Chapter 76: Tavern Gossip

"I have always thought Malong City was the poorest city in the Southern region," Ugo said. He also took a cup of water from the table.

As the group settled down and the waiter began lining their table with steaming plates of food, a loud commotion suddenly broke out on the first floor.

Moon peeked his head out from the curtain of the box to see what was happening outside. Marina also squeezed in to peek right behind him.

Down on the bustling first floor, a group of wealthy-looking customers had just walked in, drawing a lot of attention.

Moon heard a grumpy voice speak up from a nearby table.

"Isn’t that the daughter of the Lyris Ash Pack Alpha? What is she doing here again?"

Moon caught the word "again." If he was not mistaken, this was the same arrogant group they had crossed paths with on the mountain path while walking down from the alpine forest.

"Gosh," Marina whispered, her voice low as her eyes flashed with mischief.

She glanced over at Nox, who was trying his best to look invisible behind his mask.

"She has been coming to this city for the past two weeks. Almost four times already. Could it be...?"

"No, she is not—don’t start making up stories." Before Marina could say more, Nox cut her off.

"Pfft!"

Axe and Ugo instantly broke into muffled laughter.

However, the moment their eyes landed on Moon’s unamused expression, they coughed embarrassedly and tried to sober up, looking down at their plates.

Moon looked at Nox and raised his brows, sensing the underlying history.

"Seems like none of you were as single or unattached as you seemed, huh?" ℴℴ𝘮

"No, it’s not what you think! We were just childhood friends from allied packs, and we all went out on training adventures together," Nox defended himself, waving his hands.

Feeling his explanation wasn’t convincing enough, he pointed a finger across the table.

"Why do you accuse me alone? Ugo also went with us a few times back in the day!"

Marina rebuked him without a second thought, "Nonsense! You gave her flowers and everything. Who doesn’t know she was waiting for your awakening ceremony to get engaged?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Marina suddenly froze and fell silent.

She felt the air was getting colder and more suffocating.

Everyone was too silent. She looked around in bewilderment.

Moon looked at her distressed face and patted her head.

"It’s fine. Let’s watch the drama." Saying this, Moon stood up and walked out of the box.

He leaned over the wooden railing, resting his hands on the grille to look down.

The first floor was completely packed at this hour.

Most of the crowd hadn’t come for a full meal. They were local workers, merchants, and rogues who had finished their day’s work and gathered to relax, drink wine, and talk loudly over their beverages.

The lower-floor food prices were also lower than those of the upper-floor private boxes.

The loud argument was coming from downstairs near the counter.

Right in the middle of the tavern, Lyra’s group was locked in a fierce dispute with another party.

Both factions wore elegant silk robes adorned with silver embroidery.

Exquisite purses dangled from their sash belts, showcasing expensive-looking jades, amulets, and prominent pack insignia.

The girl at the center of the gossip—Lyra—was about the same age as Moon.

She possessed a pure aura and a nice, crisp voice. Moon could see she was very popular among the young masters flocking around her.

"Lyra, let’s just find another restaurant," a girl with a red ponytail urged, looking around at the rough wooden tables and tugging anxiously at Lyra’s sleeve.

"This place is filthy, wasteful, and run-down already. Let’s not lower ourselves to argue with these commoners."

"No! Why should we leave?" Lyra shoved the girl’s hand aside stubbornly, her chin tilted high. "What does the manager mean? We have to give up our space? We clearly arrived first!"

The tavern waiter was sweating profusely, bowing repeatedly as he tried to mediate between the two wealthy groups.

"Esteemed guests, please, we are sorry for the oversight. But this gentleman from the Vesper Moon Pack did indeed send his servant ahead earlier this afternoon to book the box.’’

"What do you mean by that? You dare to refuse the Lyris Ash Pack for a mere reservation? You don’t even realize it’s your great fortune that Lady Lyra is even asking for a seat here today!" A boy around twenty shouted arrogantly, stepping forward from beside Lyra.

The opposing side was equally displeased.

A tall young man from the Vesper Moon Pack sneered, "To hell with your Lyris Ash Pack! You have no manners at all. Do you really think you can just push around the Vesper Moon Pack in a neutral trading city? The city laws apply to everyone, no matter how big your pack thinks it is."

"Oh, so what if you’re from the Vesper Moon Pack? I am so terrified," the red ponytail girl mocked, stepping up beside Lyra. "Do you even know our Lyris Ash Pack has connected with three prominent regional packs through alliances? If you want to settle accounts over a table, you’ll be answering to all of them."

"Three prominent packs?" The boy from the Vesper Moon Pack tittered mockingly, crossing his arms. "Are you talking about those desperate attempts to please the Veilies? Oh, Lyra, don’t tell me you’re still running around the border cities looking for that useless, defective Nox? Everyone knows he fled like a dog after his ceremony."

Hearing this, Lyra became furious. "Who told you I am looking for Nox?! I am tracking down the entire group of fugitives so they can understand the Alpha’s kindness, realize their crimes, and surrender properly to the pack guards!"

"Is that so? Or are you just trying to save face because you were discarded?" the Vesper Moon Pack boy taunted again, enjoying the reaction he was getting. "Going back on your word and rewriting history is exactly something your Lyris Ash Pack is famous for, indeed."

The red ponytail girl jumped in defensively, pointing a finger.