The Elusive Sorcerer

Chapter 249

On the stage, the participants played their respective roles; the magicians moved with measured gestures and nimble hands, making poker cards appear to pass through their hands; Roders, the term used for people wearing furry costumes with frightening yet symbolic forms, moved in contrast to the melody and rhythm of the music being played.

They were not the only ones; a famous comedian from Layana, specifically from Bakulakun, performed his role flawlessly, entertaining the visitors with his antics.

A puppeteer was no less captivating than the others, as a dozen puppets moved behind a white curtain, accompanied by the tension of piano, violin, guitar and flute music.

Everything was performed perfectly and skillfully, including the female dancers, who performed their final movements beneath the stage, together with the Roders moving along with the melody and rhythm of the music, in contrast to the puppeteer moving his puppets from behind the black and white screen.

The audience was not confused at all, as they could take turns watching the experts who were striving to keep the culture alive.

"Quite crowded, isn't it?" someone remarked with a relieved expression.

Whispers from the crowd could be heard, but they were drowned out by the booming music spreading throughout the town square.

"Yeah, it's happened several times in my life, but I still haven't gotten what I wanted."

"Hey, why are you suddenly telling us about your problems?"

A woman who heard him responded in a cynical tone.

"Just leave him alone." The woman beside her tried not to make the situation worse. "He has his own happiness too."

"True, but his words aren't pleasant to listen to," the woman exclaimed uneasily.

"Ah, Miss, you don't even know the man." The woman moved her legs back and forth to keep her muscles from becoming stiff.

"Are you tired from standing all this time?"

"Yes, because I can't get out of here." The woman awkwardly looked at the people lined up in every direction.

"I see." The black-haired woman with bangs nodded.

"Would you like me to accompany you out of here? I'm tired too, anyway."

"Good idea."

Although they had only just met and did not even know each other's names, the two became quite familiar with each other as they walked arm in arm, using their shoulders to push aside the people blocking their way.

"Come to think of it, I've seen that puppeteer's act before!"

"Huh, where did you see it?"

Another visitor began to grow curious after seeing a familiar movement from one of the puppets wearing a clown and thief hat, positioned in the lower left corner of the black and white screen.

The two shrugged, trying to get a clear look at the puppet, but their view was obstructed by the height of the people in front of them.

"Tch, we should leave this place." The man's expression suddenly tightened, followed by the incessant chattering of his teeth.

After agreeing to leave, the two men pushed their way through the crowd beside them, intending to watch from a higher vantage point for a few seconds before deciding to go home.

"You all seem to be enjoying the festival tonight." A white-haired man with a thin mustache approached a group of teenagers who were watching the performance while sitting on a pile of wooden crates.

One of the three teenagers, a blond-haired young man, turned around. His gaze immediately became fixed on something soft, beautiful, and delicious held in the old man's hand.

"Is this for us?" the teenager asked, his gaze not leaving the vanilla ice cream topped with cherries and sparkling sprinkles.

The man chuckled inwardly.

"But after you eat this, all of you go home, all right."

The ice cream was finally handed to the teenager who had asked the man earlier. Of course, seeing their friend receive it, the other two teenagers pursed their lips and turned their faces away.

The old man chuckled before returning to his cart, making ice cream for the poor children. Seeing that his plan had worked, the two teenagers could not contain the excitement burning in their chests as they shook hands and smiled broadly at each other.

After each of them received their ice cream, especially the old man, although the distance remained an obstacle, his eyes grew teary as he enjoyed the liveliness of the event while his tongue busily licked the ice cream.

...

At the iron railing that curved from the road below, to the right and then upward, returning to the place where a large tree grew among sturdy bricks, Zavi and the others enjoyed the tranquility of the night, although confusion had briefly clouded the atmosphere, especially when they discussed the "date."

However, that wave of shock gradually faded from their minds as each of them accepted the bitter reality with open hearts.

That was not enough. They wanted to enjoy the beauty of the night before returning to face the real world once again.

Each of them kept their mouths tightly shut, unwilling to speak. The tension did not last long, as Zavi decided to speak in order to dispel the thoughts stirring within him.

"There's something I need to take care of," he said quietly, slowly turning around.

Aaron turned toward him, stopping in his tracks as he asked,

"Where are you going?"

Zavi was silent for a moment before answering quietly, "Nature's call."

'Is there one of those things around here? If there is, I'll use it to confirm it myself.'

After thinking for a moment and subtly nodding, Zavi raised his hand before continuing on his way. Aaron, who saw the gesture, stared at his back for several seconds before turning his attention back toward the stage.

The others remained silent, except for Celvira, who was suspicious of Zavi's behavior. Not wanting to lose track of him, her brown eyes swept across the surroundings before she took a step forward and passed through the iron railing.

Tap.

She descended the small staircase, joining the small roundabout road with a monument commemorating the struggle at its center, before following the trail of where Zavi had gone.

After walking back and forth, Zavi found a public restroom. His journey to find the place had taken approximately five minutes, and it had been quite torturous for his mind, especially his legs.

Inside the brightly lit bathroom, Zavi took advantage of the opportunity to reach into his trouser pocket and take something out.

Click.

The watch cover opened. The rhythm of the ticking hands echoed in his head as his eyes focused on the second hand for several seconds before he closed it again.

'It really can't be underestimated.'

12:00 a.m.

After finishing urinating, Zavi did not forget to flush, so that other people using the place would not have to smell the unpleasant odor.

He took a breath and wiped his hands before turning the doorknob.

Click.

Zavi's mind went blank, his body freezing as he realized that Celvira was suddenly standing in front of the door, staring at him with the same flat and eerie expression she always wore.

The fearful expression on his face turned cold as Zavi consciously assumed the role of James Moriarty.

"Why did you follow me? Is something bothering you?"

he asked clearly and firmly.

"Yes." Celvira nodded, her expression not changing at all.

"Tell me, what exactly is bothering you?" Zavi continued in the same tone.

Celvira remained silent for several seconds before letting out a short sigh and answering, "You are what's bothering me."

"Oh? I see." Zavi's eyebrows nearly furrowed as he walked past her, leaving the young girl alone in a place like that.

Celvira did not move from her position, her eyes watching Zavi intently as his figure was slowly swallowed by the bright light of the courtyard.

After thinking for a moment, Celvira shrugged before deciding to follow him again, especially so she could observe him more clearly.

'What is this? Why did I only just realize that several months have passed since that incident?'

The two eventually arrived at the same place. The night was already showing signs of growing darker, while the moonlight was covered by thick gray clouds.

"Looks like it's going to rain, huh?" Zuhen muttered as he raised his head and extended his hand.

"Seems like it." Felina did the same, her face filled with worry as though she did not want the festival to end so soon.

Several minutes passed. The festival was nearing its end as the crowd gradually began to disperse, filling the streets around the monument.

Unwilling to squeeze through the crowd with everyone else, the five decided to leave the town square, even though an important figure, none other than the mayor, was currently stepping onto the stage.

"Let's get out of here, get out. There's no point listening to that rat's speech."

"Feels like the sky is about to collapse, doesn't it?" The man beside him responded by extending his hand and opening his palm wide.

"That rat is definitely going to be annoyed because people are starting to leave as soon as he gets on stage."

The five people who heard the amusing conversation between the locals could not hold back their smiles. Regardless of what the mayor had done to make the residents sick of him, they saw it differently: the people of Layana City had a strong sense of solidarity and a witty sense of humor.

As they walked along the road below, they talked among themselves, discussing the previous information and their plans for continuing their journey.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!