Reborn Financier-Chapter 38 - 37: Return to Aschel

The wind howled quietly across the open plains as Kaidën and Zarel stepped onto the old, cracked road leading into Aschel — or what was left of Aschel.

Kaidën narrowed his eyes from behind the brown hoodedcloak that enveloped him. He slowed his pace involuntarily while taking in the view that greeted him.

The land that had been overrun by corruption and crime was no longer recognizable.

Neatly paved roads crisscrossed through the city, lined with bustling market stalls, tiny workshops, and neat blocks of whitestone structures. Merchants shouted prices, small children ran past with laughter, guards passed by in neat armor — it was a little unreal.

Only four years ago, this place had been the rotting underbelly of the kingdom. A playground for criminals, a graveyard for the hopeless. Now... it was alive.

Kaidën’s sharp eyes still detected the subtle signs of trouble — the occasional shady deal slipping through an alley, the wary looks of shopkeepers locking up early. But it was leagues better than the pitiful Aschel he remembered.

Behind him, Zarel gazed unashamedly, wide-eyed like an inexperienced traveler. His own robe, one size too small because of his disproportionately wide shoulders, was no match for the look of amazement pinned upon his face.

"Young master," Zarel said, elbowing Kaidën in the ribs, "this is your land?!"

Kaiden nodded slowly, his eyes still fastened to the environment.

Kaidën’s sharp eyes still detected the subtle signs of trouble — the occasional shady deal slipping through an alley, the wary looks of shopkeepers locking up early. But it was leagues better than the pitiful Aschel he remembered.

Behind him, Zarel gazed unashamedly, wide-eyed like an inexperienced traveler. His own robe, one size too small because of his disproportionately wide shoulders, was no match for the look of amazement pinned upon his face.

"Young master," Zarel said, elbowing Kaidën in the ribs, "this is your land?!"

Kaiden nodded slowly, his eyes still fastened to the environment.

Zarel whistled low, shaking his head in disappointment. "Wow... what a letdown."

Without even turning, Kaidën lifted his hand and slapped Zarel on the back of the head.

Thwack!

Zarel cried out, grasping for the top of his head dramatically. "Agh! Young master, my head! I need that to attend to you!"

Kaidën clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Use your head first before you speak, fool."

Several nearby passersby glanced over at the strange pair — a tall, threatening man and a giant oaf staggering around like one who’d been hit by lightning — a disdainful glance and then sensibly decided to mind their own affairs.

Adjusting his hood down over his eyes again, Kaidën headed in the direction of the inner city.

Zarel hobbled after him, muttering to himself, "Still hurts. going to have to sue for emotional trauma."

They strolled quietly down the streets, Kaidën alert. Every building, every alley, every side street familiar and strange, a dream seen through foggy glass. There was a sense of anticipation — a substratum of hope, of change.

But there were also signs of trouble brewing below the surface.

Scars and shifty-eyed men hung around streetcorners. Marchants wearing more jewelry than they deserved shouted at laborers. Some of the guards accepted bribes whenever they believed they were unobserved.

Aschel had risen — but the rot had not been entirely cut away.

Kaidën’s lips curled slightly in a thin, unreadable smile.

"This place has potential," he muttered.

"Huh?" Zarel leaned forward. "Say something, young master?"

"Shut up and keep walking."

Finally, after strolling down several streets, they were standing outside an old, ancient-appearing tavern — "The Wandering Fang."

A battered wooden sign creaked overhead, swaying gently to and fro within the day wind. Poorly lit within and half occupied by rough-hewn patrons: mercenaries, adventurers, travelers. Exactly the type of clientele Kaidën needed.

They went inside.

The tavern smelled of spiced meat, ale, and a hint of blood. The other regulars eyed the pair up and down, sizing them up, then quickly losing interest all over again since both Kaidën and Zarel did not do something dramatic.

They slid into a booth near the back.

"Okay," Kaidën replied softly, surveying the room. "We need information, we need to determine what happened while i was away."

Zarel grinned. "Oh! Am I meant to scare somebody then? Perhaps break a few bones?"

"No way," growled Kaidën. "We do it the smart way, just watch and learn."

Zarel pouted but stayed silent. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Shortly thereafter, Kaidën caught the eye of the bartender — a rough-looking man who wore a frayed facial scar down his left cheek.

The bartender raised an eyebrow as he moved toward them.

"What’ll it be, strangers?"

Kaiden flicked his wrist casually — and five gleaming gold coins clattered onto the table.

One of the bartender’s better eyes widened. Some heads closer to him turned quietly upon hearing the clink of gold on wood.

"5 gold coins..." the man muttered to himself, his voice full of amazement. He trembled slightly as he gathered up the coins and stuffed them into his apron like a man hiding loot from thieves.

Kaidën leaned forward ever so slightly, voice steady but with evident gravity.

"In exchange, I require information. Anything. Form the last three years."

The bartender swallowed hard, wiped his hands on his apron, and nodded quickly.

"You bought yourself a storyteller tonight," he said with a nervous grin. "I’ll tell you everything you wanna know, mister... whatever your name is."

Zarel gave a wide, toothy grin beneath his hood. "This is how you do it, young master? Money instead of violence? Huh... neat."

Kaidën ignored him.

The bartender pulled up a chair, sitting backwards on it like he was about to confess the greatest secrets of the world.

"Well," the bartender said, voice dropping into a whisper, "it all started about three years ago..."

To be continued...

Extra: Money System

1 gold coins is equivalent to 1000 USD

1 silver coin is equivalent to 100 USD

1 bronze coin is equivalent to 10 USD

1 Iron coin is equivalent to 1 USD.