The dragons' agility was astounding. Ina had traded the entire box of magical crystals she brought for the ghostvine. The now empty box was filled with the gold the dragons provided in exchange for their meals, neatly filling it up.
With the dragons' visit and the experience points Ina was continuously gathering from another active restaurant on the Moro continent, her progress was nothing short of remarkable.
Though her portal cooldown had ended, Ina didn't rush back to the Moro continent. This time, she'd brought an ample amount of ingredients and planned to stay a few more days.
A peculiar cart appeared in the village. The villagers had never seen such a contraption before – it boasted a shimmering silver top, a rigid structure, and elevated curtains.
Ina stood behind the cart. The villagers recognized her as the only dragon who frequently retained her human form. Yet they only watched, puzzled by what she was trying to do.
Finally, Mira approached, "Lady Ina, is there any way I can assist you?"
Seeing her come forward, Ina beamed, "Remember when I mentioned exchanging other foods for ghostvine powder? I'm here to fulfill that promise."
She took out a scale and explained to Mira, "Place the ghostvine powder on this tray. For every notch it moves, you can exchange it for a pie made entirely of flour."
Mira looked at Ina, confused, "Why make such an unprofitable trade?"
Ina shook her head, "How is it unprofitable? You get to taste pies made of pure flour, and I get the ghostvine powder I want. It's a win-win."
Before Mira could say more, Ina handed her a freshly cooked sesame sugar pastry, cautioning, "Try this first, but be careful; it's hot."
Holding the fragrant sesame pastry, Mira hesitantly took a bite under Ina's expectant gaze. It was soft! So sweet! Food made without ghostvine powder was truly delicious. As she bit through, the rich flavor of sesame burst on her tongue. She felt the crisp exterior give way to the sugar-soaked dough – so soft and aromatic.
In her excitement, a bit of melted sugar oozed out from where she'd bitten, and she quickly licked it off, not minding the brief sting on her tongue.
No longer doubting the ghostvine powder for pastries exchange, she asked, "Is this offer open to everyone?"
Ina nodded, "Each person can exchange for only two pastries." Knowing that even the wealthiest villager wouldn't have an abundant supply of ghostvine powder, she wanted to ensure as many as possible got to taste today's sesame sugar pastry.
Hearing this, Mira's cheeks dimpled with delight, "That's wonderful; we have many in our family."
With that, she ran off merrily, carefully cradling her sesame sugar pastry to prevent the sweet syrup from spilling.
True to Mira's words, her household was extensive. Four fox-folk youths, close to Mira in age, stood before Ina. They were Mira's siblings – quintuplets, to be precise. Initially, there were six, but one had passed away early. Some beastkin races had astounding reproductive abilities. However, the relics of the old gods never saw large beastkin tribes flourish since they couldn't sustain so many children.
Although humans might not possess the strength or protective fur of beastkin, the two races coexisted. Beastkin relied on humans to tend to the fields, a knowledge they found hard to grasp, such as when to plant or irrigate. Conversely, humans needed the beastkin for village defense and hunting ghostvine. They couldn't hide deep within caves like the goblins, where the ghostvine couldn't reach. The beastkin's presence provided much-needed assurance.
"Are you all authorized to trade this ghostvine powder?" Ina questioned, uncertain if she should take the powder without parental consent, given their adolescent stage.
Mira vouched, "It's ours." Ina was then reassured.
While some exchanged for two pastries right away, others cautiously opted for one, inquiring if they could return for another later.
Ina's cart was akin to a pancake stall, with a large black griddle ideal for cooking the pastries.
Handing the golden, fragrant sesame sugar pastries to the young fox-folk, she hardly had a moment to warn them about the heat when a chorus of sharp intakes of breath ensued.
More than one had scalded their tongues on the hot syrup, yet none set their pastry down.
They continued to nibble on their pastries while blowing on them to cool the hot syrup.
The pastries weren't large, roughly the size of one's palm, and as thick as a finger. It didn't take them long to finish the first one.
The remaining pastry, they wanted to pocket and bring home. Just as the young fox-folk were about to leave, Ina called out, "Spread the word that one can exchange ghostvine powder for pastries here, and I'll reward you with an apple each."
They halted, eyes widening in intrigue, "What's an apple? Is it tastier than the sugar pastry?"
Mira, having only tasted apple-flavored candy and never having seen an actual apple, couldn't provide an answer.
"It's a different kind of delicious," Ina clarified.
The young fox-folk exchanged glances and immediately set off to promote Ina's cart, motivated by the prospect of tasting an apple.
Soon, villagers, bags in hand, approached with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. The looming presence of the dragon might have seemed intimidating, but it was known not to harm humans. Plus, the dragon behind the snack cart appeared as human as any young girl.
Those who ventured first were already indulging in the sesame sugar pastries. The aroma proved too irresistible for them to wait.
Witnessing the expressions of joy and satisfaction, the observers hurried over, growing increasingly concerned about whether there would be enough pastries for everyone.
Ina estimated that she handed out over a thousand pastries, collecting nearly 300 pounds of ghostvine powder in return.
While she spent the entire day at this, technically hunting for the ghostvine herself might have been more efficient. However, most of the village had indulged in what they considered a luxurious treat. And as they had traded valuable ghostvine powder, it was deemed a transaction, gifting Ina with substantial experience.
Her experience points soared by over 30,000, significantly more than she would gain from serving regular humans from the Moro continent. Ina had observed that aside from the strength of the guests themselves, the amount of happiness derived from the meal significantly impacted the experience points. And who could possibly be happier than the inhabitants of this relic village upon tasting such delicacies?
After politely refusing a few individuals who tried to line up again, thinking she wouldn't recognize them, and reassuring the lingering crowd that she'd return the next day, the crowd gradually dispersed.
With many villagers gathered around, Ina didn't want to draw attention by immediately giving Mira and her siblings their promised apples.
Now seemed the perfect moment. Calling them over, she handed each one a plump, radiant red apple.
"just eat here," she suggested. Though unfamiliar with the character of the villagers, she knew that bullies existed in every race. She worried that letting them go like this might mean they wouldn't actually get to eat the apples.
Mira took a huge bite of the apple, savoring its sweetness and crunch. Her eyes squinted in delight, and her tail swished contentedly.
"Ina," Mira inquired, "Will you be back tomorrow?"
"Yes, I'll be here for one more day," she replied, meaning that she wouldn't be around the day after.
Before they could feel the pang of disappointment, Ina quickly added, "Tomorrow, there will be meat-filled pastries. Remember to come early, or they'll be gone."
A line of eager heads nodded in agreement, chanting, "Yes!"
--------
Ina arrived alone at Knox's castle.
The castle was brightly lit, a rare sight in the vampire's territory. On most nights, darkness enveloped the place, with only the faint moonlight filtering through rose-entwined windows, giving the castle a chilling, desolate aura.
But now, ornate candelabras illuminated the rooms, velvet blankets were carelessly thrown on couches, and polar bear fur rugs lay beneath.
Knox had been waiting for her. He had dismissed all his vampire attendants. An ancient parchment detailing the curse-breaking method was displayed on a dark oak table.
Ina came alone, without Elvys following. Knox had expected this. With plagues breaking out across the empire, Elvys was rushing between territories. All of Ina's mysterious elixirs, able to suppress the curse, had been used up. During his travels, Elvys briefly lost consciousness, causing quite a commotion - he was severely weakened.
Always prideful of her immense strength, Ina might not have even informed Elvys of her intent to seek a curse-breaking method from Knox.
Ina didn't approach immediately. For a while, neither spoke. Knox seemed determined to make her break the silence first. She stared into his deep-red eyes, asking, "What do you want?"
"I've heard Miss Ina enjoys running a restaurant," Knox replied with a hint of mockery. "And, as it happens, I am quite the gourmet."
Ina knew better than to think that Knox desired any delicacy – he craved only blood.
Instead of bluntly refusing, Ina questioned softly, "How can I be sure your method works?"
Anticipating her doubts, Knox knew he had to prove the method's efficacy if he were to negotiate. He dragged two trembling low-ranking vampires from a corner, forcing one by the name to look directly into his eyes.
"Use the Death Curse on him," ordered Knox, his voice echoing mysteriously.
The vampire's eyes glazed over in a trance, and he hastily drew a dagger from his cloak, ruthlessly plunging it into his own heart. He stirred it without a flinch, seemingly impervious to pain. As he coughed up blood in great heaves, he cast a menacing curse on the other vampire beside him, who stared in horror, begging Knox for mercy.
The vampire under the spell of the Death Curse quickly crumbled to ashen dust, while the other writhed in agony. Knox handed him a goblet filled with a bright red liquid. Without hesitation, the vampire gulped it down, only to manifest even greater pain and hysteria.
"Elvys is truly fortunate, resisting the allure of fresh blood," Knox remarked with a hint of regret. Vampires afflicted by the Death Curse crave blood even more desperately, yet consuming it only magnifies the curse's potency, bringing greater torment. But which of them could truly resist the pull of blood?
Knox advanced, picking up the parchment from the table, surprisingly thrusting it into Ina's grasp. She took a cautious step back, her fingers trembling ever so slightly around the paper.
Had he lost his mind? To hand over the solution so carelessly? Or was the formula in her hand deceit?
Knox began displaying a myriad of ingredients on the long table, signaling for Ina to verify their match with the formula on the paper.
She cross-referenced the items, simultaneously activating her recording function. If there were any unique techniques he employed, she needed to capture every detail.
Following the parchment's instructions, Knox concocted a deep purple potion. He then grabbed the collar of the shrieking lower-ranking vampire, hurling him into a pool filled with water. Casually, Knox poured the purple potion into it, the hue diffusing softly. He then sliced his fingertip, squeezing a droplet of blood into the mix.
The pool's content began to boil immediately. The trapped vampire screamed in agony, his pain so intense that it eclipsed his fear, making him struggle to escape. Knox coldly stepped on his shoulder, submerging the vampire entirely.
And then, there was silence.