Chapter 109: Journey to the Oak Tree

“Under the night sky filled with stars, we two part ways here.

Temporary separation is for the purpose of allowing two hearts that call to each other to break free from all restraints and meet honestly.

When we shed superficial decorations and cast aside all worldly disturbances.

Perhaps new insights will be perceived.

Oh wind! I will soar with you.

The strings brush past this wave of endless sorrow, sailing together towards that boundless and painful ocean.

Engraving our bond deep in our hearts, raising the sails of life to carry our shared vows on a long voyage.

Gulls fill the view, waves crashing against the shore endlessly.

The night sea is vast, that hometown with flower shadows like a dream.

Cutting through wind and waves, the fire of life is buried in the deep sea.

Waves connect to the sky, morning light dyes the hazy vastness.

Waves ripple in the heart’s pool, undulating with indelible attachment.

The crossing is dim, the lamp of the heart shines long to guide the other shore.

What exactly do people seek that makes them fight each other endlessly?

Entangled love and hate, bursting out with scorching sorrow.

Is the river of blood flowing just to make flowers bloom more vividly?

Or is it the price to pay for obtaining a beautiful tomorrow.

Then let us ride the wind and waves, sailing together towards that bright place.

Although I harbor sincere prayers, before my eyes I am still lost in the seemingly dark future.

But I am no longer helpless due to fear, love is the miracle I have found.

Wordless love, listening to the sounds of nature from the movement of life.

Heart surging, spilling hot blood just like red lotuses blooming.

Baptism of wind and rain, seabirds still dance in the clouds.

All these experiences and sufferings are just for us to perceive the existence of love.”

Accompanied by the melodious and delicate mandolin in his hand, a Bard was singing a song he created in a space specially cleared in the center of the Tavern. And that unadorned space seemed like his grand stage, making him sing so obliviously and devotedly. Long ears, a beautiful and neutral face, plus that slender body, anyone with normal eyesight could see that that was an Elf.

‘This song doesn’t seem suitable for a male singer! Although this Elf in front of me has impeccable vocals and singing style, his performance of this song always gives people an awkward feeling.’ Sitting by the table, George shook the dull and scratched tin wine cup in his hand and made his judgment.

The previous matters really took quite a lot of time! Before, he only heard that after handling this kind of matter, one would gain a good reputation helpful for attracting refugees and talents. George had also considered the consequences of offending the newly arrived Exiled Nobles beforehand. But compared to the benefits obtained, the howls of those who could be said to be stray dogs were nothing significant.

Only when he encountered such a thing himself did he realize the trouble involved. Of course, perhaps the situation George encountered this time was rather special. First, sending those guys lying on the ground to the City Guard Station took a lot of effort. Those few strong men knocked down by the robbers were okay; a splash of cold water and a pinch on the philtrum woke them up.

But family knows their own affairs; those few knocked out by George wouldn’t wake up so easily. You have to know that before making a move, George tried his best to overestimate the opponent’s strength—as the saying goes, even a lion uses all its strength to catch a rabbit. If he didn’t gain a good reputation but instead capsized in a gutter, it would be a huge loss. So his strikes were inevitably a bit heavy; wanting them to wake up in a short time would require special medicine.

Although the City Guard Station had those things, the important thing now was how to get the people there. Their hands and feet were tied, so carrying them was unlikely. Even if they could carry them, someone had to be willing. George and Green certainly weren’t willing, and the Guard couldn’t either to maintain their image. As for the few strong men present, having just been beaten, they were even less likely to do so. Besides, where was the logic in having victims carry the perpetrators? In the end, they borrowed a flatbed cart from the nearest shop to pull these unconscious guys away.

After arriving at the place and waking these guys up, the criminals led by the one surnamed Ignatius had no intention of cooperating with the investigation. First, they constantly emphasized their noble status, and then they kept loudly threatening the personnel handling the case. Unfortunately, the personnel specifically responsible for interrogating them was a Court Nobility who had climbed to his current position with great difficulty. Dealing with suspects of his own class was really a piece of cake for him. They knew the other party’s weaknesses and soft spots very well, and at the same time, their noble status and profession meant they didn’t fear the other party’s retaliation.

To use a phrase that sounds inappropriate but fits the current situation: ‘Collaborators are fiercer than the enemy’. Unlike those in the same group who had completely fallen or gone other routes, they were the first and easiest to enter the system. After tasting the long-lost flavor of power, in order to guarantee their status and opportunities for further promotion, they worked even harder in their jobs. And when dealing with suspects who were also Court Nobility, they, having unique advantages, would absolutely not miss this opportunity to perform.

After a round of threats and intimidation using existing laws and regulations, that “Baron Ignatius”, who was originally arrogantly clamoring to take revenge on George and Craig, had to lower his punchable head. However, he still refused to admit his mistakes at this time. But under the further threat of the iron fist of tyranny, facing the Divine Arts that discerned lies, that guy gritted his teeth and admitted his crimes. After sending someone to fetch a large sum of Gold Coins for compensation and fines, he left cursing. Similarly, George and Green, as the Nobles who stopped and captured these people, received the ransom they deserved; split equally, each of them got exactly 20 Gold Coins.

By the time all these matters were handled, it was almost noon. Originally, George planned to rearrange the time to go to the Tavern and go home to eat first. But Green’s hospitality was hard to refuse, so George, unable to decline, had to follow him over. In Green’s words, since they had just earned some extra money, being a little extravagant didn’t matter.

Following Green’s steps, the two arrived at their destination, this Tavern located in an alley at the junction of the Capola District and the Commercial District. Looking at the signs of multiple hotels next to the Tavern and the signs of brothels revealing an ambiguous atmosphere, George frowned, finally understanding why he had never noticed this Tavern—if it was really as excellent as Green said. However, the only thing in this external environment that made George feel comfortable was that perhaps because they were open for business, the roads in front of the shop doors were swept by someone. Although the people coming and going here were far busier than most roads in Karada, the sanitary condition of the road surface was much better.

Walking into this Tavern covered with vine plants on its outer wall, the first thing that reached George’s ears was that song from the beginning. And inside this Tavern, there was none of the noise that George had encountered in all the Taverns he had been to before. Everyone present lowered their voices when talking; it felt more like a high-style concert hall from before crossing over—the formal kind.

Similarly, since one couldn’t make too much noise, the common situation in previous Taverns where guests would slap the table and shout, and the shop manager would know to arrange for a barmaid to bring drinks or main courses, was gone forever here. George and Green also went to the Tavern’s bar counter to order food personally before finding a small empty table to sit on opposite sides.

After taking a small sip of the apple juice in the cup with a little sweetener added, George lowered his voice and said: “You are right, this place is really unique. Just this song now is worth the trip here. I have never heard the song of the person on stage before. I wonder if that singer composed it himself?”

“I’m not clear about that; you have to know there are still many ballads in this world that we don’t understand. Although I have been studying very hard these past few years, the more I study, the more I feel my ignorance. Like his current song, I can’t determine whether he composed it himself or if it’s a ballad from somewhere else.” Green, holding a tin wine cup of roughly the same style, first kept the reader in suspense, and after tilting his head back to drink the wine in the cup in one go, he revealed the foreshadowing, “But judging from the Elf style revealed in the tune and the identity of the singer, I am more inclined towards the former. At the very least, this song was at least adapted by him.”

Unlike George, who walked the path of a Knight and strictly demanded of himself, what was in Green’s cup was low-alcohol undistilled gin. However, to protect his voice, he did not choose those high-proof spirits that had been gradually rising in popularity since George invented them.

‘Actually putting on an act in front of me, that sentence of yours—”the more I study, the more I feel my ignorance”—was heard from me.’ George really felt a bit helpless regarding Green’s behavior of deliberately showing off in front of him.

Although he didn’t show it obviously in the past, George, with the inferiority complex created by strength and identity among other aspects, still detected it. Now that there was a rare opportunity to show off his excellent points, if he missed the opportunity, it would be letting down so many years of elite education. George even suspected that his strong recommendation to come here today was the main purpose.

Looking at this handsome boy who was two years older than himself but had his tail cocked up to the sky. Although George had the desire to complain, he couldn’t bear to hurt the other party’s self-esteem. At the same time, he touched his earlobe and slightly flattered Green: “It seems your study tour some time ago really wasn’t in vain! Not only has your strength improved a lot, but your horizons and knowledge have also improved simultaneously. No wonder everyone likes to travel around the Continent for a while after their strength reaches a certain level!”

Don’t underestimate the last sentence George added to his words. Without it, the flattery in the previous words would be too thick. Instead, it would easily make the person being flattered vigilant. As it was now, it was just right and appropriate.

Although perhaps there is no need to be so particular between friends, every word and deed is practice. The path of a Knight, like the cultivators of The East, runs through a person’s entire life. And George, who walked the path of appropriateness, tried his best to follow this criterion in his daily words and deeds as long as there was no major influence.

This kind of speech, like wind sneaking into the night and moistening things silently, was still very effective for Green. Perhaps he had been suppressed for a long time; he burst out all at once, although he was already very deliberately suppressing it. But that smile on his face was so brilliant that if there were pimples, they could be squeezed out. However, he controlled other aspects quite well, so he didn’t lose his composure on the spot.

Watching Green’s nouveau riche-like performance, George felt he should speak up to remind him. So that Green wouldn’t lose face and also lower his own evaluation in the eyes of everyone in the Tavern. He waved his hand and gently patted Green’s shoulder, then lowered his voice but used a somewhat serious tone to say: “Green, pay attention to your image! Outside, you don’t just represent yourself.”

The touch on his shoulder made Green stunned for a moment, and then George’s words were like a basin of cold water pouring Green through from head to toe. He seemed to want to cover up and adjust through the act of drinking, but when the wine cup touched his lips, he remembered that the gin inside had already been drunk to the last drop by himself earlier.

“Ah! Ha! Ha! Ha!” This awkward scene and the gaze George transmitted together caused the two to burst into laughter. However, under the dissatisfied gazes of the other people in the Tavern, the two immediately stopped their somewhat rude actions. Green, who was familiar with this place, made a gesture of apology unique to this Tavern, and afterwards, everyone withdrew their gazes.

George asked in puzzlement: “What was your action just now?”

“You mean that! It is a unique gesture of apology here. You also know that loud noise is avoided in this Tavern.” Green lowered his head and explained softly to George, then waved his hand towards the bar counter.

After a while, a conservatively dressed barmaid walked to the table. Green instructed her: “First, bring a pot of gin and a pot of apple juice, and also two portions of your specialty Cheese here. If possible, please ask the kitchen if our lunch can be served a little faster; we are so hungry our stomachs are almost flat.”

Saying this, he took out five copper coins from his pocket and lined them up on the table, and after sweeping the money into her hand, the barmaid bowed and left.

Feeling something was wrong, George asked softly: “Is this tip a bit too little?”

“I say, the waitresses here aren’t the type you can just grope casually; this money is enough to make her happily serve us.” Green smiled somewhat weirdly, made a wretched gesture, and then continued, “Or do you have intentions in that area? Didn’t expect your taste to be so heavy; you actually like this kind of goods.”

“I’m not like you, who would just casually find a woman and hand over your first time.” George struck directly at his wound without politeness regarding Green’s teasing.

Having his unbearable past brought up, Green’s face immediately stiffened, and he no longer had the mood to tease George. Seeing Green become a bit dull, George knew he was hit again.

However, since he had been teased by friends on this matter not just once or twice, George had a good grasp of the proportion within.

Very quickly, that guy came back to his senses and said with a bitter smile: “Don’t uncover my scars again, okay! I finally managed to make myself forget it.”

“I think it’s better if you don’t forget; that is also a pretty good lesson for you. It can remind you at all times to make perfect preparations before doing anything in the future. Besides, even if you forget it, the few companions around you will quickly make you recall it.” George pretended to kindly suggest. Although what he said had some reason, whether the real reason was his mischievous taste acting up, only heaven knows.

“What you said is also true! But I always feel that was really a tragedy.” Green drooped his head, supporting his forehead with his right hand, so it wouldn’t make close contact with the solid wood tabletop.

George tidied his hair, touched his chin, and said with a smile: “Life! It is always composed of various comedies, tragedies, and daily life. Everyone has times when they are young and restless! Most mistakes made at this time can be forgiven, hmm! Hmm!”

“Although that sentence makes sense, I just don’t want a guy without vitality like you to comment on my youth! Originally, among our group, you like to preach the most; clearly, you are the youngest, but you appear the most mature. But without youth, where do you get the right to make irresponsible remarks about our youth?” Green’s rebuttal was not only sharp, but more importantly, it spoke his own heart. However, in such an environment, after lowering his voice, it not only didn’t show his dissatisfaction but instead looked more like a joke between friends.

“Who says I don’t have youth.” George chose the most suitable words to counterattack. He went straight for the jugular, striking at the fundamental part of the other party’s words.

Hearing this, Green immediately became interested; he changed his previous somewhat listless appearance. He raised his head, his eyes shining, revealing a face like a curious baby asking George: “Your youth? What is it like? If you don’t say it, no one will believe it.”

‘How can a grown man be so gossipy?’ Green’s appearance, like a cat seeing fishy smell, really made George feel a bit creeped out. From his performance, it could be seen that the few friends around him were really interested in that aspect of his life. George, who absolutely couldn’t tell the truth, joked: “At my age, youth hasn’t arrived yet!”

“Are you a long-lived species?” Green pouted in annoyance, with an expression of absolutely not believing you.

Just as the two were whispering and bickering, a waiter’s voice came from the side, “The drinks and specialty Cheese the guests need have arrived. But lunch will still need to wait a while.”

“Then put the parts that are ready on the table first!” Green, as a regular customer, instructed.