Matthews refused Asolun's request in an indisputable tone and said to him, "There may be danger this time, so you two stay here."
After making arrangements for the two of them, Matthews rode Blood-Eyed Mane Lion Pal toward Patel City, the eastern provincial capital of the Bright Empire. When he arrived at the city gates, he saw that the place was far more luxurious than Mutuo'ya City on the edge of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Matthews flicked a gold coin down at the feet of the soldiers guarding the gates, then rode Blood-Eyed Mane Lion Pal into the city. At the city's finest restaurant, he ordered a table full of dishes, then sat by a second-floor window and watched all sorts of people passing along the street below.
He asked a server, "Has anything special been happening in Patel City lately?"
The server watched Matthews toss the money pouch in his hand back and forth, listening to the gold coins clink inside. From years of experience, he could tell that the pouch held at least twenty coins.
He naturally answered with a broad smile, "I hear the birthday of the Patel Family's ancestor is coming up soon. Lots of people will come to celebrate with him."
"Oh? Is there anything special about that?"
Seeing that Matthews was interested, the server hinted, "Well, you see..."
Noticing the server staring at the money pouch, Matthews chuckled to himself. So the stories in TV dramas hadn't all been made up. Plenty of adventurers really did go to restaurants to gather information.
The servers at these restaurants dealt with all kinds of customers every day and knew a lot of things. If you gave them some money, most of the time you could find out what you wanted to know.
"Hahaha, just answer a few questions for me. If I'm satisfied, this pouch of gold coins is yours!"
Once Matthews had confirmed that, the server eagerly poured him a cup of wine and continued, "Patel City wasn't always called that. Three hundred years ago, someone from the Patel Family broke through to the Saint Realm, and that's when the city was renamed Patel City."
The server glanced around before adding, "The Patel Family has a lot of prestige here. I hear even the Church of Light gives them face."
Matthews continued, "What about the Jettanson Family?"
"Oh, them. They're a pretty prominent family around here too, but they don't have any strong people in their family!"
Seeing how differently the restaurant server spoke about the Jettanson Family compared with the Patel Family, Matthews felt somewhat reassured. He continued, "Then who's the strongest person in their family?"
"Why are you asking about that?"
Seeing the server grow wary as he asked, Matthews smiled and said, "I'm thinking of choosing a family, if you know what I mean!"
"Oh, you're looking to become a retainer. The eldest son of the Jettanson Family is a Level Nine priest of the Church of Light. I wouldn't recommend choosing their family!"
Matthews handed the money pouch to the server. The server glanced at Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, who was lying on the floor eating a whole roast lamb, shook his head, and left the room.
"Strange. A warrior with a Level Nine Magical Beast wants to become a retainer of the Jettanson Family?"
Matthews had learned the details of the Jettanson Family, so he sat by the window and began eating. It looked like he had to visit them as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would be trouble if the Jettanson Family gave his Sovereign Artifact, the Death Scythe, to the Patel Family's Saint Realm expert as a gift.
That afternoon, after finishing his meal, Matthews rode Blood-Eyed Mane Lion toward the Jettanson Family. When he reached the entrance, he said, "Sorry for the trouble, but please announce my visit. Tell them that Matthews, an Eighth-level Warrior, has come to pay a visit!"
The Jettanson Family's gatekeeper saw Matthews riding a lion-like magical beast and didn't dare delay. He hurried inside to announce him.
A short while later, Matthews heard laughter from inside the gate. "Hahaha, what an honored guest we have today!"
Although the head of the Jettanson Family didn't know why a Level Nine Warrior had come to visit, a warrior of that level was still worth welcoming in person.
Matthews warmly exchanged a noble's greeting with the head of the Jettanson Family, who ushered him into the reception room. The two chatted for a while, and then Matthews decided to stop beating around the bush.
He asked directly, "Mr. Jettanson, is it true that you bought a Death Scythe at auction ten years ago for 250,000 gold coins?"
The head of the Jettanson Family was only an Eighth-level Warrior, but he had a prodigious son who was a Level Nine mage. That was why he held some standing in Patel City, where a Saint Realm expert resided. Ten years ago, he had indeed acquired a Death Scythe.
He replied, "That did happen."
At that, Matthews' breathing quickened.
"May I take a look at it?"
The head of the Jettanson Family didn't answer. Instead, he picked up his teacup and took a sip of water, then looked at Matthews and asked, "Why?"
Matthews looked at the head of the Jettanson Family and realized he had been too eager.
"To be honest, it's a family heirloom. It's not exactly a priceless treasure, but I'd still like to buy it back."
The head of the Jettanson Family said mildly, "I see."
Then he took the Death Scythe out of his Space Ring. Matthews walked up and snatched it from him without bothering with etiquette. After looking it over, he cut his finger to try to make it recognize him as its master, only to discover that it already had an owner.
Only then did Matthews understand why the other man had been so bold as to take it out and show him. He said, "Would you be willing to part with it, Mr. Jettanson? I'll trade you a Level Nine Magic Beast Core for it."
The head of the Jettanson Family shook his head at once. Matthews continued, "Then what about a Saint Realm magical beast core? Or I could swear that, once I reach the Saint Realm, I'll catch you a Saint Realm magical beast that can be contracted."
The head of the Jettanson Family gave Matthews a standard noble's smile. "You're only a Level Nine Warrior yourself. Where would you get a Saint Realm magical beast core?"
"I'm already at the peak of Level Nine. I'll break through to the Saint Realm soon."
The head of the Jettanson Family still shook his head. He had just seen Matthews try to make the scythe recognize him as its master, so he said coldly, "We have no intention of selling it. Please return it."
Matthews naturally wasn't going to return it. He asked, "May I ask one last question? Who made this family heirloom recognize them as its master?"
"I did!"
Jettanson stood up, intending to take the Death Scythe back.
Matthews drew a deep breath and apologized to the head of the Jettanson Family in his heart. This Sovereign Artifact was mine to begin with, and I even offered you a Level Nine or Saint Realm magical beast core in exchange. Since you don't know what's good for you, you can just die.
Before you continue