The Broken Halo

Simon, Akaza, and Sonya joined the line after observing the city gates for a few minutes.

As expected, a few demons glanced at them.

Some looked at Akaza because of the tattoos on his face, and those that knew about Martial Demons were surprised when they saw Akaza.

Some looked at Sonya who was extremely short, and when they saw her blind eyes, the knowledgeable instantly knew that Sonya was a Kragh.

For those who knew Sonya and Akaza’s races, they were baffled as to why two high ranking races were traveling together.

And when they saw how Akaza was carrying Simon, they could not help but wonder who Simon was.

Some began to whisper amongst themselves, and the trio could hear some of their whispers.

They were talking about their race, Simon, their origin, and their injuries.

Simon’s eyes flashed with a calculating glint.

’Because I’m so used to every demon in the Shadowgrave Clan not giving a fuck about another demon’s race, I completely forgot that high ranking races like Martial Demons and Kraghs are rare to see in many places.’

’I just hope this would not draw too much attention toward us in the city.’

Simon glanced around, then he spoke softly to Akaza and Sonya.

”Wear your hoods. We can’t draw too much attention to ourselves in the city.”

Both of them did as Simon instructed, and when everybody saw them covering their faces, most looked away.

They didn’t know why such high ranking demons were coming to Vashar City, but their instincts told them that it was something they should not be involved in.

Besides, their injured state made it obvious that this something was most likely dangerous.

In the demon realm, injuries were common.

Missing hands were not shocking.

And a half-dead demon being carried into a city was not strange enough to draw too much attention.

But high ranking demons?

They were not common in many places.

The line moved slowly.

When they finally reached the gate, one of the guards stepped in front of them.

The guard was a broad demon with two small horns on his forehead and thick grey skin.

One might mistake him for a two-horned demon, but he was not.

He looked at Akaza first, then at Sonya, then at Simon.

His eyes lingered on Simon for a few seconds.

He took was a little bit surprised that two high ranking demons were coming to Vashar City, but it was not the first time he had experienced such a thing.

He didn’t know why they were here and what caused their current condition, but what he knew was that this was aboce his authority and paycheck.

He and his colleagues had given the information to their boss, and their boss would take it from there if he wanted to.

The only thing that gave him and the other guards and demons peace of mind was the fact that Simon, Akaza, and Sonya were Archfiends.

If they were Greater Demons, things would not be so peaceful.

”Entry fee is ten hell stones.” The demon said with a calm and slightly respectful tone, a tone many other demons did not get from him.

Akaza tossed a pouch containing twenty low grade hell stones.

”Keep the change.”

The guard caught the pouch and opened it in surprise.

When he saw that it was more than ten hell stones, he quickly bowed as he kept the pouch in his storage ring.

”Thank you sir.”

Akaza nodded, and though he had the urge to obtain some information from the guard, there were too many listening ears.

”You may enter, but don’t cause trouble. Killing is not allowed, and I’ll suggest that you obtain more information about Vashar City.”

The guard paused and raised his head, then he made way for them to enter Vashar City.

The trio entered Vashar City.

The inside of the city was not beautiful like Gondor City and it did not have the uniqueness of the Shadowgrave Clan, but it was a city nevertheless.

The streets were made from uneven stone and hardened dirt. Some buildings were made of dark wood, some of stone, and some were a mixture of both. Most were two or three floors tall, with narrow windows and iron bars.

Lanterns hung from poles and doorways, but the light they released was dim and reddish.

Demons moved through the streets in groups, pairs, or alone.

Some wore armor.

Some carried weapons openly.

Some had chains around their arms or necks.

Some were merchants shouting prices from wooden stalls.

A butcher was cutting apart a demonic beast with three heads, and black blood flowed into a drain beside his stall. A few children with beast-like features watched with excited eyes as the butcher tossed a small piece of meat to them.

Across the street, two demons argued loudly over the price of a beast hide.

A drunk demon laughed beside a wall while another searched his pockets.

Somewhere farther away, metal struck metal from a smithy, and the smell of burning coal mixed with the scent of cooked meat.

Vashar City was not extraordinary, but it was the first average city Simon had gone to in this second life of his.

Akaza walked through the street with Simon on his back, while Sonya walked beside them.

They drew a few glances because they were wearing robes and covering their faces, but those glances ended there.

They walked deeper into the city, but not too deep.

The farther they moved from the gate, the busier the city became. More shops appeared. More taverns. More narrow alleys. More demons standing around with no clear purpose.

Simon kept his eyes half-open.

He was a little bit tired and he still had the urge to sleep, but he forced himself to observe.

He saw patrol guards, but they were not many.

He saw beggars, but some of them had eyes that were too sharp to be ordinary beggars.

He saw several inns, but ignored the ones that were too bright, too noisy, or too close to crowded streets.

He didn’t want attention.

Right now, he wanted peace and quiet.

Eventually, they reached a quieter street near the river that flowed through part of the city.

The buildings here were older.

The road was narrower.

There were fewer demons moving around.

At the end of the street was a building with a simple wooden sign hanging above its entrance.

The sign only had two words.

River Rest.

Akaza looked at the inn.

”Please tell me you’re satisfied with this place.”

Sonya looked at Simon with a questioning expression and also frustrated expression like Akaza.

Simon was about to speak, but his eyes widened in shock and disbelief when he saw a familiar face.

Mira... His mother’s friend who was there for her when he was being born.