Chapter 40: Noble Nonsense and a Heavenly Hit

Lord Valerius's words hung in the air, cold and dismissive. Drake, however, was not one to be easily intimidated, especially by pompous nobles. He leaned against a nearby pillar, crossing his arms and adopting a nonchalant stance.

"Well, my 'business,' as you so eloquently put it, is simply to find the local branch of the Adventurers' Guild," Drake replied, a sarcastic grin spreading across his face. "You see, I'm a bit of an adventurer myself. Just finished a little… goblin extermination project. Very satisfying. Highly recommend it. Though their interior decorating skills leave much to be desired."

Lord Valerius's face flushed red. "Goblins?" he scoffed. "That is work for common rabble, not for civilized folk. I suggest you take your… 'projects' elsewhere."

"Oh, I plan to," Drake said, pushing himself off the pillar. "But first, I need those directions. Unless you're suggesting that the fine citizens of Silverstream don't have any need for adventurers? No pesky monsters to slay? No damsels in distress to rescue? No lost kittens stuck in trees? Because I'm also pretty good with cats. Though I prefer dogs, personally. Less… judgmental."

Before Lord Valerius could retort, a young man, dressed in even finer clothes than the other nobles, approached them. He had a smug expression and an air of entitlement that radiated off him like heat from a forge.

"Father," the young man said, his voice dripping with boredom. "What is this… unpleasantness?"

"Nothing, Theron," Lord Valerius said, his voice strained. "Just a… vagrant asking for directions."

Theron looked at Drake with a disdainful expression, his eyes narrowing. "He certainly doesn't look like he belongs here," he said, his voice laced with contempt.

"Well, I wasn't exactly planning on auditioning for the Silverstream Fashion Show," Drake retorted, looking Theron up and down. "Though I have to say, that outfit is… something. Did you raid a peacock's nest? Because you look like you're about to take flight."

Theron's face turned crimson. "You dare insult me?" he spat.

"Insult?" Drake feigned surprise. "Oh, dear. Did I accidentally stumble upon some delicate sensibilities? My apologies. I wouldn't want to damage such a… fragile ego."

Theron lunged at Drake, his face contorted with rage. Drake sidestepped easily, letting Theron stumble past him. He then grabbed Theron's arm and flipped him over his shoulder, sending the young noble crashing to the marble floor.

The surrounding nobles gasped, their eyes wide with shock. Lord Valerius roared with fury.

"Guards!" he bellowed. "Seize him!"

Before the guards could react, a blinding flash of light filled the hall. Drake felt a sudden, intense pressure on his chest, as if a giant hand was pressing down on him.

*Notification: "Divine Target Acquired: Escape or Perish."*

He staggered back, clutching his chest. He could feel a powerful magical energy surging through him, a force that threatened to tear him apart. He knew this was no ordinary attack. This was the work of the Gods.

He looked up and saw a figure materialize in the center of the hall. It was a tall, imposing figure, radiating an aura of divine power. It held a long, gleaming spear, which it pointed directly at Drake.

"Your insolence has reached the ears of the divine," a voice boomed, echoing through the hall. "Your time has come."

Drake knew he had to escape. Now. He didn't even have time to think about the Adventurer's Guild. He activated Void Step, teleporting himself out of the hall just as the divine figure unleashed a powerful blast of energy. The blast struck the spot where Drake had been standing, shattering the marble floor and sending debris flying.

Drake reappeared outside the Noble's Assembly, gasping for breath. He could still feel the lingering effects of the divine energy, a burning sensation in his chest. He knew he had barely escaped with his life.

He looked back at the building, the divine figure now visible through the shattered entrance. He knew he couldn't stay in Silverstream. The Gods were hunting him, and they wouldn't stop until they had him. He needed to leave, and he needed to leave now.

He ran towards the stables, where Clunky was waiting. He had a mission to complete in the Shadowfen, and now, he had a divine bounty on his head. It seemed his life had just gotten a whole lot more complicated.