Nighttime Encounters - Chapter 13
Before she knew it, the two street ruffians encircled Rosia threateningly.
“This seems destined. How about we go somewhere for a cup of tea? Or perhaps a meal?” one of them suggested, their breath foul and reeking.
Rosia involuntarily stepped back as they closed in around her. She was surrounded.
She rolled her violet eyes and cautiously spoke up, “There was somewhere I needed to be but…”
Before Rosia could finish her sentence, one of the ruffians, towering like a wooden post, erupted in anger. “No, she’s trying to get out of here without a proper apology.”
Another delinquent standing nearby stepped in to pacify him, sensing the rising tension.
“Whoa, whoa. The lady hasn’t finished speaking yet. Wait a moment,” remarked the scarred rebel around his eyes, grinning like a serpent.
“Yeah, miss. Finish what you were saying. You did have somewhere urgent to be?” Another thug prompted Rosia.
Rosia hesitated briefly before lifting her head. With a forced smile aimed at the ruffians, she concluded her unfinished sentence, “Now that I think about it, it doesn’t seem that urgent.”
Her compliant response provoked boisterous laughter from the ruffians. “Oh, really? Well then, that’s fortunate,” one of them replied, meeting Rosia’s gaze with a smile.
Despite the friendly smile, there was a sharp edge to her violet eyes.
As she bent down to pick it up, her eyes caught sight of Regalia. It had only been a passing glance beneath her cloak, yet detecting Regalia’s shift wasn’t difficult.
In the clear and vivid red beads, a black aura bloomed akin to a sinister stain, unmistakably the essence of a malevolent spirit.
Knowing precisely how troublesome it was, night after night, to seek them out, and to come forward willingly like this…
These rogues saved her the trouble of searching for evil spirits herself. She couldn’t help but smile as she conveniently presented themselves before her.
“These pretty ladies do know how to communicate well,” remarked the rogues, oblivious to Rosia’s intentions, readily returning her smile.
Exchanging meaningful glances, they asked in a kindly tone, “So, miss, any favorite tea or perhaps a dish you fancy?”
Rosia, concealing her discomfort, responded graciously as if feeling slightly embarrassed, “As long as it’s not fernbrake spaghetti.”
Her words startled Luperne, who had been glaring warily at the bullies. He looked like he’d been slapped on the back of the head while napping.
[No, why? What’s wrong with fernbrake spaghetti? It’s a masterpiece of culinary fusion. Why criticize without even trying it?]
Luperne exclaimed, forgetting to unsheathe his sword.
[This is supposed to be a real hit dish. I spent months developing it, all so I wouldn’t have to worry about you eating it.]
Rosia ignored the noisy Luperne, intent on devising a plan to take down these ruffians. First, she had to lure the thugs into an enclosed area without revealing her identity. She would have to herd them into an area away from the crowd, subdue one by snapping his arm behind his back and punching him in the nape of the neck to stun him. As for the other, a forceful kick to the back of his knees would bring him to kneel, followed by a good whack to the back of his head…
The clueless thugs, who had no idea what Rosia was planning, cracked flippant jokes. “Pretty girls have good personalities after all.”
Rosia’s innocent response seemed to amuse them quite a bit. Even the hoodlum who had been fuming earlier had softened and approached her.
“It’s a good thing you’re a girl who knows her place. I thought you were just going to take my heart out, and I almost had to drag you away by force.” He chuckled, his rough hand patting Rosia’s shoulder with a clammy touch.
“Where should we go then?” he continued, his damp breath brushing against Rosia’s ear.
She grimaced. A wave of nausea washed over her as the musty, cigarette-stained scent of his body washed over her. She felt like bugs were crawling on her shoulder where he touched her.
Rosia’s patience evaporated in an instant.
I don’t care what the plan is, I just need to…now!
Just as Rosia was about to move to break the rogue’s arm resting on her shoulder, a low and resolute voice stopped them in their tracks. “Back off.”
Both the interrupted rogues and Rosia, who was about to fend them off, turned their heads at the same time.
The man stood alone, facing the situation with his unwavering green eyes. His mere presence caused a chill to run down the air, and a tension hovered in the air.
“Who are you?” asked one of the thugs, echoing Rosia’s thoughts.
Who is that guy?
Dazed for a moment, Rosia blinked her eyes. Even in broad daylight, this man exuded an intense presence. In the slow flicker of her vision, he came into focus.
It was him, the villain that troubled Rosia last night!
