I, the All-Class Magus, All My Awakening Skills are LvMax

Chapter 256: Chapter256-The Lady Proprietor of Rose Bar

Archibald was initially thrilled to hear that John was coming to see him.

However, his excitement turned to surprise when he spotted Amelia and Isabella beside him, and he quickly pulled John aside.

"Brother, I'm really happy you're visiting my place, but why did you bring this she-devil along?"

Archibald whispered cautiously, glancing nervously at Isabella standing nearby, his voice fading to a near whisper.

Everyone knew Isabella of House Medici was famously tough!

If it were just her aloof nature and reluctance to speak with others, that could be overlooked—after all, many geniuses tended to be temperamental.

But this lady was different.

The slightest displeasure could prompt her to take action!

Being a fire-based mage with a volatile temper, frankly, there were very few in the entire Imperial Capital who dared cross her.

Isabella gave Archibald a cool look, causing him to shiver involuntarily, then force a dry laugh.

He knew Isabella had heard every word he'd just said, and he inwardly groaned.

Known for her uncompromising nature, if she decided to hold a grudge, his school years ahead could be utterly ruined!

"Ahem... Well, the presence of such distinguished ladies truly graces my humble abode. Please, take a seat, I'll have tea served at once," Archibald said with a forced smile, attempting to excuse himself but was swiftly stopped by John.

"We've come here on business today; there's no time for tea."

Seeing John's serious demeanor, Archibald's expression also turned grave.

"Brother, ask away. I'll withhold nothing and tell all!"

Moments before, Archibald might have been in a playful mood, but that had changed now.

Since John was earnestly asking, he knew he had to disclose whatever he could.

"What do you know about Rose Bar?"

Rose Bar?

At the mention of the bar, Archibald's face turned awkward, he touched his nose, and then in a hushed tone, he whispered, "Why are you suddenly asking about this bar?"

John didn't speak, merely nodding solemnly.

"Does this have to do with the previous mission?"

Archibald suddenly guessed, lowering his voice further.

John raised his eyebrows slightly, seeming to acknowledge Archibald's quick thinking.

"Mhm."

Archibald instantly understood why they had all come together today, and why the atmosphere was so serious.

"I don't know much about Rose Bar. I've only been there two or three times, always with friends," Archibald began.

"But it's said that Rose Bar is a haven of solace... No matter what troubles you have, going there can soothe your worries."

"The women there only serve drinks, they don't offer other services. If someone wants more, it depends on the girl's own decision. And their proprietress..."

At this point, Archibald paused, seemingly trying hard to remember something but struggling to recall.

"What about their proprietress?" John asked, sensing something amiss.

If she were just an ordinary proprietress, why would Archibald look so troubled?

"Strange... I can't seem to remember what their proprietress looks like," Archibald said, gently tapping his forehead, trying to jog his memory, but to no avail.

"Ugh..."

The more Archibald tried to remember, the more his head hurt, and the figure in his mind grew increasingly vague.

"I only know that their proprietress has long, fiery red hair, often holds a smoking pipe, and always wears fresh roses in her hair. She smells of roses too, and then... and then..."

Archibald clutched his head in pain.

John and the two women exchanged glances, more convinced than ever that there was something peculiar about this proprietress.

This was likely more complicated than they had anticipated.

Archibald might have a poor memory, but it shouldn't cause such a headache just to think about this proprietress!

"I can't remember, I really can't remember..."

Archibald's forehead was covered in sweat, and his face had turned a shade paler.

"Don't panic. Take your time and think carefully.

If you recall any clues, let us know."

Archibald, realizing something was wrong with his memory, tried to concentrate.

"No matter how hard I try, the image in my mind just keeps getting blurrier, like it's being erased."

This situation could mean either drugs or some form of enchantment!

"It seems we need to pay a visit to House Brown," John said.

They had hoped to resolve everything with Archibald's help, but now it seemed they had to go further.

"I'm coming too!" Archibald insisted.

After all, he was also involved in this mission, and given what had happened, he needed to understand what was going on.

...

"The proprietress of Rose Bar?"

Leopold looked puzzled at John, not quite understanding why they were asking about her.

But as he tried to recall, the image in his mind grew increasingly vague.

"Ugh... I can't remember either. Why can't I suddenly remember what she looks like?"

Seeing Leopold experience the same difficulty, Archibald's expression turned serious.

If this was the case, it confirmed that something was indeed very wrong with the bar!

So that's it...

John lowered his eyes slightly, now understanding how Rose Bar could be evacuated so thoroughly without fear of anyone recalling their activities.

Everyone who entered the bar had been tampered with, but how could they manage this in front of so many people? And at the same time, erase so many memories?

"Powder," Amelia said quietly, and suddenly it all clicked for John.

Of course!

Everyone who entered the bar would have a drink, and the golden powder must have been mixed into the drinks!

That's why everyone who entered was affected, subconsciously overlooking the proprietress.

When they tried to recall her appearance, the image would fade, a side effect of the golden powder.

Now it made sense...

Leopold and Archibald immediately realized the problem with the drinks they had consumed, breaking into a cold sweat.

This time, their drinks had only been laced with a memory-altering substance.

But what if...

What if it had been poison?

Or substances that could control them?

What would they do then?

More importantly, what would the entire population of the Imperial Capital do? These people were poisoned without any defenses.

The Dusk Sect was terrifying!

"I... I'm not poisoned, am I?" Leopold stammered.

John gave him a calm look.

"If you were poisoned, you'd probably be dead by now."

The poison likely wasn't present, but there might be other substances involved...

After all, with such an opportunity, they wouldn't have used just a memory-altering powder.

"It looks like we need to go back to Rose Bar and investigate thoroughly."

The others immediately understood why John said this.

Since the powder was found in Rose Bar, to uncover the nature of these substances, they had to return.

Without hesitation, they headed back to Rose Bar.

Although Hidden Stars had taken all the powder from the remaining boxes, there had to be other clues left behind.

Just as they arrived at Rose Bar, before even entering, John received a message.

His face instantly turned serious upon reading it.

Amelia noticed John's grave expression and paused.

"What's wrong?"