The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 732: Volume 21: The Road of Darkness, - 14: Turning Over a New Leaf

Chapter 732: Volume 21: The Road of Darkness, Chapter 14: Turning Over a New Leaf

"Hayreddin! Is it really you?!" Accompanied by a near roof-lifting shriek and cheers, several men ecstatically rushed forward, seemingly unable to believe their eyes. How could the other party dare to make such a public appearance in the Tavern of Tilo City-State?! Following their ecstatic joy, the group of men were consumed with boundless worry; the warrant issued by the Corinth City-State Alliance Court was valid across all the countries and city-states of the Southern Mediterranean, and all city-states were required to unconditionally comply with the court’s orders. Once someone snitched, he would have nowhere to fly!

Seeing the concern in his comrades’ eyes, Hayreddin felt even more moved. These were the friends with whom he had shared life and death. He had left the Southern Mediterranean back then, not wanting to implicate them, and it was for the sake of being able to meet openly today, and finally, that moment had come.

"Don’t worry, the Corinth City-State Court has already rescinded the warrant against me. I am now a legal citizen of Caucasus from the Northern Kingdom of Nicosia." Hayreddin tried his best to suppress the turmoil of emotions within him. Ever since leaving Sparta, this bar in Tilo City-State had always been their stronghold for meeting up. His first stop upon coming out was to see if his brothers-in-arms from back in the day were still around. Seeing a few of them idly drowning their sorrows at the bar counter, his blood immediately began to boil.

The men gathered around Hayreddin and headed toward the central bar, and the bartender, who clearly recognized the newcomer, reflected on the past long stays of the two famous red-bearded brothers – Hayreddin and Drake. Today they had finally reunited, and their subordinates were also in high spirits, as if they had won the jackpot in gambling.

"Mr. Hayreddin! Is it really you?! Our boss has missed you terribly. He has asked about your whereabouts many times. Today he just happened to be out, otherwise he would be so excited he’d be in tears," said the bartender, his mouth undoubtedly the most adroit, the obsequious look on his face made it hard to believe how he had treated Drake and his people just moments ago. And now, the hefty purse thrown on the bar counter was indeed genuine gold shields, one could tell by merely weighing it that the amount inside would be enough to buy up the Tavern’s entire stock of liquor.

"Oh, is that so, Peter? Kusri truly cherishes such sentiment? He’s probably pining for the purse on my waist, I reckon? You think I don’t know Kusri? Tell him to get out here and apologize to us brothers!"

As Hayreddin approached the bar, the bartender felt immense pressure. The aura emanating from Hayreddin was no longer just the rough demeanor from his days of adventuring through storms and battles. Years had passed, and the indistinct self-assurance of Hayreddin’s presence made even this experienced bartender of over ten years at Tilo’s port detect a change in the previously red-bearded man. The ferocity had not diminished, but the composure and confidence were not something that could solely be developed from a life at sea.

"Ah, who do I see here, if it isn’t Mr. Hayreddin returning! My sincerest apologies, I had to step out for a moment just now. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen Mr. Hayreddin, I’ve been longing for your return! Peter, what are you waiting for? Get out my treasured Bremen Violin Wine. Today I’m treating all to celebrate Mr. Hayreddin’s return!" A gaunt man with joy radiating from within burst out from the shadowy door behind the bar counter. He wore a fitted leather jerkin, and a silver-chained magic pocket watch boasted extravagantly from a split in the vest, making one’s impression of the guy sour a tad.

"Kusri, the term chameleon couldn’t be more fitting for you. What, you think a couple bottles of gin will send our brothers on their way?" Hayreddin said, half-smiling, with his arms crossed, watching this jester-like fellow in front of him. Yet, he knew that this man was far from as simple as he appeared. Despite his lair being here, one could see his shadow in the city-states and countries around Sakonis Bay and the Syracuse Peninsula, whether it be with the Carter Fleet or municipal officials, or even the nefarious Demisheme Pirate Group, he maintained close relationships with all.

"Hehe, Mr. Hayreddin, please understand my predicament. It’s not that I was unwilling to extend credit to Mr. Drake and the others, but you know this place is a business. Thirty-six gold shields isn’t much, but I’m already making an exception. You should understand this is already the limit. If everyone else started to follow suit, my Nightingale Dance Tavern would be left with no choice but to shut down." The gaunt man remained unangered by Hayreddin’s harsh words; on the contrary, he appeared very sincere, "I once expressed my willingness to lend some to Mr. Drake and the others, but they refused. As for the rest, I can only help so much."

Glancing at Drake and the others, who were slightly embarrassed, it seemed that his friends had not been doing well these past years. Kusri might not be a generous man, but he used to respect Hayreddin’s group a lot. To fall to such a state, there must have been reasons on their part. As for the loans, Kusri was a loan shark by nature. Borrowing money from him, without any other way out, would mean nothing else but working for him for life, and in this regard, Drake was still sober.