Chapter 314
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Chapter 314: Unexpected Visitors and Different Strategies
In the town, a pair of unfamiliar visitors strolled along the streets of the Western New District, curiously looking at their surroundings.
Schools, hospitals, City Hall Square… all kinds of new buildings and the passionate residents of Hillenbrand Town seemed like fresh experiences for these two visitors.
One of the visitors was a young Shield Warrior with neat short hair and a tall, serious appearance; the other looked like the wife of a middle-aged wealthy merchant, slightly plump and dressed in a luxurious robe, adorned with expensive and sparkling jewelry.
This combination has been quite common in Hillenbrand Town recently, as many small vendors around have tasted the sweetness of doing business, yet they worry about going to this little town that has "former Holy Alliance members, demon races, and South Sotua mercenaries" and may never return, hired by a new noble class who has a bodyguard.
In Hillenbrand Town today, where everyone is dressed a bit oddly, it seems even more unremarkable.
But if you look closely, you can still notice some unusual things.
The merchant does not seem like a typical greedy businessman; he shows no fear of this "dangerous" town and the strange Superoperators on the street.
Normal wealthy merchants from Vera Plain’s noble families would probably faint at the sight before them, having been pampered and spoiled.
And the Shield Warrior, while carrying a large shield, also seems not particularly concerned about the wealthy merchant’s safety.
"That’s amazing… to turn a backward, remote town into something I don’t even recognize in such a short time," the Shield Warrior remarked as he looked around, "this is what they call ‘magical’… seeing it in person is truly different from just hearing about it."
The middle-aged merchant beside him nodded.
"Indeed… and even compared to other places on the continent, the smiles of the people in this town are the purest."
"Just seeing this makes me feel like the trip was worth it."
The Shield Warrior smiled again and shook his head.
"As expected, no matter the reason, choosing to step outside… is the right decision."
As the Shield Warrior said this, he looked at the original part of the town, where the towering torture tower stood.
"However… no matter what, we must not forget our original goal."
The slightly plump woman, resembling a wealthy middle-aged merchant, nodded.
"I understand… when the time is right, we will go there and take a look—after all, we are currently ‘sneaking in’!"
She said this with a playful tone.
Meanwhile, within Hillenbrand Town, two other groups of "special visitors" were already wandering close to the direction of the torture tower.
One group stopped in front of the little tavern.
The members of this group were dressed quite strangely.
Even under the current "dress-up" festival in Hillenbrand Town, they looked rather out of place.
The tall woman had a beautiful and delicate face, with bright blue-green hair that fell softly over her shoulders.
Her eyes were a pale gray, hazy as if they were out of focus.
She wore a black, vintage dress, with a large coat that had a single row of buttons slanting across it. The shoulders and chest were decorated with thin pieces made of metal, engraved with light patterns, and her layered skirt was covered in many tiny, shiny metal sequins.
This outfit looked like a variation of what the church priest wears, but no church currently shows anything like this style.
On her head was a tall black hat, and in her hand, she held a black and gold cane about the length of her forearm.
On her shoulder perched a completely black bird, almost blending in with her dress, like Raven.
But that crow had sharp, piercing eyes and a beak like a hawk!
Standing in front of the tavern, the woman had mist swirling in her eyes as she smiled and spoke.
"I didn’t notice outside… that there was such a ‘place’ here."
The strange crow perched on her shoulder tilted its head and said, "So… shall we go inside and take a look?"
"Of course, we have no rush anyway…"
The tall woman with dark green hair said this as she lightly pushed open the tavern’s big door with the end of her dark cane, which glimmered with a faint golden light.
The landlady, sitting behind the bar, lifted her eyes to glance at the newcomer and showed a rare moment of surprise, then smiled.
"Oh my… I’ve been discovered by an extraordinary guest."
As she said this, she sat up from her reclining chair, crossed her legs, and rested her chin on her hand while looking at the woman with dark green hair.
"So… would you like something to drink?"
"Just water is fine."
The woman with dark green hair sat down and gently tapped the bar, saying.
A glass of water silently appeared in front of her.
"How did you notice… I thought it was seamless."
The landlady looked across the table and asked.
"It is precisely because it is too seamless," the woman with dark green hair said calmly, "because… I shouldn’t have ‘ignored’ this place for no reason."
The strange crow on her shoulder preened its feathers and said, "To be honest… it’s surprising that someone like you is hidden in this small town."
"Surprising? I find it quite normal."
The landlady smiled and looked out the door.
"It’s like Lolth appearing here… it’s not an accident – all ‘accidents’ are choices that follow a ‘pattern’."
The woman with dark green hair touched the cup, remaining silent.
The strange raven on her shoulder continued to ask.
"So, your presence here is not an ‘accident’… Is there any reason for staying?"
"Even though it’s not an ‘accident’, there’s not really a reason, just that it’s comfortable here," the landlady said, waving her hand. "I have nothing to do with that succubus… Don’t worry about me; I’m just her teacher for her foster daughter."
"I understand. Thank you for being willing to answer."
This time, it was the woman with dark green hair who spoke.
She stood up and walked out of the tavern.
"Ah—please say hello to my ‘old friends’ for me; you know who they are."
A lazy voice from the landlady came from behind her.
She received no reply, and the woman with the strange crow continued on toward the torture tower.
Before the torture tower, the last group of visitors was already standing at the foot of the tower.
Two young men who looked like they came from the countryside looked up at the tall torture tower, squinting slightly.
"This is the place, huh…"
