Nightmare Mythos

Cesar observed Reyna fast asleep after relaying her story to him, her tears were still visible.

Now that it became clear the confusion regarding Joshua's death that Reyna tried to hide from everyone, Cesar became relieved that he was the first one she had told him.

After all, when Cesar researched the news of the deaths of the people who went through the Mansion, Joshua's death was unknown.

Nike happened to be in that situation and was probably shocked to see his brother reduced to such a state that she blamed Reyna, who was the only victim of a Nightmare, at that time.

'It was the Librarian…'

Cesar let out a tired sigh as he grabbed a glass of water and drank it after feeling parched. Standing up from his position, he trod towards the exit and met Reyna's squad at the end of the hallway.

"Did you hear anything?"

"Hear what? Ah, if you're talking about peeping whatever Leader and you talked about then no, nothing at all. We're waiting here to avoid accidental noise that might erupt inside,"

The guy who looked like the vice leader under Reyna's tutelage replied.

Cesar observed the man for a brief moment before asking, "What's your name?"

"It's Lennon,"

Cesar tapped his shoulder and stated, "Okay, Lennon. Take care of her. She's asleep due to drinking. When she wakes up, the premise that she's still here, tell her we'll meet at the ceremony soon. Do you copy?"

Lennon removed Cesar's hand and replied, "I will deliver the news to her, Sparrow,"

Cesar chuckled as it seemed his sloppy cover would make him recognizable to a few people who have the means to distinguish someone.

Judging that Reyna's squad wasn't surprised by that news, Cesar already nodded once and had nothing to worry about.

Now that they knew him, everything would proceed smoothly.

"I'll be on my way now,"

Cesar left those words as he waved his hands. Leaving the restaurant while immediately sobering up, he went to his next destination.

…

Unlike Nightmare shops or even normal shops themselves, the guilds that Cesar passed by were bustling with people.

Not to mention the Hunter Association Guild that Arnold revealed earlier. The guild itself was huge, almost looking like a tower standing in the middle of the street. Obviously, people came inside and out of this building.

There's a reason why he needed to come here.

As always, it was to gather information.

Tap—!

Entering the building, a few people started to notice his presence. And since his cover was nothing near perfect and barely could even called a cover, conversations started to erupt that Cesar paid no attention.

Chatter—!

He went straight to the counter as people made way for him to show respect. Finally, at the end of the line, he met what seemed to be a receptionist for the guild.

"What do I owe the pleasure, Hero of Wheels?"

For a brief moment, the area grew silent. That soon extinguished when a louder chatter erupted all around.

With a sigh, Cesar removed the hood from his head and showed his face to everyone.

'We just got here to this city and everyone seemed to be already aware of my presence. This seems to be going around before even I met Reyna, which seemed to be the case…' Cesar paused as he tried to see the perpetrator in the crowd, 'Someone's keeping a close watch on my movements,'

Cesar removed the dangerous thoughts around his head before demanding, "I know you're not the owner but I'll tell it to you anyway. 'Arnold's on the house',"

The receptionist smiled from ear to ear before gesturing for Cesar to follow him, "This way, Hero of Wheels. I'll lead you to the branch leader,"

…

No conversation happened between Cesar and the receptionist. Just like what he had told earlier, he was only there to bring him to the branch leader.

By the time Cesar knew it, he was already in front of the supposed branch leader's chambers.

Knocking once after seeing the receptionist leaving, Cesar waited for a few seconds until the door unlocked on its own. Inside the room revealed a man wearing nothing but trousers.

This branch leader shifted his gaze at Cesar before brimming with a smile, "Welcome,"

Cesar stared at the branch leader's eyes before replying, "Arnold's on the house,"

The branch leader motioned a face slap and nodded, "I've heard you from the recorder placed at the reception hall. All right, Hero of Wheels. What do you want to know?"

Cesar entered the branch leader's chambers after being signaled by him to enter. He then demanded flatly.

"Can I borrow some maps that can be used legally and illegally? It's okay if it's not accurate. Just give me anything," Cesar paused as he pondered his next words before adding, "Another thing, can you tell me any additional news regarding the Hero of Wheels, Cesar Sparrow? What's his current status and situation?"

The branch leader let out a huge yawn as he rubbed his abdomen before he went to one of the cabinets and began searching for something.

"I'm Ark, by the way. The branch leader of the Associations Guild in Dawn Breaker,"

"I don't care but it's nice to meet you,"

Ark let out a letdown sigh before he finally grabbed a list of blueprints from one of the cabinets and went straight to Cesar.

"Here's the latest blueprint I had in this city. I've also given you the structure of Castle Hearth where the event with your ceremony will be occurring seems you are unaware of the building itself,"

After handling everything Cesar wanted to know regarding his first request, Ark grabbed the tobacco cigar beside the table before puffing out smoke.

"Phew…"

Ark put the words he'll be uttering as an answer before revealing, "I'm sure you're confused as to how everyone had become aware of your presence even if you're in the Academy most of the time. No, probably even before that. The time when you exited out somewhere in the City Of Wheels to come back from where you've traveled,"

Ark sniffed a bit of the smoke he released from his mouth before adding another key information, "There's a huge bounty in your head, Hero of Wheels. The demands are simple and it was to bring you dead or alive,"