This group of merchants was none other than Ryan and his companions.
Ryan had left Sulia and Emilia to manage his estate. The lady knight's immense prestige and her status as the future lady of the estate allowed her to easily take over the highest authority in the barony. Ryan also selected a body double to stay in the estate, temporarily made up by Emilia to look like him, to deceive the enemy.
The two half-elf guards were Estel and Dais, the blond, blue-eyed sword and shield guard was Alfred, and the silent steward was the kingdom knight Gerard. The woman who was being manhandled by the fat merchant was played by Veronica, and the hawk-nosed maid was the sorceress Teresa, who was very uncomfortable taking off her hawk-nose prosthetic: "If there were any other choice, I really wouldn't want to wear this."
The two drivers were the hired witch hunters, Abel and Jules, who had previously visited Ryan's estate. Hearing about this big deal, they quickly agreed. Witch hunters are accustomed to living on the edge.
As for the fat merchant Gabe-Newell, that was naturally Ryan in disguise. He couldn't remove his makeup but still gave Alfred a thumbs up: "Alfred, great job. You don't look like a paladin at all, more like a street vagrant."
"You asked me to bring out the feeling of when we used to scrounge for pies as kids. I think I've done it," Alfred flipped his golden hair, looking sleazy, with purposely added ugly scars on his face.
Veronica, indignantly covering her chest, complained: "Ryan! Could you be a bit gentler? I'm also your property. If you ruin it, beware our children go hungry!"
"Hmph, there wouldn't be so many problems if I played the part," Teresa said discontentedly: "If you don't want to play, I could have done it."
"Ha? You? Our lady would be seen through in an instant," Veronica retorted disdainfully, her sweet face full of provocation: "Forget it, Trovick?"
"You're just too flirtatious, Veronica!" Teresa's beautiful face flushed with anger.
"You lack the charm of a woman, Trovick. Are you really a woman? You don't look like it to me," Veronica immediately snapped back, leaving the sorceress speechless.
In fact, after Ryan explained the plan, Teresa immediately fancied the role of Veronica because it allowed her to be close to Ryan.
Unfortunately, the sorceress couldn't portray the required worldly and libertine air. After several "auditions," she was ousted, and Veronica's acting won unanimous praise from everyone, including the witch hunters, forcing Teresa to play the role of the hawk-nosed maid.
"Acting should be done thoroughly, Veronica." Ryan was about to comfort Veronica with a hug, but the witch instinctively dodged, showing disgust: "It's okay to touch, but don't get your face close to me, Ryan!"
"I can't remove my makeup, my great witch," Ryan said innocently.
"Then don't touch me! I only accept your original appearance!" Veronica impatiently responded, and seeing this, Ryan could only spread his hands as everyone burst into laughter.
"Alright, gentlemen, ladies, let's settle down first, then start our next plan."
Fifty minutes later, everyone cleaned up and gathered in the large room, with the witch hunter Jules keeping watch outside. After Abel and Jules confirmed that no one was following them, the group started their meeting.
Under the starry night outside the inn, Sir Gerard, having bathed and prayed, awkwardly wore a simple hemp outfit, frowning: "Ryan, according to your plan, we've successfully infiltrated."
Veronica changed into a white woolen sweater and a blue knee-length skirt, her pretty legs covered in flesh-colored stockings. The witch, who loved wearing skirts, would never show her legs in public, except in the bathroom or Ryan's bedroom.
Teresa changed into a black and white striped women's shirt and black straight-leg pants. The sorceress sat on the bed in the large room, somewhat reservedly, unlike Veronica, who was more relaxed. She just sat beside Ryan.
"Musillon, the cursed city, currently under the actual control of vampires. Since the Dolt Tower incident, knights have come to Musillon several times but always returned without success. After the Lady summoned the flood, the city lost the means to construct siege engines. My plan is for us to cause destruction within the city, destroying the siege engines and their manufacturing sites," Ryan spoke solemnly: "Without siege engines, with Duke Francois and Duke Bodrick, the vampires can fight for three more months and still not take Tures."
"In that case, the doomed Red Duke can only retreat," Alfred agreed.
"Hmm... So we must find where the vampires are manufacturing siege engines and find a way to destroy them. We only have three days," Veronica said softly: "Otherwise, Ryan's mask will expire."
"Speaking of which, I'm impressed, Ryan. You managed to secure such an identity," Estel suddenly shifted the topic.
"It was somewhat coincidental..." Ryan explained the backstory.
Duke Vandergrift-Schultz of Marienburg, an imperial envoy who could easily identify vampires, once secretly executed a heap of vampires and their colluding merchants in the outskirts of Marienburg, including a vampire ancestor. One of these merchants was Hofman, who had trade relations with the vampires of Musillon. Ryan conveniently borrowed this identity to facilitate his mission.
However, it was difficult to impersonate this merchant. Despite all of Emilia's abilities, she couldn't replicate the merchant's physique and manner of speech.
So, Ryan decided to disguise himself as a fat merchant. People's voices, expressions, and movements change significantly when they gain weight, reducing the vampires' suspicion.
Gerard nodded slowly, the kingdom knight admiringly said: "Everything is going according to your plan, and our infiltration has been generally successful."
"Now the question is, how do we find where the vampires are building siege weapons?" the ranger Dais spoke, the half-elf not usually talkative: "Musillon is severely corrupted, limiting our perception."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the sorceress Teresa moved closer to Ryan, whispering: "I feel the same. The Winds of Magic are very unstable, and signs of chaos and corruption are everywhere. What caused Musillon to become like this?"
"Musillon?" Ryan sighed deeply, deciding to start from the beginning: "The story of Musillon goes back to the founding of Bretonnia."
"Hundreds of years ago, under King Arthur's leadership, Bretonnia was successfully established. At that time, the country had twelve original Grail Knights, among whom Landoine from Musillon was one."
"Landoine was a model of chivalry, not only blessed by the Lady of the Lake to become a Grail Knight but also believed to be stronger than Arthur. His sword 'Light of the Lake' had drunk the blood of countless foes, and his devotion to the eight virtues of knighthood even surpassed his own life."
"But everything changed with Arthur's death. The death of Arthur dealt a heavy blow to Landoine, plunging the Duke of Musillon and original Grail Knight into deep sorrow. At that
time, Musillon was a duchy with long coastlines and fertile lands, but Landoine's immense sorrow also infected and corrupted his lands, gradually eroding Musillon with swamps. This event, known as 'The Great Depression,' saw Landoine dying in sorrow soon after."
The group fell into a prolonged silence, most of them being foreigners and thus unaware of Musillon's inner workings.
However, another person knew about this, Gerard. Seeing Ryan silent, he continued the story.
Landoine's death did not end Musillon's tragedy. The duchy was gradually swallowed by swamps, and two hundred years after Landoine's death, another tragedy struck, the "Mad Duke" Merovech incident.
Merovech was once a proud warrior, obsessed with reviving Musillon and restoring its glory from Landoine's era. His excessive ambition led him down a dark path, dabbling in black magic under the guidance of an adviser.
At that time, Bretonnia was plagued by a disease spread by Skaven, who then invaded the knightly kingdom. The knights struggled against the disease, but Merovech and his knights, having become vampires, remained unaffected. They first aided the Duchy of Brionne, then united with the Wood Elves and the army of Parravon to eliminate the Skaven, earning great honors. However, their zeal for slaughter and bloodlust drew criticism.
This deeply hurt Merovech, who by then believed he could rival Landoine. Holding a grudge, Merovech invited all dukes and the king to his castle for a banquet. The dukes and king gladly attended.
The sight at the banquet left the guests bewildered. The castle was adorned with countless corpses, and all servants were tortured nearly to death. Merovech presented delicacies to the guests, mocking the king for being jealous of his achievements.
Enraged, the knightly king could not contain himself and challenged Merovech to a duel. Corrupted and empowered by darkness, Merovech possessed immense strength. After a fierce duel, the knightly king was slain by Merovech, who then drank the king's blood from a golden cup to humiliate him, before declaring his claim to the throne.
Perhaps due to his significant role in repelling the Skaven, or maybe because the dukes genuinely feared Merovech's prowess, Merovech was indeed crowned king by a narrow margin, achieving his life's ambition.
But his good fortune ended there. Just days after his coronation, the Lady of the Lake's prophet appeared, declaring the Lady's refusal to recognize Merovech as the king of Bretonnia. The Grail Knights convened, bringing the Lady's judgment. The dukes rallied to the prophet's call, opposing Merovech. Outnumbered, Merovech was defeated and killed. Afterward, the prophet announced the dissolution of the Duchy of Musillon, with half its lands ceded to the Duchy of Lyonesse, and the remaining lands, including Musillon city, becoming part of the Duchy of Connaught, with a new Duke of Connaught appointed.
Then came the Dolt Tower incident, or the False Grail incident, previously mentioned. Following this event, the Duchy of Connaught's title was also revoked, with vampires unlawfully occupying Musillon and the Duchy of Connaught to this day.
After this lengthy history, both Gerard and Alfred's faces were filled with indignation. Ryan felt regret, Veronica's eyes sparkled with thought, and Teresa was moved by the stories, but that was all.
"So, tomorrow we'll host the Steam Summer Sale in the town of Musillon," Ryan, disguised as Gabe-Newell, smiled: "Creating siege weapons requires significant manpower and resources. If we look carefully, we'll find clues."
Alfred and others nodded, with witch hunter Abel quickly taking up the task: "Leave it to us, Lord Ryan. We witch hunters are best suited for this."
"Good, we've also brought a batch of Wood Elf goods. Vampires aren't interested in these, but there are plenty in the city who are. Vampires can't exist independently from other beings because they need blood," Ryan continued: "Estel, Dais, selling the goods is up to you. Be as arrogant as the forest facing unwelcome guests, yet reluctantly dealing with them."
"Understood," both half-elves nodded.
"Gerard, you're in charge of security. We have permission from the vampire lord. If someone tries to steal, you can act," Ryan instructed Gerard, who understood. Unlike many knights, Francois's cousin was more firm and devout, but also more adaptable.
"Veronica, you'll stay with me in the carriage, listening to the outside. Alfred, you sell, but be enthusiastic, like when you spread faith."
"Okay!" "Understood, my friend."
Teresa, not hearing her name in the instructions, grew anxious: "What about me, Ryan?"
"You'll stay with me in the carriage," Ryan added, to which Veronica cheekily said: "Since you can't do much anyway, Trovick."
The next day, a new stall opened in the center of Musillon's market.
"The Steam Summer Sale starts now! To give back to our esteemed customers, Mr. Gabe-Newell from Marienburg strongly recommends!"
"Wood Elf perfume 51% OFF!"
"Wood Elf silk 75% OFF!"
"Wood Elf gemstone jewelry 60% OFF!"
"Winfort wine 33% OFF!"
Green banners caused a frenzy among the residents, with Alfred shouting in front of the stall: "Buy, buy, buy!" "Not buying? You're not human!" "Just buy it!"
"I'll take this!" "I want that!" "Wow, lowest prices ever!" Musillon's residents crowded the streets, waving money, snatching up the precious goods.
"The Steam Summer Sale, capturing your heart, you deserve it!" The fat merchant peeked out from the carriage, his eyes narrowed into terrifyingly magical slits, giving a thumbs-up to the residents.
"I'm Gabe-Newell, welcome to the Steam Summer Sale, have fun."
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