Chapter 217: Lucille's Visitor

"By my divine right as the sovereign ruler of the Vraven Kingdom, guardian of its lands and people, I, Alexios Valorian, denounce Edmund Valehart as a traitor to the crown. For the crimes of greed, negligence, and treason, I sentence him to death, along with the direct generation of his blood above and below him on the Valehart family tree."

His harsh sentencing isn't over just yet. "Furthermore, every other living member of the Valehart family shall be thoroughly investigated. Should any be found guilty of complicity or betrayal, they will face the same fate. If they are deemed innocent, they will forfeit all noble privileges, titles, wealth and lands.

Their legacy will be stripped from them, and they will live as commoners, bereft of honor and status."

Such a sentence is overbearing and bordering on being entirely unjust, but I dare not speak up in their defense. After all, this mentally retarded noble had robbed the kingdom of multiple invaluable things by his foolish, greedy actions.

Even if we ignore the lost artifact and creature, the fact that four of our Aegis Vanguards are out of commission due to his actions is more than enough to earn the ancient king's eternally burning ire.

Once his sentencing was conducted, multiple Royal Guards stepped out of their motionless stances, bowed deeply, and left to mete out judgment according to his words.

Alexios sat down tiredly, then returned his attention to me. "What can you tell me about the perpetrators?" Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I grimace while shaking my head dejectedly, "not much, my king. Stormlord believes it was an inside job. Iris Thornclaw, one of the outpost's squad captains disappeared during the chaos. She stayed behind when the others went to face the werewolves, saying she will investigate the camp instead of fighting the monsters. There were signs of a struggle, but no body was found.

As for the other perpetrators, they didn't leave anything behind. I believe them to be hardcore, high-leveled professionals who planned this heist for at least a century, if not more."

He nods in understanding, and with a loud sigh, he declares; "then let it be known that Iris Thornclaw is a wanted woman with a bounty of 1000 gold coins on her head, but only if taken in alive, ready to be questioned."

I bow in understanding and turn to leave. It seems my head remained on my neck after delivering the worst report I had to in my entire career.

- PoV: Lucille -

I wash the dishes with expressionless eyes. Just another mundane day of being an innkeeper. I can't help but let my mind wander to our only interesting guests, which I seem to have been doing all the time recently. I don't even know what people like them are doing in this shabby inn.

But what I especially don't know is why I brought out all my best and most beautiful apparels and accessories. I even did my hair and makeup in a desperate hurry. I think I embarrassed myself, especially since no one else bothered to dress up besides me… But Mavena said it would be a feast…!

I was so happy that I could dress up again for the first time in decades that I overdid it. Not that the feast was lackluster, not at all, I just remembered the fancy balls of my childhood and wanted to relive the good memories. I think.

*Sigh*

I'm happy that at least I didn't try to seduce Quinlan in my desperation, that would've been the lowest point of my adult life.

Not at all because he is an unsightly man that I find appalling, but because I'm a married woman who is older than him by 15 years… At least if we go by looks. You can never truly tell with combatants. However, what really matters are appearances. They dictate human perception, first impressions, and general opinions.

He probably thinks of me as some old wench, even if he himself is the older one in reality.

Maybe I should try to get him to accept Mavena into his harem. She would have a chance to escape this life at least. But, then again, she isn't someone who would happily leave Robert, me and the inn behind, especially not to go with a group of combatants.

*Sigh*

'Mother, if only you didn't get murdered by the accursed whore… everything would've been so different…'

Just as I muse about the 'what could've beens' a sudden voice sounds from behind me.

"Master requests your presence." A smooth, nonchalant feminine tone states.

My heart skips a beat from fright, then I spin around on my heels rapidly to see what is going on, and see that it's Luna looking at me with disinterested eyes.

I'm sorry for not being 'Master', okay?! Stop staring at me like I'm a stinky excrement lying on the side of the road…

This aloof girl sneaked behind me without me noticing her at all, she didn't even make a single sound. I can't help but get goosebumps… This is exactly why I'm always afraid. Once a combatant gets a few levels they might as well be living on an entirely different plane of existence than us civilians.

If she wished me harm, I wouldn't have even known that I'm dying.

I can't help but comment inwardly on this girl. She's definitely the strangest person I've met in my entire life. Not because she is a beast-kin, but because of her sheer unique state of existence.

"Does Aurora need food again? Is her condition worsening?" I ask worriedly. Maybe that potion wasn't as effective as it seemed at first.

"No. Master has something to say."

I can already tell that she will not divulge anything more than this. As for why me, the innkeeper, is getting called to my guest's room like I'm his servant is another question I would like to ask, but decide against it.

If I gave her more trouble Luna would probably just hoist me over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and carry me there while ignoring my protests, so I 'obey his summons' like the good little servant woman that I am, apparently.