EFB Chapter 7. I laugh at Green's lack of strategy and the wizard's lack of wisdom!
Chapter 7. I laugh at Green's lack of strategy and the wizard's lack of wisdom!
Ivan left in a sorry state.
……
Not long ago, the prison alarms blared, and Ivan led a large group of prison guards to search for the three escaped prisoners, Green and his two companions.
After searching high and low, the group finally found a clue in the prison sewers.
First, the Peter Pan brothers, who were guarding the prison sewers, went missing.
Secondly, traces of the battle were found on both sides of the prison sewer walls and the ground.
After a moment's thought, Ivan made a rough deduction:
The three men somehow entered the sewers, defeated the Peter Pan brothers who were guarding the area, and escaped into the city through the sewers.
Ivan immediately realized that things were going to go wrong.
After all, St. Petersburg's sewers are extensive and interconnected; even if they searched for days and nights, they wouldn't be able to finish. Moreover, Green and his two companions could appear anywhere in the city at any time through the sewers.
As for the Peter Pan brothers, who have disappeared without a trace, he is not worried about that.
After all, the other party is a being from a fairy tale, so death is impossible. Moreover, when the Emperor suppressed the Peter Pan brothers, he left a pair of their primordial soul lamps in the prison. With these, the Peter Pan brothers can be found at any time.
Ivan was almost in despair, feeling that the hope of finding Green and the other two was extremely slim.
But whether it was a stroke of luck or something else, one of his subordinates told him that police officers from the Public Security Bureau had discovered a thief stealing manhole covers while patrolling the outer city.
Manhole covers are made of fine iron and can fetch a good price, so they are frequently stolen in the city, which Ivan is used to.
But when the manhole cover thief was given his statement:
"I was planning to steal one more manhole cover and then stop, but I hadn't gone far when I heard a noise coming from the sewer where I had stolen the manhole cover. Two people carrying a knight were sneaking out of there, and the knight looked to be badly injured."
"Officer, they must be thieves or criminals! Do you think this counts as me redeeming myself? Besides, this is my first time doing this, I didn't know, I thought nobody wanted me..."
After listening to his subordinate's report, Ivan's eyes gleamed, and he burst into laughter.
Subordinate: "Why is your lord laughing?"
Ivan exclaimed happily, "I laughed at that Green's recklessness and the wizard's lack of wisdom, completely unaware that his whereabouts were being observed! Do you know where that manhole cover thief was caught?"
Before his subordinates could reply, he continued speaking to himself:
"That's west of St. Petersburg, north of the outer city. The knight was seriously wounded, but Green and the wizard stayed by his side, showing their loyalty. They will surely find a way to treat the knight."
"Since they are prisoners and penniless, they certainly wouldn't dare go to legitimate clinics and hospitals. We just need to search the nearby unlicensed clinics, and we'll most likely be able to capture them!"
His men shouted, "Your Excellency's insight is brilliant!"
The northern part of the outer city is close to the slums, a dirty and chaotic place where prisoners are likely to hide.
There are only a few illegal clinics in total, and three of them are located in slums.
Ivan then ordered his men to split into three groups to search for the whereabouts of Green and his two companions. The rest of the men searched the other two establishments, while Ivan personally led a team to search a clandestine clinic called "Raven."
Ivan knew that the raven doctor at this shady clinic was supposedly a former student of the Nienia Magic Academy.
Even if the other person is expelled from school, they are probably not someone a nobody like him can afford to offend.
At that moment, he stood outside the illegal clinic with a group of prison guards and politely called out:
"Excuse me, Dr. Raven, we received a tip from a concerned citizen that three prisoners, suspected to have escaped from prison, have come to your clinic. Could you please open the door so we can examine them?"
At that moment, Green and the old wizard inside the clinic instantly realized something was wrong.
The other side caught up with us so quickly?
This is terrible!
Harboring a prisoner is a serious crime no matter where you are, but Green and his two companions have never told the Raven Doctor that they are prisoners, which means that they probably still have time to run away.
Green and the old wizard could run, but the Bull Slayer had just stepped onto the operating table; could he possibly run?
As Green pondered, he heard a clattering sound coming from the stairwell; Dr. Raven had come downstairs.
The old wizard was extremely nervous at this moment.
The raven doctor said to the two men, "Go hide upstairs in my building."
The old wizard: "Huh?"
"What? Let's go!" Green realized what was happening and pulled the old wizard upstairs.
"Doctor Raven? Are you inside? We...!"
At that moment, the Raven Doctor opened the door, a rusty scalpel grazing Ivan's cheek as she said unfriendly:
Why are you yelling so loudly?
Ivan had a bloody scratch on his cheek. He was resentful, but dared not retaliate because of the other party's status. He spoke in a humble and obsequious manner, for he said with a forced smile:
"Excuse me, Dr. Raven, three prisoners have escaped from our prison. I just wanted to ask if you've seen them?"
He didn't even dare to go inside to check. He seriously suspected that if he dared to say he was going in to check, a rusty scalpel would be plunged into his forehead the next second.
How would I know where the prisoners in your jail are?
Hearing what the Raven Doctor said, Ivan and his group lowered their eyes and stopped thinking.
Beneath the bird-beak mask, the raven doctor speaks eloquently:
"Get a card for £10, a silver card for £20, and a gold card for £50, and enjoy a lifetime 5% discount."
Then, changing the subject abruptly, he said coldly:
"You neither see a doctor nor get a membership card, so why don't you get out of here?"
In Ivan's view, the Raven Doctor's attitude was extremely arrogant, which actually proved that she probably had never met Green and his two companions.
Otherwise, who else would be so arrogant as to protect criminals?
However, since it concerned Ivan's future, he still wanted to ask one more question: "Hehe, one last question, then we'll leave. Did Dr. Raven hear any strange noises or spot any suspicious people around him this night?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a rusty scalpel flew toward Ivan's forehead. Had he not narrowly dodged the blow, he would likely have died on the spot.
Beneath the bird-beak mask, the Raven Doctor's eyes were slightly narrowed.
"Are you fucking questioning me?"
Ivan's face darkened; he felt as if he had swallowed excrement, and he forced a smile, saying:
"No, no! Frey, let's go."
He then called his men and left in a disheveled state.
Ivan grew angrier the further he walked.
He hates it!
He hated that the Raven Doctor had once been Nienia's student! And he was just a lowly prison guard captain!
"Ugh!"
His prison guard, Frey, seeing this, wanted to comfort Ivan, but then heard him burst into laughter again, and asked in confusion:
"Why are you laughing, sir?"
Ivan: "Hahaha, I laugh at that Green's lack of intelligence and the wizard's lack of strategy! If I were Green, knowing how unreasonable this Raven Doctor was, I would have hidden in her clinic before you could catch me and begged for her protection no matter what!"
Before Frey could answer, he continued to speak to himself:
"Judging from Dr. Raven's behavior, she genuinely hasn't seen Green and his companions before, otherwise she wouldn't be so defiant! If they're not with her, then Green and his companions must be in one of the other two illegal clinics, and I sent troops to search for them in three directions before I set off!"
His previous frustration vanished, and Ivan chuckled:
"Let's hurry and meet up with the others; I can't wait to hear their good news!"
Upon hearing this, Frey praised:
"Your wisdom is truly astounding! This promotion opportunity for the warden is rightfully yours to enjoy alone!"
The words are divided into two parts.
Green and the old wizard witnessed the whole thing on the second floor of the clinic, and they didn't know what to say.
After a long while, the old wizard sighed:
"As expected of a former student of Nienia, he is indeed domineering."
Green thought to himself that this Nienian student's identity was too impressive; even with Dr. Raven in such a state, the prison guard didn't dare to talk back.
The Raven Doctor closed the door and went up to the second floor, where he saw Green hesitant to speak.
Then he said lightly to the two of them:
"You don't need to tell me about your past, and I don't want to know. What you need to do now is to help me collect my debts. Until then, as long as you haven't done anything heinous, I will protect you."
The old wizard and Green nodded repeatedly: "Of course! We certainly wouldn't do anything heinous!"
Green pondered for a moment, then took a step forward:
"Green has wandered half his life; if Miss Raven will not abandon him, Lin is willing to become her godmother!"
Although she admitted that Green was indeed good-looking, she had no interest in being someone's mother.
Dr. Raven: "Get lost."
"Okay."
Green and the old wizard went downstairs to rest again.
Without any disturbances, when Green focused his consciousness into learning the breathing technique, the technique, like using an experience book in a game, transformed into a stream of light and filled Green's mind.
【Film Breathing Method】
[A breathing technique created by the king of the Felin race. This breathing technique symbolizes the Felin king's ascension to the pinnacle of the world after transforming from a cat into a human.]
[Once mastered, each breath will slowly increase physical fitness and accelerate the recovery of mental and magical energy.]
Before he knew it, Green had mastered the basics of this breathing technique.
At this moment, Green breathed in and out with an elegant posture and imposing presence, like a tyrant among cats.
He can absorb mana escaping from the air into his body to restore his energy or accelerate the recovery of his magic power, and...
A portion of Mana transformed into a wisp of white mist almost invisible to the naked eye, which slowly nourished Green's body.
Although the effect is negligible for him now, it has accumulated over the years and is still a considerable help.
Anyone who has practiced a skill can visualize the level of mastery they have achieved.
[Film Breathing Method: lv1]
This is only the effect of level 1 of this breathing technique; if one masters it to a deeper level, the effects are unimaginable.
"Heh heh, how could the breathing technique I gave you be weak, meow?"
The cat plush toy that was originally hanging around Green's neck had somehow transformed into a ragdoll cat, which was perched on Green's shoulder and said smugly.
"You're awake?" Green had many questions about the cat. Just like the one Alice kept, he wasn't particularly wary of it.
So he just openly practiced that breathing technique, after all, he's immortal and can be resurrected after death.
Do you know or have heard of Alice?
The first thing to do was to ask Alice.
"Hmph," the Cheshire Cat sneered, "Ellis?"
"I don't know him!"
Green: "..."
There's no need to be so proud.
"Heh, how could I possibly know just anyone?"
The Cheshire Cat shook its head and said:
"After the war against demons, I was sealed away by my master. He said that before the last war against demons began, someone would kill the creatures in the fairy tale book, and then I would be able to wake up from my slumber."
My master asked me to find this person and provide assistance.
"And then?" Green asked.
"I don't remember, meow."
Green: "?"
Green then asked, "Do you remember who your master is?"
"Of course it is..." the Cheshire Cat said haughtily, then hesitated, "Who was it again? I can't remember, meow..."
Green: "..."
Despite having many questions, such as the final war against demons and why he was able to kill the Peter Pan brothers, the Cheshire Cat seemed clueless.
Green could only vaguely guess that the cat's owner was likely the legendary second hero.
Seeing Green's sighing and groaning, the Cheshire Cat couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"You stupid beast! Don't look at me like that, you look at useless scum."
The Cheshire Cat shook its head and said:
"I possess great wisdom! It's just that after sleeping for so long, I've forgotten some things, which is perfectly normal. In any case, you must find those creatures from fairy tales for me to kill and eat in the future, and I will not mistreat you, meow."
With that, the Cheshire Cat leaped again and transformed into a cat doll.
"You foolish beasts, remember to 'work' well to support me. I'm going to rest now, meow. Don't call me unless it's absolutely necessary."
Green looked at the Cheshire Cat, who had turned back into a doll, and was somewhat speechless.
Hearing the chirping of birds outside, I looked up and realized it was already dawn. It seemed my breakthrough to the Lantern-Carrying Realm in my cultivation would have to be postponed.
Despite not having slept all night, Green felt no drowsiness whatsoever; on the contrary, he was full of energy. This was probably due to the effects of that breathing technique.
The old wizard had just groggily opened his eyes when Green patted him on the shoulder:
"Let's go, we should go collect the debt."
……
St. Petersburg is divided into two districts: the inner district, where nobles, merchants, and business owners live, and where prices are high; and the outer district, where ordinary working people live.
Even in the early morning, on Diva Boulevard, located in the outer city, you can already see scantily clad girls standing under the streetlights. The area is bustling with people.
According to the old wizard, this place is a gathering place for the gray and black forces in St. Petersburg, and you can find out about black market transactions just by entering any of the clubs.
However, because the taxes collected along Diva Avenue each year are substantial enough, the police department turns a blind eye. There aren't even any sheriffs patrolling the area on ordinary days.
Therefore, it is not a big deal for Green and his companion to swagger here at this moment.
The Razor Gang, one of the top gangs in the city, has many members who frequent this area.
There are many casinos and dance halls on Diva Avenue, but Grimm and the old wizard weren't foolish enough to go looking for them all.
This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, but it's a good place to gather information.
For example, right now.
The old wizard said to Green:
"I don't think you're from St. Petersburg, and you don't seem like someone who's been through the wringer. Just watch me."
Green nodded.
The old wizard grinned and walked towards a girl in a gothic dress. The girl was exceptionally beautiful and had a noble air about her. She was looking around at something.
The old wizard approached her, took out a few silver coins, and whispered:
"Hehehe, miss, I'd like to inquire about the Razorfen Downs."
The girl glanced at the old wizard and accepted the money.
The old wizard glanced at him and then turned to give Green a meaningful look, acting like a wise elder.
The girl softly uttered a sentence:
"I don't know, you can get lost now."
The old wizard: "?"
You son of a bitch, you still charged me money even though you didn't tell me?
Green couldn't stand it any longer and said to the old wizard:
"Let me do it."
So Green walked up to the girl and gave her a healthy smile:
"I'd like to inquire about the Razorfen Downs."
"Hehe, I know what you want to ask, boss. Shall we go inside and talk?"
The girl's face lit up with a smile as soon as she saw him. She handed the few silver coins the old wizard had given her to Green and chuckled as she held his hand.
The old wizard: "..."
That's outrageous! He spent money and got nothing in return, and you're even paying Green to do it?
and...
The old wizard is in an ultimate, invincible, furious rage!
"That's my money! Mine!"