Chapter 26

  The next morning, Drakkel woke to find himself in an unexpected position.

  Rillian Adore had his arms wrapped around him in an embrace.

  As he looked around, he realized that his barrier of pillows he had built was scattered around the bed and floor.

  Drakkel quickly broke out of Rillian Adore's arms and hopped off the bed and Rillian Adore's eyes slowly opened soon afterwards.

  Once he took a moment to survey the situation, he cleared his throat.

  “Did something happen?” He asked, shifting his face to the side.

  Drakkel’s face was growing hot. He couldn't believe that Rillian Adore was so casual about this. But if he didn't make a fuss, Drakkel couldn't be the one to do it.

  “Nothing at all. I didn't know an experienced sword master like yourself would move around while sleeping…”

  An awkward pause ensued between them.

  Then Rillian Adore spoke, ignoring what he just said. “I’ll get us some food. You should wash up.”

  Before Drakkel could answer him, he had already exited the room in a hurry, leaving all his items, including his money pouch.

  Drakkel sighed. The innkeeper did say that all services would be paid for when the customer leaves so Rillian Adore could pay on his way out.

  To relieve himself of his tensions, he got into a lotus position on the bed and began to meditate.

  Knowing now that he was poisoned, it made sense that his cultivation had regressed and could currently only stay at a stand still when practiced due to him advancing at the same pace he regressed. But based on what his Senior Brother said, the poison should have been fatal. So why hadn't it killed him after all these years?

  He circulated his sword energy around his body until he felt that it was sufficiently running.

  Suddenly, he heard the door to the room open and close.

  The smell of food immediately drifted into his nostrils and he opened his eyes and looked in the direction it was coming from.

  Rillian Adore stood near the entrance to the room, holding a tray with two bowls on it.

  “I’m back.” He said.

  “Thank you,” Drakkel replied.

  He got up from the bed, grabbed one of the bowls from the tray, took a seat at the long table across from the bed, and started to eat. Rillian Adore took a seat opposite him and did the same.

  They sat in silence with neither willing to speak to the other.

  Only after taking his last bite did Drakkel decide to break the silence. “It's still early. Why don't we see if we need to buy anything before continuing our journey?”

  Rillian Adore nodded. “Sure.”

  After they finished, they gathered their money pouches.

  When he picked up his, Drakkel thought that it felt a bit heavier.

  He wondered about it for a moment, but then shook his head.

  He might have been imagining it, so he didn't worry about it further.

  He quickly put on his bamboo hat and Rillian Adore grabbed his sword.

  When they were ready, they left the inn and began walking the loud and busy streets of Towering Heights.

  Curious about where the smell from the night before was coming from, Drakkel walked towards it with Rillian Adore in tow.

  When they got there, he finally found out that the source of the scent and chatter was a brothel.

  The name sign read, “Blossoming Flowers.” Even in the daylight, a few men would unabashedly step into the place, being led by beautiful young women dressed in revealing clothing.

  Although it seemed normal enough, something about the scene felt off to Drakkel, however, he couldn't quite tell what.

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  Maybe it was because he was staring for so long, that Rillian Adore grabbed his wrist and dragged him along.

  After they made it a small distance away, Rillian Adore asked, “Did you see something interesting there?”

  Drakkel stopped walking and shook his head, “More like felt something…”

  Rillian Adore paused to hear his answer but upon hearing it, his mood seemed to drop.

  He didn’t say it, but Drakkel still felt it.

  Feeling bad about it, he asked, “Rillian, is something wrong?”

  Rillian Adore shook his head. “Nothing is wrong.”

  From his voice, Drakkel had confirmed that something was actually wrong. But Rillian Adore didn't give him an answer the first time he asked. There would be no use in asking again.

  From then on, the two didn't speak, only walking through the crowds of people in silence.

  As they walked, besides noting the repeated appearance of a peculiar yet unique bamboo-like symbol on many of the establishments and stalls, there was nothing of importance that stood out to Drakkel.

  When they reached a certain point, they noticed a crowd of people gathered around a man speaking on a podium.

  The man on the podium said, “...The summit takes place in a little over a year. Every clan is now taking new recruits. Because of this, they are not taking as many jobs, so if you wish to hire a Sword Fighter, know that it will be harder to get one around this time.

  Now for the questions we’ve all been asking. You all know the story of Rillian Adore of the Golden Peak Swords Clan who defeated Drakkel Fin of the Sacred Sword Swords clan, right? After that fateful battle, he went into seclusion for a year and then began to rapidly defeat anyone who challenged him. From then on, he only traveled with his fellow disciples occasionally. Until now, at least!

  He has been said to keep company with a mysterious man who assisted him in helping the citizens of Shadowy Ridges and driving back the demon horde that attacked the Thousand Petals Swords Clan. Who could this man be and why have the demons come back after years of being inactive? These are the two most asked questions in the Sword Fighting World right now. Many Swordsmen have stepped forward, volunteering to find out the identity of the man whose presence coincides with the reappearance of the demons. Could it be a coincidence? Is he friend or foe?...”

  Drakkel had enough and left the area while Rillian Adore was still standing behind the crowd, listening to the story.

  Being the center of gossip was something he was never really fond of, but when it came for him, he took it in stride only because he knew it helped his clan.

  But after experiencing the opposite end of it, it was now more like a knife in the heart. To be subjected to the negative opinions of those around him was bad, but having it affect those he cared about was even worse.

  As the day went on, the streets of Towering Heights became even more filled. Drakkel took a wide street as a shortcut to the inn to avoid the incoming crowd.

  While making his way through the dark place, he heard something land behind him. Then he felt a change in air pressure as an object came rushing towards his direction.

  He jumped into the air to avoid the attack and propelled himself backward to position himself behind his attacker. In front of him was a man dressed in dark and light blue robes.

  The man with long dark brown hair held a blue whip in his hand. He looked back at Drakkel and whipped in his direction.

  Drakkel dodged the attack, hopping back and creating more distance between them.

  The man stated, “I am Tifon of the Forging Rivers Swords Clan! I will discover your identity and reveal it to the world. Whether you are friend or foe, everyone will see!”

  Drakkel sighed and shook his head.

  He didn't want to fight the man so as not to draw more attention to himself. Looking back at the crowded streets, he decided it was best to escape and lose him in the crowd.

  He turned around and used his sword step to leave the alleyway. However the crack of a whip sounded through the air behind him. He twisted his body around to block it with his sword energy, but sword energy used by the body wasn’t as potent as with a meteoric stone-based weapon. Tifon had enhanced his attack with sword energy and when it hit Drakkel, he found out that the man was at the lower levels of Sword Sworn.

  Drakkel was smacked backwards a few feet until he felt something sturdy yet soft collide with his back. A hand wrapped around his back and grabbed his left shoulder, dragging his body to the side.

  When he looked up, he saw that it was Rillian Adore who cushioned his fall.

  Rillian Adore stood with his hand on his sword hilt.

  “It’s dishonorable to attack someone who doesn't have a weapon, especially one who holds no ill will towards you,” he said.

  Tifon shook his head. “I was just testing his strength! Besides, who knows if he holds no ill will?! Which clan is he from?! Hidden Desires Swords Clan members don't always carry visible weapons on their person! And neither do demons! I’m sure you know that as well, Rillian Adore!”

  Drakkel could feel Rillian Adore’s muscles tense up.

  Rillian Adore unsheathed his blade and let go of Drakkel, stepping forward. “I know who I hang around with. Who are you to tell me otherwise?”

  “I’m not trying to disrespect you! I’m only trying to help. As for who stands beside you, we can find out when we interrogate him!” Tifon replied. “It doesn't even have to be my clan! We can take him back to your clan and uncover his identity. Since you haven't said who he is yet, you must not know yourself, right?”

  Rillian Adore didn't flinch at Tifon's attempts to unnerve him, he only replied. “He won't be going anywhere.”

  He dashed towards Tifon prepped to attack.

  In response, Tifon didn't defend or attack. Instead, he turned his body around and dashed away. As he left, he said, “Fine. If you won't help me, I’ll find others who will!”

  Rillian Adore chased him to the end of the street but he had already disappeared into the crowd.

  Rillian Adore sighed and walked back to Drakkel, his bad mood from earlier seeming to have improved.

  He asked Drakkel if he was alright.

  But, Drakkel wasn’t in the best mood. He simply answered, “I'm fine. Let's just head back to the inn.”

  Drakkel’s hand stung from blocking the attack, but he was sure no bones were broken.

  He walked to the inn as if nothing happened, but he refrained from talking any more.

  They went to their room to ready their belongings and Rillian Adore paid for their services.

  They were ready to go by the time Rou had pulled the carriage to the front.