CHAPTER 684: CHAPTER 10: THE HARPIST’S CARNIVAL FEAST

Shajia and the others insisted on entering the town, but luckily, they finally accepted Yaxu’s suggestion to make their move after nightfall.

Each of them wore a cloak, with Yaxu entering the town first to choose a tavern. The others then flew over from the sky, avoiding the archers on the city walls and the patrolling guards on the streets, and successfully arrived at a tavern named the Harpist.

Besides the fine wine, this tavern was most famous for its honey roast pork pie, which had received nothing but praise from those who tasted it, leading to a bustling business.

When Shajia and his group entered, the small tavern was already occupied by more than thirty people.

There were those playing cards, drinking, chatting idly, and flirting with the Female Waiter.

However, when this row of Camels appeared, they immediately attracted everyone’s attention, yet no one laughed.

Because anyone with eyes could see that this group was not to be trifled with: all were armed, wearing leather armor, sporting hostile expressions, and there was a faint smell of blood about them.

Especially considering their exaggeratedly humped backs, and coupling this with recent news that had been circulating, it was hard not to indulge in speculation.

Shajia and his group, on the other hand, still seemed quite relaxed. They had arrived late and there were no free tables in the tavern, so Balan walked directly towards the group of mercenaries in front of him.

He didn’t say a word, just stood in front of them, glaring contemptuously at the mercenaries.

One of the younger Swordsmen, unable to stand Balan’s arrogance and rudeness, wanted to teach the man opposite a lesson.

But before he could draw his sword, his ageing captain restrained his right hand and squeezed out a smile at Balan, "If you like this table, you can sit here. Just as well, we’ve finished eating."

Balan had no reaction.

The young Swordsman’s temper flared again, yet their captain and other team members had already stood up, not uttering a word and bowing their heads as they walked towards the tavern’s exit.

However, as they reached the door, they were forced to stop in their tracks, because the Camels had not made way for them.

Even more alarming to the elderly captain was one of them whose cloak was worn so casually that the feathers underneath were faintly visible.

Today couldn’t possibly be their unlucky day.

Weren’t the Winged people of the Wing Tribe still besieging the Royal Capital? Why would they show up in Hound Town? What here was worth their attention?

Many thoughts crossed the mind of the captain of the mercenaries, and then one of them spoke.

"We mean no harm, we just wanted to come here for a meal, so there’s no need for everyone to be tense, but..."

Yaxu changed his tone, "My friends don’t like people moving around when they’re eating, so hopefully everyone can continue sitting in your places, and for the time being, don’t leave the tavern."

"Isn’t that a bit too domineering? Besides, our seats were just taken by your people..."

The young Swordsman hadn’t finished speaking when he was interrupted by the older captain, who nodded and said, "Let’s do that then."

A sneer burst out in the tavern, and a drunk man spoke up, "How can the Golden Oak Mercenary Group be so cowardly, not daring to utter a peep after having their seats taken."

The old captain hadn’t responded when the drunk was silenced by the person sitting with him, "Shut up, damn it, Old Buck."

Seeing that even the formidable Golden Oak capitulated, people from two nearby tables silently stood up, giving up their seats, then congregated in another corner of the tavern.

Shajia was quite satisfied, walked over to the table, and sat down. The other Wing Clan Warriors also took their seats, and soon they were laughing and talking.

Yaxu signaled the owner to bring up several barrels of good wine and ordered a dozen servings of the tavern’s signature honey roast pork pie, along with some side dishes.

Once the wine and dishes were served, Shajia and his companions began to enjoy their feast as if nobody else was there.

The tavern soon returned to its lively atmosphere, but the patrons at the other tables remained silent, with some glancing at the doors and windows, feeling an unbearable tension.

Fortunately, Shajia and the others had their fill at last, but just when everyone thought it was all about to end, they heard Yaxu speak to the tavern owner.

"How many women do you have here?"

The owner hesitated for a moment, but still steeled himself to say, "Our Female Waiters do not provide that sort of..."

Yaxu cut him off directly, asking, "How many?"

The owner glanced at the Female Waiters who were shrinking back and still, he hardened his heart to say, "There are... there are two."

"Call your wife out as well," Yaxu’s tone was indisputable.

"This... this can’t be done," the owner exclaimed in shock.

Then, Yaxu turned to look at the people from the Golden Oak Mercenary Group, pointing to one of the female mercenaries and said, "And you."

"You must not go too far," the captain of the Golden Oak said, his eyes now filled with anger despite his usually calm demeanor.

"I’m not discussing it with you," Yaxu said. "Hand them over, and you can stay alive. Otherwise... everyone dies."

"Then we’ll fight you," declared a young Swordsman who could no longer bear it, drawing his long sword.

However, what followed was only a burst of laughter from the Wing Clan Warriors.

Caleb asked Shajia, "Shall I chop off his head? Teach these Land Species a lesson."

"Go ahead," Shajia said, pointing at the two Female Waiters, "You can pick one first."

"No, you should choose first," Caleb replied respectfully.

"I prefer someone more mature."

"Alright." Just as Caleb stood up,

the female mercenary walked out from the crowd and said to the young Swordsman, "Char, I am happy that you would stand up for me, but... that guy is right. We’re not their match."

She then looked at the middle-aged man beside her, "Captain, let me go."

The middle-aged man’s face was filled with embarrassment, and after a long silence, he still did not speak.

The female mercenary didn’t wait for his response; she had already walked up to Balan and the others.

The sixteen Wing Clan Warriors stayed in the harpist’s tavern until nearly dawn, leaving contented, and continued their journey westward.

It wasn’t until the afternoon when the deliveryman came to bring wine to the tavern that he noticed something was amiss, and after people smashed open the tavern’s door, they saw the bodies scattered throughout the inside.

Including the tavern owner and his wife, the two Female Waiters, all the members of the Golden Oak Mercenary Group, and over a dozen other patrons—none had been spared their lives.

The deliveryman was so horrified by the bloody scene inside the tavern that he collapsed to the ground, vomiting uncontrollably.

By this time, Shajia and the others were already some distance away from Hound Town, still laughing and reminiscing about the pleasurable night before.

Balan grinned and said, "Indeed, following you out this time, Shajia, was the right choice. Solomon is too rigid, not even letting us have some fun."

"Exactly," another Wing Clan Warrior spoke, "Those Land Species should be our slaves regardless of gender or race. Solomon is too polite to them, trying to woo some to be allies and even giving them land, which is just preposterous."

"After killing the Continent’s bravest warrior, Shajia, you should be the commander. The other Wing Clan Warriors will support you because you’ve always been the strongest and most courageous among us. Solomon can’t compare to you.

"Right, right. If Lord Sibulun weren’t avoiding suspicion, the position of the commander of the expeditionary army wouldn’t have fallen to Solomon in the first place."