CHAPTER 43: VILLAGE TAVERN AT NIGHT

According to the agreement, the four of them left the inn to visit the tavern in the village. They would only go when night came, as agreed for the meeting with Jack and Sora.

Gideon hoped Jack could come so that the information given would be complete. However, if only Sora came it was not a problem either.

This meeting in the tavern was only to emphasize Gideon’s request and also to ask about the availability of their materials.

The sun rolled from above their heads toward the west, a sign that the day would soon end and night would begin.

Oil lamps were being prepared along the main road of the village, filled with oil and ready to be lit when night fell.

Not only the street lamps, but oil lamps in every house were also prepared.

When the darkness of night came, they lit the flames and made their homes shine. On top of that, they took turns lighting the street lamps to help illuminate the village.

Nighttime was a sign that the work had ended. Farmers returned from the fields, ranchers brought in their livestock, and the workers began lifting their wooden cups while relaxing and drinking.

"What are they doing exactly?" asked Luke, glancing back.

He and Gideon stood in front of the inn that night, waiting for Lena and Lyra to come down and join them. They had been waiting for half an hour, but there was still no sign that the two women would come.

While waiting, Luke turned and stepped closer to Gideon. Gideon noticed Luke’s move, curious about what he was about to do.

"What?"

"I brought something from Lamia village. You’re going to be surprised," Luke answered.

Gideon chose to stay silent, watching Luke. Soon, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box wrapped in green leaves. When Luke opened it, Gideon looked shocked and wide-eyed.

"Cigarettes?" Gideon asked.

"Right. This is not their product. The Lamia like to use tobacco that they smoke through certain wooden pipes."

"Hmm... so you rolled it straight so it looks familiar to us?" Gideon asked.

"Exactly. Stressful work needs a way to relieve stress. This might help you."

Gideon took the cigarette wrapped in paper and looked at it carefully. Some of his soldier friends used to smoke. Their reason was always the same, nicotine gave them calm.

There was research about the connection between smoking and the military. But if consumed in peaceful situations, cigarettes could instead cause anxiety after smoking, rather than cure it.

"I’ve never seen you smoke before," said Gideon.

"I didn’t dare smoke in front of you," Luke replied.

"What about now?"

Luke lifted one cigarette and showed it to Gideon. Gideon nodded while returning the cigarette he had been holding back into the wooden box. He was not interested at all.

"Put out your cigarette if there are women or if you’re indoors," Gideon said.

"Hmm."

He lit a wooden match and burned the tip of the cigarette. Luke inhaled slowly, the taste of the tobacco was a little strange, but somehow it was effective in calming him. Lamia’s taste of tobacco was the best.

Not long after, Gideon turned when he saw Lena and Lyra coming in their tactical shirts. Lena stayed quiet, while Lyra looked shocked seeing Luke standing there with a cigarette between his fingers.

"Hey, finally, you two took your time," Luke said.

"Tch!" Lyra snapped, stepping up to Luke and grabbing the cigarette from his fingers.

With firm hands, Lyra threw the cigarette to the ground and crushed it underfoot. She also demanded Luke hand over all the cigarettes he had. Lyra broke them one by one, which shocked both Gideon and Lena.

The two exchanged glances and nodded in response. Lyra had never been that angry before. And if she did, it was only at someone who mattered to her.

"Smoking cuts your life short by twenty minutes. Do you want to die early, huh?!" Lyra barked.

"At least let me finish what I already started."

"No. I won’t allow it!" Lyra said firmly, cutting him off.

Gideon stepped in and wrapped his arms around them, trying to calm the dispute. Gideon agreed with what Lyra had said, smoking was bad for his body, especially since he was smoking near women.

"Try quitting. How about that?" Gideon asked.

Luke stayed quiet, then nodded. He was not an active smoker, so he would not get anxious if he didn’t smoke for a day. Luke was fine, he could easily break free from nicotine addiction.

"Alright. I’ll try."

After things had calmed down, Gideon led his team to the village tavern. He was sure Sora and Jack were already there since the blacksmith had closed.

Lena walked beside Lyra who was still upset, while Luke walked next to Gideon, constantly glancing at Lyra who for some reason always teased and sulked at him.

Gideon gave a small smile. He could not speculate on it, especially since Lyra’s behavior was never easy for him to predict.

If Luke really wants to know what Lyra is thinking, then he has to talk to Lena. He listened to Gideon’s advice.

Gideon and his team arrived at the village tavern. Some people turned and looked surprised to see them visit, but the scene relaxed when the tavern owner came out to greet Gideon.

"Welcome. Usually only Lena comes here, but it looks like you’re interested too, Sir Gideon," said the tavern owner.

"Yeah. Have Jack and Sora already arrived?"

"The blacksmith? He’s inside, I think they’ve been waiting for about 15 minutes."

"Alright. Give us the same drinks as them. It’s all on me," Gideon answered.

He handed over five silver coins to the tavern owner, a very large amount since the total cost was only two silver. Gideon did not mind.

Gideon and his team stepped deeper into the tavern and saw Jack and Sora sitting at a table, drinking and eating. Gideon’s arrival caught their attention, Jack waved him over to sit at their table.

"Are you enjoying this village?" Gideon asked, sitting down on the wooden chair.

"I have to admit we are. The villagers are very kind to us," Jack replied.

"I’ve met with Madame Noelle. She allows you to stay. She also wants to meet you."

"Really? That’s a relief. I thought she hated me since she never came to visit."

"Her condition is not good, the best choice for her is a total rest," Lena answered.

Jack nodded. Previously, he had only met Gideon and Lena. But now he noticed two others he didn’t know: Luke and Lyra.

Gideon introduced Luke and Lyra when Jack and Sora’s eyes turned toward them. While staying here, Sora had kept talking with the villagers and asking about Gideon’s team.

There was one thing Sora needed to confirm about them, to match the gossip she had heard from the villagers.

"There’s something I want to ask you."

"What is it?" Gideon asked.

"Are you the ghost team?" Sora asked.

"Ghost team?"

"That’s what they call the team that defeated Moko’s army in the south. They attacked and disappeared quickly like ghosts."

Gideon looked at Lena and Luke. Luke nodded, somehow feeling Jack and Sora could be trusted with this matter. As for technical details and the rest, Gideon would still keep them secret.

"If that’s what they say, perhaps."

"So what about your request?" Jack asked.

He smiled, raised a notebook, and showed them the blueprint sketches of bullets. Blueprints for 9mm and 5.56mm rounds, where Gideon had included infographics inside.

Jack and Sora leaned toward the notebook, reading it over quickly. Jack began to understand the components.

"Is this all?" Jack asked.

"Yes. Can you make them?" Gideon asked.

"Of course. This is easy. Sora and I will make them for you," Jack said confidently.

"Just make one prototype of the two different bullet types. I’ll test them later."

"If you need any materials, tell me."