Second Life's Revenge

After hours of traveling, Erwin, Laura, and Angelo finally arrived in front of the underground market's walkway. 

It was dark as the trees stood big and tall, preventing the sun rays from entering, and slowly fog was spreading around, making it hard for the trio to see. Angelo first got off his horse and checked the area's premises to see if there was anything strange.

Checking was a must as they don't want anyone following them from behind. After waiting for a few minutes, Angelo reported back, saying it was clear to move on. But at the same time, Angelo had asked Erwin and Laura to get off their horses.

It was advantageous for Erwin and Laura to have Angelo around as he was a former member of Silence, and like what Erwin had mentioned, he was raised in the underground market.

Laura didn't understand why they had to get off their horse, but she followed anyway. Laura rubbed her arms as she felt a breeze passing through her. As she looked around the tall trees, she noticed a death sign and bit her lip.

As expected of the most dangerous place in the world, Laura thought. After securing the horses on the sign, Angelo passed the old, wooden post that resided by the side. And Laura followed, keeping in the words of what Angelo said earlier.

"There are some things I need you to keep in mind," Angelo started and continued, "First, never go anywhere alone. Second, do not enter small narrow paths even if we go in pairs. Third, if you feel someone following you, do not look back and run."

Laura nodded her head and felt some uneasiness in her. There was no turning back as she was here already. Since she was getting more information about Marquess Rogen, Laura didn't have a choice.

"Are you alright?" Erwin asked in a concerned tone.

"I'm fine," Laura turned around, wearing her hood.

Erwin clenched his fist, frowning. Laura avoided him and walked closer to Angelo, who was not aware of what was happening. Angelo called out for Erwin and Laura to pass the wooden post, and they followed.

Laura followed Angelo from behind, gripping the strap of her small pouch. She looked down the old rock paved path as her shoulder hunched. 

The underground market, despite its name, isn't actually underground. It was caled underground because the place was dark and held many secrets. At the same time, the market referred to illegal sellings and happenings.

There was a point where Laura thought it would be underground, but she was wrong. It was just out in a dark forest as if it was any other villages who lived independently. 

As they continued to walk on, Laura saw a building, surrounded by fog. Angelo stopped walking and signaled for Laura to step back. It was harder to see because of the mist, and according to Angelo, he could feel someone else's presence asides from them.

Angelo held his scabbard with his right hand and gripped his sword. Erwin followed while Laura stayed in the middle of both, as she felt her heart getting out of her chest.

An arrow came out of nowhere, blowing a part of the mist as it aimed towards Laura's chest. Erwin swiftly moved in front of Laura and used his sword to reflect the arrow to the ground.

Erwin stayed quiet, gripping his sword tightly as he was looking at the direction of where the arrow was released. Angelo squinted and saw a person walking towards them.

But because of the mist, he wasn't able to see the person clearly and was cautious. The trio watched the person behind the fog holding a knife on his right hand, walking confidently towards them. 

"Welcome to the underground market. What can I do for you?" 

"That voice...is that you, brother?" Angelo asked, still gripping his sword.

The man behind the fog walked out and clapped his hand together. The man had green eyes, short blonde hair, and looked short. The man kept his knife back into his scabbard and ran towards Angelo, hugging him.

On the other hand, Erwin gripped his sword, pointing towards the man who was still hugging Angelo. The man looked at Erwin sheepishly, giving a smile. Erwin was suspicious of him didn't return the gesture with a smile, but with a glare.

Angelo pushed the man and furrowed his brow as he tapped his foot onto the ground with crossed arms. 

"Just what were you thinking?" Angelo scolded, while the man jumped.

"I was just excited to see you and thought they were suspicious people threatening you," The man replied, pouting.

"Well, I'm sorry to break your thoughts, but he is the last master that I'll be serving," Angelo clarified. 

"What do you mean last?" The man titled his head as he hovered towards Laura.

"He will be my last master and not others anymore. I left that group already," Angelo said as he pushed the man away from Laura.

"You left?!" The man gasped as he gripped an arm of Angelo.

"Yes, I've quit long before," Angelo said, shrugging off the hand on his arm.

Erwin and Laura watched the two chatter in another language, which they didn't understand at all. Erwin scoffed, getting the attention of Angelo and the suspicious man.

The man blinked twice then smiled after. He pushed Angelo away and walked towards Erwin. The man walked around Erwin in circles, looking from bottom to top, and stopped when he noticed Erwin's hair.

"Silver hair," The man muttered as his eyes shifted at Laura.

The man tried looking at Laura's face, but Erwin blocked him from doing so. The man nodded his head and knew what was up and whispered into Angelo's ear, "I see a royal and his lover."

"We need a place to reside for the night," Angelo said.

"And you want to use my place?" The man raised a brow.

"Yes," Angelo sharply answered.

"Brother is cold in answering. I feel like my heart is freezing," The man joked and continued, "I get it. You have a lot to explain to me brother, you you will have to tell me later at night."

"I will, and I won't forget," Angelo slightly smiled and walked towards Erwin and said, "We will be residing in his house for tonight and do not suspect him. I understand why you would be cautious around him, but he's not a bad person just a sketchy one."

Erwin nodded his head and looked at the man who waved at him. What a carefree person living in the underground market, Erwin thought. But behind the easygoing personality, the man was much more dangerous than you can imagine.

The man led the way to his house and chatted happily with Angelo, leaving Laura and Erwin alone. Laura gripped the bag's strap tightly, and for every minute her eyes would wander to take a glimpse at Erwin's serious face.

Larua scolded herself to stop looking at Erwin so much as he might notice it. But her mind didn't follow, and it continued until they reached the man's house.

"We've arrived," the man smiled, opening the front of a shack. 

"It may not be a big place, but this place is the safest," Angelo said, standing out the front door, waiting for Erwin and Laura to enter.

Without any hesitation, Laura entered the shack, and Erwin followed later. The man offered Laura a cup of water, and she accepted it. Erwin looked around the hut, checking for any suspicious tools or items.

"There's nothing to be suspicious about, Mister Royal," The man smiled, pulling a chair out.

Erwin looked at the man and gave a fake smile, "My, I never expected to get caught."

"It's easy with that, you know," The man pointed at Erwin's hair.

Erwin responded with a smile and leaned his head on the window. He was left without any choice but to trust Angelo. After all, living in the underground market is dangerous.

The man hanged his bow on a hanger and sat on the chair and asked, "So? What business do you have here?"

"High master," Angelo answered.

"You do know that I don't want anything from him, right?" The man said as his tone changed, and Angelo shivered.

High master is a term used by Silence, and only some knew his real name, which was Marquess Rogen. The man left the organization long before Angelo which is why he held a grudge and hated him.

"That's why we're here to expose him," Erwin joined, looking straight at the man's eyes.

"And what can you give me if I give you information?" The man raised a brow.

"Power."

The man flinched and placed a finger on his chin. He debated whether to accept it or not. The cause of why he hesitated was something more profound, but it was an opportunity to be free from the curse.

Angelo clenched his fist, looking away. As he knew the cause of the hesitation, but deep down, Angelo wanted his so-called brother to be free as he wanted his brother to be able to fulfill his dreams.

"I'll think about it," The man said, as he grabbed the cigar and walked out of the shack.

The trio watched the man leave the room, and Angelo sighed out loud and said, "Please give him some time to think. It's just really hard for him because you might not be able to help him."

Laura titled her head and asked, "Why? Is there something wrong with him?"

"This is all I can say, but he cannot leave the underground market, or he'll die."