NOVGO.NET Chapter 305: Mercenaries?
Chapter 305: Mercenaries?
Chapter 305
Once certain, Oliver stepped out of the alley.
To any bystander, two cloaked figures emerging from the shadows should have been suspicious. Should have drawn eyes. But thanks to the abyss energy, no one spared them a second glance. The air around them warped ever so slightly, dulling sound and bending attention away.
They moved through the street like ghosts—present, yet unseen.
Not only that, just to be consider all cases, the cloak he had given to Agnes was his [Wrap of Quantum Darkness] which he got from Jenna.
He didn’t need it now that he was more adept in controlling Abyss energy but it might be plenty useful to her.
Now that he could observe the city properly, Oliver began noticing the differences. Compared to the last place he’d stumbled into, this one was far more orderly.
The demons here were better dressed, their movements more refined, their aura sharper. The smell of iron and spice filled the air, merchants shouted from behind their stalls, and the architecture—carved black stone with streaks of crimson—reflected wealth and authority. This wasn’t some forgotten border slum. The prosperity here screamed of power.
’So, this is what happens when a demon lord actually knows how to rule,’ Oliver thought, quietly impressed.
He guided Agnes along, blending with the crowd. They walked past weapon stalls, taverns, and rune-carved towers. Guards in thick armor patrolled every few corners, their horns gleaming with polish, their eyes alert.
Eventually, Oliver led Agnes to the loudest place nearby, a sprawling inn that thrummed with laughter, shouting, and the occasional sound of glass shattering. The scent of cooked beast meat and fermented bloodwine filled the space, heavy enough to sting the nose. Oddly enough, it also doubled as a weapon shop.
Oliver found a table tucked in a far corner, recently vacated by a group of demons who’d just finished a loud argument. He was lucky; another minute and they would’ve been forced to stand.
Four chairs surrounded the table. Oliver deliberately left the two front ones empty—a calculated move, bait disguised as hospitality.
With this kind of crowd, it wouldn’t take long for someone desperate for a seat to approach. And that someone… could be useful.
And as expected, he didn’t have to wait long.
He spotted two demons approaching: one was a burly male with heavy armor and a thick tail, the kind of soldier who’d seen his share of battles. The other was a young demoness—graceful, poised, eyes sharp and amber like molten gold.
Judging by their dynamic, Oliver instantly guessed: the armored one was the guard. The girl was the noble.
’Well, this works.’
“Hello there, fellows,” the woman spoke first, her voice light but controlled. “Are these seats available?”
“They are.” Oliver nodded, motioning for them to sit.
“Thank you. This place is as crowded as ever.” She sighed, sitting gracefully. Her eyes swept across the hall before landing back on Oliver and Agnes.
As he was observing them, they were doing the same. The male guard’s eyes were narrowed, his hand never too far from his blade.
The demoness squinted slightly, trying to peer through the hood shadowing Oliver’s face. The dim glow of the tavern lanterns revealed only the faint curve of his mouth—and the sharp, chilling glint of his blue eyes.
From the corner of her vision, she noticed her guard frown. That alone told her everything.
’Even he can’t sense them…’
She hid her surprise behind a polite smile. It was unnerving—these two sat right across from her, yet felt like empty shells. No aura, no espera, no presence. Just… nothing.
’These aren’t ordinary demons,’ she concluded, maintaining her calm facade. ’And if they’re not from this city, who are they really?’
Every time her gaze met those icy blue eyes, a faint chill crawled down her spine. There was something unnatural about that look—calm, distant, but holding an almost predatory stillness.
“Well,” she said finally, forcing a polite tone, “are you two from around here?”
Oliver smiled faintly beneath his hood. “Ah, actually, we’re mercenaries. Just passing through on a break.”
“Mercenaries, hm?” The demoness’s eyes flickered with interest. “That makes sense.”
“What about you?” Oliver asked, curious to see what she would reveal.
“We’re from the Veythar House.” Her chin lifted slightly as she said it, her tone carrying a touch of pride.
But when she noticed Oliver’s indifferent look, her confidence faltered.
“You… don’t know, do you?” she asked with a twitch in her brow.
Oliver shook his head lightly. “I apologize. We’re new to this city. Haven’t learned much about the place yet.”
“Well, that’s understandable,” she muttered, studying him anew. “How much do you actually know?”
“We’re aware that a powerful lord rules over this city…” Oliver said.
“And?” she prompted, raising an eyebrow.
“…That’s it.”
Her expression froze. “That’s it?”
She stared at him, almost in disbelief. Two demons, cloaked and composed, walking into one of the largest demon cities, and they didn’t even know who ruled it? That wasn’t just ignorance—it was either foolishness or calculated misdirection.
“We only just arrived,” Oliver said calmly. “If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell us more about this place?”
The demoness blinked, then sighed. “Sure…”
It wasn’t what she had in mind when she approached, but curiosity was a dangerous motivator—and something about these two drew her in.
“Well,” she began, “as you might already know, demon territories function on strict hierarchies. Most of the large cities are ruled by noble families. But ours was different. Until recently, this territory had no noble lineage.”
Her tone grew prouder as she continued, “Our great lord has just been promoted to the rank of a noble baron.”
Oliver nodded politely. “That’s quite an achievement.”
“Yes, more than that!” Her eyes shone. “Under the lord’s rule, our city has prospered. Trade is thriving, the army’s grown stronger, and the people actually respect their ruler. The lord is assisted by four distinguished households—ours, the Veythar House, being one of them.”
Oliver tilted his head slightly. “Four households?”
She nodded proudly.
’Interesting,’ he thought. If she truly belonged to one of those families, why was she here with only one guard? He could think of a few reasons—but the most likely was that she was an unimportant branch member, someone with a title but no influence.
Still, every detail mattered. The mention of a new noble structure could mean instability—and instability meant opportunity.
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