Ch 359: No Moon, No Stars, Only Snowflakes Illuminated By The Light

Returning home, a wave of comforting warmth immediately enveloped everyone.

“Tired, tired, let me rest for a while… why are you pulling me?”

Bal was just about to lie down on the sofa when Phia used magic to make him float and prevented him from getting on the sofa.

“Look at how dirty you are! Change your clothes, take a bath, and then come back to lie down.”

“Wuwuwu, you think I’m dirty.”

“One more word and I’ll hit you.”

Phia raised her hand in a gesture of slapping, Bal quickly went to get his change of clothes, and Grey also returned to his room. The two of them planned to bathe together, since they were buddies anyway.

“Phew… taking a bath is still the most comfortable.”

Bal sat in the bathtub, the warm water enveloping him and Grey, washing away their grime and the day’s fatigue.

“Speaking of which, do you believe what that Small Wyvern said about the prophecy?”

Grey’s sudden question startled Bal, who was almost asleep. He lifted his head, thought for a moment, then turned to Grey.

“Logically, I personally don’t believe in prophecies. After all, this stuff is often a deceptive trick.”

“So you don’t believe it?”

“Let me finish. What I just said is a general case, but think about it, we, especially me, when have we ever encountered a general case? Phia and I, who originally just planned to retire here, have experienced so many things in less than a year and a half. It all started with solving Mrs. Zeril’s case, just to find a place to live. Then things started to spiral out of control. Dimensional Rifts, the Pseudo-God Incident, Atlantis, Time Travel, and the Inverted Tower in Solandale. It feels like even if I hadn’t come here, these things would have happened to me anyway. For me, those damned corrupt politicians or conspiracies caused by petty issues are inconsequential. Now, a prophecy suddenly appears, and it says there’s a dragon in the Death Mountain Range, a place where life is supposedly impossible. You know, I find it unreasonable even for me to disbelieve this.”

“That’s true. Ever since I met you, one thing after another has happened. Sometimes I wonder if you have some kind of disaster-prone constitution. But then I thought about it; many things happened while you were investigating, so I let it go. Adventuring with you is quite interesting, more interesting than my whole life put together.”

“Haha, my good brother-in-law, my good brother! Drinks tonight?”

“Drinks! Tell me, what fine wine are you hiding this time?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Ever since I brought Nirvana here, I’ve only been drinking his wine.”

“Nirvana? The bartender from the Guild who wears an eyepatch and uses a cane?”

“Yes, he opened a tavern in the Kingdom as a front business, but the wine is truly good.”

“That’s true, but he leaves with the Guild at night.”

“Do you think he’s that honest? Don’t worry, I’ve already found out the location of his secret tavern. Let’s go tonight.”

“No problem!”

After agreeing, the two got up, dried themselves, changed their clothes, and left the bathroom together.

“Ladies first.”

Bal came out carrying a wooden basin containing his dirty clothes. Like a gentleman, he bowed to the ladies who were drinking tea.

“Sister-in-law, when did my brother get sick?”

“I’m not sure, occasionally. Frequently, occasionally.”

Nia and Phia loudly conspired in front of Bal. The unbelievable expression on her face deeply hurt Bal.

“Wow, I was just being kind.”

“Speak. What are you planning? Unsolicited kindness never means well.”

“Hehe, it’s nothing. I’m just going out for drinks with Grey tonight. I promise not to drink too much, and I’ll be back before 8 o’clock.”

“Alright, I allow it.”

“Hehe, my wife is the best. A kiss?”

Bal leaned over and gently kissed Phia on the face. Phia blushed slightly and pushed Bal away.

“Go, go, go. I haven’t taken a bath yet. Go play with Philia for a while.”

“Okay!”

Bal left the ladies’ gathering carrying the basin. After putting his clothes in the laundry room, he took Philia and Xiao Jiu to play.

“Nia, aren’t you going to say something? Grey is going out drinking tonight.”

Yselle looked at Nia, wondering why she was so unconcerned about Grey going out with Bal at night.

“What’s there to be afraid of? Are you afraid Grey will go out and flirt with girls, or are you afraid he’ll be robbed? If you’re worried about Grey being robbed or getting into trouble, you’re underestimating him. Although his fighting strength is average, his self-preservation skills are top-notch. Anyone who can survive the battlefield isn’t a pushover. If you’re worried about Grey going out to flirt with girls, then you’re underestimating me. I can smell any unfamiliar scent on him. Do you think he would risk his life to do that?”

“As expected of you.”

“Hmph, don’t worry, even if I didn’t care, my brother would. Although I have a good relationship with Grey now, when we first met, he was threatened by my brother and sister-in-law several times.”

“I didn’t expect Mr. Bal and Miss Phia to care so much about you.”

“Of course, I’m the sunshine of this family, although I’ve been replaced by Philia now.”

“Alright, alright, go take a bath quickly.”

Phia placed the empty teacup on the coffee table. She got up and took the two into the bathroom to clean themselves.

After dinner, Bal and Grey bid farewell to their respective wives and went to Nirvana’s secret tavern.

“Nirvana, give us two glasses of your best work.”

As soon as Bal entered, he ordered drinks from Nirvana, who was polishing wine cups behind the bar. Nirvana looked up at Bal and said,

“None.”

“Huh?”

“Closed today.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know if you’re really stupid or pretending to be, but it’s been so cold lately that the transport teams bringing wine from the dock can’t operate because of the terrible weather. Now, to get anything from the dock, you have to rely on the Great Gryphon for air transport. Air transport is fully booked. Where am I supposed to get you wine?”

“That’s easy. I’m one of the founders of the Great Gryphon Air Transport. I’ll talk to Archie. So, can I get two drinks on credit?”

“Tsk… you’re still the same as before, liking to meet strange people. Wait, I’ll get you some wine.”

“What you said, you’re a weirdo too?”

“I’m crippled, missing an eye, and a former gang boss. What do you think? I think you’re a weirdo too.”

“Hahaha, maybe.”

Nirvana chatted with Bal and Grey while making drinks for Bal.

“Is this your brother-in-law?”

“Yeah, handsome, right?”

“He looks like me in my youth.”

“Stop being vain. If you were half as handsome as him in your youth, it would be pretty good.”

“Hmph, you’re so glib. Tell me, what have you been busy with lately? You disappeared for a while before the New Year’s party, and after the party, you disappeared again, never showing your face at the Guild. Sometimes I wonder if you’ve become the little emperor here.”

“You might not believe it, but I’ve been exploring the Snow Mountain lately, investigating the unusual weather there.”

“Sigh, it’s still you. I’m getting old after all.”

“Hilarious, a forty-year-old man saying he’s old. Who would believe that?”

“You’re so talkative. What were you doing before?”

“Saving the world, believe it or not?”

“I believe it. I’d believe you if you said you could destroy the world.”

“What about Wu Xian?”

“He’s at the orphanage with the children. What about him?”

“Nothing, just asking.”

Bal pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time, then put down his empty wine cup.

“It’s getting late. I’ll come back for drinks after I’m done.”

“Get out, get out, get out! You always owe me money for drinks!”

“I said I’ll pay you back with my wages, okay? I’m going.”

“Be careful on the road. Don’t fall to your death.”

“That’s more appropriate for you, crippled shopkeeper.”

Bal and Grey left the tavern and strolled home.

“It seems the blizzard has had a big impact.”

Grey looked up at the sky. The cloudy sky hid the moon and stars; only the falling snow was illuminated by the bioluminescent moss streetlights.

“Yeah, maybe that little dragon was telling the truth. Forget it, let’s go home.”

“Mm.”