Chapter 288: Exposure
Perhaps it was because Chen and Kurei appeared from outside, the search was not very strict.
Moreover, the guard surprisingly turned out to be a good person.
It seems his name is Rod… noted, I’ll see if I can promote him when I develop in the Imperial City later.
After entering the Imperial City, they could hear the orderly and loud footsteps from a distance.
Chen Chen helped Kurei lean against the side of the road; if they were going to act, they had to do it thoroughly, otherwise, it would be very troublesome if they were discovered later.
Fortunately, their timing wasn’t too terrible; the patrol team would not arrive for another minute or two.
Speaking of which, Kurei hadn’t moved since just now. Although catching a cold was a temporary setting she added, there was no need to act to this extent, right?
“Kurei, Kurei, Kurei!?”
“Miss… what happened!?” He appeared startled, looking around in confusion, “When… did we come in?”
“…” So where were you just now? Why is your face so red?
The patrol team did not pay much attention to them and continued walking without pause.
Perhaps they would only take action when the real Demoness appeared.
Next, they should search for Meida’s location.
The size of the Imperial City was about 2-3 times that of Yunshui City.
For them, who were unfamiliar with the area, it would take at least two days to get a rough idea.
This was a plan no one could accept, a direct pass.
However, they could not boldly ask either; in the current situation, even casual inquiries might lead to being exposed by the residents and dying on the spot.
“Uh…” Stuck in a deadlock.
Before giving up, let’s take a look around first.
…
Not long after they left, an unexpected guest arrived at the city gate.
Purple ribbons wrapped around her feet instead of shoes.
Unlike Starry’s pure purple hair, this woman had hair that was a mix of purple and red, lacking a touch of allure but exuding more wildness.
At this very moment, the Thorn Blade, also known as Grace, pressed her short knife against the guard’s neck, droplets of bright red blood falling to the ground, warm.
The sharp blade was almost embedded in his neck.
Terrifying.
This thought surged in the minds of all the guards present.
“You bastard… do you know who you have let in?!?” Grace’s voice was deep like a beast, almost unrecognizable as feminine!
Rod was pressed by the blade and said with difficulty, “A pair… of suffering siblings.”
“What? Say that again!!” The Thorn Blade’s eyes suddenly widened, exuding immense pressure merely by standing there.
“…Lady Grace!” A nearby guard could not help but exclaim.
Facing her piercing gaze, he couldn’t help but tremble in fear but still gritted his teeth, “This was a decision we made together; if there’s punishment, let it be on me alone!”
“Me too!”
“We’re all accomplices; spare Rod, he can’t hold on much longer!”
More and more soldiers began to defend him.
Something was off.
Very off.
Why were they, who clearly broke the rules, still unwilling to back down?
Smash!
Grace casually slammed the soldier named Rod against the wall and turned to walk into the city, coldly saying, “If I catch you all letting them go… it won’t be as simple as this next time.”
“Rod!” After the Thorn Blade left, several soldiers hurried over.
“I’m fine… just need a moment to rest,” Rod said weakly as he fell to the ground.
…
Standing at the apothecary’s door, Shuchen gasped, as it seemed there was a loud commotion coming from the city gate just now.
Could that crazy woman be chasing them?!
“Miss, it might be the Thorn Blade…” Kurei frowned.
“…At this point, even if she comes, we can’t easily run away; otherwise, it would be too conspicuous in this deserted street.”
It wouldn’t be long before they were caught.
Stay calm, stay calm.
Why did they come to the apothecary?
Because the guard mentioned its location, acting according to the setting would be better.
While buying medicine, they could pretend to act nonchalant and talk, just like this.
“Boss!” Shuchen leaned her cane over the counter; although her head didn’t reach it, if she showed her hand, the person inside would notice, right?
Here it comes—! A weathered voice came from inside.
Then hurried footsteps followed.
Tap tap tap
They should have arrived behind the counter.
“This young man… were you the one speaking just now?” a voice full of confusion asked.
Huh!? The boss sure knows how to speak, calling me “young man.”
“That’s right, it was me speaking.” Since raising her hand would be tiring, Shuchen simply explained with her arm down.
“This is… a ghostly voice?” the boss responded, confused.
The air seemed to freeze.
After a moment, Kurei nudged her, “Miss, if we’re going to talk, it’s better to show our faces.”
So the boss mistook Kurei as the one speaking.
Taking a few steps back and lifting her head, she saw an old man with a full head of black hair.
Well-preserved; he was indeed the apothecary’s owner.
“Boss, do you have any medicine for treating colds? Please prepare some for us. By the way, my brother and I have been staying at home and are not aware of what has been happening outside… could you please tell us a bit?” Shuchen tried to make her statements sound reasonable.
To her surprise, the boss started shaking as soon as he saw Shuchen, pointing at her, “You… you are!
Oh no!
Shuchen immediately reacted.
Since this is the Imperial City, many people have seen Alna’s true face, and this apothecary owner is one of them!
How careless…!
Given that this was the Ghost City, many had seen Alna’s true face, and this apothecary owner was among them!
So careless!
Really, this was the Ghost City; lots had seen Alna’s true face, and this apothecary owner was one of them!
So careless!
Naturally, it was the Ghost City; many had seen Alna’s true face, including this apothecary owner!
So careless!
The boss, now in front, turned a medicine shelf with the light coming from the window.
This action triggered a chain reaction, causing a layer of stone tiles on the floor to slide sideways, revealing… stairs?
Wow, there are secret passages here!
At the end of the stairs, flickering firelight was faintly visible, but it was unclear what was inside.
The boss finally breathed a sigh of relief, “Wishcaster, you are putting our lives at risk! Please don’t run out casually again; next time, I might not make it in time.”
“What??” Did this guy just say something outrageous?
Suddenly, footsteps were heard from the underground passage.
A little girl with brilliant golden hair tilted her head in the middle of the staircase, seemingly wanting to peek outside using the light.
“Boss York, is something going on?”
The voice coming from within was very familiar.
It was almost identical to Shuchen’s tone when talking.
Of course, it was the same person.
The boss’s expression froze as he realized something was wrong.
Kurei drew her Lifeless Fire Sword, her eyes filled with determination, “Demoness, die!”
!!
