...
Luo Jia couldn't remember how she walked out of the castle. She stood blankly on the street, watching the people around her pass by in a hurry.
This meeting was completely beyond her expectations—in every way.
According to her original plan, the Grand Chief would first be repulsed by her half-human, half-beast appearance. The mean-spirited monarch would directly express it, while those with deeper cunning would remain expressionless. However, once she explained her intentions, the other party's attitude would change. After all, a free martial artist would be welcome anywhere, especially since she had promised to help Neverwinter fight against the devils. Who would refuse such a beneficial arrangement?
Then she would reside in the castle district or be housed in the inner city hotel as a guest of the clan. Next, through Ashes, she would gradually get to know more witches, especially those skilled in combat, including Nana Waxiaojie. Although not everyone would pay attention to her, there would always be someone like her who wanted to spar with different opponents to improve their skills. Such a trial would be beneficial to both sides, at least more effective than blindly hitting a sandbag.
Once everything was ready, she would go to the place where the devils appeared and begin her self-challenge—according to Ashes, these enemies were hidden in the desolate northwest, but she was not afraid of wilderness survival, nor did she care how well they were hidden. The wolf itself was the master of the wilderness, and its extremely sensitive hearing and smell could help her find the enemy's lair.
However, the result was completely reversed.
Since awakening, this was the first time Luo Jia had heard someone praise her ears for being beautiful—even her father, who never disliked her, often said, "If you didn't have these unusual features, you would definitely be one of the most beautiful girls in Iron Sand City."
Wolf ears... are they really beautiful?
This remark caught her off guard at the time, so that every reaction in the subsequent conversation was half a beat slower. The Grand Chief did not dislike her appearance but refused her unrequited request to actively participate in the fight against the devils. Until she left the castle, she had not fully recovered.
No, no, this is just a small setback, Luo Jia patted her cheeks, took a deep breath, as long as she sticks to her path, there is no hurdle she cannot overcome. She comforted herself in her heart, thinking carefully, it doesn't matter if the Grand Chief doesn't agree, it doesn't have much impact on the initial plan. She can still learn about this city on her own, understand the details of the devils, and get to know other witches, it's just a little slower. Although the other party rejected her request, they did not impose any restrictions on her, and said that she could apply to join the Witch Union at any time after changing her mind. She originally planned to work alone, so it might be better this way.
Thinking of this, Luo Jia's drooping ears perked up again. She wagged her tail and clenched her fists—that's right! If the devils are really that strong, how could the Grand Chief set the capital here? If they come from the northwest, the first human city they encounter is Neverwinter. If they are not confident in defeating the devils, shouldn't they stay as far away from the dangerous place as possible?
And what did he say, "I don't want you to go to your death," seemingly out of concern, but it may actually be just bluffing. Before fighting, who lives and who dies is not certain! If she really gets injured, can the Grand Chief order Nana Waxiaojie to refuse to treat her? In this way, this sentence is tantamount to slapping himself in the face.
Princess Ragefire felt rejuvenated again.
She still has more than a hundred gold royals on her, which she can't spend all of if she lives in a hotel alone. Even if the treatment cost is staggering, it is impossible to charge dozens of royals at a time. Including food, drink, clothing, herbs, desert guides, etc., she can live alone for several years without any problems. She doesn't believe that without the support of the King of Graycastle, she cannot find trouble with the devils.
With a plan in mind, Luo Jia immediately felt a lot more at ease. She looked around and began to look at the horizontal signs of the surrounding houses—since she decided to proceed slowly, the first thing to do is to find a place to settle down.
But it's still early, so she's not in a hurry. After all, she has now successfully arrived in the Western Region of Graycastle, and according to the customs of the Mojin Sand People, she should celebrate.
So the tavern became her first target.
Luo Jia had not taken two steps when she was attracted by an exquisite plaque.
The wooden board depicted several lifelike glasses, filled with colorful drinks, and some unknown fruits as embellishments, making people want to drink to their heart's content.
Below the glasses was the name of the store: Evelyn's Hundred Flavor Tavern.
On the other end of the plaque, there was also a line of small print: Chaos Drinks New Product Launch, 50% off the first cup, welcome to taste.
Chaos Drinks?
Luo Jia raised her eyebrows. Two words that are obviously unrelated are forcibly put together. The naming person's level must not be very good. If you haven't drunk it, who knows what kind of wine this is. No wonder it's on sale when it just opened, otherwise it is estimated that it will not be sold at all.
But the store name clearly told her that this was indeed a tavern.
Well, since it claims to have a hundred flavors, there must be other wines to drink, she thought, and this store looks spacious and bright, and there are many people coming in and out, the taste should not be too bad.
Luo Jia touched the money bag in her arms and turned to walk towards the tavern.
...
"She didn't tell the whole truth," Nightingale said while chewing on dried fish, "especially the reason why she didn't want to join the Witch Union—I could feel her emotions fluctuating very obviously. To be on the safe side, it's best to have Wendy give her a ten-question test."
"That's the review procedure when applying to join," Roland said with a smile and shook his head, "She hasn't submitted an application, so there's no need to check so strictly. And... Luo Jia's purpose in coming to Neverwinter is to fight against the devils and hone herself, you can confirm this, right?"
"This part sounds like she wasn't lying," Nightingale pouted.
"That's fine. The original intention of establishing the Witch Union was to give you a place to belong. Forcing others to join is meaningless. Besides, she just arrived in a new city, and it's normal to be wary. Let her go." Roland waved his hand pretentiously, as if to end the topic, but he still felt a little regret in his heart.
Especially when admiring those furry long ears that turned left and right, he really wanted to call the wolf girl over and touch them. And the tail that she always shakes unconsciously... he has always wanted to know, if he grabs the base of her tail, can it make her feel weak all over, as he experienced in his previous life.
But he finally controlled his endless thoughts.
After all, he represents a king of a country, and basic majesty and demeanor must be maintained, definitely not because Nightingale is by his side.
Just as Roland was planning to go to the "Landmark Building" project site to check on the construction progress, Barov, the chief of the City Hall, suddenly knocked on the door and walked in.
"Your Majesty, the people from the United Chamber of Commerce have arrived in the castle district, and they hope to be received by you."