Chapter 26 - Echoes of the Alleys
Rygar sat at the tavern table, adjusting his posture on the worn-out chair as his gaze wandered across the dimly lit hall. The portly owner of the establishment, commonly referred to as "Peikak," seemed perpetually observant.
'I won't talk about the slave traders yet.', Rygar thought, noting that the man was as much a seller of information as he might be a seller of secrets to others. Despite his confidence in his own strength, he knew he couldn't shield all of his subordinates from a potential ambush. Better to keep the conversation safe for now.
"I'd like to know a little about the world in general, to start," Rygar said, breaking the silence between them.
Peikak frowned briefly, then shrugged and adjusted himself in his chair. "What kind of question is that, kid? The world's the same as always—adventurers, bandits, kingdoms, and the like. What exactly are you looking to learn? I'll decide the total price for the information after we're done."
Rygar had a few questions in mind. His master had told him a lot about the world, but she had also advised him to update his knowledge since everything she'd shared was at least fifty years old. His mother's knowledge was limited to their immediate surroundings.
"For instance, the Seven Great Powers. Are they still the same as they were fifty years ago? Any changes?"
The old man scoffed, crossing his arms. "That's a tough one. As far as I know, the only change is that the Sword God's been replaced. The new guy's name is Gall Farion, and they say he's far superior to the previous one. The rest of the Seven Great Powers? Quiet as ever. Most of them are missing, anyway. Honestly, I wouldn't put much stock in those random rankings if I were you."
Rygar nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. Gall Farion was the new Sword God. Fendrel had left the Sword Sanctuary over twenty years ago, and he wasn't the Sword God at the time. Rygar found himself intrigued to meet this Gall Farion someday.
"And the rulers? What about the Kingdom of Asura? Shirone?"
Peikak snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Asura's still Asura. Useless nobles stabbing each other in the back for power. The king's the same as fifty years ago, but he's getting old. I'd give him another ten years before his children start tearing each other apart for the throne. For now, things are stable, though. As for Shirone, I've heard the previous king was overthrown. Bit of a mess, but now his brother rules. They say the new king's got a kid blessed with phenomenal strength."
Rygar asked further about the kingdoms of the Central Continent, from north to south. Peikak didn't know much about some of them but had basic knowledge of their rulers and situations. Rygar had to admit the old man was well-informed—or perhaps it was just that he himself knew so little about the world.