Chapter 418: Entering the City

After Lilian finished setting up the ritual in the tent and definitely left.

Luo De, just in case, had Tally create a clone of him lying on the bed, while the two of them stealthily slipped away using shadow magic.

Travel using 【Tree Walker】.

It took only about half an hour to arrive safely at merchant Alfonso's encampment.

The caravan members didn't even notice that Luo De and Tally had been gone all night.

They were in a hurry to avoid possible retaliation from the land naga, bid farewell, and quickly headed along the trade road toward Deepwater City.

Before leaving, Alfonso's son Vincent kept glancing back at Tally, his face full of confusion.

It's no wonder.

Today, Tally had changed her appearance again—she was now a tall, mature woman who called herself Aunt Tally.

Though she desperately denied it, everyone could tell she was imitating Mother-in-law Lilian.

"It doesn't feel that big."

The two stood in line at the Axe Beach trade gate, and Tally said this.

It's called a trade gate, but.

Not many people drive carts in and out, since entering the city incurs an extra cart fee.

In the line ahead and behind, most people were pushing hand carts.

The races were varied enough—halflings, goblins, dwarves, and elves could all be seen.

"It's probably a bit larger than Shiying Town, but the city walls and road infrastructure are at least one level superior."

"Hmm, the girls' skin here doesn't seem as fair as in Shiying Town. What skin tone does the master prefer?"

"Doesn't matter, as long as the face is pretty."

"Bullshit. Tally secretly counted how many times the master kissed cheeks during love-making—she kissed the half-deer girl the most. That girl hides in the woods all day, never gets sun, her face is as white as snow. The master loves white!"

Really?

Mainly because Xiao Ke won't let me kiss her lips, and her face is just small and cute.

She's so shy she won't even make eye contact. She shuts her eyes and lips the moment you get close, and only opens them after she's deeply aroused.

"By count, shouldn't I be kissing you more?"

"Nope. Every time, the master kisses lips and sucks my saliva."

"Aren't you the one who always comes over to kiss me whenever I want to kiss your cheek?"

"That's not my fault! It's all because the master's mouth is so delicious!"

"Heh."

Luo De saw two guards at the city gate entrance.

Third-rank amateurs.

But their armor was complete, and their weapons gleamed with sharp, icy light—clearly well-maintained.

Don't underestimate armor.

Even ordinary gear gives a huge advantage in low-rank fights.

Looked up.

On the nearly five-meter-high city wall, guards stood watch; beneath their silver, cold helmets were unreadable, chilling faces.

Luo De spotted two seventh-rank spiritual warriors among them.

"The guards here seem much better than those in Shiying Town."

Luo De thought of the constable David.

That guy recently went through several battles and leveled up through life-and-death struggles, but he attributed it to brothel training, so he increased his spending from once a week to every three days, calling it "cultivation."

After a while.

The two successfully entered the city.

Just past the gate, to the left-front was the merchant's open market square; to the right were scattered houses, poorly planned—clumped haphazardly.

Those weren't Luo De's targets.

In a new city, the old rule applies: first, get a giant's ale.

At a roadside grain shop, they asked for directions and learned that Axe Beach had a famous Riverlight Tavern—the second-largest building after the Earl's Ancient Castle, and the place where celebrations and wealthy folk drank, ate, and amused themselves.

With their target set, the two headed straight there without delay.

After passing the market and a stretch of houses with chicken and duck coops outside their doors, they instantly spotted a two-story tavern with a red sloped roof and dark yellow walls.

Luo De ordered a giant's ale; Tally chose apple cider, plus some dried fruit and corn chips as snacks.

They sat down in a corner of the tavern.

"This giant's ale is slightly sweeter and smoother than Shiying Town's, less harsh."

It's really good, and strong enough.

If only it weren't so expensive.

For just this little, he'd spent twenty silver Along—absurd.

"Your drink's nice too, master. Want a sip?"

The succubus grinned, offering the cup—turning the rim, still marked with her lip print, toward her master.

"Hehe, with Tally's lip print as seasoning, it's even tastier!"

Luo De didn't care—he kissed the rim and tasted it:

"Mmm, more like a drink than alcohol."

"I like it. It tastes a bit like the master's essence after sweating."

"."

"Of course, nothing compares to the master's flavor—oh? Really? Sword Bay? A succubus?"

Tally's eyes lit up, signaling her master to look.

Luo De looked over.

He saw a serving girl in dark green maid's attire carrying a tray of drinks—her smile sweet, her face cute but not refined, with a neighbor-girl vibe.

Luo De couldn't see through her illusion.

But he had the Disguise Domain, which gave him some perception.

High-level illusions were beyond him—like Tally's, which he could no longer sense after her +10 upgrade.

Hmm.

Definitely a succubus.

Her true form had pale blue skin, shorter demonic horns than Tally's, more curved, a gray tail ending in a triangle—not Tally's heart shape—and her face wasn't as pretty or refined.

Oh? A flat one? That's unexpected.

"So succubi can be flat too?"

"Of course. Humans have short people too—it's normal. Succubi's true forms are private; normal ones never reveal them to others in their lifetime."

"Then you—"

"Tally has a master, so I don't care about such rules. By the way, 【Deceive Gods and Demons】 can suppress same-species lower than me—maybe I can get something out of her."

She said this proudly, waving at the flat succubus.

The succubus noticed, paused in surprise, then hurried over.

She stared at Tally, mouth slightly open, hesitant to speak.

"No need to stare—I'm one too."

Tally spoke first, cold and haughty.

The flat succubus said nothing, turned to Luo De, still uncertain, very cautious.

"Oh, this is my spirit slave, Luo De."

"."

She was smug—she even dared to pat her master's head.

Only when Luo De glanced at her did she sneak a timid, groveling grin.

The expression was clear.

It meant: "Don't expose me, please let me pretend."

The flat succubus then patted her chest, relieved.

"Sister, your aura is so strong—you feel like a great demon. I didn't dare recognize you… By the way, I'm Moni."

"Tally."

"Tally-sister~ Your spirit slave is so handsome. Can I have a taste too~~"

(End of Chapter)