Chapter 30: Levaerûn: Into the Third Faction Territory

The following day, Xin, Leo, and even Leal picked Rafaela and me up and accompanied us to the territory of the Spriggan faction, where I could find Raiden.

I wandered my eyes around the place as we walked toward the headquarters of the Spriggan faction.

"How's your head, Leal?" Leo asked.

"It feels like it's breaking apart; it's all thanks to you, you big imbecile."

What caught my attention were the houses and buildings. All of them were built correctly and in good condition; some buildings were made of chiseled stones, and the people walking with us wore tunics and kirtles made of wool.

However, it's quite apparent that there's only a handful of them compared to the other citizens of the other factions, where I could see people in every corner.

Occasionally, there were some merchant's carriages passing down the brick road. 

This is the first time I've seen some since I arrived in this town!

Are we sure we're still inside the infamous lawless town?

I turned my gaze to the two faction leaders walking with me. "What's wrong with your factions?"

"Oy!"

"That's a hard question to answer," Leal said as he directed his gaze toward us.

Xin didn't reply and just shook his head.

"At least our place is free for everyone. Unlike this place where only a few can live," Leo proclaimed.

"If you've seen this place before the factions were established, it looks completely different from what it was. This place was a complete mess back then. I can say the same to our factions, but Tanya went on to the extreme extent of modifying this place," Xin added.

I mean, she did a really good job. However, she managed to do it in exchange for isolation and exclusion.

"How can you get permission to live here?"

Leo shrugged. "You can't. The only ones living in this place are the original inhabitants of this territory before the factions were established. All the people you are seeing here have already lived in this place from the beginning."

Wow, that's a very strict standard. 

After a few minutes of walking through the roads, we finally reached the headquarters of the Spriggan faction.

I wandered inside the place while standing outside the towering black metal fence separating us from the garden inside.

From afar, I could see the white mansion in the middle; in front of it was a white fountain with water pouring down.

We stood up a few meters from the gate while Xin talked to the person guarding the gate stationed on the other side.

"Why is Xin the only one talking to the guard?"

"He is the only one the old hag doesn't hate," Leo answered.

"Old hag?" Rafaela immediately stared at me.

"Just ignore him, and don't ever call someone that; it's extremely rude." I patted her head.

Leal shook his head. "If she heard you saying that again, she would definitely kill you."

"What could be the reason for her to hate you too, Leal?" I asked.

"She doesn't hate me, and she just doesn't like being associated with an elf."

But she herself is an elf, right? 

The black metal gate slowly opened, and I saw two people coming out from it.

The other one was a black-haired demon wearing a butler suit. He immediately bowed his head upon seeing me.

[Notice: Imitated Skill: Stealth acquired]

(Notice: The ability to become unnoticed and undetectable)

Looking back at the man. Have I met this guy? For some reason, he looks a little bit familiar.

The other one immediately ran towards me and looked at my face as if I was an amazing specimen, and she smiled as she gazed at my horns; I could see the excitement in her almond-brown eyes.

[Notice: Imitated Skill: Mana Eater acquired]

[Note: Ability to eat one's Mana and convert it as your own. This skill will only be activated when your own Mana is below minimum]

I noticed you have improved the way you talk, Cherubim. Congrats

[I only think which is convenient for you]

"You really are a Summon! You look so cool! Could you tell me how you can resist your urge to destroy everything in sight?"

My what? 

I shrugged. "I don't know. Breathing exercise?"

"Really?" She excitedly said and pulled out a notepad to write something.

"No, not really."

She raised her head again and smiled at me. "Your eyes look so scary! 

Can you even see?" She said while propelling her face on me. 

I walked back. "Huh? Of course, I am. I see everything."

"Lady Anabelle, do you remember what Lady Raiden told you?"

"Ehh! But I wanna! I wanna!" She said while pouting her lips.

"Lady Anabelle."

"Ehh! Oh, you are Rafaela? You're so cute! Can I pinch your cheeks?"

She's a beasfolk with beaver ears and tail flopping as she energetically moved.

Her neck-length gray wavy hair kept on swaying in every movement she made. She's wearing a brown sleeveless blazer with its zipper opened down to her belly button with nothing inside to hide her white skin but a black bra.

Yep, that's the main reason I walked back.

She was wearing a very short black skirt, but beneath it were short black leggings covering the upper part of her knees and a pair of brown leather boots.

She's definitely cute, a bouncy type of cute.

The demon butler walked towards us. "Forgive the commotion that Lady Anabelle caused. By the way, my name is Dareth. Maybe you haven't realized it, but we have already met at the Marionette faction arena. I have seen your impressive battle."

I see now, and maybe I saw him there without realizing it. Based on his attire alone, I would mistake him for one of Leal's mercenaries.

He pointed his hand towards the girl currently patting Rafaela.

"And this young lady is Lady Anabelle, Lady Raiden's right hand."

Karoon stood up and waved her hand. "Nice meeting you, Troy of Summon tribe."

"Me too."

"Let's go inside; Lady Raiden is already waiting for you," Dareth announced as he walked towards the mansion with Anabelle.

We followed them, and we walked together.

Wait, she's already waiting for me?

I immediately turned my gaze at Leo for confirmation; maybe he instantly realized it and raised his hands.

"What? I didn't come here to announce it. Maybe she already has the idea that you will come to challenge her. Besides, I won't go here in the middle of the night, or that old fairy will slaughter me."

"I can confirm it," Xin seconded.

Make sense.

This is it. I don't know what's waiting for me, but I know I have to win.