There was nobody in the immediate vicinity, but on both ends of the alley, I saw blockades made of people just sitting, or standing on the streets. Not crowds by any means. Solid groups. With armors on and weapons at the ready, hanging by their belts.

They noticed me almost immediately, and an alarm of some sort has been raised among their ranks. They started to prepare for whatever they were preparing. I doubted they would want to fight me because there were simply not enough people.

Both groups, from left and right, merged in front of me, and a single person was ejected as the representative. I guy I probably never met before. I'm not gonna give you a name, because that individual was just not worth remembering, and also didn't share that particular information with me. But as he has proven to have some meaning, at least to me, during future events, let's just assume his name was Andy.

Sometimes in your life, you meet people who just think they are somebody important, a big shot, even if there is nothing supporting such claims.

Even though, they often try to push this idea into other people's heads with, strangely, even some rate of success. He was different. He didn't try to do that. He was cocky, like a top dog ruling over those parts.

- Drop your weapon, and surrender you scum!historical

I didn't even have a weapon. He was being irrational, probably because of fear. His act was happening just because he had a bunch of even bigger cowards behind him. At least that's how I saw it.

- I have a proposition - I said, ignoring his demand. - I'm gonna go ahead, and look for the expedition past the canyon. I know we already send scouts, but they didn't go too far.

- I said drop your weapon!

At that point, I was already done with him and turned to the next person.

- You think I lied to achieve something, or whatever, but I didn't. This isn't some grand scheme. I'm worried just as some of you are. So how about we stop behaving like kids, and start resolving the problems? Leave the club alone, and let me pass.

- You think you can ignore me?! - Andy yelled and made few steps closer to me, rising the sword.

I slapped him. I slapped him so hard, he ended on the ground. His blade fell next to him. Others immediately rose their weapons, but they were more scared than angry.

- Look. I'm not armed, but I still can beat you up with ease. So how about you guys stop being ridiculous, and we at least attempt to cooperate?

They looked at each other but didn't back down.

- You just want to escape! - somebody shouted.

- To where? To my villa in the woods? Oh, yeah. I forgot I had one there... Can you turn on your brains? I don't know who fed you this bullshit that I'm responsible for what's going on, but, as I said, it's just bullshit. With that behind us, let's focus for a moment. I'll go to check on the expedition, leave the city. You want to get rid of me, don't you? Well, that's the best option you can get.

Andy slowly got up. It was hard for him since his legs could barely hold his weight. He picked up his sword. There was a trickle of blood coming out of one of his nostrils. He shouted his battle cry and charged at me. I just dodged with a quick step back and tripped him. He slid on the cobblestone in a very pathetic manner, dropping the blade again.

- See? This is not a fight. This is a fucking comedy. You can't kill me, but I can kill you. So how about you use these few grey cells you have left in your brains and finally realize the situation you are in?

- I think he should go. Kicking him out of the city is the best we can get - somebody said.

I recognized the voice, and then I recognized the face. It was pretty easy especially when the head was sticking out of the little crowd. It was Martin. He winked at me.

People started to nod, and agree. More because of the fear of confrontation with me, than Martin's persuasion skills.

- Oh, and just so you know. If anybody of you fuckers will even do as much as touch the door to the club, heads will roll. Remember that when you come up with any stupid idea or even hear such an idea from somebody else.

With those words, I started to head to the city center. They didn't try to stop me, but if they tried, it could only end in one way.

They still kept following though. It was actually a good thing, because others, that I met on my way, didn't do anything stupid. They just moved out of the way, leaving me to push forward in peace. Eventually, a whole big ass crowd formed around me, as I was shopping with my hand on the device. I bought a bag, some food, and a single pudao.

That was actually a perfect opportunity for them to land a good blow, but nobody took it. I realized this only when I was picking up my stuff from the ground.

I packed the food in the bag, threw it over my shoulder, grabbed the weapon, and was ready to go. Quick glance over the faces of people gathered around, then departure. A way was made for me in the crowd.

Some of them were genuinely afraid of me, others just followed what everybody else was doing. There was also a couple of people just simply letting me pass without any underlying motive or emotions towards my parson.

The situation was bad. I had no idea who build my image this way over those past few weeks, but he or she really did a good job. I guess I provided enough foundations for this to flourish so quickly, and so hard.

The first thought I got was Blue's men he left behind. Or maybe there was some new force trying to cut a piece of the hierarchy cake when the rest was gone. Only time could answer that questions for me.

I took the last glance over my shoulder at the people I was leaving behind. There were some worries in my heart focused over Nadia, and the rest in the Velvet Lotus. I didn't want them to get hurt. I actually didn't want to go, but what else could I do?

I had no better idea than just travel ahead and look for them. Martin, to my surprise, was involved. He clearly helped me back then, so I could only hope he was to keep his hand on the pulse and react if necessary, at least until somebody didn't connect me with him. Still, it was better than nothing.

I turned back, as I kept walking.

- Yes, go you asshole!

Somebody yelled after me.

- Leave you scumbag! And never come back!

- Yes, go!

- Never come back, fucker!

- Go coward, go!

One by one people picked up the pace. More and more people joined on those shouts, calling me names and wishing death. It was getting worse with every step I made, but to be honest, I didn't really care much. Maybe they needed this in their lives. Maybe they needed to vent in some way.

If that was the price I had to pay for them to forget about Velvet Lotus, I was more than willing to do it.

Few steps later I just laughed. The whole situation suddenly become so damn funny. I became the most known person in the whole city. Again, something I never expected to happen, especially with all the effort I put to stay away from the others.

And now I had a whole army of haters. Some among them didn't just want to curse at me, but would gladly grab their weapons to teach me a lesson if they only stood a chance. Bunch of cowards. Too lazy to get their shit together and try to get stronger and face me. All they could do was bark.

I slowly made it to our local monument. The barricade blocking most of the passage thru the gate leading to the goblin territory. Making it past I had this strange feeling. Another part of our history was about to happen. I had no idea what it could possibly be, but the fact it started, was as clear as day to me.

I could only hope it had something to do with the expedition returning and some good news that would bring with them.

I looked at the forest in front of me and took a big breath. The journey to the unknown started for me yet again. The journey I could only hope would end with a happy ending.. The happy ever after I usually hated, because to me, it sounded just like a bunch of bullshit.