?Chapter 113: Chapter 102: Can the Proud Cat be Shy? – Part 2 Chapter 113: Chapter 102: Can the Proud Cat be Shy? – Part 2 [Owl Mask laughed at your nervousness and said, “Don’t panic, this is just our tavern’s protocol to protect the privacy of our customers. We can’t allow newcomers to come in and listen, can we?”]


    [“Your drinks and juice will be ready shortly.”]


    [Owl Mask took out three cups and poured two beers and one juice according to Shopkeeper Lena’s request.]


    [Lena handed the juice to Wei’er, then gave one of the beers to you. She groped for the protrusion on her mask, flipped open the bottom half, and started chugging down the drink greedily.]


    [Lena laughed and said, “The last time I drank here was two years ago. Your booze is indeed splendid, unforgettable after one taste. Have you ever thought about changing careers and opening a brewery?”]


    [Owl Mask also chuckled and replied, “You jest, my dear guest. Brewing drinks is merely our side business. Our true mission is to help our clients solve their riddles.”]


    [Traveler, you didn’t really want to drink, but since Lena had offered you a beer, you couldn’t lose face.]


    [Looking at the golden liquid in the glass, you mimicked the shopkeeper and opened the mouthpiece of your mask, wrinkling your brow as you took a couple of sips.]


    [The taste was not bad, reminiscent of pineapple beer.]


    [You looked over at Wei’er. Cat Cat seemed somewhat downcast, looking at the yellow juice in front of her.]


    [You asked, “What’s wrong?”]


    [Cat Cat muttered discontentedly, “I can also drink alcohol.”]


    [Traveler, you thought for a moment and then set your beer in front of Wei’er.]


    [Wei’er shook her head: “I don’t want to drink from your glass.”]


    Luo Xi: “…”]


    Could this also be considered tsundere behavior?


    However, Wei’er’s current physical condition indeed made it unwise for her to drink alcohol.


    [Owl Mask clapped his hands lightly and laughed, “So, dear guests, what brings you to our tavern where nothing is unknown? No boasting – for the right price, there’s nothing we won’t divulge.”]


    [“Enough with the self-praise.”]


    [Shopkeeper Lena leaned her cup against the bar and asked teasingly, “If I were to ask you to investigate inside the Mansion of the City Lord, would you dare to go?”]


    [“That…”]


    [Owl Mask hesitated and said, “We truly wouldn’t dare to do that. But the information you’re asking for shouldn’t be of that kind, right?”]


    [“No, it’s not. But it’s not far off.”


    Lena asked gravely, “What exactly happened at the Winter Divine Tree’s night festival three years ago? Why did the old City Owner disappear?”]


    [Owl Mask realized and said, “I remember you. You came to ask about this two years ago. I advised you then that this matter involves a major upheaval among the upper echelons of Winter City, not something common folk should probe into.”] S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Lena chuckled and said, “So this place, where supposedly nothing is unknown, is just a front?”]


    [Owl Mask: “…”]


    [He shook his head and said, “To tell the truth, it’s not that I do not wish to tell you, but I truly do not have a clear understanding of what happened then. If you wish to know about that day, you must seek someone who participated in that festival.”]


    [Lena lightly uttered two words: “A front?”]


    [Traveler, you felt that ‘╬’ signs seemed to spring up on Owl Mask’s mask.]


    [There’s nothing more maddening than being mocked by others over what you’re supposed to be good at.]


    [His voice grew heavier and he said, “All I can tell you is that I know someone who attended the festival, but since that night, he has been completely out of his wits, unable to utter a complete sentence. You might try asking him.”]


    [Wei’er couldn’t help interjecting, “Where is he?”]


    [Owl Mask turned his gaze to Wei’er, whose tone was a bit urgent.]


    [“The man is currently in a sanatorium in the third ring district. His name is ‘Gilles,’ and he was once a captain in the Winter Legion. However, without sufficient strength, don’t even think about getting into that sanatorium. It is guarded by heavy troops daily.”]


    [Item recorded: Gilles, sanatorium.]


    [Shopkeeper Lena inquired, “Is there anything else?”]


    [“Ha, I risk great danger in telling you this. Of those who survived the Festival that day, very few are left, and most who remain are nearly insane.”]


    [Owl Mask nodded, his black hole-like eye sockets fixed on the trio, as his aged voice slowly articulated, “Have you ever wondered why? Because for those high-ranking persons who emerged after the shuffle, this is a taboo they will not allow anyone to touch.”]


    [“That’s all I can say. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. If not, you may leave after you settle the bill. The total cost is ten Essence Crystals or a hundred gold coins, non-negotiable.”]


    [Lena asked, “Is the information reliable?”]


    [“I’m not one of those street-side intelligence peddlers who would con you with false information, am I?”]


    [Owl Mask stopped talking.]


    [Shopkeeper Lena moved, and from her personal bag, she shakily took out a transparent crystal, placing it on the bar.]


    [Owl Mask picked up the crystal to examine it, then laughed, “Quite decisive. So, I’ll throw in an additional piece of information for you—a tattletale that stirred up the whole city yesterday. It seems a Variant managed to procure a piece of power armor, and after killing more than a dozen guards, escaped. With such a brutal and desperate fugitive on the loose, you all better be careful.”]