I Don't Like Violence

Jeanne was running through the crowded streets of the city. There are still many visitors still enjoying the festival, making the streets look packed. However, Jeanne was still able to run agilely, avoiding every person in front of her.

Initially, Jeanne wanted to return home to get the money she needed. But this time, she changed her destination. It was not her home, but the place where the Amary Family was staying temporarily in the capital.

This was because Jeanne could sense some suspicious people following her. It was highly likely that they were the henchmen of people who had heard rumors about the magical item.

They were following her to take the Fire Glove!

That's what was on Jeanne's mind right now. Therefore, in order to protect herself and this rare magic weapon, she needed help.

If she went back to the military base, it might be the safest option for her at the moment, but the problem would become complicated if the military also wanted the Fire Glove.

But if Jeanne went to the Viscount Amary place, they would fully support her. The Fire Glove would become a treasure for the Amary family and could even raise the family's status if Jeanne gained a lot of merit in the future.

'Not to mention, I already pawned Veronica. I hope Uncle won't be angry.'

It took more than half an hour before Jeanne finally arrived in front of a private mansion belonging to Viscount Amary.

When she arrived at the gate, there were two guards who always kept watch. Both of them recognized Jeanne's face, so they immediately opened the gate.

Before entering, Jeanne warned them that there were many people following her and requested to tighten the security of the mansion.

After all, as Jeanne got closer to the mansion, she realized that more and more people were following her. It seemed like the news about the Fire Glove had spread so fast, and everyone wanted it.

Even though the magic weapon was already in Jeanne's hands by pawning Veronica, her competitors knew that it was just a gimmick.

The Fire Glove would not officially become hers until Jeanne paid the agreed price. Therefore, many people were thinking of seizing the Fire Glove from Jeanne's hands before she could buy it.

Technically, Jeanne's competitors could wait until she bought the magic weapon before snatching it. However, in doing so, they would become thieves, which was clearly a crime. If they were caught and found guilty by the royal court, their lives would be ruined.

So, this was the only time for them to seize the valuable magical item. Jeanne realized this and chose to ask for her uncle's help. As a Viscount, her uncle had a private knight's force that could protect her.

After successfully stepping into Amary's mansion front yard, Jeanne could breathe a little easier.

"Sigh, I knew there would be some hindrances. But not this many. Truly, this magic weapon is incredibly valuable. That seller is insane, selling an item like this openly. Isn't he afraid of being robbed?" Jeanne muttered to herself while walking leisurely to the front door of the house.

Just like in front of the gate earlier, there were two guards at the front door of the mansion. Jeanne was allowed to enter without going through the inspection process.

"Ah, is Uncle inside?" Jeanne asked before opening the door.

"They are inside, Miss Jeanne," said the guard at the door.

"Okay," Jeanne replied.

She entered the foyer, stepping into a large room with two grand white staircases on either side leading up to the second floor. As she walked, a middle-aged woman dressed in a maid's uniform appeared from upstairs and walked down to greet her.

"Welcome back, Miss Jeanne," she said.

"Where is Uncle, Louisa?"

"Viscount Amary is resting in the backyard, Miss. Um... I'm sorry, Miss Jeanne, but where is Young Miss Veronica?"

Louisa, the head housekeeper of the Amary family, asked with a hint of intimidation in her gaze. Since Jeanne arrived alone, Louisa felt something was off, as Veronica, her Master daughter, should have come with her.

Jeanne could only scratch her cheek in embarrassment. She couldn't possibly tell Louisa that she had pawned the young mistress to someone else. It was better to speak directly to her uncle.

"Don't worry, Louisa. Veronica is safe. There's something important I want to discuss with Uncle. It also involves Veronica."

Although Louisa was still somewhat hesitant, she reduced her intimidating tone and asked, "Is there a problem with Young Miss?"

"No, not at all. But it's better if I talk to Uncle directly."

"Alright then, I'll take you to Master right away."

***

In another place, at an open market where Cien's stall was located, a place that used to be avoided by people's gazes, now all eyes were on him. It made Cien somewhat awkward, because every move he made felt like it was being watched.

Sometimes, in moments like this, a sudden itch would occur in his nose. He wanted to scratch it, but his embarrassment overpowered his courage.

So, he could only wiggle his nose muscles to alleviate the itch, which actually made his facial expression look very strange. Fortunately, Cien was unaware of this.

It was not only Cien who was being observed, several parties were also watching, or even monitoring a little girl who was playing with a wooden doll next to Cien.

Her name was Veronica Amary. The little girl had nothing else to do but wait for her cousin to return.

Although she still felt sad because she had been pawned, Veronica knew it was the best course of action for now. Especially after she saw several important people watching her from a distance.

There were several retainers from other noble families that Veronica recognized in the midst of the crowd.

Not only nobles, but also merchants and auction owners were present. Standing with their personal guards. Seeing all these people, a sense of fear arose within Veronica.

'I didn't expect it to be this crowded. Or maybe it's supposed to be like this? Damn it! If this continues, it's only a matter of time before they move to capture me!'

Though Veronica worriedly. Although her hand and expression looked happy playing with the new wooden doll she had bought. Trying to look calm so as not to warn the onlookers.

In Veronica's mind, she knew there was a high possibility that they would capture her and use her as a bargaining chip for the Fire Glove. Her father, Viscount Amary, would surely choose his daughter over a magic weapon.

Really, if Jeanne didn't come soon, she would become a hostage. Veronica began to panic deep inside.

And true enough, at that moment, a muscular man with short, pointy hair and several scars on his face approached Cien's table. Behind the man, five other unfriendly-looking men followed.

"Hey! You're the one selling that magic item, right?! If you don't want to get hurt, you better hand over the little girl next to you," the scarred man asked roughly.

Cien just smiled. "Sorry, but no. She's mine because she's been pawned. I can't let you have her."

"!"

The scarred man was somewhat surprised because the seemingly weak seller dared to fight back. Not just appearing weak, but actually weak because he couldn't feel any extraordinary strength coming from the seller.

"Are you tired of living, Old Man?!"

The scarred man drew his sword and pointed it in front of Cien's nose. He stared at Cien and then, with a nod of his head, he ordered his subordinates to capture Veronica.

The little girl immediately became wary. Although she was still a child, she was still a magician. And her strength was now at Rank 3!

Veronica put her doll on the table and began to chant a spell to protect herself. But before she could successfully summon her magic, the seller's voice was heard again by everyone.

"I don't like violence, you know? But I won't just stand still when threatened like this."

As he spoke, he pulled out another pair of gloves from his robe. He calmly put them on, even though a sword was pointed at his face.

The scarred man wanted to stab Cien directly with his sword, as he did not expect the seller to still move. Unfortunately, before he could react, one of the Mana Core on Cien's gloves was already shining.

The sword came at Cien, attacking him, but he easily dodged it by moving his head slightly. Then, one of Cien's hands was in front of the scarred man's face, with a finger gesture that looked like a gun.

Cien releases the magic stored in his Fire Glove.

"[Tongue of Fire]."

Boom!