Chapter 203: We Just Arrived, And You're Already Thinking About Eating?
"So that's Drada City," Thirteen muttered as he looked at the City, which was slightly bigger than Gronar City, from the carriage window.
"Make sure to follow our lead, boy," Netero commented. "Don't forget that the two of you are my servants and that I'm only here for a sight-seeing trip. As long as we stick to our identities, I'm sure no one will find out who we are."
"Relax, Gramps," Thirteen replied casually. "Unlike you and Lord Arthas, I'm an expert in infiltration. I'm more worried about the two of you messing things up, you kno—arghh!"
The seven-year old placed both of his hands on his head because Netero smacked it with his walking stick.
It was impossible for him to block a Champion's strike with his current Rank, so the only thing he could do was grumble and curse the Old Man in front of him in his heart.
Tiona hissed angrily at Netero for hurting her Master.
If not for the fact that Netero could easily neutralize her whenever he wanted, she would have already lunged at him with her fangs, ready to kill.
"Then tell me, Mr. Expert, how do you propose we handle this mission?" Arthas asked with a smug smile on his face. "Personally, I think sneaking inside his residence is the fastest method.
"As long as Netero and I work together, we will be able to neutralize him right away. Isn't that right, Old Man?"
"If I were still young, perhaps," Netero replied. "But you shouldn't underestimate Gael Scar very much. He wouldn't have risen up the ranks to become a City Lord if he were mediocre."
Arthas reluctantly nodded his head, knowing that what the old man said was true. All the City Lords of the Barbarian Cities were capable individuals who were personally chosen by the Barbarian King.
This was why he couldn't understand why Gael decided to collaborate with a being who wished to conquer the entirety of the Valbarra Archipelago.
Thirteen, who had an idea of what Arthas was thinking, didn't say anything and remained silent.
He really didn't care about Gael's reason for collaborating with the Majin Prince. After all, if he was in his place, he might have done the same.
That was how powerful and terrifying these Princes' were.
They stood at the Apex of the Majins, and they were even stronger than Monarchs.
The only reason why they still hadn't conquered the entire world was thanks to the Seven Celestials and the Seven Fiends who ruled several Domains in Solterra.
The Majin Princes' might be strong, but the fourteen Deities were even stronger.
In fact, Arundel the Destroyer didn't dare conquer the Valbarra Archipelago in the past because it held a symbolic meaning to one of the Seven Fiends, who went by the name Forneus.
This fiend was a Sea Monster, whom the Seven Celestials and even its fellow Fiends didn't want to antagonize.
He was a hot-headed Deity who was easily triggered and wouldn't hesitate to fight against other Deities if they were to annoy him.
While he wasn't as murderous and unhinged as the Fiend of Lawlessness, Belial, Forneus was still at the top list of Deities who shouldn't be angered no matter what.
So, why was Arundel eyeing the Valbarra Archipelago?
The answer was simple.
Forneus no longer cared for it.
After helping the islanders once in the past, it never bothered them again.
Also, Arundel asked for the guidance of the Majin Princess, who went by the name Kamrusepa, asking if Forneus still had a lingering attachment to the Valbarra Archipelago.
She was a Seer, so many Jinns and Majins sought her wisdom before making any moves.
Ironically, Kamrusepa was also the ruler of one of the largest Human Kingdoms in Solterra.
She was an eccentric Majin Princess who had learned to co-exist with the Humans, and she would only eat criminals to sate her hunger once a year.
Because of this, her city was the most crime-free city in the world, allowing her people to live in peace.
According to her, Forneus no longer cared about the Valbarra Archipelago.
As long as Arundel didn't touch the Third Island, which was considered a Holy Place, the Sea Monster wouldn't bat an eye even if Arundel were to annihilate all the Humans in the island.
After gaining this information, the Destroyer laid out a plan to conquer the Valbarra Archipelago without having to send his own people to conquer it.
Just like Thirteen had mentioned, Majin Princes and Princesses thought of conquest as a form of entertainment.
If they were able to conquer a territory without even lifting a finger, it meant that they were very cunning and capable individuals.
This was also why the seven-year-old was confident that, as long as he was given enough time, he would be able to deal with the variables that might arise in the war.
"Welcome, guests," the Innkeeper of the Silent Hill Inn greeted with a smile. "How many rooms?"
"Two rooms," Netero replied. "Make sure that one of the rooms has two beds for my servants."
The Innkeeper nodded and fetched a key behind him.
"Come this way, please," the Innkeeper led the three people to their rooms, which were located adjacently on the Third Floor of the inn.
Netero chose the inn that was nearest the City Lord's Residence, allowing them to observe it from a distance.
After escorting them to their rooms, the Innkeeper left to tend to his duties.
The three then gathered inside Netero's room to discuss their next course of action.
"Fortunately, they still have plenty of unoccupied rooms," Netero smiled. "We came at the right time."
"You did well, Netero," Arthas commented. "This is indeed a good place."
Seeing that they were celebrating too early, Thirteen looked at the two Barbarians in disdain.
If not for the fact that he had used the same trick in Karabor City to capture the Assassins, who were targeting the General's wife and daughter, he wouldn't have noticed the trivial things that he observed inside the inn.
The boy then started scribbling something on a blank scroll using a piece of charcoal from his Dimensional Storage.
Netero and Arthas wondered what Zion was doing.
But after the boy finished writing, he pushed the scroll toward the two Barbarians, allowing them to read the message he had written.
"I've heard that Drada City has many delicious dishes," Thirteen said with a smile. "Master, we should try some of these dishes while we're here."
Netero and Arthas glanced at the list of foods that the seven-
year-old wanted to eat.
You made a mistake in choosing this place as our temporary base, Old Man. This Inn is under the direct control of the City Lord. Anyone who books a room in it is placed under strict observation.
If you don't believe me, glance out of the window and check the inn right beside our room. You will see someone peeking from their window and paying close attention to us now.
Netero and Arthas, who was quick on the uptake, both chuckled and looked at the boy with smiles on their faces.
"Zion, you're such a glutton," Netero commented. "We just arrived, and you're already thinking about eating?"
"Very well. Let's see if there are any restaurants around here," Arthas walked toward the window and glanced at the street to check the surroundings.
Of course, he made sure to extend his senses on the window facing their room, and he realized that there was indeed a person behind the window, who was concealed by a curtain.
"You're in luck, Zion," Arthas said before looking at the boy. "I found one good restaurant. Do you want to check it out later?"
"Yes!" Thirteen nodded happily.
"Fine." Netero sighed. "Let's go eat first. Then we go sightseeing tomorrow."
The three then left the inn to eat at a nearby restaurant.
The two Barbarians didn't know how Zion knew that they were being spied upon.
But they silently sighed in relief. Thinking back, they didn't say any unnecessary words earlier that might have made them suspicious in the eyes of the watchers who were paying close attention to them.
When their meal ended, the three returned back to their rooms and made sure to close their windows.
For now, the three of them decided to rest and not do anything suspicious.
Anyway, they were a bit tired from their journey, so they spent the rest of the day sleeping.
The upside to this was, when they wake up the next day, they would have the energy to do some exploring.