Chapter 768

Chapter Thirty – Ambush

After sending Lilith away through the window, I sat alone beside the sleeping Barry for a long time, my mind going over and over some of the things she had told me later.

“The Church Herald hasn’t been distributed in the city for a very long time; it seems there hasn’t been a new one throughout the entire Silgayan southern territory. I don’t know about the northern region, but a cousin from Philadelphia once mentioned that due to the war, they haven’t seen a new edition for quite some time.”

I knew that the new tax plans formulated by the Holy City were mainly targeted at the northern nobles, merchants who were unwilling to pay, and some ships from the eastern continent. It seemed to have started this year, with part of the first tax collected being used for city and estate construction. The money was now managed by the Bank, though no one has seen it yet. The exploitation of laborers in the city has also become more severe.

“As for the Walking Society, I heard from my mother that they are fervent supporters of the current Pope in the public, not directly under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Church, but seem to follow orders from some people within the Bank. In short, it’s a very complex and strange organization, and I don’t fully understand what they do. But I can assure you that those who took Barry away are definitely not from the Walking Society.”

“Features? Let me think… uh…”

“They always hide under large cloaks, making it hard to see their faces. But once, I accidentally saw the hair color of the possible leader. His hair was green, like the grass in a garden, not very long, but because it was so striking and rare, I remember it clearly.”

Green hair…

Lost in thought for a moment, I slowly got up from the bed, took off the mask, rummaged through the drawers, found a dirty rag, wiped off the bloodstains, and then burned the rag to ashes with a flame. I unfastened the satchel around my waist and casually threw it on the small cabinet next to the bed. After checking on Barry, who was still sound asleep, unmoving from his position last night, I couldn’t help but purse my lips.

Who?

It’s so early in the morning, and already such a commotion. They must be energetic.

After tucking Barry in, I stood by the door for a while, listening carefully. Confirming that there was no one outside, I quietly unlocked the door, put on the cloak, and stepped out. I didn’t go far, just stood at the corridor and looked down.

That must be the drunkard who stayed here last night.

It seems he got into a fight with the tavern staff this morning because he couldn’t afford to pay. He’s now covered in blood, curled up on the ground, surrounded by several men. A maid standing by the bar was scolding him with one hand on her hip.

“Fine, you can owe me your body, but daring to owe money for drinks too, coming here when you have no money, thinking you’re looking for charity?”

While she was scolding, she seemed to notice something and looked over at me.

I turned and walked away.

Not interested in these messy affairs, I quickly returned to the room and locked the door again. Before Barry woke up—

Better not attract attention.

With this thought, I walked back to the window, closed it, leaving only a small gap.

Through the gap, I lifted the hood and took out a piece of bread from the package. I ate it slowly while looking outside through the window slit.

The street was as deserted as the day before, with few pedestrians. It looked desolate. Opposite, behind a low building whose purpose I didn’t know, I saw a few ragged figures.

Some stood in the shadows, others slumped on wooden steps. In the darkness, their hungry eyes seemed to gaze toward the tavern.

Soon, someone came downstairs carrying two buckets. The water splashed in the narrow alley between buildings. Those people rushed forward crazily, falling to the dirty ground to scramble for the water. Soon, some started fighting over it.

I watched this scene from the window on the second floor, my face expressionless.

As the sunlight gradually rose in the east, casting a warm glow that brightened the streets and buildings, more pedestrians appeared on the road. A girl dressed like a servant walked down the street. After she entered my view, she glanced around, then noticed the sign of the tavern on this side of the road. She stopped and looked up at the second floor.

Yes.

That should be her.

I swallowed the last bite of bread, thought for a moment, and decided not to jump directly from the second floor. After all, it was daytime, and such actions would be too conspicuous and could raise suspicions.

So I closed the window, put on the hood again, unlocked the door, and stepped out. As I turned to lock the door behind me, I suddenly realized that when I checked in yesterday, the woman at the bar hadn’t given me any key or similar item.

I frowned lightly.

Forget it.

I just need to be away for a while.

I closed the door tightly and stood outside for a moment, ensuring the thick wooden door couldn’t be easily blown open by the wind. Then, I wrapped my cloak around me and quickly went downstairs.

At that moment, the injured man was being carried by two strong men, apparently planning to throw him behind the tavern. The maid-like woman had already returned to the bar. Seeing me come down, she greeted with a smile, “Oh, little girl, did you sleep well last night?”

I waved at her but ignored her words. I stepped over a small puddle of blood on the ground and walked straight toward the door.

Stepping out of the tavern, the air felt fresher. I couldn’t help taking deep breaths. My eyes quickly scanned the street. After a light cough, I quickened my pace and approached the young maid across the street. The girl looked nervous when she saw me coming and took a step back, asking, “Are you—”

“Where’s Lilyth? Why isn’t she here?” “Huh—”

Upon hearing my words, she immediately relaxed, “This morning, the lady left late, so Miss Lilyth couldn’t leave ahead of her.”

The girl looked around furtively, then quickly took out a small packet of parchment paper from her chest and handed it to me, followed by another large packet from under her skirt.

“I am the personal maid of the lady. She never hides anything from me. She asked me to deliver these things secretly. This small packet contains herbs. You can crush them and apply to the wound. The big package is food, enough for two people for two days if used sparingly.”

I accepted them one by one, hiding the packages under my cloak. Looking at the maid, I said, “Please thank her for me.”

Then I didn’t speak much more with her, avoiding further contact, and turned to walk back toward the tavern. The maid lowered her head and quickly left.

Pushing open the double doors, I returned to the tavern. Ignoring the gazes of several unknown men, I noticed the woman who had been standing behind the bar was gone. I assumed she had gone out to deal with the drunkard and paid no more attention. Holding the two packets of parchment paper, I went straight upstairs along the stairs, and as I prepared to push open the door to my room, my hand suddenly stopped.

There were nervous breathing sounds behind the door.

Who?!

In the next moment, I withdrew my hand and kicked the door open with a ‘bang’, ducking and stepping inside swiftly. I heard the sound of wind beside me and saw a hand holding a candlestick from the corner of my eye, smashing down fiercely onto my back!