Sylus looked straight at the man.
"Pardon, what are you talking about? High rank? Are people here classified into ranks?"
The bartender had a dismayed look on his face, as though Sylus had just said something horrendous.
"Wait, are you not from around here?" he asked, whispering.
To which Sylus shook his head.
"I am a traveler, just exploring this side of the kingdom."
Hearing the masked man’s response, the bartender glanced towards the side of the tavern and noticed the men there, who were drinking and eating, had their attention on them.
"A traveler, huh? We rarely get your kind around here. Makes sense why you tipped me with an extra gold coin."
’I see, so they also don’t get visitors. I’m going to assume that doesn’t apply to merchants.’
Sylus chugged down some of the beer; it was warm.
"So, who are these high ranks you mistook me for?"
A question was thrown.
The bartender once again threw a glance towards the side of the tavern; the men there were still paying close attention.
"I’m sorry, I can’t say anything on that. If you want another beer, I can—"
Sylus reached into his pocket and placed a platinum coin on the table.
"I’m willing to pay for any information you have."
Seeing the coin, the man nearly hollered. His eyes said everything.
A platinum coin was considered the highest value of money in the entire continent; its value was about 100 gold coins.
Just having one would make you set for half a year, tops.
The man gulped down his saliva, knowing it would be a waste not to accept the money, but at the same time, he didn’t want to lose his life over a rich stranger he had just met.
Actually, the fact that this man had something like a platinum coin already made him suspicious.
While he was still contemplating his decision—
The bartender was even more dumbfounded.
The bartender sighed and then stylishly grabbed the coin and hid it, making sure no one saw him.
It’s the same everywhere; those who run taverns and bars often know too much from engaging with so many people. It comes with the business.
Sylus watched as the bartender attended to other customers, playing his part almost perfectly.
So much so, the people who were keeping an eye on them earlier had turned their gazes away.
’So they’re some kind of terrorist group.’
Sylus’s eyes narrowed.
With just these conversations, Sylus was able to learn three main things:
One, someone is deliberately controlling how the county operates from the inside, and these terrorist groups are their pest control.
Secondly, the county can’t grow because those who intend to make it better are probably killed by these same groups.
And lastly, the Count of Linye was as useless as he expected.
He slowly raised his head.
Sylus turned his gaze to the side, focusing on the man in green sitting next to the other group of men.
Sylus dropped five gold pieces on the table and stood up from the chair.
Packing the money, the man watched as Sylus approached the gang, right where they were sitting and having their drinks.
Standing right in front of their table, Sylus turned his attention toward the man in green.
From how he looked, he should be around the age of thirty or higher.
"Liak, I presume? You and I need to have a talk."
[Sylus’s copied abilites.]