Date - 6

"There's no need for that, Conrad," she said, trying to suppress her materialistic temptations.

"Hey, no need to be shy now. You were eyeing them like an eagle stalking its prey. I know you want to buy at least one," Reich teased as he unknowingly grabbed her hand, pulling her into a luxury clothing store.

Startled by his sudden action, she couldn't bring herself to say no and followed him.

"There's really no need for this, Conrad," she protested as they stepped inside.

"Come on now, think of it as a gift for accompanying me—or a bribe for future trips you'll have to endure with me," Reich replied with a mischievous grin.

Sulvia couldn't argue with his reasoning, nor could she resist the temptation, especially when being coerced like this.

"Welcome! How may I assist you, dear couple?" the man at the reception greeted, assuming they were a pair.

"Show this lady your finest collection," Reich instructed without hesitation.

"There's no need for that, Conrad," she murmured under her breath, but Reich quickly silenced her with a playful shush.

As soon as Reich made his request, the shop owner's demeanor shifted dramatically, akin to a golden retriever being handed a treat. It was clear he recognized Reich as someone of wealth and status, and the gleam in his eyes said it all—he had struck gold today.

"Follow me, esteemed customers. Allow me to show you the finest collection in the kingdom," the shopkeeper said with a deep bow, leading them to the upper floor where the premium luxury clothing was displayed.

As they entered the upper floor, Sulvia's eyes widened in awe, dazzled by the glittering, opulent garments on display.

"Antonio, bring out the finest pieces for this couple," the shopkeeper ordered one of his staff.

"Esteemed customers, please follow me," Antonio said, guiding them to a more exclusive section.

"Isn't this already the best?" Sulvia asked in amazement.

"This is indeed of the finest quality," Antonio replied with a polite smile, "but it's not the very best of our collection."

Sulvia was left speechless. She couldn't fathom that these exquisite garments weren't even the pinnacle of what the store had to offer.

Soon, they entered a separate section through a glass door. The ambiance here was entirely different—warm and bright, with lighting designed to enhance the vibrant colors and textures of the clothing.

"We've arrived, esteemed customers. Would you prefer to browse on your own, or shall I assist you in selecting pieces?" Antonio asked courteously.

"We'll browse on our own," Reich replied.

"As you wish. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call for me," Antonio said, stepping aside to give them space.

"Now, choose whatever you like," Reich said, turning to Sulvia. "I'll speak with the shop owner downstairs. Don't worry about the price—if you like it, just bring it. Best of luck." With that, he left her to browse and made his way back to the reception area on the first floor.

When Reich reached the reception, the shop owner greeted him warmly. "Have you already decided what to purchase?"

"Oh no, she's still choosing. I wouldn't dare pressure her with my preferences," Reich replied with a chuckle.

"Haha, I see. Quite understandable. My wife also takes her time when choosing—sometimes hours, in fact," the shop owner joked, sharing a knowing smile.

"It's true, isn't it?" Reich said with a laugh.

"It is," the shop owner agreed with a nod.

"I have a question to ask," Reich began, his tone turning more serious. "I've heard that the lord of this territory is a tyrant. Is that true?" He asked, aiming to gauge the sentiments of the local merchants and their opinions.

"You've heard correctly, esteemed customer," the shop owner replied, his expression darkening. "The lord of Deroth is a cruel, tyrannical bastard." His voice was filled with bitterness, and he gritted his teeth in disgust.

"What has he done to earn such notorious fame?" Reich inquired, though he already knew the answer. Still, he wanted to hear the perspective of the people who lived under the lord's rule.

"You must be a foreigner," the shopkeeper said, lowering his voice as he glanced around nervously to ensure no one was listening. "I'd advise you not to go asking such questions publicly. His soldiers—those corrupt dogs—will throw you in prison and torture you worse than the Inquisition ever could."

"Thanks for the warning," Reich replied calmly, "but I'm curious. What exactly has he done to instill such fear and hatred among his people? And why hasn't anyone tried to stop him yet?"

The shop owner hesitated, clearly torn. "Speaking of this is treason, and it could get me thrown behind bars," he muttered with a sigh. "But since you insist..." He took a deep breath before continuing.

"For starters, this devil of a man imposed a 50% tax on commoners and businesses, completely destroying the territory's financial stability. On top of that, there are additional sales taxes and other levies that make it impossible to earn any profit. People are barely scraping by. And the poor? Even they aren't spared. If they fail to pay, they're thrown into his mines to work as slaves—they're owned by him, after all."

Reich's expression darkened, but he let the man continue.

"During a drought, he demanded full taxes from farmers without offering any relief. Over a thousand farmers took their own lives because they couldn't survive. And during the famine that followed, even though there was enough food to distribute, that vile bastard hoarded it for himself and hosted lavish parties instead of helping the starving masses."

The shop owner clenched his fists in frustration. "And if that wasn't bad enough, he and his so-called soldiers come into town and take young women for their 'enjoyment.' Anyone who resists is killed on the spot. He executes people in the square for not paying taxes or for petty crimes like stealing a few coins. He even tortures people in public for his own sick amusement."

He paused, his anger nearly boiling over. "I could go on, but if I listed all his crimes, it would be longer than the holy scriptures. He's a monster beyond redemption."

Reich remained silent, but his jaw tightened as the shop owner's words struck a nerve.

"No wonder his wife ran away with the hero Gris," the shop owner added with a bitter laugh. "That cuckold got exactly what he deserved. Too bad the hero didn't kill him in their fight. It's a shame he survived."

Reich's gaze hardened, though he managed a small nod. "He sounds like an evil bastard even God couldn't forgive. Thank you for telling me," he said, though his calm demeanor masked his irritation at the mention of the lord's wife, someone Reich had his own history with.

******

Man, how did i manage to write 6 fcking chaps of this i intended to wrap it up with 2 chap max.

Just a request I am 400$ short on my college fees if you could donate I would appreciate it.

Paypal: @Un1que01