Chapter 354: Chapter 297: Fervent Normalcy, the Hidden Sword, War (Part 2)

More and more people are stopping here to rest, and even planning to stay to look for business opportunities.

Therefore.

When the weather cleared and the bright sunlight fell on the land without reservation.

When the Flower Knight Shire Haines, alone and travel-worn, arrived at Ximu Town, stepping onto the wide roads paved with smooth bricks.

The sight that met his eyes was completely different from the tragic image dominated by monsters that he had preconceived in his mind.

What he saw was clean streets, new buildings, orderly crowds, and a thriving market scene.

The lively sounds of people, the clanging of the blacksmith’s hammer, and the cries of the vendors intertwined, bursting with vibrant energy.

In a moment of trance, the young and handsome knight almost believed he was in a thriving, peaceful civilized town of the Federation, rather than in the perilous, survival-of-the-fittest Sel Wilderness.

The huge contrast between the expected cruel reality and the flourishing vitality before his eyes left him momentarily stunned.

"Human, sss... don’t just stand stupidly in the middle of the road blocking the way."

A Snake-man Guard with a curved blade at his waist and slit pupils coldly reminded him, a forked snake tongue lightly flickering.

"Sorry, terribly sorry." Shire snapped back to reality and hurriedly stepped aside to clear the way.

When he noticed that the Snake-man Guard was a lithe, exotically featured female, the knight’s innate grace and enthusiasm were instantly kindled.

"Beautiful Snake Woman, thank you for your kind reminder."

He elegantly performed a customary gesture used by adventurers, then displayed a perfectly troubled expression.

"I’m new here, completely unfamiliar, as if lost, could you grant me the honor of guiding my way?"

The Snake Woman Guard asked, "Where are you headed?"

"My lady." Shire flashed his signature sunny smile, capable of making many a young girl blush, as his right hand deftly flipped, making a vivid red rose appear at his fingertips.

"The destination I yearn for is your heart."

Though he donned an ordinary adventurer’s attire, his handsome face could not be entirely concealed.

The Snake Woman Guard unreservedly, and with a discerning eye, scrutinized him before her flexible tail tip swiftly took the rose.

Then, without warning, she spun and leaned forward, her cool, smooth cheek almost touching Shire’s face.

"Sss—"

She flickered her forked long tongue teasingly and wildly, gently licking the knight’s cheek, then said to the instantly stiffened and dumbfounded Shire: "Human, do you want to mate with me?"

"No problem, I also wanted to taste what humans are like."

"Misunderstanding, a huge misunderstanding!"

The Flower Knight never expected such a direct and wild response from her, the cool, slippery touch on his cheek not yet faded, he blushed fiercely, nearly scrambling away in clumsy hurry, drawing low chuckles from some nearby townsfolk.

"A strange human."

The Snake Woman puzzledly shook her head, playing with the rose, watching the knight’s awkward retreat muttering to herself.

"Doesn’t he like me? Why run away? So hard to understand."

She felt she could never comprehend these roundabout, complex human thoughts.

Elsewhere, Shire wandered around Ximu Town, settling his emotions, and eventually entered the liveliest tavern in town.

His inner confusion grew more intense.

Why could Ximu Town present such an orderly, even thriving scene under monster domination? This starkly contrasted with what he heard from Count Mills—monsters were brutal, bloodthirsty, slaughtering humans and seizing land.

Indeed.

The Flower Knight was profoundly grateful to Count Mills for his many benefits and support early in his adventuring career; therefore, upon receiving a plea for help, he unhesitatingly set aside his tasks and immediately rushed to this wilderness.

But though young, he was no longer a fledgling novice adventurer swayed by one-sided words.

Rich experience taught him to observe carefully and think independently.

The harmonious and prosperous scene in Ximu Town now was like a big question mark weighing heavily on his heart, sparking strong incomprehension and doubt.

So, he decided to delay his actions.

The primary task was an in-depth investigation to uncover the truth behind this situation before carefully considering the next step.

In the tavern, with his inherent humor, enthusiasm, broad knowledge, and generous spending on drinks, Shire quickly blended with several tables of adventurers.

As they exchanged drinks and toasts, he deftly steered the conversation, gradually piecing together the backstory and understanding the decades-long feud between the Molten Iron Tribe and the Albert Family.

According to known intelligence.

He confirmed that the Dragon Race who slew the nobles years ago was merely a juvenile dragon, which now should have entered the adolescent dragon stage.

Its followers, displaying such strong organizational and combat capabilities, indicated their leader must be extremely exceptional, possibly matching the might of a regular young dragon, perhaps even touching the threshold of an adult dragon.

But Shire was not intimidated; he held great confidence in himself.

His initial plan was to first assassinate the juvenile Green Dragon leader entrenched here, liberating Ximu Town.

Then engage in guerrilla warfare, disrupting and harassing the Molten Iron Tribe’s outposts around Scale Earth Rift, continually weakening their power and creating panic.