Chapter 45: Unexpected Encounters in Linber

After Chloe swallowed the plain water, a burning sensation coursed through her throat.

She glanced at her new companion, who sat beside her, his small, beady eyes blinking rapidly. His slender ears flapped like handheld fans, and his features seemed scattered haphazardly across his face.

Chloe had never encountered someone so unsightly. Even Xina, who usually adored children, seemed indifferent to him.

Nevertheless, Chloe refused to judge by appearances, and she harbored a strong premonition that this small individual would usher in new opportunities for them.

“By the way, what’s your name?” Chloe asked the child.

“Arthur.” He paused, as if weighing his words. “Arthur Hanover.”

“That name sounds Fienzian, but Fienz must be quite far from here, no?” the coachman interjected.

“My father moved from Fienz to Saint Fros many years ago,” Hanover replied simply. “However, due to changes in the political landscape, they plan to seek new business opportunities in Eledis.”

“Excuse me, where is Fienz?” Xina asked, raising her hand.

Chloe had the same question, but she wondered why Xina, a native, wouldn’t know.

“Fienz is an island nation, located in the southern seas of Eledis. The only way to get here from there is by boat,” Arthur explained.

“It’s also a republic, governed not by lords, but by elected governors.”

The coachman picked up his handkerchief, wiping his wine-soaked mustache, while Arthur offered a faint smile.

“Indeed. Your coachman is remarkably well-informed. Could he be an explorer?”

Chloe, too, felt puzzled. How could an ordinary coachman possess such extensive knowledge?

“You flatter me, my lord. While transporting travelers, I often overhear stories, whether intentionally or not.”

The coachman put away his handkerchief, opening his pale grey eyes to fix his gaze on Arthur.

“Oh, so Fienz is a country like that.” Xina frowned. “Elected governors? It sounds a bit like Linber, doesn’t it?”

The bartender, who had been organizing bills, stopped her work upon hearing this.

“Little girl, you’re quite naive. We in Linber have no such thing as an elected mayor.”

The bartender abruptly ceased speaking. She glanced around, and seeing no one else, she leaned closer to Xina and whispered, “The votes are monopolized by a few powerful figures. The mayor only needs to serve those few, completely disregarding the lives of us common folk.”

“What? How can they do that!” Flames of indignation ignited in Xina’s eyes.

“That’s just how the world works here. Only the wealthy and powerful can establish themselves in Linber.”

“May I ask a question?” Chloe interjected. “Between Count Avros and the mayor, which would you prefer?”

Upon hearing the name Count Avros, the bartender’s face darkened.

“You mean Count Norlin? Then I’d still choose the mayor. Though his heart is a bit dark, at least we can still live well.”

Xina’s brows furrowed deeply. She asked, “Fa… What happened to Lord Norlin?”

“Is this your first time in Avros, miss? You don’t even know ‘Madman’ Norlin?” The bartender’s eyes widened, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke of Norlin. “Six years ago, a small rebellion broke out in Linber, but Norlin used that minor incident as an excuse to lead his army, killing over half the population of Linber. The streets were drenched in blood. Luckily, I was in Eledis restocking supplies at the time, otherwise, tsk tsk.”

That certainly sounded like something Norlin would do, yet his madness had its reasons. Chloe hoped Lucia would find a cure soon, or Xina might suffer the same fate.

“I see. So, you’ve been operating independently from Sirena Castle ever since?” Chloe asked.

“Yes, thankfully, no one from Sirena has come back since then. I dare say, if they even set foot in Linber now, the entire city would rush out and tear them to shreds.”

How dangerous. Chloe wiped a bead of sweat. She glanced at Xina, who looked utterly dejected, her face crumpled in sadness.

Chloe gently stroked Xina’s head, leaning close to her ear and softly saying, “Have you forgotten what you told Anna? You just need to prove to them that you’re not like your father.”

Besides, this wasn’t Norlin’s fault; it should be attributed to Lucia, and the truly despicable Carloman behind her.

Xina brushed away her tears with her fingers, a smile returning to her face. She pinched Chloe’s nose and said, “After all, I still have you, Chloe.”

“I apologize for interrupting your private conversation, ladies, but shouldn’t we be leaving?”

The coachman gazed into the distance. Chloe followed his line of sight, noticing a significant number of guards already gathered outside, with many citizens emerging from their homes to watch the spectacle.

“Looks like we can’t leave.” Arthur Hanover shrugged, stretching his arms as he stared disdainfully at the approaching guards.

A lavishly dressed man emerged from the throng of guards. He wore a yellow dome-shaped hat with decorative straps that fell from the brim, obscuring half of his eye. His long, buttoned jacket was adorned with scallop-shaped jewels along the hem, and his face was lightly made up, even featuring pale purple eyeliner.

This fellow was dressed more splendidly than Chloe herself. Was this the epitome of the wicked rich?

“Lord Lynch, thank you for gracing my humble establishment.” The bartender bowed briefly, her face etched with unease.

Lord Lynch first directed his gaze at Arthur, saying with a smile, “Lord Bloen, you are here.”

Bloen? Wasn’t his name Arthur? Chloe glanced at Arthur.

“Where is my brother?” Bloen asked, crossing his arms. Though short, he did not lack in imposing presence.

“Lord Bloa awaits your arrival at my residence,” Lynch said, drawing a fan from his belt.

“Also, why did the two of you not inform me of your visit in advance?” Lynch looked at Chloe and Xina, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Lady Sirena?”

The bartender’s eyes widened like brass bells. She stared blankly, her gaze flitting between Chloe and Xina, anger flashing in her eyes.

“You’re from the Sirena family?!”

Xina remained silent, while Chloe met Lynch’s gaze and said, “Is it forbidden to travel incognito?”

“Of course not. We in Linber always welcome the Count.” Lynch smiled. “However, it is now lunchtime. Why don’t you all join me at my residence as guests? I have already instructed my household to prepare a banquet to welcome our distinguished visitors.”

Chloe glanced at the guards around him. Their swords remained sheathed, but they appeared fully prepared for action. Lynch clearly wasn’t interested in a cordial discussion; he sought to force their hand.

Bloen chuckled, an odd sound given the circumstances.

“Then I shall humbly accept. What about you two?”

Chloe shrugged. There was no other option now.

“Then let’s go.”

Chloe took Xina’s hand. Just then, a wine bottle flew towards Xina’s head. Chloe swiftly shielded her.

Amidst the shattering glass, red liquid mingled thoroughly with Chloe’s clothes.

The bartender glared furiously at Xina, clutching another wine barrel, seemingly unwilling to relent. The coachman quickly rushed to restrain the bartender, preventing her from any further outrageous acts.

“Descendants of demons, get out of Linber!”

Tomatoes, eggs, and even glass shards rained down upon them.

*Splat, crunch, scrape.*

Cursing, crying, and shattering sounds blended together, filling Chloe’s ears.

The guards hastily formed a shield wall around them, blocking the incoming projectiles.

Only then did Chloe realize that these guards were protecting not Lynch, but them.

“Everyone, please follow me.”

Lynch removed his dome-shaped hat, his brown hair cascading in the sunlight.