Pride Online

Chapter 576: Announcing The War Part II

“And who bought the hospital and the weapon shop?” Maysa asked.

“It’s obvious, actually.” Viper shrugged. “Every building here was bought by Ms. Baron. The accumulated price should be over a hundred million. We’re only the residents.”

“H-Hundred mil!?” The man who loved money, Manoch, cried out.

“As I told you, if she wasn’t good, she wouldn’t be able to have me under her. She’s a real deal.”

Everyone looked at each other. People could build the whole amusement park with that amount of money. It seemed like that Baron lady really was a dangerous one.

“We’re here.”

Viper smiled gently when they reached the top.

The rest of them looked around and saw no buildings or houses. It was only a scenic route that consisted of mountains and trees that surrounded the town below.

“Where’s the house and that Baron lady?” Shin asked.

“Ms. Baron likes living with nature. There’s no house. She just loves coming here to watch the view.” Viper said. “And please don’t forget to not pry into her personal stuff.”

“Understood.”

Wisana nodded.

Viper led them a little further in until they saw fire and smoke that was floating in the air and heard a soft singing on the other side. It was a campfire. There was a whole pig being roasted above the bonfire, smelling very delicious.

“Campfire?” Maysa muttered softly. “Are we at a boy scout camp?”

Viper gave them a signal to wait here. He walked to the bonfire and said with a firm voice that everyone could hear.

“Ms. Baron, they’re here.”

And then, there was silence. Viper glanced at the other side of the bonfire until he received an answer.

“Let them in. You can rest for today, Viper. You’ve been through a lot.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He walked back to everyone. He put his hand on Wisana’s shoulder as a green light for them.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Ah, about the repair of the ship, our best item crafter is out for a business outside of town. She should be back tomorrow. I’ll send her to you.”

The last sentence was directed at Manoch. Manoch smiled at him.

Viper walked away, leaving the kids looking at each other. Wisana told everyone to move to the bonfire. They walked carefully. Wisana’s saliva seemed to be stickier somehow.

They saw a thin lady sitting there on a cloth. She was holding a glass of sake.

‘Is this Baron?’ Wisana thought.

She did not look different from any other girls. Her silver hair was shiny against the moonlight. Her face was half covered by a mask. And those rosy lips... She was also chewing some food.

Then, she bit on the chicken drumstick in her hand and turned to them. The kids were startled. Wisana only narrowed his eyes and glared at her suspiciously.

...Why did she look familiar?

“Hey, guys. You must be exhausted.”

She greeted them so naturally. Wisana’s doubt vanished immediately since he had never heard this voice before.

“Viper’s told you a bit about me, right? I’m Baron. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Baron smiled and talked so nicely that everyone looked at each other, surprised.

The older woman laughed.

“There’s no need to be scared. I’m not your enemy.” Baron smiled sweetly. “Let’s eat. You must have been very hungry from all that you’ve been through today.”

She spread her arm to the roasted pig and so many colorful foods. However, what made Tunwa so weak seemed to be a bottle of cold beer with drops of water around it.

“Then, I’ll dig in.”

Tunwa walked out of the group and sat beside the bonfire. He took the beer even before anyone could stop him. Baron watched the hungry man and laughed.

“What about you? Not hungry?” She asked. “I’m not going to poison you. I know this is our first meeting but no need to be polite. We can talk business later.”

“Yeah!” Tunwa’s mouth was full. “Don’t hesitate. These foods are delicious. The beer’s so good. Let’s dig!”

“Tun, you son of a gun,” Wisana muttered at Maysa.

They looked at each other as if to ask what to do next since the Baron they pictured was a strict and scary one, unlike this. She was actually pretty laid back and nice.

Wisana nodded at everyone. Waree sat beside Tunwa and hit him in her brother’s stead. The man could only raise his eyebrows confusedly. In the end, the kids were around the bonfire. Baron smiled.

Wisana was about to sit beside Baron when a happy voice was heard.

“Oh, you’re all here already. Sooner than I expected.”

They turned to the source. Three people were standing there.

One was a grown man with short messy hair and a mask covering half of his face. Another was a tall thin lady with long black hair. She also wore a mask. And the last one was a two-meter-tall half dog half human with dog ears and a fluffy tail. The mask on his face was so big it covered his eyes.

“Mr. Sander!!”

Everyone screamed.

The man halted and quickly turned around.

“I-I’m not Sander. I’m a masked man named Phantom.”

He stuttered and was about to walk away when someone put a hand on his shoulder so suddenly that he halted. Baron could only sigh wearily.

“Can you turn this way, Mr. Phantom?”

A gentle voice sounded. Phantom slowly glanced back. It was Wisana who was smiling at him.

“...Y-You believe me?” Phantom asked.

“I’d be mad if I do!” Wisana screamed. “What’s that lame name? You silly old man!”

Smack!

He pulled the mask out of his face and let go of it, causing it to bounce back and hit the wearer’s face.

“AGHHHH! It hurts!”

The big man covered his face with his hands. He took the mask off and looked at the boy.

“What are you doing, boy? I’m your teacher!”

Wisana smiled sweetly.

“Then, let’s switch roles today!”

Wisana threw himself at his teacher and they fell onto the ground. The kids laughed so loudly, even though they were still confused about what was happening. Baron shook her head. Lala and Leonard took off their masks and tried to stop the two childish people with an alarmed face.

“...I guess some people never grow up.” Baron sighed.

----------------

“I told you that I left because I wanted to come here and work with Baron.”

The old man was still stroking the scratches on his body. His bruised face and dirty clothes made him look like a child who had just come back from the playground.

“Heh, what a lame excuse. Don’t you know how bad it was without you?”

The boy was in the same state. He had already taken off his jacket and only wore his white shirt. His face was all bruised.

“Why that tone? You don’t believe me, boy?!” Sander yelled.

“Of course not, stupid old man!” Wisana clenched his fists.

“Let’s go another round!”

“Deal!”

Clank!