A Mythical Journey To Remember - Chapter 25

Chapter 25 - Wide Eyes Shut

I couldn't believe my eyes; Auto was there, looking as filthy as when I had first met her. Her hair was disheveled, but a smile adorned her face. Billy clattered from behind her and rubbed his head against my leg.

She approached and placed a large sack of money at my feet. Some people stared, but none dared to intervene in broad daylight. Even the thug lurking in the dark alley, who probably assumed I couldn't see him didn’t attempt to get close.

Auto looked at me, tears welling in her eyes, and embraced me, smudging her dirty face on my clothes. I wasn't too bothered by it, considering my time in prison hadn't made my clothes any cleaner. "Idas! I'm relieved you're alive! I thought you were dead!"

Suddenly, I felt guilty for doubting her. As I picked up the sack of coins, it felt just as heavy as before. Even if she took a few coins, I wouldn’t have minded. However, the sack smelled peculiar, and I didn’t want to know where she had hidden it to keep the money safe.

"There, there. No need to worry now. I'm here, and together we'll continue earning a fortune," I reassured her, and her eyes lit up with hope.

I lifted Billy the goat, patting his head. There were many tasks at hand, and whether I liked it or not, I seemed to be involved in the local political situation. Whatever rivalries or conflicts occurred, I had no interest in any of them.

It would be unfortunate to remain trapped here. I needed an escape plan...

***

In the past few days, Auto had been consumed with worry and sleep eluded her. She constantly feared someone had stolen her hidden money. However, she couldn't check the hiding place since she was afraid someone could follow her there. However, upon hearing that someone matching Idas' description had been spotted leaving the palace, she grabbed the money and waited outside the tavern.

When she finally saw Idas, it was evident that he had been through rough times and hadn't eaten well. Despite his disheveled appearance, he behaved as if everything was normal.

Idas purchased new clothes, found a different tavern, paid for water access for washing up, and even rented multiple rooms across town. When Auto inquired about his peculiar choices, he smiled.

"We'll be sleeping in a different room every night, determined by the roll of a dice. If we don't know our location, neither will those who seek to harm us," he explained.

Auto felt a flutter of excitement and wondered if Idas was a scholar, given his academic remark. It seemed like something only a scholar would say.

Subsequently, he provided them with food and water, allowing Auto to finally enjoy a full night's sleep. The following morning, well-rested, they resumed their business at the same stall as before. This time, Idas didn't bother paying the owner who had betrayed them. A couple of guards loomed in the distance, initially causing Auto some concern, but Idas reassured her with a smile.

"From now on, we have the King's protection. No one will dare disturb us while we're working. So it's time to make some money!"

…

And money they made. On the first day, they sold ten bottles of perfume. However, Idas also sold intricately designed empty bottles, which were the main source of revenue. Auto wasn't good at math, but Idas claimed they had made 450 Copper Talismans, with most of the income coming from selling empty bottles.

On the second day, nothing significant happened except for Idas' pet goat getting into a fight with a dog. Despite the fight attracting a crowd and bets being placed, Billy, the goat, emerged as the clear winner. Auto noticed Idas' brief proud smirk after Billy's victory.

"Yeah, though I don't know how to feel that my perfume shop's main earnings are made from selling bottles only," Idas shook his head. He seemed disappointed, but the profits raised his mood easily. Auto was ecstatic when Idas showed her share of the earnings—45 copper in a single day! This must be the kind of money the filthy rich made!

Budas, who earned almost a whole silver, was overwhelmed by the newfound wealth. Auto could empathize with his emotions, knowing that people like them rarely had access to such money.

For five consecutive days, their earnings grew, making Auto feel on top of the world. In less than a week, she had earned more working for Idas than through a lifetime of stealing. She was rich!

The only downside to this was Budas struggled with panic attacks whenever he looked at the money. Since Idas covered their accommodation and meals, Budas didn't know how to use his newfound wealth.

Auto jokingly speculated that he was repressing the fact that he was already rich by common standards.

Idas didn't immediately invest his money in upcoming ventures either. After a successful week, he gathered them in his room, looked each in the eye, and shared that he had earned another significant amount from bulk sales to merchants. He gave them their part of the money.

Auto almost drooled at the sack of coins much larger than her head. It was filled with coppers and silvers. She trusted Idas not to cheat her, even though she couldn't verify the accuracy of her payment due to her limited math skills.

Even if he cheated her, she would forgive him. She was an overpaid secondhand helper; Idas could hire a hundred hoodlums like her if he used the amount of money he paid her to hire them instead.

"Well, I have gathered you two here to tell you something important," Idas cleared his throat, his body shifting.

Auto wondered what it could be and sat at the edge of her seat. Maybe Idas had another grand plan to make even more money! Or perhaps he realized he was overpaying them and decided to cut their wages. Auto hoped it wasn't the latter and silently prayed to any gods that would listen, hoping her wages wouldn't be reduced!

"Tonight, I am leaving town," he stated.

Auto's brain was short-circuited, and her dreams shattered. Why couldn't her wages have been cut in half? That would still be a lot of money! Why were the gods so cruel? Was this a punishment for her greed?!

"Why?" On the other hand, Budas remained calm and seemingly unaffected.

"Well, continuing this venture could become dangerous. We have attracted too much attention too quickly, and sooner or later, we will get entangled in ruthless local politics," he explained.

Auto noticed that wealthy, perhaps even noble, ladies bought bottles and perfumes. However, she never imagined such things could lead them into danger. Still, she trusted Idas and knew he wouldn't do anything foolish. The success of the shop proved he was smarter than most. In her eyes, he was the smartest man in the city; she had never heard of someone achieving such success so rapidly.

"I will come with you," Budas insisted. "I don't care about the money. You saved my life, and I will witness your legend until the end. Either that or only death can stop me. You can have the wealth I have accumulated too."

Idas shook his head. "That money is yours. I already have more than enough funds for my lofty goals. Also, if you want to join me, you can. But be warned, this journey won't be easy, and death will lurk around every corner."

"I have already died once," Budas insisted. Auto felt like there was a history between these two that she couldn't understand.

And what did he mean by saying he had already died once?

"It was my choice to save you, and there's no need to repay me. It was probably my fault that you ended up like that because if I hadn't dragged you on this journey-"

"I would have died an unremarkable death trying to rob the wrong guy. Or maybe starved to death the next winter; I barely made it through the previous one. I wouldn't even know what a silver coin looked like if it weren't for you," Budas insisted.

For the first time since Auto met them, it seemed like the bandit-looking guy, who appeared to be a real bandit, stood up against Idas.

"Alright then," Idas sighed, but he had a smile on his face.

"Um," Auto coughed nervously, looking at Idas. "Can I come too?"

She didn't have anyone else who cared about her in the city. Being with Idas and Budos made her feel useful for the first time in her life. "I know I'm a thief, which makes me untrustworthy. Street rats like me are a dime a dozen, but-"

"Sure," Idas patted her head. "Also, you didn't run away with the money after I was imprisoned, so that's more than trustworthy enough for me."

And so, they quietly left the inn they had been staying at in the dead of night. The entire city was asleep, with only a few patrolling guards they had to look out for.

They walked through the alleys peacefully enough, but Auto couldn't help but ask, "How are we going to leave the city? The walls are high, and guards patrol constantly. Climbing over them is not an option, and each entrance is guarded by two soldiers."

If they wanted to disappear, they would need to find a secret entrance. Did Idas know of one?

Idas signaled her to stay quiet, and she nodded, deciding to trust his judgment. However, that judgment soon led them to stand in front of a wall. Auto gave Idas a dry look as if to say: I told you so.

But Idas was focused on the wall and took out a piece of chalk. Suddenly, a dim light emanated from Idas, and Auto's curiosity piqued. Before she could examine it closely, the light faded, and the wall in front of her began shifting and opening up. Each brick moved aside, creating an opening.

It was a magical sight that left Auto speechless. She couldn't believe her eyes! How was this possible?!

Budos grabbed her hand and pulled her outside, and Idas did the same. Idas used chalk again to create a dim light, sealing the wall.

"You know magic?" she muttered.

Budos smirked knowingly, while Idas shook his head. "I wouldn't call it magic. But for now, we shouldn't dwell on that. We need to focus on escaping."

Idas picked up Billy, and they ran. Auto couldn't help but glance back at the city, which grew smaller in the distance. "Why did we have to leave so soon? The glass bottles were just starting to gain popularity. We could have made a fortune."

Idas smiled. "That's precisely why it was the perfect time to leave. When an influential merchant at the peak of his power suddenly disappears, who do you think they will blame?"

She was puzzled, but Idas only smiled and didn't offer further explanations.