Chapter 274 - Vol. 4 - 73

"Wow," Keiko said. "That looks pretty steep." 

"Yeah, last time I did this, I just jumped down off instinct. Looking at it now, yeah," she nodded, "it does look scary." 

After deciding on their plan, Keiko and Ash walked out into the city, dressed casually with the exception of their weapons. They hoped no one would keep too steady an eye on them as they made their way to the center of the city where, currently, they were looking over the chasm that provided a glimpse into the bottom side of Amber. 

The bridges that marked the path leading down seemed a lot smaller now that Ash wasn't desperate to follow some thieving kid. 

"But," she said, letting out a sigh. "We have to do it. Come on, let's get started." 

"... You know," Keiko gulped, "suddenly, I find myself wishing I had Yumi's Dexterity." 

"Oh, just wait till you're actually on those things," Ash muttered, taking her lightly by the hand. "But, if we fall to our deaths, we'll do it together." 

"Ash, that's so depressing." 

"Is it? My bad, I'm not good at the whole, uh, consoling thing. Anyway, come on, let's get it over with." 

On that note, they began walking down the collection of bridges, one unsteady step at a time, on their way to meet someone that reminded Ash of some of the shadier people she'd met during her time at Jade. However, given their situation, they needed this. 

Below them, as the bridges creaked and gently swayed, people were walking through the cramped space, which almost resembled a narrow hallway made of dirt and rock. When the two of them reached the bottom, Ash quickly pointed ahead, as Keiko looked like she was trying not to puke. 

"There," she told Keiko, pointing ahead at double doors that were barely visible from here. "It's like a bar or something. The guy we're looking for is in that place. Keep your hand on your weapon, just in case." 

"Right." 

And so, the two of them moved forward. Cutting through the crowd of locals, they reached the doors ahead, and Ash briefly paused. 

"Okay, so, fair warning," Ash told her, "this place is fucking weird. So, try not to-" 

The door swung open and struck Ash's head.

She flinched, but it didn't quite hurt at all. It was more annoying than anything. Some music blared out from inside, and the sounds of ongoing festivities reached Ash's ears. 

"What the-" a kid asked, confused as to why the door didn't open all the way. He poked his head out the door, trying to get a peek at what had caused this. When he saw Ash, and the half-demon looked back at him, his eyes widened. 

"Uahh!?" He yelped, closing the door in a hurry. 

Oh, Ash thought.  That's the kid who stole my Savior's Weapon. 

"... What was that about?" Keiko asked. 

"Nothing, let's just head inside," Ash replied. 

As she opened the door, that muffled music returned in full force, and she and Keiko entered the bar. As soon as they went in, Ash saw the same strange sights from before. Several humans and half-demons, all packed together in this room. Games being played on green tables at the corners. There was music playing loudly, some of it created by the customers of the bar themselves. 

Keiko looked from one side of the place to another, in shock. As for Ash, however, she couldn't care less. Instead, her eyes remained fixed on the half-demon sitting at the back. And, of course, as soon as he saw her, his eyes stayed on her as well. 

Bin was wearing an open jacket and some loose pants, smoking something as he spread his arms out, while Ash walked over to him. 

"Ahh, you're that 'merc'," he greeted her, making quotation signs in the air. "I'll be honest, I didn't expect to see you again." 

"Yeah, same here," Ash said, as she looked around and found some people sizing her up. 

He glanced over at Keiko, who had activated her Spirit Eye and was keeping her hand over her sword as Ash had suggested. 

"So... I trust you're not here to cause trouble?" He asked. "Did any of my boys upset you again?"

"Nah," Ash crossed her arms. "I'm here to ask for some help." 

When he heard that, his eyes widened, and a smile appeared on his face. 

"Is that so? In that case, it's nice to see you again," he grinned. "That said, before we talk business, I mean, I still don't even know your name. Or, names," he added, looking at Keiko. 

"I'm Ayami, that's Vermia," she stated quickly, pointing at herself and Keiko. 

"A pleasure to formally meet you," Bin said, standing up. "Follow me." 

He gestured at a nearby room, and Ash gave Keiko a glance, trying to tell her to keep her guard up as they went with him. He led them to a fairly standard, office-looking space, with one desk and a couple of chairs placed in front of it. 

"Now, what do you need?" Bin asked, sitting behind the desk. 

"Listen, I'm going to ask this because I'm guessing this isn't just an innocent little bar," Ash explained. "Especially with your level being 34, and all. This request of mine is under the table, is what I'm trying to get at."

"I understand," Bin nodded.

"Okay. We're looking to get someone out of the city," Ash told him. "Have you heard about the restrictions on travel?" Ash asked.

"Indeed I have," Bin nodded. "Things have, apparently, been pretty exciting up there. Not that I care all that much. I mean, they haven't cared about us down here in years, so," he shrugged, "but, still, the news has been entertaining to read about." 

"Well, the point is that we need to get someone to Jade. That's it." 

"Okay," Bin nodded, before raising a hand and listing a few things off with his fingers. "Who and when? I don't need to know why, I'm not going to ask questions beyond just the logistics, but I do need to know the 'how much'. As in, 'how much will you pay us?" 

"Who," Ash began, "someone random. No one of too much importance, just someone I care about, who I don't want to see get caught up in everything that's going on."

Keiko gave her a weird look, but Ash ignored her. 

"When, tomorrow," she added. 

Probably,  she thought. 

"And, how much..." 

She reached into her pockets and pulled out a single white crown. She had barely spent any of the money the Council had given to her for her actions at Sapphire and Onyx. Throwing it on the desk, Bin narrowed his eyes at it. 

"Another one," he said. "And, it's a deal." 

"Why?" Ash asked. 

"The Senate is serious about this travel ban," he explained. "A few merchants up above have found out the hard way. If we're going to go against their wishes like this, it should be for some good money. I think that's understandable." 

"... Fine," Ash replied, taking another one out. "But, I'll give you this one after the job's done." 

"No trust?" He asked, with a pout. 

"No." 

"Fair enough. Come back tomorrow morning. I'll try to have everything planned out by then." 

"Okay," Ash nodded. "Just like that?" 

"I can't guarantee it'll be a good plan," he shrugged. "But, I'll have a plan." 

"..." Ash paused. "If I find out you ratted me out or something, I'll take your head off. Just letting you know." 

"Sister, please," he laughed, "I understand that very well. You don't look like the type that would let a betrayal slide. I'll come through, promise." 

---

Keiko

Keiko hadn't gotten to see too much of that bar, but it had been a weird sight for her. Keiko hadn't run into many half-demons before she met Ash, so seeing so many of them in one place was definitely a curious sight. Aside from that, though, the ambiance inside the bar had been unlike any other building at the surface level of Amber. It almost felt like they'd been in an entirely different place. 

However, they had only gone down there to make that request. So, their time there concluded quickly. 

"It's done," Ash told her, as the two of them emerged at the street. "Now what?" 

"I would say we should probably take a moment and train our attributes. How does that sound?" Keiko asked her, as the two of them stood in an alley. 

"I guess we could," Ash shrugged. 

"... By the way," Keiko's curiosity got the better of her, "why did you do all of that?" 

"Hm?" Ash turned toward her. 

"You gave him fake names, and you didn't let him know it was the Arcane's daughter we were going to smuggle. Why?" 

"... I dunno," Ash shrugged. "Just didn't feel right giving that guy all that info on us. And, if he knew it was the Arcane's daughter we were going to get out of here, he might sell us out to the Senate for more money than I could give him. I didn't want anything like that to happen." 

"Hm, I guess that makes sense. But, what if something happens?" Keiko asked. "They could end up getting into trouble they never signed up for." 

"... If that happens, then that sucks," Ash replied.. "Just have to try to make sure it doesn't."