Chapter 554
Though he had already overheard it, Ian feigned ignorance and asked, "And where would that be?"
"Ah, you don’t know the way at all. It’s close. Follow me."
The boy, clutching the pot tightly to his side, spun around, passing by the pedestrians as nonchalantly as he had been doing all along. The destination was indeed close. Not even thirty steps later, the boy entered a path between two buildings and stopped.
"It’s that building, sir." The boy pointed to the entrance of the building across the way, deeper into the path.
Drunkards were chattering loudly or rolling around in their vomit. Even amid all that, few men were opening the door and heading inside.
"The first floor is a tavern, and the gambling den is above it. If you take the stairs, a bouncer will block your way, so don’t be alarmed and show him your money. The process will be smoother if you slip him a few coins."
The boy added, standing with his back to the wall, "Look for a one-eyed Imperial man with brown hair and a thick beard. They say he’s Sanford. Ah, he has a Vantruian guard with him, too."
Ian, who had nodded at the boy’s flawless recitation of what he had been told, turned toward him. He stood with his back to the wall, seemingly using Ian and Lucia as shields from the stares of those around them. Soon after, he held out his right hand.
The boy’s eyes, which had been staring intently at the silver coin between Ian’s fingers, soon widened.
"There’s one more, sir?"
It was because he had realized there were two silver coins wedged between Ian’s fingers.
Ian shrugged lightly. "You saved me quite a bit of time. And you promised to split one coin with that beggar just now."