As per his usual routine, Alex's first stop upon arriving in the blue-gem city was to meet Dhairya, his business manager and fellow tribesman.
Dhairya promptly presented Alex with the items he had previously requested. Alex delicately held the metal cards and the newly acquired mask, examining them closely.
However, he couldn't help but feel perplexed by the appearance of the mask. He turned it around in his hand, attempting to decipher the purpose behind its unique design.
"Are there no openings for the eyes?" Alex inquired, seeking clarification to dispel his confusion.
The mask consisted entirely of white material, flawlessly polished into a convex shape. Its oval form exuded a smooth texture, devoid of any irregularities. It could seamlessly envelop Alex's face, obscuring his features completely, without even providing a means for him to see through it.
'Why?'
'A mask that renders the wearer blind. However, Dhairya wouldn't present a failed creation. So, what's the secret behind it?'Alex pondered, observing Dhairya's smirking expression.
"Give it a try," Dhairya encouraged.
"Alright," Alex complied, promptly placing the mask on his face.
The moment the mask touched his skin, a refreshing wave of energy cascaded over his face. It felt akin to the touch of a ceramic plate, cool and soothing. Suddenly, the mask activated an internal energy mechanism, generating a subtle yet controllable suction force that securely adhered it to his face.
As Alex ran his fingers along the surface of the mask, he could sense it as if he were touching his skin. Miraculously, he could peer through the solid layer of the mask, gazing at the world beyond. All the while no one outside could observe his eyes.
It was a wondrous tool crafted exclusively for him, fulfilling every requirement he had requested.
Filled with excitement, Alex proceeded toward a nearby mirror, with Dhairya wearing a smile as he followed along.
"It's a perfect fit," Alex commented as he viewed his reflection.
There were no bumps or contours on the mask. It was smooth and oval shaped completely covering his face. The featureless mask made him look even more mysterious as he donned it.
"Of course, it has to be when you spent a 10,000 gold coin on it."
"What!" Alex screamed in anguish as he heard the price. He couldn't fathom how a single mask drained his wallet.
"Oh! 10,000. Was I not clear." With an innocent smile, Dhairya inquired.
"That's as much as two million chickens. How did you spend that much for a single mask?"
"No, you won't be able to buy two million chickens with just 10000 gold coins. The price would increase drastically due to the increase in demand.
"Besides that, how can you still measure the value object with chicken when your wealth is growing by the minute? 10,000 coins are nothing much if you compare it to the profit we made in recent months.
"So, it was an easy decision for me to craft you the best mask I can." Dhairya unapologetically explained.
"Ah!!! I give up. You spend it however you like, as long as we have enough money to deploy our stores all around the continent, I don't care about it."
"Don't worry, the mask is worth the price. It was made from the ivory tusk of a tier 4 mammoth. It was designed to hide your identity even under the prying eyes of strong warriors. Most types of energy senses would be rejected by the mask improving your stealth while at the same time improving your defence.
"It's worth the money Meru," Dhairya explained the details.
Delighted by the additional properties that enhanced his stealth and defence, Alex's spirits soared. Once he had ensured his business matters were in order, he resolved to pay a visit to Kalina.
Two days prior, Kalina had extended an invitation for Alex to visit the palace of the ice-phoenix tribe. Hence, it was only logical for him reach after a two-day trip from the Stonehead tribe.
—----------
The vibrant cityscape unfolded before Alex's eyes, capturing his awe. At the heart of it all stood the magnificent palace, a sight he was acquainted with, yet its grandeur never failed to diminish his sense of wonder.
Following the attack on the blue-gem city during his previous visit to the palace, the atmosphere had been sombre, and the structure itself appeared worn and desolate. However, at present, the marble floors radiated vitality, accentuated by the bustling and jubilant crowd that traversed them.
Alex was directed towards Kalina's presence, finding her seated behind a desk, engrossed in paperwork. As soon as her gaze fell upon him, she rose from her seat, extending a warm welcome. A maid was promptly dispatched to procure some tea, while Kalina gradually turned her attention towards Alex and began to speak.
"I had expected to find you in the blue-gem city. Your swift return caught me by surprise. Please accept my apologies for inconveniencing you with this invitation. I was not in the city at that time." Kalina expressed in an apologetic tone.
However, it didn't seem apologetic at all to Alex. Given Alex's comprehensive knowledge of recent events, it seemed to him like a subtle attempt to extract information.
Why else would she mention his presence in the city couple of days ago?
He may or may not be right. But he had to be cautious around here to not reveal his hidden identity. So, Alex began to play along with her.
"Why did you extend an invitation for me to visit the palace? I believed Dhairya had already discussed the matter of supplying vegetables, grains, and other food items to the city with you," Alex promptly redirected the conversation, feigning ignorance while focusing on the previous business arrangement.
By diverting her attention in this manner, he aimed to create doubt without allowing her to confirm his hidden identity unless he willingly acknowledged it.
"Yes, we have confirmed the orders and finalised on the appropriate price for everything. It was not the reason why I invited you to the city."
Kalina confirmed Alex's doubt.
'She is doubtful of my presence. She wants to test me…' Alex thought as he welcomed the next words.
"Do you have any knowledge regarding the events that transpired in Thira last week?" Kalina inquired, subtly probing for any hint. Although Penthe, the leader of the Noble Trader Association, had mentioned that Meru was present in the city during that time, Kalina sought confirmation.
If Alex were to fabricate a lie and deny being present, Kalina could conclude that he was the mysterious white-robed individual.
"No," Alex promptly lied, unaware of the pitfall he was stepping into. With no other option, he had to feign ignorance.
A beautiful smile illuminated Kalina's face upon hearing his words. She had been in close proximity to the white-robed figure when he came to her rescue. The sensation she experienced then bore a resemblance to the way Alex had saved her from the white snake. It was an unforgettable experience for her.
As all the pieces of evidence aligned, Kalina began to solidify her conclusion that Alex was, in fact, the true identity behind the white-robed man. The truth was finally unravelling before her.
However, the real reason she invited Alex here was for something else. She had some information the real white-robed man might be interested in.
"Well! Let me recount to you the things that happened in Thira. A white-robed man appeared destroying one the largest Trader Association in Thira. He somehow found out that the trader association was working with the evil organisation…..
Kalina spoke calmly as she described what happed in Thira. Then she paused to scrutinise Alex's expression.
Alex calmly sat there without much change in expression. Seeing that she had paused, he asked.
"Why are you saying this to me?"
"Just because we are allies. You are one of the most formidable warriors in the region under the control of the ice-phoenix tribe. I wanted to share with you the new information I've acquired regarding the evil organisation. Additionally, the white-robed individual possessed an identical skill set to yours," Kalina's words halted abruptly.
"Thank you for considering me an ally, but my abilities have no connection to any white-robed individual," Alex swiftly refuted her claim.
"I know," Kalina replied, her smile catching Alex off guard as she agreed with him.
Why was she agreeing? Had she already confirmed his true identity?
A multitude of questions invaded Alex's mind. He felt goosebumps rising on his skin as he tried to make sense of her words.
"Because the white-robed man revealed his identity yesterday," Kalina continued without giving Alex any more time to think.
'What? When did I do that? I don't sleepwalk, nor do I engage in sleeptalking. When did I unintentionally disclose my identity to the public?' Alex expressed his confusion, genuinely perplexed by Kalina's assertion.
Kalina's smile broadened as she observed Alex's confusion, further solidifying her conviction that Meru, or rather Alex, was indeed the white-robed man.
"The white-robed man, the successor of the primal chaos tribe, revealed his true identity when confronted by an elder from the Divine Butterfly tribe just yesterday. The news swiftly spread to the nine great tribes," Kalina explained.
"At first, we hesitated to accept his identity, but his possession of the same skill set as the white-robed man and his relentless pursuit of the members of the evil organisation gradually convinced us. After careful consideration, we genuinely believe him to be the true white-robed man. The news of the primal chaos tribe still guarding the central continent brought joy to everyone's hearts. Consequently, the elders of the nine great tribes began to view him as the prophesied hero, the potential victor of the upcoming champion's tournament." She relayed the information that was passed onto her to Alex.
The onslaught of information overwhelmed Alex, burying him in a whirlwind of thoughts. He swiftly realised that an imposter had emerged, assuming his identity and successfully convincing everyone that he was the real white-robed man.
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