Echoes of the Lost Elf-Chapter 34 - 33 - The Black Market

The Dismuth Market was a living, breathing entity of its own—a sprawling network of cobbled streets filled with shops, stalls, and merchants loudly advertising their wares. The air was thick with the scent of spiced meats, fresh bread, and exotic perfumes. Vibrant banners hung between buildings, and bursts of arcane energy flickered from enchanted trinkets being demonstrated by eager vendors.

For Historias, it was all a bit excessive.

"This place is... lively," he remarked, keeping his hands tucked lazily in his pockets.

"You mean chaotic," Kael muttered, his gaze sweeping over the crowds with mild wariness.

Adriana, on the other hand, was beaming. "That's what makes it exciting! Now, where should we start?"

Zephyr didn't hesitate. "How about food? You can't shop on an empty stomach!"

Historias raised an eyebrow at him. "A sound philosophy."

Adriana grinned. "Then it's settled! Let's find a café first."

They settled on a charming little café nestled between two massive bookstores. The warm glow of candle-lit sconces and the rich aroma of coffee beans created a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Small enchanted lamps hovered over each table, shifting in brightness according to the customer's preference.

The group found a table near the window, where they could watch the bustling market outside.

A waitress approached, placing down menus.

"I'll take a honeyed espresso," Historias said without even looking at the menu.

"Cinnamon latte," Adriana decided.

"Same for me," Kael nodded.

"Hot chocolate!" Zephyr grinned.

Leon chuckled. "Make that two."

The drinks arrived swiftly, their rich aromas blending perfectly with the café's ambiance. Historias took a slow sip of his espresso, savoring the deep bitterness mixed with honey's slight sweetness.

"This is nice," Adriana sighed contentedly, stretching her arms. "We should do this more often."

Historias lazily swirled his cup. "You say that now, but I have a feeling this trip won't be as peaceful as you think."

Zephyr smirked. "That's the fun part."

With their drinks finished, the group wandered into one of the massive bookstores nearby. The moment they stepped inside, the scent of aged parchment and ink surrounded them.

Towering wooden shelves stretched toward the ceiling, packed with tomes ranging from historical records to grimoires on advanced magic. Arcane lamps hovered through the aisles, providing gentle illumination.

Historias, despite himself, was intrigued.

His fingers glided across a shelf labeled "Pre-Void War Enchantments," and he idly flipped through an old grimoire. The handwritten notes in the margins spoke of long-forgotten techniques, ones he personally witnessed in his younger years.

Meanwhile, Adriana stood in front of a section labeled "Legendary Sword Arts," completely engrossed. "I've never even heard of half these techniques..." she murmured.

Kael, on the other hand, was already at the counter, purchasing a book on advanced water magic.

"You're really into books, huh?" Leon teased.

Kael shrugged. "Better than being unprepared in a fight."

Historias smirked, setting the book back onto the shelf. "A wise mindset."

Then came the clothing store.

Or, as Historias would later call it, "The Trial of Patience and Endurance."

Adriana dragged them inside with a dangerous glint in her eyes. The moment they stepped in, the staff immediately greeted her with excitement, sensing a high-profile customer ready to splurge.

The next thing Historias knew, he and Kael were being forcefully ushered toward a fitting room.

"This is unnecessary," Historias deadpanned as Adriana shoved a navy-blue regal coat into his arms.

"Oh, come on! You wear the same thing all the time," Adriana huffed. Historias argued, "It's not same, it's similar."

Kael groaned, arms burdened with far too many outfits. "Why am I involved in this?"

"Because you're both standing here," Adriana said sweetly, forcing them into the fitting rooms.

Zephyr and Leon, traitors that they were, sat comfortably on a nearby couch, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

After an hour of torment, they finally managed to escape Adriana's fashion crusade.

Historias mentally vowed revenge.

Seeking refuge, the group made their way to a renowned weaponsmith's shop. Unlike the bustling main streets, this place exuded an aura of quiet authority.

Rows of finely crafted swords, bows, and enchanted artifacts lined the walls, and a faint humming filled the air—the resonance of well-forged magical weapons.

Kael immediately gravitated toward the archery section, carefully inspecting a quiver of mana-infused arrows.

Adriana picked up a sleek silver rapier, testing its balance with an experimental twirl. "This one's nice."

Leon and Zephyr, meanwhile, were engaged in a heated debate over daggers.

"This one's sharper," Zephyr insisted.

"But this one's enchanted," Leon countered.

Historias, hands in his pockets, browsed with mild disinterest.

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He had crafted and wielded weapons far beyond anything in this store, but he had to admit—the craftsmanship was decent.

Their carefree wandering soon took a turn.

Somehow, amidst the twisting streets and countless distractions, they found themselves in an eerily quiet part of the market.

The air grew heavier. The vibrant colors of the main street faded into muted tones of gray and brown. The buildings looked older, more weathered, and the merchants here did not call out to customers—they simply watched.

Historias immediately recognized this place.

As soon as they realized they had somehow stumbled into a black market, Historias expected at least some level of panic or concern. Instead, he was met with something far more baffling—apathy.

"Black market, huh?" Leon mused, rubbing his chin. "Neat."

Kael glanced around, his gaze assessing but not particularly disturbed. "This explains the shady atmosphere."

Zephyr shrugged. "I've seen worse."

Then, the unexpected happened.

"I've always wanted to visit a place like this at least once!" Adriana blurted out, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement.

A heavy silence followed as everyone turned to stare at her.

Even Historias, with all his composure, had to pause. He tilted his head slightly and sighed, rubbing his temples. What is wrong with this generation?

Deciding they were standing out too much, Historias took out a cloak, draped it over his shoulders, and pulled the hood over his face. "We should blend in," he said.

The market was everything one would expect from an illegal underground operation—poisons of all kinds, magical beast organs preserved in jars, forbidden tomes radiating ominous energy, and enough cursed artifacts to ensure a lifetime of misfortune. It was a collector's paradise and a law enforcer's worst nightmare.

Adriana, meanwhile, was far too excited for her own good.

"Since we're lost anyway, why not make the most of it?" she suggested. "Who knows? We might need something illegal in the future."

Historias narrowed his eyes at her. "Should I be concerned that a princess is so well-versed in criminal reasoning?"

"If I weren't royalty, I'd definitely own a shop or two here," she said wistfully, completely ignoring his question.

They continued exploring until they came across something unusual—a large circus tent in the middle of the market.

"A tent?" Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Looks suspiciously inviting," Zephyr noted.

Naturally, they went in.

The moment they stepped inside, the interior revealed itself to be far larger than it appeared outside. A clear indication of spatial expansion magic. The tent housed an auction, filled with a mix of nobles, merchants, and masked figures who were definitely involved in things they wouldn't want the authorities to know about.

The auction had an array of rare and valuable items on display. Their eyes briefly lingered on an intricately carved unicorn horn, its surface shimmering with latent magic. However, the real highlight of the event came next.

A new item was brought onto the stage, and the auctioneer gestured toward a sleek, black-furred creature in a golden cage.

"Next, we present a true rarity—a Nywraith!" The auctioneer declared. "This fine specimen is but two years old, yet its potential is boundless! As you know, the Nywraith is an A-rank mystic beast that can grow into an S-rank terror! Their lifespan exceeds a thousand years, and at three hundred, they are large enough to fill an entire room. But do not be fooled—while young, they are no ordinary cat!"

The bidding started immediately.

Gold coins and treasure-filled promises were thrown around as the price skyrocketed. The room was alive with competition.

Historias, however, was silent, staring at the caged creature with an unreadable expression.

Then, in a voice colder than ice, he spoke, his barely contained anger seeping into his tone.

"We are going to destroy this place."

His companions froze mid-thought.

Leon blinked. "Wait, what?"

Kael turned his head sharply. "You're serious?"

Zephyr looked around in mild concern. "Do we at least get to finish browsing first?"

Adriana frowned. "I mean, I get the moral standpoint, but could we maybe do it after the auction? Some of this stuff is genuinely useful."

Historias slowly turned his head toward her. His golden eyes gleamed ominously under the hood. "You are far too comfortable in a den of criminals."

She shrugged. "Royalty perks. You learn to appreciate all types of markets."

Leon scratched his head. "Uh, okay, but do you have a plan? Because 'destroy this place' is kinda vague."

Historias exhaled, looking at the caged Nywraith again. His fingers twitched slightly, and the air around them hummed with barely restrained magic.

"Yes," he said simply. "It begins with breaking that cage."

Zephyr sighed. "Ah. Here we go again."

The others exchanged glances, collectively realizing they were now involved in whatever chaos was about to unfold.

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