From Disposable Prince to Level 9999: Forbidden Evolution

7. Royal guards search in tavern

AT THE SAME TIME 

HUAN

I didn't move toward the mission board again, instead, I turned back to Ina.

"One question." I said.

"Yes?"She looked up from her paperwork. 

"Where do adventurers eat?"I asked.

"There's stew here. Cheap and filling."Her brow lifted slightly.

"I would prefer something… local."I said.

"First payout and already upgrading your standards?"A faint smirk touched her lips. 

"Information is easier to gather where people relax." I replied evenly.

That earned a quiet huff of amusement. From behind me, a chair scraped loudly.

"If the kid wants real food, don't let him waste coin on the guild slop."A male voice said.

I turned around and saw the broad shouldered adventurer from earlier standing, stretching his arms over his head. He was older, late twenties, maybe early thirties, with a scar across his nose and heavy leather armor worn soft with use. He jerked his thumb toward the door.

"Come on. I'll show you a place that won't poison you."He said.

"Don't scare him off, Garrick."Ina sighed without looking up. 

"No promises." He shot back.

I followed him outside. The capital at night was louder than before. Lanternlight burned gold along the streets. Vendors were closing stalls, but taverns were just beginning to fill.

"You fight quiet." Garrick said as we walked. "No burns on those ears. Demon blood usually can't resist flash."He added.

"I don't waste energy." I answered.

"Smart. Most D-ranks try to look impressive. They die impressive." He glanced at me sideways. 

We turned down a narrower street where the noise thickened. Music spilled out before we reached the building fiddle and drum, off beat but lively. The tavern sign swung overhead, painted with a cracked tankard and a laughing boar. Inside was heat, sound, and movement. Adventurers filled long wooden tables, a pair of beastkin argued over dice. A woman in partial plate armor was loudly recounting how she 'almost' lost an arm. The smell roasted meat, thick gravy, fresh bread. Garrick shoved open space at one of the tables.

"Two plates!" He shouted toward the counter. "And don't water the ale."

I remained standing for a moment, scanning exits, windows, stair access.

"You always that tense?" He asked.

"Yes."I said.

"Good. Means you will live." He grinned. 

We sat down.

"So." He continued, leaning back. "Huan Black. That your real name?"

"Yes."I said.

A pause.

"Sure it is."He snorted.

The plates arrived slow cooked beef, mashed root vegetables, dark gravy soaked into thick slices of bread. I studied it briefly before eating. The first bite was heavier than the guild stew. Rich, salted properly.

"You from outside the capital?" Garrick asked between mouthfuls.

"Yes."I said.

"Family?"Garrick asked.

I didn't answer immediately.

"Complicated."I said.

He nodded once, accepting that boundary without pushing.

"You fight like someone who’s had to survive." He said. "Not someone trained in a courtyard."

My hand paused for half a second before continuing.

"And what does that mean?" I asked.

"It means you don't hesitate."He explained and his eyes sharpened slightly. "But you also don't overkil, that's discipline. Someone taught you control."

Silence stretched as the tavern door burst open suddenly. Cold air rushed in, three armored men stepped inside. Not adventurers, soldiers. The room's noise dipped subtle, but noticeable. Their cloaks bore the royal crest. My heartbeat slowed instead of rising.

"City guard no. Palace."Garrick muttered under his breath. 

The lead soldier stepped forward, voice carrying.

"By order of the crown, we are searching for information regarding the missing Third prince."He said.

The tavern quieted fully now. My fingers tightened slightly around the mug.

"Anyone withholding knowledge will be charged with treason."He said.

One soldier unrolled a parchment. Even from here, I knew the face drawn there. Younger, softer, no horns, no shadow in the eyes. Garrick leaned closer to me and muttered.

"Whole capital's been on edge since he vanished. Ceremony went wrong, they say."He said.

My gaze stayed forward.

"Wrong how?" I asked calmly.

"They don't say. Just that he disappeared during awakening. Magic backlash maybe." Garrick shook his head. "Royal family's been tearing the city apart looking for him."

The lead soldier turned slowly, scanning the room. His eyes passed over table after table then slowed on us. For one suspended second, his gaze lingered on my hood. On the faint silhouette of horns pressing against fabric. The tavern air tightened and Garrick noticed. He shifted casually, blocking part of the soldier's view with his broad frame.

"You got business here?" Garrick called out lazily. "Or you planning to scare off paying customers?"

A few adventurers chuckled nervously, the soldier's gaze moved on.

"Report any suspicious individuals to the palace immediately." He said sharply.

Then they turned and left. The door shut, noise slowly returned, though thinner than before.

"Damn nobles."Garrick exhaled. 

I said nothing. Inside my mind, the system pulsed quietly.

"ALERT: ROYAL SEARCH INTENSIFYING. RISK LEVEL WITHIN CAPITAL: INCREASING. RECOMMENDATION: CAUTION."The system said.

I finished my plate calmly. Across the room, one of the tavern patrons hadn't resumed talking. He was watching me, not the soldiers, but me, and he hadn't looked away once. I had a feeling that man wasn't any adventurer after all, but I was sure soon I know if I am wrong or right.