"I think you should remove your armor whenever we go in disguise. It will make you stand out less," Asher said with crossed arms as he stood before her.
He felt that her intimidating aura would draw too much attention, especially when they were trying to remain incognito.
Even if people did not guess her identity, it would make it seem obvious that she was probably accompanying an influential person by simply standing outside like a guard.
Eradicator shook her head and replied, "I can't do that. It's my duty to protect you, and I need to be prepared for any danger that may come our way."
Asher could see that he couldn't change her mind. But he didn't give up and said, "If you are that adamant about it, I have an idea. Follow me."
Asher took Eradicator to a nearby demon pet shop gand started browsing the aisles. At the same time, Eradicator walked behind him, wondering why he came here.
Finally, Asher found something that caught his eye - a demonic cat with sleek black fur and piercing red eyes with two fluffy tails. It looked very young, and Asher could guess it was probably not more than a few months old.
The pet vendor, a stout and cheerful-looking demon with bull-like horns noticed two tall cloaked figures entering his shop.
He felt chills just by sensing the aura from one of the cloaked figures filling his shop and realized that these two were surely not some nobodies. Surely, he can't let go of this opportunity.
He eyed the mysterious man in a cloak with excitement as he approached him, "Ah, welcome, welcome! Looking for the finest pet as a companion for you?" He said, grinning widely, "Ah, ah, it seems you already have chosen your companion," He said upon noticing how this mysterious man had already set his sights on one of the most expensive pets in the shop.
"Tell me more about it," Asher said with crossed arms.
As if the pet vendor was eagerly waiting for him to ask that, he opened his mouth wide as he eagerly explained, "This little gal is a rare breed of vampire cats known as Bloodheart. A perfect companion if you are a vampire but even if not it would be a fine match for anyone with noble blood. They are known for their sneaky ability to let their master see what they see through a blood bond. When this ability is coupled with their impressive agility, they would make an excellent companion to hunt down enemies. But that is not all! Once it matures, it can transform into something huge and fearsome while returning to its smaller form as well."
Asher didn't expect this cat to be that special and asked with a skeptical look, "For your sake, I hope this cat is as special as you say."
The pet vendor grinned as a drop of sweat trickled down his brows, "Of course, of course. I swear on my family and my business that I never sell anything with bogus words. This little pup might be a little hard to tame but also can be incredibly affectionate and loyal and quite intelligent too. So it can learn any tricks you might want to teach it," The pet vendor added, just to make sure this man won't feel like changing his mind.
"Hmm, how much is it?" Asher asked the question that mattered.
"Ehm, for such a kind and great sir like you, I am willing to offer my best-discounted rate of 10,000 Life Crystals," The pet vendor said with a wide grin and added, "It's a steal at this price, and I am sure other vendors won't sell it to you for anything less than twice of the price I suggested. I can also assure you that nobody would be able to find these cute but powerful things anywhere in this kingdom. They thrive halfway across our world but are very hard to catch and breed. This is why most people in our kingdom can't recognize it."
Asher had his brows raised upon hearing such an exorbitant price. But he wasn't worried as he looked at Eradicator behind him and said, "I want you to buy this."
Eradicator turned her head towards him and asked in a stolid voice with a hint of confusion, "Why?"
"Because it is going to help you perform your duty better, or do you not want to do so?" Asher asked with a fixed gaze.
"I don't understand. I don't need a companion to perform my duties without fail," Eradicator confidently said. How could something as weak as a cat help her in any possible way?
Asher gestured for her to come over to a side and said, "Because it will help you stand out less instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. Whenever we are in disguise, you aren't really blending in with the rest, which is risky for me and ruins the purpose of disguising. I know you aren't used to being in disguise, and that is why a pet is going to make you appear less intimidating. Its ability also will come useful to you in some situations. So why don't you first buy it, and I will show you how it's done."
Eradicator thought about it for a moment and nodded, "I understand. I will buy it," Saying so, Eradicator placed her hand on the glass box which housed the cat while the pet vendor licked his lips, feeling that his guess was right.
For someone to spend 10,000 life crystals without much hesitation could only mean they were coming from unfathomable backgrounds.
Asher was also a bit surprised she didn't seem to hesitate much to spend so many life crystals. But as a Bloodborn Guard, it is only obvious she gets paid well too.
The runes on the glass box lit up, indicating that the transaction of 10,000 life crystals was complete.
The pet vendor grinned at her and said, "Congratulations, you've just got yourself a great opinion. Please go ahead and welcome it into your arms," He said as the lid of the glass box opened up.
Eradicator peered inside the box and saw the cat staring back at her with its dark red eyes.
The cat cocked its head to the side, studying her with a curious expression.
Eradicator tentatively reached into the box and was about to grab the cat by its head, her hands forming a claw, when Asher suddenly stopped her with a bemused look, "Are you trying to kill it? Use both your hands and gently lift it by its arms."
She turned her head back towards the cat and, this time, used both her hands as she scooped up the cat and brought it out of the glass box. She was surprised at how light the creature was; it almost felt weightless in her arms.
However, as she held it, she noticed that the cat had a strange energy about it, almost like a subtle one that emanated from its body.
*Meow~* The cat let out a soft meow as it licked the gloves of Eradicator gently, making her tilt her head as she stared at it closely with curiosity.
The pet vendor had his jaw slack upon seeing how this cat, known for being very difficult to tame, had already accepted her as its master. Surely it would soon form a blood bond with her once she gains more of its trust. What kind of magic did she do?
The cat gazed up at her with an expression that was hard to read. Eradicator wondered what was going through its mind and whether this pet was really going to be useful for her.
Asher walked out of the shop while Eradicator followed behind, still holding the cat by its arms as its feet dangled in the air and kept purring.
Asher shook his head upon seeing how she had no idea how to treat a pet of that size.
"Are you planning to tire out your arms by holding it like that all the time? Keep it close to your chest and keep petting it and try to relax. That is how you will blend in, and make sure to withdraw your aura just like you would do when following an enemy stealthily," Asher instructed as Eradicator silently followed what he said by cradling the cat in her arms and gently petting its head.
As she did this, she heard the cat purring and making itself comfy in her embrace. The cat's fur felt so soft, and its small body fit perfectly in her embrace. She didn't know why, but she felt a sense of calm wash over her as the cat continued to purr and rub its face against her arms.
Asher nodded with a satisfied look upon seeing how her aura gradually became calmer and reserved. He knew if he simply told her to withdraw her aura, she would still stand out due to her natural demeanor.
But now that she was distracted with a pet, her body language would naturally mellow and make her stand out way less.
However, he was surprised that a young cat like that was already taking well to her despite the cold bloody aura surrounding her.
"Now all that is left is to name your pet," Asher said, making Eradicator look at him and ask, "Name it?" She was left puzzled, not knowing what name to give her new pet. This was a first for her. Even her mount's name was not given by her.
"Just give it some girly name since the cat is a female. And no…Don't give it any name that sounds like a title," Asher said, just to make sure she won't give it a name similar to hers.
Eradicator stared at the cat as she went into deep contemplation.
Asher shook his head with a sigh upon seeing how she was struggling with something so simple and said, "You know what. Just name the cat 'Twilight'." Asher felt such a name was in between a title and a name and would probably suit her.
Eradicator slowly nodded as she looked at it and mumbled, "Twilight…"
