight! Except for that lot over there!" She pointed toward Gorak’s table. "They’re payin’ for their own!"

The tavern erupted into cheers and laughter, the dwarves raising their mugs in appreciation while casting amused glances toward Gorak’s table.

Gorak’s face reddened as he gritted his teeth, his voice dropping to a low, furious whisper directed at his party.

"How dare that armor guy humiliate us like this in front of these dwarves?"

Valcrea narrowed her glare, her hand tightening on her weapon as she let out a low, venomous whisper. "We should just kill this guy right here, right now."

Noji gripped the edge of the table hard, her knuckles white as she glared at the armor guy. "Yes, Leader. Just give the word, and I’ll cut his head off."

Gorak shook his head, his voice tense but controlled. "No... don’t. Not here. If we kill him in this tavern, it’ll cause us more trouble. And if that happens, they’ll put out wanted posters or send bounty hunters after us. We’ll be hunted across the continent. We’ll wait. Once he leaves this tavern, we follow him. When we have the chance, we kill him quietly."

"I’ll make sure to end him with one swing of my battle scythe, Leader," Zume hissed, her hand already glowing faintly as she prepared to summon her weapon.

"No," Gorak said firmly, his voice sharp. "Don’t cause a scene in this tavern. If we do, we’ll have more trouble than we can handle, and our mission will be compromised. We can’t afford that. We’ll deal with him later, outside, where no one can see."

Falce narrowed her eyes when she noticed the armor guy stand up and prepare to leave.

"Leader..." she whispered urgently.

"Hmm?"

"Look like he’s going to leave."

Gorak’s eyes snapped toward the armor guy. "Everyone, get ready. We’re following him."

Just as they were about to stand and follow, a dwarven waitress stepped in front of them, blocking their path.

"Oi, lads! Ye haven’t paid yet! No pay, no leave!"

Gorak reached for his waist, patting his pocket and belt, but his coin purse was gone. He swallowed hard, his face paling as he checked his body again.

"Give me a moment..." he muttered, patting himself frantically.

"Leader!" Noji hissed. "He’s already left the tavern!"

"But... my coins... they’re gone!"

"W... what? Ugh!" Valcrea pulled out her own coin purse and placed several copper coins on the table.

The dwarven waitress picked up the coins, counting them before shaking her head. "This ain’t enough, lass. The bill is one silver coin and twelve copper coins."

"W... what?" Valcrea’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Gorak tried to push past the waitress to chase after the armor guy, but a few dwarven guards who had been drinking nearby stepped forward, blocking his path.

"Oi, lad." One of the guards raised his palm, narrowing his eyes. "Are ye tryin’ to leave without payin’? That’s a crime, ye know. If ye don’t pay, we’ll have to throw ye in the jail."

Falce quickly pulled out her own coin purse and handed over the exact amount. The guard nodded, stepping aside.

Gorak gritted his teeth and rushed outside, followed by his party. They glanced around frantically, scanning the dark streets, but the armor guy was nowhere to be seen.

"Shit!" Gorak slammed his fist against a nearby wall. "He’s gone!"

( End Of Chapter )