Adiar and Elmis headed to the market, where they immediately ran into Simon and Rachel.

  — "Captain, greetings!" — Simon called out.

  — "Good afternoon, Captain," — Rachel added, a bit more reserved.

  — "Same to you…" — Adiar replied curtly.

  Simon smirked and, glancing skeptically at Elmis, said:

  — "Mind telling me why we need an elf? We could just sell her and be done with it."

  Adiar shot him a chilling glare.

  — "Say that again, and your filthy tongue will be fish food."

  Simon shuddered and fell silent. Adiar gestured for Elmis to follow, and they continued through the bustling marketplace.

  The air was thick with the scents of sweets, freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and spices. Vendors shouted over each other, advertising their goods, while stalls lined the streets, offering weapons, armor, and rare artifacts.

  Elmis, unable to hide her curiosity, glanced around.

  — "Interesting… So many wares…"

  — "Huh?" — Adiar raised an eyebrow. — "Something caught your eye?"

  — "No, nothing."

  They continued walking, but a moment later, Elmis spoke again.

  — "Listen, boy, is it really okay for you to call me by my name?"

  — "What do you mean?"

  — "Well, what if someone recognizes it?"

  — "Oh, that… Don’t worry. The Church has twisted history so much that even the dwarves believe their nonsense. No human alive knows what your name really means."

  — "I see…"

  Adiar stopped near a stall displaying amulets and nodded toward the merchandise.

  — "Pick something out."

  A cheerful voice called out from behind the counter:

  — "Oh! Adiar! My friend! Didn’t expect to see you again!"

  Adiar frowned at the short, balding man with a cunning glint in his eyes.

  — "Marsei, don’t spout nonsense. I’m at this market every week. You see me almost daily."

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  — "Ah, fair point," — Marsei laughed, but his gaze quickly shifted to Elmis. — "Wait a minute… Did you buy an elf? I didn’t know you were that rich! They’re worth a chest of diamonds!"

  Elmis bristled with rage.

  — "Say that again, and I’ll rip out your tongue!"

  Marsei scowled and reached toward a metal rod behind him.

  — "How rude! I ought to teach you some manners—"

  But before he could move, Adiar’s glare turned lethal.

  — "If a single hair falls from her head, I will make your life a living hell. That’s a promise."

  Marsei froze, his hand trembling.

  — "Alright, alright, no need to get worked up…"

  — "Elmis, keep your mouth shut for now," — Adiar muttered.

  She clicked her tongue but said nothing.

  — "Forget it. If you don’t want anything, let’s move on," — Adiar said before turning back to Marsei. — "Have you seen Perto?"

  — "Yeah, that scoundrel is at the underground arena again. Probably betting everything he has, hoping for a big win."

  — "Heh… Figures."

  Leaving the market, Adiar and Elmis entered a narrow alley where the air turned foul, thick with alcohol, sweat, and the stench of the sewers. Beggars, pickpockets, and other scum loitered in the shadows.

  At the heart of this filth stood a rundown building with a peeling sign that read "The New Forest" — a bar that served as a front for the underground arena.

  Adiar stepped inside first, Elmis following.

  — "Hey, look who it is! The Grey himself!"

  — "Boys, did Grey always have an elf chick with him?"

  — "Damn, she’s a beauty…"

  Adiar smirked but kept walking.

  — "Elmis, let’s move."

  A tall, muscular man blocked their path.

  — "Hey, Grey, how about leaving this girl with us for the night? In return, we won’t mess with you."

  Adiar narrowed his eyes.

  — "You want a bloodbath right here? The only way you’re touching her is over my dead body."

  The man smirked and reached out, gripping Elmis’s shoulder.

  A sharp sound sliced through the air—his hand was gone.

  — "AAAAH!!!"

  — "Touch me again, and your head will decorate this entrance," — Elmis said coldly.

  The room fell silent.

  Adiar stepped forward, scanning the crowd.

  — "We’re not here for trouble. Mind your business, and we’ll be on our way."

  — "Grey, we get it, but now we do have business with your elf girl…"

  Someone grabbed Elmis’s arm.

  A second later, his head rolled across the floor.

  Adiar sighed, sheathing his sword.

  — "That clear enough for everyone?"

  No one answered. Finally, they were let through to the underground arena.

  The basement roared with excitement.

  Blood, brawls, money, and gambling.

  — "I wonder what would happen if we killed everyone here," — Adiar muttered.

  — "Are you insane?! In this body, I can’t fight properly!" — Elmis snapped.

  — "Maybe, but it doesn’t matter. I found that bastard."

  He nodded toward a man with absurdly styled hair, dressed in white.

  — "Perto," — he said.

  — "And?" — Elmis narrowed her eyes.

  — "You go from one side, I’ll go from the other. Try not to get into trouble, beautiful."

  — "Are you kidding me?!"

  Adiar didn’t reply. They moved in.

  Perto sensed something, turned around… and bolted.

  Too late.

  — "Ughh!!" — he gasped as Adiar’s kick sent him sprawling to the ground.

  Perto flipped over, only to feel cold steel against his throat.

  — "Where are the supplies I paid for?!"

  — "Hey! Look, I—"

  — "Either you return my money, or I’ll sell you into slavery. In a creative way."

  Perto opened his mouth to scream—

  CRACK!

  Elmis punched him hard, knocking him out instantly.

  — "Ow… That hurt! My fist!"

  — "You alright?" — Adiar smirked.

  — "I’m fine…"

  — "Hey! What the hell?! No fighting outside the arena!"

  — "Wait… is that an elf!?"

  The crowd was gathering.

  — "Damn…" Adiar reached for his sword, but—

  Elmis grabbed his arm and muttered a spell:

  — "SHINDAN TELIOS!"

  A blinding flash—

  …And a moment later, they were back in the ship’s cabin.

  End of Chapter 5.