The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 142: Wandering at night

Chapter 142: Wandering at night

Squires employed by the Northern Hawks had to follow the strict curfew in the nightly hours. Officers, who were Knights or higher, were exempted from this. The Commander allowed Hex and Hestia the same rights as the officers as long as they stayed as guests.

Hestia was too tired in the night and went to bed, while Althea went to hang out with her fellow officers. She had been away for a while and needed to catch up on things happening in the army. Also, her team was wiped out during the attack on the castle, making her the only officer without people to command. These were all things she needed to work out with her peers.

That left Hex alone for the night. He didn’t complain though. Even though he was tired and in pain, he didn’t plan to stay behind closed doors.

’After becoming a Knight, I haven’t checked whether those pills can enhance my physical powers or not. And if Grindeston had people offering raw crystals for refinement, I am certain a large city like this has them too.’

The greatest obstacle people faced trying to reach the Refinement stage was the lack of energy sources to increase their energy reserves while maintaining the purity of their innate element.

Hex had an advantage over others in both aspects. He was probably the only person who could use chaotic energy as an energy source and the element of the crystal didn’t matter to him. His stone heart could accommodate all elements while ensuring their purity without any effort from Hex.

Just before the curfew started, Hex left the barracks. Wandering around, he reached the marketplace. Even from afar his senses prickled, being bombarded with a huge amount of energy fluctuations.

The bustling market district had numerous Squires and Knights walking around. There were some buildings where Hex sensed even stronger fluctuations. He wisely avoided remaining close to those for an extended time.

After making one round he had a general idea about the way the market district was organized. In his mind, Hex divided the district into four areas. The northernmost area - the first place people saw when entering through the gates - sold mostly food, herbs, and other stuff regular people and Squire would need.

The eastern part housed vendors and shops selling armor, weapons, and techniques. The western part housed restaurants, inns, and wine shops. When walking around, Hex had noticed that the last two alleys of the western part were the busiest. Curiously, he had paid a visit. The area was well-maintained and had a sweet fragrance. But the reason behind the many visitors, was the nicely dressed ladies on both sides of the narrow alley, giving everyone inviting smiles and looking at them with their big bright eyes.

"Want some company in this cold lonely night, boy?" One such nice-looking young lady had approached Hex. Her sweet fragrance and soft body pressed against him, made him feel things that caused him to blush. Seeing the effect she had on him, the lady leaned closer. "Only fifty Sterren for a night you will remember for a long time."

Her moist words in his ear tickled him. "S-Sorry, I don’t have any Sterren on me," Hex said softly, about to ask about refined crystals as currency.

"In that case, you should remain alone. Even breathing requires money." The lady said, her warmth disappearing instantly. Her cold gaze and hissing voice cursed him before she walked away, leaving Hex behind. Others, who kept an eye on them, lost interest too. Suddenly, the warmth and fragrance disappeared as if Hex wasn’t worthy of it.

Hex didn’t waste his time any longer. He shook his head and left the alley quickly. He quickly made his way toward the southern part of the market district. The alleys in this part were emptier but the buildings were classier. This place housed the shops that sold crystals and pills.

The episode in the alleyway reminded him that merchants - it didn’t matter whether they sold food, resources, or pleasure - only cared about wealth. With that in mind, he stepped into the building with the sign that indicated it belonged to the Merchant Union.

"Welcome esteemed sir, how can I assist you this fine evening?" A lady in her early twenties approached Hex as soon as he entered. The inside of the building was white and pristine. He saw rows of counters and boots, where people were led in by beautiful girls and handsome men.

Those who didn’t have any customers to help, sat on chairs near the entrance, waiting for the next person requiring assistance.

"Hi Bella," Hex greeted, reading the name tag on her dress, pinned dangerously close to the plunging neckline of her blouse. "I need Knight-grade pills."

Hex didn’t say the quantity nor did he tell her to bring pills of the lowest quality. He didn’t want a repeat of something like with the ladies in the last alley. He would keep the shop assistant guessing at his wealth, causing her to be cautious and helpful to him.

"We certainly have those," Bella replied with a light bow, causing her blouse to fall a little bit. She didn’t reveal much but it was enough to make a person curious to see more. Hex, however, didn’t show his interest.

"Please follow me to the counter," Bella said with a smile, hiding her disappointment in her failure to entice her customer. ’This will be a meager tip,’ she mused.

The sway of her hips was deliberate but not overdone. At the counter, she leaned in to grab a list of pills they had available.

Her feminine charm elicited some feelings inside Hex but he suppressed them. ’She is doing her best to make me spend as much as possible. That is her job. Mine is to save as much as I can.’ It was another sort of battle.

Hex took the list and read the pills available. Although he expected high-end stuff, he was still surprised. The shop didn’t sell low-grade products. They only sold C-quality and above pills, causing Hex to wonder whether he should try the smaller vendors. After all, he profited more from low-quality pills. His body absorbed the chaotic energy better, increasing his strength more than refined pills could.

But just as he was about to put the list away and leave, his eyes fell on the last section of pills. Elemental-grade pills, ranging from F to A quality.

Hex had never even heard of these kinds of pills. He looked at Bella and inquired about them. He knew he was revealing his ignorance but he was too curious.

"Elemental-grade pills are pills that have the power of elements stored within them. The low-quality ones have a mixture of elements whereas the high-quality ones are refined to contain traces of one or two elements at most."

Hex decided immediately that he would buy these pills. ’Low-grade means it will have plenty of chaotic energy and the mixture of elements will increase the elements I have.’

"I wish to buy the F-grade ones but I will use refined Demon crystals as payment. Is that all right?"

Bella’s face fell when she heard F-grade because they didn’t bring much profit but when she heard that Hex wished to use Demon crystals, she didn’t know how to respond. People seldom used refined crystals as currency and when they did, they exchanged for high-quality goods.

"Are you sure?" She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and asked to confirm. When Hex nodded to affirm, she smiled warmly at him.

They talked and decided to exchange a hundred demon crystals for a thousand pills. This was a large transaction. Bella leaned closer to Hex, making her intentions obvious. But Hex politely accepted the pouch with pills and asked her whether there was a place requiring crystal refiners.

"Are you a refiner?" Bella asked, her smile becoming broader. She understood how Hex had so many refined crystals.

"If you wish, you could apply to join our refinement department. I can assure you, we offer the best rewards."

"No, I am still learning. I am asking for my teacher." Hex explained, receiving all the required information. After that, he left the shop hurriedly.

’First I will use these pills. After that, I will check if I can use them to increase my energy.’