Edward grew nervous, sweat beading on his forehead as his eyes darted away.
As a successful merchant, he should have weathered enough storms not to become so nervous over a stranger's questions.
Especially here, in his own home. He could simply ask Zhao Si to leave and shut him out. If Zhao Si were an ordinary person, that was.
But facing an emissary of the Two Fingers, Edward did not dare. He strongly suspected that defying this emissary would cost him his life.
Rumor had it that the emissaries of the Two Fingers were all violent, the very embodiment of preferring to kill the innocent rather than let anyone slip away.
They devoted themselves to eliminating anything the Two Fingers deemed a threat. The Two Fingers would defend themselves and the Erdtree, for the Greater Will.
Edward felt trapped. He truly did not want to be branded a "heretic," but he had indeed acquired something that looked rather sinister.
"You'd better tell the truth." Zhao Si pressed a step closer. "We can make complicated problems simple. All the Two Fingers ever cares about is whether the matter is over. She doesn't care about the process."
"Y-yes, well..." Edward leaned against the wall, fear on his face. "Some time ago, I, um, I bought a sword."
"Go on. I'm listening," Zhao Si said.
"Ah, its origins weren't entirely respectable." Edward hesitated. "It apparently came from some underground tomb, a very ancient one. You know how there are always adventurers willing to venture into ancient, neglected places, bring back treasures, and look for buyers."
Adventurers, grave robbers, whatever they were. In any case, they had brought out an unusual sword and approached Edward, who enjoyed collecting things.
"It was a black greatsword. An unusual shape, with lots of branches." Edward gestured in