Barn activated Mind's Eye and surveyed the bustling scene "before" him, somewhat stunned. Was it surprising to see such prosperity in this desert?
Very surprising.
"Did Dragon get his intelligence wrong again...? Looks like my own Guild people are more reliable after all..."
Barn spoke helplessly, but kept Mind's Eye active, scanning the white figures around him. Among them, however, something different appeared.
"Green?"
With Mind's Eye, Barn spotted several green figures inside a building at the very center of Rainbase.
Barn smiled.
"Looks like this is the place."
Barn headed toward it, while inside the building, things were just as noisy.
The place was called Rain Dinners, the largest building in Rainbase and the private property of Crocodile, the "hero of the kingdom." It was a casino.
The moment he entered, he was greeted by a deafening din and cries of people placing bets. This was why Barn, who preferred peace and quiet, found the place irritating. After all, the chips stacked on the tables held no appeal for him. What interested him were the green figures beneath the casino.
"Sir, may I help you?"
A smartly dressed attendant approached Barn and greeted him with an impeccably proper gesture.
I never thought Crocodile had this kind of taste.
At that thought, a smile appeared on Barn's face, and he said,
"I'm with Baroque Works."
The attendant stiffened for a moment, then his signature smile returned, though he bowed even lower.
"Sorry for the wait, sir. Please follow me."
Barn naturally offered no resistance and followed the attendant inside.
Meanwhile, their destination, the basement of Rain Dinners, was quite lively.
"Just how long are you going to keep me waiting? At least bring me an octopus parfait!"
An oddly dressed man was standing on a chair and spinning in circles.