"City gate tax!"
Herbert glanced at the excited city gate guard, raising an eyebrow slightly.
The guard was not a Dark Elf, but a Half-Dragon slave with the head of a giant lizard and the body of a human.
Slaves can also beco guards?
Herbert thought to himself and flicked a pre-prepared gold coin casually.
Smack.
The Half-Dragon guard caught the coin in one swift motion, bit it by his mouth, and then spat it out.
"Pah!"
He looked at the split coin and nodded with satisfaction: "Genuine, good! You know what’s up, go in!"
Herbert nodded with a smile, not bothering to engage in more conversation with him.
But that Half-Dragon was smug, speaking to himself after Herbert stepped inside, "Heh heh! Be grateful! Mother Moore announced a ’Festival of All Souls,’ and everyone’s city gate tax is waived! Hahaha!"
Herbert looked back at him with a half-smile, shaking his head.
He had already noticed sothing was off about this guy, no way would the gate guard be just one person, let alone a slave with shackles around his neck.
Herbert simply didn’t want to waste ti arguing with a fool and decided to get rid of him with a gold coin.
They were infiltrating the city for sothing significant; the less fuss, the better.
Yet this guy took the advantage and still managed to be cheeky, mocking them even after taking the money.
Buddy, do you have nothing better to do?
Herbert looked at the Half-Dragon, amused, and asked, "So what was it you asked for earlier?"
"Haha, that’s of course a tribute to ! Don’t think about it; I’m not giving it back!"
The Half-Dragon proudly puffed up his scarred chest, trying to intimidate with his chest muscles, but no one reacted.
"...Hehe."
Seeing no intention to reclaim the gold coin, the Half-Dragon laughed arrogantly at Herbert and the others: "Since you all are so decent, I’ll tell you a tip!"
"During the ’Festival of All Souls,’ all cris can be pardoned, except for one—no killing! Absolutely no killing!"
"Aside from that, do whatever you please!"
Saying this, the Half-Dragon licked his lips, stepping closer to Herbert, grinning sinisterly.
"Hehehe..."
His greed desired more than just a single gold coin.
Far more.
He wanted more! More... Hngh!!?
The Half-Dragon’s steps halted suddenly as he stared at Herbert with wide eyes.
He vaguely sensed an aura emanating from Herbert that filled him with dread!
It was a terrifying aura seeping from blood and soul.
This, this man...
Gulp.
The Half-Dragon swallowed his saliva quietly, then discreetly turned away.
He wanted to escape the vicinity of this terrifying man.
The Half-Dragon bravely muttered, "Cough! Cough... You all better watch your backs!"
Herbert: ?
"Hmm? Oh, well, thanks for the heads-up."
As they were about to part ways, Herbert suddenly asked, "By the way, are you a slave?"
"Hmph, used to be! I’m free now!"
The Half-Dragon kept walking, grunting indignantly as he exclaid, "During the festival, so lucky slaves were temporarily freed, bought by Mother Moore directly from the slave rchants."
"Though officially prohibited from leaving the city, you just need a little cash to bribe the guards, hehe."
Where the money ca from, Herbert didn’t ask, knowing well enough it wasn’t through legitimate ans.
"Well, I wish you a safe journey," Herbert turned his head, no longer bothering with the fellow.
Behind him, the Half-Dragon snorted triumphantly, "All free now, who’d want to stay here! Of course, I’d want to go back..."
Shh.
With a barely audible sound, the Half-Dragon’s proud voice abruptly ceased.
Hmm?
When Herbert turned around, the Half-Dragon slave, who had been trying to swindle them, was nowhere to be seen.
It was unknown where he had gone.
Herbert frowned slightly, sensing sothing was amiss.
"Eliza, did you notice?"
The distracted vampire lady snapped back to attention, instinctively asking, "Huh? Notice what?"
She had been lost in her own world, reminiscing about the sensation of feeding from before, rely following Herbert and the group absentmindedly.
"He was relocated."
Svanni, not distracted, softly said, "The chain on his neck activated, probably transferring him directly into the city."
"Slaves are assets; the Dark Elves won’t easily let go of their assets."
"My sister granting slaves a few days of freedom is already strange; she wouldn’t truly let the slaves go."
"Those soldiers know this, so they take the money, letting him through."
Herbert nodded, withdrawing his gaze, "Since you say so, that’s likely the case."
After walking for so ti, Herbert finally saw the legitimate Dark Elf soldiers.
They were not stationed outside the gates but inside, collectively facing the city.
Herbert squinted at the scene, speaking softly, "Does this an... only entry, no exit?"
No one answered Herbert’s words, nor did he require confirmation.
The truth was likely soon to be revealed.
Stepping through the gates into the city, Herbert blinked as he surveyed the surroundings.
"This is the city of the Dark Elves."
The scene here was different from what he had seen in Frost Crystal, with buildings, races, environnts... vastly different from the surface world.
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