Chapter 78: Birkaz (2)

"Liquid metal? Sure, we have some, but I can't really go much lower with the current price. Recently, there was a boom of people stocking on it, so I would advise you to be cautious when investing in it."

Instead of going for the potentially best place to obtain this popular product, Fen decided that checking the closest shop that the guards pointed him at first would be a better idea. Even if he wouldn't end up buying anything, the young man could use this opportunity to learn a bit more about the local market.

"I see. What would be its price then?"

Given what the smith in front of the young man said, it would be hard to expect the tag as favourable as Fen's former coachman gave him. Apparently, the information about the profitability of this trade was already widely known, drastically lowering the chances of actually making money out of it.

"Right now? Ugh, I will take the loss but I could sell some for two and a half silver per piece."

Scratching his head with a genuinely distressed expression on his face, the smithy owner proved that he was a great actor. The fires in his eyes and how his sight was attached to nicely bulged poach of Fen were enough of a hint for the young man to realise that it was all an act.

"Ugh, I guess you were right, sir. Given how I know the price one can get in Kharag, it really seems like its not a worth investment anymore. Thanks for the information!"

Instantly turning around on his feet, Fen nodded his head in gratitude and left the open front of the building. As important as it was for him to get some of this stuff in order to add another piece to the mosaic of his backstory, if he were to act stupidly and make others remember how desperate he was for the liquid metal, it would only serve against his purpose.

In fact, it wasn't even Fen's first visit in the smithy today. If he were to go with the lowest price, then obtaining liquid metal could be done by one and a half silver per piece. Even with the bit of knowing Kharag's prices being complete and utter bullshit on Fen's part, the proposed price was well within the range given by the old man that brought him here!

Sadly, it wasn't the only thing that Fen had to worry about. In those few hours that he spent walking around the city and looking for the liquid metal were enough for the young man to personally encounter the guards twice in that time. 

The check wasn't even that strict. After learning Fen's fake backstory, the guards only asked for his purpose and even engaged in a short discussion where he could find someplace to sleep before the young man was set free again. But even without any negative events happening yet, it was clear that remaining in this city was increasingly dangerous. 

With the option of venturing towards the infamous Thief's gate still lingering in Fen's mind, the young man ultimately directed his steeps towards one of the inn's that the guards mentioned. Not only was it close, but the alleged prices also seemed not to be too bad. 

"Hello, sir. How could we be of help today?"

Instead of an old, dignified man sitting behind the counter, once Fen crossed the doors, he was met with a loose group of uniformly dressed girls, all either already talking with the customers or awaiting their chance to do so. Their dresses as cute as they might be they were kept perfectly prudent, instantly raising Fen's opinion about the place.

After the encounter in the last place he slept at and how troublesome it was to get rid of the unwanted service, a bit of more mature approach was greatly welcomed. Even though it wasn't the first day, the first week or even the first month ever since Fen last met with Kaisha or even Firo, just the thought of laying down with some random woman seemed like an act of emotional treason.

"I'm looking for a room."

Raising the corners of his lips in a slight smile, Fen looked at the girl in front of him. Despite wearing exactly the same outfit as the rest of the pack, somehow it gave off the feeling as if it was designed with her body in mind. 

Showcasing all the good parts about her, it was somehow still kept modest. Looking up, it was most likely her eyes, brimming with energy, that made her look so pristine.

"What kind of room are you looking for, sir? Would you like a private one, VIP one or maybe a shared room if sir is looking for some savings?"

In one instant, this kind of customer approach proved to be better than just a simple counter. Rather than waiting in the queue and slowing everyone down with questions or promotions, this servant instantly proposed all the possibilities, while making sure that her customer found the atmosphere pleasant for himself.

"I will take a private room. How much would it cost?"

Instead of asking for the price first, the young man pushed this question for the latter part of his response. Maybe that was the true aim of this classy service offered by those girls? While Fen had some intel from the guards, no one ever said that they weren't paid to direct the potential guests towards this establishment!

"Only two silvers per night, good sir."

With the girl's bright smile, this kind of exorbitant price didn't seem to be as bad as it was in the reality. In fact, as soon as the female servant raised her hand to curl a strand of her silky, brown hair around her finger, the cost of renting the room seemed quite attractive!

"I see. I will take it then."

Pulling out exactly the same amount that he would otherwise have to pay for the piece of the liquid metal, Fen didn't feel hurt or used at all. Given how they were in a major city fulfilling the role of a local trading hub, it was given that the prices of staying the night here have to be high. Even if he would end up overpaying for a bit, this kind of pleasant service was definitely worth it.

Soon, Fen got to know that his pick of the housing was way better than what he actually dared to imagine. Not only did he gain access to the nearby bathhouse at a discounted rate, but the room he was given was actually first class! From the clean bed that looked like it never saw any infestation, through the delicate cloth-panels on the window, preventing the cold of the night from invading the place, all the way to the classy furniture that would make his stay far more comfortable than expected. 

Additionally, instead of fighting against the night invaders looking for some quick cash in the oldest of the trades, after respectfully refusing the service of the girl that she proposed with a wide smile on her face, Fen actually got to spend a night in peace!

Waking up in a soft bed, under clean sheets was an experience that somehow put a new blockade on Fen's mind. Even though that was his life until very recently, the possibility of returning to the hard bed made out of the earth and maybe some leaves was enough to make his shudder now. 

'From now on, I will do everything to live at least as comfortably, as I could live here.'

Making a promise to himself, Fen shook his head before getting out of the bed. After fixing the sheets and cleaning up all the traces of his presence in it, the young man picked up his things, thanked for the great service on his way out and pushed himself to march towards the east gate of the city.

Picking up some liquid metal from the smithy that offered relatively good prices, Fen was now fully prepared to enter the next stage of his journey. 

As great as the perspective of the spending yet another night in this classy Inn, maybe even with the company of one of those lovely girls was, the perspective of staying in this dangerous city was too dire for Fen to risk it anymore.

To his surprise, as the young man approached the gate, there were two queues of people lining up in front of it. Given how no one really bothered to stop him, Fen was sure to obviously pick the shorter one.

"Name and forename."

Quickly, the reason behind those two queues was explained. The longer one consisted of the people that awaited the detailed check, while the shorter one was sorted between people that had some kind of special pass that allowed them to exit the city!

"I'm Virtas. I do not have a family name."