NOVEL NEXT Chapter 73: The Mountain Astro Station
The morning stretched its pale fingers over the Aqua Astro Station's business district, peeling away the last traces of night. The air was crisp, carrying the lingering chill of dawn as the world stirred to life. Only a handful of shops had dared to open their doors, their weary merchants setting up for the day. Others arrived, leading horses laden with goods, while some knelt to arrange their wares in meticulous rows.
Standing on the district walkway, Kal, Bako, and Bili waited with an almost statuesque stillness. The large axes strapped across their backs rested obediently, their presence a quiet but firm statement. The cold breeze drifted past them, sending an occasional shiver down their spines, though none of them spoke of it.
Bako exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp air. "Is the boss still asleep?" His voice carried through the morning silence, laced with a tinge of concern.
Kal crossed his arms, shifting slightly as he responded, "I hope that's not the case."
Just as his words settled, a voice sliced through the hush like a blade through silk.
"So, everyone is set to move?"
Their heads turned in unison toward the approaching figure. Nyxander strode forward, his presence undeniable, his dark cloak trailing slightly behind him with each step.
"Good morning, Boss," they greeted in chorus, dipping their heads in a sign of respect before raising their gazes once more.
Nyxander nodded. "Good. Then let's not waste any more time."
Kal stepped forward. "Which Astro are we starting with?"
Nyxander's gaze shifted northward. "That would be the Mountain Astro Station." His tone was calm, but the weight behind his words set the course of their mission like a commander laying out his battle plan.
Without another word, he stepped onto the main road, and the others fell in line behind him. Kal walked closely beside Nyxander, engaging in conversation, while Bako and Bili trailed slightly behind, their eyes sweeping the surroundings with the alertness of seasoned warriors.
"Tell me more about the rogue combatants at the Mountain Astro Station," Nyxander instructed as they navigated through the growing bustle of the district.
"Yes, Boss," Kal responded promptly. "Like us, they are also three in number. Their leader's name is Kola. He primarily fights with his fists, but for some reason, he carries a shield as an additional weapon."
As the day brightened, so did the streets. The sparse trickle of people from earlier had transformed into a vibrant stream of activity. Vendors called out to potential customers, the clinking of coins and lively haggling filled the air, and carriages rumbled past, their wheels grinding against the uneven stones. The once-empty walkway was now a chaotic dance of movement, forcing the group to navigate carefully to avoid losing track of one another.
Kal continued, his voice slightly raised to be heard over the morning's clamor. "Even though they rely on their fists, we must not underestimate them." He hesitated for a brief moment before adding, "And, though I hesitate to admit it… they are more lenient with their people than we were. That has earned them a degree of loyalty and favor, which makes this task more complicated."
Nyxander cast him a sidelong glance before shifting his gaze forward once more. "Why?"
Kal exhaled, stepping slightly closer so his voice would not be drowned out by the surrounding noise. "Because the people of the Mountain Astro Station will sense our arrival the moment we step in. And even if they have heard of your achievements, they will not be so quick to trust you over a leader who has already earned their loyalty."
Nyxander's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze, contemplation, perhaps even mild irritation. "Shouldn't they prefer my way of handling things? They must have heard of my achievements by now."
Kal shook his head slightly. "Logically, yes. But trust is not built on logic alone. Even if they acknowledge your strength, they won't gamble their security on an unfamiliar leader when the one they already have is still standing. They would rather stick to the devil they know than take a chance on the unknown."
A silence passed between them, filled only by the sound of hurried footsteps and the relentless churning of the marketplace.
Nyxander eventually let out a low hum, his expression thoughtful. "Well, that also plays in our favor. It means we won't have to waste time looking for them, they'll come to us."
Kal allowed a small smirk to tug at his lips. "As expected of Boss," he muttered, admiration threading through his tone as their movement carried them ever closer to their destination.
After several hours of navigating winding paths and making necessary turns, Nyxander and his group finally reached a wide, desolate road. Unlike the bustling streets behind them, this stretch of land was eerily still, untouched by the usual rhythm of trade and travel. It stood as an unspoken boundary, marking the division between the Aqua Astro Station and the Mountain Astro Station.
Nyxander halted for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping across the empty road before settling on the territory ahead. A faint smirk played on his lips. "Here we come," he murmured, his voice laced with quiet confidence. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his right foot crossing the border. One by one, his subordinates followed, their movements synchronized like soldiers stepping into an uncharted battlefield.
As they ventured deeper into the Mountain Astro Station, their eyes scanned both sides of the street. The buildings stood in rigid formation, their structures and arrangements strikingly similar to those of the Aqua Astro Station.
"There's not much difference between the two stations in terms of architecture," Nyxander observed aloud, his tone casual yet attentive.
However, his demeanor shifted slightly as his sharp eyes darted around, catching the fleeting gazes of several merchants. Some pretended to arrange their goods, their hands moving mechanically over fabrics and trinkets, while others engaged in seemingly idle transactions, yet their focus was unmistakably elsewhere. Buyers and sellers alike stole cautious glances at the newcomers, their curiosity and unease evident in the way their hands fumbled and their voices lowered to hushed whispers.
Kal, noticing the change in Nyxander's expression, furrowed his brows. "Is something wrong, Boss?" His voice carried a note of concern.
To his and the others' surprise, Nyxander's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Nothing much. It's exactly what we expected." His voice was steady, assuring them without need for further explanation.
Kal exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "So it begins," he muttered under his breath. Meanwhile, Bako and Bili shifted uncomfortably as their stomachs rumbled in protest, betraying their hunger.
Nyxander chuckled at the untimely interruption. "Let's find a restaurant and fill our stomachs before our expected guests arrive."
"Yes, sir," they responded in unison, relieved at the prospect of a meal.
Nyxander approached one of the merchants, a middle-aged man engrossed in arranging bolts of fabric. Their gazes locked for a brief moment before Nyxander spoke. "Can you point us toward a well-served restaurant?"
The merchant hesitated but, seeing the unwavering stare of the man before him, nodded quickly and gestured toward a distant street. After weaving through several winding paths and making additional inquiries, they arrived at their destination, a modest yet well-kept, two-story building.