Ah, I've fallen in love. Some women have this magical power to chain men's hearts with words, and that's exactly what Ravenna did.
I don't know what crazy sorcery she cooked up against me, I just know it worked really well. Man, my chest is about to explode from beating so hard, my cheeks are all red, I look like an emotional teenager again!
Though this girl isn't a bad find. She can't exactly be labeled as a villain, so to speak; she's more of a "black and white," a gray character who was hastily categorized to serve as a minor fight to show off the MC's little powers and talent.
To be more exact, she's only here because she was accused of attempting to kill Count Vandric, her foster uncle who took her in when House Galbraith declined.
They said she poisoned soldiers, summoned demons under the moonlight, and stole state secrets to fund her own mercenary armies.
In the original script, she barely appeared before being condemned, only gaining the spotlight at the trial, where she fought against the protagonist and put on a magical show.
An awesome fight scene, a beautiful damn choreography, just to show how truly monstrous this girl is when it comes to magic.
That's why the captain hesitated to bar me: he knew I would actually be stylishly committing suicide.
Fortunately, my madness served as an excuse to throw me into the dungeon instead of unleashing a political scandal.
"Time's up!"
A series of knocks echoes from the door, the captain calls me with an ugly grimace, and I wave a loving goodbye to the girlfriend I just acquired. She looks at me with clear disdain, but it's good to see a hint of hope in her, and that she didn't kill me outright.
After being guided out of the Second Ring prison, I return to the streets. The sun welcomes me with open arms, I even missed it after being inside that rotten place.
I'm alive, somehow!
"So, did you get what you wanted, you idiot kid?"
I give the captain a thumbs-up, flashing a huge smile. Now I don't need the drunk act anymore; sobriety has set in.
"I've regained my strength, sir. I know what to do!"
My destiny is in my head, I just need to find the count's mansion!
*****
And I got lost.
The Imperial City is an urban monster, a heap of alleys, narrow streets, and avenues with repeated names. "Arch Street," "Arch Alley," "Fallen Arch Alley," "King-Arch Square"... I'm sure half the signs were named by some grumpy old man.
Everything looks like an aristocrat, a thief, a hero, or sometimes something random you don't even know where it came from. For example, who names a bridge "Goat Cane Bridge"? I don't even know what the heck that animal is!
Fifteen minutes later, I'm circling around, chased by a hairless dog and ignored by a beggar who is literally arguing with a bottle.
"Hey, my good sir! Do you know where Count Vandric's mansion is?"
"Up your ass!"
Noted.
What can I do? It must be in there somewhere. Ugh, what a mess.
Worse still, there's no point in looking at every grand mansion, because I might end up confusing it with another noble's residence. If I get caught invading these places, I'll get so beaten up...
In a common situation, the Darius I've taken over would return to the carriage waiting for him on the main street and would now be sleeping in bed, dead drunk, with the servants in the background spreading whispers about how low Duke Moonlight stooped to bring a bastard into the house.
Fortunately, this cool guy doesn't intend to easily fall into the nobility's political game now. If I want to enter the story in style, I first need to destroy the root, target the people who interest me most.
To hell with the protagonist, incredible adventures, or cool companions out there, I'd rather stay away from a cold-blooded guy and have sex with some beauties around! Ah, who would have thought that right after my first experience I'd get so addicted...
...but you can't live on just lust and good ideas.
I still have nothing in my hands to use at the trial. No evidence, no document that slipped from the count's tray; I just have the slight feeling that I'm digging my own grave with a dessert spoon.
I need someone who knows the Imperial City inside out. Someone who knows who walks with whom, who screws whom, who pays, who betrays, who bribes, and who groans secrets between a sip of wine and a slap on the ass.
There is someone, yes.
Oh, I feel stupid. Elizia! Blonde, blue eyes, and an impressive talent for extracting even the most sensitive information from a man without using a single word; just her hips.
The first time I saw her, at least in this life, I was a nobody taken to the middle of nowhere to learn a bunch of crappy things about high society. The last time, I came out so limp I felt like I'd been reborn.
She even called me "sweetie" and complained I hadn't come back sooner. Which means: she likes me, or at least my wallet. That's a start.
Elizia is the kind of woman who pays attention. Seriously, you just have to be near her to know how this girl dissects your thoughts just through words and makes every desire come true, like a succubus sucking your life energy. I coldly believe she might be one.
There's also the fact that the Ring districts are very famous. By working with nobles, merchants, guards, and even some naughty priest or another, she has probably heard something about this Vandric guy that can serve me.
Yes, that's it. No more chasing the count's mansion like a lost idiot; I'm going to take a decent bath, stop smelling like a cheap prison, and go straight to where answers usually groan in the dark: in my "favorite whore's" room.
After a delightful session at the public bathhouse and a change into fresh clothes, thanks to my still heavy coin purse, I feel ready to head to Madame Cerise's brothel.
It's not just for carnal pleasure, though, to be honest, that's a nice incentive.
The way there is automatic. My body knows the route better than my brain knows basic survival instincts.
The door creaks with familiarity as I enter, and before any attendant can stop me, my presence is recognized by a blonde woman smoking a pipe on a red velvet sofa.
"Darius!" A wave full of animation comes from Elizia, who sports a smile that melts away her face, hardened by a string of annoying clients.
"I'm back."
"Too fast, even for you, sweetie. Did they ditch you from the carriage early today?"
"Something like that. Can we just go to the room? I'm... really in the mood for a second round."
"Ohhh, assertive as ever, you know how to treat a lady."
Elizia wraps her arm around mine, escorting me towards one of the rooms reserved for more intense and steamy activities. I try to display my best smile, but as soon as the door closes behind us, I immediately drop the facade... damn, I'm in the mood, but now's not the time!
"Sorry about that, I need some information. Have you heard of Count Vandric?"
Elizia bites the tip of her pipe. Her face also shows a bitter smile as she walks to the edge of the bed and sits down, incense and smoke flooding the air as always.
"Ah... that pig? Of course. He's already sent flowers to about three girls here," She lifts her head to look at the ceiling. "The last one was Bernette, who actually had to pretend she was on her period for two weeks straight for him to stop sending disgusting notes."
Elizia takes a puff from her pipe and exhales a plume of smoke, also spitting on the floor. I guess that count's name even affects her like that, which surprises me. I even feel bad, I must have completely ruined the mood acting like this.
I take the spot beside her. Now that I've gone this far, I have to continue, that's the way it is.
"The mansion. Where is it?"
"Tower District, Black Hill Street. It has a green coat of arms with a beaked, badly drawn eagle." She leans a little closer, sliding her finger across my unbuttoned chest. "This is the first time you've asked me something serious, love... That place is guarded and closed off. Not even a wine delivery guy gets in without authorization. What are you up to?"
"That's why I came to you. I need to get in there to help a friend, and I know you're the best at knowing people. It's no wonder your mouth is so good at what it does..."
She smiles, satisfied with the flattery, and takes a lazy puff before whispering:
"Perhaps... perhaps his cook is in debt, and perhaps that cook likes a certain brunette named Miette who works here on Wednesdays. If you're smart, and know how to pull the right strings, maybe you can find a way to use that against him."
"This is gold, Elizia."
"I know."
I kiss her hand, with my classic scoundrel charm. It almost sounds ironic how I treat a harlot with more sincerity than a high-class noblewoman.
"Darius."
I stop. She stares at me with narrowed eyes.
"Be careful, okay?"
"I will."