Chapter 126 Extra 2: Leosli (Part 1)
As a resting place for the guilty, life under the water of Fontaineland was not originally what it is now, following certain rules and possessing another form of tranquility.
In Melopentsky, the [Duke] was the highest-ranking administrator.
Ever since this mysterious underwater fortress manager, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, was awarded the title for his good management, no matter how low-key he was, he could not resist people's curiosity and speculation about him.
"Okay, this is it. You can go in by yourself. Someone will come to pick you up." The uniformed member of the Shadow Chasing Court brought the person underwater, gave a simple and calm explanation, and quickly turned and left.
Lavelan took a few steps with a pale face and sighed. "What bad luck! I just added a little salt when mixing the cocktail! I was actually detained on such a ridiculous charge of [intentionally polluting drinking-grade freshwater resources]! If that guy hadn't been so rude, I wouldn't have..."
"Well, I hope the Duke won't make things difficult for us—"
"Hello! Hello?"
A voice interrupted Lavelan's mumbling.
Lavelan turned around. The man standing before him was a slightly overweight man, his arms folded as he looked at him calmly. "You must be today's prisoner, right? My name is Kustu. Come with me."
"Don't interrupt and ask questions before I finish my introduction." Kustu raised his head, looking a little difficult to get along with.
"Oh, of course. I'm here to pick up the prisoners, but it's not just for that little bit of [concession voucher]. It's also because the concession cafeteria doesn't need my help today. Hehe, although some of my sources told me that there must be a more secret reason behind this... But that's not something I can tell you."
“…” The familiar feeling immediately made Lavelan stop complaining and fall into deep thought.
—Uh… His expression, based on my many years of experience as a bartender, makes me feel that if I just agree with what he says, I’ll be able to hear the latest news and gossip.
——Then, would you like to listen to it...
"Ahem!" Lavelan's heart fluttered. He cleared his throat and rubbed his hands expectantly. "Brother Kustu, although I'm new here and don't know all the rules, I'm happy to be able to help out in this... uh, franchised canteen. I'm sure your cooking will taste great!"
"I didn't expect you to think so highly of me... There's nothing I can do, since you said so." Kustu's expression was blank for a moment, but he looked a lot happier. He scratched his head.
"Well, then listen carefully. The following information can help you understand the current situation of relationships in Melo Petersburg..." Noticing Lavelan's expectant expression, Kustu said embarrassedly, "After all, this is my current job."
"Of course, I'll tell you what you want to know in a moment. Ha, this is some exciting news that can sell for money!"
Lavelan nodded without objection. Sure enough, he was right. He was actually a nice person!
In the following time, Lavelan basically understood the operating rules of Melo Petersburg.
For example, there were concession vouchers used as currency that could supposedly buy anything, "fair" treatment where anyone could survive by working, and a concession canteen where Kustu worked as a helper and provided a daily meal.
Besides that, Kustu told him secretly:
"I'm telling you this, you must never leak it. In Melo Petersburg, no one is allowed to spread anything about the Duke."
Hearing this, Lavelan subconsciously held his breath.
"I discovered that the Duke... although he has extensive cooking experience, he—"
"No! I! Can! Taste! It!"
"Hah—" Lavelan took a breath and exchanged an equally excited look with Kustu.
I can cook, but I can't season.
To these two people - a bartender and a chef - this kind of thing was like a drop of ink appearing on a blank piece of paper.
It is conspicuous and contains a lot of useful information.
"Kustu, how did you know that?"
"Hmph. Some time ago, when I was working as a helper in the franchised cafeteria, I noticed that the Duke would sometimes cook for himself. However, I didn't notice any signs of a reduction in seasonings. There were only extra seasoning packets in the trash can, which were circulating in the Fontaine market."
Kustu didn't care that Lavelan had omitted the honorific in his excitement. Since he was a fellow traveler, he decided to overlook this flaw.
For professional chefs, such cooking behavior will always be magnified many times in their eyes and is extremely unprofessional.
You should know that no one else in the franchised cafeteria uses this kind of seasoning packet. Only after the Duke appears, kitchen waste from the seasoning packet will appear in the trash can.
In contrast, in the eyes of the bartender, what he cared about was the Duke's personal information, such as being single, approachable, and capable...
"Then again, His Excellency the Duke probably prefers meat. Rib seasoning packets appear far more often than macaroni sauce packets."
Lavelan then shared the information he had discovered, "This shows that there was a time when the Duke had to eat macaroni, and the person who provided it couldn't cook."
"Based on the current information, it's unlikely this person is the Duke's lover. Otherwise, given the Duke's efficient style, he wouldn't be so nostalgic when he returns to being single like he is now..."
After the two finished their analysis, they looked at each other and immediately hit it off.
"This is really explosive news!"
"That's right, if you ask me, even bombs can't have the same explosive effect as the one we came up with together."
"Hahaha, now that you mention it, if we combine our brains, we could be called the 'Bomb Brothers'."
Soon, they were talking about other news, putting aside their speculation about the Duke. Of course, they didn't know how close this information was to reality.
——
——
"Duke, these are the pictures I brought with me." Sigwen placed them on the table and tilted her head to observe Leosli's reaction. "Are you heading underground today as well?"
"Oh, thank you, head nurse. Next time, I'll ask you to bring some return gifts to Abel." Leosli didn't look up, fiddled with it casually twice, and glanced at the photo of the Clementine Line by the water.
Then he stretched. "The head nurse actually guessed my schedule... Tsk, another prisoner worked three days in a row yesterday, right?"
Sigwen blinked and smiled slightly, "Because the Duke always goes to the basement of his office to spend some time after cooking!"
"...It's been so long, I didn't expect it to become a habit." Leosli closed his eyes and supported his head, sighing in an inexplicable tone.
Her eyes followed Leosli's movements, and Sigwen thoughtfully connected it with the micro-expressions she had just observed. She pursed her lips, as always keeping this interesting change of mood as her own little secret.
——Humans are indeed very cute and interesting creatures.
With this thought in mind, Sigwen quietly left the office, leaving the space to Leosli alone.
tear——
Leosli came to his senses and slowly tore off the sticker on his gloves. "Didn't he leave already? When did you put it on?"
After briefly cleaning up the visible areas to remove the stickers that had been put there by Head Nurse Sigwen and Melusin as part of a bet, Leosli opened the mechanism of the office, revealing a spiral staircase leading directly below.
Melo Petersburg became independent of Fontaine during the reign of the first water god. Before Leosli came here, he never thought that the rules under the water of Fontaine were so chaotic, so he stayed here by accident and became the manager here.
The reason wasn't complicated. Leosli had been raised for a short time by the current Water Goddess, Lady Funina—it was just too short a time for this to be known. It was well known that Lady Funina encouraged the development of private organizations and established cooperation and exchanges with the government.
Merlo Petersburg, which is independent of Fontaine and has its own internal rules, is of course also a private organization.
...However, perhaps it was because Leosli had lived with the water goddess Lady Funina, a well-known star in Fontaine, for a period of time and knew her character, so he quickly gave up disturbing this ruling god with his own affairs... who could be called his [adoptive mother].
Sometimes, Leosley would suddenly recall that period of time—he would even wonder if there had ever been a year like that. He remembered a strange man who had been robbing men on the street during the day after the "Sacramental Crown Night"...
Even though several years had passed since he was awarded the title of "Duke", he still had a very strange feeling.
The man who calls himself "Leosli" and is occasionally blurted out as "Impas" by Ms. Funina, whose real name is "Ming Chong".
He told everyone that if he had a child, he would definitely name him "Leosley".
So, this kind of environment emerged around Leosli, who is now 26 years old and has a lot of experience.
——Even though the name [Leosli] has a complicated meaning and no meaning in itself, it has a good meaning after being promoted by the other party.
However, perhaps it was because the time they spent together was too short, less than two hours, just like the time he spent living with Lady Funina, like a secret known only to both parties and few others.
It's quite interesting. When Leosley thinks back on it in a trance, he feels like laughing.
After all, how could it not be commendable to have a secret connection with a person who holds a special place in the hearts of every Fontainelander?
In fact, if those who knew Ming Chong asked, Leosli himself did not mind revealing the connection between himself and Ming Chong.
Unfortunately, they were actually very nice people. They sighed at his name and said, "Your name is Leosley? It's a really nice name. A friend of mine said he wanted to name his child this. It seems to mean... longevity and happiness, right?"
After that, he stopped thinking and politely ended the topic.
Whenever he thought of this, Leosli would laugh in his heart. Later, he heard Clorinde, who had become his friend, talk about a rumor about Lady Funina.
It is said that the "Mont Mansault Explosion" incident that caused diplomatic shock between Fontaine and Winter that year was actually the result of planning a children's banquet that was stillborn.
Well, coincidentally, the party was for children aged 5 to 10. Clorinde regretted that Leosley, who was 11 years old at the time, missed the event.
"Aha, it's that thing." Leosley let out a subtle smile. "It can't be said that I completely missed it."
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