Chapter 70

Eugene chuckled.

"I still forget that blood gives us all the necessary knowledge. Then here we can learn a lot just by starting a tavern brawl."

"Yes, that's also a good idea, but perhaps I'll stick to the maid for now. Hopefully, vampires don't get venereal diseases."

Having eaten the brought chicken and easily arranged a meeting upstairs with the girl, Sergey began to fulfill his duties as a scout. Meanwhile, Eugene openly bored, observing the locals. In this state, Alexander found him.

"Well, saddle up!"

Upon learning what his friend was doing, he didn't change his mind.

"Pay the bill and wait for him outside. This smell is driving me crazy."

The cacophony of smells, both in the tavern and in the town, was simply wild. Even the peasants wrinkled their accustomed noses. The townsfolk, however, perceived the smell as an integral part of the city. They didn't have to wait for Sergey. When the vampires paid the tavern owner for their food and wine, he came down from upstairs with the satisfied maid.

Tossing a coin to the boy who was watching the horses, the trio headed for the city gates. A guide joined them at the gates, as promised by the baron.

"You shouldn't have denied me the opportunity to talk to him."

"And what would that have changed?"

As soon as the guest left the castle, a new visitor entered the baron's office.

"I understand people better than you do."

To this remark, the baron just chuckled vaguely.

"You'll have plenty of time to talk. They're off to inspect the places."

"He got the hint about the knight?"

The baron laughed.

"That scoundrel doesn't even try to resemble who he's pretending to be. He didn't just understand my hint. He told me straight out!"

"He agreed?"

"He refused!"

"Then you were right. I watched him. How he mounted his horse. How he held the sword belt. His hands. His mannerisms. A mage."

The conversationalists were silent for a while. Having known each other since childhood, stepbrothers could express much more through silence than some people with words. Exsavoyarde broke the silence, addressing the baron.

"So, Wet Stones?"

"They're interested in the place in the forest where they used to cut trees during my father's time."

"The forest one?" The man was surprised.

"Yes, that one. What's got you so excited?"

The baron's stepbrother burst out laughing.

"You know, you need to pay more attention to the internal affairs of the barony, not just the city."

"And what don't I know about this village?"

"The Cursed Forest!"

The baron shook his head.

"I still don't understand you. Speak plainly."

"Oh, brother. Sometimes I'm amazed by you. The Cursed Forest, inhabited by various unclean creatures, is not only a dark spot on the map of our kingdom but also a significant source of rare alchemical ingredients. Miners go into the Cursed Forest at their own risk and peril to gather these ingredients."

The baron's face brightened. He wasn't a fool and immediately guessed what was being discussed.

"So, in the Forest village, they not only cut trees?"

"And they also went in search of groups of miners and explorers. This brought good profit to the barony. And it would continue to bring it if not for the goblins."

"Why hasn't my father restored the village?"

"It's more profitable to go to Zalon for ingredients, less risk of encountering goblins, and besides, there's the settlement of Rostki to the east of the duchy. There are no goblins there either, and miners only face the dangers of the Cursed Forest."

"So these mages want to gain access to…"

The baron fell silent, not finishing his sentence.

"If they build a bridge across the Cursed River, beyond which the Cursed Forest begins, then they are definitely interested in the forest. But so far, they haven't even chosen a location."

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