This terrified Kent, now he was more worried about Daren and Aria's background and prowess. What if they belonged to a powerful hidden family or worst, what if they have ties to the Royal family.
If it was true than they were surely dome for. Their organization was strong but not strong enough to stand against royal family.
Kent was hoping that Daren hasn't noticed the little experiment he had conducted. Kent was now even more wary and scared of Daren. Unknowns were always the worst kind of dangers to face against and Kent was not going to risk it.
He took a last glance towards Daren, who was still busy in his own world. Kent approached the stairs heading back to his room with the intention to report his findings to his boss.
Just as Kent reached the stairs a sudden voice halted him in his tracks.
"That would be 200 gold coins, sir."
"...."
"...."
"Pardon?"
Kent asked, sounding dumbfounded as Daren suddenly asked for money from him.
Daren, who was now looking at Kent with a sweet welcoming smile on his face showed a surprised expression at his question, but then he showed an understanding expression and spoke again.
"That would be 200 gold coins for damaging the inn's property."
Kent blinked once then looked around the inn and the blinked twice. What the fuck!? What damage? As far as he could see there was no damage inside the inn, then why does he have to pay?
But he couldn't say this directly to Daren as he might risk offending him, and that's something he couldn't afford to do right now.
Kent put on a strained smile one his face and asked in the most polite tone he could.
"W-what d-damage are you talking about sir? I don't see any damage here?"
Daren showed the same genuinely surpised expression once again and then the same understanding expression.
Seeing his theatrics Kent felt his blood boil, but he kept his quite fearing for his life.
After finishing his little act Daren once again spoke with the same friendly smile on his face. "What are you talking about dear sir. There's clearly damage on the furniture here, all because of your little act from earlier."
"See there on the table, there's a scratch, that's very rare and costly wood brought from the sindar wilderness. It cost almost 10 gold each. And you have put scratches on many. And see over there, the plates and glasses, they are especially made by dwarven artist, each cost 5 gold and you damaged them now."
Daren spoke like a true business right now. The way he spoke almost made Kent believe that he had really done something wrong. Almost. But Daren was not finished as he kept pointing out one after another thing that Kent had damaged.
When Daren finally ended, Kent was sure, that he was being robbed in brought day light… well moon light.
"So, good sir, as you can see that you have clearly damaged my property. So you should pay up for it, shouldn't you?" Daren had a shrewd smile on his face that was reeking of greed, he was rubbing his hands together with anticipation for the free fortune he was going to get.
Right now he didn't look like a renowned Sage he was but a roadside scammer who was scamming a lost lamb.
Kent felt his brows twitch, he was barely restraining himself from lashing out. But he couldn't afford to act right now, as it could lead to unwanted situations that he was trying to ignore.
Kent composed himself and saw right into Daren's eyes which for some unknown reason only made him feel more uncomfortable. After a minute he spoke to Daren.
"Sir, why am I the only one being charged? Shouldn't those two from earlier who started all this fuss, should be charged as well?" He was trying his best to not sound irritated.
But as if Daren was waiting for this exact question of his, he smiled and replied.
"Seems like you didn't notice it but let me tell you. They both might be arguing but they were not going to fight inside here, as it is banned to fight inside the inn, you can see the board over there, see." Daren pointed out the big board that was hanging right beside the bar counter.
It was clearly written on the board that fighting here was prohibited and who ever violates this rule will have to pay 10,000 gold coins! And if the person doesn't have money, they could work in the coal mines owned by them.
Upon seeing the board Kent's first reaction was. They have coal mines? Mines? Not one mine but more? Are they really that rich? And why are they running this small inn if they have coal mines?
There were many questions that were sprouting in Kent's head but Daren has still not finished speaking as he broke through Kent's thoughts.
"And you might have missed it but their aura's though fully unleashed were still constrained, as they didn't dare to damage the property here."
After hearing Daren's word, Kent finally realised that he was speaking truth once he checked his own memory.
Sigh…
Kent sighed dejectedly as he understood that no matter what he had to pay Daren the money he was asking for, though he could force his way out of this situation as the person in front of him was most likely a mortal, but that is what the problem is. It was 'most likely', he wasn't sure about it and he wasn't going to find it out right now.
And there was also the mystery about his background, who knows what kind of person he was or what organization or family he belonged to.
Kent pulled out a pouch from his spacial storage ring. The pouch was filled with gold. Daren waited with anticipation, rubbing his hands like a true scamming businessman.
After looking at the pouch for a good one minute Kent finally took out 200 gold from it and handed it over to Daren with reluctance.
Daren accepted the 'free' money with a happy smile on his face. He directly started to count money right then and there, not caring about the sulking Kent who was looking at him as if he had killed his family.
Kent was starting to doubt if Daren really possessed the coal mines that he had mentioned or did he really have any especial background. Because looking at him right now, all he could think of him was that he was a scammer.
Kent now feeling dejected, walked upstairs to his room. He needed a really good rest right now.