A Fitting Disguise

~Wait, before we leave this place, there is one thing I have to do.~ I told Alphyn.

~Hmmmm?~ She cocked her head sideways.

Changing directions every so often, I finally arrived at the location. This was the place where I betted my money.

~Ting

"Welcome to the Devil's Den! Are you here to collect your earnings or pay your debt?" A burly vampire said cheerfully behind the reception desk. I felt that depending on the answer I gave him; his reception will change.

"Collect, my name is Eric Pendragon" I replied.

"Very well, have a seat someone will be with you shortly." He disappeared into the back of the establishment.

Upon closer look, I realized that this place does not just operate as a betting station but also for other things.

A moment later, 3 men came into the room I was in. Two of them were huge muscular men while the one is the middle looked like a middle-age businessman. The ones that looked like 'bodyguards' took their place behind me, I glanced back at them then turned my attention back to the one sitting on the sofa.

"Mr Pendragon!" He said in an enthusiastic voice. "I am delighted to tell you that you've really hit the jackpot on this bet! The earnings that you got totals... fifty million gold!"

I was unsurprised by this. Almost the entire colosseum betted against me. Who would've thought that the Prince would losing against a mere nobody who only appeared this year?

"...Sir?" The man was confused by my reaction. Any sane man would have leapt off their seat and jump for joy.

"Just give me the money." I said impatiently.

"That's a lot of money sir, I'm afraid we cannot give it all to you right now. But if you were to subscribe to our services-"

I held up my palm.

"Don't lie to me, I know you have the money. Give it to me 𝘕𝘖𝘞."

The man gulped down and looked at the guards behind me.

~Craack Craaaack

The sound of knuckles being popped sounded behind me. I looked back again and flash them a smile.

Any moment now, the Emperor would call for a city-wide search, I don't have time to dilly-dally around in here.

"Now, as I was saying..." The man continued to speak, now with renewed confidence.

~Alp...~ I nodded my head to her, motioning her to do something.

~Got it Master!~ It seemed that she understood my thoughts.

"So, if you give us forty per-per-p..." The man suddenly lost his ability to speak as he looked at the horror in front of him.

The two vampire guards were now performing horrifying acts with their body.

-No, NO! Don't come closer!

-Get out of my body!

One of the guards ripped his arm off and started shoving it up his rectum. The other one ripped into his face with both hands and tore it apart right down the middle, leaving his brains splattering out.

"Now," I clasped my hands. "I advise you not to waste anymore of my precious time and get my money, and if your alert anyone here..." I picked up a pomegranate off the table and crushed it in my hands.

"Ri-ri-right away s-sir!" He made a mad scramble for the door, tripping on his way out several times.

Not a minute later, he ran back into the room with a ring in his hand.

"I got it here sir! Please don't k-kill me!" His hands were shaking as he passed the ring to me.

"Damn," I inspected the gold inside the orichalcum ring, my eyes sparkling. The dragon inside me wants to take out all the gold and dive into it, but I stopped myself and quickly put it inside my storage ring.

"Good, there's nothing missing, you'll survive for another day. Now, point me to the nearest clothing store."

--

~Wrong way...~

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.

.

~Wrong way... Master let me take the lead.~ Alphyn said exasperated.

~Woah woah alright, don't get angry with me.~ I held my hands up in surrender.

Alphyn rolled her eyes and guided me.

~Why do you need to get new clothes? My illusions can easily disguise you.~

~That's true, but the Emperor would probably have mages out in the streets probing for magic. I'll rather not risk that. Nothing better than a good 'ol disguise. When was the last time I ran from something?"

~Hmmm, that time when you peeked into the elf queen's bath few thousand years ago.~

~Ahh, sweet memories. She didn't have to send five thousand soldiers after me, that hurt my feelings.~

~What else were you expecting.~ She rolled he eyes again.

The shop that we entered was neither grand nor high class, it looked like a shop suited for middle-class people.

"Hi welcome to my shop! We don't have a lot of customers around here. What can I do for you?" An elderly woman walked up to me.

"A set of clothes, nothing to fancy or eye catching and a wig, preferably a black one. Oh yea, a pair of glasses too."

~Glasses? Why do you need that for?~ Alphyn asked.

~Apparently, it works really well.~

"Got it sir, I'll be right back." She trotter away happily.

She returned with several clothing and I went into the dressing room to try it out.

Just as I finished changing, I heard a commotion outside. Quickly adjusting my wig, I exited the changing room.

"What can I do for you, I-imperial guards." The granny step back at the sight of them standing outside her shop.

"THIS IS THE EMPEROR'S DECREE, EVERY SHOP IN THE CITY IS TO BE THROUGHLY CHECKED. THERE IS A WANTED MAN ON THE LOOSE AND HE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. NOW MOVE ASIDE!" The guard shouted.

"Oh, but there is still a customer in the shop, let him leave first before doing your check." The granny said, blocking their path.

"ARE YOU GOING AGAINST THE EMPEROR'S WILL? DISOBLIGING WITH HIS ORDERS WILL BE MET WITH PUNISHMENT, MOVE OR BE MOVED."

But the granny still stood her ground. This was the first customer she had in ages, and there was no way she was going to spoil the customers' experience.

Barging into her shop with extreme force, they backhanded her and sent her crashing into a pile of clothes. She laid there unconscious.

'I'm sorry for causing you all that trouble granny, this is the least I can do.'

Putting a hundred gold into her cash register, I quietly snuck out the back door.

I emerged from the back of the shop into an alleyway. With my black clothing and glasses, I looked like a merchant.

~Let's hope we can make it to the teleportation gates. Surely the Emperor won't order a city lockdown, would he?~

~PUNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The piercing noise of the sirens blared out around the city.

~You just had to jinx yourself don't you.~ Alphyn smacked her head.

'...'

~Now what?~ She asked.

~Well luckily, I still have someone who can help me.~ I said with a smug look.

~You do?~

~Yea, Markeil Crystalheart. He's a high noble, probably has a personal teleportation gate lying around. Let me ask him.~

~Markeil, you there? I need your assistance.~

After a moment of silence, a voice came through.

~AH YES MY LORD, I am here! Please give me your orders.~

~Do you have a teleporter at home? One that can be used for long distances.~

~Yes, yes I do.~ He replied immediately.

~Okay, open the teleportation gate outside Blackgarde City when I give you the command. Standby and wait for now.~

~Yes sire! Your order is my command!~

'Now that's taken care of, I have to find a way of this city.' I exited the alleyway and blended in with the crowd.