The next city

Returning from his thoughts, Atlas rose from the ground to gaze at the view one last time before turning around and heading down the road towards the lower part of the city, where Alpheus was supposed to already be waiting for him.

'Perhaps I should inquire for some information to know our next destination,' Atlas thought as he reached the bottom of the cliff.

In agreement with this, before he even had the chance to ask, a merchant signaled him to approach, proudly displaying all he had to offer.

- Hello! Atlas said to greet the man in front of him.

- Greetings! What a beautiful sun we have today. It's the perfect opportunity for some shopping. Here you'll find everything you need to satisfy all your desires. The merchant replied.

- It's a bit much to say you have everything I need. Atlas remarked.

- I'm confident in the diversity of my merchandise. The merchant retorted.

- I see, but sorry, there's nothing here to satisfy me. However, I'd like some information. Can you tell me where the nearest town is? Atlas inquired.

The merchant took a few seconds to ponder Atlas's question, but when he seemed to have found the answer, he said:

- For 5 silver coins, I'll tell you what you want to know.

- *Sigh* Really, you merchants never miss a chance to make profits. Atlas complained before finally taking out the five silver coins from his pocket to give to the merchant.

He hadn't really hesitated to give the money to the merchant, as the amount requested wasn't much in the world of Aspell. In the monetary system of this world, large sums are reached when one has hundreds of silver pieces, which equates to a gold piece.

Accepting the money from Atlas's hands, the merchant promptly answered his question.

- The nearest town from here is Santa-Rosa, a prosperous city founded since ancient times.

- Thank you! And where is this town located? Atlas asked.

- Hmmm... you seem to have many questions in store, young man. How about, for 40 silver coins, I tell you everything you want to know?

- Oh, come on, man. 40 silver pieces is what two rooms cost me in the inn next door. Atlas sighed.

- That old rundown inn? Sorry, it's just business. Hehe! The merchant added, accompanied by a smirk.

- Alright, fine. Said Atlas, handing the requested money to the merchant.

The latter then made himself ready to answer all of his interlocutor's questions.

- Remind me what you want to know?

- Where is the town of Santa-Rosa located?" Atlas asked, looking tired.

- It is precisely west of the kingdom, about a hundred kilometers from the gates of this city.

- Alright. And besides being prosperous, what kind of town is it?

- I would say... it's a peculiar town. Unlike most towns in the kingdom of Eryas, Santa-Rosa is inhabited by many races other than elves. Moreover, you can find exceptional fantastic creatures there. If you go there now, you might even witness dragons flying over the city.

- Dragons! Really!?

- Yeah, indeed! Dragons!

- I think I'll head there right away. Atlas said, turning around determinedly to make his way to his next destination.

But seeing his prey turn away like that, a certain feeling of dissatisfaction settled on the merchant's face. He didn't feel like he had swindled Atlas, and he felt he could still squeeze more money out of this man's pockets. So, he shouted: "Young man!"

Hearing the merchant's call, Atlas turned back momentarily to hear what he had to say.

- You seem like a trustworthy and spirited young man. So, I have one last deal to offer you. How about... "an unusual piece of information"?

- An unusual piece of information? Atlas repeated, intrigued by the merchant's offer.

- Indeed! Something you won't hear at every corner.

- I'm pretty sure you want something in return for this information, right?

- Why not another 40 silver coins?

- What!? So in total, you want 85 silver coins from me, just 15 coins short of a gold coin. What makes you think I have such a sum in my possession, me, a simple traveler? Atlas exclaimed at the merchant's demand.

- Excuse me for saying this, but you stink of money from miles away. It's evident just from your clothes.

'Have I been too extravagant in my choice of clothing?' Atlas thought as he looked at what he was wearing.

- I'm sure this sum means absolutely nothing to you. And besides... we're not talking about just any information. Trust me, and you won't be disappointed. The merchant declared to reassure Atlas.

- *Sigh* ... You're really good at business, I'll give you that. I think I'll give it a shot. Atlas said resignedly.

A smile appeared out of nowhere and immediately settled on the merchant's face as Atlas once again handed him the tidy sum of 40 silver coins.

- Tell me then, what is this unusual information? Atlas asked, impatient for his interlocutor's response.

The latter gestured for Atlas to come closer, as if to indicate that this information couldn't be divulged indiscreetly. Now that Atlas was close to him, he could whisper the information to him:

- The town of Santa-Rosa is known to some, or rather very few, for harboring one of the largest black markets in the kingdom. I could indicate its location and the means to access it.

- I fail to see how going to a black market could help me. Atlas shrugged.

- Are you serious, man? There's everything in black markets. Whatever you can't find in the cities of a kingdom, you'll find it in the black market. There are even rumors circulating that there's a map there that can indicate all destinations. Isn't that exceptional?

- A map that indicates all destinations? Hmmm... that is indeed exceptional. Atlas replied thoughtfully and appeared interested in this rumor.

- Tell me then, dear merchant, how do I access this black market?

- Hehe! Nothing simpler...

The merchant then explained everything Atlas needed to know to access the black market.

- Thank you for all those informations, merchant. I must now be on my way.

- It was a pleasure doing business with you, young traveler. The merchant replied with a wide smile.

...

Now on the road to return to his companion, who was waiting for him at the city gates, Atlas reflected on what had just happened with the merchant.

"I think I made a good deal with this merchant," he rejoiced.

"The authenticity of his information remains to be verified. But if it turns out that there really is a map that can take us anywhere, that would already be a big advantage for us. Although we'll need to know where we're going first. I really hope this merchant didn't lie to me. It would waste my time and money.

But honestly, it's not such a big deal. This merchant did me a favor. Not only did I get important information, but also for a very low price. Only 0 small silver coins. Ahhh... when I think he wanted to take 85 coins from me, it's outrageous.

But who does he think I am, anyway? It's obvious that someone like me would pretend to agree before taking back his money... with interest."

"That darn swindler!" he added as he approached Alpheus.

- You look like someone who just got roughed up by one of the old swindling merchants of this city. Alpheus remarked.

- It almost happened. But I managed to take back my money before leaving his stand. I even made some profit out of it.

- You definitely like to steal from people you don't like.

- Don't say it like that, Alpheus, it sends a bad image of me. Remember that it can't hurt to hurt someone who enjoys hurting others!

- Hmmm... wait, what!?

- You'll understand one day, you're still young. Atlas told his companion, tapping him on the shoulder.

- We're probably the same age, I should point out. I'm 17 years old.

- I'm 18. So logically, I have more experience than you. So listen to the wise words coming from the mouth of your elder.

- Yeah... yeah... if you say so. Replied a nonchalant Alpheus. "Anyway, do you know where we are going now?"

- To Santa-Rosa. Apparently, it's a prosperous town founded years ago.

- Very well. Let's go then!

The two travelers then set off on the road to this town west of the kingdom called Santa-Rosa.

Since the town was about a hundred kilometers from the Gateway City, the journey lasted all day, and they had to take a break in their journey for the night before resuming the next day.

As he had planned to do every morning, Atlas got up early for a meditation session followed by practice or simply physical training, favoring the circulation and manipulation of mana.

Alpheus joined him that morning, wanting to progress in every way, whether in brute strength or in his mastery of mana and magic.

After about 3 hours of training, they resumed the road to Santa-Rosa. A long journey of several hours on horseback. This long journey finally came to an end when they saw the walls of Santa-Rosa.

****

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