Legacy of the Dark Sage

Not wanting to alarm those observing him from the shadows, Kyran feigned ignorance and continued walking down the busy alley. All the while, he racked his brain on how to proceed from there. He did not want to draw attention to himself, but unknowingly, he did just that by discovering the good items displayed in the shops within the outer city.

Kyran's suspicions about the items being bait were still unconfirmed. However, the only action he did that might have caught others' attention was his knack for spotting valuable items from the shops. For this reason, he could not think of any other reason for them to be interested in him.

Quite a number of visitors arrived at the Crepuscule Auction House, and some even traveled in fancy-looking ships. As for Kyran and his group, their ship was redesigned to look very average. Thus, he did not think anyone would keep an eye on them, thinking they came from a large faction or clan.

No.

Wait.

What if that was the reason Kyran and his group drew more attention? And this attention only increased after he had gone around picking out valuable items from the shops around the outer city. His action of not buying any of the items, regardless of their value, might have added to their interest.

Kyran inwardly shook his head. He knew that jumping to conclusions would not do him any good. It was better to look at the current situation objectively, strategize, and calmly plan his next moves.

With this in mind, Kyran continued to check the shops around the outer city while also picking out the good items from their displays. His action seemed to work as the number of prying eyes observing him no longer increased.

Then again, it did not decrease either.

After almost four hours of walking around, Kyran found himself back on the street where the inn they were staying in was. Since he was feigning ignorance, he did not try to shake off his observers. Not that he could, given how they seemed to have a good skill, or maybe it was a spell that tracked his movements.

Once inside, Kyran noticed most of his observers dispersed. But he also realized that a couple of them entered the inn after him a few minutes later.

'So they intend to observe me even while inside the inn?' Kyran wondered in exasperation. He wanted to visit the others and warn them about the observers, but given how they decided to continue monitoring him in the inn, it was best to warn the others as discreetly as possible.

Fortunately, Kyran had a way to do just that. He anticipated something might happen that would prevent them from exchanging information in person. Thus, he gave Alta and Leif a communication device that could only transmit messages through sound waves. He also taught them an old form of sound-only transmission he learned from military school.

The communication mode was old and only used among ordinary humans, though.

Either way, in case a mage with sound innate magic was nearby, Kyran made sure that his communication device would be able to camouflage the way the sound was transmitted to the other device. This was to prevent Sound mages from detecting the sound.

The communication device was the only way for those transmitted sounds to be interpreted.

Kyran sent Alta and Leif the message after entering his room and ensuring that his observers were no longer paying much attention to him. After that, he pretended to rest while formulating their following action.

Cyneah frowned slightly after interpreting the message Alta wrote on a special tome. She looked at the latter and barely discerned the latter's subtle nod, through her magic sense, to confirm the message he wrote on the tome.

'For Kyran to draw attention to himself on our first day,' she thought with an inward sigh, 'It will not be a stretch to think that they will also start observing our movements.'

Initially, Cyneah and Alta would also do their investigation. However, unlike Kyran, who wanted to observe the city to understand its inner workings, Cyneah and Alta would focus on gathering information on the upcoming open auction.

Leif briefed them while they were on their way to the auction house that the Crepuscule Clan would organize an open auction in the outer city every other month. Based on the current intel of the Ogen Clan, it was almost time for the auction to happen.

However, because of the recent events, starting from the downfall of the Blade Dancer Clan and The Emperor's declaration that he was searching for the Void Master, the Crepuscule's open auction was pushed back.

Though there was still time before the end of the month when it was supposed to happen, no definite schedule was circulated. Cyneah and Alta had to find out. They needed to find out because it was said that Estrid would attend and participate in the bidding.

Kyran intended to sell his items at the open auction. Since he wanted to avoid meeting Estrid privately, the open auction was his safest option. Besides, having more eyes to witness his transaction with her was better than doing it privately.

Alas, with Kyran drawing attention to himself, he might not even get the chance to participate in the open auction. Estrid might decide to come and meet him herself.

Well, that was only one of the if scenarios at the moment. Another one— which Cyneah believed to be one of the dire scenarios— was Estrid having someone escort Kyran into the inner city.

While the inner city of the auction house was the safest and most secure place, it could also be interpreted as a mostly guarded 'prison' for those wanting to do business yet having ulterior motives.

Seeing Cyneah's expression, Alta more or less guessed what was going on in her head and wrote another message on her tablet.

'It is too early to make assumptions. Since Null only warned us, he likely has something planned out. Or at least, he does not think the situation is dire enough for us to make drastic changes to our plans.'

Cyneah smiled wryly after interpreting what Alta wrote and mouthed 'Thank you.'

While Cyneah trusted Kyran, her concern over his safety would cause her emotions to waver. She was thankful for people like Alta, who could stop her from letting her concerns get the best of her.

Alta smiled after Cyneah calmed down significantly. She wrote on the tablet again and shared what she believed would be their best course of action tomorrow.

'If those observing Null decided to keep an eye on us as well, they may misunderstand our intentions if we ask around about the open auction. Let's avoid openly asking about it.'

Cyneah nodded in agreement. She then wrote back and let Alta read her response.

'True. We have to avoid them from thinking we are interested in meeting the head of the Crepuscule Clan.'

Alta nodded.

Just as Cyneah managed to glean from Alta's message, those observing them might think they were interested in the open auction because they wanted to meet Estrid but did not have enough authority and influence to request an audience.

Until they confirm the identity of those observing them, they should avoid implying that they want to do business directly with Estrid.

'We'll gather intel by listening to the conversation around us.'

Alta wrote on the tablet once more.

Cyneah nodded after interpreting her message.

Asking questions was not the only way to gather intel. There were many creative ways to do it, and while listening did not count as innovative, with Cyneah's disposition, that was something she could do and even excel in.

Meanwhile, Leif and Mira had a similar discussion in their room. The only difference was that they were not using a special tablet to converse. Given Cyneah's lack of sight, that form of conversation was inevitable.

Of course, it was also because they could not use telepathy openly in case those observing them noticed any magic fluctuation in the surroundings caused by the telepathic transmission of 'voices.' The act of talking telepathically was not the reason they avoided it but the 'content' of their conversation being interpreted.

Leif and Mira had another way of conversing without telepathy, which was related to their innate magic: Water. Using the vibration from water's surface, they could pass messages or thoughts in real time.

Like Alta and Cyneah, they had a different task tomorrow. Since they were in disguise, they could not openly visit the Ogen Clan's people stationed there. Thus, they planned to meet them in secret. But if someone were monitoring their actions, that would no longer be possible. Thus, they planned to meet with them more naturally.

And that was what Leif and Mira were figuring out.

*

Kyran and his group went about their business the following day as usual. To others, they appeared like any other visitors interested in exploring the outer city while looking for rare items from the shop.

They continued to feign ignorance about being observed, and finally, after a few days, the number of prying eyes went down to about three to five.

Cyneah and Alta's intel gathering also produced results, as they confirmed that the open auction would be held the day after tomorrow. The new intel the Ogen Clan's people conveyed secretly to Leif and Mira also supported this information.

On the other hand, Kyran completed the outer city's map in his head and could now plan their escape route in an emergency.

A couple of days later, the open auction finally arrived.

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