The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 97: Chapter 96: Precious Coins Cast Aglow

Read chapter 97 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 96: Precious Coins Cast Aglow The following week was met with ever the same idleness for Lucius’s fellows. Well, except for Roland. From explosions to poison and even the occasional midnight raid, the Peers’ leader was given little chance to rest as the people of Arabia exhausted every trick in their arsenal in an attempt to slaughter him. They failed, though not without some advantage: Roland was irritable, sleep deprived, and more haggard by the day. Nonetheless he pushed on and assured the players that he would handle everything. Astolfo, frustrated by the nation’s blatant transgressions, spent his time protesting at the main government building. Unfortunately for him there was one thing not even a warrior as tempered as he could defeat, and that was the tedium of bureaucracy. The city’s officials led him around on useless errands, directed him to offices where he waited for hours on end… only to be pointed to another agency where the cycle would once again repeat. The young Peer was at his wit’s end, yet there was naught else he could do if he wished to remain a ‘guest’ and not an enemy. The players attempted to find more information on their own. However, the citizens kept their silence and treated them with no more respect than a passing stranger—at least they weren’t trying to kill them. The players’ caution also lessened as time went on and, as a result, they abandoned their duo system and left to explore as they wished. It was amongst one of these outings that Lucius came across a familiar face. “Hm? Oh my, to think we would cross paths here of all places! It is a pleasure to see you again, Mister Hemingway.” The gentleman approached a burly man armed with a rifle and a cowboy hat by the side of the street. It was the very same hunter Lucius had encountered back at the city of Burgundy with Renaud's expedition. This time, though, Mister Hemingway wasn’t stalking him, and he instead sold a variety of bones and animal products at a makeshift stall. “Well ain’t you a sight for sore eyes!” The man bid Lucius a dandy smile and waved him over. “Didn’t think we’d meet in a shindig like this, Lucius, but I’m glad to see you safe. Did your business with those priestly folk go well?” “I would say as such, but never mind me! What brings a man of your hunting talents out to the desert?” The man scrunched his face for a moment, carefully considering his words, before replying, “Got tired of the forest, is all. I hunted every type of beast there was to hunt, so I wandered the land looking for bigger game until I found myself here. Let’s just say a… certain friend encouraged me to settle down for a bit - said that I’d have a proper challenge around the dunes. Boy were they right! Nearly lost my life to a Great Sandworm while trekkin’ here” >[The Primal Hunter scoffs at his protege and says that he shouldn’t have run away like a coward]< >[Virtual Goddess of the Wired stares at the Hunter in disbelief and asks if they intend to lead their incarnation to an early death]< >[The Primal Hunter shrugs their shoulders. You can’t grow without a little pain]< “You certainly have had quite the adventure,” Lucius said. “Whilst we’re on the topic of Arabia, may I ask if you’ve noticed anything odd about the people as of late?” Mister Hemingway rubbed his chin. “Odd, huh? Guess you could say that. When I first came here, the city was all smiles. Lotsa friendly folk, real welcoming, but last week they became… what’s the word? Tense, yeah. Like they’re preparing for a witch hunt or something. Still treated me nicely and all that, but the air around here’s gettin’ too risky for my tastes. I was thinking about packing up and leaving for another city once I slay that damned worm.” “Is that so? I wish you the very best then, and if I may offer a suggestion… how about you visit the wetlands? I’ve heard tell of a ferocious beast called the Behemoth there. I’m certain it shall pose the challenge you desire.” “The Behemoth? Now that sounds right u