Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 22
Those who don't know the mining city of Purel think it's a dusty laborers' town.
But anyone with even a passing interest in commerce or precious metals knows better.
Purel is a prosperous, glamorous city.
That's because the precious metals mined from the nearby mountains are top-tier in size and quality across the entire continent.
It's a land where jewels flow like milk and honey.
Naturally, wealthy folks with an eye for those gems come and go frequently, and the money they pour in has skyrocketed the city's economy.
The result is Treasure Street.
The precious metals exchange where Asher and Versia now stood.
"It's so glamorous. As dazzling as Sir Hyzenberg's scalp."
"...Why that comparison of all things?"
"No better one came to mind? Or maybe it's just the most dazzling thing I've seen lately?"
Asher's jaw dropped.
Does this woman have no heart at all?
"...That's rude. Please show some restraint."
Asher sighed and started walking.
It had taken four days to reach Purel.
Fortunately, it wasn't far from headquarters, so nothing major happened along the way.
If he had to pick something, it was groping Versia's body all over while washing alonebut he didn't want to dwell on that.
Anyway, they'd reached their destination.
Now it was time to gather information.
The original plan had been for everyone to go together, but Lubena's refusal killed that.
-I'm tired, so leave me alone?
Lubena, who had been in a foul mood since departure, had holed up in her inn room the moment they arrived in the city.
Asher had expected her luxury-loving nature to make her ditch work for shopping straight away, so this was surprisingly out of character.
Well, she must just have no tolerance for long trips.
He brushed it off as no big deal, but now even Satern, who was supposed to stay by her side, had bailed.
Asher walked with Versia.
You know, "like lovers."
"Your arm... it's tickling my waist...."
"Bear with it. It's the mission, right?"
Asher walked stiffly, hands clasped in front.
Not for any other reason, but because Versia currently had her arm looped around his waist.
Every time she teasingly brushed his side with her finger, the tension ratcheted up.
But he couldn't shake her off in this situation.
After all, wasn't the key to undercover work blending in without raising suspicion?
No matter how crowded with transients the city was, that made locals even more sensitive to anything off.
With so many people around, anything suspicious drew eyes immediately.
They had to stick to the original plan.
A couple on the verge of marriage, visiting the city to pick jewels for their wedding rings.
So Asher had to put on a lovey-dovey show.
That way, people would lose interest and pass by.
Or so the plan was.
"Lots of people staring at you, knight. You really are a siren."
"......"
Asher was drawing every eye around them.
Over eighty percent were from men.
And they were staring blatantly.
There was a reason.
For starters, Versia's looks were stunning.
Her sky-blue straight hair, lake-blue eyes, porcelain skin, and delicate features created an aura of unique presence just through their vivid hues.
Normally, Versia's icy vibe would limit it to furtive glances.
But the body now belonged to Asher.
And here's what even he hadn't noticed: the changes that came with it.
Unfamiliar with a woman's body, the flush he showed turned into shy bashfulness.
The shorter strides from the unfamiliar fluttering skirt became demure grace.
With ears red and head bowed in Versia's embrace, it clearly evoked men's memories of some fresh first love from their past.
That was the reason for the stares, and it made Asher uncomfortable.
"...They're staring so blatantly."
A sassy voice came out.
Because the passersby's gazes felt like they were licking his body.
Even with his head down, he sensed them instinctively.
His skin prickled everywhere.
"This is why revealing clothes are..."
He grumbled under his breath, but it didn't faze Versia one bit.
"How else am I supposed to cover up? The blouse, the skirtnone of it's showing skin, is it?"
"S-Still, it shows the body's curves."
"If that's a problem, why not walk around in armor?"
Asher's eyes narrowed peevishly.
The body's rightful owner was being this irresponsible?
But that's exactly the response he got.
"Better yet, stick closer. Make it clear you're taken."
Suddenly, she yanked him into her embrace.
Asher hiccuped in shock.
His face burned redder. His body went rigid like a wooden doll.
Why was he hyper-aware of every little move?
It had to be because of that flower garden incident.
Versia's nonchalance only amplified Asher's embarrassment.
After walking the street for a while, they entered a jewelry shop, where Versia chatted with the owner.
"We're here for rings. To match with my future wife."
"Oh, right away, sir!"
Their affluent attire made it easy.
Especially Versia's natural air of command, which gave her the upper hand in these talks.
Asher snapped to attention.
Now was the time to really get to work.
"The street has a nice vibe."
They started with light topics.
How the city felt, what the people were like, and so on.
Then, as if it just occurred to her, she asked:
"Any good places to eat around here, by chance?"
"If it's that...!"
They were deep in conversation like that.
"Oh, and while walking the street, I overheard something."
"What might that be?"
"I think I heard talk of more missing people lately..."
"Ah, the mine shaft ghosts!"
The jeweler chuckled and spilled all the related info.
Asher realized belatedly how handy a woman's body was in situations like this.
In his previous undercover ops, locals had never opened up this easily.
The downside was having to keep up that harmless, feminine demeanorbut whatever, it was all part of the "job."
In short, they gleaned some local intel.
1. Locals call the missing persons cases "mine shaft ghosts."
2. Seventy percent of the missing are mine workers. The rest are herbalists hiking the nearby mountains or folks from small villages around.
3. The city guard searched but hasn't found a single body yet.
It mostly confirmed what they already knew.
They hit more jewelers after, but no new info.
Still, it wasn't a total bust.
Asher pinned down their next target.
"We need to hear from the mine workers."
Rumors get exaggerated and twisted mouth to mouth.
The surest way was asking those on the scene.
So where to find mine workers?
The mines? Or the outer slums?
Wrong.
"Hey, barkeep! More booze over here!!!"
"Big score today! Dug up a ruby this big with these fists!!!"
The tavern.
In Purel, mine workers were no lowly slums-dwellers.
After all, about ten percent of what they mined was precious metal.
Pulling huge gems unscratched from Purel's depths was skill.
And when they struck a big one, these workers got the reward.
Taverns were where they gathered after shifts to brag about hauls or swap mine stories.
Asher and Versia sat in a tavern corner, ears tuned to their chatter while sipping beer.
"No useful talk yet..."
"Mmm, the food here's good."
"Sain"
"Darling."
"......"
"You should call me darling."
Versia propped her chin, smirking with her eyes.
Here we go again. It was a whisper anywayno one else could hear.
Asher ignored her outright.
He'd learned glares did nothing anymore.
He stabbed his fork into some meat and shoved it in his mouth.
Cheeks puffed out, chewing and glaring at Versiait would've looked adorable to a third party.
Indeed.
Even here, Asher was drawing stares.
A beauty's pout was captivating in itself.
And sweet flowers attract bees.
"Hey, miss."
A drunk man staggered over, booze on his breath.
His buddies behind whistled and whooped.
Asher frowned.
'Ah, caught up in some pointless hassle.'
This was the downside of being a woman.
Should he have sent Versia in alone?
No, intel gathering wasn't something to leave to her solo.
She hadn't been trained to sift facts from noise.
"Been watching you chow down. Looks like you like your drinks too. Food hit the spot?"
A sleazy chuckle.
His eyes raked Asher up and down like a tongue.
Revulsion surged.
Options: endure or bail.
Sorry, Versia, but Asher leaned toward bailing.
An unexpected windfall, though.
A drunk like this might cough up mine ghost details if played right.
He could handle it if hands got grabby.
These were just minerstaking their crew would take one finger.
He'd apologize later for letting the creepy stares linger.
As Asher steeled himself with a forced smile.
"Hey."
"Huh? What are y"
Bam!!!
"Gahhh!!!"
Suddenly, Versia smashed her fist into the guy's face.
Asher's mouth hung open in shock.
Versia grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of the tavern.
"Let's go."
"W-Wait a sec..."
The abruptness left Asher dumbfounded.
Even so, Versia stayed silent.
He stumbled after her.
Before long, they reached a deserted street.
Only then did Versia stop, sighing heavily.
Irritation etched her face.
Asher flinched.
"Knight."
"Y-Yes..."
"You need to be careful."
Was she upset her own body got leered at?
Fair pointhe should've checked with her before pushing intel gathering.
As Asher chewed his lip to apologize
"Sor"
"Only with me."
His head snapped up slowly, uncomprehending.
Then his heart skipped a beat.
She was smiling.
Her usual bright, bubbly smile.
But for some reason, her eyes...
"It's okay if you're loose... only with me."
They smoldered darkly, binding him.