Ernest removed his mask, and the face beneath, though somewhat颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it conveys a sense of decadence, apathy, or disillusionment), bore a striking resemblance to the Duke of Surrey.
“You…” The girl covered her mouth, her eyes stinging for some reason. Why did this stranger look so much like her father?
Ernest looked at the girl in the white dress before him, whose face had dimples just like his mother's, and couldn't help but smile. "I'm your brother."
...
"Gentlemen, would you like some tobacco? Fresh from Malu Island," a man wearing a top black hat asked Phil Gray and the others, pulling down the brim and grinning as he approached them.
"No, thank you." Phil Gray shook his head.
They were walking on a street in the capital of the Kingdom of Puna, and they needed to find a hotel to stay in for the next few days.
Although Patrick suggested they go to the Duke's mansion together, it was clearly unwise to disturb their companions' family reunion at this time.
Evening was approaching, but the area remained bustling with activity. Without the interference of religious forces, the area was filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.
"Cousin, shall we stay here for a few days?" Patrick looked excitedly at the crowds and shops around him, as well as all sorts of new gadgets. The capital of the Kingdom of Puna was so much better than their poor, remote city of North.
Eli glanced at him. "Still thinking about playing? Your cousin's level is already higher than yours. Instead of thinking about how to level up, you'll become a burden to us in a while."
Patrick was instantly dejected. He muttered, "I also want to hear the words of the gods again, but that's not something I can decide. Cousin, could you put in a good word for me before the gods?"
Phil Gray gave him a chuckle. "Alright, God of Destiny, please tell this guy named Patrick the secret to advancing to the 'Prominent' level."
Eli smiled too.
Patrick stood there, mouth slightly agape, stunned.
“Alright, since we are favored by the god of fate, then destiny has already made arrangements. You will reach the level of prominence sooner or later.” Phil Gray patted his cousin’s fluffy red hair and said with a smile.
"No... cousin, I just... really... heard it," Patrick stammered, looking quite frightened.
"What?" Phil Gray hadn't expected that his casual remark would be overheard by Patrick.
"You're not lying to me, are you?!"
“How could I lie to you? I’ve decided, I’m going to put another statue of you next to the statue of the God of Fate in this space!” Patrick jumped up happily, then muttered to himself, “It seems a bit difficult to make ten thousand people who complain about and hate fate feel the blessings of fate.”
"Take your time." Phil Gray wondered, was the god of fate watching him all along?
Gifts from fate never come without a price; what does divine favor require of him?
Lost in thought, he was suddenly struck by a sudden collision with someone, but the physical prowess of a god-given being at the level of a prodigy prevented him from moving an inch.
But the man fell to the ground.
Phil Gray snapped out of his reverie and reached out his hand to the man lying on the ground. "Are you alright?"
He glanced nervously at Phil Gray and the others, noticing their lavish attire and wealthy appearance. "Sir, would you like to buy tobacco? It's the latest from Malu Island, absolutely delicious."
Phil Grayra got up, wondering why there were so many people selling tobacco here.
"No, we don't need it."
"Wait," Eli stopped the man from leaving. "Take some and let me see."
"Alright, alright." The man patted the dust off his sleeves, took out a small black tin box from his coat pocket, and asked quietly, "Do you want to buy it? It only costs 3 gold coins. The reason it's so cheap is because we have a direct supply channel on Malu Island."
"It's so expensive, why buy it? The gods don't like believers who smell of tobacco," Patrick said dismissively.
"Then, two gold coins?" the man asked anxiously.
Eli casually gave him two gold coins, and he left with great gratitude.
"What are you going to do with it?" Patrick asked curiously.
"I wonder what effect the flowers will have after adding tobacco?" Eli opened the tin box, sniffed it, and found that the smell was indeed very pleasant, but there seemed to be a strange smell. He thought about it but couldn't remember what it was.
We'll have to put it away for now.
"Let's go to this place and book a room. Patrick, go to the Duke's mansion later and deliver a note to Ernest telling him our location."
Their steps came to a halt.
Phil Gray looked at the relatively secluded hotel in front of him and was somewhat satisfied.
He doesn't like it too noisy.
After paying a week's rent, they moved into their second-floor apartment.
“Okay, I just thought about it. Those who are in dire straits are very likely to be people who hate their fate. If I lend them a helping hand and convey some of God’s will, wouldn’t that make them feel the blessings of fate? That’s sure to work!” Patrick seemed to still be thinking about how to complete the prophecy.
“Hmm, that’s a good idea. You can give it a try, but don’t forget to tell Ernest our location.” Phil Gray looked at him, who seemed eager to try, and wasn’t sure if he had even heard what he was saying.
"Okay, don't worry, I'm going right now." Patrick patted his chest, went downstairs, and left.
Phil Gray didn't have time to stop him; he had originally intended to suggest that he have dinner first.
"I wonder how Ernest is doing. He should have seen his father and sister by now. His sister was just born when he left. I wonder what he thinks of his suddenly appearing brother?" Phil Gray shook his head with a smile.
“Yes, he also has a younger sister,” Eli casually remarked, fiddling with the bottles and jars on the table.
"Eh, Eli?"
“Well, when we get to the Eastern Continent, I’ll introduce you to my sister,” Eli said. However, Phil Gray noticed that his expression wasn’t one of longing and joy, but rather a calm one, with an indescribable emotion in it.
Is Eli's sister, or rather his hometown, in the Eastern Continent? But it seems that few people there believe in life; it's a land of dawn, dreams, and death.
He became somewhat curious about Eli's background.
After dinner, Phil Gray instructed the shopkeeper to leave a portion of food for Patrick.
As night deepened, he sat at the table reading a book, but almost fell asleep with his chin in his hand. He yawned groggily, then glanced at the clock on the wall of the room. Hmm? How come it's already past midnight?
More than five hours have passed since dinner time, and Patrick has not returned yet even though he went to the Duke's mansion.
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