Chapter 105 Mind games

"Hello, nice to meet you, Princess Jade." The man in the sunglasses greeted as he bowed his head politely.

"Oh, you know me?"

"Of course, the servant just refered to you as such." 

"Oh, how foolish of me, haha!"

"Don't be too hard on yourself, hahaha!"

As Jade and the sunglasses guy shared a laugh, the green haired man and Matt went towards the table on different missions.

The green-haired man went next to Hela as he took a glance at the tea before taking a cup for himself.

Matt meanwhile went over to Jade's side before giving Jade a little nodge. Jade turned to him, looking him in the face before giving him a silent nod.

Matt then turned to the man wearing the sunglasses saying. "Hello, my name's Matt. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well. You can refer to me as Razor." Said the man in the sunglasses.

"Ah, Razor. Sorry for the inconvinience that the Princess caused by taking Your's and Miss Hela's time." Matt said with a smile.

"It's no problem at all, afterall, we got to meet the Princess herself. But, like what you are trying to imply, I think it's time to leave."

"Take care then."

As the green-haired man and Hela stood up from the table, 'Razor' opened the door. Just as he was about to leave, Jade stopped him by saying. "Do not dare leave this room."

Razor, acting a bit surprised, turned around and said. "Oh, yes ma'am."

As Matt, who was beside Jade, breathed out a little bit as Jade continued. "I'm sorry about that. I was just used to talking to annoying people."

"I can be annoying if you want so you don't have to force yourself."

"Please no."

"Ohoho, I'm only joking."

"Haha, you got me. Now that's out of the way, I would like to talk to you, Razor. So, would you mind closing that door." Said Jade with a friendly smile on her face.

Razor gave her a nod before turning towards the door, as he closed it, a mischievous smile was on 'Razor's' face. But once he faced Jade and the others, it was gone and replaced with a friendly one.

Jade gestured to the opposite end of the table, where Hela and the annoyed green-haired man is currently sitting. Razor obliged and sat with them after giving a nod.

"Now, then..." Razor said as he faced Jade, while the two beside him just did their own thing.

"What would you like to talk about today, Princess?" He continued with a smile.

"Well, I think we should have a proper introduction first, yes?"

"I think so as well."

"Very well. I am Jade, the princess and the only daughter of Lord Jade, the ruler of the Jade region. But, I think you already knew that, didn't you, Razor?"

"Yes. Ahem. My name is Razor. Just to confirm your thoughts. Yes, that is an alias."

"Do you mind telling us the reason for hiding your name?"

"Yes, of course. It's because I deal with rather... dark forces so to say."

"Then, dare I ask, are the sunglasses also... you know."

"Not really. I have the blood of a mole beastfolk. So, my eyes are very sensitive to light, so please excuse me for my rudeness of not being able to look you in the eyes."

"Not at all. This room is rather bright considering it's still morning."

Matt then chimed in, his face adorned with a smile, saying. "Oh, It's been a while since I saw a mole beastfolk, their eyes are quite something to behold."

Razor turned to him, a smile still on his face, saying. "Oh, please, don't flatter me."

Jade then continued. "Mr. Razor. Can I ask what you guys do for a living?"

"Oh, that's a bit personal... I'd say the closest thing in comparison is a freelancers/wanderers."

"Can you elaborate further?"

"Of course. But, before that. May I ask... am I in suspicion of something?"

Jade and Matt remained calmed as Jade replied. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, this entire conversation is just... an interrogation, isn't it?"

"If that's how you feel, I'm sorry, it was not my intention." Jade said, slightly bowing her head.

"Oh, please. Do not bow to someone like me, princess."

"I understand. But, please understand, I'm just curious since Hela over here told me quite some tales."

'Razor' then turned to Hela, who was just sitting beside him, drinking tea like she just came out of a treck in a desert.

He then said. "Ah, apologise for jumping to conclusion, princess."

"Ahem. To answer your question from earlier. I am a wandering weaponsmith. That green-haired fella over there is the one who gets me materials. While this is the Lady we are meant to protect."

"Protect?"

"Yes, her guardian, so to say. Left her with us, not like they left since, you know, they will forever be in her heart or something."

Jade let out a giggle after hearing Razor's playful way of talking with her hand gracefully covering her mouth.

Matt then said with his eyes looking like a beast who has found their prey. "I don't believe I have introduced myself yet. My name is Matt. I am a vassal of sorts for the Princess. Nice to meet you Mr. Razor."

"Nice to meet you too, Matt."

"Now that's out of the way, may I ask to see your wares, Mr. Razor?" Matt asked with his whole face smiling kindly.

"Oh, may I ask why?"

Jade then interjected saying. "I'm not sure if you know this, but I'm pretty sure you do. We, the Jade region is badly situated in a... hunting way."

"Yes, I am aware."

After a bit of a nod, Jade continued. "Because the Sun region is unwilling to cooperate, we lack the beast materials they have."

"And you, the Jade region, is also unwilling giving them the metals needed for their equipment, yes?"

"That is correct. You mentioned you were a freelancer of sorts, I believe that's where Matt was getting at."

"Ah, I see..." Razor nodded to himself before raising his hands slowly. After which, he said. "I'm drawing a weapon."

Matt gave him a nod, signalling Razor, who then reached into his clothes, before drawing a bladed weapon with it's sheath.

After slowly placing it onto the table, Razor moved it closer to Matt and Jade, who then grabbed the blade, allowing Razor to lower his hands back onto the table.

As Jade drew the blade, he said. "Please do be careful. It's quite dangerous for someone who has never held a blade."

Jade gave Razor, who was simply smiling at her, a solid glare before returning her attention to the blade.

After inspecting it for a few moments, she gave the blade to Matt, who also began inspecting it, as she said to Razor. "It's rather sloppy. But, by the way it was crafted, the way that everything is to the minimal... it's a prototype, isn't it?"

Razor, with a smile still on his face, replied. "That's correct. I'm surprised, Princess. I took you for some sheltered girl, but it looks like you know your stuff. I apologise for seeing you in the wrong light."

"You are forgiven. It's very easy to assume that after all because it's true. I have never held a weapon."

"Oh, is that so."

Matt then said. "If this is the prototype, where's the proper one? Has it not been made yet? Can we see it?"

To which Razor replied. "I'm sorry to say, it was taken from me."

Jade then said. "Taken? Do you know who did it?"

"Fortunately, yes. I know exactly who took it. But the issue is, where they are hiding."

"Can we offer some help?"

"No need. I will find them."

Matt then sheated the blade before pushing it towards Razor as he said. "It's quite impressive. You are quite experienced."

"Thanks. You too are quite experienced, Matt."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Well, if that is all, will it be alright if we take our leave, Princess?"

"You may. Thank you for your time, Razor."

After giving a courteous bow, Hela, the annoyed green-haired man and Razor began walking out.

But as Razor was about to leave, he slightly turned back as he said. "I assume you already know. Beware. The world outside is finally moving. So, keep your gazes on the inside."

After leaving behind those vague words and closing the door, Razor and his group left the building.

Now only the two of them, Matt turned to Jade saying. "Why did you have to stop him?"

"Well, we got to know more about such a dangerous man."

"I'm sure he got more out of this than us. I. Am. Sure. Most of what he said are lies, perhaps all of them."

"But... those words he left..."

Laying down onto the floor, Matt replied. "Lies. Probably lies. Perhaps I should have stopped him from leaving and interrogate him further. But, I am pretty sure all three of them, maybe four, would have jumped us if I did that."

"Yeah, that was pretty risky on my part. By the where in the hell is Tat?! He was supposed to be with us!" Jade then began to return to her usual ways, screaming.

Still on the floor, Matt responded. "Well, we didn't tell him where we were going."

He then stood up, walked towards the door and grabbed the handle. But just then, Jade spoke in a dominant manner. "Do not follow them, Matt."

With a smile on his face, Matt turned to face Jade, who was now wearing an aura of power and seriousness. She then continued. "They are playing a game larger than us, Matt. But..."

She then fell into a pondering state as she said. "Perhaps we are already in a large game board, and we just don't know it."

Seeing how she was being serious, Matt threw away the playful persona as he asked. "Do you want me to ask them more about it?"

To which Jade said. "No. They have told us enough. Once we go back, I'll personally look 'inside'. And I'll repeat once more, don't follow them, Matt."

Matt then threw his hands in the air saying. "Fine, fine. I'll just go and find Tat. You stay here until I or him comes and gets you."

As Matt was about to leave the room, Jade, still sitted on the table with a serious aura around her, said. "I'll repeat it again, Matt. Don't follow them."

To which Matt said. "Yes, Mama." Before completely leaving the room.

But once he was outside the building, he said to himself. "I'm following them."