Nice Song

Now that I have money, I simply need a way to prove my identity. At first, I was thinking to rely on Logan, but that isn't an option anymore. Maybe I could try and pass myself for an agent. Problem is I ignore too much about this land.

I'll probably commit an obvious mistake that will reveal me up. Like those spies that died in Germany because of the way they counted.

I guess I can rely on Calli. Yes, that can do. She should be at the tavern. I push the double doors open and I am immersed in a loud cacophony of people talking loudly. There is no background music either, only shouts.

"There you are! Where were you!"

There she is!

[I was making money.]

"Why? I may not look it, but I can easily take care of that! With one representation I can easily make 5 silvers! How is it? Impressed!?"

I don't even reply I simply grin and show her my pouch. She starts counting. Before long, her face changes.

"You! How the hell did you make so much in such a short time?!"

[My magical fingers.]

I touch something and it grows, that sure is magical. For some reason, she blushes hard. What did she picture?

"Well, I didn't know so I offered my services and now I have to do a show."

[All good, I'll be watching.]

She happily gets up and moves to a corner bringing her instrument with her. Then her servant starts shouting for people to shut the fuck up, his words not mine. Before long the tavern quiets down and she begins.

I can clearly see the reaction of the surrounding people. They are completely entranced. I am sure anyone could easily steal all their belongings including their clothes and they wouldn't notice.

Ah, I see. She is emitting a subtle hint of mana. It doesn't seem to have an element either. Now I finally understand her initial reaction that night.

If that is the expected reaction when she is casually playing…Yep, I'm totally an outlier. Actually, I think I know why. Compared to etiquette this is child's play. Once more something the ghost taught me is proving valuable.

After about 20 minutes her performance comes to a stop and she curtesy slightly before coming back to our table. Well, not that anyone really notices it. They are slowly coming out of their stupor.

[Impressive, how is that called?]

"These are the skills I learned back home. We of the Blue County are renowned for our great Fascinators."

[That almost sounds like an evil class.]

She pouts, "It's not! We are very respectable! Anyway, how did you even manage to resist my songs?!"

[All thanks to an old man I know. He is very powerful.]

"Tell me more!"

[This man, if you can resist falling asleep when he teaches…anything is possible!]

"Stop teasing me!"

But I am serious!

[Alright, tell me. If I want to go to Purple County, what's the best way to proceed?]

She takes a moment to think about it.

"Let me guess you are looking for an identity? How about joining the hunter's guild? You should know that this region used to be infested with monsters before the Holy Empire intervened, right? Where we are right now is exclusively the jurisdiction of the army, but closer to the capital hunters do most of the work."

[Why, shouldn't they especially protect their capital?]

"That's exactly why. Here soldiers just clear the roads and their surroundings. They pass through from time to time and call it a day. Near the capital, they cannot let a single one escape. Hunters are great for that. While they are less efficient, they are paid per kill instead of time."

[So the army takes care of the big packs and the hunters of the stragglers? That's a nice arrangement!]

"I can show you the way if you want, how about it?"

[What's your angle?]

"Trying to get more information on you. You should know that my music is a family art. I need to know why it failed on you so I can improve."

I already told her. That is when we hear a commotion coming from outside.

"Quick catch the thief! Quick kill that creature!"

What's happening outside?

Then I see Logan enter brusquely. He seems out of breath. He spots me and runs toward us.

"Sir, it seems I've been stolen from!"

I didn't know he had money in the first place. Must have been from the bandits. Then I see many guards enter.

"Stop running thief!"

[So what's happening exactly?]

"This criminal thought he could swindle our merchants!"

"Sir, I ate food at a stall and only realized afterward that my purse was missing! Now they want to punish me!"

[Can't he just pay it back? Why are you guys making such a fuss?]

"No way! He tried to eat and run!"

"I told you I was stolen from! It was only 10 coppers too! What's with wanting to bring me in jail for so little?!"

[Here, take 1 silver. That should more than cover it. Also if my man got his possessions stolen maybe you guys should manage security better.]

"How dare you we-"

"Master! They have gone crazy!"

TMR dashes in, his fur somehow wet. Guess it is raining. He is leaving puddles in his wake.

Everyone in the tavern starts freaking out big time. I can hear various cries calling to a monster.

Something about how they should unite to fight it. Meanwhile, the "courageous guy" that proposed this solution is hiding in a corner shaking.

[So what exactly happened?]

"I have no clue! I was just playing with some small humans when they started chasing me!"

Some more guards are coming in. "It's the monster! It tried to eat the kids! Eradicate it!"

Are they blind this is clearly a tamed…right rain. That is gone. Still, why the Hell are they freaking out now.

[Stop shouting already, that's my tamed beast!]

"Impossible it doesn't have a slave crest!"

[Oh? So you're a beast tamer?]

"Of course I'm not…"

[Oh? So how do you know so much about beast taming? How do you know it can't be my pet just because its mark is not visible?]

"This is preposterous there is no way that…."

That is when enters a stern man that looks like their superior. He glances around before resting his eyes on me. Very intently…what's up?