Chapter 25 - Indra's Promise

It's been almost a week since the attempt assassination. Theo could sense that there are finally no guards following him.

Still remembering the promise he made Haluk, Theo was contemplating whether to buy a spear from the store, forge one himself or go around the capital looking for one.

Since it's the weekend, Theo decided to go around the city and see what he could find.

Using his fade out and disguise skill as always. He went around weapon shops, the blacksmith and anywhere he could find Haluk a better replacement.

Theo even went to the auction house, he didn't find any spear but he saw a stone being auctioned off.

Using his all-seeing eyes, Theo read the description on the stone.

Black Dragon Ore

- Found in the nest of a black dragon. It is extremely hard and sturdy. Weapon forged from the ore is stronger and lighter than weapons made from normal ores. If used well, weapon can have added stats upon completion for user.

Looking at the size of the ore, its exactly the amount he needed to make a spear that would fit Haluk.

He then approached a staff.

"How do I bid if I'm interested in that stone?"

cough, the staff was surprised someone was interested in that stone. "You can write down the amount you're willing to pay for the item. The amount you bid will be open for all to see next to the item and if another person is interested, they can write down a higher price and so on.

The winning bid will go to the person with the highest bid written at the end of the day. As for the stone, it has been here since the auction house was bought by the new owner. There hasn't been anyone interested in it. I'm sure you'll get it if you want but it has to be above the minimum biding price. The minimum for that stone is 5 gold coins which is why it's been on display for years."

"Why didn't you get rid of it?" Theo asked intrigued.

"It was told that the previous owner sold this auction house under the condition that the stone stays on display until someone buys it. He even added the minimum bid of 5 gold coins saying that it's a shame to the stone as it is worth more than 50 gold coins." The staff explained slightly annoyed by the previous owner.

Theo looked at the stone, 'It really is a shame, 50 gold coins isn't too much if the weapon forged from it could really increase a person's stats.'

He currently owned around 100 gold coins, 5 gold coins is a steal especially for the black dragon ore.

Walking up to the stone, Theo wrote down his bid for 5 gold coins. He then went to the inn Haluk was staying at and have a staff pass him a note.

'Your new spear is still in the making, it will be completed in a week or two. I promise it will be worth it.

- Indra'

Haluk was excited when he saw the note the innkeeper passed him. He had felt abit off without his spear but since the other has offered to get him a new one, he hasn't looked for a new spear since.

Theo then went to his inn after getting his ore from the auction house which he didn't need to wait until the end of the day as the owner was ecstatic finally being able to get rid of that stone.

In the inn, Theo found Hayato eating while listening to the regulars at one of the tables and went to him.

Seeing Theo entered the inn and approach him, Hayato was slightly apologetic so he spoke up first.

"Many of the nobles are using the teleportation circle instead while merchants has been avoiding single mercenary like me since what happened at the end of harvest week, I might need to stay longer. I apologise for the trouble. Is there anything you need that I can help with instead?"

"It's alright, you can stay as long as you want but I may need your help soon. I'll talk to you about it later in private."

Theo then went to find Max upstairs.

Theo entered the room after knocking and informing Max of his identity.

Entering the room, he looked at Max who was still at the edge of the bed holding the spear looked towards him with a weak smile.

"I don't think it's a good idea to stay cooped up in the room alone for too long. It's been almost a week and I'm sure your brother is already guessing that you have left the capital." Theo explained slowly. "I can provide you something to disguise yourself with later if you would like. You can also take this opportunity to try and contact the King's loyal subordinates who are in hiding."

"Will that be possible? Are you sure the disguise will work since there would surely be people that could sense mana around my brother." sighing with a defeated look, Max continued. "I would be discovered immediately if it emits mana."

Laughing slightly, "I thought that you are able to sense mana, the invisibility necklace I lent you doesn't use mana when you activated, have you not noticed?"

"Since I am able to get that necklace, I can naturally acquire disguises without the help of mana."

Opening his eyes wide, he looked down at the necklace. When he activated he necklace, he was too nervous and tense to sense the mana in the surrounding.

He then suddenly thought of his roommate and only friend Theo as well as the throwing knife he left behind.

"Do you know Theodore Askwell by any chance?" Max asked suddenly. "He is able to do... 'stuff' as well without using mana."

Already expecting the smart boy to link the manaless artifact to himself since he had shown him 'magic' without mana as well. He wasn't worried about it as long as no one realised his identity Ash is also Theo.

"Why do you ask?" Theo answered vaguely.

"Just like the artefact he can do weird stuff he calls magic but no matter how I see it, he doesn't use any mana. I have never seen someone other than him, but you have an artefact that does not require mana. You must be related!" Max said.

'Well it doesn't matter to me anyways if he knows we are 'related''

"A magician never reveal its secrets" Theo said with a smile.

"You ARE related. Oh thank God, I promised Theo something but I think I may have broken it. Can you help me?" Max said feeling hopeful.

"What promise did you break?"

"Uhmmm... He gave me a throwing knife... He made me promised not to show it so I brought it with me everywhere. But it would be unsafe to have it with me when I train to I left it with my things in the room while training." Avoiding Theo's eyes, Max continued, "The day you picked me up, I did have time to grab my things, so it was left behind."

"Hahhhh... alright.... Since what's done is done, there's no use crying over split milk. There is actually more to the throwing knife than Theo told you" (where he used it to kill of two professional assassins in an instant and turned them into dust and soil) "which was why he must have emphasised to not show it to anyone."

Stunned by what he was told, he felt more guilty now. 'It looks like Theo hiding about the knife had more reasons than not wanting people to know he is a master blacksmith' Max thought.

"It is very important, if just IF the crown price, the king or anyone asked where you got them, do not and I mean DO NOT mention Theo. Do you understand? When asked, say you saw an old man playing with it and liked it so you asked the old man if you could have it which was given to you. You never saw the old man again and you don't remember his face clearly like he was covered in a fog." Theo came up with the best idea possible, this way, he could push the blame to the 'mysterious old expert'.

Max nod his head and answered, "No problem!"