Chapitre 60: Chapter 23: Not a Lion, but a Kun_1
Time always flies when we least realize it...
Especially the perception of time in virtual novels.
[Realm of Innocence], Pato City, early morning.
Having spent almost the entire night awake, Kole left the dark wheat inn early and came to a small tavern called 'Forest Dwelling' in the city. This was the location that the gentleman had suggested to him.
This place was quite famous in Pato City, not only because 'Forest Dwelling' was open 24 hours, but more because of its unique nature, which made it an alternative among all the taverns.
It didn't serve high-alcohol spirits. The elegant, refreshing drinks they provided were more appropriately called 'Dew,' rather than alcohol. They might have contained a dash of alcohol, but even the unsophisticated farmers wouldn't spend three copper coins here for tasteless, non-diuretic, non-warming beverages that neither made them drunk nor flushed their faces.
There were no sexy, sultry waitresses - only a flower elf landlady, who was a server, bartender, and receptionist all in one. Though she was not unattractive, her unremarkable figure and less-than-impressive magical skills were enough to keep many at a safe distance.
The most important point was that, despite 'Forest Dwelling' operating 24 hours a day, after sunset, no drinks were served, loud noise was not tolerated, no one was allowed to sit at the bar, and anyone wanting to stay the night could only do so in one of the small rooms on the second floor, and of course, it cost money.
So, while it was indeed famous, the popularity of the place was quite low, attracting almost no visitors on ordinary days. But Kole was quite familiar with this place because Rona… used to love having a drink and some light refreshments here, often well into the afternoon.
Both Kole and Lada, as Rona's pursuers, as well as her close friend Ai, often came to visit her. Sometimes they, too, would sit and rest a while if they had spare time.
And now... Rona was dead... Lada was also dead... Ai, who narrowly escaped death, could very likely be hiding here...
As Kole, who had also barely escaped with his life, stood in front of 'Forest Dwelling', he felt as though he had stepped into a bygone era.
Despite the surrealness, he steadied his mind, parted the everlasting petals that served as a door curtain, and stepped inside. He turned to the flower-elf landlady cleaning the tables in the lobby and greeted her softly, "Hello, I'm looking for..."
"Second floor, first room." The white rose lady, whose appearance was no more than twenty, pointed in the direction of the stairs and absently said: "Take something to eat with you."
As soon as she finished her sentence, a plate of sweets on the bar floated leisurely over to Kole.
"Thank you." Gratefully bowing slightly to the flower elf who had already turned away, Kole took the plate in his hands and hurried up the stairs. That gentleman had not deceived him; it seemed Ai was indeed here, and there were so many things he wanted to ask her!
As soon as Kole opened the door, he saw a petite figure in front of him, trembling as she took a few steps back. Then, after staring at him in shock for a moment, she barely managed to let out a painful sob before rushing towards him and collapsing into his arms, crying uncontrollably.
"Kole!" Ai, in pain, clutched at his front, crystal tears sliding down her cheeks. Her frail shoulders were still shivering, as if she hadn't yet awoken from a nightmare. She sobbed, "Lada...he...he's dead. He died...right before my eyes. He had a chance to escape...but I couldn't save him! I couldn't save him, Kole!!"
Feeling the trembling body of the girl in his arms, racked with fear and guilt, Kole, who was also enduring inner torment, still had to remain calm. Gently patting Ai's back, he guided her to a chair, then turned and closed the door. He turned back and asked softly, "Tell me everything you know, Ai. Please."
"It was Dave..." Ai looked up. Her bloodshot eyes, which hadn't closed all night, were full of terror. She trembled, "He attacked Lada...then released his lance, drew his longsword, and rushed towards me...it hurt...it hurt so much..."
It took the terrified Ai a good ten minutes to recount all the events. Essentially, during their escape, Dave — who had been tailing them — suddenly attacked Lada, who was carrying Ai. The blow was so powerful it could have pierced them both. In that instant, Lada managed to throw Ai, upon his shoulder, out of the way. Lada himself, however, died on the spot, his heart pierced by the attack.
Then Dave attacked Ai with a hidden black longsword. Standing no chance against a knight, Ai, her magic power completely drained, was soon stabbed in the abdomen and was critically injured.
But just as Dave prepared to deal the final blow, he suddenly froze. After a moment he muttered something under his breath and then quickly left, leaving the near-death Ai behind...
After a while, that gentleman appeared. He first helped Ai with some basic wound dressing, then fed her a very effective magic potion. After a few slaps to force the disoriented girl to calm down, he questioned her about what had just happened.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone