Lord of the Oasis Chapter 817 - The grand finale (IV)

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“How terrifying.” After rubbing himself in the bath, Bunduk comfortably soaked in the wooden bucket filled with hot water for a while. The bathroom in the guest room had a window facing the street. It was noon at this time. The noise of the pedestrians on the street was like a tidal wave hitting Bunduk’s ears. The sunlight from the horizon shone on the water in front of Bunduk. If he didn’t care about the things that sank to the bottom of the bucket, the hot water provided by the shop was still very good: fresh and bright. “It should be spring now,” Bunduk said softly as he looked at the ripples in the water. In the process of getting the antidote from Pick, they had already met quite a number of members of the Dark Side organization. The incident that happened in the guild yesterday had already been blocked by the Gnome clan. Even the government officials who were present at the time were ordered not to spread the news of the fight within the guild. Then, among those who knew the inside story, be it the Gnome Kingdom or the Dragon Race’s midget clan, the first ones who wanted to get in contact should be Kant and the others. Bunduk, who had just escaped from a life-threatening disaster, did not think too much about what would happen next. In his heart, he was only filled with gratitude for life. While Bunduk was still resting in the bathroom, Kant and Abel had quietly left the guest room. The two of them slowly walked to the entrance of the spiral staircase. Abel leaned out and looked at the lobby on the first floor. There were fewer customers than a few days ago. Most of them were affected by the sudden attack of the orc men. “Your Majesty, the chef you mentioned couldn’t have disappeared, right?” Abel noticed the whereabouts of the waiters who were moving around in the hall and spoke to Kant. “I think we’ll meet again.” Kant thought for a moment and replied, “I just don’t know what kind of scene it will be.” “What a mysterious person...” Abel sighed. In the past three days, the two of them had asked a lot about the chef in the restaurant. However, they had received very little information. The waiters in the entire inn seemed to be unable to contact this mysterious person. Even today, a messenger walked into the inn and said that someone had asked him to send a resignation letter. And this letter was indeed written by that chef. “Let’s go upstairs and take a look.” Kant paced around the stairs for a while, and after making a decision in his heart, he said to Abel. “Up There?” Abel pointed at the fourth floor and asked softly. “Yes. Let’s go.” Kant nodded and replied. Then, he took a step forward and walked up the stairs leading to the fourth floor. “Wait, Your Majesty.” After looking around, Abel bent his back and called out to Kant, who was strolling forward. Kant turned around and looked at him. Then, the two of them carefully climbed to the fourth floor in the same position. “Eh? Lord Kant, and Lord Abel?” A familiar voice was heard in front of the two of them. Abel, who was following behind Kant, could not help but be startled. Kant, on the other hand, quickly crouched on the stairs, as if he was looking for something. When he saw the figure approaching him, he stood up with a smile and looked at the orcs in front of him. He replied, “Nate, is that you?” “Why are the two Lords Here?” Nate stopped at the same level as Kant and asked in puzzlement. “Abel accidentally lost my ring. We searched many places but couldn’t find it. So we thought that the ring might have fallen on the stairs,” Kant quickly explained. “But... This is the stairs leading to the fourth floor.” Nate turned his head and looked upstairs. After confirming that it was indeed the fourth floor, he asked in puzzlement. “The fourth floor... Ah, the fourth floor!” Abel, who was standing at the side, said, “We were so busy looking at the stairs that we didn’t pay much attention to it. Otherwise, how would we find this place?” “Oh, I see.” Nate nodded blankly. “The fourth floor is our boss’s exclusive floor. Although it’s not very appropriate to say this, as waiters in the shop, we still hope that Lord Kant and Lord Abel will try their best to avoid appearing in such a place.” “Yes.” Kant’s expression also became serious. “Lord Kant, the ring you lost may be found with the help of the waiters in the shop.” Nate earnestly suggested to Kant after explaining the rules of the shop in a serious manner. “No need.” Kant sized him up, he waved his hand and said, “It’s not very important. It’s just a gift I bought from the vendors when I first came to the town. However, I have a question to ask you.” “What... Question?” Nate asked guiltily. “Why are you here?” Kant stared straight at Nate and asked. “I... came to pack things for the boss.” After some hesitation, Nate confessed.

“You actually saw Reuben?” Abel’s eyes shot open, his voice laced with immediate surprise upon hearing Nate’s confirmation.

“Shh!” Nate hastily put a finger to his lips, a silent plea. “Please, keep your voice down. Lord Trubin’s... identity is rather sensitive, and I’m sure you’re all aware of that. He’s entrusting the shop’s affairs to me this time because he has faith in my capabilities. I’d appreciate it if this matter isn’t widely discussed.”

“When did you meet?” Kant, meanwhile, had noticed a square-shaped bag resting by Nate’s left side. It was likely the luggage prepared for Reuben.

“The day before yesterday,” Nate replied, clearly feeling uneasy under Kant’s persistent questioning.

“And what did he ask you to bring him?” Kant pressed further, a frown creasing his brow.

“This…” Nate hesitated, leaving the sentence unfinished.

“Such a modest parcel, could it possibly contain small valuables like gold, silver, or jade?” Abel ventured a guess.

Upon hearing this, Nate clutched the package tighter in his arms, regarding Kant and Abel with a look of sheer disbelief.

“It appears Trubin truly intends to depart from this town,” Abel stated, a sudden understanding dawning in his eyes. “I suspect he won’t be returning.”

“The boss will return,” Nate choked out, feeling a pang of distress. Abel’s words had struck the very core of his anxieties.

“You’re planning to see him now, aren’t you?” Kant inquired softly, observing the young waiter. Noticing the slight sheen of moisture in the corner of Nate’s eyes, Kant felt a flicker of regret.

“You…” Nate swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly.

“Do you believe we intend to abscond with the vital funds you’ve prepared for Trubin?” Abel interjected, unable to hold back his exasperation.

Chapter 890: A Difference in Perspective

Nate’s gaze flickered between Abel and Kant. Finally, reassured by their calm demeanors, he sighed and responded, “Not at this moment, no. However, I still cannot disclose the details of my meeting with my boss.”

“That’s perfectly fine,” Kant replied, shaking his head gently.

With that, Kant bid Nate farewell. “Please continue with your tasks. We shall take our leave now.”

“This…” Nate watched Kant’s retreating back, a sense of helplessness washing over him.

Abel shared a knowing glance with Kant before they departed.

The two walked briskly back to their own guest room.

“Your Highness, should we dispatch someone to follow Nate?” Abel inquired, closing the door behind them as Kant adjusted his coat.

“There’s no need,” Kant dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. “It’s unnecessary.”

“Very well,” Abel acquiesced, dusting off his clothes and hanging his coat by the entrance. He continued, “Trubin’s decision to leave at this particular juncture demonstrates remarkable decisiveness.”

Kant gestured for Abel to take a seat at the tea table, pouring him a cup before replying, “With the major pillars of oversight having fallen, the business along this street has become untenable. If not now, then when would be a better time to depart? It is rather unfortunate, though, that he must abandon this group of orc orphans he took in.”

“The shop’s business has indeed seen better days,” Abel commented after taking a sip of tea, his mouth slightly agape. “However, as long as Nate and the others have their basic needs met, the goodwill Trubin has left behind should suffice for a while.”

“Heh, perhaps Nate could even become the next boss,” Kant mused, raising his teacup with a knowing glint in his eye.

“That might not be the best outcome…” Abel replied, his composure faltering slightly, a frown appearing on his face.

“The resources currently supporting the inn cannot be sustained without the boss’s personal connections,” Kant stated decisively. “If the key individual departs like this, this inn will simply not be the same as it was before.”

“I understand…” Abel murmured, lowering his head. A hint of a sigh colored his tone.

Silence settled between them as they finished their first cups of tea.

“Go and visit Bunduk,” Kant shifted the topic, instructing Abel. “If you find staying in the room too dull, perhaps a walk around would be beneficial.”

“Alright,” Abel agreed, rising and heading towards Bunduk’s room.

“Knock, Knock!” Abel rapped on the door, calling out, “Bunduk, are you asleep?”

After waiting a moment without a response from within, Abel stood uncertainly. He eventually decided to try the door lock.

As the door swung open, a wave of hot, white mist billowed out towards him.

“Huh?” Abel questioned in bewilderment, touching his face where the mist had made contact. It was merely water vapor.

As his vision cleared, Abel realized the entire room was engulfed in this white mist. The source of the commotion was Bunduk, soundly asleep in his wooden tub.

“Bunduk! What are you doing!” Abel rushed towards the bathroom in a haste. Upon witnessing the continuously running hot water pipe and the motionless figure of Bunduk in the bathtub, he let out an angry shout.

The water had already accumulated in the bathroom, reaching Abel’s ankles. It appeared Bunduk had dozed off an hour and a half prior.

Standing on his tiptoes, Abel twisted the faucet handle of the hot water pipe. Once the water flow gradually diminished and disappeared down the drain, he lowered his head, observing the leather boots on his feet, now thoroughly drenched. Angrily, he approached the wooden tub, extended his hands, and shook Bunduk's upper body, yelling, “Bunduk! Wake up!”

“AH... Abel, why are you here?” Bunduk was roused abruptly. Opening his eyes hazily, he seemed unaware of his actions, only showing a slight puzzlement at Abel's presence.

“Look at this bathroom.” Abel’s anger was defused by Bunduk’s bewildered expression. After taking several deep breaths, he spoke in a subdued voice.

“AH? Ah! ! !” Bunduk gazed confusedly at the scene before him. Upon noticing the surrounding disarray, he couldn’t help but exclaim in shock, “How could this be?”

“You scoundrel! You fell asleep in the bathtub and forgot to turn off the water!” Abel sank onto a low stool beside the tub. He explained roughly to Bunduk, “If we had returned a little later, or hadn't decided to check on you, you could have drowned yourself.”

“Thank you,” Bunduk replied sheepishly. The thought of drowning in such a manner, only to be mocked by his comrades even in the afterlife, was quite embarrassing.

“Hurry up and get out of the bathtub.” Abel pointed at Bunduk’s hands, saying, “Look, your hands are all wrinkled from soaking.”

“Okay.” Bunduk stood up from the bathtub, wrapping a towel around his lower body. He then proceeded to the sink to begin washing himself.

“Are you hungry? I’ll have the waiter prepare some food.” With his anger subsiding, Abel’s primary concern was truly Bunduk's recovery.

“A little.” Bunduk, busy rinsing his mouth, found it inconvenient to speak. He merely turned around, pointed at his stomach, and gave Abel a simple affirmative answer.

“Yes.” Abel nodded and slowly rose. As he was about to depart, his gaze fell upon the bathtub Bunduk had used. Noticing the dark green residue, he furrowed his brow and inquired, “Is this the poison being expelled from your body?”

“Yes.” Bunduk followed Abel’s gaze. Understanding the question, he nodded.

“Pick told us that the moment you drank the antidote, the worm eggs of ‘intonation’ were expelled from your body. However, their toxins are primarily stored in their excrement. Therefore, you need to continuously cleanse the toxins that are expelled from your body for a few days after consuming the antidote.”

Bunduk slowly turned around, looking at Abel. He asked in surprise, “Are you saying that the eggs were... excreted from my body?”

“Yes.” A peculiar smile played on Abel’s lips. He covered his mouth and continued, “That’s what I meant. I felt you seemed rather bloated a few days ago. It’s a good thing you’ve slimmed down now.”

Bunduk suddenly understood that Abel was deliberately teasing him. Nevertheless, the mental image of insect eggs being excreted from his body was still quite unsettling.

Chapter 891: A Discussion About Recent Days

Abel’s words made Bunduk feel the urge to shower all over again.

“Hurry up and get out; I need to take another bath,” Bunduk said, ushering Abel out of the bathroom.

“You still want to take a bath!” Abel exclaimed in surprise, as his earlier comment was merely meant as a jest.

“I won’t be able to bear it if I don’t,” Bunduk declared, firmly shutting the bathroom door after pushing Abel outside.

Left standing outside the door, Abel sighed helplessly and shouted, “Are you planning to shed the outermost layer of your skin? Just take your bath. You nearly caused a flood earlier; be mindful that the waiters downstairs might cut off our water supply. His Majesty Kant and I might not even be able to take a bath tonight.”

“Got it!” Bunduk’s voice echoed from within the bathroom.

“Sigh.” Abel shrugged and exited Bunduk’s room. Noticing Kant’s observant gaze, he offered a helpless explanation, “Bunduk is… still taking a shower.”

“Why are your boots wet? Quickly change into a dry pair.” Kant paid little mind to Abel’s explanation, merely nodding slightly. However, his sharp eyes caught the water stains Abel had left on the floor, prompting him to suggest with concern, “Yes.” Abel complied. He carefully walked to the entrance and swapped out his soaked boots and cotton socks. After making himself presentable, he returned to his seat beside Kant and accepted the steaming cup of tea he offered.

“Your Majesty.” Abel glanced towards Bunduk’s room, then looked at Kant and asked, “Do we still need to go to the fourth floor to gather the evidence left by Trubin?”

“Let it be,” Kant shook his head. “Since Trubin intended for Nitte to pack his bags for him, most of the evidence upstairs is likely useless to us. If Turubin’s identity becomes known to the islanders after this, those items might just be enough to keep this inn.”

“Indeed.” After careful deliberation, Abel concurred with Kant’s assessment.

A shared glance and a chuckle passed between the two, after which they transitioned to lighter subjects of conversation.

A short while later, Bunduk emerged from his room, toweling his hair dry.

“What were you two discussing?” Bunduk inquired with curiosity, settling himself down at the teahouse.

“Nothing much,” Abel replied with a smile. “We were just reminiscing about our first arrival on the island.”

“Sounds interesting,” Bunduk mused. “Though, Kant, your first time on the island coincided with the Elf Kingdom’s discovery of the Dwarf clan’s disappearance.”

“That’s correct,” Abel affirmed. “Back then, I was merely a regular soldier. Our team leader guided us through mountains and valleys to this very settlement. It appears to have been last summer.”

“So it has been quite some time,” Bunduk said, taking a deep breath.

“For both of us, arriving on this small island this spring, it’s naturally surprising,” Kant remarked, amused by Bunduk’s reaction. “How fares your recovery?”

“Oh, right, I haven’t informed the staff about lunch yet,” Abel suddenly recalled upon hearing Kant’s words. “You two chat amongst yourselves. I’ll go and let the waiter know.”

“Very well.”

With that, Abel promptly excused himself from the table and departed from the guest room.

“Truthfully, I’m not particularly hungry,” Bunduk stated sheepishly, patting his stomach. “It’s just that after bathing, I suddenly felt a slight appetite.”

“Heh, while others lose their appetite after a bath, you’re the only one who develops a craving for food. It seems this antidote has indeed altered your body significantly,” Kant observed, his good mood evident as he spoke slightly more than usual while looking at the healthy Bunduk before him.

“I see…” Bunduk covered his face, his ears tinged red. Everyone was aware of his usual large appetite. The antidote Pique provided him likely served to maintain his body’s optimal condition and replenish vitality while purging the poison. However, as its effects waned, a sense of hunger gradually emerged.

“Are there any discomforts associated with it?” Kant inquired, taking a sip of tea.

“No inconveniences at all. I feel my body has regained its strength. On the contrary, a few days ago, I experienced a peculiar sensation, as if everything I touched wasn't real but merely an illusion, lacking any sense of being ‘alive’.”

As he recounted this, Bunduk’s tone grew somber. He had intended to carry these words to his grave, enduring the heartache without expressing it to Kant and Abel when they offered comfort. Now that the voodoo poison had been eradicated from his system, he could calmly articulate his feelings.