Sitting at the cafe table with the beautiful heiress on the other side, Thames Osmil looked out to the busy street in the Sun District.
"So, Thames Osmil," Allie said playfully while pointing a muffin at him, "What do you do?"
Catching his attention, he focused on the brown-haired woman and thought deeply.
"I'm a painter." He took a sip of bitter espresso after.
He preferred the bars coffee over this place's espresso but couldn't help but acknowledge the difference in quality. It was smooth and had dark notes, clearly carefully picked to accompany the blueberry muffins they had gotten.
"Oooo, a painter?" A smile drew over her face. "Is your work in any museums? Oh, I just love art!"
His attention was caught again!
"I don't think so... But I've had a few sales."
"Oh really? You should show me sometime~!"
"I can show you next time we meet..."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he cursed himself.
Damnit! I'm doing all of Rubes' work...!
"My oh my! Thames you're already making future plans?" She blushed and covered her face quickly.
"What do you do, Allie?"
As she brought the fan down, he took a bite of the muffin. Sweet!
"I'm an investor of magicians! You don't happen to know any, do you~?"
Thames rolled his eyes inwardly as he thought, I am one!
"No, I don't think I know any. How do you invest in them?"
She smirked, taking her head back slightly.
"Well, that depends of course! Usually...! I just fund their activities. Provide the materials, organize magic items, stuff like that."
"Oh really? Anywhere in specific?"
"Well! Haha... If you've been reading the news... I helped fund the 'First Godless Generation!'"
Ahhh... So, she's the one who funds those schools in Indira? I guess it would be good to know her! Activities though?
"What do you mean by activities?"
"Well... Emergents are a new business~! The harder they are to take down, the better the rewards!"
Rewards? Since when do Emergents give rewards? Have we missed something??
"Rewards?"
"Huhu! Yes, Emergents usually have something in them! When they're defeated the magician can get them! That's why there's all those Indiran Ships in the pier!"
Lin did mention a large number of boats... So, that must be why there's more magic items?
"Is it just items?"
"Oh no! They might have resources or ingredients, but everything is profitable! Oh, but I don't want to boreeee you, Thames~!"
I can't believe we didn't know this...
"It's fine, Allie. Do you do most of the business in Indira?"
"Mhm!" She nodded quickly but elaborated, "Well mostly. I do a lot of business with demons in the Underside."
Underside was the general name for the demon kingdoms and civilization. The tall mountains and heavy clouds blocked out the sun, casting the land in an eternal shadow. The plants which flourished there were unfriendly and deadly.
This caused most underground organizations to rise from this land around the Godly Era, when the Underside was officially discovered and joined the wider world.
Most of the land, on top of brimming with deadly wildlife and plants, was uninhabitable for other races. Demons, a wide race or unique features, hailed from this area, making it the continent of the demons.
I'm sure with the lack of a sun that Emergents are a huge issue there...
Thames was roughly familiar with the basic facts of it but was no expert on it.
"Really? What parts?"
"Most of the areas on the border! Those Demonics are friendlier to merchants~!"
Demonics... Ah! That must be what they call the leaders in the Underside.
He quickly recalled what Demonics were.
They were the Underside's version of Constellations, but much older. The Tower Association was never as present in the Underside which caused what the wider world calls 'Godless Magic' to flourish. They still had deities but worshipped them in the more traditional sense.
Demonics were demons who were both powerful magicians and also held a number of contracts or underlings as well as vast land.
"Enough with me, though! What do you like to paint, Thames~?"
"I prefer to paint... Landscapes? I've seen a few magicians... So, I have painted a few spells."
"So, you do know magicians!"
"Ah... Not personally. Just in passing."
"Hmph."
She ate a muffin while staring at Thames, her piercing green eyes fixated on him. A grin appeared on her face as she finished another muffin, swallowing it with espresso.
She sure likes muffins...
Hoping to look normal, he quickly finished his muffin and continued to look at her.
"How long are you staying in Ariao?" He asked finally.
"Just a month more maybe! I think it'll be time to receive the merchant company soon. Ooooo! You can join me Thames~! I do think I like you."
Huh? I haven't said anything really... Wait! We haven't known each other for more than an hour!
"Anyways, Thames, I should be going!"
"Huh?"
She got up and walked up next to him, patting his shoulder and leaning to his ear.
"Until next time~!"
Turning towards her quickly as her hot breath brushed against his neck, Thames quickly realized that she had already left the cafe. Paying the hostess before leaving.
I can't believe Rubes.
He groaned inwardly and quickly left the cafe.
...
Lin, dressed in a black and white suit, was sat under the sun peeking through the smog, and watched a man walking the dirty streets of the Oril District.
He was smaller and wore shabby clothes, his most distinct feature being his dark blue hair. His movements were ordinary as he continued down the street full of workers returning to him, occasionally nodding towards them.
So, this is the other Constellation... He doesn't meet the description of the weapon wielder. Must be the variable Thames was worried 'bout!
Marigold. Lin asked around various hidden circles which was easy thanks to her identity as a demon. Most were either founded by demons or heavily inspired by them.
According to them, he appeared in Ariao about two years ago, around the same time Renny Syn began his activities. Of course, if Marigold wasn't Constellation level, this wouldn't have sparked concern in Lin.
She would have chalked it up to coincidence. A man stuck in poverty eventually turned to magic and happened to have great affinity, but the timeframe was too perfect.
Marigold was either one of Renny's men or something else of concern.