I'm the King Of Technology

--Alabaster Town, Eastern Regions, Laboon Empire, Tenola--

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The snow was a dangerous one, she was.

Up, down, left, right, side to side, she thundered and hurled with blistering hails and ice storming the lands.

A mighty one she was, for she once turned several wagons upside down on a fierce windy, snowy day.

Bodies piled up in corners but were quickly hidden underneath the snow.

Illness followed, the cold killed and the flu reigned supreme in times like these.

But what can they do? Many expect death in the cold seasons. So it was nothing strange.

Going about their busy days, they shrugged when passing the few who fell and were not covered by snow just yet.

Such was like in the era. Death has occurred too frequently for one to mourn over. Rather, cutting so much might cause them to fall sick and follow behind the footsteps of the dead instead.

That's why many quickly wiped their tray eyes, going about their busy day as though it was nothing.

Staying alive was their main priority!

4:15 PM.

It was just afternoon, yet the darkness was already creeping across the lands.

Typically, Major General Beri and his group would hasten their movements, rushing to Baron Thomas's plantation after diverting their goods to various inns, stay-houses, and taverns.

But today, they took things easy, slowing their pace while still flashing a vigilant eye from time to time.

Soon, they arrived at a local tavern mostly used by commoners.

They weren't afraid their boss might find their actions suspicious since they made it known for several weeks now that today was Beri's birthday.

Except for nobles who threw balls to celebrate such things, commoners never celebrated their birthdays.

However, they did drink more on such days and gave themselves a little spoiling, especially those who chose to visit Pleasure houses instead.

Stepping into the Tavern's bar, Beri and his team were immediately bombarded with the loud noises thundering the place down.

----

"Old Hanjo, you're really funny! You need a girl with wider hips to give you a son. So what were you thinking when you chose that twig wife of yours at the start? One look and you can know she is a no good gal who only knows how to birth losers."

"Bahahahhahahahhaha~... I can't believe you gutted him like a fish last night. Hmph! Serves him right for trying to steal my grains!"

"Hey, big tots! Why don't you put down those pitchers and get your ass over here for some good loving?"

"Coming right up, big guy. Just make sure you're packing with enough in your pockets if you want some of this!"

"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah~"

----

The noise was never-ending, with eye-boggling action wherever they turned.

Fights broke off in some corners, gestures of drunkenness broke off in other areas, and many just sat around listening to the latest gossip in town.

"I heard the famous Lady Yandora of the Celtus Clan had her engagement ended by her fiance who found true love with her half-sister, Yantoree."

"Hmph! Serves her right or stands in the way of their love."

"Exactly! And now that she has been abandoned, who will want an abandoned woman? So what if she's good-looking? For her to be abandoned means there must be something wrong with her."

"Yeah! She must be a bad seed who can't even please a man. So she has only herself to blame for her sister and her fiance's situation."

"That's what I'm thinking too. After all, we men are never wrong. So it must be the woman at fault!" "Yes, yes, yes, yes... That said, who is going to pick up unwanted goods? It will be an insult to any man's ego."

"True... But I don't mind stepping in and filling the spot."

"Pfft~... Me too! After all, now that her reputation is ruined, she can only marry those beneath her status."

Just stepping in, Beri already heard the latest gossip in town.

Sure enough, Taverns, inns and other places of gathering with drinks were the true sites to go to when wanting information.

As Beri and his group advanced to the forefront, they acted like everyone else, blending in nicely.

"Hey sweetie, why don't you give us a room and send us 30 pitchers too? We've been saving this much for today's celebrations."

The seductive lady readily grabbed their copper coins, not minding the thick layer of dirt on them.

A few sentences and she knew it was Beri's birthday.

Soon, she had someone show them to their room, leaving them with their many pitchers of ale.

The moment they confirmed they were on their own, all 5 scattered in various directions, secretly observing and searching for any spy holes in the walls, floors and ceiling.

.

5 minutes later, they were truly sure they were alone and immediately resumed their usual stance within the room.

Now, it was pitch black outside, and their window was still kept open, allowing the freezing draft to sweep the floors.

It was chilling but no one thought of closing the window... at least not yet.

But just then, a shadow flashed through the window, closing it shut.

Beri stared at the stranger with a respectful but expressionless face.

It was a person one could easily describe as the Queen's older clone.

Beri might look calm, but his chest was growing tighter by the second in her presence.

"Forgive us for being rude. You sent for us, insisting it was urgent. As you already know, time isn't on our side, so please, get on with it."

"Cheeky one, aren't you?"

The elderly clone wasn't offended, but amused by their thoughtfulness.

She understood that until they confirmed that she was truly Lucy's mother, they would continue treating her as a passing stranger.

They did give her some level of respect but they were also very distant and careful too.

But rather than getting offended, their vigilance made her satisfied instead.

For now, they called her Lady Unknown. Quite frankly, it was cute.

Well, enough pleasantries... time for business!

Slowly taking down her hood, her entire demeanor changed in a second.

"I bring more news on information from my people concerning the Witches."