Bern town was much inferior if compared to the imperial capital which is quite normal. It was around 1-2/10 of the imperial capital in size, wealth, and population. Town walls were 4 meters high.
It was already 11 p.m.
"Anna, Annie, we arrived," said Vincent who was near the town gates in the forest to them in a pocket world.
*Swoosh*
"So, we are finally here." Anna emerged from the white light nearby Vincent and looked at the town gates.
"After we enter the town, we need to find the temporary inn for the night. Tomorrow we will look for a house and a school. Anna, you can find an easy job right near the house so that you will not be too bored. Let's go. Putt this on you." Vincent said as they both nodded.
At the town gates.
As the 3 of them neared, they were stopped by town guards.
*Halt. State your purpose in Bern town." One of the 2 guards stepped forward. He glances at them, especially at Anna, who wore a golden veil while Annie wore a blue one since her hair was dark blue.
"Good day. I and my children and I come here to find a job and settle down. Can you recommend an inn for the night." said politely Anna with her charming voice through the veil.
'My goodness… I need to inform 'them' about this woman. She looks so weak and lonely… maybe I will have a chance with their help.' the guard gulped as he looked at Anna.
'Another scum.. ahaha. We haven't even entered the town yet, and looking at how he stared, it was as if he was looking at the prey. Clean up, I will slowly clean up our living area zone from scum to not gather too much attention if I start to kill this garbage on a big scale.' said Vincent mercifully inside, but on the surface, he put on a very innocent smile as he continues to hold Anna's gently and stroking it slowly with a big finger.
"3 silver coins for 3 people as entrance fee. About the inn… you can find it….." the guard put a smile while talking to Anna. He already plans to send them to 'that' man.
"Thank you for your help," Anna said calmly, but inside she was disgusted. How can she not see those two guards staring at her? Feeling Vincent's sudden gentle touch, she knows that those two will probably die soon. She already knows some of Vincent's habits when he is angry or happy.
After they entered the town hand-in-hand, another guard said.
"You really send them to that inn? I know that we are sending time to time some new beautiful weak-looking lonely women to 'him' for a reward, but it's such a waste." The guard looked at Anna's back with pity.
"If he will be satisfied, we might have a taste of her too, or he will give us some time with another of his 'staff' as always." The first guard said lustfully.
…
"Let's go to 'that place'. I'm very curious about whom they send us. Slave trader? Noble pervert? Psycho-maniac? I'm looking forward to our meeting. See, Annie? We just entered the town, but already encountered schemers. This world is rotten, Annie. Never believe, nor give your trust to strangers. Even those who you know for a long time can harm you for various reasons. Only our little family can be trusted." Vincent said calmly to Annie on the opposite side who also held Anna's hand.
As Annie saw the previous scene, she came to a sudden decision. 'Family… they're right. Only my family can be trusted.' Annie said to herself and glanced at Vincent.
Anna heard his words and smiled. She give a glance to Annie on her right side and saw her stare at Vincent. 'Sweety.. so you finally come to a decision I see. Good, I'm very happy. Our family will always be together.' joyfully said to herself, Anna.
As they walked on the main road that can accommodate two carriages, they saw the inn named the 'Blessed Families Inn' at the devoid from peoples alley that was recommended by the guard.
'Hehe, 'Blessed Families Inn' huh? Judging by its name, I can somewhat guess who is owning it. I wonder if my guess is correct.' Vincent smiled viciously.
They pushed the door.
*Creak*
The inn was quite empty, after all, it was almost midnight already. There were a dozen or so round tables. On some of those tables were sleeping a few drunkards.
As the door to the inn opened, the owner of the inn who was sitting in the chair behind the main desk turned his gaze to newcomers. He glanced at Vincent, then a bit longer at Annie, and most of his attention took Anna. He never saw them before or else he would never forget such a woman. His eyes immediately lit up.
"Good day, dear clients. May I ask what I can help you with?" said the owner with a smile without moving his gaze from Anna.
"Good day. We need a room for a night and some food." Anna said calmly. She too noticed the owner's weird stare at her.
"Mother, is this inn somehow related to 'God'?" Vincent acted as an innocent child.
'Wow.. his act is really something.' Anna was surprised at how good he can act.
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"Yes, little friend, it is. We are believers of the 'Goddess Ramia' who can bless a family for a happy and wealthy life. A lot of others are already joined and live a very happy and satisfying life. I highly recommend visiting our church nearby, there is no fee or something like that. Their only purpose is to make our region a happy and peaceful place." answered Van to Vincent. "One room with one bed for a night will be 30 bronze coins. Food is 3 bronze coins for a person," answered Van to Anna's request.
100 bronze coins = 1 silver
100 silver coins = 1 gold
100 gold coins = 1 platinum
"Good. Give us 1 room and send the food there too." Anna said calmly and paid for their service.
"Here. Your room is number 11 on the 2nd floor. Have a good night." said Van.
"Let's go." Anna takes the key and leads the way to the 2nd floor.
On the one table nearby, the drunkard opened his eyes slightly. 'I wonder if he will succeed this time too.' He thought to himself and fell asleep again.
…
*Creak*
The door to the room opened and Anna with others entered. They closed the door.
Vincent looked around and nodded.
"It's clean. We don't need to worry about eavesdropping. Heh, my guess was correct in the end." said Vincent after checking the room.
The room was small, with one bed, one table, one closet, and a window.
"Brother, what do you mean your guess is correct?" Annie asked with curiosity.
"There are religious scammers, or religious fanatics, dear sister. You heard what he said, about family blessing, a lot of people already joined, and visiting a church, right? I can guess what type of 'religion' they 'pray' judging from that owner's gaze on Anna. Can you guess?" Vincent said to Annie as he stroked her blue hair.
Annie didn't remove his hand since she already made a choice.
"I don't know, brother," she answered.
"Sigh... If I'm guessing it right. Soon they will send us drugged food. That drug will come into effect after a few days, it should make us very uncomfortable, so we will think we are cursed since other people around will feel fine. Then we will decide to visit this 'church' and there we will need to take a 'holy wine' or something like that. It will have an antidote as well as a new drug in it. It will basically be a strongly addictive drug that will make us visit it more and more often. Then, they will start to add aphrodisiac into that 'wine' for you and Anna. You can guess for what, no?" Vincent read a lot on Earth. He knows how those schemes can work. Even though it's just a guess, he should be right.
"They will slowly turn you two into their followers. And on certain days, you will be taking part in so-called 'prayerful nights'. In other words… orgy. You will be taken by church higher-ups, and then that owner or even those guards will have a chance to have their time with you. See? This is the world we live in. Fairness? Innocence? Goodwill? This is hypocritical bullshit, Annie. Don't believe anyone, it doesn't matter how good they look. Only your family can be trusted." Vincent said with a gentle voice as he placed his hand on her cheek.
Annie's heart skipped a beat, she looked into his red eyes and was about to say something when a voice interrupted her.
"Wow, Vincent, I didn't even think about that so deeply. But, what we should do with food. We don't take anything with us, and nearby shops are closed too." Anna smiled as she sat on the white bed.
"That drug will be effective only on common people. With me here, you don't need to worry. I can use light and water elements to clean up food or drugs for you. Furthermore, you have already begun your body cultivation, so drugs of common level will be even less effective on you." Vincent reassured them. He hugged Annie and turned to Anna. He didn't notice Annie's stare at him.
"Anna, let's wait for the food and go to sleep. Tomorrow we will leave and search for a house. After that, Annie and I will enter a magic school. I have almost zero knowledge about being a magus. Annie then teaches you, so you too can…" Vincent was about to finish his sentence when a soft voice interrupted him.
"Brother…"
"Huh? Yes? What is it An.."
*Kiss!*
Annie suddenly kissed him on his lips. She placed her arms around his neck as she saw her mother do the same.
Vincent's heart shook as his eyes go wide.
….
*********
Author's note: "It's still not the right time for you, sweet Annie."
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