Chapter 271: Smashing the Cup as a Signal

"Just let him handle this kind of thing," Aive said, patting Delaford’s head. This prompted the Hunter to leap up and start play-fighting with her. "If you get involved directly, I’m afraid things will spiral out of control."

"Exactly," Ron nodded. "Don’t worry, the final act of revenge will definitely be yours. But until then, please be patient."

"Yes, I’ll do as you say." The Mage’s gaze dimmed slightly, but he didn’t say anything more. He excused himself and returned to his room to prepare.

Ron and the others certainly treated the matter with considerable importance, but they weren’t nervous. Although this was the enemy’s home turf, they had faced creatures several times more powerful than Henry Robertson. A single Necromancer was hardly a challenge.

The sun set and rose again. As the blazing Fireball once more slid toward the west, the formally dressed Necromancer walked slowly into Baka Restaurant.

Business at the restaurant seemed exceptionally good today.

The elderly Mage straightened his deep purple satin Mage Robe and walked directly toward his reserved table. As he passed the front counter, his old friend shot him a look. Henry knew their preparations were complete.

Twelve gang thugs, ten zombies, and two even more powerful Zombie Lords—this was the "grand feast" he had prepared for any potentially malicious guests. These fully armed, loyal enforcers were enough to strike fear into the hearts of any unprepared enemy who coveted what he had.

The Necromancer’s gaze swept over the other diners. There was a wide variety of races eating here today. He even spotted a couple, an Elf and a human, and mused that the mixed-blood Half-Elf race would soon have a new addition.

But none of that mattered. He looked toward his table. Beside it, a young Lord was already seated. Standing behind him were a holy Priest and a seasoned Half-Elf Warrior.

’The Tiffling I saw before is sitting at the next table,’ he thought. ’Probably a bodyguard or something. Nothing to worry about. Only the Priest might be a little tricky, but we’ve prepared living thugs for her. She won’t be able to cause much trouble.’

’Oh, and there’s a... goblin? What’s that? His pet or something?’

Henry raised an eyebrow slightly but quickly plastered a fake smile back on his face. "Ah, my esteemed Lord! You’ve arrived so early. My apologies for making you wait."

"You are my elder. It is only right that I arrive first to wait for you," Ron said, standing up and smiling warmly at the Mage. "Please, have a seat."

"As expected of ’The Fourteenth Book of the Dead,’ your taste is truly beyond what a country bumpkin like me could compare to," Ron said with a click of his tongue after they were both seated again, looking at the large, imposing waiters. "Once my domain is stable, I’ll have to find some servants like these. They look so efficient."

’Of course they are,’ the Necromancer mused. ’They probably twisted some poor bastard’s head off his neck just two days ago.’

The Necromancer cursed inwardly but voiced a question that had been bothering him. "Speaking of which, this seems to be your first time in Carolina. How did you come to know my name? And why were you willing to... bail me out of the Public Security Bureau?"

"I know the dean of Elden Academy. He mentioned you to me." Ron lifted his wine glass and sniffed it, then, as if disliking the smell, casually handed it to the goblin beside him. The goblin didn’t stand on ceremony, immediately sitting in a nearby chair and starting to feast on the wine and meat.

"That old fo... I mean, that senior?" Henry was both flattered and surprised, but his doubts only grew. "But I’ve seen him at academic salons before. Dean Elden practically scoffed at me."

"Perhaps a Dwarf with Fading Sickness isn’t very good at expressing his emotions," Ron said casually. "He greatly admires your research. He also mentioned that you obtained a priceless Magic Gemstone and that, given time, you are destined for great things."

"My desire to befriend you is also partly driven by this... I was wondering if you would be willing to let me join your research? You see, Delusional Land has an intricate connection to the Gemstone in your possession. If you would be willing to give it—"

"So that was your plan all along!" the Necromancer roared in fury. "I knew you were harboring ill intentions! I originally thought it was some petty matter like avenging Silvia, but I never expected you to be after my research!"

"I’ll tell you what—not a chance!"

’So wanting him dead is a petty matter now?’

Ron blinked. "You seem to have misunderstood. I wasn’t trying to..."

"Misunderstood? When it comes to my research, there are no misunderstandings!" Henry Robertson sneered and clapped his hands three times. "Baka, have our friends come out and meet the Lord! He was just saying how much he likes your men!"

"Is that so?" A hearty laugh came from the front counter, and a clamor immediately erupted from the kitchen. In an instant, dozens of burly thugs and ferocious-looking zombies rushed out, surrounding Ron’s table. Baka, the owner, swaggered over with a savage grin, a sharp knife in his hand.

"In that case, my Lord, why don’t you join me in the back for a chat? If I’m in a good mood, I might just let you have these fine lads."

With his trump card revealed, the Necromancer stood up smugly. He looked down at Ron, who sat perfectly still in his chair as if stunned. "How about it, my Lord? If I’m not mistaken, your plan was to use these few companions of yours to force me to submit and hand over the Gemstone, wasn’t it?"

"Did it ever occur to you why I insisted on choosing the restaurant? This is my territory!"

A Zombie Lord glared at Ron as he slowly rose to his feet, baring a mouthful of yellowed, rotten teeth.

"Get back!" Aive drew her sword, but without her heavy armor and tower shield, her presence was significantly diminished.

The Holy Emblem in Victoria’s hand began to glow faintly, but several thugs immediately closed in. The moment she opened her mouth to chant, she would be swarmed. As for Quest, his situation was even more miserable. Positioned on the outside, he had already been slammed onto a table by several large men, unable to move a muscle.

But even in this seemingly one-sided situation, Ron also began to clap. "Not bad, not bad at all, Mr. Robertson. You truly live up to your title. Such a meticulous mind, thinking of everything in advance."

"Delaford, is there any wine left?"

"Honestly, I’m quite surprised you’d go to such great lengths," Ron said, taking the wine cup and raising it as if in a toast. "But I don’t think I’m so bad myself."

"Are you referring to the fact that you only brought two pretty ladies with you?" Henry laughed with disdain.

"I’m referring to... you don’t really think I would walk into a remote little restaurant, chosen by someone else, in a foreign land, completely unprepared, do you?"

Suddenly, Ron smashed the wine cup in his hand onto the tiled floor.

"Now!"