Chapter 167 - Jeweled Flowers
She woke up to the glaring sunlight, her head still foggy. From the way the light felt, it must be evening. It had been a while since she had slept in so much. She had indulged in a rare lie-in.
"Ungh..."
Staying awake all night and sleeping until the afternoon was a rare occurrence. It threw her off a bit.
Hmm, there’s still plenty of time before the meeting with everyone.
"Since I’m awake anyway..."
Being a guest in a nobleman’s mansion meant having a private bathroom. There was no reason to hold back. She decided to freshen up and feel rejuvenated.
She got up and closed the curtains, blocking the sunlight. She took off all her clothes and cleaned herself with a purification spell. Then, she took a shower to wash away the dirt. The two were different.
Once inside the bathroom, she used the shower instead of filling the tub. The hot water cascading over her head felt exhilarating.
At this moment, her skin, usually pale to the point of sickness, took on a healthy flush.
"...Ah."
Rosmerta had mentioned going to the Royal Palace today. She was probably already hard at work.
She couldn’t stay here forever, so after a short rest, she decided to head out.
She turned off the shower when her body was warm and flushed. She walked back to the room, using a bathrobe to soak up the excess water, and drank some cold water to hydrate.
Her stomach growled, signaling hunger. She had only been drinking without eating anything substantial since the previous night. It was about time for a meal.
The mansion staff would probably prepare a meal quickly if she asked, but she didn’t want to be a bother without Rosmerta around.
Alright, she decided to head out into the city to find something to eat.
Once she made up her mind, she didn’t dilly-dally. She quickly packed her things and said goodbye to the mansion where she had stayed.
"Please visit again. The Lady would be delighted."
"Sure, but it might not be anytime soon. Maybe later."
She was seen off by the old butler who had shown her around. His invitation to return seemed genuine. A duchess who could chat through the night without reservations wasn’t easy to come by.
She mounted her beloved vehicle and put on her sunglasses. It was night, but the wind shield was necessary. She waved goodbye to the old butler and left.
The mansion was in the noble district. Even within the noble district, there were areas with clustered mansions and others with various shops.
Of course, there were also places with restaurants and cafes, where she could stop by. However, there was a risk of being turned away, especially if there was a dress code. Her distinctive leather jacket might not fit in.
Besides, this was a peaceful noble district. It wasn’t a place for suspicious characters to wander around. She decided to head to the general district instead.
The Bloomstar Galaxy, painted in black with silver parts, was highly conspicuous.
Its unique engine sound and sleek, stylish design naturally drew attention.
She sometimes found the stares and whispers annoying, but generally, they no longer bothered her. She was used to it. Even without a motorcycle, she was a standout woman.
Besides, if she let herself be bothered by everyone’s opinions, she wouldn’t be able to do anything she enjoyed.
Of course, she couldn’t ignore everything. Distinguishing between what mattered and what didn’t was essential. Once she could do that, the trivial things ceased to bother her.
"Hmm, I’m in the mood for pancakes. Is there any nice place to try...?"
It was already night, the perfect time for dinner, but she felt like having breakfast.
Driving down the street lined with eateries, she spotted a stylish place.
Surveying her surroundings, she chose a café with a terrace, attracting attention from both near and far. Yes, that place.
She parked her beloved vehicle next to the terrace and took her seat with a clack of her boots.
With her motorcycle right beside her, she felt secure. Thanks to the magical authentication, theft was unlikely, but mischief might still happen. It was fortunate to find an empty spot.
"Oh, customer, uh, uh..."
"Can I have pancakes?"
She asked the visibly nervous waiter, removing her sunglasses.
"Y-Yes!"
"Then, bring me a seven-layered pancake and a large side salad. And coffee, please."
"Seven layers?"
"Sure. If it’s too much trouble, that’s fine too."
"N-No, I’ll bring it!"
She hadn’t meant to intimidate him, but seeing the kind-hearted girl turn red and flustered made her feel a bit sorry for her.
While waiting, she idly gazed at the street.
The area was bustling with people and shops, making it a great spot to gauge the city’s atmosphere.
It was evident that the city was peaceful, a complete contrast to its former state of devastation.
The streets were filled with people walking happily, with no sign of outlaws or refugees. Those types were likely confined to other districts or the slums. There were no harassed women or thefts or fights.
While she found the peace somewhat boring, it was a very good atmosphere by normal standards. The idea of drugs spreading was unimaginable. The stark contrast to the scene in the slums the previous day was striking.
The peace was undisturbed, and her order arrived without incident.
"S-Sorry for the wait!"
The waiter stammered excessively.
"Thank you."
There was nothing she could do about it. She decided to be kind to the flustered waitress.
"Ah, excuse me~"
She smiled, causing the waitress to turn bright red and scurry away. Sheesh, what’s with her?
She swallowed her mild frustration and began eating the stack of ordinary, flat pancakes and the salad. They weren't particularly delicious, just average. The coffee was also average. Still, it was far from terrible, and she had no complaints.
To confirm, she ordered a refill. She was hungry, and there was still time to spare.
Even after finishing her meal, she had time to spare. She amused herself by creating crystal flowers, crafting a spray of gladiolus, roses, alstroemeria, lilies, and carnations. The flowers were colorful, with stems accurately colored. Her attention to detail was a quirk of hers.
By the time she ordered her fourth refill, it was almost closing time. She had overstayed her welcome.
She pulled a blue rose from the pile of crystal flowers and stood up, paid the bill, and headed out.
"Customer!"
"What is it?"
It was the nervous waitress.
"There are flowers on the table..."
"I’m giving them to you. As an apology for making you nervous. If you don’t want them, feel free to throw them away."
The girl had blushed and served her diligently despite her nervousness. She felt a bit guilty and wanted to leave something as a token of thanks. It was a whim, really.
After seeing the girl’s surprised and delighted face, she quickly walked to her beloved vehicle.
It was almost time for the meeting.
She rode the Bloomstar Galaxy through the streets where such vehicles were rare, heading for the final task in the Royal Capital.
Their target was a merchant guild run by the enemies of the Oversta family. Publicly, they dealt in high-end equipment, mostly shields.
Shields, being large and conspicuous, were perfect for emblems, making them popular among noble-sponsored knight orders and famous mercenary groups or adventurer teams. This created a steady demand for high-end products and repairs.
However, according to Rosmerta, this guild was also involved in illegal activities, dealing in stolen goods and other illicit items. Despite being a high-end store for the wealthy, their illegal operations were likely more profitable.
What did they intend to do with the ill-gotten wealth? Personally, she found the place intriguing, but its days were numbered.
Arriving at the small park for the meeting, she found everyone was already there.
They had heard her unique engine sound and knew she was approaching.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, you’re right on time. Yukari-dono, let’s confirm the plan."
"Sure, I’m counting on you."
As usual, Siegrune took the lead in the pre-mission briefing.
"According to the intel, an underground auction is happening here tonight. Our mission is to raid it and send a strong message to the leaders and all involved."
Indeed, this was a perfect timing for their presence in the Royal Capital, considering Rosmerta’s faction’s goals.
If this event happened regularly, it might be a coincidence, but given its infrequency, was it really?
She had her doubts, but it was too late to question it. They had been used in a way, but once they accepted the mission, there was no turning back.
"We’re not supposed to hurt anyone, but aside from that, are we free to act?"
"Yes, the goal is to send a strong message. However, the guards and security will be formidable. You may deal with them as needed, but do not harm non-combatants. You may destroy property and seize valuables. Feel free to go all out in this regard."
Causing damage to a wealthy establishment wouldn’t be too impactful. The visual impact was significant, but it could be easily repaired with magic. What mattered more was damaging their finances and morale.
Seizing valuable and useful items would deal a financial blow and benefit them directly. A well-guarded underground auction being raided would also severely damage their credibility. It would be a significant blow.
"Can we beat the guards to a pulp, or should we stop short of killing them?"
"Beating them up is fine, but no need to finish them off unless absolutely necessary."
They were supposed to avoid harming non-combatants. Resisting guards were fair game, but they were to use restraint when possible.
"We should move valuable and interesting items outside and load them onto the vehicles. Should we also wreak havoc while doing so?"
"Exactly. Maintain vigilance and protect the vehicles. No mistakes. Everyone, charge in and make an impact."
The mission was straightforward. With determined responses, the leaders, including Mary, began assigning roles.
The destination was just a stone’s throw away from the park, making it an ideal temporary base, as it was hidden from direct view.
They would storm in on foot and start by delivering their message. Once roles were assigned, it was time for action.
"Alright, it’s time for the villains to make their move."
With those words, they sprang into action.
While walking, she absentmindedly pulled the blue crystal rose from her pocket. She admired its intricate craftsmanship, gleaming in the streetlights, but it was now a hindrance.
Without any particular attachment, she tossed it aside and crushed it underfoot.