Chapter 6

First update! Please collect! Please click! Please give flowers!

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Kidd led the five people through the wooden staircase with great skill and arrived at the restaurant below. Immediately, a wave of fragrance hit them—wine, meat, and bread, as well as the scent of women. The large restaurant was divided into two parts. The slightly lower area had individual tables with a few solid wood chairs around each, and waiters moved back and forth. This was the dining area.

Separated by an inconspicuous wooden railing was a bar, with a long table in front of which several high chairs were placed. Some people were drinking, and some serving girls were walking around, occasionally revealing a bit of cleavage.

"Guys, look, look, this is life. Old Jim, give us five new-comer sets, and a large cup of white wine," Kidd said excitedly, then plopped down in a chair, gesturing for the others to sit as well and shouting loudly.

"Hehe, it's Kidd. Are you still putting it on Lord Viscount's tab this time?" A short, fat old man with a fleshy face wobbled over, smiling and asked Kidd.

"Of course! I'm on official business," Kidd said, looking very smart.

"Alright, have a good night then." Old Jim pulled a passing waiter, gave him some instructions, and then said to Kidd.

"Alright, alright, I will." Kidd's eyes were no longer on Old Jim but were wandering over to the bar.

"Don't bother looking, Jenny is married now and doesn't do this anymore," Old Jim said casually, seeing Kidd's expression.

"Married?" Kidd's expression turned gloomy in an instant, and he repeated the question.

"Yeah, a small merchant gave Jenny's father a hundred gold coins," Old Jim said no more.

"Hehe, I'll go see if there are any new girls. These little guys are in your hands, Jim." Kidd laughed as if he didn't care and walked straight to the bar.

"Let's get acquainted. I'm the owner here, they call me Old Jim, you can call me that too," Old Jim extended his hand to the five of them.

"Uncle Jim." The others shook hands with Old Jim and obediently called him Uncle Jim, but when it came to Cook, he also extended his hand, bending slightly at the waist, showing respect as a junior.

"Hehe, little guy, interesting, you're the first to call me that," Jim was taken aback, then laughed.

"Uncle Jim is about the same age as my father, so it's only right to call you that," Cook couldn't help but show his manners, as his soul came from a country of etiquette.

"Good, good, good! There aren't many polite young men like you these days. Come, Uncle Jim will buy you a drink," Old Jim was clearly pleased with the "uncle" title and warmly pulled Cook to have a drink.

"Thank you, Uncle Jim." Cook didn't refuse, thinking that someone who could run a hotel in the inner city must have considerable influence.

"Flatterer, actually calling a merchant uncle."

"Yeah, I get it now, that's how this guy got into the guard department."

"Just his type, I could take three of him."

As soon as Cook left, the other four companions started mocking him. Clearly, they didn't take Old Jim, the merchant, seriously. The nearby waiter heard their comments and showed a slight look of disdain but said nothing.

"So, you're here for the bloodline test?" Old Jim quickly learned from Cook the purpose of their trip.

"Yes, Uncle Jim, can you get me another drink?" Cook drank the last sip from his wooden cup, his face flushed, and he smiled.

"Sure, Uncle Jim has plenty of wine, but are you sure it's your first time drinking?" Old Jim poured another drink for Cook without hesitation.

"Of course, we're commoners, we don't have such luxuries," Cook smiled and took another sip. The fruit wine was sweet and sour, very easy to drink.

"Hehe, little Cook, would you like to work for Uncle Jim? Don't worry, I'll take care of Lord Viscount for you..." Old Jim, for some reason, extended an invitation to Cook.

"No, Uncle Jim, my family is doing well, and I like my current life," Cook was actually very willing to work with Old Jim, but his soul wasn't the original one, so he was afraid of giving himself away. Despite his regret over the missed opportunity, he smiled and declined.

"Hehe, drink up." Old Jim liked Cook even more.

"Uncle Jim, I need to rest. Thank you for your hospitality, I'm feeling a bit dizzy," Cook finished his drink and bid farewell to Old Jim.

"Hehe, since you call me uncle, come to Uncle Jim tomorrow, and I'll give you a gift," Old Jim smiled and saw Cook off, saying this last part.

"Thank you, Uncle." Cook, though not knowing what the gift was, still thanked him.

Cook didn't expect the fruit wine to have such a strong effect. He returned to his room in a daze, fell on the wooden bed, and passed out.

"Ah, Lord Viscount." Cook felt someone patting him and quickly jumped up, seeing Lord Locke looking at him.

"Cook, you're quite something, managing to drink Old Jim's wine, but we need to get going," Lord Locke said with a strange expression and then left.

"Ah! Lord Viscount, wait for me, wait for me." Cook quickly ran out, still fully dressed, and noticed that people here didn't seem to like washing their faces.

Cook and the others followed Lord Locke to the city center. After about twenty minutes, a huge square appeared before them. Compared to the low houses and narrow streets around it, it seemed out of place. There were also a few tall buildings, but Cook, whose country's official buildings were far more luxurious, wasn't interested.

"Remember, don't speak or ask questions inside. Do exactly as you're told, understand?" At the entrance of a large building, Lord Locke gave a serious order.

"Yes!" The five of them, seeing Lord Locke's serious face, felt a bit nervous.

"Alright, let's go in. This might be the last time you enter this place," Lord Locke looked around and continued leading the way, but a sentence drifted over. At this moment, Cook was surprised to find that not only Lord Locke but also Quiff and Kidd were not carrying weapons. Even when sleeping, they usually held their weapons. Cook felt a bit nervous and instinctively straightened his clothes, a habitual action to ease his tension when meeting a superior.

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