The three of them pressed on through the ruined streets of Darkgloom, their footsteps echoing against stone as the last light of day bled over the city's rooftops. For nearly half an hour they walked, the rot of neglect following them, until at last the City Lord's mansion came into view. The tall stone castle loomed ahead, but Cindy Lou's tail moved with unease as she drew close to the castle.
"Rem there's something you need to know about the City Lord," Cindy Lou said, her voice low but steady. "She's a woman—a female dwarf. She is a large short woman, dripping with makeup, and harder to deal with than most men. I suspect she has been pocketing bribes from the Adventurers Guild while embezzling money from the city for years. With most of the soldiers pulled out of Darkgloom, I would wager she is preparing to leave as well. In fact, I didn't see many guards on the way here. She may already have sent them ahead with the Frostfire kingdoms troops. If she is still here, she will be leaving tomorrow with the escort. My guess is she's hired the Vice Adventurers Guild to escort her out of the city safely. Only scum like her would hire them."
Rem's red eyes narrowed, a deep frown on her lips. "Are you certain she's that corrupt Cindy Lou? Taking bribes and stealing from the people?" Rem shook her head with disappointment. "Everything I read about back home says that the Adventurers Guild is a noble organization. I never imagined it would be so twisted, so bent on driving women out. I suppose reality is rarely the same as the stories." Rem's voice softened as she glanced toward Cindy Lou. "But don't worry. You will have your chance to build your own version of the Guild. I will see to it. Money is not a concern for me Cindy Lou. Manpower eiter. What I truly lack is a decent love life."
Cindy Lou stopped dead in her tracks, her ears rising sharply. Her cheeks flushing red as her tail stiffened. "A love life?" she stammered. "What… what are you implying, Rem?"
Rem froze as well, her pale skin suddenly heating up with embarrassment. She turned away quickly, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders to hide her expression. "Oh, nothing. That slipped out on accident just now" Her voice dropped to a mutter. "I don't know why I keep saying embarrassing things to you Cindy Lou. I just… admire your beauty. And your fluffiness. You wield it with lethal devastation."
Cindy Lou blinked at Rem, dumbfounded, then narrowed her eyes. "Are you trying to butter me up just so you can pet my tail? You know that's something cat girls only allow their mates to do, right? No one else can touch it."
Rem turned her head back, her lips curving into a sly smile despite the red that still colored her cheeks. "Is that an offer, Cindy Lou? Because I might take you up on it."
Cindy Lou's ears twitched violently, and she stuttered, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Sh-shut up! Focus! We need to deal with the City Lord. Don't kill her, Rem. Let her leave. The last thing we need is the city garrison turning against us—or worse, the Frostfire Kingdom itself."
Rem waved her free hand, Ciara shifting lightly in the other. "No promises. But fine we will see, I will probably just strip her of her assets and kick her out with the Vice Guild trash. Once they see us coming, they will scatter. I suspect the men who came after you at the Guild earlier were their strongest fighters. If that's the case, the rest of them won't survive the road out of the city. The goblins will tear them apart and they won't be the only monsters waiting. They would have stood a chance if they left with the kingdom soldiers and the proper adventurers your deputy dragged away, but with rejects and addicts? They're already as good as dead."
Cindy Lou's brows furrowed as she absorbed the logic in Rem's words. She thought of the Vice Guild's reputation as drunks, womanizers, and abusers. They are men who prey on weakness, never facing true danger. The image of them breaking under a monster horde rose easily in her mind, and she found no sympathy for them. They would die screaming, and perhaps it is justice in a weird way.
But another thought unsettled Cindy Lou. She looked back at Rem, her voice hushed. "Aren't you worried? If the City Lord dies, even at the monsters' hands, the Frostfire Kingdom might accuse you of seizing the city. They could march soldiers against you, claim you provoked it. You yourself said this whole thing could be a setup to spark another war with the Dark Elves."
Rem dismissed the notion with a flick of her wrist. "Let them scheme. Nobody will attack the Dark Elves while I walk this world. I won't allow anyone to cause Eve trouble." Her tongue slipped before her mind caught up. "After all, she's one of my primary romance interests."
Cindy Lou's ears shot upright in shock.
Rem cleared her throat sharply. "I meant… she's one of my primary targets for studying Dark Elf culture. Yes. That's right. Amaia, you know what I'm talking about."
Amaia's gauntleted hand slid slowly down her face as she sighed. "Of course, my lady. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 71 in advance your support is my inspiration join for only 3 to 5$
patreon.com/everstone