Chapter 428: Metal Arm
The burly man’s face contorted with fury. He raised his rusted sword, the blade trembling in his grip as he took a step toward Adam.
"You’ve got a death wish, stranger."
Adam’s gaze didn’t waver. His voice was calm, almost bored.
"Put the sword down before you hurt yourself."
The burly man lunged.
Adam didn’t move. His hand shot up, catching the man’s wrist mid-swing. The rusted blade stopped inches from his throat, held in place by Adam’s iron grip. The man’s eyes went wide as Adam squeezed, and a sharp, wet crack echoed through the room.
The sword clattered to the floor. The man crumpled, clutching his broken wrist, a strangled cry of pain escaping his lips.
Adam’s voice was calm, carrying an edge of cold amusement.
"Anyone else want to try?"
The room fell silent. The other thugs hesitated, their weapons raised but their confidence crumbling. They exchanged uncertain glances, none willing to be the next to test the horned stranger.
A slow, deliberate clap echoed from the far end of the room.
"Well, well. It’s not every day I get to see someone handle my men so efficiently."
The crowd parted, and a figure stepped forward. He was tall, lean, his features sharp and aristocratic. A well-tailored coat of dark blue, embroidered with silver thread, marked him as a man of means—or at least, a man who wanted to appear as one. His left arm was a gleaming mass of polished metal and intricate gears, each joint moving with fluid precision as he stepped forward.
His voice carried a smooth, almost musical quality, carrying an edge of cold amusement. His eyes swept over the group, lingering on Alice’s tail, then drifting to Adam with a glint of recognition.
"Ah. So the dragon finally shows himself."
Adam’s crimson eyes narrowed. His voice carried a note of sharp curiosity.
"You know who I am?"
The man’s lips curved into a thin, knowing smile.
"Word travels fast in a city like Myrta." His gaze drifted to the broken door, to the groaning man on the floor, then back to Adam. "Though I have to admit—I didn’t expect you to come knocking at my door."
Alice’s tail swayed, her voice carrying a note of cold amusement.
"So you’re the one running this little operation."
The man inclined his head, a gesture that carried the weight of practiced elegance.
"I am Lord Wincenth. And you—" His gaze settled on Adam, sharp and appraising. "—are a dragon who has caused quite a stir in this city." His smile widened, carrying an edge of calculation. "I’ve been expecting you."
Adam’s voice was flat, unimpressed.
"Expecting me? That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?"
Wincenth’s smile didn’t waver. He spread his hands in a gesture of mock sincerity.
"It’s simply good business to know who’s operating in your territory." His mechanical fingers flexed, the gears whirring softly. "I keep track of interesting people. And you are very interesting indeed."
His gaze drifted to Azrynn’s dark skin and pointed ears, then to Alice’s feline features, lingering with an expression of genuine curiosity.
"Though I have to admit—the company you keep is rather... eclectic. It’s rare to see such a diverse group, especially in a city like this."
Adam’s voice was cool, measured.
"We’re not here to chat. We’re here to tell you to stop harassing the blacksmith. Her shop is under my protection now. You and your men stay away from her."
Wincenth’s mechanical fingers drummed against his thigh—a slow, deliberate rhythm that seemed to echo the beat of a hidden clockwork heart. The gears in his arm whirred faintly with each movement.
"Is that so?" His voice carried a note of quiet curiosity. "And what makes you think you have the authority to make demands of me?"
Adam’s crimson eyes locked onto Wincenth’s cold, calculating gaze. His voice was flat, carrying the weight of absolute certainty.
"I don’t need authority. I’m telling you that if you don’t leave the blacksmith alone, I’ll kill every person in this room."
The room went deathly still. No one moved. No one breathed.
Wincenth’s mechanical fingers paused mid-drum. His smile didn’t waver, but something flickered behind his eyes—a moment of genuine calculation, weighing the cost of defiance against the certainty of Adam’s words.
Then he let out a low, measured chuckle, spreading his hands in a gesture of mock surrender.
"A bold threat. But that’s exactly what I expected from a dragon." His lips curved into a thin, knowing smile. "Very well. We’ll leave the blacksmith alone. Does that satisfy you?"
Before Adam could respond, Alice’s tail lashed with sharp impatience. Her voice cut through the tension, cold and dismissive.
"I don’t trust him. Let’s just burn this place to the ground and be done with it. It’s simpler."
Wincenth’s smile didn’t waver. His gaze shifted to Alice, his voice carrying a note of amused curiosity.
"Your companion is quite... enthusiastic. I admire that."
Adam’s lips curved into a faint smile, his voice carrying a note of dark amusement.
"She has a point. But I’m willing to give you a chance to prove you can keep your word." He took a step back, his voice dropping to a cold, final note. "If I find out you’ve broken our agreement, I won’t come back to talk. I’ll just burn this building to the ground with everyone inside."
Wincenth’s smile remained fixed, but his mechanical fingers twitched almost imperceptibly at his side. His voice was smooth, unbothered.
"A clear and compelling offer. I’ll make sure my men understand the new arrangement." He inclined his head in a gesture of mock deference. "You have my word."
Alice’s tail swayed with clear skepticism. Her voice carried a note of dry disbelief.
"His word. That’s worth about as much as a broken gear."
Adam’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Then we’ll just have to make sure he remembers the consequences." He turned toward the door. "We’re done here. Let’s go."
Adam walked out without looking back. Alice lingered for a moment, her dark violet eyes fixed on Wincenth with cold, unblinking intensity. Her voice was soft, but carried an edge that made the air around her feel heavier.
"If you betray him, I will find you. And I will make sure you regret it."
She turned and followed Adam out, her tail swaying lazily behind her. Azrynn fell into step beside them, her yellow eyes scanning the shadows as they stepped into the street.
Wincenth watched them go, his mechanical fingers drumming a slow, steady rhythm against his thigh. The faintest trace of a smile lingered on his lips as he murmured to himself.
"How interesting..."