Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"That should be of no worry," Lucius assured Leif. "You'll have my financial support and protection."

"How much are we talking about, my lord?" Leif raised his brows suspiciously.

"More than enough to make it worth your time." Lucius said and then glanced at Kiana. "As for the specific numbers, I'm sure that we will be happy to discuss it with you in detail once we receive your confirmation."

"You know that we'll be able to pay you, Leif." Kiana stared seriously at the tavern owner, and even that made the usually calm man hesitate. "Please don't waste any more of our time than necessary. 'Lucius' is a busy man."

Lucius couldn't help but have his lips quirked slightly at hearing those words. Kiana remembered his 'fake' name and decided to use it on this encounter with Leif.

"I know that." Leif's expression hardened slightly. "Every one of us is busy, but it doesn't mean that you'll coerce me into making a decision. I've already done you a favor before. Only people who established their reputation can linger, and yet you two are here."

Kiana's gaze was unwavering.

"I also want to finish this business quickly!" Leif said, exasperated. "Again, I also have other things to take care of."

"Good." Kiana said.

Kiana had a certain reputation for some reason, or perhaps she was just naturally intimidating if she wanted to be. People usually were wary around her.

"But yes, please take a bit more time to consider it carefully, Leif." Lucius said in a more amicable tone, to contrast himself from Kiana. "We would like to establish a better reputation here for future transactions, after all."

There was no doubt that Lucius might find himself coming back to the Blind Crow tavern for other necessities, thus it was better to get on the good side of the owner instead of agitating him unnecessarily.

"Thank you for being reasonable, my lord." Leif bowed his head a little and sighed. "I simply want to consider the pros and cons of this."

"Of course," Lucius nodded.

Lucius had already expected some resistance from the tavern owner and was prepared to give a lot to get what he wanted.

He didn't come here to go back empty handed.

While Countess Lita had already promised to look into things, there was something different about going through the proper channels as opposed to what Leif's connections could provide.

There was also the fact that Countess Lita investigating into it might take more time than what Lucius had wanted and this was an urgent matter.

Truth be told, Lucius would have used Arius, Carlyle and Cohen for this situation, as they had already been in Viscount Drew's territory, but they were still in hiding and will probably take a while to return.

Which was why it was enough to make use of Leif's connections.

Lucius only needed to wait. He had given quite a good offer.

Leif was tempted by the promise and allure of money.

Now that there were fewer criminals using the Blind Crow tavern to exchange deals or even take shelter in it because of the fear of being captured by the Inanis guards… there was some dent to his income.

There was never anything wrong with making extra money to be added to his pocket too. Saving up for a rainy day and the unexpected was good.

However, there was the risk of exchanging information from the Viscount Drew's territory and back into Count Inanis's lands.

"What do you think?" Lucius asked a minute after. He saw that there was still something on Leif's mind that had him stuck.

"The sound of financial support is great, my lord." Leif said. "But you offering protection on top of that leads me to worry about the actual danger involved in this."

"You know better than me on how much actual risk there'll be, Leif." Lucius folded his hands together. "This protection only comes when there's actual danger involved in being discovered, but I am sure that your men are resourceful enough to have no need for it."

Leif thought about Lucius's words some more and couldn't help but agree with it.

When Viscount Drew opened his territory to the merchants by lowering his taxes, and the Inanis Family prevented merchants from coming out of his territory to slip into theirs, Leif's connections still found a way to get the goods.

Other than that, there was also the fact that the information that the lord wanted from Leif was not actually bad.

It was just looking into the stability of a territory and nothing too severe.

If it had been anything else, smuggling illegal goods or more sensitive information, then Leif would have shot it down immediately.

There was no way that the Inanis' people would turn a blind eye, especially now that an army was returning soon. Count Gabriel Inanis was a ruthless man when he wanted to be.

However, Leif stared at the younger lord in front of him and had a feeling creep up on him.

As someone who operated a tavern for so long, and especially filled with criminals, Leif believed himself to be a good judge of character.

There was something about 'Lucius' that made Leif consider him as someone who he didn't want to have as his enemy.

This instinct as well as the other reasons above, led him to make a decision at last.

"Very well, my lord. I think that we'll be able to get the information that you wanted." Leif said.

"Then we have an agreement." Lucius nodded.

Kiana stepped forward and had some documents in her hands, which she handed to the tavern owner.

"I took the time to give your men what I especially want to be looked into." Lucius said.

Leif glanced at them and his eyes widened. "They will be extremely useful, my lord."

"Good. I will be hearing from you shortly then."

Satisfied with the outcome of their meeting, Lucius stood up, watched and listened Kiana discuss the matter with the man some more before they returned to the Inanis mansion.