The first rays of morning sun slanted through the grimy window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. I hadn't slept a wink. Couldn't. Not with them here. My gaze drifted to the trio sprawled out on the floor nearby, sleeping like the dead despite the rough treatment they'd received. No tension in their postures, no apparent fear of the one who'd beaten them soundly just hours before.
Haa... I should have slept. A flicker of irritation mixed with a strange, detached concern ran through me. They're sleeping so soundly while I stayed awake guarding this rundown place. Still, their injuries... maybe the deep sleep was necessary for recovery. Better to think that way.
A realization hit me. Names. I forgot to even ask their names.
After some time, i called them.
"Hey. Wake up," I called out. Silence. I walked over and nudged the biggest one with my foot. Nothing. Then the others. Still out cold. Seriously? With a sigh, I found a cracked earthenware jug nearby that held some murky water. Without hesitation, I tilted it over them.
A sudden symphony of sputtering coughs and groans erupted.
"Ahh! Wha-what's happening?"
"Why's there water?!"
"Haaa, my sleep..."
"Is it raining in here?"
"Ahh, fuck!"
I cleared my throat pointedly. "Ahemm."
Their heads snapped up, eyes wide and blinking water away. They froze as they saw me standing there, recognition dawning. The brief moment of groggy confusion vanished, replaced by caution.
"H-hello, sir," the big guy managed, surprisingly polite despite the water dripping down his face and rough clothes.
'His injuries look much better than last night,' I noted internally. 'Almost fully recovered. Is their natural regeneration that high? I was considering how to prevent infection, but maybe it wasn't necessary.' Are these three special, or is this a common trait for inhabitants of this world? Something else to investigate.
"Clean yourselves up. Then make some food," I ordered curtly, turning away to splash some water on my own face. Felt gritty, but better than nothing.
After a simple meal scavenged from their meager supplies and a basic cleanup, we gathered again. The tense silence stretched until I broke it. "Alright. We need to talk.First Tell me about this region."
They looked stumped by the basic question, exchanging uneasy glances until my steady, unwavering stare prompted them to speak.
The big one started, "This... this is the capital of Lugunica, sir. Largest nation around."
"The capital's name?" I pressed.
He hesitated. "Uh... everyone just calls it 'the Capital' or 'the Royal Capital'. Don't know if it has another name."
'Oh, royal,' my mind echoed. "So there's a king? Who is it?"
They gave me weird looks, shuffling nervously. "No, sir. No king," the lankier one spoke up. "Hasn't been for years. The Royal Family... they all died. Some mysterious illness. No heir left."
"Ruled by the Council of Elders now," the third one added quickly.
"Why hasn't a noble family taken the throne?" I asked, probing. "Surely they're vying for it."
"It's... the Dragon's Covenant, sir," the big guy explained, his tone holding a hint of skepticism or maybe reverence – hard to tell. "Long ago, the first King made a deal with Volcanica, the Holy Dragon. The kingdom follows the dragon's will, and the dragon protects us. The Covenant is still active, even without royals. Keeps things... stable, mostly."
"They say the dragon itself chose four girls for the throne now," the lankier one mumbled. "The Royal Selection. They gotta do trials or something."
' There are dragons here, intresting'i noted internally.
"Who are the girls?"I asked about the girls who are about to inheriting the throne.
They shrugged collectively. "Dunno, sir. Don't care much 'bout nobles or their selections. They don't come down to the slums. They don't like us, we don't like them."
"Is there are Other nations?"i asked them.
"Gusteko to one side, Kararagi on the other," the big guy offered. "They border Lugunica. Don't know much else 'bout them."
"Is there magic here?" I asked, keeping my tone carefully neutral. They hadn't reacted strangely to my basic political questions, so maybe this wouldn't either.
"Yeah, there's magic," the third one confirmed. "But it's rare. Especially the useful kind."
'I want to see it,' the thought sparked, a flicker of genuine curiosity. "Anyone you know use it?" I already guessed the answer.
"Ha! If someone here could use magic, they wouldn't be here in the slums," the lankier one scoffed.
"So, how did you treat your injuries?" I asked them.
the big guy grimaced. "We just... deal with it mostly. There are some small shops sellin' herbs, but they ain't great. Only option down here ,If you ave money thre is healing magic i the capital but it costs a fortune."
'so there healing magic'guess it didn't surprise me.
'Herbs... seems useful.' "Know anyone who prepares them? Someone who might teach... for help, maybe?" i asked them.
"There's an Old Lady," the third one said reluctantly. "But she won't teach anyone nothin' for free. Greedy old hag, wants coin for every little thing."
'Noting that down.'
"What about guilds? For work? Hunting monsters, escorts... that kind of thing?" I asked about the Common tropes, but worth asking.
"Mercenary Guild," the big guy answered readily. "They handle all sorts. Monster hunting, guarding stuff, even... shadier jobs. Need to pass a test to join though. Combat skills." He rubbed an old bruise subconsciously. "We tried once. Got beaten nearly to death. Don't have proper gear either and we are weak."after said that they seeing me.
"There's a Merchant Guild and a Healers Guild too, but..." he trailed off, the implication clear they were irrelevant to their situation.
'So, basic combat ability and likely equipment needed for even the lowest rung of legitimate work.
"Alright," I Said. "Tell me about dangerous people around here. Not gangs, necessarily. Individuals known for... dirty work. Killers for hire, slavers, that sort."
They visibly tensed, fear flashing in their eyes.
"Just tell me," I insisted, my voice dropping slightly, adding pressure.
After a moment of strained silence, the big guy spoke hesitantly. "There are... people like that. Mostly in gangs, hard to find alone. But... we know of some guys who sometimes work solo. Real dangerous."
'Perfect.' "Tell me about them." I leaned forward slightly, absorbing the information they reluctantly provided, filing away names, descriptions, rumored locations. 'Potential resources. They'd have money.'
One last thing. "Before I forget... can any of you read?"
Predictably, they shook their heads.
"Any place to read books around here? For free?"
"There's the Royal Library," the lankier one said, a spark of something – maybe resentment – in his voice. "But it's only for nobles. Not for commoners like us."
'Figures.' Disappointing, but expected.
"Okay," I said, standing up decisively. The interrogation was over. Time for action. A predatory glint might have entered my eyes, a slight, unsettling curve touching my lips.
"Let's go hunting."
'Oh i forgot to ask for those names, some other time i guess'