A Gamer Into Trails

Ignoring the single notification that I got which unlocked Yin's Favorability, all eyes were now on this new figure that appeared into the room. Despite the gazes, they acted aloof, remaining cold. Once this masked figure spoke, even their voice was cloaked. It was pretty weird hearing this in person. It was as if I was listening to a voice changer in my previous life that streamers liked to use. They simply acknowledged Cao Lee's request, acting like I was just another client. Well, he wasn't wrong. I am, in fact, just another client of Heiyue. It doesn't matter if they're dealing with members of royalty or not.

"Understood. It is my pleasure to work from henceforth, Crown Prince of Liberl. Considering we are involving royalty this time, I expect my pay to be double the rate, Cao.", Yin declared, keeping a cold demeanor. Hearing that, Cao Lee laughed.

"Hahaha!", Cao replied, letting out a laugh. "Consider it done. By assigning you to His Highness, I hope you will gain something out of it. If His Highness's words hold true, you will be treading the path of the unknown.", Cao Lee continued. "And pardon me for a late introduction, Your Highness. This one here is Yin. The lineage of Yin has been in service of Heiyue for quite some time. Due to some familial disputes, the next generation is now in employment. Yin here might be a bit inexperienced, but they should get the job done.", Cao Lee explained the masked figure's situation to me. Lechter currently had a frown on his lips.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Young Master? Ever since this guy showed up, my hair's been standing up on end. Those are the eyes of a killer.", Lechter said with a frown.

"That's a pretty spot on deduction. They do serve as assassins. But they're quite a capable bodyguard too. Don't you think, Your Highness?", Cao asked me with a smirk.

"I for one am not unfamiliar with having a shadow guard. I'd rather not shed light on it, but I do have a couple of capable individuals serving under me. They are currently away at the moment. If you are stating that Yin is capable, then I'll trust your words.", I replied, keeping a stern look in my eyes.

"That isn't unprecedented, having a secret service under your employment. I am quite interested in meeting these individuals you currently have employed, but alas. That will have to be saved for another time. I do know you have a flight to catch. Is there anything else you would like to bring to the discussion board before I send your grup on their way?", Cao Lee asked me, wondering if we had anything else to discuss.

Hearing that, Yin decided to not remain with us, and promptly exited, just as they appeared just a moment ago. They simply did a graceful twirl of their cloak, and went poof. It truly was an amazing ability. Lechter wanted to retort, but he knew to keep quiet. I am not sure if Lechter and Yin ever had any private discussions while Lechter visited Crossbell City, so this might be a new situation for him. I hope he'll adapt to meeting someone of Yin's stature. I know they won't act out of place, considering Yin is basically a hired guard at this point.

And quite a capable one at that. If I could, I would like to introduce Yin to Ennea. That was one of the individuals I was referring to. I have been forming my own shadow guard in the shadows, no pun intended, haha! Ennea is the first, while Ace, who I now wiped his name away from, and is now known as Hearts. As for the third...

That will be a touchy subject. I plan to save Guy from his inevitable death, but part of me currently does not want to do that. Compared to the previous two, Guy's death has much bigger significance to Crossbell's story. It is set to occur in one year's time, when he has a falling out with a fellow detective, who goes by the name Arios MacLaine. It will be then that I decide whether or not to enact that. I do not know how big a variable me saving Guy will become if that indeed does happen.

As for what Cao Lee is asking, I do have interest in learning something else. I want to learn more about Heiyue, and how they operate. I am not sure how much they can tell me, but we've been doing a give-and-take here. I'm sure Cao can divulge one or two tidbits about Heiyue in general. They operate as a black market here in Crossbell City, but they have much deeper roots in Calvard. I want to see how deep they go.

"I do, in fact. I want to learn more about Heiyue. It wouldn't sit right if we do continue cooperation in the future, that only I would be left in the shadows. I just don't know how much you can tell me.", I requested.

"Hmm. An information exchange this time, is it? That I do not mind. If you do enough digging, you'd come to learn of this information on your own. I would advise against travelling to Calvard for the time being. There's a little ruffian group currently gaining traction while President Rocksmith has to deal with the immigration. They call themselves the Almata.", Cao Lee explained.

"That Almata. Can't say I've heard of them before.", I responded, quickly shaking my head to this name. Of what I knew, I did not know of this group. Assuming they are a group.

"Indeed. Unlike our nine clans, the Almata are nobodies. They're just some nameless mafiosos who constantly jab at the President's policies and commit several crimes under his nose. They mostly reside in Calvard's Easter Quarter. Their gambling matches are quite-well known, to say the least. Even the popular Gambler Jack novel series is based off of them. I'd highly recommend that novel. It is quite a riveting tale, Your Highness.", Cao said with a smile.

'Huh. So that's what Gambler Jack is based off of. They really know how to tie those novels together. That was another beauty of these games. They have entire built-in novels in 'em. Another popular series found in the sky games, the Carnelia series. This one depicted a certain someone. The leader of the Gralsritter. Ein Selnate.', I mused, seeing another connection form. Still, my eyes didn't change. I calmly spoke out, continuing the conversation.

"Point taken. But you referred to there being nine clans, right? I take it Heiyue is one of them?", I guessed.

"That would be correct. Unlike those nobodies, we of Heiyue have been rooted deep in Calvard for over a century. We operate on a more formal standard, and even assist the Republic on occasion. I am the present head of the branch office here in Crossbell City. I won't get into the messy details, but we are not on much speaking terms with other clans of Heiyue. The Lai Family oversees operations in the Republic. But even then, our once nine clans that were reduced into eight are but one set that compose of the underworld in eastern Zemuria. Collectively, we belong to an ancient group that once served Calvard's Empire, before it became a Republican State. This group is the Navagraha.", Cao Lee explained.

That's another foreign term I haven't heard of before. But as Cao mentioned, with enough digging in history books I can likely come across this information. I'm getting similar vibes when I've read those martial art stories in my previous life. There were a lot of those, and it had a big emphasis on one's family. Without proper backing, you couldn't achieve anything in those. Sounds like the Lee Family had a falling out with the other clans of Heiyue. And even then, that was just a droplet in the ocean. There were several groups collectively known as the Navagraha. Long, long ago, Calvard used to be like Erebonia. An Empire, and with nobles to boot.

"At this point, you're referring to the Holy Iskan Empire, right? It's been over a century since that empire fell, and the Republic of Calvard formed soon after.", I responded. Cao smiled hearing that.

"Haha! You sure know you're stuff, Your Highness. Search knee-deep in those history books, and that's what is relayed to the public. What I will tell you instead, are the names of four other groups that you should tread carefully, should you ever find yourself in Calvard.", Cao said, donning a more serious look in his eyes.

"Several groups that we shouldn't encounter, eh? Who are they?", I asked, gaining interest.

"The Ikaruga Clan. They're dangerous eastern ninjas and samurai that also operate as Jaegers. They've been known to clash with high-end profiles like Zephyr and the Red Constellation. Then there is the Rahu Clan. They used to be mercenaries that had a bloodlust for battle. As far as I'm aware, there aren't any more of these guys, but the world is big out there. I would still tread carefully. Following that are the two nomads, the Matagi, and the Woodland Wanderers. Unless you personally seek these groups out, they won't bother you. Out of everyone, Ikaruga is the one that is the most active. They are highly dangerous, and even Yin has clashed against them before.", Cao Lee continued to explain.

Well, damn. That was a lot thrown at me. More groups I'm not familiar with, but I am thankful for Cao to explain what all is hidden out there. Five collective groups, and there might even be up to four more out there. Maybe they don't all exist now, and likely existed during the pre-Republic era, but as Cao said, one needed to tread carefully in Calvard. The Quest I have with Van as the primary target to check up and see how he's doing is going to cause me to go to Calvard in one way or another.

Not until after the Vermillion Trials. But having this knowledge is going to help. And then there was the Almata group. Recalling what I did know about Daybreak's information before coming here, I knew tidbits because of the game's announcement. I am pretty sure that Almata is the antagonist in Daybreak...

I don't know if I'm going to cross blades with those guys, but eh, one can't be too careful. Hearing all of this, I smiled.

"That is definitely a lot to take in, but thank you for relaying this to me, Cao. I hope we continue our cooperation from here on. I won't be going to Calvard any time soon, but if thing's take a different direction, I'll give a shout.", I responded, thanking Cao.

"Oh but it is our pleasure, Your Highness. It isn't frequent we get to do business with members of royalty. Yin's new assignment should prove fruitful, too. I am awaiting good results. We will not forget the show you will give us, either. Safe travels on the way back.", Cao Lee said, smiling.

"Seems like you've had your fill. This is a lot to take in, but we now have a better grasp of Calvard. I take it it's time to dip, Young Master?", Lechter questioned, placing his head behind his back.

"Yeah. Thanks for the tea, by the way. It was delicious.", I replied with a smile.

"Mmm.", Tio also said, thanking Cao with a nod of her head.

"Haha! I am glad you enjoyed it. Speaking of which, wasn't there that maid with you who wanted to learn one of our tea making techniques?", Cao questioned.

"You would be referring to Sherryl. I can send her here to learn it. And I will be watching you, Cao. Do not try any funny business. She is set to return to Grancel Castle once her studies finish.", I said with a serious look in my eyes.

Cao Lee didn't say anything and simply curved his eyes upward into two crescent moons.

"It isn't often the Young Master has held such an engaging conversation, so I do appreciate the time you spent coming here, Your Highness. We will make it so your safety is secured, at least until your flight departs.", Cao Lee's right-hand man said.

"Fine by me. Let's go, you two. We can't miss our flight back to Erebonia.", I said to Lechter and Tio. They nodded their heads and we had Heiyue escort us to Crossbell Airport from the shadows.

It was approaching 7PM now on Tuesday, January of the calendar year S1200. We had a long flight back, and I cannot wait to fall asleep. A bed is waiting for me! This week has been jam-packed so far, and there was still more to come!

Meanwhile, as the three of us made it safely to Crossbell Airport. Back inside Heiyue...

Cao Lee could now be seen standing in front of the window, overlooking the rest of the Harbor District. His smile remained on his lips, before he started to speak aloud.

"Oh you know I can't pass up on such a good opportunity, Your Highness. Such a ripe seed, ready for the taking. Already proficient in Taito too, so they'll have an easy time learning Gekka. Have you started the adoption process, Lau?", Cao Lee asked.

"We have not. Are you sure you want to test His Highness's trust like this?", Lau questioned, eyes still in doubt.

"It might benefit His Highness in the long-run if we adopt the Sky siblings into the Lee Family. They were caught up in the Cult Extermination. Right now, there is nothing stopping them from being adopted.", Cao Lee said, wondering if he should take action on this matter...

"If you really wish to proceed with this Young Master, then I will have Heiyue start the adoption process.", Lau responded with a confident nod.

Cao Lee didn't immediately respond, and kept to himself. He entered his thoughts and wondered whether or not he should proceed with that...

*****

As always Giliath demands your power stones!