Chapter - 57

The dust from the slammed doors drifted down, and the figure in the entrance stepped through.

A woman.

She wore loose, travel-stained grey robes that hid everything, and a heavy veil covered the lower half of her face. Only her sharp brown eyes, which were cold and furious at that moment, were visible through the veil.

Her hood slipped slightly as she walked, letting a wave of deep blood-red hair spill free. Fire-coloured, wild, impossible to ignore.

Leo watched her move with balanced steps. A gust from the open door pressed the robe tight against her body for a heartbeat.

And his eyes instantly noticed.

Oh ho…  That's no oranges under there.

That's a road I want to slip upon . Holy Saintess of Light! Those things are MELONS.

Massive! S-tier Melons! . Blessed by the gods.

He took another slow bite of his apple, as his eyes sparkling like he had found a treasure beneath that baggy robe she was wearing.

Two female bodyguards stepped in behind her, dressed in tight black leather armour that hugged them tight. But compared to that woman, they barely had boobs or an ass to make Leo look twice. The long sharp katana like blades they were carrying with them looked more attractive.

"Halt!" the Captain of the guards barked, as he raised his halberd, "You trespass in Golden Scales territory! State your name or we wi…"

The woman didn't even turn her head.

She took one step forward.

BOOM.

Aura blasted out like a hammer strike. Invisible, crushing. The floor trembled. The air in the hall turned heavy and thick like stone.

Guards staggered. The Captain's knees buckled, as his face lost colour in an instant.

Her voice sliced through the silence, "Bring me Gamon. Now."

For a moment, no one breathed. The guards looked at each others' faces and the customers just wanted to scram. But no one dared to move at that moment.

And then suddenly slow clapping echoed from the grand staircase.

"Bravo! Bravo!"

Two men descended, smug grins on their faces.

The first was a short, fat, shiny like a jewelled pig. Every finger loaded with rings, gold chain strangling his neck, silk robes stretched to bursting. Greedy eyes, oily smile.

He was Grand Merchant Gamon, he oversaw the functioning of the Golden Scales Auravale branch.

The second was a tall, broad shouldered guy with hard muscles beneath a fine coat. A scar ran down his throat like someone once tried to chop his head off.

He was Iron Merchant Drax, in-charge of Iron Caravan's Auravale branch.

Leo leaned against the pillar, chewing his apple, amused.

Oh yes, he thought. Drama, tension, and a red-haired goddess hiding battleships under a blanket. If there's a catfight over power, I am betting on Big-Titty Mystery Lady.

Meanwhile the two men had already arrived.

"Miss Ryana," Gamon sneered, his double chins trembling with each word, "What an unpleasant surprise."

"To what do we owe this displeasure? Did your precious Silver Route finally collapse? Are you here to beg?" He smirked, eyes glinting with cruelty, "I might buy you out… But I only have 72 bronze coins with me."

Drax let out a deep laugh, crossing his arms, "Careful, Gamon. She looks like she wants to bite."

Ryana didn't move. She just stared at them, jaw clenched but posture straight, refusing to show weakness. Her eyes were turning red with anger..

"You crossed the line, Gamon," she said, voice sharp and cold, "3 of my caravan were attacked near the South Gate this morning. My drivers were beaten. And all the goods were burned to ash."

She pointed directly at Drax, every bodyguard in the hall tensing instantly.

"And the attackers weren't bandits. They had Iron Caravan insignia on their weapons. They were your people. You didn't even try to hide it this time."

Drax shrugged lazily, leaning one elbow on the banister, "Bandits steal from everyone. Maybe they got our weapons when they attacked us. armour. Happens every day, happens to everyone."

"Maybe your workers slipped on the banana peel my guys threw away. I sincerely apologise for that mistake. I will punish them, you have my word."

"Hahahaha!" Gamon barked a laugh, loud and mocking, "Is that so? Then you must really punish them, Master Drax. That's very irresponsible of your guys."

"Look at Miss Ryana. She is about to cry because of their mistakes."

Her bodyguards moved at once, as they pulled out their swords halfway through.

Immediately, Golden Scales guards blocked them, spears raised, boots scraping stone. The air tightened, the room shrinking, everyone seconds away from killing each other.

Leo watched from the shadow of a pillar, finishing his apple. He wiped his mouth with his thumb, bored.

He tossed the core into a vase and thought, 'Aiva, who do you think will win?'

[Lady Ryana's forces have higher combat capability, master. Despite being outnumbered 20 to 3 and an enclosed space. Survival probability: 99.9%.]

Leo blinked, he had a hunch, but 99.9 %? That means they won't even break a sweat.

'These three girls are monsters. I better not provoke them.'

But despite the high odds, Ryana lifted a hand, just two fingers and her guards stopped, and they took a step back.

"I let you push me around. I ignored your petty tricks and lies. I let you spread filth to scare my merchants away." Ryana spoke as she took one step closer, heels clicking like warning shots.

"But you crossed the line today."

Drax smirked down at her from the balcony, "Please. You are a child pretending to run a guild. Running to grow-ups at the first sign of trouble. Sit down before you embarrass yourself."

Ryana looked up, meeting his eyes. Her lips curved into a slow, cold smile. One that made the room go silent.

"You think you are untouchable," she whispered, voice filled with venom, "Because of the armed guards at your disposal. But you have gotten complacent, the winds are changing, you just don't know it yet."

She shifted her gaze to Gamon, staring him dead in the eyes.

"You are just a fat pig rolling in gold, thanks to your big brother."

Gamon's face twitched, rage breaking through his smug mask.

"Just because you have the Golden Scales and the Iron Caravan behind you… doesn't mean you're safe," She stepped back, veil shifting as she smiled again, "I have given enough leeway to the both of you."

The room went dead silent. Ryana's words hit like a slap.

Gamon's face turned purple, sweat rolling down his neck.

"You have won nothing today," Ryana said, voice steady and cold. "You burned three wagons. I have fifty more. The Silver Route is the people's guild. Burn wood if you want…" she leaned in slightly, smiling without warmth, "But I am done letting go. Try anything funny again, I will bury you both."

"You arrogant little bitch. Who do you think you are to bury me?" Gamon exploded, spit flying.

"Get out! Get out before I have you chained and dragged you through the town! Guards! Throw this bitch out!"

The Golden Scales guards rushed forward, gripping their spears.

Ryana didn't flinch. She looked him dead in the eyes, hatred sharp enough to cut.

Her voice dropped to a whisper of venom, "Enjoy your victory, pig. It's the last one you will taste."

She turned away, spinning on her heel.

"We're leaving."

Her two bodyguards followed instantly, blades still half drawn, eyes burning.

Ryana's gaze swept the hall as she walked.

She looked at the shaking receptionist. The guards trying not to meet her eyes. The silent audience holding its breath.

Then her eyes stopped on that one guy who seemed to be enjoying it all. He stood there casually, arms crossed, calm as still water. Not tense. Not afraid. Instead, she saw a look of disappointment in his eyes.

He met her eyes and gave her a slow, confident wink.

Ryana's step faltered. Just a fraction. Just enough to show shock, 'Who is he? Why isn't he scared?'

She forced her face back to stone and kept moving. Her dark robes swept behind her as she strode out the front doors, her guards flanking her like wings.

The heavy doors slammed shut.

"YEAH! RUN AWAY YOU COWARD BITCH!" Gamon screamed after her, red-faced and panting.

Drax didn't yell. His expression was not of amusement now. That woman was just too confident? Had they cornered her more than they should have?

He watched the doors. Then he scanned the hall again, slowly, like a wolf searching for the scent of blood.

His eyes moved from the guards… to the receptionist… and then to the boy standing beside her.

He froze.

He stared at Leo with that amused look on his face and the frown on his face deepened.

Faces began to replay in his head. The party. The dance with Lady Seraphine. The seven dead assassins in the middle of the hall.

He was the fucking The Bandit Slayer as the nobles called him.

Drax's eyes narrowed to slits.

"You there," he barked, voice booming through the hall like thunder.

He pointed his thick long finger straight at Leo's chest.

"Boy. What are you doing here?"

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