Hou Jun, the Zerg Baron of the Central Conrone Planet's royalty, was present at the Famished Comet, not as a mere patron, but on a special mission on behalf of his nobility. Despite being welcomed with all the luxury and exclusivity the venue had to offer, Hou Jun couldn't shake off the feeling that he was some sort of exotic and awkward attraction in people's eyes.
On the other hand, Koo Looj was enthusiastic about the presence of Zerg nobles in his establishment. He knew it brought demands and controversies, such as changing the employees' uniforms, but it would also attract the attention of the upper class and increase the Famished Comet's reputation. Observing people's reactions to Hou Jun and his Zerg companions' presence, Koo Looj began to feel he was on the right track.
Everyone with Hou Jun was a soldier, and they were there to assist him in his investigation. For the first time in his life, he had the honor of participating in a mission with Zimmer Sommerfeld, the Duke of Sologard.
But Pierre felt that something was wrong in the air. It was like he was a deer being watched by a tiger, about to be attacked at any moment. Perhaps it was his sixth sense as a mage, years of working at DGSE, or simply the result of watching too many wildlife documentaries.
Either way, he couldn't put his finger on his uneasy feeling. The bright yellow Famished Comet uniform, reminiscent of the Power Rangers, only added to the oddity of the sophisticated atmosphere.
But Pierre had an epiphany. He realized that even as a Zerg, having a lot of money turned them into a different kind of species, an elite inaccessible to most people.
While Pierre was lost in thought, Aluora discreetly approached and pointed to a nearby person. She whispered to Pierre, “I'm so afraid of losing him.”
Curious, Pierre asked, “And how long have you been together?”
Aluora replied with a sad smile, “Actually, we've never been together.”
Pierre couldn't help but stifle a laugh. “So, why are you afraid of losing something you never had?” he teased with a playful look.
Aluora made a lovesick expression, pretending to be upset. “Do you have to be so insensitive?”
Pierre laughed and put his hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes, yes. It's to wake you up and see that life is too short to be stuck in fears and uncertainties. Enjoy the moment and be happy, my friend!”
The two laughed together, feeling the sweet and relaxed humor of the conversation. For Pierre, moments like these were the best in life.
Koo Looj, the bar manager, approached Pierre and Aluora with an irritated expression. “Why are you two standing here? Can't you see that the guests deserve extra attention?”
Pierre and Aluora looked at each other, a bit confused. “But Koo Looj, it's not our turn to serve the drinks,” said Pierre.
Koo Looj sighed impatiently. “I don't want excuses; I want happy customers drinking and spending! You'll be the next to serve the guests, and I don't want to hear another word from you before that. Now, get back to work and do as I've instructed!”
One of the Zergs sat in front of a holographic screen a little further away from the group, immersed in his work. Pierre approached with a polite smile and greeted him: “Good evening, sir. Can I offer you something from our selection of premium drinks?”
The man turned his face towards Pierre, and his imposing presence was immediately noticed by the waiter. He stood two meters tall with a strong, muscular body structure, and an appearance reminiscent of actor Chris Evans but more robust and without a beard. Pierre couldn't help but notice his blond hair and golden eyes, which seemed to shine under the place lights.
While serving the drink, Pierre tried to start a casual conversation: “Are you passing through the city, sir?”
Zimmer Sommerfeld responded in a monotonous tone: “Something like that. I'm here for work.” But inside, he felt a spark of curiosity about the bold waiter. There was something about his presence and tone of voice that intrigued him.
Zimmer discreetly observed the waiter serving him the drink. His eyes were drawn to the red hair with golden highlights that shone under the place lights. He couldn't help but notice Pierre's hair color, which didn't make much sense for a Zerg. To Zimmer, his eyes should be red, like those of all the other red-haired Zergs. And with blue eyes, the hair should be white or sky blue, according to the physical characteristics of the Zergs.
Zimmer continued to watch Pierre, noticing how he moved with grace and confidence. His blue eyes were big and clear. He wondered if the little waiter knew the effect he had on people, or if it was just his deliberate way of drawing attention.
The next day, Zimmer didn't see the little waiter, who didn't show up for work. After a thorough investigation, nothing suspicious was found. Duke Zimmer began to wonder if the connection with the yellow uniform and the attack on Count Mash Heshir was just a coincidence.
However, the backstage of the Hungry Comet was darker than it appeared. Koo Looj maintained commercial alliances with the illegal market of lives, attracting young people to work in his establishment.
The uniform and helmet were used to cut the visual bond, allowing anyone to work with anyone else without noticing the high turnover of employees. It was one of the illegal activities that the Hungry Comet maintained.
Duke Zimmer conducted a thorough investigation into the clandestine black market of human trafficking and discovered that the Hungry Comet had been involved in this scheme for many years. He was not surprised to find various photos of victims being auctioned off as merchandise.
Zimmer decided to delegate the mission of dismantling the criminal scheme to one of his most trusted soldiers. He knew that this was a simple and unimportant mission, but slavery and human trafficking were dark activities that brought darkness to the universe.
Pierre arranged with Aluora that he would only work two more days. He and Mrs. Peyton were going to Tepes, and Pierre was excited about the idea.
Looking at Aluora, he realized that she was very kind and concerned about her friend, so he asked if she wanted to go with them. Pierre knew that as an orc away from home, Aluora needed protection and company. He always admired Aluora's kindness and wanted to make sure she was safe.
The Hungry Comet was packed every night, with the presence of the noble from the planet Conrone driving the place. Gelub passed Pierre and wished him luck, while Koo Looj looked at him with enigmatic eyes and ordered, “Get to work, boy!”
Pierre noticed something strange about the night, but what really caught his attention was the zerg working on the holographic screen. The zerg's posture looked like that of a personal security guard of the Baron.
Pierre pondered to himself, “Should I create some drama before leaving? After all, he just wants a fun night before heading to Tepes.” Then he had an idea:
With a friendly smile, Pierre approached Zimmer and greeted him, “Good evening, sir. May I offer you a drink from our premium selection?”
Seeking an excuse to get closer to Zimmer, Pierre pretended to have a small accident with his flying boots, making it seem like they had momentarily stopped working. With a dramatic fall, Pierre ended up in Zimmer's arms, who held him gently.
Zimmer was surprised to smell an aromatic resin with a warm and earthy scent mixed with the freshness of the morning. Pierre felt his gaze seemed electrified.
Pierre took the opportunity to apologize in a falsely honest way, “I'm sorry, sir. I really am.”
Although it was a slightly dramatic approach, the scene brought a bit of humor to the situation and created an awkward atmosphere between the two. Pierre was excited at the prospect of having a fun night with the handsome Zerg before heading to Tepes.
Pierre was only thinking about pornographic matters because the doors of the heart should be well guarded.
He had learned this lesson many years ago. “He's not the protagonist of anyone's life, just a wandering soul, so just live without guilt.”
