[Okay, I think I just heard someone talk like a melodramatic idiot before delivering an ass whooping,] Springer observed as he and Razorstella attempted to approach the source of all the ruckus.[Either the Ringmaster is involved in that situation, or weāre dealing with someone who is equally as dramatic and weird as he is.]
[Honestly, it could be both at the same time,] Razorstella retorted. [We just got to get over there and...wait a minute...Springer, please tell me youāre also noticing that disgustingly pure aura approaching this location.]
[Yup.]
[Alright...now Iām convinced that the Ringmaster is closer than we think.]
[Why?]
[Because thereās no fucking way, that there would be this many factors preventing us from reuniting with the Ringmaster without his extremely bipolar luck being involved.]
[That...that tracks,] Razorstella agreed, while thinking about the other times their lordās extremely weird luck had almost gotten him killed.
[Looks like weāre going to have to rely on our mortal senses if we want to find the Ringmaster...]
...Speaking of fighting and luck though...
"Oh shit, looks like you were right about Lytheroās opponent holding back," Antonio noted as he saw that Gindoro was getting back on to his feet.
"Told you."
"I guess we should-ow! What the...why does it feel like my skin is starting to sting itself all of a sudden?"
"Probably because since I unlocked your ability to circulate [Chaos], youāre now more sensitive to things that me and the Kaijin are weak to," Zhen Liu explained while looking a bit more nauseous than usual."And if I had to guess, all this fighting just attracted someone who has the effect on us."
"Who?"
"Probably that monk walking towards us."
...
Despite getting knocked back by a single attack Gindoro proved to be surprisingly tough as he stood back up and got ready for another exchange of blows. Then again, that mightāve been due to the simple fact that both sides were holding back at the time.
But now, since he got his shit rocked by Lytheroās sword, Gindoro was done holding back.
The Silver-tongue warrior began to circulate his aether at a rapid pace, releasing an aura that made it clear that he was actually an Aether Grandmaster and that he was done pretending.
"Oh shit."
"Here comes the [Regalia]!," a member of the watching crowd cried out.
Immediately, several warriors began to put up their own defenses as they understood that the moment [Regalia] were brought out, that the fighting was going to get significantly more violent from here on out.
"Hmmm."
Understanding that his opponent was about to get serious, Lythero took up a stance and prepared to summon his own [Regalia] in response.
However...
[Cease.]
"Hrk!"
"Hmm?"
Before he could do such a thing though, an incredibly potent yet peaceful aura suddenly appeared and began to exert pressure on both him and Gindoro. However, one could see that the pressure being exerted on Gindoro was a bit heavier than the amount being pressed on Lythero.
"What the hell?"
It went without saying that while some were confused at this turn of events, there was a contingency of people who knew exactly what was going on in this moment.
"Wait...I know this trick. Thatās [Pacifistās Pressure]. Itās an aether art used by the Buddhist to stop fights. The more violence in someoneās heart, the heavier they suddenly become."
"Isnāt that technique proportional to the userās cultivation? How powerful is the practitioner in this case?"
"If I had to guess? Very."
Thankfully, the crowd didnāt have to speculate for too long as the source of this technique decided to walk into the literal middle of the fighting warriors.
"Hmmm. I donāt know whether or not I should be delighted or not about the fact that a complete stranger is able to control the violence in his heart more easily than one of the warriors of my dear friend. How perplexing."
Standing between Lythero and Gindoro was a large bald monk wearing a kasaya that had a very peculiar pattern to it.
The kasaya in question appeared to depict the scene of a bull-like Bloodliner, wreathed in a golden halo stepping over the bodies of a monkey, frog and boar demon.
To most people, this was simply a piece of religious art that didnāt mean anything.
However, to a certain few that knew a thing or two about Buddhism and itās lore, this was a rather perplexing image to say the least.
Regardless, the monk in question seemed to have peaceful intentions so Lythero decided to respond in kind and stand down, sheathing his sword at the same time.
This action caused the large monk to raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"Oh? I figured someone who willingly got involved in a conflict as you would be wanting to fight till the bitter end. Protest against the fact that an interloper interfered with your fight and all that," the monk observed.
"Talk if you can, fight if you have to," Lythero responded with a shrug. "Thatās what my masters taught me."
"Hmmm, wise words."
During the short amount of time this conversation took place, Gindoro had eventually gave up on wanting to fight and managed to get on his feet with the help of the other Silver-tongues.
Once this had occurred, the monk turned his attention to the Silver-tongues.
"What were you guys doing? Was it not made clear that you were not to engage in aggression with the Golden Gorilla Union members?"
"But Abbot Longhorn, theyāre the ones who stole from us!," the lead Silver-tongue goader declared. "Weāre just getting back what was ours."
"Yeah!"
"Lies and slander!," one of the Goldenbacks shouted back. "We were just on our way back from a raid until those scaly bastards started talking-"
[Enough!,] Master Longhorn commanded with a voice enhanced with a weird type of energy that instilled a feeling of peace in all who heard it.
Well, most of the people.
"I donāt care what may or may not have occurred, what I care is that you keep the agreement of keeping the peace. Understood?"
"But-"
"I said, understood?"
"Yes...Abbot Longhorn."
"Good."
Sensing that the conflict had more or less ended, the on lookers proceeded to disperse.
The only ones remaining were the Golden Gorilla Union, the Silver-tongues and Lythero and his friends.
Needless to say, the former two were dominating the conversation at this time.
"I apologize for their behavior, Mistress Kidanna," Abbot Longhorn apologized with a bow. "Iāll be sure to inform their leader about their...rowdy behavior."
"Think nothing of it, Abbot Longhorn," Kidanna thanked with a bow and a palmed fist.
The leader of the Golden Gorilla Union and the Abbot exchanged a few more pleasantries before the latter finally left with the Silver-tongues in tow.
As they left, Zhen Liu and Antonio made their presence known by walking up to Lythero and checking on him.
More accurately, they were congratulating him on essentially winning that fight.
"Ya know...this just confirms to me that I made the right decision in tagging along with you guys," Antonio praised. "Did I mention that Iām glad you didnāt kill me a few weeks back? Because Iām gonna say it."
"Thanks for the compliment?"
"You did good out there man," Zhen Liu praised while patting his shoulder. "And you didnāt even need to use the Gold swords."
"Well..."
"Ahem."
While they were talking, Kidanna decided to interject.
"I donāt know who you are, but I have to thank you for intervening when you did," Kidanna told Lythero. " There was a very real chance if you hadnāt, I may have caused an incident...or worst. My name is Kidanna Dodorado, leader of the Golden Gorilla Union. And you are..."
"My nameās Lythero, and Iām just wandering swordsman passing through," Lythero introduced himself. "Oh and these are my friends, Zhen Liu and Antonio."
"Hello."
"We wouldāve jumped in too, but that monk guy kind of put a damper on our plans."
"Ah yes, the Abbot...," Kidanna said with a strangely acidic tone despite sharing polite conversation moments ago. "He is supposed to be the watcher of the watchmen, but he was brought in by the Silver-tongues. Needless to say, Iām not exactly trusting of the man."
"You donāt say..."
"But forget that for now," Kidanna said with a wave of her hand. "Why donāt you come and join for me a drink? I owe you that much for getting involved. Bring your friends too. If they are travelling with you, theyāre probably good people too."
"Oh...sure."
"Excellent. Now then, why donāt you tell me more about yourself?"
The moment the trio agreed to Kidannaās invitation, the Goldenback leader proceeded to wrap her arm around Lytheroās shoulder and take the lead.
In the back, Zhen Liu and Antonio exchanged a look.
āAll according to plan...ā
"By the way, I hope none of you mind, but Iām actually playing host to an old friend of mine. Hope you guys know how to behave around ladies."
āHuh...I wonder what the chances are that I know them?,ā Zhen Liu mused.
...Coincidentally...
"Wait, you know the people in charge of maintaining order around here, Alicia?," Alice asked.
"Sort of? My father does business with the Gorilla Golden Union, so our families got to know each other," Alicia answered. "Last I heard, Big Sis Kidanna was in charge now."
"Big sis?"