The ’Red Copper Dragon Storytelling’ is a pub located between Bonoan Market and Traveler’s Bridge, open all night, catering to mercenaries, adventurers, prostitutes, and merchants selling goods of dubious origins.
If you can endure its chaotic atmosphere and crude slang, this place is actually quite entertaining, with cheap ale, scantily clad waitresses, and filling food—you could drink here all night without spending more than a few copper coins. You can even whistle freely without worrying about guards throwing you into the dungeon for the night.
However, as Frey approached this den of iniquity, she couldn’t help but feel a bit terrified. This country girl clutched her longsword tightly, her mind full of the little tips Brand gave her.
With a flushed face, she lowered her head and carefully weaved through the crowd, so terrified that even her ponytail drooped. Frey couldn’t help but think, what if someone suddenly harassed her? Should she chop off his hand with her sword? Or stab him right away?
She stole a glance at the scantily clad waitresses, her ears burning with shame, thinking how could they dress ! Completely shameless!
Frey clasped her sword and walked to the counter. The chubby pub owner propped his chin up and looked her over: "This isn’t a place for you, little girl."
Frey’s face turned redder as she realized Brand had tricked her. She couldn’t help but grit her teeth, gripping her sword so tight it creaked, but was too embarrassed to lose her temper in front of strangers. Thinking about her earlier performance, she dared not raise her head: "Uh, I’m here to inquire about someone..."
Reto watched the girl almost sink her head into the bar and couldn’t help but chuckle: "A pub is the place to buy information, but little girl, we don’t offer free service!"
"I know, I’ll pay. Please, I need to know."
"Alright, who are you looking for?"
"Hude, the textile merchant in Bonoan Market."
"That guy, huh? Are you his country relative?"
Frey hurriedly shook her head: "No, someone just entrusted me to deliver a letter to him."
Reto shook his head, but just at that moment, a group of guards hurriedly passed by outside. He keenly noticed the girl’s body tense up slightly. Reto had been a pub owner for ten years, a master of reading people, and he immediately smelled something unusual from this detail.
But theatrically, the guard turned around and called out, "Reto, have you seen any suspicious people around here?"
Reto lowered his head, seeing the girl trying to act calm but obviously so nervous her fingers had turned white. He sighed and asked, "Are they looking for you?"
Frey was startled and instinctively pressed her sword hilt.
"Don’t be nervous, it’s just my professional habit."
Frey was stunned, and in a flash of insight, she burst out, "I-I have money. Can you hide me?"
"One hundred Thor, do you have the money?" Reto smiled. His place was a mix of sorts, hiding a fugitive was a commonplace event, and he took quite a liking to this girl.
One hundred Thor was a silver coin. Frey hastily nodded.
As the guards entered, Reto had just hidden Frey inside a barrel behind the bar. The people in the pub had no love for the military and wouldn’t point her out. Each profession had its own rules, and in a place mixed with all kinds of people, there were laws of their own.
This was the so-called grey area. City guards came to pubs to gather information, just like those illicit merchants and thieves. They all knew of each other’s existence, yet abided by the rules, not tearing down facades openly.
This was the game’s rules.
But while Reto thought this, Frey, naive and inexperienced, was different. Once she hid in the dark barrel, she regretted it, berating herself: Frey, didn’t you think people might betray you? You can’t do anything right. Are you still the captain of the third squad of the Buqi Militia?