Tavern

The "Black Wind Valley Scavenger Base," with a population of hundreds of thousands, has become a large city.

Just like in Black Dragon City, the city was bustling with activity as various new buildings were being constructed everywhere.

It's no longer called the Wilderness Hunting Base; to be precise, it's the private territory of the "Rosas Family." The surrounding wasteland, along with the land, is private property called "Blackwind Valley Territory." The lord is a count named "Milo Rosas," and there's a bronze statue of him at the city gate.

Rein looked up at the huge chimneys that were faintly visible in the mist, then strode through the shantytown toward the Mechanical City.

The city was shrouded in a hazy fog, a mixture of Abyssal Demonic Qi and pervasive coal smoke, filling the air with a thick, pungent odor.

After the original hunting bases were urbanized, civilians began to appear, and so did gangs, merchants, and butchers.

As Rein and her group entered the city, several men with their heads hanging down from their collars crouched in the streets and alleys, sizing up the returning hunters.

The hunters migrated here with their families, and once they became permanent residents of the territory, they could settle down. Once they became subjects of the lord, the sanctuary fee they paid upon entering the city would be replaced by various taxes, and eight or nine tenths of their income would be deducted as taxes and handed over to the lord's pocket.

They won't get rich, but at least they won't die.

Because of the vast wealth brought by the [Black Tide], as long as you don't spend money recklessly, you can still have some surplus.

Rein had only taken a few steps when he smelled a foul stench and frowned slightly.

Back when it was a hunting base, hunters could relieve themselves outside the base. Now everyone is trapped in the city, and feeding, drinking, and sanitation for hundreds of thousands of people is a major problem. There's no large-scale sewage system on the streets, and the septic tank trucks can't keep up with the rapidly growing population.

However, nobody cares about the working-class neighborhoods.

The quarters where the nobility and wealthy lived were impeccably clean, and the streets were open to everyone, somewhat resembling a high-end business district in Rein's previous life. This was a stark contrast to the slums of the commoners. Neat, orderly, and teeming with a dazzling array of shops.

Potion Shop with colorful bottles of reagents displayed in its window; Musket Shop with various firearms hanging on the walls; Sword and Equipment Shop with clanging sounds; Mechanical Workshop filled with the smell of oil and rust.

Street vendors sell fresh fruit with exorbitant price tags; butchers, their leather aprons greasy, are butchering the red meat of some unknown monster.

On the narrow streets, a train roared past with its steam horn, instantly engulfing the entire street in a white mist.

Of course, there were also taverns, gambling dens, theaters, and bathhouses for the entertainment of the wealthy.

However, the cost of living here is shockingly high, enough to drain every last gold coin from a hunter's pocket.

Rein strolled through the streets; he would stay in this territory for a while.

They tried to consolidate their own "momentum" and also inquired about the situation of the captured Kolman Tribe warriors.

But now, he plans to wander around the city, get familiar with the situation, and then find himself a place to stay for the night.

Perhaps because the doctor belonged to the wealthy class, he was enthusiastically promoted by various liquor brokers along the way.

"Hey, esteemed doctor, how about a couple of drinks? Our 'Oak Tavern' boasts the finest tequila imported directly from the Oma Empire."

"Welcome to 'Baron Tavern'! We also have the most spacious bathhouse and the prettiest girls."

"Our 'Windmill Tavern' is the largest tavern in Black Wind Territory, and you definitely won't be disappointed. We have the biggest gambling den, the best female performers just arrived from Sid, and barbarian slave gladiatorial combat."

"."

Rein had no interest in hanging out in a tavern during the day, but his ears caught a crucial piece of information: barbarians.

He quickly changed his mind.

He tilted his head and looked at the mustachioed broker, a hint of interest suddenly appearing on his face. "I'm thinking of finding a place to have a drink. Hey, buddy, you say your place has the biggest gambling den, what's so fun about it?"

"Have!"

The man with the mustache smiled broadly as he saw that he had attracted customers.

He introduced to Rein, "Poker, roulette, Jack, dice. Everything you want to play is here."

"Where is it? Take me to see it."

Rein followed the broker to the tavern, wandered through several damp alleys, and saw the sign for "Windmill Tavern".

At the entrance, scantily clad women with smoky makeup were striking alluring poses as they greeted customers. Several burly men in black leather jackets and thick gold chains squatted expressionlessly to the side.

This is standard tavern fare; nothing unusual about it.

As you descend the steel staircase leading down the iron gate, the cramped space suddenly opens up into a bright and spacious area.

The streets of the Mechanical City are incredibly valuable, but the space inside the Mechanical City is much cheaper.

The steampunk world is never complete without deafening music. Young men and women sway wildly on the dance floor, releasing their pent-up emotions to the rhythm of the music. In the dark corners, some restless men and women whisper sweet nothings to each other.

The tavern was unexpectedly crowded.

After making a few inquiries, they learned that because of the "zombie horde" at night, everyone had to go out hunting, while the daytime was the time for normal entertainment and leisure.

Rein sat down, removed his mask, and revealed an ordinary-looking face.

Looking at the tavern's program, the slave gladiatorial combat was still two hours away.

Bored, Rein ordered a drink and started drinking at the bar.

Not long after, a red-haired woman with a pretty face and a very hot figure walked over.

She sat down next to Rein without any hesitation, very close to him. "Hey, handsome, are you alone?"

Rein glanced at her. Her attire was very revealing: super short leather shorts, a fitted jacket over a barely-there denim bra, the front of which was wide open, exposing large expanses of skin. At first glance, it conveyed a strong sense of ambiguous sexual intimacy.

He smiled and raised an eyebrow, "Yes."

This could be a bar girl, or a professional nightclub hostess who hangs out in bars to hook up with rich men. Their identity doesn't matter; it's all about making money by providing entertainment for men.

Often, they are also responsible for gathering intelligence for professional businessmen through various channels.

"Oh?"

The red-haired woman's eyes flashed a suggestive smile. She moved very close, her strong perfume masking the smell of tobacco on her, and asked in a coquettish voice, "Would you like to buy me a drink?"

My arms were enveloped in gentleness; the soft, almost imperceptible touch stimulated the release of male hormones.

"OK."

Rein didn't stand on ceremony and naturally enjoyed the woman's enthusiasm. Pretending to be proper here wasn't a good choice, so he turned to the bartender and ordered a drink.

Seeing how generous Rein was, the redhead became even more intimate, saying, "My name is Dasha. Oh, handsome, are you a distinguished doctor?"

"Yes. To be precise, I am also a baron from the Angelos Province."

A tavern is never complete without a braggart, and Rein has perfectly imitated that air, displaying the arrogant demeanor of a nobleman.

As he spoke, he even took out his noble crest ring and showed it off.

"Wow, you are the esteemed Baron!"

The redhead gasped in surprise, covering her mouth.

Her eyes darted around, and she quickly concluded that this was a fallen nobleman, otherwise he wouldn't have ended up in City of Radiance.

But clearly, she knew what to say and what not to say at this moment. "This is the first time I've ever seen a noble coat of arms. I never knew it was so beautiful."

"Of course, it was made of pure gold by royal craftsmen."

Rein feigned an expression of enjoying the flattery and handed his crest, which bore the image of a double-headed eagle, to the woman for a closer look.

The Five Great Families of City of Radiance planned to set a trap in this base; they couldn't possibly have been unprepared. Beneath the seemingly calm surface of "Black Wind Territory," undercurrents were already surging.

Every suspicious stranger will likely fall into their surveillance list.

Instead of acting mysterious to draw attention to his existence, he should take the initiative to reveal his identity.

It's estimated that the city is now teeming with informants gathering intelligence. Putting aside everything else, 99% of these tavern girls are. They may not serve any particular faction, but their information can be sold to intelligence dealers for money.

The title of Baron of Rein is not fabricated; it is a legitimate nobleman that can withstand investigation.

With Princess Oma Ymir Omar around, they got a complete set of titles, coats of arms, and everything else—all genuine.

After this display of power, he'll probably no longer be considered someone of dubious origin on those watch lists after tonight.

Thanks to 'Shiyu Haotian' 500, 'Ganliliang', 'Quanshuidaodao', '123 Kuah'. Thanks to a few people for their generous rewards.