Volume 6 Chapter 84

Volume 6 + Chapter 84: The Hospitable Land of Freedom

“Yes, it’s my first time in Molent. I’m really unfamiliar with this place.”

Xia Yi revealed a pure and innocent smile.

Thanks to the advantage of her appearance, she looked exactly like an ignorant young girl who knew nothing about the world, the especially gullible kind.

“And right now, I’m all alone. Since I’m completely unfamiliar with the area, I don’t even know where to start exploring.”

“Oh, so it’s your first time in Molent? Greetings, miss silver dragon from afar. I’m a warm and hospitable local resident. My name is Beyond!”

The man calling himself Beyond appeared to belong to the lion tribe. He wore a black suit and behaved with remarkable familiarity.

Xia Yi also quietly observed the others around him and noticed that they were all basically the same, putting on extremely friendly and welcoming expressions.

“My name is Xia Yi,” she replied.

“Miss Xia Yi, what a beautiful name you have.”

The lion-headed man grinned broadly.

“To be honest with you, Miss Xia Yi, if you’ve come to the Land of Freedom alone at night without anyone accompanying you, then it’s actually somewhat dangerous.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Although this is a nation of freedom, there are many people with ill intentions here. A young lady like you walking alone through the streets could very easily become a target.”

Beyond spoke with a tone full of righteous indignation.

“It’s precisely because of people like that that the reputation of our Land of Freedom has been tarnished.”

“Then you all are…?”

“We approached you because we were worried about your safety. We truly don’t want visitors who came here admiring the Land of Freedom to end up disappointed once again,” Beyond explained. “If we had ulterior motives, then why would we tell you these things that only locals of Molent know?”

“So that means… you’re all good people?”

“Of course we are.” Beyond nodded confidently.

“Then I’m relieved.”

“Miss Xia Yi, if you truly wish to enjoy Molent at night, we would still recommend hiring bodyguards.”

“But I don’t know where to hire bodyguards, and I’m sure the prices must be very expensive…”

“Well, as it happens, this is exactly the kind of work we do. Since Molent’s nights are somewhat dangerous, many people seek protection. Where there’s demand, there’s a market… We’ve been in this business for many years.”

“Is it expensive?”

“Not at all.”

Beyond quoted a surprisingly cheap price.

“Miss Xia Yi, we happened to meet by fate, and we’d like to make friends with you, so we’ll charge you the price of friendship.”

“Alright then. I’ll leave the bodyguard work to you, Mister Beyond.”

Xia Yi took out some currency from this era and handed it to him.

“Mm, we’ve received the payment. Very good. From this point onward, please allow us to provide you with security services. We’ll ensure your safety throughout Molent’s nightlife.”

Beyond politely accepted the payment for the bodyguard service.

At the same time, he inwardly sighed with emotion…

This silver dragon really was ridiculously easy to fool.

She had actually trusted the words of complete strangers so easily.

Then again, it wasn’t that surprising.

After all, judging from her appearance, she looked like some pampered young noble lady.

These wealthy children who had never experienced the harshness of the world usually possessed a sort of crystal-clear stupidity. Having grown up sheltered in comfort their entire lives, they were extremely easy to deceive.

Beyond had seen many people like that before.

In fact, he even felt that he probably wouldn’t need to use this many tricks at all. Maybe he could’ve simply lured this silver dragon loli away with a single lollipop.

“Boss, it worked…!”

One of Beyond’s subordinates looked excited.

“Don’t rush it. We’re not done yet. Stay calm and don’t expose yourselves,” Beyond whispered quietly. “From here on out, just cooperate with my plan.”

“Understood,” the subordinate replied.

“What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and catch up already!”

After walking several steps ahead, Xia Yi noticed the group whispering behind her and shouted toward them.

“If you don’t come over soon, I’m leaving all of you behind!”

“We’re coming, we’re coming! Miss Xia Yi, please don’t rush, wait for us!”

Beyond hurried after her.

…

…

Under Beyond’s guidance, Xia Yi wandered through nighttime Molent.

Whenever pedestrians on the streets saw Beyond, they intentionally stepped aside. Not a single person dared provoke the lion-headed man.

Vaguely, Xia Yi sensed that Beyond was probably somewhat famous locally.

Out of curiosity, she even asked him about it directly.

However, Beyond skillfully talked around the subject with smooth rhetoric, avoiding a direct answer and changing the topic.

All along the way, he acted as Xia Yi’s guide, showing her around while enthusiastically introducing the local customs and situation.

“Miss Xia Yi, actually, the entirety of Molent City falls under the rule of the City Lord.”

“This entire city?”

“Yes. The City Lord was once an extremely famous entrepreneur who accumulated enormous wealth. Molent City itself was only able to be built because of the City Lord’s financial support. That’s why he’s deeply respected and naturally became the ruler here.”

Beyond talked endlessly while pointing in a certain direction.

At the center of Molent City stood an enormous tower. Its lower half was completely absent, while its upper half floated suspended in midair like a miraculous spectacle.

“The City Lord resides there. Normally, he rarely appears in public. Only individuals of extraordinary status are able to meet with him.”

“I see…”

Xia Yi fell into thought.

Because of Beyond, she had learned a considerable amount of information about Molent City.

“Miss Xia Yi, after walking around for so long, would you like to rest for a while?”

Beyond stopped in front of an elegantly decorated establishment.

“This is Old Times Wine Café, one of the most popular places in all of Molent City. You may want to give it a try.”

“Wine café?”

“Yes. Unlike those noisy taverns, the environment here is exceptionally refined. It’s incredibly popular, but to preserve its atmosphere, they only accept a very limited number of customers at a time. Normally, reservations are required far in advance. However, I happen to know the owner personally, so we can skip the reservation process.”

“If it’s that convenient, then such a rare opportunity definitely deserves a try.”

Xia Yi agreed.

Beyond then led her into Old Times Wine Café.

A waiter stepped forward and was just about to ask whether they had reservations when his expression subtly changed after recognizing Beyond.

“So it’s Mister Beyond. Long time no see. Welcome to Old Times Wine Café.”

“Is your boss here?” Beyond asked.

“Our boss had something to attend to and stepped out a moment ago.”

“I brought a friend here to relax.”

“Understood. I’ll make arrangements immediately. Please allow me to escort you and your friend to a private room on the third floor.”

The waiter politely bowed to Beyond and Xia Yi before leading the way with practiced familiarity.

Xia Yi quietly observed the interior of Old Times Wine Café.

Not only was it peaceful and spotless, but the decoration style was exceptionally elegant. Numerous artistic paintings hung upon the walls, and even the lighting had been carefully integrated into the atmosphere, glowing with a soft warmth.

Compared to the dazzling neon chaos outside in the night city, this place felt extraordinarily retro, as though it existed in an entirely different world.

No wonder Old Times Wine Café was so beloved.

After arriving on the third floor, they found no other customers there. Beyond summoned a pianist, who sat in the center hall and began playing graceful classical music.

“Dear guest, what would you like to order?” the waiter asked as he placed the menu before Xia Yi.

“I’ll try… this one first.”

Xia Yi ordered a signature fruit wine.

“Very well. I’ll prepare it immediately.”

The waiter bowed before turning to leave.

As he brushed past Beyond, the two exchanged a meaningful smile while Xia Yi wasn’t paying attention.

At the same time, Beyond quietly whispered an instruction into the waiter’s ear…

[Translator’s Note: Please join the Gravity Tales’ Discord Server, if you want to hang out.]

[https://ko-fi.com/golden_dragon]