Angels VS Demons #3- Past Lives

Chapter 6: Marketplace

The next morning after everyone had been searching the village, Leopold and the rest of his group decided to head into a nearby city to take a break for a day. About midway into the day, they finally made it with excitement for what they would do.

"Now, guys... You need to be sure to keep out noble status a secret while we are here." Emerald warned as they walked up to the city's entrance gate.

"Yeah, Yeah. Don't be stupid and keep things secret or whatever..." Leopold mumbled. "You've told us about sixty times already. I don't think that we will ever forget..."

"Well it's important!" the girl exclaimed. "And besides, I think we all know that you would somehow forget one way or another. You are you after all..."

"And that remark really hurts..."

The group argued for a few more moments before they reached the gate. There were soldiers outside who looked to be "inspecting" the people who were entering and exiting the city. Emerald was the one to greet them.

"Greetings, sir." she said to one of the soldiers.

He nodded and then looked at the group. "You all seem fine to me. What exactly is your business here?" He crossed his arms and frowned.

"We are simply here to do some shopping." Emerald said to him. "We live in a village some distance off from here and needed supplies. I do hope that will be enough for you to understand our predicament."

He once again nodded and then signaled for some soldiers behind him to open the gate. "You're clear. Be sure not to cause any trouble while visiting." The group nodded to him and then he smiled. "My name is Captain Louis Jackson and I am one of the leading officers in the Vinhold Kingdom. Be sure to contact me if you need anything."

The group thanked him and then walked into the city finally as they prepared to have some fun. Leopold trodded over to Emerald and frowned. "Emy, what did he mean by the Vinhold Kingdom?"

"Are you really that clueless?" Emerald remarked, almost laughing at Leopold's ignorance. "We are currently on the outskirts of the Vinhold Kingdom which is the smallest of the twelve nations on the surface of Vera. The village is in an almost 'unclaimed territory' of sorts that sits between Kushida and Vinhold. Make sense?"

Leopold nodded. "I guess. I just always assumed that everything even remotely close to the village was owned by the Kushida Kingdom."

"That isn't really how geography works, Leo..."

He frowned and then scratched his head. "Well In pretty sure I know that now... Anyway, what should we do now that we're here? Would it be best to split up for a while?" He imagined that covering as much ground as possible in the quickest amount of time would be wise for their party.

Emerald nodded. "I'll take myself, Levi, Singe, and Lucy to gather food in case we run out sometime in the near future. Leopold and Diablo should scout the area while we do that and see if they can find something else we could use."

"I can do that. Let's go then, Diablo." Leopold said to his friend and then walked with him in a separate direction from the others to do as Emerald had instructed. "Wait... What is it exactly that we should be looking for anyway?"

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While our heroes played around in the new city they found themselves in, another mysterious group linked to them was gathered just outside of the cities walls. Five cloaked individuals stood and waited for the signal to start the operation.

"And remember, our target is the daughter of the Vincent household." the leader explained. "There is no reason to attack anyone else besides her. It would only draw unwanted attention to us."