Chapter 100: The Reliable Big Sister—Herbie

Audrey, as the newly appointed Lord, received almost every Foreigner in Lai Kaion City. Whether they participated in the liberation war, were newly spawned Arcadia Foreigners, or were entirely unrelated Foreigners, she treated them all equally.

The Foreigners were also thrilled. Under normal circumstances, a Lord was entirely inaccessible. Even if there were no tangible benefits, they simply wanted to see her for themselves.

There was a minor incident during this time—a Foreigner attempted to assassinate her during a handshake. The strike was exceptionally vicious, a point-blank attack that could be described as a frame-perfect strike, but it was instantaneously blocked by more than ten Foreigners.

The fastest among them had struck the very moment that Foreigner raised his hand.

Surprisingly, that particular Foreigner was wearing an incredibly bulky frog mascot suit.

Audrey kept a smile on her face as she met each Foreigner, striving to leave a good impression. However, as the number of Foreigners continued to swell, she eventually couldn’t maintain her facade. Her eyes even narrowed uncontrollably, revealing an impolite expression that resembled disdain.

But for some reason, this only caused even more Foreigners to flock to her.

Ultimately, Herbie stepped in. She announced that any future meetings would require Arcadia Territory Contribution Value, with the specifics to be detailed later.

Only then did the Foreigners reluctantly leave. Of course, they didn’t go far, choosing instead to wander around Lai Kaion City.

“Lai Kaion City always used to be so deserted.”

Audrey stood on the palm of the Silver Prince’s statue—which served as a flower-filled balcony, the only remaining part of the Silver Castle—resting her chin in her hand as she looked down at the bustling Lai Kaion City.

She could hear the playful banter echoing from the streets. Though she usually preferred peace and quiet, she still smiled at the lively scene below.

While reviewing the blueprints in her hands and directing the workers hired by Hermes’ Travel Hat to build a temporary Lord’s castle, Herbie remarked casually.

“Because Foreigners always thought the Arcadia Territory wasn’t profitable. The land is not only small but barren. There are no historical legends, nor are there any—mgh—mmph—”

Herbie’s face was stretched outward like playdough by an embarrassed and annoyed Audrey, rendering her mouth completely incapable of uttering another word of slander.

“But things are different now. In the eyes of the Foreigners, Arcadia will become a giant treasure chest filled with all kinds of unknown loot.”

Blaze approached from a distance. Seeing him, both Herbie and Audrey revealed looks of pleasant surprise, their eyes sparkling in the night.

“I thought you’d left!”

Herbie nudged Blaze with her elbow. Though her actions were a bit flirty, her face was plastered with a goofy grin, completely lacking her usual shrewdness as a Merchant.

“Even though we agreed that the commission would end once Audrey inherited the title, plans can never keep up with changes, can they?”

“Hehehe…”

“Ahem—this matter isn’t over yet.” Audrey coughed a few times, trying her best to remain composed. She didn’t want to look like Herbie with that silly smile all over her face.

As long as she didn’t look at Blaze’s boyish face, she could still hold herself back.

“Hold it back!” she told herself.

Audrey pinched her palm hard and said seriously, “Some Arcadians volunteered to test your hypothesis about the Curse. They’re in the cabin ahead right now.”

Normally, terms like “serving as test subjects” or “sacrifices to verify a hypothesis” were cold and cruel.

However, the Arcadians who volunteered as test subjects were absolutely beaming. Rather than participating in an experiment, it looked as though they were attending a long-awaited wedding with their beloveds.

And judging by the scene, it could be considered a rare mass wedding.

“Let’s go. We should check on their condition.” Audrey waved at Blaze.

Blaze didn’t overthink it and followed Audrey.

If a Filthy Werewolf Transformation occurred, it would mean his hypothesis was wrong. In that case, he could promptly use a Prayer to steal the Moon God Curse away from them.

That would then prove that the Demon Hunter he obtained at the Moon God Altar was the true solution to the Curse.

“Wait!”

Blaze had only taken two steps when Herbie suddenly reached out and stopped him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Wait until they’re finished before you go in.”

“Uh… is there a difference?” Blaze scratched the back of his head, completely bewildered.

“You are only seventeen! You have absolutely no idea what has been going on in there!” Herbie turned to face him, speaking in a spooky tone as if telling a ghost story.

“Even if they’re finished, the room is definitely still filled with the decadent, intimate atmosphere of men and women. They’ll probably be leaning against each other and acting all lovey-dovey. That kind of stuff is way too advanced for you!”

“I think Blaze is already at that age. It’s time for him to expand his blind spots in knowledge!”

Audrey suddenly marched over and dragged Blaze forward, while Herbie desperately tugged at Blaze’s Waist to hold him back.

Herbie stared at Audrey in disbelief. Those eyes, which were usually full of elegance, were now terrifyingly bright, like some kind of Wild Beast in the night.

A horrifying thought struck her: Was her strictly disciplined best friend sexually harassing Blaze!?

Come to think of it, after Silver King Lycan obtained a human body, they had gone straight to knock on Lai Kaion’s door, pinning the still-remorseful Lai Kaion to the ground right then and there.

“As the oldest among us, I absolutely will not let you lay a hand on the youngest!”

Herbie was very petite, but she was the oldest here at twenty-four. Blaze was quite tall, but he was the youngest.

Although Herbie usually acted childish and cute around them, she would take decisive action at critical moments. She stepped in to prevent an innocent boy, oblivious to the matters of men and women, from falling victim to a cruel fate, while also stopping a girl experiencing the dawn of first love from uncontrollably committing a crime.

Ultimately, Blaze decided to listen to Herbie and stayed put to wait. It wasn’t long before an expression of deep remorse appeared on Audrey’s face, as if she were scrutinizing her own previous behavior.

But exactly what she was scrutinizing remained unknown.

By early the next morning, Blaze and the other two received good news.

Blaze’s hypothesis was correct.

In the past, Arcadians with dominant genes—that is, the Silver Believers—were always terrified of their Werewolf forms. They only ever transformed at night to hunt down their out-of-control kin, and they actively avoided triggering the Curse at all costs.

The Curse always took effect rapidly; it would induce a stinging sensation upon contact with Silver in just a single night.

Now, the Silver Believers walked out while maintaining their Werewolf states. Clutching their Silver badges and facing the Sun, they shed tears.

They could feel the greatness within their bloodline gradually leaving them. It was the moon’s Curse, but also a Blessing.

Not even for a brief moment had the Arcadians ever hated the moon because of the Curse, nor had they ever viewed all of this as a punishment.

Fortunately, the misunderstanding was finally resolved today.