The brilliant skies had turned pitch black with the luminescence of the moon serving as its only source of light.
Across the expanse of the skies was a blue and dark hue, cascaded within it, like a canvas of art, hand-written with such magnificence that it left a lasting impression on all those who looked up at it.
It was a splendour of the night, glowing an ethereal aqua-blue on the sandy plains of the desert.
While the skies were filled with colour, the border town was filled with life.
The people who were once hidden and restricted themselves were out in the open, mingling with one another.
The streets were filled with oil lamps and the buildings were livelier than they had ever been before.
The Five Pillars had co to its downfall on this day, and only one body remained to fix up the broken city of Border Town. That was the Cat Guild, in partnership with their urban legend, the Blind Swordsman.
Many sang his na on the streets, conversations that were restricted to themselves left out in the open without prior consequences.
The Rugged Coin had instilled fear in them, to the point that they were hardly ever out in the open in the night.
During the day though, most went about their activities. From the far South, north, west and east, there was a subtle celebration in the air.
Of course, so feared the rule of the cat guild, anticipating their tyranny but many argued them wrong.
The Cat Guild had never once showcased hostility to the people, but the Rugged Coin had instilled fear; the Calla Lily provided a safe haven for won, but what of the n? The Drifting Wheels Gang had been tyrannical with their actions, taking resources by force and the Watchers…..did nothing. The people weren't even aware of their identity, and they still weren't.
No one really knew how bad living conditions had beco thanks to their constant pull for power and resources.
It was like their land had been stripped from what it once was. No one cared or tried to make right of it until the Blind Swordsman showed up.
So why wouldn't the people celebrate their liberation, their freedom from the constant struggles of the Five Pillars?
Oftentis, fixing a dying issue with an economy involves baby steps and controlling the power that rules over their land is one of those.
They needn't soone with not just the sa mind and experience, but leadership qualities as well.
So while the people celebrated on the streets, their rry voices carried in the air, the Cat Guild gathered its mbers.
A rry tune played in the background as Harry cheered with his comrades, serving jugs of beer one after the other.
The sounds of loud laughter and conversations pierced the air. n and won alike interact in a cheerful ga of celebration.
A table was set apart from the others, there Ziza, Raph, Elsie, rthy and a man with glasses sat. als are set on their tables, and jugs of alcohol are placed next to them.
Elsie was having the ti of her life, stuffing her face with beef. One after the other, she showed it down like a wild beast.
The others gathered on the table though, were more concerned with sothing else.
"Neuj was selling his girls?" Raph asked, his tone laced with confusion and shock.
Ziza sighed, her gaze shifting towards rthy.
"Yes, we found different files and records of his previous transactions. I guess not Everyone is as they seem".
"What's peculiar is his secrecy. Most of his mbers weren't aware of it until now. It seems like he hid it well…I only wonder what Rafi thought". rthy said with a sigh.
"How about the other one? Sora and the two subordinates of Timon?" Raph asked and he took a sip from the alcohol, the lingering taste causing a small discomfort. He dropped it down and picked up the glass of water instead.
"We captured all of them. Sora gave in, and we were able to get so information out of her. It seed like Neuj wanted to capture all won within the border town…" the man with glasses replied, his cool gaze fixed on Raph the whole ti. "...but the other two? They didn't give in so we had to…end them".
Raph glanced at him and raised a brow.
"And you are…..?" he asked.
"Burly, rthy's elder brother".
Raph's gaze flickered in realization as he glanced at rthy and the man.
The similarity in their appearance was as clear as day, though it seed it would be the opposite in their character.
"You're level 100?"
"Yes…we had three mbers reach level 100 as its initial plan on conquering the others….but your appearance made things a lot easier". Ziza explained.
"I see….that was a good plan, too bad. I was impressed with Timon and Neuj's abilities; I would have loved to see yours as well".
The man, Burly, looked away with a slight discomfort. He had heard of the waves Raph had caused since his arrival, and he, for one, didn't like to be put in the middle of any of that.
"I would have declined".
Raph laughed at his reply, grabbing a piece of the at placed before them.
"So, what's your plan now, Ziza? I'll be leaving tomorrow with Elsie and the Drifting Wheels"
"We'll have to start reconstruction. Luckily, we've planned for things like this beforehand, but we may need so help in other aspects". Ziza explained.
"We also have to find the girls sold by Neuj. He had been doing untold business with the eastern empire, I think it's best we get them back".
Raph flinched in startelent. "It seems taking control of your town wasn't enough for you? Do you realize how much risk is involved with getting into the Eastern Empire?"
"We heard such, but these won are part of the town. We can't let them be used like a commodity"
Raph sighed. "Life isn't easy, you realize that right? If you think you can handle the Eastern Armies, then go ahead, though I would advise against it".
Ziza glanced at Raph. "We were actually planning on getting help from the Eastern Frontiers. I heard you made connections with them".
Raph sighed, scratching the back of his head at the sa ti. "I did, but it wasn't good enough. Those two should have received the resources anyways, so I don't have a reason to contact them again but they may be willing to help". He muttered under his breath.
From his past life, the Eastern Frontiers were like a band of revolutionaries. That was why he was able to get used to their company during the Demon War.
"But..I would take caution if I were you. The Eastern Empire doesn't take intruders lightly….even its citizens may kill you on the spot".
"I did hear of those violent tendencies, but yes…we will take caution". Burly said with a sigh.
"I'll go in with a team, it shouldn't be too difficult". rthy said with a casual tone when her brother suddenly slamd her head with the back of his hand.
"Ow! Brother?!" She cried out in surprise as the pain swirled around her head.
"You haven't even reached level 90 and you think you can carry an important task like This? How foolish can you get?!"
Ziza chuckled at their behaviour while Raph sighed.
"I wish you guys luck on your endeavours….also".
He held out his storage ring and a brown sack appeared on his two hands.
He held it lightly and threw it at Ziza, who caught it with the sa lightness as Raph held it only to be pulled by its weight.
She groaned lightly, using her psychic abilities to lift it up before she fell to the table.
"You could have warned , Raph".
Raph chuckled without a reply. "It should help…one way or the other".
He said, pointing at the sack as she opened it.
Her eyes bulged open in shock and her mouth was left agape. rthy and Burly glanced at each other in confusion and poked their heads by her shoulders to get a better view.
Their eyes dilated as their mouths were left hanging.
rthy looked up at Raph, shock evident in her eyes.
"I respect you, boss". She said with a bright smile.
Raph laughed out loud in reply. "Don't worry about it, and use it to help the town. I like what you're doing, and I'm a part of this whether I want to or not.
I just hope you do this right".
Ziza dropped the sack of a ridiculous amount of gold coins and nodded her head.
"Do not worry, Lo"-"Raph, we shall not waste your efforts".
Raph laughed at her reaction, resuming his al as the celebration continued.
The sounds of cheers, conversations, laughter and drunken singing are portrayed through the air.
He felt a vibrant atmosphere from the once quiet tavern. A small smile spread across his face.
'This….this is nice too'.
****
And so, the celebration ca to an end, but fortunately or unfortunately…..depending on how you look at it, Raph had found himself in an unfamiliar spot.
The sound of groaning echoed as a door was suddenly kicked open, revealing Elsie and Raph, who were nearly unconscious. He was assisted inside with Elsie's help, until she laid him on the bed, a slight grunt escaping her lips as she did so.
"Whew…you really can't hold your liquor".
She comnted as she attempted to walk away. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire
Before this, Raph was eventually made to drink in the heat of the celebration, sothing that was very likely to occur.
Of course, unfortunately for him, he got drunker than expected and was now forced to go to bed early despite the celebration still ongoing.
Elsie was just about to resu her large portion of premium beef, given to her when she suddenly whimpered as Raph grabbed her tail.
A cold shiver ran down her spine and her cheeks grew bright red as she turned around.
'Oh…he's still sleeping'.
She stared at his face for a while before a small sigh escaped her lips. "Just this one ti". She muttered as she slowly pulled her two from.his grasp and walked up to him.
She sat next to him on the bed, her fingers slowly stretching towards his face.
'We didn't get the chance to talk after what happened'.
She could still rember vividly how she clashed against Raph's energy and subdued the ice that had begun to harm him.
It was an unexpected occurrence, but she was glad she mastered her darkness attribute at the sa ti.
She traced his lips gently, and the contour of his face, a warm sensation spreading within her chest.
'....he's so handso'.
She thought when she lowered her face towards his till the tip of their noses touched. She continued to trace his lips, her breath quickening and the warm sensation spreading through her chest rampantly, flickering with intensity.
She planted her lips on his, her eyes closed when Raph's eyes suddenly opened.
He glanced down at her, his brain foggy with information and suddenly spun around, a startled whimper escaping Elsie's lips as he did so.
Now she lay underneath him, his warm gaze fixed on her.
"Raph, I'm so–
She was cut off by a sudden and locked kiss from Raph.
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