adbindia Chapter 65 : The Aftermath Lingers
Chapter 65 : The Aftermath Lingers
Chapter 65: The Aftermath Lingers! Undercurrents!
Very quickly, Leo finished an entire plate of meat by himself.
Laughter and the clinking of glasses sounded from time to time around him, the atmosphere extremely lively.
But Leo remained single-minded. He picked up his plate and was about to try another roasted dish that looked like pink beef on the other side.
Even when eating Beastkin meat, it was best to vary the types to avoid getting tired of it.
Leo deeply understood the essence of buffet dining—when eating roasted meat, one should try as many varieties as possible, even pairing them with some vegetables to eat more.
But just as he was about to reach out, his ears twitched slightly.
The fork in his hand paused midair.
“Leo Laide.” A somewhat low male voice entered his ears.
Leo turned his head. A young man with pale skin and slightly curled hair appeared before him. Strands of messy hair covered one eye, making him appear even more sinister.
“You are… Zoro?” Leo had noticed earlier that one of the front seats was empty.
At the time, he had already realized Zoro hadn’t come.
Which was normal—having just lost his father, no one would be in the mood to attend a banquet.
Yet unexpectedly, he still came—and directly sought him out.
What surprised Leo was that Zoro had walked this close without him even noticing much.
“Didn’t expect you’d still remember me.” Zoro’s lips curved into a faint, ambiguous smile.
“I helped shoe your horse last time. I remember every customer.” Leo replied casually.
He knew the visitor came with ill intent. His right hand subtly moved toward the table knife, yet his expression remained unchanged. “You came to see me… is there a problem with the horseshoe?”
Leo knew Zoro was Burton’s son, but he pretended not to know this relationship.
A Knight’s Squire who spent all day secluded in the Training Room, focusing solely on cultivation and ignoring outside affairs—it would be normal for him not to know.
Although Burton had died in a carriage accident, if someone traced it back, everything had started because Leo had injured Eddie.
This matter likely would not end so easily.
However, no matter how arrogant Zoro was, he wouldn’t dare to act openly in the banquet hall in front of everyone.
Leo had just signed the Knight’s Covenant—its first rule forbade attacking other knights.
Leo wanted to see what Zoro intended to do.
“No problem. The horseshoe you made was excellent.” Zoro smiled, then picked up a communal fork and stabbed toward the roasted meat in front of him.
The iron fork pierced the meat, and the tip scraped against the plate, producing a grating squeal.
Zoro lifted a slab of meat larger than a human face and placed it directly onto Leo’s plate.
He released the fork, leaving the gleaming utensil standing upright in the meat like a tombstone.
“Congratulations on joining the Knight Hall. Eat more.” With that, Zoro turned and returned to his seat, still smiling.
Leo watched Zoro’s back. This man was not simple.
He immediately picked up the slab of meat, tore off a bite, chewed loudly, and swallowed it in one gulp.
“If you hadn’t put it on my plate, that’d be one thing. But since you’ve already brought it to my mouth… what’s wrong with eating one more piece?”
……
The banquet continued late into the night, until everyone gradually left around midnight.
During this banquet, the six knights had all drunk quite a lot of wine.
Eve’s investiture as a Formal Knight was a major joyous occasion for Blackstone City—the atmosphere was even more lively than previous year-end banquets.
As the midnight bell rang, the other five knights left one after another.
Only a few people remained in the banquet hall. Laforin drained the wine in his cup and slowly walked to Zoro’s side, leading him to a corner.
“Congratulations, Sir Knight.” Zoro appeared no different from usual, as if it wasn’t his father who had died.
“Zoro, no one expected this to happen. My condolences.” As an elder, Laforin patted his Knight Attendant heavily on the shoulder.
Zoro lowered his head and remained silent for a moment.
He knew Laforin would say some meaningless consolations.
Those words held no value to him.
“Sir Knight, I’m fine.” Zoro raised his head slightly.
He was telling the truth. Ever since practicing the Divine Sacrifice Method, his emotions had grown fainter by the day.
Even though it was his father who died today, he felt little emotional fluctuation.
Laforin continued, “Don’t worry. Your father and I were friends for decades. I will find a priest and give him the highest standard of burial.”
Zoro merely forced a bitter smile and said nothing.
He believed that under normal circumstances, he should be shedding tears—but he could no longer act it out.
Laforin went on, “The Silver Tavern in town—I will transfer it to your name, as a final favor for my old friend.”
“Thank you, Sir Knight, but there’s no need.”
Laforin insisted.
Zoro no longer declined.
But suddenly, Laforin changed the subject. “I saw you speaking with Leo just now.”
At this, Zoro’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly.
“I want to say—this incident was merely an accident. It has nothing to do with anyone. People should look forward; what’s past should be left behind.” Laforin’s expression was gentle.
Zoro had followed him for many years—he already regarded him as half a son.
Zoro lightly bit his lip and nodded. “Sir Knight, I understand.”
“Mm.” Laforin nodded and patted the back of Zoro’s neck before leaving the banquet hall.
Only Zoro remained standing there. After a few seconds—
A low sneer escaped his throat.
He looked at the broad figure in the distance, a blade-like coldness flashing through his eyes.
Laforin’s words had been very clear.
By mentioning Leo’s name, it meant he had already seen through Zoro’s intentions to some extent.
In other words—he had made his stance clear. He would intervene in this matter. He would protect Leo.
Zoro watched Laforin’s figure fade into the night. He picked up a silver fork and stabbed the last piece of meat on the plate.
The pink meat oozed blood under the pressure of the fork.
The porcelain plate screeched under the scraping silver fork.
Crack.
The white ceramic plate shattered into pieces beneath the fork.
Zoro lifted his hand and placed the meat—mixed with shards of porcelain—into his mouth.
The sound of chewing mixed with the crunch of broken ceramic echoed continuously.
……
The five knights other than Laforin left the banquet hall one after another.
However, they did not return home. Instead, they all gathered in a private room.
Though their bodies far surpassed ordinary humans, after drinking so much wine, they still felt somewhat dizzy.
“Come, esteemed knights.” Lady Manta walked out holding a conical glass vessel.
Inside was a transparent, bubbling potion. “This is a Calming Potion I prepared—to clear your minds.”
Lady Manta poured a small portion for each of them into glass beakers.
The five tilted their heads back and drank it, exhaling a refreshing breath of cool air.
In an instant, as a trace of chill passed through their minds, their eyes all regained clarity.