Chapter 230: Guidance, Eating Melons Again

Chapter 230: Guidance, Eating Melons Again

Brave Bar.

On a tranquil night, amidst the noisy patrons, there were occasional flirtatious remarks from those clearly drunk.

Hastur sat at the bar, ordering a cocktail with alternating blue and red colors.

Regarding the matter of Ince Zangwill, he decided to personally inform Leonard about his recent experiences, believing that someone once arranged by 008 would understand the inexplicable coincidences and their source.

After waiting for about half an hour, Leonard finally walked in through the bar door.

As soon as he entered, he called the bartender to serve him a drink and asked to put Hastur's drink on his tab, saying he wanted to make up for a previously owed drink.

In response, Hastur ordered another drink worth 1 gold pound and 4 soules. Leonard's mouth twitched as he said, "Even though I have some spare money now and can afford a drink, you should still take it easy."

After saying that, he also ordered an equally expensive drink as Hastur's. After all, he couldn't treat someone to a good drink while he himself drank cheap Southwell beer.

After a few drinks, Hastur began to casually mention his recent experiences, finally saying, "It's really strange. I feel like the recent events are too coincidental. I don't know what kind of bad luck I've had."

Leonard, somewhat intrigued, said, "Continuous coincidences? I've had such experiences before, and it's not a pleasant one."

"You've had similar experiences?"

"Yes, before I came to Backlund."

Leonard began to recount his experiences in Tingen but omitted the parts about Ince Zangwill and 008.

"Do you think these coincidences are destined?"

Leonard shook his head and said, "Perhaps there are some forces we don't understand, lurking in the shadows, secretly influencing our daily lives."

Hastur thought for a moment and said, "You mentioned Tingen earlier. I have some impression of it. Wasn't there a renegade archbishop who caused a lot of trouble there?"

"You know about this?"

"I heard it from a friend. That archbishop seemed to be called Ince Zangwill. A friend of mine saw him in Backlund."

"Really?"

Leonard's mood suddenly became excited, his eyes fixed on Hastur, hoping he would say more about Ince Zangwill.

Last time, Klein also mentioned that Ince Zangwill was hiding in Backlund, but they couldn't find his hiding place.

"My friend has a high status. When he came to see me recently, he accidentally bumped into a countess. It was very unexpected and sudden."

Hastur used the unseen Prince Edsack as a shield, as the prince had been bothering him, and this was the price he had to pay.

"Can you reveal your friend's identity?"

Hastur glanced around, then lowered his voice and said, "Prince Edsack, a real royal member."

"That's indeed a high status."

Leonard couldn't help but sigh. Hastur, being of noble birth, even had a prince as a friend.

"Recently, he fell in love with a girl, an ordinary girl without noble status. He even insisted on marrying her. Not long ago, he was still in love with the daughter of Earl Hall, but suddenly he became infatuated with another girl. I don't know what kind of magic that girl has."

"Maybe there really is some magic," Leonard mused.

If that girl were a witch, it would easily explain Prince Edsack's sudden change of heart.

"Oh, I forgot. You also encountered such a girl. You only met Miss Séraphine a few times."

"…"

Leonard awkwardly averted his gaze, his eyes wandering. He really didn't want to talk about this topic.

Miss Séraphine was not an ordinary witch but an immortal witch of Sequence 3. That night, she almost drained him completely.

"Leonard, do you still believe in love?"

"…Of course, I do."

Leonard answered reluctantly, thinking to himself, "What nonsense love, whoever believes in it is a fool!"

Hastur happily said, "It seems you've completely moved on from the pain of breaking up with Miss Séraphine."

"Hastur, although I don't care as much now, let's talk less about her. Let the past be the past."

Leonard really didn't want to discuss this topic. If that immortal witch were summoned again, he might not be as lucky as last time.

"But Miss Séraphine is already here."

"?!"

Leonard was startled and quickly turned to look at the bar door. Sure enough, he saw a familiar figure walking towards him amidst the admiring gazes of the patrons.

Damn it!

Why is she here suddenly?

Is she here to ambush me on purpose?

Leonard's muscles tensed, and cold sweat began to form on his back. He kept calling for help from the old man in his mind, but there was no response.

As Séraphine approached, Leonard's smile became more forced. He wanted to take this opportunity to escape but was worried about leaving Hastur alone in danger.

"Miss Séraphine, long time no see. You are as beautiful and charming as ever."

Hastur greeted warmly. Leonard's expression was stiff as he looked at Hastur, wanting to say something but hesitating.

"Someone doesn't seem to welcome me."

Séraphine sat next to Leonard, ordered a Bloody Mary, and gently slid her finger along the rim of the glass, occasionally glancing at the nervous Leonard.

After a while, she said, "Since we last parted, I've been wanting to see you again. I didn't expect to meet you here tonight. It seems our fate is not shallow."

She didn't come specifically for Leonard tonight but to discuss something with Hastur about Panatia and to give him the compensation he wanted.

Leonard forced a smile, suppressing his fear and nervousness, and finally managed to say, "Long time no see."

Hastur, sitting on the other side of Leonard, watched their conversation with a smile.

Séraphine's appearance tonight was likely due to Will's secret arrangement, probably wanting to see what sparks would fly between Leonard and Séraphine.

"You are so heartless. You left in a hurry last time and then disappeared. Are all men so heartless after getting out of bed?"

Séraphine's resentful tone made it seem like she was the one abandoned in this relationship.

"I had urgent matters to attend to at that time, so I had to leave first."

At this point, Leonard could only grit his teeth and go along with her words.

Trying to buy some time, hoping for a chance to escape.

Séraphine seemed to see through all of Leonard's thoughts, her lips curling slightly as she said, "Are you thinking of escaping again?"

"How could I? I came to this bar tonight to reminisce about the good times we had when we first met."

"Really?"

"Of course, Séraphine. How could I lie to you?"

Leonard was already getting into character, trying to lead the immortal witch out of the bar to avoid involving innocent people.

"Lies come so easily from your mouth. That's what men's mouths are like."

Séraphine's tone was mocking, seemingly unmoved by Leonard's words.

"And women's mouths are always full of lies too."

Leonard wanted to retort but didn't dare to anger her at this moment.

He turned to Hastur and said calmly, "Hastur, didn't you say you had something to deal with at home? Leave this place to me and Séraphine for our reunion."

Saying this, he gave Hastur a few winks, hoping he would understand and leave in time.

"Leonard, why are your eyes twitching?"

"…"

Leonard opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

I'm kindly advising you to leave, even giving you winks, and you ask if there's something wrong with my eyes?

Whose eyes have a problem now?

Hastur, you're usually so smart. Can't you see there's something wrong between me and Miss Séraphine?

"Leonard, what's wrong?"

"Hehe, I'm fine!"

Leonard said heavily, raising his voice before Hastur could respond, "Hastur, my friend, can't you see I just want to be alone with the beautiful Miss Séraphine?"

Seeing that Hastur still had no intention of leaving, Leonard had no choice but to take this drastic measure, apologizing to Hastur later.

As for whether there would be a later, he couldn't guarantee.

Hastur was also slightly stunned, not expecting Leonard to come up with such a solution.

A third of the bar's patrons were already looking in their direction.

Seeing that Hastur still hadn't left, Leonard was about to say more when Séraphine

 spoke first.

"Leonard, it's over between us. Now, the person I like is your good friend, Mr. Hastur."

This sentence was like a bomb, attracting the attention of the remaining two-thirds of the bar's patrons.

(End of Chapter)