The Emperor's Daughter

Chapter 12: Astera City

Tall buildings tried to reach toward the blue sky. Voices of people in different tones and volumes overlapped each other like a symphony mess. There were so many people walking and passing through that it felt like there was no air to breathe. It was easy to get lost and swamped by the flow of people if one didn't stay on their feet. It suffocated her, and she wanted to pass through this crowded area as soon as possible. If Vincent were there to grab her hands, she surely would either lost or got trampled by people. After they passed through the central square where most people passed by to get to wherever their destination is, it became easier to breathe.

Her first experience with a big city was not a pleasant one. But casting aside that mild shock of the environment, Shiki took a deep breath to regain her calmness. They had been going through places that young lady Edelweiss could have gone through. The central square was an attracting location whether to hang out or to find a restaurant. Especially when there was a cafe that was famous among the young, it was no surprises that the young lady would go around this area occasionally. While it was very busy and normally very secure, one could never know that they were being targeted from a far by some thugs who would follow and attack when there was an opportunity. Therefore, let started to investigate at the location with the most possibilities.

Unlike the open area, the alley was damp and cold, suitable for the kind of people who would prefer to stay in the dark where there was no light coming through. Another thing that keeps people from entering was the awful stench, a mixture of damp wall and garbage. As they entered that shady part of the city, two of them became the center of the eyes. Their appearance was so different from the environment that it was screaming they did not belong in here. Occasionally there were people, who didn't know their place, would enter here, thinking it was a shortcut or they were drunk. The thugs were actually appreciating these ignorant and stupid people.

A mind of a lowlife thug was pretty predictable. Just walking around in the area awhile and they would show up on their own. To be honest, he didn't expect it to be that easy, but his expensive coat (and his bodyguard that looked like a cute doll) did a great job attracting the criminals. Two of them got surrounded in the deep part of the alley, where most people would stay out. Without holding back, the weak attackers decide to retreat, leaving one poor guy who was too slow to escape with his friend and being grabbed by the long purple haired girl. The glassed man, who supposed to be a coward based on his appearance, took out a photo from his inner pocket of his coat.

"I am looking for this girl."

A blonde girl wearing a high school uniform with bows and fancy emblem.That kind of uniform could be found in a private school, based on that, she probably was some rich girl that would enjoy her afternoon tea and gossip. This rich girl must become a target of some thugs, not a surprise. And the family was worried for their precious daughter and sent people to look for her.

"I never see her before."

Undoubtedly, it was a lie, but lying was the first thing a thug would say like an old habit. But it would change the thug's mind when Vincent pulled out his wallet.

"I saw her a few time. She usually goes with that guy, Ranzy"

"Who is Ranzy? And where we can find him?" Vincent showed some money and held it near the thug's face.

"He's some punk kid. Usually hang out with his group around the central square. However, haven't seen him lately. You can try the house."

The thug told them the address.

Whether the thug was lying or not, the house was there. According to the neighbor, this house belonged to a man whom they believed may be involved in some gang. Therefore, the neighbor rarely went near the house. From the outside, it looked completely normal, not too different from the neighborhood. The windows were covered by the curtains, which was not too weird to the outsider to call the police. However, the information within the house was kept in the dark, there was no way to indicate how many people were inside nor where could they hide the young lady Edelweiss.

A knock on the door. They didn't expect any guests, so one of the guys was giving signal. But more to their surprise, it was not a neighbor nor some religious people trying to persuade them to go to church but a young girl asking for their leader.

"I'm looking for Ranzy."

They examined her from top to bottom. Pale skin like white porcelain, purple silky hair, and big blue eyes like a child. Their mouth then formed into a smirk, an indecent smirk.

"Boss!! Some girl is looking for you."

Hearing the call of one of the subordinate, a man came out. He was tall, had some piercings on both of his ears. There was a stinky smell came out of his mouth when he spoke.

"Who are you?"

"Ranzy, right?" the girl spoke "I am Helen's friend. She has been missing for a few days."

"How about you go inside and we can discuss more?"

The girl reluctantly walked in, she looked back at the door which was closed by the man she just saw. It reminded her of the alley, the damp darkness and the stench. So far, Ranzy was nicely leading her to the living room and asked her to sit on one of the dirtiest couch she ever sat.

"So you are looking for Helen?" Ranzy lit a cigarette. It explained the smell. "And how long she was missing?"

"A few days. She stopped coming to school and her parents don't know where she is. Hearing that Helen was hanging out with you, I thought you might know where she is."

"How courageous and nice friend you are. To come to this place looking for your friend."

The other thugs were laughing with him.

"But sorry, I haven't seen her recently."

That old habit happened again. But it didn't matter to Ranzy. Judging from her face, he knew that that lie wouldn't make her leave, which was one of his intentions.

That girl averted her eyes to somewhere else. He turned around and saw where she was looking. The only thing that shined in this dark room, a necklace that was hidden on purpose.

"Well then, I guess I should be going." the girl suddenly stood up.

She knew something. So he pulled out his knife, which triggered the whole room to do the same.

"Sorry, but I can't lead you go."

After tying her hands, they threw her to a dark basement. They could be wrong, but it was better to be safe than to be wrong. And an additional hostage was always welcomed.