Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

After a long day of travel, Evand and Roshke were exhausted.

The two returned to Evand's room. Roshke tucked Evand in and then lay down fully clothed on the other side of the bed. The room was quiet, save for the occasional chirping of insects outside the window. Looking at Evand's peaceful sleeping face, Roshke felt a mix of emotions. He had wanted to return to his own world as soon as possible, but various reasons had kept him here. Now, he owed Evand another favor.

The next morning, Roshke woke up early and tiptoed downstairs. He went to the bar and asked Snow about Evand's preferences, wanting to order him a glass of honey water. Snow smiled and told him that Evand liked to drink a glass of warm water with honey every morning. Roshke nodded, and following Snow's instructions, prepared a glass of honey water and placed it on the table, waiting for Evand to wake up.

A little while later, Evand came downstairs rubbing his eyes. Seeing the honey water on the table, a delighted smile spread across his face. "Thank you, Roshke," he said, taking the water and drinking it all in one gulp.

“You’re welcome,” Roshke said. “You’ve helped me a lot too.”

The two ordered two more grilled meats and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. During the meal, Evand made no mention of Roshke staying in his room, as if it were all perfectly normal. This made Roshke feel even more guilty; he felt he should do something for Evand.

After breakfast, Roshke approached Snow, asking if there was anything he could do to help out at the tavern. He wanted to earn some gold coins to compensate Evand for his efforts over the past few days. Snow put down his glass and looked at Roshke with slight surprise. "I thought you were going to freeload off Evand for days," he teased. "Looks like you still have some conscience after all."

Snow told Roshke that the tavern's barrels were stored in the basement and needed to be moved up every day. Witt had previously been in charge of this task, but he'd been quite busy lately, so Snow was looking for someone to help. "If you'd like, you can help me move the barrels."

Roshke readily accepted the job. He had been looking for an opportunity to repay Evand, and this job came at just the right time. He asked Snow for detailed instructions on moving the barrels and said he would get started as soon as possible.

“By the way,” Roshke said, “can I keep the gold coins I’ve earned with you for now? I want to give them to Evand once I’ve accumulated a certain amount.”

Snow understood Roshke's meaning; he didn't want Evand to know he was working for him. He nodded and said, "No problem, I'll keep it safe for you. I'll give it to Evand when you want to."

“Thank you, Snow,” Roshke said gratefully.

Snow waved his hand. "No need to thank me. I just don't want to see my son getting free gold coins and sleeping in a room for free every day." He paused, then added, "Although Evand likes you very much, you can't always let him suffer losses."

Roshke understood Snow's good intentions and felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew he wasn't alone in this strange world. He felt incredibly fortunate to have friends like Evand and Snow.

For the next few days, Roshke diligently carried barrels of liquor from the basement to the bar, back and forth tirelessly. He worked hard, hoping to earn enough money as soon as possible to repay Evand. At the same time, he began to pay more attention to the bar's business, learning how to mix drinks and how to serve customers. He wanted to be a part of the bar, not just a customer who would only accept help.

He gradually integrated into the tavern's life, becoming increasingly familiar with Snow, Witt, Hakan, and others. They drank, chatted, and shared their stories together. Roshke also gradually let go of his reservations and began to enjoy this journey in another world. Although he still longed to return to his own world, he knew that this experience would become a precious memory in his life.

However, happy times are always fleeting. Every day, Evand would go to Moko to ask if there was a way to break the curse. Finally, on this day, Moko brought good news: he had not only found a way to break the curse, but could also help Roshke return to his original world.

The news brought Roshke both joy and sorrow. He was joyful that he could finally go home, but saddened that he had to leave this place he had grown attached to, leaving Evand and his friends in the tavern. He knew he had to go back; this world ultimately did not belong to him.

To commemorate this special journey, Evand suggested throwing a farewell party for Roshke. He excitedly went to Snow to discuss it, hoping his father would agree. Roshke wanted to stop Evand, feeling it would only make him more reluctant to leave, but seeing Evand's excited expression, he couldn't bear to refuse. He sighed and silently accepted Evand's kindness.

Snow agreed to Evand's request and decided to throw a big party the night before Roshke left. That evening, Evand returned to his room and told Roshke the news.

“Roshke, Snow has agreed! We’ll throw you a farewell party tomorrow night!” Evand said excitedly.

Roshke looked at Evand, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He knew the moment of parting was drawing ever closer. Looking at this kind and sincere young man, his heart was filled with reluctance.

“Evand…” Roshke’s voice was a little hoarse as he looked at Evand, his eyes filled with tenderness, “I like you.”

Former partner: ? ? ?

Nexus: Damn it! Our base has been raided!

Evand was stunned; he hadn't expected Roshke to say something like that. A blush rose to his cheeks, and his eyes held a mixture of surprise and shyness.

“Roshke, we…we’re friends,” Evand whispered.

“I know,” Roshke said gently, “but I want you to know how I feel. I know I’m leaving soon, but I don’t want to have any regrets.”

He gently stroked Evand's face, his eyes filled with love. "Evand, I..."

Roshke didn't say anything more. He lowered his head and kissed Evand's lips. Evand was startled at first, then closed his eyes and returned Roshke's kiss.

The room was quiet, with only the soft breathing of the two of them. Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating them and creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

That night, the two embraced tightly, pouring out their hearts to each other. The sadness of parting and the anticipation for the future intertwined, making the night seem both exceptionally long and short.

The next morning, when Roshke woke up, Evand was still fast asleep. Looking at Evand's peaceful sleeping face, his heart filled with tenderness. He knew he had to leave.

He gently rose, placed a kiss on Evand's forehead, and then turned and left the room. He knew that even after leaving this world, he would always remember Evand and this beautiful time.

Downstairs, Snow and Witt were busy preparing for the party. Hakan had also arrived at the tavern early to help set up the venue. The tavern was filled with laughter and joy, as if a grand festival was about to begin.

Roshke walked to the bar and said goodbye to Snow.

“Snow, thank you for taking care of me during this time,” Roshke said. “I will always remember you.”

"Roshke, have a safe journey." Snow patted Roshke on the shoulder. "I hope everything goes well for you in the future."

Roshke bid farewell to Witt, Hakan, and the others one by one, then turned and left the tavern. He glanced back; the tavern lights remained warm and bright, as if seeing him off.

Now all he has to do is wait for Evand to wake up, then go to the basement to see his friend, the archmage who was reincarnated as the Horn, and finally he can go home.

Perhaps because the passion of the previous night had exhausted him, Evans didn't wake up until the party was almost over. He didn't even have time to groom his messy hair before rushing downstairs.

Hakan sat at the table, a bottle of rum still clutched in his dragon claw. He looked at Evan with a hint of mockery: "You threw this party, but you didn't even show up. Looks like you don't care that this lizard is gone!"

Evans blushed and scratched his head sheepishly, "I...I didn't mean to."

Everyone burst into laughter, and Chet seized the opportunity to suggest, "How about we have a little longer party? That way I can sell some more stuff in my little shop!" He rubbed his hands together and looked at Snow expectantly.

Snow shook his head: "Let's end the party here. If we keep going, Roshke will be even more reluctant to leave." Chet sighed in disappointment; it seemed his plan to make another killing had failed.

Evand and Roshke exchanged a glance, both understanding that their time together was coming to an end. Evand took a deep breath and said to Roshke, "Come with me."

The crowd in the tavern gradually dispersed. They didn't ask Evand how he sent Roshke back, and since Evand didn't bring it up, they wouldn't pry.

Evand led Roshke to the basement, where Moko had been waiting for some time. He hovered in the air, his small body radiating a faint magical light.

"Roshke, are you ready?" Mo Ke's voice echoed in the empty basement. "This passage is one-way, and you may never come back. Are you really ready to leave completely?"

Roshke stared at Moko, who was suspended in the air, and nodded firmly.

Moko gently swayed his body and began chanting an ancient incantation. The bracelet on Roshke's wrist slowly floated up, its originally filthy surface gradually becoming clear and transparent under the purification of magic. The filth, like vengeful ghosts, let out silent wails before finally disappearing completely. The bracelet slowly fell back into Roshke's hand; now it was just an ordinary antique, no longer carrying any curse.

Moko waved his horn again, and a powerful surge of spatial magic energy erupted from his body, gradually coalescing into a portal shimmering with an eerie light in the center of the basement. The other end of the portal connected to Roshke's original world.

Roshke gazed tenderly at Evand, gently kissed him on the cheek, and then resolutely turned and walked into the portal. He knew he had to leave as soon as possible, or he really wouldn't be able to resist staying.

Watching Roshke disappear into the portal, Evand felt a pang of emptiness. Moko flew to his side and gently comforted him, "Don't be sad, Evand, Roshke has returned to where he belongs."

Evand nodded silently. He knew Moko was right, but the sadness of parting still lingered. He looked up at the disappearing portal, silently wishing Roshke happiness in another world.

The basement returned to silence, with only a faint magical aura lingering in the air. Evand and Moko went upstairs; the tavern was empty, the party's clamor long gone, leaving only remnants of decorations and the lingering aroma of food, as if whispering tales of the recent revelry and the sadness of parting. Evand walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of honey water, and slowly sipped it, lost in thought. He knew life had to go on, and he had much to do. He had to pull himself together and face new challenges.

Evans sat at the table, sipping his honey water slowly. The sweetness of the honey now carried a hint of bitterness, spreading across his tongue. He understood that Roshke's departure was for the best for both of them, yet he couldn't help feeling a sense of loss.

Meanwhile, deep within the dungeon, after a spatial fluctuation, a semi-transparent figure abruptly appeared on the dark, damp ground. It was a wolf-beastman with disheveled yellow fur—Cheng Yu, Evand's most trusted friend and the person Hakan feared most. Still shaken, he repeatedly stroked his body with his wolf paws, panting heavily, "That scared me to death! That scared me to death! Thank goodness I'm back..." He suddenly realized he was reduced to a soul and exclaimed in shock, "Holy crap! How did I become just a soul?!" He then recalled the terrifying scene of being swallowed by the abyss's gaping maw; the suffocating oppression still terrified him. "That thing must have done this to me!" he cursed through gritted teeth.

Before he could finish his lament, several cold chains shot out from the darkness, binding his illusory body tightly. Then, several hideous demons slowly emerged from the darkness, staring at him with ill intent. Finally, an even larger three-headed hellhound orc appeared before Cheng Yu, clapping its two front paws together as if welcoming his return. It then pronounced his crimes in a deep voice: "Cheng Yu, you have been illegally operating without a work permit, earning exorbitant amounts of currency, causing several demons to lose their minds, and deliberately provoking the Demon City's leader. You are hereby arrested again and imprisoned in the Demon Prison!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu flew into a rage and began to curse, "You! You!..."

The three-headed hellhound ignored his shouts, its three enormous heads slowly lowering, staring at him with contempt. It extended a sharp claw and lightly grazed Cheng Yu's mouth, which then became as if glued shut, unable to open.

The three-headed hellhound stood up and ordered its demon minions, "Take them away!"

Seeing that his pleas for mercy were ineffective, Cheng Yu completely abandoned his pretense and began cursing the surrounding demons with the most vile language. However, these demons seemed deaf to his insults, dragging him step by step deeper into the dungeon. Cheng Yu's desperate cries echoed from the depths of the dungeon, reverberating in the empty passageway before gradually fading into the darkness.

Still in the tavern, Evand was unaware of what had happened in the dungeon; he was still immersed in the sadness of parting with Roshke. He slowly put down his cup and rose to walk towards the tavern's backyard. He wanted to be alone for a while, to sort out his chaotic thoughts. The air in the backyard was fresh, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness. Evand looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down. He knew that life had to go on, and he still had many things to do. He had to get over his grief as soon as possible and pull himself together.

As the sun set, the clouds on the horizon were dyed golden-red, reflecting Evand's slightly lonely figure. He knew that Roshke's departure was a new beginning, and he had to bravely face the future and continue his adventure.

P.S.: If you want to discuss future plot developments with the author, add characters, or need characters for other novels in the future, or want to submit characters to the author, feel free to contact me. I'm not trying to pad the word count, but I know you won't read the author's notes...

There were 99 actors on stage, of whom 79 were subordinates, and the remaining 20 were superiors (20).

The one who killed God and then wanted to become God had a powerful father, but he killed his father, who was weak. (58)

Of the 79 inferior beings, nine were of the middle class, while the other 70 belonged to the lowest common species (70).

A play is just one actor away from starting its performance, and this one is just the right one to counteract all the ailments brought about by the common species (76).

The one who controls the stage is both the end and the beginning; he is the beginning and the end of any event. He may be the master of this nightmare, but he may be able to do nothing at all (01).

(Connect the numbers in the image, doge emoji)