The streets were bustling with pedestrians. After leaving Central Street, various wooden stalls gradually appeared on both sides of the road. Since late autumn was approaching, fresh fruits and vegetables had become scarce, while easily stored foods like black sweet potatoes and mapachu had become bestsellers. Mapachu was a herbaceous plant similar to a potato, but flat and elongated in shape. Its stems and leaves were mildly toxic, while its roots were edible.
The slightly plump Gray Rat was introducing Su Xiao to the situation in the Holy City. He was a typical know-it-all who knew everything from the nobles' eccentricities and the divisions between the various factions to where the most prostitutes could be found.
The old mystic kept his head lowered. He had been carrying that metal book with him lately, making him seem even more eccentric. The Hairy King, meanwhile, looked around both sides of the street, seemingly disappointed that he hadn't found what he wanted.
Zos maintained his usual habit of looking at everyone as if they owed him several million, making him completely out of place beside Number Ten.
Su Xiao, who was at the very front, suddenly stopped. His gaze swept around, as if searching for something.
The one who reacted fastest wasn't the old mystic or the Hairy King, but Zos. Three crows with deep-blue bodies swooped down and circled around Su Xiao.
Seeing this, the Hairy King was puzzled. The old mystic walking beside him also stopped, and the metal book in his hands gradually turned crimson.
Sizzle—
The scorching metal book seared the skin of the old mystic's palms. Not only did he not throw it away, he instead held it in both hands.
Flap, flap, flap...
The metal book rapidly flipped through roughly a third of its pages before stopping.