UPDATE: THANKS TO MY SLOW ASS CHAPTERS 0-2 HAS BEEN PROOFREAD. ENJOY READING. LOL.

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Chapter 31: Invitation to the Darkness

Zarc’s Quiet Pub — that’s the name of this place. A place where the townsfolk eat and drink after a hard day of work. It’s also a good place to gather information since most of the locals love to brag when they’re drunk.

Gordon and I occupy a table on the far end, where we can see an overview of things happening around the bar. While I’m eating my food, Gordon keeps calling out to his daughter, Celica, to order more beer. Or at least that’s his excuse.

“She’s not gonna come if you keep pestering her.”

Gordon glares at me, but immediately reverts back to his joyful face as soon as her daughter turns around to check. “Tseh, my daughter’s so cute I’m willing to forgive you.”

Sighing, I scratch my head. “You know, this was your wife’s idea. I originally planned for Meles to work by herself, but then, Cecillia came in and suggested they all work together instead.”

I chug my glass of milk and look past Gordon.

Remi’s bending down to wipe the tables, revealing a sight of her pantie for me to enjoy. Thank the lord there isn’t anybody beside me who can see.

Other than that, the crowd’s dying down. Guests are leaving one by one. Time does matter for the most part. No matter how cute the employee is, nobody would stay late just to ogle, except for me.

The door suddenly opens, and Roxis rush to greet the guest that entered. He’s a fine looking knight with sharp slitted eyes and a sword hanging on his waist. For some reason, Roxis then guides him to our table.

“Good evening.” I stand up and shake his hand, still confused myself. Roxis smiling from ear to ear isn’t really helping my case either.

“Good evening,” the knight replies his share of courtesy.

“Kansouke, allow me to introduce my partner, Larc Arstein.”

He bows his head at that. His stern expression gives me impression that he’s somehow uptight, but I catch a hint of smile on his lips. Tracing the origin of that smile, I find Celica. So it isn’t Roxis that he came here for? What an interesting turn of events.

“Sit down, Larc.” Gordon pulls out a chair and ushers him to sit on his side, completely oblivious at the knight’s intentions. “Why don’t you join us for a drink?”

Larc sits down but raises his hands to deny his offer. “Thank you, sir, but I’m still on duty.”

“What are you getting?” Roxis asks.

“Water, if possible,” he says.

“Okay. Just a moment.”

Soon after Roxis leaves, Celica walks in. “Larc? What are you doing here?”

Gordon catches wind of the familiarity in her voice. His left eyebrow begins to twitch, yet he retains his silence and cool demeanor.

“Visiting.” Larc answers with a toothed smile, telling me that him and Gordon are not acquaintances.

At least know the name of her father! That way you wouldn’t find yourself beaten up on a street one night.

“What time will you be done?” Larc continues.

“In another hour or so,” Celica says, crossing her arms. “Why?”

“I see… I’m just wondering if I can walk you home?”

Gordon shoots him a burning glare, but Larc’s too happy to notice his own demise. There’s no saving this guy. He’s dug his own grave.

“Today?” Celica blinks, as if saying she’s confused.

“Ah… Yes…”

“Sure—”

“No thank you.” Gordon explodes. “I’ll be taking my daughter home—”

“Shut up dear.” Cecilia steps in out of nowhere and slams Gordon’s face on the table. “Larc, is it? Forgive my husband’s antics. He’s quite the protective father, you see.” She smiles, pressing Gordon’s face on the table. “Feel free to take Celica home. She’s done helping out for today.”

“Is… that right?” Larch hesitates as Gordon struggles to release himself.

It’s way too scary I back off myself. I watch as Larc and Celica get out of the bar while Gordon weeps on the wooden table. Poor old man. Roxis then taps my shoulder, gesturing me to follow him.

“Let’s go,” he says, pulling his apron overhead. “I want to see what this is about.”

For the first time I give in and agree to what he wants as I’m equally curious myself. The two of us trail after them, keeping a safe distance as to not get caught.

However, the juicy gossips never came. The two walk side by side without mentioning a word to each other. Only when he’s nearing the smithy that Larc opens his mouth to speak. “Celica, in a few days I’ll be garrisoned in a fort to the south.”

At the same time Roxis and I hide behind a wall, keeping our ears sharp as we sneak an eye out.

“I see…” Celica replies, looking down.

Larc stops in front of the store, reaching in his breast pocket. “I just want to give this to you.”

“A pendant?” Celica raises her brows.

“Yes. Can you wear it?”

“I-I don’t mind.”

With her permission, Larc walks in behind her and fastens a silver necklace around her neck. “May the Goddess Wuxeria protect you in my absence.”

“Silly.” Celica giggles. “You’re making it sound like you’re headed to war. The countryside isn’t so bad, is it?”

“Probably…” his voice trails, unable to finish.

“What?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Me too. Have a safe trip and take care.” After bidding Larc goodnight, Celica enters her home.

They do feel more than just friends to me, but as to what extent, I still don’t know. Their conversation, however, intrigues me. A fort to the south of Zarc can only mean Aspar. It’s a town not too far from my village. I’ve been there more than a couple times to sell my vegetables, but that’s it. The town itself acts like a giant fort with an inner section where the townsfolk could retreat to in case of an attack. Its walls bolster great defenses, but you can’t really say it’s the best fort to be stationed at when war sparks. After all, spanning across the bridge western side of town is demon territory.

“What do you think, Roxis?” I ask, but the pervert has gone off I didn’t even notice him leave. Turning back to Larc, I find him consoling his partner, patting his shoulder. Roxis looks back to me, I nod.

Oh well, it’s for the best it turns out this way. Now I have time to investigate. Making it seem like I left, I harness the powers of the tyrant inside me. “Shade shift.”

Then I trail after Roxis while in shadow concealment. A shame to use Tersa’s power to stalk this pervert but I have no choice, as Meles’ life is on the line. Returning to their barracks, the two quickly break off with a simple good night. I choose to follow Roxis between the two. He’s the knight officer supervising Meles’ case after all.

The guy walks past many doors and stops at the very last one in this narrow hallway. This seems like his room, so I stop there. There’s no need for me to know what this dude does in his free time, nor am I interested. That’s not what I came here for!

I trace my steps out and follow some random knights when a cute girl brushes past me. She stares at me — at the space where I stand — blinking her eyes. A line of sweat drops on my cheeks. Then she resumes her walk once more, and I sigh in relief. For a second there I thought she caught me.

Wiping my sweat, I follow after the cute girl. Maybe she’ll know where that knight commander is?

The girls enters a room, similar to the one Roxis have. Nothing special here. This seems like an ordinary room that’s reserved for knights like them.

As I was about to leave, the girl begins to undress, starting from her sword and armor. This screams for investigation itself I crouch down behind her and wait for her to lift her skirt. The girl bends to remove her knee-socks, and the fruity smell of her ass enters my nose. What a wonderful treat; I raise a thumbs up. Now let’s see if we can feel those breasts without her knowing…

-Stop!- Tersa shakes my thoughts before I can harvest her ripe melons. -My magic is not meant for trivialities like this, dumbass!-

-Respect please. I merely want to give her a small fright, then drain her of useful information afterwards. We need to find that knight commander and change Meles’ fate!-

-Excuses. Quit it and get the hell out of this room, you depraved farmer.-

-Do I have a choice?-

-No.-

Looks like there’s no choice but to comply. In one swift motion, I open and close the door as I slip out. Following my leave a cute yelp blares behind me. I’m sure that’s gonna give this girl something to think about.

“Now then… Where could that piece of shit be hiding?”

After cracking my knuckles, I continue my search.