<h4>Chapter 323 Meeting at an inn?</h4>


    Winter Break Arc.


    (POV: Lumiere)


    ---


    "Uhhnn..."


    I was sprawled onto the hardness of a wooden floor.


    Any other person might have suffered a headache from that abrupt teleportation.


    Gently rubbing the sore spot, I surveyed my surroundings— it was an inn.


    Confusion gnawed at me as I muttered, "What the hell is wrong Steria?"


    Just as I started to get up, a sudden crash interrupted my thoughts.


    "Geeeeahhhh!!!"


    It was the high-pitched scream of a woman.


    Ravenna, seemingly materializing out of thin air, had crashnded right on top of me, her ass now firmly pressed against my face.


    Not the first time...


    "Hm, where am I?" she murmured to herself while frantically scanning the room.


    I was forced to blurt out, "You''re on my face!"


    "Oh?"


    Ravenna raised an eyebrow in light surprise, calmly retracting herself.


    "Sorry about that," she told me.


    "Yeah, it''s alright," I said, then gingerly rose from the unyielding wooden surface.


    I took a good look at her and then checked if Steria came with her although it was unlikely. "Are you okay?" I asked her.


    "I''m fine," Ravenna responded, "but why exactly were we warped here?"


    Idly stroking my chin, I sighed. "Understanding the reason Steria does anything is utterly impossible."


    Ravenna suddenly gasped.


    "I... Is anything wrong?!" I instinctively asked her out of worry.


    In an excited and hurried manner, she told me, "We''re in an inn...!"


    "Oh yeah, you said we''d start of there, right?"


    "Yes!" she gave a powerful nod. "I''ll go ce an order for us!"


    "Uh, sure..."


    Immediately, Ravenna moved towards the counter. Several people in the inn gave her strange looks. And it made sense since after all we literally appeared out of nowhere. No one would really know she was Ravenna, the Curse King that killed numerous people.


    She hasn''t been active for ny-nine years after all— it''s normal for people to easily forget.


    Just as I was about to make my way towards the inn''s counter, a tiny, mirror-like portal materialized before my eyes. Steria''s smug face greeted me from the other side, cheerfully eximing, "Yo!"


    I was immediately irritated and so I retorted, "Don''t you ''yo'' me. Why''d you do this?"


    "Huh? Do what?"


    "You know what I''m talking about!"


    With a heavy sigh, Steria then told me, "I was only trying to improve your date, you should be more grateful you know..."


    I scoffed at her feignedpassion, retorting, "We both know you''re not that caring."


    Steria winced, half-heartedly uttering an "ouch" before she said, "Either way I''ve made it easier for you to go to an inn."


    Technically, she was right.


    Then, Steria folded her arms and yawned a bit. "You''re wee."


    I furrowed my brow, "Hmmm," after, I nodded. "I guess you''re right."


    "Always..."


    Then almost immediately something sprung into my mind.


    "Wait a minute, how''d you know we wanted to go to an inn?"


    I definitely didn''t tell her, and I was sure Ravenna didn?t either.


    With a nonchnt shrug, Steria calmly replied, "Given your... ahem... romantic endeavors in the past, why wouldn''t you want to have a date at an inn? I mean, after all the stressful talks and delectable food, you''d probably book the nearest avable room and engage in some passionate activities all night long."


    I stared at her, underwhelmed by her audaciousment.


    "Do you really have no shame?" I asked her.


    Steria smirked. "Oh, that''s not all you should know," she continued.


    "Hm?" I raised an eyebrow.


    "There''s another important piece of information you should be aware of," she paused for unnecessary dramatic effect before continuing, "Don''t get too attached to Ravenna."


    I folded my arms, studying Steria intently. "Not that that''s gonna be a problem, but is there anything I should know?" I asked.


    "Well, to keep it short, there''s a high chance Ravenna will leave once she gets what she wants. You know, fulfill her own desires and move on with her life."


    I already expected that.


    But I thought it''d also be a good idea if I was on good terms with at least one of the Curse Kings. Their aid might be very important in the future.


    Then again, with Abaddon saying that Curse Kings are extinct, I guess thinking about that shouldn''t be as important anymore.


    I took some time to process Steria''s words. "Isn''t that a good thing then?" I asked. "If she''s just after one thing, then why should I worry about getting attached?"


    Steria raised an eyebrow, her expression slightly incredulous. "Ah, but that''s the catch," she replied. "If you don''t guard your heart, you might find yourself developing feelings for her before she goes, I mean sure, she''ll definitely fall for you, but do you really want that?"


    Well, Ravenna will regain her abilities when her soul recovers fully, and after that she''d be a problem to stay around.


    I was sure I wouldn''t fall for her, if i was lucky enough.


    Still though, there had to be a way around that Curse Skill of hers. If there was, she wouldn''t need to iste herself from the outside world again.


    I sighed.


    There wasn''t anythingplex about the current situation. Unless I made itplex by getting attached to her or vice-versa.


    Steria?s certainly given me some food for thought. But for now I''ll just wing it.


    "Alright then, I suppose I''ll keep that in mind," I conceded.


    "Alrightie then, I gotta go," Steria gave me a quick salute.


    With a nod, I bid Steria farewell as she disappeared through the mirror-like portal.


    Steria was a strange one. But because she wasn''t acting strange today, that made her strange for some reason. I couldn''t put it to words, but she was— better...


    "I just don''t get her sometimes..."


    My gaze shifted towards the inn.


    The lively atmosphere within its walls. Adventurers, with their tired faces, sat at wooden tables adorned with overflowing mugs of frothy beer and tes brimming with mouthwatering delicacies. The savory smells of roasted chicken and simmering soup wafted through the air.


    My stomach grumble a bit.


    "I guess I could have a bite to eat..."


    Soon, I spotted Ravenna, poised at the counter, making orders with excitement.


    She waved with a bright smile on her face.


    I returned the gesture, making my way towards her.


    "Are those guys really here?"


    I thought to myself about Garret and Ress.


    It was strange that I knew these two individuals and they were both affiliated with each other.


    I was at least sure that it had to be some time after the Holy Sword Festival, because if they knew each other, I''d have at least seen them together, even if it was once.


    "Jeez... I wouldn''t be surprised if they formed some kind of party together."


    Reaching the counter, Ravenna smiled warmly.


    "Hey there," she greeted.


    "Yo."


    "What kept you so long?"


    "Eh, had an itch..."


    "Was it there?" she looked at my pants.


    "Eh, sure."


    "So Steria was right about that then..."


    "Eh?"


    "I''ve already ced our order. We just have to wait for them to bring it to our table."


    Ravenna started taking her leave.


    "Wait," I walked behind her. "What was Steria right about...?"


    It was like she wasn''t even listening to me. She just absent-mindedly stroked her chin and scned the inn.


    "I''ll lead the way, let''s find a cozy booth to settle into."


    She just discarded my question!


    "No, what about what St—"


    I gave up, she obviously wasn''t listening.


    Ravenna steered us through the bustling inn, weaving effortlessly through the crowds.


    We took a few steps.


    Then...


    "WOAH! Lumiere, that you?!"


    A voice called my name, louder than the joyful chatter...


    I turned and acted like I was searching for the source.


    But it was definitely Garret, besides what Steria said, I could already catch his presence in the inn.


    I greeted him with a wave, but quickly spiced up my reaction with some surprise.


    "Garret! What in the world are you doing here?"


    He had a fat chicken leg in his grasp, he took a deep bite and then tore a fat flesh from its meat. He chewed as sauce rolled down the sides of his mouth.


    "Come join us you son of a bitch!!"


    He was seated with Ress and a few other adventurers.