Chapter 28- Payment and Rewards

Drodus continued walking along the dark path, staring at his hands.

"Did I really do that?"

Tirian and Enferia looked a bit saddened that they were unable to assist Drodus when he was in need, but since nobody got hurt they weren't too concerned, and shortly perked back up.

Samuel, on the other hand had a look of disdain. "Not only was I too late, but I even let that dwarf steal the show from me! I never imagined that the dwarf would have grown so much in these few days of training!", he remarked.

Of course, everyone was under the impression that Drodus had improved the amount of magical energy he could control to a very high level, high enough to scorch a group of bandits in a few seconds.

This was not the case, because Alt was actually the one who enhanced Drodus' spell.

Dubs began to think quietly. "This works out quite well for me. I would prefer that everyone is under the impression that I am weak until I become strong enough not to even concern myself with hiding my strength."

The party walked for another hour or so, and eventually made it to the city of Ariola.

Upon arrival, they once more had to present identification to the city guards, which was not an issue. The city resembled Lardis almost exactly. Stone buildings laid across the streets, and the only light sources were the lanterns.

Aria hobbled over to the drivers seat and tapped on Tirian's shoulder. "I can take things from here. I will guide us to my son's shop.", she told him.

Swapping out, the party traveled down a series of twists and turns in the streets, finally arriving at a small shop with an item bag as a crest, in a thin alleyway.

It seemed like an odd location, as the alleyway seemed to be a tightly packed residential area, however this would also mean there was less competition for the shopkeeper, and more customers.

An ideal spot for business.

The cart stopped and Aria got down. "I'm sorry that you all had to deal with those thieves on the way here. I expected it to be a simple travel, but it appears I was wrong, however it is fortunate that I took the caution to hire you all in the first place!"

Samuel put a smug look on his face and stated "Of course! It is our job to protect our client and their cargo. If you need anything in the future, leave it to us."

Aria thanked the party once more, and they all began to unload the supplies on the wagon into the shop.

Upon entering the shop, a man who appeared to be in his 30's with short black hair was haggling with a customer, an older man with a long grey beard.

The shopkeeper wore a green sweater vest, and tan pants. The old man wore a white button up shirt and black tuxedo pants.

"No, good sir! I cannot sell that product for any less than 3 silvers!", the shopkeeper exclaimed.

The old man frowned. "I wouldn't even pay 2 silvers for that used piece of junk. Good day to you!"

The man stormed off, clearly disappointed that he didn't obtain the deal he wanted.

Dubs considered this. "It seems people in this world are willing to argue over the simplest matters such as the price of an item.". Dubs had kept his distance from people during his time in the resistance, and Alt was basically his only "friend", if you could call him that.

Dubs didn't trust anyone but himself, particularly because the only people he encountered before coming to the resistance were all selfishly lusting for power.

Even Ivan and Isabelle, Dubs had no trust for. He was merely cooperating with the resistance because he could gain from it.

However, after seeing this scene Dubs continued to lose his trust for people. "It seems like everywhere I turn, people are always trying to benefit themselves, even at the expense of others. There are a few exceptions, perhaps. My squadmates do not seem to have taken advantage of others yet, Samuel aside.", Dubs pondered.

"However, it is possible they are simply hiding that side of themselves."

Dubs decided not to think too much on it, and simply to continue doing his job here.

After finishing the unloading, Aria introduced the shopkeeper to the squad of mercenaries.

"This is my son, Millis. Millis, as part of the payment for taking on the job to escort our wagon, I offered them a discount."

Millis tried to hide his displeasure at hearing this. "Well then, I thank you all for your assistance. I take that a 5% discount will do?", he offered.

Aria kicked her sons foot. "Why you! Always trying to cheat our customers. 10% at the least!"

Millis sighed and agreed, "Understood. 10% discount for the party of mercenaries."

"And I promised them 30 coppers of pay.", Aria noted.

Millis cringed at this but took out the money bag and forked over the 30 coppers.

Aria apologized for her sons rudeness, and the party split the payment.

Samuel received the bag and began passing out the coppers.

After giving 6 each to Enferia, Tirian, and Drodus, they all walked off in turn to browse the shop to see if there was anything they would like to purchase.

Samuel came to Dubs and handed him 4 coppers. "You did the least amount of work on this mission, please understand Dubs. As the leader, I deserve the greatest cut of the payment."

Dubs held back a laugh and agreed. After the haul that Alt had obtained, Samuel taking 2 copper coins from his payment was like making a dent in a stone fortress.

Dubs exited the shop temporarily to go find an inn to stay at. After walking down the alleyway, he entered into a complicated grid and had Alt search the area.

"Alt. Take a look from above us, what do you see?", Dubs asked.

Alt's shadow figure flew up and pointed to the left of Dubs. "There's an inn over there. Follow me."

The shadow figure flew over and Dubs followed, coming upon a cheap looking inn. "This will do just fine for now.", Dubs stated as he entered the inn.

Dubs entered and approached the woman at the reception desk. She had black long wavy hair, and pale skin. "Welcome!", she exclaimed.

Dubs began to ask her a few questions. "I am from a foreign land, and I am unsure how the currency system here works. Could you explain it to me?"

The lady nodded and began to speak. "Yes, so to stay at this inn for a night with food would cost you 2 coppers. 20 coppers is worth a silver coin, and 20 silvers is worth a gold coin, which is the highest unit of currency, worth 400 coppers."

Dubs nodded. "I see, thank you! I will be staying for 2 nights.", he said as he forked over the 4 copper coins.

The woman gave Dubs a room key and pointed his room out down the hall. After entering it, Dubs began to speak with Alt.

"So? Would you like to tell me what went on when you were fighting those thieves?", Dubs questioned.

Alt began to mold himself as a cavity formed in his stomach, and a large chest began to protrude from it, plopping onto the ground.

"Here is the haul. I merely took down all the enemies in the area, spare those ones who attacked Drodus. They were extremely weak, not even a speck of significant combat ability.", Alt explained.

Dubs opened the chest to find multiple suits of armor, mostly leather, but a couple were metal. Dubs picked a leather suit that had a light feel to it and put it on.

Along with the armor, he equipped a pair of gloves and some boots. He then scavenged the rest of the chest to find a multitude of weapons.

A mace, the katana and the trident, as well as some axes and a club laid in the chest. At the bottom was a sack of coins, which Dubs picked up and poured out into his hand.

3 silver coins and 12 copper coins flowed out, and Dubs began laughing. "Samuel tried to anger me over a couple copper coins, and yet he missed out on this haul! What an idiot."

Alt started laughing too, and they both collected themselves. "That guy seems to be going out of his way to piss me off, but if I keep my cool he only becomes more enraged. I will keep going at this pace for now, pretending as if he is stronger than me. When the time to fight back comes, I will fight.", Dubs stated.

Dubs had alt put the chest back into the storage dimension, and then search the area for surrounding shops. They then headed off to the marketplace to do some shopping.