Chapter 501: Tharion [Part 1]

Chapter 501: Tharion [Part 1]



"I'm still struggling to comprehend what we should be doing in the citadel itself. The fact that the intel organization might be a part of Tharion does not change the fact that they might be able to give us the information we seek," Shin said, facing Northern.

"You are indeed right, but isn't the entire reason we are going to a discreet intel organization so that we can be discreet?"

"Exactly, won't all of that be blown to dust if we go straight to Tharion and start announcing what we want to do?"

Northern let out a cunning grin, lingering for more than a second before weighing in.

"I was thinking of a trap... instead of moving under the nose of the devil. How about we just come face to face with him."

Shin raised a brow; he was still very confused at all that Northern had been saying. But he wasn't to be blamed; aside from when it concerned combat, critical thinking had never been his strong forte.

"You'll understand. Let's head to Tharion, father."

Shin sighed and brought out their pouch of money, shaking it as he spoke, "I don't know if this will be enough to register us as drifters under Tharion. Private Citadels charge insane amounts for registration, and their tariff on rifts is even astronomical."

"Don't worry, we won't need to register."

Shin looked at him with an even more puzzled expression. He lingered for a few seconds before tiredly asking,

"So what exactly are we going there to do?"

"We are going there to place a request. The citadel also accepts requests from civilians, drifters, and governments as long as we put a price."

Shin thought for a moment before responding, "That's indeed true."

It's easy for anyone to forget because it wasn't a thing people did every time, except for governments that place bounty requests on criminals.

Northern moved forward, saying to Shin and Ryan, "Let's go."

After a few minutes of trekking and cutting corners, the trio approached the gates of the citadel, where iron and stone intertwined to form an imposing barrier that loomed over all who dared draw near.

Tall, wrought iron gates stood before them, guarded by sentinels in gleaming armor, their spears glinting like polished silver under the warm morning star.

Shin stepped forward, bringing out his temporary protector ID card.

"I have come to place a request with the guild."

A few patrons stood leaning against the bar, sharing tales of their latest exploits, laughter and song mixing with the occasional clink of glass against wood.

Above the bar, a collection of ornate weapons, shields, and other items hung on display.

To their right, a massive notice board dominated the wall, its surface covered in an assortment of scrolls and parchment, each one bearing a different request or contract, mostly bounty requests from the government.

From lowly bounties on minor threats to grand quests requiring the strength of entire drifter

parties.

Golden borders framed the board, each corner adorned with the symbols of the kingdom's greatest guilds, their insignias etched into the wood.

Even though it was supposed to be the center of attraction, the place attracted less attention than other areas of the citadel.

In fact, there was a dark atmosphere when one drew closer to that area.

Just beyond the notice board, several reception desks were manned by clerks dressed in fine white shirts tucked into their pants.

As Northern and Shin approached one of the tables, the young, brimming lady behind it greeted them, a vibrant smile plastered on her face.

"Welcome to Tharion. Would you like to register as a drifter here, or are you already

registered in another branch? You can show us your identification card."

Northern responded this time. "No, we have come to place a request."

The lady was slightly taken aback, but she quickly fixed her expression and said to Northern

with a pleasing smile,

"Okay, so what request would you like to place, sir?"

Northern leaned on the reception table and said to her, his eyes darkly glued to hers.

"I am looking for an elf..."

Immediately he said the word, the lady's expression changed, becoming very grim.

Even Shin was shocked; he didn't expect that Northern was going to do that! "Tell me, Elf lady, what the hell are these many of you all doing on Earth?"