Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 169

“Jim?” Charlie scrutinized his face, unsure if the world was really that small, letting him run into “that” Jim.

From his face alone, this young man with a small nose and mouth and eyes widened in fright looked more like a rabbit than him. It was hard to connect him with the muscular and well-built Jason.

“Are you Jim from Paradise Island?” Charlie asked again.

Jim hesitated before responding, “I’m from Paradise Island.”

“Are you Jason’s brother, Jim?”

“You know my brother?!” Jim seemed jolted awake, almost pouncing on Charlie, grabbing his neck, and demanding he repeat himself.

It really was Jason’s brother.

Charlie reached out to hold Jim’s shoulder, preventing him from jumping up, and lowered his voice. “Shh—these carriages are well soundproofed, but if you make too much noise and shake the carriage, it will attract attention.”

Jim held his breath and nodded.

“I know Jason. He’s been looking for you,” Charlie said, feeling a bit guilty. Although no one could have predicted what would happen, the honest and loyal man did get into trouble while helping them. Charlie hadn’t yet discussed this with Eugene, but he believed Eugene, who had spent more time with Jason, felt no less guilty than he did.

“Do you know what happened to him?” Jim tried to keep himself from getting too emotional, but his voice, strained with extreme repression, became high-pitched and thin. “Is he… Is he in trouble?”

“He had an accident and was seriously injured. We are trying to treat him…”

“Injured? He’s not dead?” Jim finally couldn’t hold back, grabbing Charlie’s short coat. “He’s not dead, right? The rumors outside are false!”

Charlie didn’t push him away but leaned closer, using his usual calming tone. “He’s not dead. He’s seriously injured… but we managed to keep him alive. The next few days are still dangerous, but for now, he’s alive.”

Jim’s hands trembled, but a huge wave of joy swept through him. His brother was still alive!

“Where is he now?” he asked urgently. “He’s alive—you said you saved him.”

He let go and repeated Charlie’s words. “You saved Jason. Are you his friend?”

Charlie was a bit surprised. Jim’s appearance seemed too gentle and fragile. Although he had no prejudice against such people, he secretly hoped the kid wouldn’t emotionally collapse from excitement.

But not only did he quickly digest the intense news, he also regained his composure quickly, not missing the information Charlie had lightly mentioned.

In terms of strong will, the two brothers were indeed similar. Stepping back further, Jim, like Prima, Prima’s friends, and even Priscilla, had courage that belied their appearances. Interestingly, leaving aside the well-off Priscilla, people like Jim and Prima were often overlooked in White Bridge. Regardless of their comfortable or struggling lives, their “existence” was rarely valued.

“The elven fruit can keep your brother alive, but it cannot restore him fully,” Charlie explained, briefly recounting the events leading to Jason’s accident. “He’s on Paradise Island now, with many people taking care of him.”

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Jim said, his voice trembling.

Charlie shook his head. At that moment, the carriage shook slightly, as if turning a corner. Both of them looked up warily, and Jim quickly calculated the route in his mind.

“What do you plan to do next? Will you go back? Jason has been worried about you,” Charlie asked.

Of course, he wanted to go back and take care of Jason, Jim almost blurted out. But then he stopped himself, looking directly at Charlie’s strange rabbit head for the first time without avoiding his gaze.

“You’re hiding in this carriage, saying you want to meet the astrologer,” he said. “Is that true?”

Charlie replied, “Yes, I want to make sure Kurt is safe.”

He looked at the still-excited Jim. “If possible, I want to rescue him. White Bridge has no right to imprison anyone, including the astrologer.”

Just as he thought, Jim realized this Mr. Rabbit was a friend of Mr. Kurt.

“Suppose… I mean, if I could meet Mr. Kurt in person, would that help you?” he asked cautiously. Jim didn’t make empty promises. In his heart, he believed everything the nearly rabbit-headed stranger said. If they saved Jason, he would repay them with his life—but he couldn’t risk Mr. Kurt’s safety with such a promise.

Fortunately, Charlie was very understanding. He immediately saw through Jim’s greatest concern.

“You can mention my name in front of him. I’m Charlie. After confirming it, give him my token. I have a small magical item that can establish a communication channel.”

“But unregistered magical items cannot enter the warehouse,” Jim said instinctively, then looked at Charlie uneasily.

He was used to observing his surroundings, but many places in the Wolf household were confidential and off-limits to prying eyes, especially for someone “like him.” So, he always observed in secret but never mentioned it to anyone.

Charlie indeed paused but didn’t comment further. His large, round eyes turned, his gaze falling on Jim’s robe.

“Registered items are not restricted, right? They can come and go freely,” he said confidently, touching the smooth, oil-painted interior wall of the carriage. Even if Jim was just a stand-in, his specifications matched those of the astrologer. The carriage had comprehensive protective measures. Charlie saw several different magical waves flowing and mingling in the small space.

“I have a way,” he said.

……

“What did you say?” Khalif glared at Xanye, looking like a beast ready to pounce. Xanye felt a jolt of fear but kept her face calm.

“Your daughter went out this morning, didn’t return, and didn’t take any attendants.”

“And you’re only telling me now.” Khalif’s voice was low, barely concealing his anger. The strike wave had swept through most of the inner city. Even temporarily redeploying available personnel to fill the gaps caused by the strike barely maintained a few key guest areas.

Some less well-off people were quick to take up the roles, but many who loafed around under the names of two families were far less competent than the usually well-trained lower-level workers. Their limited vision and brains couldn’t comprehend that if White Bridge’s reputation collapsed, their lives might plummet.

“She’s not a child anymore. Going out for a few hours is normal…”

“You know what it’s like outside!” Khalif shouted. “She shouldn’t be out at a time like this! Do you know how many children I have left—”

He stopped, even though there was no one else in the study. He became wary and fell silent.

“She’ll be fine. She’s probably just visiting her girlfriends. Where else could she go?” Xanye lowered her posture and spoke softly. “I know she’s important. If you want, we can start trying anytime.”

“Find her first.” Khalif paced on the carpet. “I remember you have a spell for finding people.”

Xanye’s heart settled. She calmly said, “Of course, she’s your child. Blood is the clearest marker.”

“No, I’m not looking for Prima.” Khalif stopped. The stimulant’s effect was wearing off. He looked a bit withered, making the gleam in his eyes appear more harmonious. “Can you find Louis?”

Xanye was surprised. “Louis? I thought you wouldn’t care if he was attacked. Is the Paradise Island rebellion real? Do you need him to quell the unrest?”

Khalif waved his hand, breathing heavily. “Paradise Island… who cares about that? If I succeed, what does it matter if we lose White Bridge?”

Xanye knew Khalif’s ambitions but didn’t know what he had discussed with the astrologer in their two private meetings. However, she was quick-witted, and seeing Khalif’s reaction now, she quickly concluded he must have obtained some crucial information.

If it were time-reversal magic, Khalif wouldn’t hide it, because that magic always needed her to push it. There was only one possibility left: the Holy Grail.

And it wasn’t the new Holy Grail, but the previous one—otherwise, he’d have to wait at least ten years for a newborn to grow up. Khalif wouldn’t show such disdain for White Bridge, the family’s lifeblood, if he didn’t have a good reason.

The previous Holy Grail was still alive? Xanye’s heartbeat quickened. She asked calmly, “If you don’t care about White Bridge, why find Louis? You’re the head of the Wolf Family. Even if he’s not here, the power is still yours.”

“Just tell me if you can find him,” Khalif said impatiently.

He wouldn’t share all his secrets with anyone. In some ways, Xanye was his partner, but only for time magic. Regarding the Holy Grail, he’d rather keep it to himself.

Many thought he was getting senile with age, but Khalif remembered a lot, including how White Wolf Fahim and the Lamp Bearers appeared in that small town around the same time.

Suspicion had been planted over twenty years ago. The legend of the Holy Grail wasn’t a secret within the family. Khalif had always viewed Fahim as a hypothetical enemy, not just because of his abilities but also out of jealousy. Even after his death, people whispered about what a pity it was that Fahim died young. Those comments were like thorns in the family head’s seat, making Khalif uncomfortable.

Back then, he suspected Fahim wanted to use the power of the World Dragon to extend his life. He also tracked the Lamp Bearers, trying to control the Holy Grail. But at that time, Khalif’s foundation was weak, and Fahim left no concrete evidence, so the matter was dropped.

Who knew Fahim would later bring a boy into White Bridge, claiming he was his nephew, and poured all his resources and assets into the boy—Khalif’s suspicion and wariness toward Fahim transferred to the boy after Fahim’s death.

He never trusted Louis. His dealings with the astrologer confirmed his suspicions: he took the family’s eligible youth list Louis submitted to Kurt, and none were the Holy Grail.

But the Holy Grail still existed in the world.

He entrusted this task solely to Louis. After Louis brushed it off and disappeared, Khalif thought Louis was either Fahim’s successor, planning to seize the Holy Grail and become king, or his age was fake, and Louis was the Holy Grail Fahim brought from the small town.

Confirming the Holy Grail was easier than locating it. The bloodshed and childbirth would attract the Lamp Bearer if the scent was strong enough. Louis, cunning like Fahim, likely noticed Khalif’s suspicions and disappeared.

But where could he hide?

Xanye met Khalif’s gaze, her mind racing. She said, “Using an item Louis frequently uses as a medium, I can determine the approximate range. Not as precise as for Prima.”

“A range is enough,” Khalif said sternly. “Find Louis first, then Prima.”

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