Chapter 895 895 - Ready?
Another human woman ran up to them. Younger this time, likely late twenties. She was pretty, with dark skin and long dreadlocks of very dark-blond hair. Wearing well-cared-for clothing and some light makeup, it was obvious she cared about her appearance, but wasn't as wealthy as Hanna.
Her brown eyes were wide, showing more frustration than worry. Yet, when they met the curious, but deep and powerful gaze of the emperor, she quickly halted in her steps, suddenly realising what she was doing.
The disappearance of her pay had made her impulsive, but remembering what just happened to Hanna made her rethink her actions. She quickly turned around. "A-Actually, never mind!"
Unfortunately, she'd already caught someone's eye. Elora whispered in Erik's mind about her suspicion, and Erik didn't hesitate. "Hold up," he demanded, his voice seemingly neutral, yet filled with an authority that the younger woman found hard to ignore after witnessing Hanna's fate.
She halted in her steps once more. Chuckling sheepishly, she slowly turned around, her clever eyes flitting around the area for some kind of escape. "Y-Yes…?"
Seeing her desire for escape, Erik chuckled and waved his hand. Instantly, a sigil stone appeared in his hand. Or, rather, it was a sigil stone bearing the distinct markings of a Tickron—essentially a wallet in Erik's new economy. The younger woman's eyes immediately focused on it.
"Hanna had this on her," he smirked. "It's yours if you answer a few questions."
Currently, Hanna was indignantly raging in an isolated room inside his dimension, unable to go anywhere and claiming he'll regret this when her family finds out. It was easy enough to lift the Tickron off her body.
Some greed flashed in the woman's eyes… but she still hesitated. Her eyes soon returned to looking for escape paths. "That's uhm… That's okay… Thank you, though," she muttered noncommittally.
Suspecting what was wrong, Erik rolled his eyes and glanced back at the crowd that was still watching them. "Listen up," he roared. "If I give this woman Hanna's Tickron and I later hear a single whisper of… whatever family Hanna belonged to coming to bother her about it, it'll be their last day in Enkare Nkai."
Without checking the crowd's reaction, he turned back to look at the younger woman. "How about now?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow.
She blinked… and quickly calmed down as a cunning grin spread across her lips. She held up her hands. "Money first!"
Slowly, a grin spread across Erik's face as he raised an eyebrow. "I just disappeared someone who disrespected me. Are you sure that's the tone you wish to take?"
The woman blinked and then quickly shook her head. "No disrespect intended, oh Silver Emperor!" she exclaimed, and performed a sweeping bow, before righting her back again with the same cunning grin across her lips. "Money first, though."
Leila watched their interaction quietly, hands behind her back, as she wondered if this woman was gauging Erik correctly. She suspected yes.
Amused, Erik barked a laugh and tossed the Tickron her way. "Hah! Fine, take it. It's not like you can run away from me."
The young woman's grin widened as she caught the Tickron and made it disappear within her clothes in the same movement. "I'm at your disposal, my lord!"
Sticking his hands back in his pockets, Erik chuckled with a nod. "Good. First, tell me your name, and then why you were expecting payment from Hanna."
A cunning sparkle flickered in her eyes, but her smile was ingratiating. "I am Asha, my lord. As for your second question…" She fell silent for a moment as a calculating glint flickered in her expression before seemingly coming to some decision with a heavy sigh, her stance turning sombre. "…it's actually a tragic story, my lord."
She immediately started perking up again, but still in a sombre manner, as if finding her courage. "But-But maybe this meeting was meant to be! Perhaps-Perhaps his lordship will be justice! Because you see, H—"
Erik cut her off with a chuckle and a shake of his hand. "Alright, that's enough. I get it. You, or someone you know, makes the product, and she just sells it using her family name. You're hoping to work for yourself, but it's been tough getting out of her family's influence? Something like that?"
Asha fell silent, smirking helplessly. She'd clearly been hoping to push some emotional buttons, but Erik was hitting the nail on its head.
"Heh," Erik grinned upon seeing her expression, confirming Elora's suspicion. "Alright, well, I need someone to sell me some of this stuff, and with Hanna indisposed, I suppose it will have to be you."
He glanced over at the building they were standing in front of. "Of course, a man of standing like myself can't buy these things in the middle of the street… Which means you'll need a venue."
He started walking over to the building with a helpless sigh. "Unfortunately, I'm as helpless in this as anyone. Some things even power like mine can't solve…"
Asha was taken aback, not sure she dared to believe where he was going with this, while Leila was following Erik with a giggle.
Reaching the building, Erik placed his hand on the door. A dark green light flashed as Elora channelled her magic through Erik's body. There was a sigil-based lock on the door, as with most doors in Enkare Nkai, but it was no match for Elora.
After the light flashed, Erik glanced over at Asha. "Come here, Asha. Place your hand on the door."
The young woman hesitated, her breath speeding up a little. "I-I uhm…"
"Hah," Erik chuckled, looking at her with amusement. "Where's all that bravado gone now, huh? Come here, girl. Or do I need to make it an order from your emperor?"
Quickly looking around at the crowd nervously, Asha then still found her courage and quickly stepped closer to press her hand against the door. The light flashed again.
"There," Erik smirked, stepping back. "I don't know who all had access to this door's lock before, but you're the only one now."
"So," he continued, cocking an eyebrow at the stunned woman. "Ready to sell me some gifts for my wives?"