Chapter 47 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

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Chapter 47: The Young Man, Elia

 

 

The most vibrant heart of Saint Lanriel, capital of the Arslanka Empire, was undoubtedly its city center. Especially the commercial district—its wide boulevards were broad enough to accommodate a dozen carriages riding side-by-side without congestion. Towering buildings flanked either side, each with its own unique flair and impressive architecture. Compared to this, the city of Sarge didn't even belong in the same league. For Ge Yan, this was his first real glimpse of what prosperity in this world looked like, and it left him utterly dazzled.

 

The streets teemed with people. When they had flown in earlier on griffins, all he'd seen from above were countless little black dots. It hadn't felt real then—but standing in the middle of it now, he could truly feel the capital's overwhelming vitality.

 

However, with prosperity came complexity. The commercial district alone had a bewildering number of streets—crisscrossing, layered, and intricate. Even three days and nights wouldn't be enough to explore a third of it.

 

"Aren't we supposed to be finding a place to stay?" Ge Yan finally asked, after following Rex past several inns and taverns. Rex hadn't even glanced at them. Ge Yan wasn't picky—just give him a clean bed and a decent meal and he'd be content.

 

"We're not staying in this area," Rex replied simply.

 

Ge Yan was about to ask why when a sudden uproar erupted ahead. A flurry of voices rang out, startled and curious, as a crowd gathered to watch something unfold. In no time, two-thirds of the wide street was blocked. Even passersby who had no interest in the commotion found themselves stealing a glance out of instinct.

 

As they approached, Ge Yan saw that the crowd had gathered outside a restaurant. Several staff members were surrounding a young man with golden hair and bright blue eyes, speaking to him with thinly veiled contempt. The tension in the air was thick, and the hostility in their tone was unmistakable. Still, from their heated exchange, Ge Yan quickly pieced together what had happened.

 

The young man had dined at the restaurant and, upon finishing, was unable to pay. It was said that he had even tried to slip away unnoticed, only to be caught by a sharp-eyed server. Confronted at the entrance, the youth insisted his coin pouch had been stolen. He claimed he hadn't intended to dine and dash, but had merely wanted to chase after the thief—only to be blocked by the staff, losing his chance to pursue the culprit. Now, he was blaming the restaurant for his misfortune and refusing to pay.

 

Naturally, the staff believed he was lying. They insisted there had been no thief, and that the youth had simply concocted the story to get a free meal.

 

Each side stood firmly by their version of the story. The restaurant's owner, siding wholly with his staff, made no effort to mediate. Instead, he escalated the argument, and just when things were about to spiral out of control, one of the servers shoved the youth. A fight was about to break out.

 

"I don't think he's lying," Ge Yan said, gazing into the young man's eyes. They were startlingly clear—untouched by the wear and grime of the world. There was a brightness about him, an uprightness. He looked like someone from the sunlight, someone inherently good. Not like Rex, who always seemed cold and distant, a man who radiated "trouble."

 

"What does it matter to you?" Rex's indifferent tone was sharp as ever, his expression colder still—looking even less like a good person. He cast Ge Yan a disinterested glance and turned to leave.

 

"Wait." Ge Yan grabbed his sleeve. When Rex turned his head, Ge Yan quickly said, "It's not like we're in a rush. Watching for a bit longer won't hurt, will it? Don't you want to know who's telling the truth?"

 

It was a flimsy excuse—Ge Yan could tell himself that the youth was likely innocent, and if he could see it, Rex certainly could too.

 

But before Rex could answer, fists began flying. The server who had pushed the youth struck first, and suddenly several men were upon the young man. The crowd scattered backward in panic, not wanting to get caught up in the fight. No one stepped in to help.

 

Still talking with Rex, Ge Yan didn't have time to react before someone bumped into him. He stumbled—straight into Rex's chest. His nose smacked hard against what felt like a slab of stone. It reddened instantly, and his eyes stung with tears. What's this guy made of, iron?

 

Rex looked down and found a fluffy head of hair pressed against his chest. He blinked, momentarily forgetting to push him away.

 

Just then, something heavy thudded at their feet, followed by a groan of pain.

 

Looking down while still nursing his nose, Ge Yan saw the young man, who had been knocked to the ground. He hadn't been beaten too badly, though—because almost instantly, he sprang back up, full of indignation.

 

"You're ganging up on me just because I'm alone! I get it now! That thief who stole my coin pouch was probably in cahoots with you. Otherwise, how could a place like this suddenly have a pickpocket? And that server just happened to stop me from chasing him? I bet he was watching me the whole time!"

 

Though his words were breathless and spoken in anger, they had an odd kind of logic to them.

 

The restaurant owner turned purple with rage. "Not only did you try to cheat us, now you're slandering us too? Do you take me for some helpless kitten just because I haven't bared my claws? Beat him. Beat him hard."

 

Three servers lunged toward the young man.

 

Instinctively, the youth dove behind Ge Yan and Rex.

 

The two of them: "…"

 

"Who are you people to stick your noses into this? Move, or don't blame us for getting rough," one of the servers shouted at them, full of bravado.

 

Rex hadn't intended to get involved. But hearing that, he turned his gaze on the man—a gaze cold enough to freeze the marrow.

 

"In the imperial capital of Saint Lanriel," he said icily, "street brawls are forbidden. Those who initiate violence and incite disorder are seen as defying imperial law."

 

The server, already shaken by Rex's presence, immediately lost most of his bluster. Hearing those words, he grew even more anxious and darted a pleading glance at the restaurant owner.

 

The owner hesitated. Defying imperial law—that accusation wasn't something to take lightly. He was just a small-time restaurant owner with no powerful backing. And the man standing before him… there was something about him—his aura, his attire—that clearly marked him as someone not to be trifled with. His boldness quickly deflated.

 

"Please don't misunderstand us, sir. We're loyal citizens of the empire—of course we'd never defy its laws. But this kid here tried to leave without paying. My restaurant isn't a charity house. Unless… you're willing to cover the bill. That'll be five gold coins."

 

Rex frowned.

 

The young man's eyes widened, then darkened with outrage. But he didn't yell. Instead, he muttered under his breath, voice low but distinct enough for Ge Yan, who stood nearby, to catch the gist: Five gold coins for that? Might as well just rob me outright.

 

Ge Yan sighed. Even he could see what was going on—this restaurant was clearly taking advantage of someone unfamiliar with the city. After a moment of thought, he turned to the youth and offered, "Want to borrow five gold coins?"

 

The young man blinked, stunned that someone was actually speaking kindly to him. He stared at Ge Yan for a second, until the latter raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Forget it if you don't."

 

"I do! I do! I'll borrow it!" the youth quickly replied.

 

He was indeed furious that he had to pay the greedy owner five gold coins, but he was a stranger in a foreign city and had more important things to take care of. He couldn't afford to get stuck here.

 

Ge Yan turned to Rex. "Can I borrow five gold coins?"

 

Jimmy had always been poor. His storage belt had held only a handful of coins, which were long gone. Now, he didn't even have a copper to his name.

 

Rex stared at him in silence for a moment. Then, surprisingly, he took out five gold coins and handed them over.

 

Ge Yan passed the coins to the youth, who then turned and paid the restaurant owner. The man accepted the payment with a look of disbelief—as if he hadn't truly expected anyone to lend a complete stranger that much money. After all, five gold coins was no small sum; enough to support an ordinary family in Saint Lanriel for an entire month, even while pinching pennies.

 

The owner snorted, casting a long, unreadable glance at the youth before turning to leave with his servers. "Consider yourself lucky."

 

With the matter settled, Ge Yan and Rex continued on their way.

 

The youth hurried to catch up with them, avoiding Rex—whose demeanor was as friendly as a frozen blade—and instead stuck close to Ge Yan, who at least looked approachable.

 

"My benefactor, my name is Elia. Thank you so much for lending me those five gold coins. Once I earn enough, I promise I'll pay you back! May I ask your name? Where do you live?"

 

"I'm Ge—ow!" Ge Yan hadn't finished his sentence when Rex suddenly pinched his arm, hard enough to make him nearly cry from the sting. He shot Rex a wounded glare, only to be met with a silent warning from those sharp eyes.

 

Elia hadn't noticed anything. "What's wrong?"

 

Ge Yan swallowed the pain and forced a smile, cheeks flushed. "Nothing. My throat felt a little off. I was saying—my name is Jimmy, and this is Rex."

 

At that, Elia turned to Rex, eyeing him with renewed curiosity. "Then where can I find you to return the money?"

 

"Uh… I don't have a fixed place right now," Ge Yan replied vaguely.

 

"What about Mr. Rex?"

 

"…You'll have to ask him," Ge Yan said quickly, glancing at Rex. How would I know where this guy lives?

 

Elia turned to Rex with hopeful eyes.

 

"No need," Rex replied curtly.

 

Elia froze, momentarily stunned.

 

Ge Yan was also surprised. Five gold coins, he thought. He never took Rex for someone so generous. Even if he'd made the suggestion, he hadn't meant for it to be a gift. After all, the money wasn't his, and he had no right to make that kind of decision on Rex's behalf. That's why he had only said it as a loan.

 

"No way," Elia suddenly retorted, voice loud and firm. "My mother always told me that a person should live with a clear conscience. I'm very grateful you lent me those coins, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't repay them. If I didn't, how would I be any different from a thankless scoundrel?"

 

There was real backbone in his words—even if his analogy was a little clumsy. But Ge Yan had already taken a liking to him, and that fondness only grew with Elia's earnest declaration. He definitely helped the right person, he thought.

 

"How about this?" Ge Yan offered. "Why don't you stay with us for now? Once I find a place to settle, you'll know where to come and repay me."

 

Elia beamed with joy and nodded eagerly.

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