Chapter 52 51: Reunion In The Dead Of Night

Leres was a young man of humble origins but grandiose ambitions. For when he was born, an old sage clad in brown had appeared in his home and professed.

"Oy wey, this young boy may… be quite great, mate. I guess."

Fishy it was, but who loved fish more than a fisherman's family? For one, Leres would say he absolutely despised it.

Well, it was that very loathing Leres held that had got him kicked out of his home. Their love for fish extended a tad more than their love for their children.

No biggie, Leres was still fated for greatness! And now, to cash in on his fate, the young man found himself with arms crossed right outside the fountain of Maris smack in the center of Soleda.

The festive mood for the upcoming event just three days away wasn't lost on the city with fluttering lights of yellow and green illuminating the deeply shaded bricks. The houses and stores all around displayed their wares and their cribs with pompous embellishments. Banners and triangular flags connected the buildings while a dozen different troupes and stalls called over the pedestrians for a show and a bite.

The sun had set but the streets were bright with tinkering lights. Working hours had passed but people were filled with energy.

A festival was right around the corner. It was the time of spirit!

And Leres hated that.

He was so nervous seeing all the city folk he could puke. Why was he here anyway? That sage was shady as hell! Hiding the pain in his stomach behind crossed arms, Leres decided it best to set off. Too many people. Too many.

His eyes closed, Leres killed off his surroundings and walked away—

"Hey Claude, look fish cakes—Dah!"

—When he crashed into someone. The person walking past him fell to the ground and out of his hand slipped the steaming hot fishcakes, which landed right on his eyes.

"Gahh!" Leres grabbed his eyes and jumped back. The burning sensation of the heated fishcakes carried straight through his eyelids and seeped right into his irises.

"Woah, dude! What the hell?"

"My eyes! My eyes!"

He stumped back and fell right on the edge of the fountain. This close? Even through the pain, Leres realized he wasn't the one who bumped into someone else, especially not when he had barely moved from his position.

"You ruined my fish cake!"

"Ouch, ouch, you bumped into me!"

"And now you whine?"

The disdain in the culprit's voice was too much for Leres to bear.

"Grow up man."

"W-what? What??"

"Tsk."

"No seriously, what?"

Leres' cries were unheard.

Fish - 117, Leres - 0

***

"What was with that guy, ruined my fish cakes."

"What even are fish cakes?"

Claude and Elric shot at each other while following behind Puzo. Dressed in his long trench coat over his usual suit, Puzo was being much more secretive and cautious than they were used to seeing him.

"Does he want to use the bathroom or something?"

"What?"

"Up your comeback game at least."

"No seriously, what?"

Poor Elric decided to give up for now. They crossed under the rows and rows of triangle flags and banners being set up everywhere and the tiny lights that came along as the group moved towards one of the emptier parts of the city.

The crowds waned and the din was replaced by the howling of the wind as they scurried through the rows and rows of lavish buildings. True to its name, though, the shorter the structures around them became the wider their arms stretched, and soon, the group of three found themselves facing the enormous storage houses of Soleda.

With many rich merchants and farmers came many big warehouses. Lined up neatly in blocks around the fourth channel that spread from the fountain, these warehouses were stocked to the brim with grains and wares of the merchants.

Elric curiously looked around. The festive mood didn't reach the edges of the city as every spot around him was dark. Dirt had filled up the brick streets, blackening them a step further in the night.

Unlit street lamps stood tall, and behind them the numbers of the warehouses they passed.

"You've chosen quite the spot for your exchange," Claude muttered.

"We have to meet my boss first," Puzo answered without batting an eye. A slim scroll rested in his hands as he alternated his gaze between it and the numbers on the warehouses.

"Should I put up a light for you?" Claude asked, annoyed by the darkness. It wasn't the dark that bothered him, but the fool lurking in his amulet that did.

"It's fine. We can't be lax. I'll count on you to protect me till we meet my boss."

"Ya got it, treat us to some food in return."

"You're being paid, dumbass."

"Oh…"

Eventually, Puzo stopped.

"23…" he muttered. With a wave of his hand, Puzo beckoned the other two to follow him and rushed to the front. Passing by the main steel gates of the warehouse, he went to the service door at the back and reached into the pockets of his coat.

Pulling out a bundle of keys, Puzo carefully looked around before inserting the key into the door and twisting the lock open.

A loud creak sounded.

The door slammed against the wall and a booming thud spread through the warehouse.

Tap.

He stepped in.

Tap, tap.

Claude and Elric followed.

Standing at the center of the empty warehouse was a robed figure, a small lamp in its hands.

"Ma'am, we are here."

"Ah, good work, Puzo," the figure answered.

A chill ran down Claude's spine.

The figure slowly turned to face them, knocking off the hood when—

A loud gasp.

"Y-you… are…" Black hair flowing like rivers, a sharp and alluring countenance that spoke of her status. Her eyes widened and jaw dropped when she noticed the two adventurers standing behind her aide… "Claude and Elric Wald…?"

"YOU!" Elric gasped. "Uh… who are you again?"

"It's me! Erika!"

"… who…?"