Chapter 15

As soon as we entered Market Alley, I was awestruck.

The moment the carriage rolled to a stop at the entrance, I pushed the door open and stepped out, unable to contain my excitement. The sight before me was nothing short of mesmerizing.

The street stretched out like a grand tapestry of commerce and wonder, alive with colors, scents, and sounds. It was exactly as I had imagined—no, it was even more vivid than the descriptions in the novels I had read back on Earth.

Every inch of the bustling alley was packed with merchants proudly displaying their wares, their voices rising above the lively chatter of eager customers. Exotic fabrics fluttered in the breeze, shimmering under the sunlight like liquid gold. Trinkets and enchanted artifacts gleamed on wooden stalls, their intricate carvings telling stories of forgotten times. The scent of freshly baked bread, spiced meats, and rare incense filled the air, blending into an intoxicating aroma that stirred my appetite.

Street performers juggled flaming torches, musicians played lively tunes on strange instruments, and beast tamers led their exotic creatures through the crowds, showing them off to potential buyers. The entire place pulsed with life, a chaotic yet beautiful harmony of trade and magic.

A sharp tug on my sleeve pulled me from my daze. Bao stood beside me, his expression both amused and patient.

“Prince Asher,” he said, “if you keep standing there with that look on your face, the merchants might start thinking you’re here to buy the whole market.”

I chuckled, shaking off my amazement. “Not the whole market, but I do plan on making quite a few purchases today.”

He sighed but didn’t argue. Instead, he gestured toward the street ahead.

“Then let’s not waste time. Where shall we begin?”

I glanced around, my gaze drawn to the beast traders’ district just beyond the rows of bustling stalls.

“Let’s start with the magical beasts,” I decided, already eager to see what creatures this world had to offer.

With that, we plunged into the heart of Market Alley, ready to explore its endless wonders.

As soon as I entered the Beast Traders’ District, a strange sensation gripped my mind—a pull, faint at first but growing stronger with every step. My body moved on instinct, guiding me toward a merchant engaged in conversation with a customer.

Upon seeing our approach, the merchant paused mid-sentence, his sharp eyes shifting toward us. He straightened, assuming a humble yet elegant posture, clasped his hands in front of him, and bowed respectfully to Sir Aldric Valefang.

“Welcome, Sir Aldric Valefang. How may I serve you today?”

Aldric gave a curt nod. “Hello, Varion Storme. Today, I’m merely accompanying Prince Asher.”

The merchant’s eyes flickered to me, his demeanor becoming even more polished.

“Prince Asher,” he greeted with a deep bow, “it is an honor.

How may I serve you today?”

I barely registered his words. The pull in my mind had intensified into something deeper—something desperate. My attention was locked onto a building at the far end of the hall, where two mountain-like guards stood before a set of heavy doors.

Ignoring the conversation around me, I walked past Varion, past my guards, past everything else. My feet carried me straight toward the doors, the mental pull turning into something else entirely—an anguished cry for help.

The moment my hand touched the door, pain and fear lanced through my mind like a dagger.

I had to get inside.

But before I could push the door open, one of the massive guards grabbed me by the neck and threw me backward.

A sharp gasp echoed around the hall. My guards surged forward, but Bao caught me before I could hit the ground.

For a moment, silence reigned. Then, chaos erupted.

Bao’s face twisted with rage, his hand already on his weapon. Aldric Valefang, still confused but now alert, took a defensive stance. Aldric Voltron—one of my most skilled guards—unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming under the torchlight as he prepared to strike.

The situation was about to explode.

“STOP!”

The single word roared from my chest, filled with such raw fury that everyone froze in place. The fire in my eyes must have been terrifying because even the seasoned warriors instinctively backed away.

Varion Storme was the first to break the silence. He fell to his knees before me, his head bowed so low it nearly touched the ground.

“P-Prince, please forgive me!” His voice trembled. “I gave strict orders that no one is to enter. It was only for safety, my lord. There are two ferocious beasts inside—they’ve gone mad! I—I have already summoned the best hunter to dispatch them.”

His words barely registered past the word dispatch.

My gaze snapped to him, burning with such intensity that his face drained of color. His body shook, and in the next moment, the scent of fear—and something fouler—filled the air.

He had lost control of his bowels and bladder.

“How much?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.

Varion swallowed hard. “T-Twenty royal marks,” he stammered.

I extended my hand, and Bao immediately placed the requested sum into my palm. Without another word, I shoved the coins at Varion, my focus shifting to the two guards who had dared to throw me.

I raised my hands.

Using metal manipulation magic, I warped their weapons into bindings, which wrapped around them in an instant. With a flick of my wrist, I sent them flying in opposite directions. The force of my magic was so great that their bodies crashed through the walls, leaving gaping holes in the structure.

Ignoring the gasps of shock around me, I turned back to the door.

With a surge of pure force, I shattered it—blasting it outward into countless fragments.

The room beyond was dimly lit, but what lay inside sent a wave of rage and sorrow through me.

Two Soulbinder Gryphons lay in the center of the room, their majestic forms covered in wounds, their feathers dulled and matted with blood. Thick, enchanted chains bound their legs and wings, trapping them like animals meant for slaughter.

They were the ones who had been calling me.

A fresh wave of pain—not mine, but theirs—pierced my mind.