The Other Side of the Mask 23 Chapter 23: A Dead Town

"Mmmm, smells like raw fish…"

Ji looks at me weirdly, "Of course it would be…"

I skip around looking at the piers. They seem to be in good condition? So what's wrong? I look around. The stores are good too. Ji follows me and so does the unit. They are scattered with some near the carriage and the leader following me. As I go nearer to the middle of the harbor city, it starts to get darker and less well conditioned. A ghastly smell fills the air. I cover my nose in disgust. There are orphaned poor children lying on the streets, dressed in rags, and the homeless filling every alleyway.

"Let's head back," Ji muffles.

I nod and we go back out into the well conditioned port. Only this time did I notice. The people around dressed strangely. There are ones with eye patches, others with these big hats and some of the ships are flagged with skulls. Actually, it's a flower but if you look closer, you can see the skulls. It was like a thin coat that will trick those who merely glance at it.

"Pirates," I whisper to Ji and the leader of the secret unit.

Their faces become serious and they keep up their guard. We walk back to the carriage somewhat warily, also trying to avoid suspicion. Ji whispers the situation to the driver and he quickly brings us away.

The moment we get back, I demand to interrogate the bandits.

"Where are you from?" I ask, of course this time, wearing pants.

They glare at me without a word. If looks could kill, I'd probably be dead with those glares. I sigh after waiting a couple minutes. I hand over a small file to the knight.

"Please find out everything about them. Including their families," I command.

A shadow looms over the bandits faces and they turn away. I head back to the library and study. Librarian Lu answered all my questions, and I realize that the south is most likely taken over by pirates. The nobles there and the pirates probably made a deal and the common citizens are left without a scrap of money which is why many leave, and the majority is influenced to become bandits and steal, just like the pirates. I glance over at the clock. It's almost time for dinner already. A knock sounds on the library door.

"Come in," I say as I drop my book down on the table.

"I have finished the reports," the knight in charge of researching the bandits says.

He hands over the file, and I scan through. Just as I thought… most of them lost family members, and they're all poor commoners. My face darkens. Pirates… huh… then, a creepy smile slowly appears on my face. The knight shivers. We should have them have a taste of their own medicine, right?

Chapter end