Chapter 52
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Chapter 52: The Positive Energy of Succubus
“I’d like a serving of stir-fried green beans, a portion of salt-roasted meat, and a glass of your best juice here… um, alcohol-free, please.”
Lolth sat on a chair in front of the bar, keeping a measured distance from the middle-aged man and the handsome young man. After studying the menu for a while, she directed her order to the landlady.
The landlady nodded slightly at the request but raised an eyebrow, her curiosity getting the better of her. “People who come to the tavern, don’t they drink alcohol?”
Lolth shrugged, a casual smile playing on her lips. “Oh, my taste for alcohol is not so great, so I’ll pass. Do we really have to order drinks here?”
The landlady tilted her head slightly, appearing to consider this, then replied, “Isn’t it… a total of nine copper coins.”
Without hesitation, Lolth reached into her pouch and dropped a silver coin on the table. The sharp ding of the coin hitting the wooden surface caught the attention of a few nearby patrons.
“No need for change,” she said with a touch of extravagance.
The common currency of the continent was gold, silver, and copper coins, with an exchange rate of one to one hundred. Years ago, back in the demon race’s Trading Square, Lolth had learned to take advantage of her sharp bargaining skills. If lucky, she could strike deals with troops like the Barbarian Demon or trolls, often walking away with incredible bargains. At that time, one silver coin could buy half a sack of Abyssal Crystals.
Through her cleverness, Lolth had amassed a considerable amount of human currency, far exceeding what the average noble household might possess. Even now, her personal stash in the Interrogation Department was enviable.
People who were generous were always welcomed warmly, and Lolth’s gesture was no exception. The landlady’s demeanor softened noticeably. While not entirely motivated by money, she appreciated the kindness.
Turning away momentarily, the landlady returned with a plate of golden dried fruits and a pale red grape juice poured from a white iron cup she had filled from a wooden barrel.
The landlady lit the stove, sprinkling coarse sea salt over the half-cooked meat slices. With swift efficiency, she grilled them on the open flame, ensuring the perfect sear before placing them on a small grill and serving them to Lolth. Alongside the meat, she added the dried fruits and a glass of pale red grape juice.
Lolth inhaled deeply, savoring the smoky fragrance of the roasted meat. A satisfied smile spread across her face. “Very nice cooking,” she remarked approvingly.
In the Republic of Seychelles, beans, salted meat, and wine formed a staple combination among the new nobility and high-ranking mercenaries. The crunchy green beans, tender grilled meat, and tangy wine were a simple yet decadent trio. Lolth, however, didn’t drink alcohol. The landlady, perceptive and well-versed in the tastes of her patrons, had thoughtfully swapped wine for grape juice—a drink that looked almost like unfermented wine, poured straight from the wooden barrel.
“I can’t believe the first meal here is so good,” Lolth said, alternating bites of the roasted beans and sips of the grape juice. She paused, considering the taste. “The only downside is… if this meat was a bit fattier, or if they’d used more oil when cooking it.”
The landlady chuckled softly, rubbing the silver coin Lolth had handed her. “The guest seems to know a lot about food. Is this your first time in our town? What do you plan to do here?”
Lolth opened her mouth to respond with the usual adventurer’s excuse—I’m just passing through—but before she could, a tipsy old man interrupted.
“Hey, this lady probably hasn’t even been to Vera Plain before, right?” He leaned on the table, resting his chin in one hand while giving Lolth a sidelong glance. “Just look at her, she’s obviously not a local!”
Lolth chuckled lightly at his bluntness. “That’s true,” she admitted, her smile warm but reserved. “But I’ll probably stay here for a while.”
“A while… well, you never know,” the old man chuckled, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. “These things are always unpredictable…”
“You’re really drunk,” the landlady muttered, casting a sharp glance his way. “You’re starting to talk nonsense again, Maider.”
“What does it matter to say a few words?” Uncle Maider replied with a lazy shrug. “After all, they’re guests who’ve come from afar. The nobleman ran away, the guest arrived… it’s a pity. Alas, there’s still nothing to offer this guest.”
He turned toward the young, handsome boy sitting beside him. “Don’t you think so, Ann?”
The boy, addressed as Ann, remained silent, finishing the drink in his cup before speaking. His voice was calm but laced with resignation. “At least it couldn’t be worse.”
“It will always get worse,” Uncle Maider retorted, waving his hand dismissively. “In this world, things never get better!”
“Say no more, Maider,” the landlady interjected with a sigh. “What can you do anyway?” Her gaze shifted to Lolth, her expression a mix of resignation and weariness. “Well—what you see is what you get. Here we have complaining drunkards, boring fellows like a gourd, and me, the woman running this shop. Nobody really feels connected to the Qinma Principality, or even this continent, anymore…”
Lolth observed the three of them: Uncle Maider, Ann, and the landlady. Their laid-back, slightly melancholic demeanor filled the air with a strange sense of lazy camaraderie. She found herself relaxing too—this kind of atmosphere was something she could appreciate as an expert in slacking off.
Still, the negativity was palpable. Even these two regulars, drowning in their quiet despair, seemed like people who’d recently failed an exam or lost a job. Lolth, despite her love for being laid-back, felt the need to say something to lift their spirits. After all, this was her first meal here—a memory worth brightening.
She turned to Uncle Maider and the young man named Ann, her voice brimming with sincerity. “Tomorrow will be better. Everyone should stay positive! Have good vibes! Keep going forward!”
Before anyone could respond, Lolth stood up and reached into her pouch. With a flick of her wrist, two silver coins landed on the table, catching the light as they spun to a stop.
“Consider their drinks on me!” she declared with a grin before turning to leave.
Yuul
Thanks for the chapter!! 🙂