Chapter 98 - 96: Battle Plan, Special Perfume

Chapter 98: Chapter 96: Battle Plan, Special Perfume

Miria’s delicate, fair, oval face instantly flushed crimson. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond and lowered her head.

Roy had to admit, when Miria showed this shy side of herself, she seemed even more charming than usual.

It was just like the saying.

There are few truths in this world, but a woman’s blush is worth more than a long speech.

Although Miria was blushing from embarrassment and shyness, the sight still caused the saying to flash through Roy’s mind.

Once Miria shyly lowered her head, Roy stopped teasing her. He picked up his cup, took a sip, and began to calmly survey the tavern’s other patrons.

The tavern they were in was quite ordinary. It wasn’t luxurious, nor was it well-known in Bear Claw City.

Even so, the tavern was still quite full.

As time went on, people had gradually begun to adapt to the four Dukes’ rebellion. They were no longer as panicked as when the news first broke, nor as fearful of the coming war.

Furthermore, with the future so uncertain, many had adopted an "eat, drink, and be merry" attitude after the initial panic and unease subsided.

Take the very tavern Roy was in, for example.

Many ordinary people who would never normally set foot in a tavern to drink and chat were now arriving in small groups, drinking and discussing all sorts of topics.

For instance, they talked about how far the Royal Army had advanced since splitting its forces, which Duke would ultimately claim the Royal Capital, which noble families had recently been annihilated, what businesses were profitable now, and whether one should join the army or become a Bounty Hunter to try their luck.

Roy listened in for a moment before tuning it all out.

The patrons were discussing a great many things, but there wasn’t a single piece of truly valuable information to be heard.

That was to be expected.

After all, most of the patrons were common folk. If they could get their hands on valuable intelligence, they wouldn’t be so common anymore.

Once Roy stopped teasing her, the blush on Miria’s cheeks slowly faded. She lifted her head again, picked up her cup, and took a small, ladylike sip.

...

「That evening.」

Bright moonlight enveloped all of Bear Claw City, cloaking it in a layer of peace and tranquility.

「South District.」

「Sleeping Beauty Tavern.」

Not long after nightfall, Roy and Miria arrived on the street where the Sleeping Beauty Tavern was located.

Beforehand, they had found a restaurant for dinner and briefly discussed their plan of attack for the evening.

The plan they devised was simple.

When the target appeared, they would strike directly inside the Sleeping Beauty Tavern.

Roy would lead the attack, with Miria providing support.

If anyone tried to stop them, they would be killed as well.

After eliminating the target, time permitting, they would free the female Slaves from noble families held in the tavern, escort them out of Bear Claw City, and burn the Sleeping Beauty Tavern to the ground.

As for where the female Slaves went after leaving Bear Claw City, that would be their own concern.

Freeing the female Slaves and burning down the tavern were both Miria’s ideas.

Roy hadn’t objected to her proposals and had readily agreed.

Although it would take more time, it wasn’t much trouble for him—just something to do while they were at it.

Before entering the Sleeping Beauty Tavern, Miria donned a pure white mask.

Roy had given it to her.

Roy had never been to Bear Claw City before, so even without a disguise, no one would recognize him.

Unlike him, Miria was a well-known figure in Gel County.

If she didn’t wear a mask, she would be recognized the moment she stepped inside the tavern.

That could lead to unnecessary complications.

Even with the mask, Count Frost Bear would sooner or later be able to trace things back to her.

Still, wearing it was better than not.

For one thing, as long as Miria didn’t show her face in the Sleeping Beauty Tavern, Count Frost Bear wouldn’t dare move against her openly without concrete evidence.

Doing so could easily cause the other nobles of Gel County to unite against him.

Count Frost Bear was indeed the only Count in Gel County.

But his power in Gel County wasn’t absolute.

If he truly possessed that kind of power, he wouldn’t have had to go to such lengths to dispel suspicion when people thought he was the mastermind behind the Snow Fox Tragedy.

Once Miria had her mask on, Roy didn’t hesitate. He immediately pushed open the main door of the Sleeping Beauty Tavern and walked straight inside.

Miria followed close behind him into the tavern.

The moment they stepped into the main hall, the differences between the Sleeping Beauty Tavern and any other became apparent.

First, the lighting.

Compared to other taverns, the main hall of the Sleeping Beauty was much dimmer.

The color of the light was also sultry and suggestive, making one feel as if they had entered a brothel rather than a tavern.

Second, the sound.

Despite the many patrons in the hall, it wasn’t raucous.

Neither the patrons seeking pleasure nor the tavern maids made any loud noises.

Furthermore, the musicians in the corner of the hall played melodies with that same sultry and suggestive air.

Not only that, but sounds not meant for children’s ears would occasionally mix with the music, making the atmosphere in the hall all the more licentious.

Finally, there was the scent in the hall.

A faint, Special perfume with stimulating and aphrodisiac effects wafted through the hall.

Roy’s physical constitution was far beyond that of an ordinary person, so he remained completely unaffected.

But Miria, who followed behind him, was not so composed.

Roy could clearly hear her breathing become a little more rapid.

’Even a Peak Knight can’t be completely immune?’

’They’re certainly sparing no expense!’

Roy mused to himself.

Perfumes with aphrodisiac and stimulating effects weren’t particularly expensive. You could say that any brothel that wasn’t destitute could afford to use them as a daily consumable.

However, perfumes at that price point were only effective on ordinary people.

An aphrodisiac perfume potent enough to affect an Official Knight, let alone a Peak Knight, was anything but cheap.

Considering the size of the hall, the cost of this perfume alone must have been dozens of Gold Coins a month.

Roy knew the price because he had once bought some of this very perfume from Ticky out of curiosity.

He’d bought it, but had never really used it.

Roy turned to Miria and said, "It’s not too late for you to leave. The longer you stay, the harder it will be to resist."

"I’m fine."

Miria replied quickly.

Despite her words, her breathing didn’t calm down; in fact, it grew even more hurried.

Roy said nothing more and walked straight toward the bar.

Miria followed behind him without a word.

...