No

Marius had kept a close eye on every pocket of villagers he came across, his hand on his sword always. Never know when someone was stupid enough to test their mettle against him and be the hero of the locals. That would complicate matters in trying to find the murderer. Not to mention it would be rather...awkward, to try and explain to the Grand Inquisitor.

But as he came into the village center, and by consequence the marketplace, there was no uproar against him. Nobody ambushed him, nor challenged him, or anything. He seemed relatively in the clear for now. Still not letting his hand leave his sword hilt, he strolled about the marketplace until he found what he was looking for...the food vendor.

Or well, one of them, there was quite a few. But there was only one here that was selling storable food in bulk like what Darien had. Additives, supplicants, sides, and emergency stock in bulk. Chances are this was the merchant that sold Darien the barrel of rice. And they'll probably have information about the events leading up to the ****.

It was a man, slender in frame. Chances are he didn't dip into his stock often. He didn't appear too wealthy either, dressed in rags as he was. As odd as it were to see a poor merchant, his reactions upon seeing Marius coming up to him was anything but odd. A look of fear came across his features, and then of rage as he pointed at the Rune Blade.

"You! Monster! Get away from my stall! Go, no! Shoo!"

Marius remained unphased by the commands of the peasant as he just stated his purpose, "Look, I have no intentions to harm you. I'm just here to-"

"Intentions! Like I care about the intentions of you hocus-pocus creations of blasphemers! You do my business harm just by being here! Go away, before the others string me up for fraternizing with your ilk!"

The Rune Blade sighed, "I just want to ask questions about Darien."

The merchant scoffed, "Like you vile abominations know nothing of that! Probably just here to brag about your handy work! Now leave before I cry out for lynchers to skin you alive!"

It seemed the merchant wasn't going to be helping out of the kindness of his heart. What's one to do?