Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 76: Vern empire (1)

VERN

1014 AF SEEDMONTH

The tavern was full today.

People young and old had gathered to hear the storytellers spin their tales once again, of Levitia and his Oath of Brotherhood.

Zhang Liao Bao had snuck away from the brothel to hear the stories, paid his ten pennies and sat himself down among the crowd.

He sat in front with the old people, his eyes shining.

"Levitia and Alan swore an oath of brotherhood beneath the red tree in Dagur Hill, in the land now known as the Dukedom of Alan, promising to face dangers together, to protect the people, protect the Court, and promise each other to avenge their parents' deaths."

"Great, great!" the crowd cheered

Everybody already knew the story, but they never tired of hearing it. It is one of the most famous story of Levitia which is the beginning of his journey

The storytellers waited for the noise to die down, and continued.

"This was the beginning of their journey. Alan rode Shadow, his black horse, while Levitia rode Lightwalker, his white one. Together the two heroes fought monsters and gods, humiliated the Demon Lords, killing corrupt officials and won great fame."

The crowd cheered again, and Liao Bao whooped.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot down the side of his head, and he realized his ear was being pinched. Turning, he saw his mother glaring at him.

"What are you doing here Liao Bao? Out, now!"

The people sitting around him sniggered as he was dragged outside by the ear. His mother refused to release him until they were back at the brothel.

The pleasure ladies grinned at him as he was thrown inside.

"Sister Chunhua," one of them laughed, "don't hit him too hard this time."

"Where did you go Liao Bao? Having fun in the gambling house again?" Said some of the ladies that work in the Red Veil

"Liao Bao where is the necklace you promised me? I thought you liked me!"

"Sister Qi, I will buy you a necklace," Liao Bao winked, "and you will surely love me."

"Your tongue is slick, Liao Bao," said Sister Qi, and she walked away from him, giggling.

"My tongue can do more than just talk!" Liao Bao called after her and was greeted with a slap around the head from his mother.

"What were you doing in the tavern," she asked angrily. "You are only sixteen, and there you are visiting gambling places and wine houses like they're your own home!"

His home is a small hut behind the Red Veil.

"Come on, I have to find something to relieve my tension, Mother" Liao Bao said, flashing a gleaming smile at his mother. She shook her head at him.

"Go and help prepare for the performance tonight," she said, batting him away. Liao Bao nodded and kissed her cheek.

The Red Veil Mansion offered entertainment, prostitution and all manner of carnal pleasures.

The Red Veil is not like the Golden Court in the Kingdom of Renasia where their courtesan has their own handmaiden, and to win their favor would take gold more than his own weight.

Here even the most minor noble can come and have fun. Of course most of them use different identities here.

Liao Bao's mother had worked here for many years, and Liao Bao often pitched in to help whenever he was needed.

Later that evening the Red Veil he was to put on a theater performance of a popular tale in the Levitia Saga, the Seduction of Duvan.

Most pleasure house also offered entertainment like this and most of the pleasure house uses this part of the story in Levitia Saga, the Seduction of Duvan because of how fitting it is with the theme of brothel and pleasure houses

The story fit the theme of pleasure house, especially the part where he seduces the three Princess of Demon Lord Aliel, bed with three of them and when dawn came, the Demon Lord died of poison.

Later in the story Levitia had entered the room and upon seeing the three naked princesses lying across the bed, with hatred in his eyes he had slaughtered them with his famous Enochian Steel, Lightbreaker, although that part was left out of the Red Veil's play; the murder of three beautiful, voluptuous women was not what the men were paying to see.

He never understand why Levitia would kill such beautiful princess. At least in history that is how the princess is depicted.

Beautiful and voluptuous and innocent

Levitia with all his strength was a very vengeful person.

When he warred against the Demon Lords, he would kill all their family, even their children. It is only in later years of his life did he spare some of the Dark Lords and his feeling mellowed.

Wise even. Well, considering that the Demon Lords killed his parents and uncle it is understandable.

Duvan Renasi of course could not stop Levitia from killing the Three Princess. How could he?

Levitia is stronger than any man of his age. But he strongly detests Levitia action that day. He has won him the castle for Levitia, yet Levitia killed his paramour.

Duvan has many paramour, many women, and if there is one redeeming qualities of Duvan, it is that even though, he is a womanizer, doesn't like reading, rude to his superior, likes drinking, but he treats woman very gently.

Well, Duvan himself got payback for Levitia action in later future.

"What are you dreaming about?" One of the lady heckled him and he nodded his head quickly.

"I got, I got it"

Liao Bao helped to set up the stage for that night's show, and prepared the costumes for the actors before resting.

As he laid his body across an old wooden bench, he let his mind wander.

Vern Empire, a name that used to inspire greatness, now just another kingdom, although the stubborn Emperor still claimed it was an empire.

"Psst, Liao Bao!"

He opened one eye to see Sister Qi crouching in the shadows of the stage, waving him over.

Liao Bao jumped up and approached her, and she took his face in her hand and kissed his cheek.

"Bring me the necklace and I will give you so much more than kisses" she winked before turning and strutting away.

Liao Bao grinned and watched her leave; he loved the bounce in her step.

He was popular among the girls of Red Veil. He had already slept with Sister Liaohua and Sister Zhao, and his new prey was Sister Qi.

The faint bustling sounds of the crowd gathering outside snapped him from his thoughts.

As a man in the capital his ambitions should have been great, yet there he was working in a pleasure house; he could aspire to so much more.

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Part one of the chapter. Next part will come in a few minutes