The museum.
In the end, Ferris knew that the word would've eventually come to his ears.
The bartender slid another shot of scotch across the counter. Evening snatched it up without hesitation. Her focus already drowning in liquor, literally.
"There are blessing users in the museum," the bartender continued casually. "I've heard they can sift truth from lies so no villain can fake their exam results."
Ferris stiffened at the phrasing, users. That meant more than one person could do it.
Again, the bartender seemed to read his thoughts.
"Two people having similar blessings can indeed happen, but it's almost impossible. The villain clan having that many people with the same blessings is quite an oddity.
. . .
Anyways."
The bartender grabbed the returned empty shot glass given to him by Miss Evening, then stored it under the counter.
While there, he took out a smaller cup and used that to serve Evening another shot.
How considerate, Ferris applauded the bartender.
"We're going off-topic, you're not a villain wannabe trying to pass this exam after all," the bartender noted. "What you need to know is that the museum is sort of like the base for the villains controlling this city, and there's something there that's keeping this crimson barrier up and running."
"What is it?" Ferris tapped the counter while resting his chin using his uninjured arm, he was fully focused on the bartender's words.
"It's a large egg in the center of the museum. From what I've heard, it was created by someone called..."
The bartender gulped his saliva, trying to recall their full name.
"...The Mother of All Celestial Beings Born of Mortal Lands," the bartender said, slightly cringing.
What a long name! Ferris leaned back from the counter.
It's sort of like... they're trying too hard to sound cool? Ferris wondered. But in the end, though, they were probably at the dragon level or an S-class.
Beings like that cared nothing for the opinions of the weak.
"What's their blessing name?"
. . .
The bartender looked away with his eyes. "That... is also their blessing name. Also, don't ask me about the nature of their blessing, I have not a clue."
To not stray away from the topic a second time, the bartender redirected Ferris's attention. "The only thing important is that you need to somehow destroy that egg, which will break the barrier around this city."
Ferris grew a little suspicious of the bartender's credibility.
"That's only my hypothesis. My role is simply a servant, and your role is a hero. Only you alone can make the final decision," the bartender said, pouring a tiny bit of alcohol into a returned glass.
It was such a tiny amount that it might've as well been an empty pour, and yet, Evening grabbed it as if it was some important jewelry.
She might've been too drunk to know that she was only drinking a mere droplet.
The bartender continued. "If you do accomplish that feat, please," he bowed slightly, "save the other people who have been turned into servants like me."
His expression turned grim. "I want to see my family again… but more than that, I just want to get out of this dreadful place."
He began to raise his voice. "The people here are animals! They never order fine alcohol or exquisite wine. It's just beer, beer, BEER!
And every time they get drunk, they crash my bar. Sometimes, they even hold orgies with unwilling guests. How could a human endure such a sight!
And most importantly, I don't get paid a single dime for this!" The bartender's face twisted into an almost crying expression.
He locked his eyes with Ferris and tapped the counter three times with a clawed hand.
Then, just as suddenly, the emotion vanished from his face.
Ferris smiled. He understood the bartender's desperate cries. "I'll do something about it."
The bartender simply nodded.
When the two finished chatting, Evening interrupted them.
"One~ more, for Miss Evening." She slowly pushed her empty glass.
The bartender scoffed, "That's as far as you can go."
Hearing that reply, Evening slammed her forehead on the edge of the counter. "I'm too... drunk~. Elves aren't known for their tolerance for alcohol, so... we don't drink too much of Jörmungandr's piss~... hic!"
. . .
. . .
. . .
Did I hear that correctly... Ferris forced his body not to move a single inch, but it was just too much for him to handle.
The bartender caught on quickly, but since he didn't know who Jörmungandr was, he was responsible enough not to speak a word about it.
"Hey~ I know a servant round here that's a healer, let's fix ourselves there." Evening pointed at Ferris's injured wrist.
Calm down, let's not get too worked up. Ferris stood up and nodded at Evening before turning to Judas. "Let's go."
However, Miss Evening did not stand up. She raised her hand towards Ferris, palm side down like an noble lady as she smiled. "Help~..."
Ferris sighed and grabbed her arm then placed it around his neck.
"Go there~." She pointed at a general direction.
While walking there Ferris noticed something, or rather smelled something.
She smells... Ferris lampooned, but he himself hasn't even taken a shower since arriving in the city, so he wasn't one to complain about body odor.
While Evening was in a vulnerable state, Ferris took his chance to observe her super closely.
She's an elf apparently, but her ears are normal. And she's not graceful unlike them.
A transmigrator? Ferris thought about it, but he was afraid to arrive at any conclusion.
He remembered the first few sentences that the flaming bush once said to him in his first dream.
They had never seen a case like him before.
Then, instead of transmigration, Miss Evening is a reincarnator?
Ferris was becoming afraid, he didn't expect his old life to come back to him like this.
While walking, Evening smiled and started to hum tunes that were pleasant to his ears.
Elves are renowned for their songs and voices.
Even when drunk, her pitch was nearly perfect in every regard. It felt as if, if she spoke again, what would come out is an elegant voice and not her usual accent.
"Exit's over there, the guy I know isn't here anyway." Evening pointed at a clearance within the dense greenery.
Ferris followed her finger. But when they were about to reach the exit, they were suddenly stopped by a small group of people that appeared just beyond the exit.
When Ferris caught his first glimpse of them, they looked much different compared to the villains near the pool party.
They looked more ragged than the rest of the villains, but at the same time they looked new to the place with their spotless full body orange suit.
Prisoners, looks like the villain clan recruited more?
Since Ferris now had a better idea on what the city was, he wasn't shocked by their sudden appearance.
The prisoners thrashed and yelled at everyone and anyone, but the rest were just too busy having fun.
And so, they looked at the ones who actually noticed their presence.
Great... they're walking this way.