I didn’t understand why, but they treated the sound of that trumpet like a bad omen.

“That dumb bitch still follows you around like a dog,” Vyra interjected.

I turned to her, feeling a bit confused. She seemed so sure about where those trumpets came from. It sounded like there might be some danger involved.

“Is this a bad thing?” I asked, turning to Miria.

“Normally, it isn’t, but with you here, this may not be the best time for a visitor from the empire,” Miria said to Kael as she moved toward the gateway they had just crossed. Right outside the Fortified Inn, a woman with short red hair waited. She had a body shape similar to Miria’s.

Now that I am alone with Vyra, I shifted toward her and asked, “Should I worry about anything?”

She replied, her gaze fixed on Miria, “Just a minute, we’ll find out soon enough. They’re aware Miria’s getting a new ally. That’s why they came here—to add you to her employee list.”

“Employee list, I thought we were slaves,” I interjected with a smile on my face.

“By the rules of her spell, we are. But to the government, we are employees.” She shrugged and turned her gaze back to me.

“That’s great; I’m glad to know that. I thought slavery was more prominent.”

Vyra burst out laughing at what I’ve said. It felt like I had said something pretty stupid. “Slavery is very much prominent, especially to a man such as you. Miria can’t own slaves; that’s a privilege only conceded to nobles.” She stopped a bit before she continued. “There is a scary amount of slaves on this continent.”

I’m slowly getting to know this world, but the more I learn, the more uncomfortable I feel. Vyra snapped her fingers. It broke my thoughts, and a strange feeling hit me.

The woman, who had been standing outside the walls with her arms crossed, finally entered the gateway with Miria. From their gestures, it appeared they were having a conversation.

“Do you know this woman?” I asked.

The witch-looking woman let out a sigh as she replied, “Yes, I know her. She’s the first person to join Miria’s party, even before she learned her voodoo summoning spell.”

“Are they still working together?”

“No, but they’re not on the worst terms either; it’s more like their goals don’t align.” As I watched Vyra, her gaze drifted to her nails, and her choice of words made it clear she didn’t want to think about it—maybe it was an exhausting subject.

It’s the same type of reaction I would have if someone asked about my previous job. Explaining it would feel like a chore.

Miria and the strange woman finally stood before Vyra and me. Vyra’s furrowed, squinting violet eyes made it clear she did not like the visitor.

Talking about the visitor, in brief description, she was just as beautiful as Miria. They had similar body types too; if their faces didn’t have some differences besides the color of the eyes and hair, I would think they were the same person.

The woman beside Miria turned her head away and glanced at me, saying, “This one looks very weak. I expected you to get someone reliable this time.” Her expression showed disappointment with what she saw.

That stung a bit, but I suppose I’m no stronger than a normal human.

“No, dumbass, this is the most useful one I have ever gotten,” Miria spoke up.

“What makes you say that? Are you looking for sympathy from a mundane woman? She’d be better off as a servant somewhere else.” The redheaded responded with discontent.

“Karin,” Miria said while looking at the redhead; the stranger then glanced back at the brunette.

“What is it? Why is it so useful?” Her eyebrow raised in suspicion, expecting an explanation.

“It’s a man.” Karin’s eyes opened wide, glancing back at me. Approaching slightly until her face was just a whisper away from mine.

Looking back at Miria, puzzled, she asked, “How is it possible, how did you manage to find a man in such good shape?!” Oh, good shape? Good to know I’m considered to be in good shape.

“I know no better than you, but it’s what I received.” She responded with a casual shrug and a playful smirk.

“You should sell it,” Karin interjected.

“Why would I do that? His presence alone helps me with the Elin, Vyra problem.”

“That’s right, you have to deal with me; don’t you dare sell him, and don’t let this ugly witch tell you otherwise.” Vyra stepped forward, pointing her finger at Karin.

“I get it, Vyra. I’m not going to do that.”

“They are too stupid to own a man; you should sell him to invest the money, then you can buy another one down the line. And hope they are well-behaved by then, or else they will break an expensive one.”

“Shut up, tomato head; take care of your business,” Vyra yelled at Karin.

Karin glanced at Miria and said, “You really have a knack for attracting troublemakers.”

“That’s true, but you could’ve helped.” Miria responded before Karin went on talking.

“It’s by your own decision that I left. You should have joined me and accepted the Royal Knight role. You brought those problems on yourself.” Miria fell quiet for a moment, averting her gaze and folding her arms.

“I’m glad you are enjoying your role as a government dog. I thought you had more ambition when I first met you. But you seem to be doing alright.” The brunette answered.

“Whatever your plan is, Miria, abandon it. For your own sake.” Karin closed her eyes and stomped her foot on the ground, signaling that she was a bit impatient.

“You don’t need to pry into my business; you know exactly why I’m doing this.” Miria approached the redhead, then grabbed her by the collar and scowled.

Karin averted her gaze for a few moments before replying, “I get it. Anyway, I need to report the boy to the empire, and you know that the moment they hear it’s a boy, they will want to take a look.”

Her vision reverted to me, with a subtle smile breaking on her face.

“Several women are waiting outside for my signal to check the inn. You should go inside and hide. If they find you, Miria will have to pay some big taxes; in the worst-case scenario, we will be forced to take you right away.”

She paused a bit, then looked at Miria, who had just released her grip on Karin’s collar.

“I recommend bringing him there within a month. This will help you regain some of the trust you’ve lost and keep him on board for now.”

I can tell that this woman, whoever she is, isn’t an enemy of Miria, she might know her goal too.

“This is my first time here. I have no idea where to hide,” I said to Karin.

A soft hand touched my right shoulder. following by a sultry voice, “I can help.”

I look behind me to see who it was; surprise, surprise, it was Elin, the woman who had stalked me an hour ago. Again, how did she manage to sneak up on me like this twice?!

Miria crossed her arms as she gave an order: “Elin, take him to the basement. Soon enough, the empire’s soldiers will be taking a look around.”

The tall woman nodded before she pulled me inside the inn with the force of a truck. As we stepped inside, a strange warmth enveloped me. It felt like sitting by a cozy bonfire on a chilly night.

Inside the inn, there were a few things that caught my attention. Empty tables surrounded us, lit by candles, a chandelier, and torches. Two staircases between a bar on the first floor led to the second floor, which had a balcony.

But one thing that didn’t leave my mind was how strange that warmth felt. Which contrasted a lot with the elf’s cold hand touching mine; it felt like ice.

My footsteps echoed through the empty hall. But I realized hers were silent. It felt strange how quiet it was. If I hadn’t felt her hand touching me, I’d think she was a ghost.

As she keeps pulling deeper into the tavern, my gaze turns back to her. No words could describe her other than incredibly beautiful. She’s the definition of the cliché supermodel: tall, blonde, and has piercing blue eyes. I wonder if I have a chance with her… Hmm, probably not. She doesn’t even bother speaking to me, and none of the girls have flirted with me yet.

Maybe those women don’t want a partner but just someone to talk to of the opposite gender. This could be an attention-seeking situation. I thought I would be a prostitute. But really, I might be the gay friend who listens for hours. That would be a fucking horrible fate with so many beautiful women.

After a few minutes passed, Kael found himself in the inn’s storage behind the bar on the first floor.

It was huge. Like, that place was bigger than the Inn we entered; it didn’t make any sense. And despite how warm the Inn was. Once I crossed the door of the storage, it was like a completely different place. It was cold here, not cold enough to freeze water but close to it.

After we went past a few shelves, we stood at the front of two shelves at the end of the room. Those two shelves were distinct. Rubust, and full of thick, old books, and there was a small gap between one shelf and the other.

Elin moved closer and placed her hands in the small gap. Then she pushed them apart. The shelves seemed heavy, but she maneuvered them with ease. Not a single book was disturbed.

It was easy for me to see that those shelves had a mechanism to slide.

Elin took a step back and pressed her boots against a spot on the floor. It clicked. The space behind the two shelves slowly opened a passage.

To be specific, a stairway that led to the underground. I can’t see how deep it goes; only the first few steps are visible.

“Why so much secrecy? Is Miria a drug dealer?” I asked jokingly.

“Silence,” Elin replied while tightening her fists’ grips. I don’t know how I made her so mad and why she is acting like this! But it feels awkward to be around her.

It will definitely be a challenge to discover what Miria is up to.

The descent down the stairway, and I followed along. Fifteen steps we took to reach the bottom that led to a large double door that was twice Elin’s height.

With a swift motion, she seized the door handle and stepped through. Once inside, she lingered, still clutching the handle. Gazing my way, she spoke, her words hanging in the air.

“Come in.” She said while staring back at me.

Her silhouette loomed at the door, an unsettling sight. She peered at me, expressionless, as if carved from stone. The door, massive and imposing, only amplified the atmosphere.

Behind her, darkness wrapped around everything, shrouding secrets unknown. Only her pale skin broke the shadows.

The passage behind me had begun to close, as its sound echoed throughout the stairway. I strolled until I stood in front of her. Her expressionless gaze stayed fixed on me, heightening the eerie sense of danger.

No words left her mouth.

I felt like I was walking into a trap.

One step in, and the door behind me closed with a sudden thud.

Then I felt an overwhelming force pushing me against the door; needless to say, it was Elin.

I twisted my body, struggling against the push, but it was a useless effort—her strength was inhuman. Her right hand pressed against my chest, pinning me down as my lungs fought for air. ‘What—are… are you doing?’ I gasped out, the words breaking between shallow breaths.

Amidst the shadows of that dark room, I caught the faint curve of a smirk forming on her lips as she held me against the door, unyielding and silent.