Those flocculent pure white objects were floating in the air, and the twilight in the background seemed to evenly coat them with a layer of dust. They did not return to their original color until they were blown to the ground by the wind.
I dug my legs into the snow that was almost up to my knees and pressed on my wind-blocking hat.
It’s winter again.
Even though I was so embarrassed by the snow, I didn't have any aversion to the snow. This substance between water and ice is not as fickle and elusive as water, and not as stubborn as ice. It is like being caught between weakness and ice.
The cruel middleman.
Behavior like this that does not go to any extreme may be the so-called "gentleness".
The snow is still falling, but the road still has to be driven.
After confirming this in my mind, I accelerated my footprints on the snow.
A tavern can be vaguely seen ahead, and the street is exposed because of the snow brooms surrounding it.
Here is the central city, known as the "City of Blades" and one of the five most developed capitals in the Saint Vance Empire - Fulvos.
I just staggered closer to the tavern. A dance was being held inside the tavern. The moment I opened the door, the noise inside became slightly quieter, but soon it became noisy again.
There are many people in the tavern, and there is no doubt that a large part of them are [Wanderers].
The so-called wanderer is almost similar to those adventurers in animations and games, who rely on bounties to make a living.
Although the empire is unified, it relies on nobles to manage various places and is very independent. In addition, the territory is vast, and few nobles are willing to go to places that are difficult to control, such as forests, rainforests, and extremely cold places.
These places outside the jurisdiction of the empire have become hiding places for the expelled demons.
Unfortunately, most of the hiding places of these demons happen to be located in the central area of the empire, so many areas, including Fulvos, have been invaded by demons all year round.
As for the reason why the empire does not mobilize the army, it is even more obvious - the distribution of demons is too scattered, which is not conducive to military operations, not to mention the war in the north.
And the residents here cannot be transferred away, because the central area of the empire is also a gathering place for a large number of sexual couples.
Under this situation, the local noble lords have established the [Walker Alliance] one after another - in the form of a reward, they encourage people with certain combat capabilities to hunt down the demons, and grant them the title of "Walker", with the title of "Walker".
The right to freely enter and exit the city walls.
The bounty rewards are basically very generous, so most people with good combat talents will apply for the Wanderer.
I am no exception, but unfortunately I was rejected by the examiner as "insufficient ability" during the entrance examination.
I looked at the no-walkers reveling in the tavern. There were no new injuries on their faces, and they all looked energetic. I guess no one was going to accept the bounty today.
Although most of the people in the tavern pretended not to see me, the suspicious glances they cast from time to time showed that they were still wary of me.
"Oh, it's true...but there's nothing we can do about it..."
My muttering seemed insignificant in the loud music, but the possibility of someone hearing it was not ruled out.
But it doesn’t matter, I’m here to drink.
I yelled for a drink from the waiter at the front desk, and then slumped on the chair like mud - most of the chairs here had been removed in advance for the party, and I was the only one sitting there.
I looked at the dancing people. They all came with friends. Although I didn’t know what they were dancing, they were obviously in a good mood.
Sure enough, you are very lucky to have someone by your side, at least you won't stand out among the crowd. In contrast, a solitary person seems to be tacitly isolated by his surroundings, which must be very pitiful.
.....
That kind of person turned out to be me.
Well, I am definitely not the only one who comes to the pub alone, I thought with such a stubborn mentality.
This idea was quickly confirmed in a way that I don't want to admit.
——A thin man with a sinister look emerged from the crowd of carnival bodies at the ball. As soon as he saw me, he immediately put his hand on my shoulder as if he was familiar with it:
"Hey~~Good evening, Mr. Detective."
I know this guy. He is a well-known gangster around here. He has no fixed income or career and is notorious.
This gangster talked to me and asked the waiter for a drink.
I said "hmm" to show that I heard it, but the gangster seemed to be very dissatisfied with my reaction:
"Hey, be a little more enthusiastic. It's rare for me to accompany you! Aren't you here because of today's prom discount? Isn't it? Hehe..."
For some reason, many pubs held dance parties tonight, and for the first time, all drinks and food were given huge discounts.
Although what the gangster said made sense, he acted like he understood me very well, which made me a little annoyed.
"Don't confuse me with you. Besides, I go to the pub every day."
"Eh heh heh~~ So indifferent, Mr. Detective."
A gangster will call everyone "Master", but I have never heard any respect in any "Master".
But since he is one of the few people who calls me "detective", I don't plan to care too much about it.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh again.
Yes, in order to make a living, I have been working as a "private detective" since I came to Woolworth.
Low requirements, stable, no pressure from superiors, no ability threshold... When I heard this series of benefits from someone, I thought private detective was a rare and good career.
But almost all the commissions are like "monitoring whether the husband has an affair", "tracking whether the boyfriend goes to a nightclub"...
There is no difference between being a stalker!
This is why most men in Woolworth are very wary of me, and there's nothing I can do about it.
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Maybe except for people like gangsters who have been singles all their lives, everyone else calls me a "stalker pervert" behind my back...
So from a certain perspective, I was quite touched that the gangster could call me "Detective".
The alcohol made my brain feel a little confused. Looking at the dirty face of the gangster, I said "ha" in a self-deprecating way.
I still remember that I once said something like "Destroy the demons", but now I am still useless... I hang out with other trash all day long...
"What a bastard..."
"Oh, what an outrageous statement, but the detective is just as good as me!"
Smooth-tongued guy...
"...I'm not scolding you, and can you please go away?"
"I won't leave so easily. After all, I spent precious time with the lonely detective. Shouldn't the detective have any expression? For example-"
The gangster shook his glass and showed a sly smile.
I had already guessed this development when I first saw him, but I was still very unhappy...
I knew that I couldn't send this guy away without giving him some benefits, so I had to impatiently agree.
"I know, I know, I'll pay for your drinks, okay?"
[The chance of obtaining important information next is 100%]
Suddenly, my divine eyes reacted.
"That's great! I can't thank you enough! I will definitely say all the good things for the detective at the welcome ceremony tomorrow."
"Welcome ceremony?"
It was obviously hard to get the chance to drive away the gangsters, but it happened that I became interested in what he said.
"Hey? Detective, don't you know?"
"Come on, come on, tell me."
After all, my plug-in reminded me. Although I don’t quite understand what it means, I can’t help but pay attention to it.
"Then thank you, Mr. Detective, for your hospitality."
"Huh?"
Deliberately ignoring my questioning voice, the gangster called the waiter again and pointed at me:
"Please bring me some more food, anything. This gentleman will pay for it."
"Hey!"
"Don't be stingy. After all, the detective also wants something from me, right?"
This bastard!
I glared at the gangster, but the gangster waited until the waiter brought a plate of sandwiches, then continued the topic as if nothing had happened while eating.
"Tomorrow... Well, it's so delicious... Tomorrow, the new lord of Fulvos will come. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor will also come in person! By the way...
.The dances in various taverns tonight are also held to welcome the arrival of the lord... Wow, this sandwich tastes really good!"
"..."
"..."
"That's it?"
"What do you mean 'that's it'?! This is very important, a matter for noble gentlemen!"
"What it means to me is that my plan to sleep in after getting drunk was forced to cancel."
What...it turns out to be such a small thing, I really don’t understand why it is important.
"...Oh, is it possible that the detective didn't plan to get up in the morning tomorrow?"
"So what?"
"The lord is here in the morning, and all the people in the lord have to go out to greet him."
"Must go?"
"Yes. Otherwise, if you don't go, you will be sentenced for being offensive and disrespectful."
"..."
It seems really important.
The gangster showed a proud expression.
"Oh, it seems that I accidentally saved the detective the next time. This time it will be difficult... How should the detective repay me..."
Damn guy...
Even though I thought so, I didn't directly express any dissatisfaction.
"Well...it's really important and it helped a lot."
"Oh, the detective thanked me so sincerely. I am truly worthy of being the person who has eternal friendship with me~~"
"Yes yes yes..."
In order to prevent myself from being hit hard by this gangster again, I stood up while catering to him, put dozens of Weibens into my hat, and put them on the chair.
"I'm leaving first. This money is a thank you gift."
"Then you're welcome. I'm very grateful, Mr. Detective."
While the gangsters were happily grabbing their hats and preparing to count their money, I got into the crowd.
I exhaled.
The irritable mood has lasted for a long time, what is going on...
I am busy every day, so maybe even I can’t help but feel anxious from time to time.
No...if you continue like this, you will be disappointed again.
But what can I do?
Damn it!
"Poor guy."
A wisp of sound as thin as a gossamer, but very clear, reached my ears. The lightness of the sound instantly calmed my emotions.
I raised my head and found a person on the sofa by the fireplace to the right of the door.
I think my observation skills are quite sharp, and I have been a "stalking pervert" for so long.