Chapter 81: A Dangerous Bloom
The bounty hunters laughed. "The weeping bindweed is a rare local specialty, and it fetches a high bounty in the black market. But since it’s also a dangerous item, the academy forbids its unauthorized use."
"Then why did we choose this?" one of the bounty hunters asked, his voice laced with clear apprehension.
"Of course, it can be sold for a very high price."
Eirin continued to chew, but the food felt like sawdust. Her nervousness clung to her, a cold knot in her stomach, and she kept darting quick glances at Shade.
"Oh right—speaking of the academy. There’s this strange man from the black market, going around, telling people he’ll buy students with rare Flairs." The words hit Eirin like a physical blow, and she gagged, almost choking on her mouthful of food.
"Especially that one famous student. What was his name again? Oh—I remember! Shade Cromwell! That’s his name."
Eirin’s gaze shot to Shade, but he remained impassive, as if the very air hadn’t just vibrated with his name. ’God, I wish I could cultivate that kind of composure,’ she thought to herself.
The bounty hunters erupted into raucous laughter, their boisterousness disturbing the other customers. The owner, however, only wrung his hands, clearly too intimidated to intervene. Despite Eirin feeling completely full, Shade remained in his seat, a picture of stillness, as if biding his time for something.
Eirin shifted uneasily, her stomach giving a nervous rumble despite her having just eaten.
"We should go as early as we can. You know what they say, the early bird catches the worm one of the bounty hunters grumbled, finally pushing back his chair. They laughed and sang some vulgar songs as they began to file out of the inn, Shade finally rose. Eirin followed.
"We need two rooms."