The shopkeeper eyed Lucian knowingly, his smirk widening as he moved to close the curtains.
"So… what's on your mind, my lord?" he asked, voice low and curious.
Lucian's eyes gleamed violet once more as he tossed fifty gold coins onto the counter.
"First, the new Dark Lord—when did he rise, and where?"
The shopkeeper scooped up the coins with practiced ease, barely breaking his stride.
"A few hours after the old one's death," he replied, his tone casual—like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Lucian arched an eyebrow. "And where?"
The shopkeeper tapped his forehead, pretending to ponder the question, his foot tapping against the floor.
Lucian let out a soft chuckle, flicking another fifty gold coins onto the counter.
"This jog your memory?"
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up as if suddenly struck by divine inspiration.
"Ah, of course! According to the town criers, he appeared at the ruins of the old Dark Lord's domain."
Thoughts swirled in Lucian's mind, gears clicking into place.
"I see… that's helpful," he murmured, more to himself than the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper pocketed a coin, rubbing it thoughtfully between his fingers.
"Anything else, my lord?"
Lucian chuckled. "You're slyer than I thought. I expected a naive seller."
The shopkeeper gave a confident shrug.
"When it comes to money, everyone's a bit sly."
"True enough." Lucian tossed a hundred gold coins this time, the hefty clink echoing through the room.
"What happened to the old Dark Lord's army?"
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, a hint of disbelief slipping through his professional demeanor.
"No offense, my lord, but every question you have asked is common knowledge."
Lucian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I was… busy at the time." His tone carried a subtle threat, and the shopkeeper's smile faltered for just a moment.
"Ahem… understood," the man replied, now more cautious.
"They followed the new Dark Lord as soon as he appeared. The allegiance shifted almost immediately."
Lucian chuckled darkly, pressing a hand to his forehead as if the absurdity of it all was too much to bear.
"No wonder," he muttered.
The shopkeeper squinted, sensing more behind Lucian's reaction.
"Did you figure something out, my lord?"
Lucian waved the question off.
"Just some personal musings."
His mind raced. The loyalty of his followers hadn't faded overnight—they'd been overshadowed. A new Dark Lord emerging so soon after his own "fall" had drawn the world's focus away from him, stealing his thunder in one swift move.
So, the new Dark Lord wasn't just powerful—he was cunning. A smirk tugged at Lucian's lips, his mind already working on his next move.
Just in time, Ignir returned from the changing room, his steps lighter and his face beaming with happiness.
Lucian noticed the change, his usual stern demeanor softening.
The Codex is influencing me more than I thought, he mused. I've used it too much today—my usual theatrics are drowning in cruelty.
Taking a deep breath, Lucian eased his expression, allowing a more genuine smile to surface.
"Ahh, you have returned, child," he proclaimed dramatically, as if greeting a royal heir.
He struck an exaggerated pose, basking in his self-proclaimed divinity. "Now you truly look like my follower!"
The shopkeeper couldn't help but chuckle, baffled by Lucian's sudden shift in attitude.
"I see you're quite a kind one, my lord," he remarked, clearly amused.
Lucian matched the laugh with one of his own, spinning around theatrically to point at the shopkeeper.
"Well, I do try to be," he quipped with exaggerated grace.
The shopkeeper clapped at the display, shaking his head in disbelief.
"That's better than most, I suppose," he said, still grinning.
Lucian pressed a hand to his chest, laughing warmly.
"Thank you for the pleasant banter while Ignir was changing. I hope our paths cross again."
The shopkeeper gave a respectful bow.
"Likewise, my lord."
With that, Lucian and Ignir left the shop, stepping back into the square where the hero was still rallying the crowd with his grandiose declarations. Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged—Duke Reid Perval.
The duke moved with practiced grace, his presence commanding as his Codex shimmered under the city lights.
"Hero," he addressed calmly, his voice carrying an air of authority.
"While I appreciate your efforts to boost morale, your speeches have prompted noise complaints from nearby establishments."
The hero snapped his head toward Reid Perval, his face immediately flushed with guilt.
"Really? I apologize, great duke! I didn't realize I was being so loud."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, his disbelief barely contained.
"The hero… bowing to a mere duke?" he muttered, half amused, half confused.
He scoffed quietly to himself.
"Mortal hierarchy sure is odd." He chuckles.
Once again, as if heroes existed solely to ruin his day, Lucian found himself under unwanted scrutiny.
"Hmmm, you're an odd one," the hero mused, his eyes narrowing as he peered through the crowd, locking onto Lucian.
In a flash of radiant light, the hero appeared right in front of him.
"I apologize, citizen of Greywood, but there's something… peculiar emanating from you," the hero said, his tone earnest and curious.
Lucian staggered back, trying to mask his anxiety with a strained chuckle, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Whatever do you mean?" he replied, forcing a smile.
Ignir raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Lucian's unusual apprehension. Why is he so afraid of the hero? he wondered.
Before the tension could escalate, Reid Perval stepped forward, his presence calm and composed.
"Leave him be, Hero," Reid said softly. "He's… a friend of mine."
The hero turned to the duke and nodded, his expression brightening.
"I see. So what I felt was just an aura of regality," the hero laughed, glancing back at Lucian.
"My apologies for startling you! I didn't mean to cause any distress."
Lucian forced another laugh, his voice still tinged with lingering fear.
"You're as kindhearted—and naive—as the other heroes," he quipped, wiping the sweat from his brow.
The hero chuckled, scratching his head sheepishly.
"You flatter me! I'm just a new hero compared to the legends," he admitted humbly, his demeanor lightening the mood.
The crowd murmured around them, clearly intrigued by the exchange.
Lucian seized the opportunity to slip away. "Well, I must be off—I have a child to look after." He gestured to Ignir.
Ignir's eyes sparkled as he looked up at the hero.
"Yes! Lucian here is going to make me a hero as great as you one day!"
The hero grinned, ruffling Ignir's hair.
"Really now? You have a good father," he said warmly.
Then, looking at Lucian, he nodded once more.
"Very well, I won't keep you. It was a pleasure meeting you both."
Lucian smirked, his confidence returning.
"Likewise," he replied, before guiding Ignir away. Despite their departure, Ignir kept glancing back, trying to catch one last glimpse of the hero.
As they walked off, Reid Perval waved, calling out after them.
"Stay safe, child!"
Lucian stopped, spinning on his heel with a dramatic flourish, a vein pulsing in his forehead.
"I'm not a child!" he shouted back, maintaining his over-the-top, cheerful demeanor despite his irritation.