DIVINE BANE-Chapter 70: I need information

Outside the guild, the air was cooler and quieter . There was no brawling, no flying axes.

Alex wandered down the cobbled streets, eyes scanning for an inn to rest for the night. From the shifting shadows along his arm, Vasuki slithered out and gracefully took her human form beside him, unnoticed by the few passersby.

Alex glanced sideways at her and asked with a grin, "So... how was it?"

Vasuki folded her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Not bad, Master. But you did draw a lot of unwanted attention to yourself."

Alex gave a helpless shrug.

"I mean... I tried to hold back as much as I could."

Vasuki stared at him for a long second, then scoffed. "Oh really? Because to me, it looked like you were enjoying every second of their stunned faces."

Just as Alex was about to make a witty comeback, he collided hard into someone.

Thud!

Both hit the ground. Alex blinked, dazed, and looked up to see a girl about zander's age scrambling to her feet. She had short blonde hair that bounced as she moved and striking green eyes that barely met his before she blurted out,

"Sorry! I'm so sorry!" Then, just as quickly, she turned and bolted off down the street, clutching a staff almost as tall as herself.

Alex sat there blinking, still on the ground.

Vasuki calmly stepped beside him and grabbed his collar, hauling him up like a child. She dusted him off with little care, then narrowed her eyes in the direction the girl ran.

"What's up with her?" Vasuki muttered, watching the blonde vanish around the corner. "Why's she in such a hurry?"

Alex shrugged. "No idea... but she seemed like she was in a real panic."

Later that evening, Alex finally found a modest inn tucked into a quieter part of the city. He booked a room with what little coin he had and made his way up the creaky wooden stairs.

As soon as he shut the door behind him, he dropped his bag and threw himself onto the bed with a groan.

"Haah... after so many days, I finally get to sleep on an actual bed," he sighed, sinking into the mattress.

"My body was starting to fall apart from all that sleeping on the ground."

He stared at the ceiling for a moment, eyes trailing the wooden beams above. Then, with a soft exhale, he lifted his right arm into the air.

There, coiled neatly around his forearm like a work of art, was Vasuki in her tattoo form.

Alex clenched his fist slowly. "From tomorrow... our journey starts."

As if in response, a faint blue glow shimmered across the tattoo, snaking from his wrist to his elbow like a bolt of lightning.

Alex smiled faintly, eyes twinkling. "your excited too?"

The room was quiet, but the hum of energy between them was answer enough.

***

Back at the Ravenhart estate

the atmosphere was lively during dinner. The long, polished dining table was lit by the soft golden glow of chandeliers overhead. Zed sat at the head, casually chatting with Aurora, who was laughing brightly at something he'd said. Her laughter echoed gently across the hall, filling the space with warmth.

Zander, standing with perfect posture and poise, stepped forward to serve Zed a carefully prepared appetizer, placing it before him with a subtle bow. Even though he wore his usual composed expression, a small smile played at the corner of his lips this was one of those rare peaceful nights.

As Zed reached for a sip of his drink, Aurora leaned slightly over the table with a smug smile.

"Oh! I almost forgot," she said, "I got a letter today... from the Iyengar family."

That caught Zed's attention immediately. He set down his glass, his smile fading into a curious look.

"You did?" he asked, his tone now a little more serious. "What did they say?"

Aurora gave a playful shrug. "I haven't opened it yet," she said, pulling a neatly sealed envelope from her side pouch and sliding it across the table toward Zander.

Zander caught it with a single hand, carefully breaking the wax seal. His eyes scanned the letter, and then he cleared his throat theatrically.

"They write," he began,

"'We were delighted to hear that the Golden Wave has returned to its original vitality. It warms our hearts to see the land thriving once more. As old friends, it would be our honor to extend our help. We invite Lord Zed to visit our estate so we may discuss further matters in person.'"

Zed gave a quiet, approving nod, but before he could say anything, Zander smirked and continued reading, "'P.S. — Sofia is very excited to see Zed again.'"

There was a moment of silence.

Zed blinked.

Then Aurora burst into a wide grin. "Well, Zed... Sofia is waiting for you," she teased, resting her chin on her hands.

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"So? When are you planning to leave for Remora?"

Zander leaned slightly toward her, playing along with a rare glint of mischief. "Our lord is becoming quite the lady-killer, don't you think, my lady?"

Aurora chuckled and nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh, absolutely. He's leaving broken hearts in every direction."

Zed slumped back in his chair with a defeated sigh, half-laughing.

"I swear, I liked it better when I was ignored..."

Later that night, deep within Zed's subconscious, the world around him softened into that familiar quiet realm where only he and Zander met in thought.

They sat across from each other on sleek, dark chairs facing a calm void, as if the world outside didn't matter for now.

Zander was the first to speak. "So... when are you planning to leave for Remora?"

Zed leaned back, arms resting behind his head, eyes half-closed. "It's a long trip. Might take me two months, maybe a little more for the round journey."

Zander nodded, thoughtful. "Then you should go as soon as possible. No point in dragging it out."

Zed tilted his head, staring off into the distance. "Yeah... I know. But what about aurora?" His voice softened. "I can't leave her like this."

Zander gave a reassuring smile. "Leave it to me. I'll handle everything. Estate matters, the nobles, the guild contacts, I'll manage."

Zed gave a small nod. "Yeah, I know you will. It's just..." he exhaled slowly, "I'm a little worried, that's all."

Zander's smile didn't fade. "That just means you care. But don't let it hold you back. Go handle your part, I'll hold the fort."

Zed chuckled faintly. "You always make it sound so easy."

Zander smirked. "Because it is. When you've got me, that is."

***

Somewhere deep in the adult alleys of Rinasita, where shadows whispered and deals were sealed behind velvet curtains, a young girl walked with the confidence of someone who owned the place. Her steps were deliberate, her eyes sharp this wasn't a place for the timid, but she clearly didn't care.

She stopped at the door of a crimson-lit building and stepped inside without knocking. The scent of perfume, wine, and something darker lingered in the air. A dim hallway led her to a lavish room soaked in shades of red and gold, thick curtains drawn tight, muffling the outside world.

Inside, a woman lounged lazily across silk sheets, her body draped in nothing but shadows and indulgence. Her voluptuous beauty was the kind that could shatter empires or seduce secrets from kings.

The girl didn't flinch. She stepped into the room, her presence enough to shift the air.

Then, she pulled back her hood, revealing her identity.

"Wake up, Ishtar," Selena said, her voice sharp but smooth. "We've got work to do."

Ishtar lazily stirred beneath the silk sheets, her crimson eyes glinting like embers in the low red light. Her tousled red hair framed a face that was equal parts danger and allure, she was the kind of woman who didn't need to try to kill; a glance was often enough.

She stretched slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the moment, then looked at the girl standing at her doorway.

"Ohh... Lady Selena," she purred in a sultry tone, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "What brings you to my humble abode? Missed me already?"

Selena didn't entertain the flirtation. Her tone was all business.

"I want you to use your boon on someone," she said, sharp and precise.

"I need information."

Ishtar's smile deepened, a flicker of interest flashing in her eyes. She sat up slightly, resting her chin on her hand.

"Mmm... now that sounds fun. Who's the poor soul you want me to peel open, Lady Selena?"

Selena crossed the velvet-draped room, her heels clicking against the dark wood floor. She stopped a few feet from Ishtar's bed, eyes narrowing.

"It's the new butler of House Ravenhart," she said coldly. "They call him Zander. I want you to find him and figure out why all those corrupt nobles suddenly became loyal lapdogs... and why no one's talking about what happened the night before Jaeger's death ceremony."

Ishtar raised an elegant brow, tilting her head as a sly smirk formed.

"Well, well," she mused, voice honeyed with mischief. "That sounds like quite a bit of work, darling."

Without a word, Selena tossed a heavy pouch onto the bed. The clink of gold coins echoed in the room as it landed beside Ishtar.

"That should cover your complaints. Now get to work."

Ishtar ran her fingers over the pouch, feeling the weight, then chuckled.

"As you wish, young lady," she said, slipping out of bed with a predator's grace. "Let's see what secrets your mysterious butler is hiding."