Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

Shouts of merchants hawking their wares mixed with the chatter of customers, the sizzling of meat on open grills, and the clang of metal from blacksmith forges.

Steam could be seen curling from bubbling cauldrons as street vendors prepared sizzling skewers, thick broths, and roasted delicacies that filled the streets with an intoxicating aroma.

The cacophony of noises and the sheer number of beings moving about overwhelmed the girls.

The towering demons in their rugged armor, the swift-footed small imps darting between stalls, cloaked vampires with their glowing crimson eyes inspecting vials of exotic blood, and even a few humans haggling for enchanted trinkets, all of it created an overwhelming yet fascinating sensory overload.

Aurae smiled as she gracefully maneuvered through the bustling scene while gesturing to various parts of the market.

"This is the lifeblood of the city," she said energetically with wondering eyes.

"Merchants from all corners of the continent come here to sell their wares.

If something exists, legal or illegal, you can find it here."

Further ahead, a group of gray-skinned orcish traders stood before a towering wooden stall that displayed thick slabs of cured meat and rare monster parts.

Their deep guttural voices carried over the marketplace as they bartered fiercely with a pale-skinned vampire dressed in noble attire.

A little to the left, a group of green-skinned goblins scurried about and offered crude but effective weapons like small daggers, smoke bombs, slingshots, etc to adventurers.

Looking at them, Ethan was surprised but soon remembered that the goblin race was split into two distinct branches.

One was the common green-skinned goblins and the other was the depraved and sinister Dark Goblins.

The former was much like those before him and was a widespread race found across all three continents.

Unlike their dark counterparts, they had both male and female members that ensured the continuity of their population without resorting to vile means.

In contrast, the Dark Goblins were an entirely different breed.

They were twisted and malicious beings who were incapable of coexisting within civilized society.

Their very nature of being driven by their brutality and insatiable urges made them a menace.

They were especially infamous for preying upon the women of other races for breeding purposes.

The green-skinned goblins on the other hand were often greedy and opportunistic but were not inherently wicked.

Some had even integrated into society, becoming traders, craftsmen, and adventurers, and proved that not all goblins were bound by the same dark reputation.

A clanking sound drew him back to reality from his deep thoughts.

Nearby, a hulking weaponsmith whose muscles rippled beneath layers of soot and sweat hammered relentlessly at a glowing blade.

Each of his powerful strikes sent a cascade of sparks into the dimly lit air and briefly illuminated the grime-covered forge.

Ethan's gaze lingered on the craftsman and his keen eyes caught the rhythmic motion of the hammer shaping molten metal with practiced ease.

The weaponsmith's thick horns and huge seven-foot frame confirmed his identity as a demon.

His clawed hands gripped the tongs tightly and steadied the long metal block as he refined it with each resounding blow.

The metal glowed a deep orange-red and had become malleable under the relentless hammering as it slowly took the shape of a formidable blade.

Ethan's silent observation did not go unnoticed.

The dark elf beside him smirked slightly before offering an explanation.

"These are independent weaponsmiths with no powerful backing or vast wealth," she said and her tone carried a hint of sympathy.

"Because of that, they can only craft common weapons suited for Scrap, Bronze, or Iron-rank adventurers.

Their materials are limited and their forging methods are simple, but their skill is still respectable."

Her bluish-purple eyes shifted to Ethan and watched his reaction as she continued.

"But as adventurers grow stronger, they seek weapons infused with magic and forged from rare materials, that is artifacts that can complement their rising power.

And naturally, such weapons are beyond the abilities of most street smiths."

She paused briefly before adding,

"Forging something beyond the ordinary isn't just about strength.

It takes meticulous guidance, unwavering dedication, and, above all else—talent."

Ethan nodded in understanding as did the girls beside him.

They had long since grasped this truth, but seeing its reality and hearing it laid out so plainly reinforced their awareness of the world's hierarchy.

With that, Ethan resumed his pace and slipped past the crowd as the rhythmic clang of the hammering gradually faded into the background.

The raucous crowd couldn't help but steal glances at the well-dressed pair of Ethan and Virelle.

Though Ethan's attire was simple in design, a single look was enough to discern the exceptional quality of the fabric and craftsmanship.

Every movement he made carried an effortless refinement, a quiet yet undeniable confidence that set him apart.

His striking features only added to his commanding presence and made it impossible for anyone to mistake him for an ordinary traveler.

Virelle had carefully concealed her face with a delicate veil but instead of diminishing her beauty, it only heightened the allure surrounding her.

The soft glow of the marketplace lights was caught in her lustrous flowing hair and accentuated the captivating depth of her crimson eyes.

Tiny beads of sweat clung to her smooth forehead from the lingering heat in the air and their shimmer only added an unintentional yet mesmerizing touch to her already irresistible charm.

The graceful contours of her body were veiled yet impossible to ignore.

All of this only deepened the effect and the tantalizing mystery of what lay beneath stirred an instinctive curiosity within the onlookers, like a subtle temptation that whispered of the forbidden.

Yet, despite their fascination none dared to act on it.

There was an intangible force around the duo and an aura of dominance and unapproachability that made people unconsciously step back and cede the path before them.

As for Velcy, she remained largely unnoticed.

Her naturally subdued and dull presence accompanied by a lack of extravagant adornments rendered her unremarkable in the eyes of the crowd.