Chapter 64: Ch:64 Shamans in Disguise

Daniel made his way toward the marketplace, eyes scanning the streets near the bakery, only to find Renery’s stall surprisingly closed.

’Hm? By now Renery should be selling mouches and Aunt Tressa should be eating,’ he thought frowning slightly. ’Maybe he took a day off, I should also go home and rest after the meal.”

He entered the bakery, ordered his usual fine loaf of bread, a glass of milk with sugar innit, and sat down calmly near the window seat.

“So, you know who broke the barrier?”

“Not exactly, but I feel suspicious on a person wearing a black hood this morning,”

Two people were talking outside near the bakery. Daniel edged closer and calmly pressed his ear to the wall as he listened.

“I feel like that person also possess the power of nature.”

“What? Are you really… sure?”

“Not exactly, but the way I saw him running in the dawn… yes.”

“Did you told anyone about this?”

“Only you, but I think and also feel like there are some shamans, disguised like normal people who doesn’t like the idea of the recent announcement from the Eagle kingdom.”

“Hoi, young man!!” the shopkeeper called as he brought over the food.

Daniel flinched at the sudden call and turned to face the shopkeeper. Almost immediately, he leaned forward, peering out the window to his left, only to find no one there.

“Agh, Sir. You almost pulled my soul out of my body,” he said with a smile, taking the plate from the shopkeeper’s hands.

“Haha, well I gave you two free biscuits for today, enjoy… Haha…” the shopkeeper laughed as he returned to the counter.

Daniel glanced out the window again as he chewed his loaf, dipping it into the milk.

*nom-nom*

’Black hood, dawn, shaman? Master Marco? what is going on in this town,’ he wondered, biting down on his bread.

’That wild animal I saw earlier, it feels like it doesn’t even belong here. Man… I’m so confused, wait… he said something about barrier. What does it even mean?’

…

He ate slowly, savoring the warm bread and sweet milk, while his mind churned over the strange events of the day.

When he finished, he pushed back from the table, handed the money, and stepped out into the bustling streets.

“Mnnnhhh” he murmured, arching his back and stretching his stiff limbs. “Let’s buy some fruits and head home. Hwaaah…”

As he made his way deeper into the marketplace, he spotted Esmeralda buying groceries near the fruit stall. He approached the stall calmly, pretending he hadn’t seen her.

“Sir, how much are the apples?” Daniel said with a neutral expression.

“Its half a silver per kilo,” the fruitmonger said warmly.

“I’ll have a kilo then…” said Daniel.

“Sure sir.”

The fruitmonger grabbed apples from the stash and dropped them onto the balance scale. Meanwhile, Daniel’s eyes lingered on Esmeralda’s figure, waiting for her to notice him.

A few moments later.

“Here’s your apples, Sir,” the fruitmonger said.

“Thanks, Sir,” Daniel replied.

“Oh, young man. I didn’t saw you,” she said in a soft tone.

Daniel turned, pretending he hadn’t noticed her either, until she spoke.

“Oh, Lady Esma… what a surprise,” said Daniel, looking stunned.

“What did you bought, young man,”

“It’s just apples.”

Esmeralda turned toward the fruit stall, her eyes scanning the display. “I guess I’ll buy some apples as well.”

As she asked the fruitmonger about the price, Daniel spotted a perfect opportunity. He casually slipped his shears from his pouch in an instant.

’Come on Daniel, you can do it,’ he thought, , holding the shears between his left thumb and index finger.

He closed the distance between her and began his act.

“Lady Esma, what’s your favourite fruit,” he asked with a smile on his face.

Esmeralda smiled back and replied. “It’s apples, young man.”

While she was busy answering Daniel’s questions, his hand moved calmly behind her back.

“That’s my favourite too, Specially that green one,” he said, lifting his right index finger to draw her attention.

*snip*

Her hair fell to the ground—she didn’t even realize it.

“Here’s your apples, Madam,” he said, handing them to her.

Esmeralda took the apples—tightly wrapped in a petal leaf, and placed them into her woven basket.

“Okay then, young man. Bye…” she said with a smile before turning away.

Daniel kept smiling until she was gone. Then he lowered his foot, picked up the strand of her hair, and slipped it into his pocket.

’Hehe… this shear is the best thing I’ve ever spent my money on,’ he thought, casting a quick glance toward the east.

…

Daniel walked toward his home—fruit tucked into his satchel. He had also bought half a kilo of green apples in return.

But before entering his room, he stepped into the backyard and scanned the area. She was inside her room, and the yard lay empty.

’Hehe… let’s get started,’ he murmured with a wicked grin, his tongue briefly wetting his lips.

Daniel drew the diagram without the help of the grimbook, his muscle memory recalling every line.

A few minutes later, it was complete. He then pulled out the only doll remaining, and placed it at the center—along with her hair.

“Veiliquandè mikora jim bos ariqueisà” he said under his breath, the words slipping out like a practiced spell.

Instantly, the sand grains swirled around the doll, piling into a small mound. Black smoke seeped from within, slowly shifting to grey, then white.

The sand coalesced into a hand, lifting the doll upright—ready to be claimed.

Daniel grabbed the doll, and the sand crumbled away, covering all traces of the ritual.

*Sniff~*

“Hooo… what is this smell,” he whispered. “It’s so… uniquely addictive. Fuck, I’m getting hard again.”

Daniel turned and sprinted to his room, slamming the door behind him and dropping his satchel onto the bed. He then grabbed some green apples and began washing them in a bucket of water.

’Hehe… It’s time to pay my rent, before she come to collect it herself,” he thought with an evil smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep