The Golden Scissors quest turned out to be incredibly simple—it was nothing more than having Tia model different outfits for Tyler.

  Not that Kenley minded.

  He got quite the visual feast, watching Tia try on all sorts of outfits. With her figure and beauty, she looked stunning no matter what she wore.

  More importantly, Tyler wasn't stingy with his reward—Kenley walked away with a handsome sum of five gold coins.

  Clearly, Tyler was making a lot of money, most likely from his noble clientele. At the very least, Kenley wouldn't have to worry about lodging expenses for the next few days.

  As Sylph sat nearby, wide-eyed, enjoying Tia's little fashion show, Kenley suddenly felt a strange gaze from outside the window.

  Auber Arifin?

  Again?

  Last time, during the bishop's incident, Kenley had noticed Auber spying on him from outside the shop, though he hadn't confronted him—his attention had been on Tia at the time.

  But now, here he was again.

  This was no coincidence.

  Kenley's eyes narrowed as he watched Auber turn away and disappear into the crowd.

  A bad feeling crept up his spine.

  "Sylph," he turned and said,"stay here with Tia. I have something to take care of."

  Sylph pouted, clearly curious about where he was going, but since Tia needed company, she reluctantly nodded.

  Kenley didn't waste any time. He slipped out the door and began tailing Auber.

  There was no way he'd let this nasty little rat off the hook.

  The memory of Auber's sneering insults yesterday was still fresh in his mind.

  Luckily for Kenley, Auber was completely unaware that he was being followed. As a scholar with no combat abilities, he lacked the instincts to detect a pursuer. Plus, with Kenley's Ring of Life, tracking him was a breeze.

  Auber wove through winding streets, his path seemingly random, but Kenley's expression grew more and more serious as they progressed.

  The Colosseum?

  What business did Auber have in a place like this?

  The Colosseum was one of the most popular entertainment venues for the nobility. In a world without computers or smartphones, the elite had few pastimes, and watching beast fights was among their favorites.

  Kenley, however, had no intention of buying a ticket, nor was he willing to pay for entry.

  Instead, he waited for the perfect moment, pulled up his Cloak of Light, and slipped inside unnoticed.

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  Soon, he spotted Auber.

  And he wasn't alone.

  Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with him was a massive, overweight nobleman, his face covered in layers of fat. The contrast between Auber's frail figure and this bulky aristocrat was almost comical.

  "Viscount Lucas, I came here today to bring you some good news, just as I mentioned yesterday…"

  Kenley's ears pricked up.

  Auber was speaking to this nobleman about something important.

  But the noise of the crowd made it impossible to hear clearly.

  Kenley inched closer, carefully weaving through the audience.

  Good thing I have the Cloak of Light.

  No one noticed him as he silently positioned himself right next to Auber, listening intently.

  "Are you serious? A vampire princess? And she's beautiful too?" Viscount Lucas raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

  "Of course! I saw her with my own eyes!" Auber declared with conviction."That stunning vampire noble not only underwent the bishop's holy rites but also emerged unscathed by the sacred light! More than that—she even received the Bishop's Proof of Devotion!

  Lucas narrowed his eyes.

  He had heard rumors earlier today—something about a vampire slave spotted at the Adventurers' Guild, one who bore a divine sigil on her hand. But what made it even more intriguing was her so-called owner—a nobody from the countryside.

  And that wasn't even the most tantalizing part.

  Word had it that the vampire girl was so beautiful, she could rival Princess Guinevere herself.

  A mere peasant, Lucas scoffed inwardly, and he dares to claim such a woman?

  To think that Auber had brought him such a delightful piece of information so soon—Lucas could hardly contain his excitement.

  His imagination ran wild.

  What did it matter if she was undead?

  Lucas had never been one to discriminate when it came to his desires. The exotic only made things more thrilling.

  He had already sampled mermaids from the Eastern Coast, seductive half-elves, and even dwarven women out of sheer curiosity.

  But an undead?

  Now that was a new experience.

  Would she be tight or loose?

  Would she be as icy as the rumors claimed?

  The anticipation sent a shiver of excitement through him.

  "Hehehe… this will be quite the treat."

  Lucas turned back to Auber."So? You came running to me—does that mean you already know where she is?"

  "Naturally!" Auber pounded his chest in confidence."She's in Tyler's tailor shop as we speak! I can take you there personally!"

  That bastard.

  Kenley wrinkled his nose, barely suppressing the killing intent rising within him.

  This filthy rat was practically hand-delivering their whereabouts to this lecherous noble without a second thought.

  And Viscount Lucas…

  Kenley didn't even need to guess what kind of vile scum he was.

  Anyone willing to associate with Auber couldn't be anything less than utter trash.

  But…

  Attacking them outright in the capital wouldn't be easy.

  Kenley took a deep breath, deciding to wait and listen—to see how they planned to move against him.

  Lucas suddenly smirked."Hold on. This is the Royal Capital, after all. And like you said, that vampire girl has the Proof of Devotion. We can't just march in and take her, can we?" His eyes glinted with amusement."Come on, tell me—do you already have a plan?"

  Auber grinned."Viscount, you're as sharp as ever. Of course, I have a perfect plan—one that'll leave that lowly peasant with no way out."

  Lucas leaned back, intrigued."Go on, I'm listening."

  Auber chuckled darkly."That peasant is insufferably arrogant. The first time I met him yesterday, he dared to ignore and defy me. I have no idea where a lowborn like him gets such confidence, but…" A cruel glint flickered in his eyes."It'll be his downfall."

  "The plan has two phases.

  First, I'll provoke him—publicly humiliate him. If he hands over the vampire willingly, perfect. If not… we move to phase two."

  "Phase two?" Lucas's lips curled into a grin.

  Auber smirked."I'll keep provoking him until he snaps—until he can't hold back and tries to strike me. And that is where you come in, Viscount. Your private soldiers, disguised as the city patrol, will step in immediately.

  Assaulting or insulting a noble is a serious crime. He'll be arrested on the spot.

  And once we have him?"

  Auber leaned in, whispering,"We drag both him and his vampire slave to your estate. And once they're inside?" His lips curled into a sneer."Not even the Holy Mother herself will be able to save them. Heheheh…."

  Lucas's eyes gleamed.

  "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" He burst into laughter."I never expected the son of House Arifin to have such cunning. I should make you my personal advisor!"