Friendship of a Mage

Suye rose, picked up the money pouch, gave Kelton a slight nod of thanks, and walked toward the door.

Suye stopped at the entrance.

"Do I need to sign a Four-God Contract this time?"

"Your promise in your heart is worth more than the gods." Kelton slowly took the watered wine, sipped it lightly, and narrowed his eyes in unusual comfort.

"See you around."

Suye waved a hand and stepped out into the night.

Hark silently followed behind Suye.

Along the way, the waiters and regular patrons of Dolphin River stared at Suye and Hark as though they had seen ghosts.

How could Hark, that "block of wood" who never gave anyone the time of day, obediently follow behind Suye? He was not seeing him off—he was protecting Suye the way he protected Mr. Kelton.

The busy Middle-aged Foreman saw Suye leave through the main entrance, gritted his teeth, hurried after him, and shouted.

"Mr. Suye, I am Termonosgennis, son of Peristera. Welcome to visit again."

Suye smiled faintly as he walked on. This man seemed clever; he had realized from the beginning that Suye had forgotten his name.

But what was his name again? Something forest, something pigeon? Goodbye!

Ninth Street was far dimmer at night than during the day, and the sparse lights barely allowed people to see the road.

Only then did he understand why pedestrians walked so steadily.

They were afraid of stepping on stones, afraid of stepping in shit.

Suye walked slowly.

Hark followed closely behind.

When they reached the intersection of Ninth Street, Suye saw several people in shorts and leather armor and stopped.

Suye knew that the Barbarians north of Greece wore trousers in this era, but he had not expected even Athenian soldiers to have switched to them. This meant the depth and breadth of cultural exchange in this world far exceeded that of Ancient Greece in Blue Star's history. Even the existence of tea proved it.

Short Swords hung at their waists as they chatted idly. They were not very old; two of them were even seventeen or eighteen.

Suye turned and asked, "Mr. Hark, these City Guard soldiers should be quite willing to help you, right?"

Hark stared at Suye's face for several seconds, then nodded.

Suye smiled. "Would you be willing to help me find two people to follow behind us and, at the appropriate time, step forward... and fulfill their duties?"

Suye emphasized the final phrase heavily.

Hark stared at Suye for a while longer before saying unhurriedly, "You're using me?"

"It isn't using you. I'm asking for your help," Suye said calmly.

"The friendship of a Mage?" Hark asked expressionlessly.

Suye could not help laughing. "They say Mr. Hark is not good with words, but I didn't expect you to be so skilled at sarcasm. Yes. With you, I can only offer the friendship of a future Mage."

"Remember this night."

After saying that, Hark walked toward the City Guard soldiers.

At the instant Hark finished speaking, Suye caught a flash of complicated emotion in his eyes.

Suye watched Hark's Back View and sighed softly.

When the soldiers saw Hark, they immediately straightened up as if they had seen a superior officer. Several even looked honored, as though they had encountered a hero.

Suye watched them. Before long, they actually began arguing. In the end, two stepped forward, while the rest looked disappointed.

Hark pointed at Suye and spoke to them. Suye gave the soldiers a slight nod, and they immediately nodded back.

Before long, Hark returned and stood silently behind Suye.

"Thank you, Mr. Hark."

After saying that, Suye unceremoniously handed two money pouches to Hark, leaving only one in his own hand.

Hark looked at the money pouches, then at Suye. He accepted them and hung them on either side of his lower back, where no one facing him could see them.

Suye walked onward, with Hark close behind. The two young City Guard soldiers followed at a distance, their expressions somewhat excited.

Suye found a chance to glance behind him. Only one person was still following him; the other had vanished.

Athens City was much quieter at night than during the day. Especially after entering the slums, those reluctant to light lamps were either already asleep or chatting with neighbors outside their doors.

The Mediterranean Sea climate brought warm winters and cool summers. Even walking barefoot on the ground, Suye did not feel cold.

Suye asked for directions as he went, and before he knew it, a group of men had appeared behind him.

No one wore long robes, and even short robes were rare. Most had only a rag tied around their waists, while a few wore nothing at all as they swaggered among the crowd.

Their feet were caked in thick mud, some of it reaching all the way up to their Legs.

It was their first time seeing a boy openly carrying a money pouch while swaggering around in search of Lawrence.

In the slums, Lawrence was not the most powerful, but he was one of the most notorious.

Some people grinned as they watched Suye's Back View. Others greedily eyed the money pouches carried by Suye and Hark. Only a few who knew Hark quietly waited for a good show.

The two City Guard soldiers remained behind the crowd.

After stepping on who knew how many pebbles and through how many muddy pits, Suye finally reached an intersection and stopped before a tavern.

The night was dark.

A rusted Bronze Blunt Knife hung outside the tavern door, as wide as two palms.

There was no signboard.

Everyone knew this was the Blunt Knife Tavern.

More than forty people were now following Suye, and more people nearby were being drawn over by the crowd and the lights.

Only a few seconds later, cheers erupted from inside the tavern, accompanied by rhythmic roars.

Like sailors shouting stirring chants before battle.

Suye's right thumb and Index Finger twitched slightly. He was about to make their third snap of the day, but stopped.

Even without snapping his fingers, he slowly straightened his chest, raised his head, pulled his shoulders slightly back, relaxed his arms, and let a confident smile appear on his face.

The doors opened, and two Strong Men who had once visited Suye's home stepped out carrying oil lamps. They gave Suye disdainful looks, then gestured invitingly toward the interior.

Inside the tavern, the torches burned brightly. In the firelight, Lawrence emerged wearing a rough brown linen tunic and walked until he stood two meters from Suye.

As the wind blew, moonlight and firelight swayed, and the "Centipede" on Lawrence's face slowly began Wriggling.

Several people in the crowd gasped softly and hurriedly backed away.

Lawrence's gaze was colder than it had been during the day.

In the firelight behind him, pairs of crazed eyes raked over Suye's body, yet all cleverly avoided Hark.

Koro, his face full of honest simplicity, hid among the crowd and secretly studied Suye, confusion appearing on his face.

Lawrence did not look at Suye. He stared at Hark instead.

Hark remained like a dead-silent block of wood, calmly meeting Lawrence's gaze.

"Before the Blunt Knife Tavern, there are only enemies or friends." Lawrence's voice was exceptionally calm.

Several people in the crowd behind Suye turned and ran, their bare feet slapping through the mud.

Hark said nothing.

"Give me the IOU." Suye shook the pouch of Gold Coins in his hand, utterly composed.

Lawrence looked at Suye. The corner of his mouth twitched, and the scar on his face began Wriggling rapidly again.

Several people who had seen Suye during the day examined him carefully. There were still wounds and bruises on his neck, and dirt stains on his body. Yes, it was still that Suye—but why did he feel like a completely different person?

Lawrence suddenly chuckled softly. His gaze fell on the bruised part of Suye's neck as he said, "The donkey came?"

"Hahahaha..."

The people behind Lawrence burst into laughter, nearly lifting the roof off the Blunt Knife Tavern.