Chapter 280: Chapter 280: Enjoyment and Preparation for Battle
[Holy City – Third Level – Royal Lion Hotel]

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

A horse-drawn carriage adorned with artful engravings by the artist Miyakide parked in front of the hotel.

“Mr. Dumps Martin, please follow me!”

In a little while.

Dumps, Han Dong, and Mia arrived in a private room decorated entirely with crystals.

A wide array of top-tier dishes was served at the same time.

“Wow…” Even Mia had never seen such a sight; a stream of saliva, tinged with venom, trickled down the corner of her mouth.

“Don’t be shy. Tomorrow, you’re heading to the Fate Space… Today you spent a lot of energy sparring.

Consider this meal as compensation for the vice captain.

Sparring with the vice-captain made me aware of many of my shortcomings, and helped me to work out some details.”

Han Dong was also amazed by the exquisite and appetizing dishes.

“Brother Dumps… This hotel seems only open to the high-ranking nobles, the royal family, or those of high status in the Holy City, right? And the cost of dining here must be quite high. How did you do it?”

Dumps gestured in the air with his fingers.

“Didn’t I mention my ‘side job’? With massages, I earn a little money and at the same time practice the Finger Method. A win-win situation, right?”

Han Dong was helpless.

The laboratory he had spent a massive amount of manpower and resources rebuilding outside the city would probably yield less income than Dumps earned from massages, even after the production line was up and running.

Thinking about this made Han Dong feel suffocated.

During the meal, Han Dong was surprised.

With each mouthful of soup and meat, he not only felt full but also felt his strength and energy returning.

Dumps, sitting in an elegant posture, was cutting up the fish on his plate, talking casually.

“Wrapped in pollution, fear, fatigue and other negatives every day, it’s necessary to relax and enjoy… Many high-ranking members of the Knight Regiment frequently patronize this hotel.

It’s like a top-level ‘Stress Release’ technique.

Besides, this hotel places the guests at the top, especially when it comes to protecting their privacy.

Many big shots choose to discuss their ‘private affairs’ here.”

“Hmm.”

“What happens between us must be kept confidential… We’ll share our secrets only after gaining a firm footing in the Holy City.”

“Okay.”

“Also, I took the liberty of booking a room.

From what I heard from Miss Mia… the environment and facilities at the Royal Lion Hotel are much better than a student dormitory.

Your information is registered with the hotel. By using the Gear Bracelet for identification, you can enjoy most of the services offered by the hotel. A waitress will show you to your quarters.

Enjoy!”

At these words.

Mia abandoned any prejudice she may have had towards Dumps.

“Alright then…”

“And now, all I can do is to wish the vice-captain to ‘maximize’ his time in the Fate Space… I won’t disturb you further.”

Dumps left.

However, just as the two of them stepped into the hotel lobby…

“Nicholas.”

“Vice-Captain!”

The familiar voice tempted Mia to almost sprout her spider legs in public.

The newcomers were blacksmith Winry and Abe.

“Hmm? What are you two doing here?”

“Just now, brother Dumps texted me saying he invited us to enjoy all kinds of top-tier services at the Royal Lion Hotel tonight. Besides, it’s also a good chance for our teams to gather in advance and head together to the Bell Tower tomorrow.”

“I… me too.” Winry nodded.

“Oh, isn’t that great… Dumps is quite considerate.”

“What’s great about it? Nothing at all!” Mia was so upset she wanted to chop someone up.

Han Dong checked the information at the reception.

He found out that Dumps had only booked one luxury suite for the four of them.

It implied that the team of four should discuss and rest in one room, while also being able to enjoy all the perks offered by the Royal Lion Hotel.

“Dumps is quite a guy. It’s a pity he doesn’t want to get involved in this Fate event…

Nicholas, let’s hit the baths! My maternal grandfather once took me here.

The hot springs here come with top-tier massages that can completely relax us and prepare us for the Fate event in the best possible condition.”

Abe, knowing it’s a rare opportunity to visit such an upscale place, quickly embraced Han Dong with his slightly furry arms and walked towards the ‘men-only’ hot spring area.

“Get lost!”

Mia almost broke into tears when she saw this.

“Sister Mia, why don’t we go for a bath too…”

“Fine!! I don’t want to think about that scumbag… I only need you, Winry.”

Mia hugged Winry tightly, seeming very intimate.

In the men’s hot spring area, several muscular waiters stood guard.

Abe and Han Dong were lying on the edge of the hot spring, and several muscular waiters came to serve them in turns. Their massage techniques were extremely comfortable.

About four hours later, after enjoying most of the high-end services in the hotel.

The large round bed had already been claimed by the two girls who arrived earlier.

The wool carpet was also quite comfortable.

Han Dong was so tired he couldn’t even speak. He collapsed onto the fluffy carpet with Abe and quickly fell asleep.

A confused night passed.

When Han Dong woke up, he found the room empty. Looking at the time, it was already past ten.

In Han Dong’s hand was a small tuft of white fur… it seemed to have been accidentally pulled off during their sleep.

Just then.

The door creaked open.

Mia, clinging tightly to Winry, returned to the room.

In her hand, Winry also held a plate of hotel-made refined meals.

“Vice-Captain, you were sleeping so soundly that we didn’t want to wake you up… Captain Abe had to go back and fetch some basic necessities, so we’ll meet at the entrance of the Bell Tower at half-past eleven.

You’d better eat your breakfast while it’s still hot.”

“Okay.”

When Han Dong got up, he felt unusually light and energetic.

The high-end food combined with top-level services had put him in an unprecedentedly excellent state.

“If we can successfully complete the mission… after we return, I’ll have to thank Dumps properly.

Let’s go! We’re off.”

As Han Dong waved to the two girls after breakfast, several strands of white animal fur fell unexpectedly, right before Mia’s eyes.

“I’m so mad!!”