Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Dealing with councils often proved to be quite a hassle due to the multitude of individuals involved. The task of convincing or achieving a unanimous agreement among a large group with varied opinions and interests was frequently a painstaking ordeal.

Each council member typically had their own personal agenda, priorities, or viewpoints, which complicated the process of reaching efficient and effective decisions.

This complexity frequently resulted in protracted debates, negotiations, and the need for numerous compromises. Navigating through the bureaucratic intricacies of council governance could indeed be a trying experience.

Geio refrained from confirming whether the dragons were causing difficulties. This uncertainty arose from their concern that openly acknowledging dragon-related issues could be seen as a sign of weakness. In the intricate realm of politics and diplomacy, displaying vulnerability or admitting to challenges might jeopardize their negotiating position.

Therefore, Geio and the council exercised caution when it came to divulging any vulnerabilities or problems linked to the dragons, as this could significantly impact their interactions with other factions and nations.

"We should be able to sort things out in the next few days," Geio said. "Once, I apologize.

"It is fine. This is a master that we should discuss when all the members of the council are ready to talk," Branden said while forcing a smile. "You must be busy as well, so we won't take much more of your time."

Geio bowed and then left the place. In the end, the group looked at each other without knowing what to say. The situation was weird and suspicious, and they were starting to feel restless since they couldn't move that much.

"Do you guys want to look around the city?" Rain asked. "If we walk like we own the place, we might make the people here work faster, either to work faster on the meeting of the truce or to ambush us."

"Again, with your grim sense of humor…" Branden said and then sighed. "We should avoid incidents in order to avoid wasting time."

"Avoiding incidents is my forte. It isn't like I have a long history fighting with the magic people," Rain shrugged. "In any case, you guys are in charge, so it's your choice."

Rain equipped his weights again and then began to train by doing some handstands. In the end, it didn't take long for Branden and Esmeralda to get bored and sick of waiting, and then they left the inn.

The group's presence in the area drew the attention of the locals, but Rain sensed no immediate threat or hostility. It seemed that many of the onlookers were likely seasoned soldiers or warriors who understood the importance of maintaining a peaceful demeanor in diverse territories.

While exploring the city, they couldn't help but notice numerous jewelry shops displaying an abundance of gemstones. This unexpected profusion of precious stones raised questions about their source and availability in this magical society.

Their exploration also unveiled a currency system akin to that of humans, consisting of copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, platinum coins, and even diamond coins. This indicated a well-developed and intricate economic structure within the magic people's society.

Although the merchants welcomed them when they noticed that Brandon and Esmeralda were rich, they frowned when Rain checked their jewelry. They looked away when he looked at them, though. They could recognize the eye of a soldier.

"I feel a lot of magic in it… are they made through magic, or are they part of some monsters?" Rain asked.

"They are too clean to be the case. There are no scratches, and their shape is too perfect," Branden replied while rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "This kind of thing is too valuable to be sculpted… at least that normally would be the case, but considering the number of gems around."

"Hey, where did you guys find the gems?" Rain asked the merchant.

"Rain…" Branden said and then facepalmed. "My apologies, he is a bit harsh, but you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

The merchant nodded, so Rain assumed that they were produced by some tribes, and that was a secret. The group checked around other shops, and Rain checked if he could force some merchants to spill the beans, but they didn't say a thing.

"You will become even more infamous at this rate… the famous tourist who tried to shake down the merchants of the capital," Branden said. "Anyway, why don't you buy some things for Liss, Asche and Terra."

"I told you, we aren't like that, and I am not going to look for women when my sisters start to live with me…" Rain said, and then he raised his guard when he felt something on his back. "... Maybe I said too much."

"What is wrong?" Branden asked when he saw Rain looking around.

"I think I felt something… maybe it was one of the guys who are keeping an eye on us," Rain said. "Maybe they got pissed since we looked too relaxed.

It struck Rain as odd that the individuals who had been shadowing them earlier, lurking in the shadows, hadn't displayed any overt hostility or emitted an aura of malice. Rain contemplated that the recent shift in escorts might have introduced some newcomers who harbored personal grudges, whether directed at him or possibly stemming from their encounter with Branden during the war.

"Anyway, their bloodlust isn't that intense… if they wanted to kill us, the hair on my back would stand. You can relax. They know that they can't defeat me. At least they are smart enough not to try given the circumstances and thanks to the reason why we are here. "

"I would relax better knowing that there isn't any chance of fighting breaking out," Branden said.

"It won't be a fight, it will be so one-sided that it can't be called a fight," Rain said. "Not many strong people are left in this city… they must be fighting the dragons on the other side of their borders.