The City of Marronligar

Since the establishment of the city, Marunliga has been bearing the title of "Republic".Controlling important ports and several trade routes on the peninsula, a large amount of wealth has been hoarded. The appearance is glamorous, but the inside is a retro-style regime.

In addition to the Governor's Palace, regular town hall meetings also affect the situation in Marenliga.The governor, the head of the chamber of commerce, and representatives of some nobles gathered in the city hall, together with the church and later the bounty hunters' association, to exchange opinions and plans on some important issues related to the interests of the city-state, and finally reached a consensus.This to some extent weakens the possibility of the governor's monopoly.

——Miscellaneous Notes of Yinwan Tower · City-state Government and City Hall Meeting

Sophia took the trouble to explain the precautions to Adrian before leaving the Feishi Mansion and going to the city hall to attend a routine meeting.

"It's nothing, just let you officially show your face in front of them, and let the big shots in Marenliga know your name. Those affairs are actually handled by me."

Sophia's tone was almost persuasive, as melodious as a nightingale, and with some strength hidden under the tact.

At the regular meeting of the city hall, she also used this voice to formally push Adrian to the front of the stage with a smile on her face.

"In the days when my brother is away, I will temporarily replace him as Torreso's family representative at the town hall meeting. This Adrian Gillette Torreso, the cousin of the current patriarch Samuel, is my My left and right hands will share some of the responsibilities in the future, so please take care of me."

She is good at observing others, and she is also good at making people use her for herself.To make Adrian listen to her, she didn't even need to use too many tricks.The reason is simple: Adrian himself has a standard "family first" view of the overall situation, and in his heart, Samuel and Sophia are the controllers of the "big situation".

Adrian knew that he was just a pawn to restrain the elders of the family, a cover-up to interfere with other forces in Marenlica, and a bait to win over Louis.Appearing at the town hall meeting is mostly to confirm the news that "Samuel is seriously ill".

At the meeting, apart from showing his face and responding to everyone's attention, he basically didn't need to speak, and handed over all the links that needed to be spoken to Sophia.In any case, Adrian's appearance blocked at least some people's mouths.

As long as it's for the Torresso family, Adrian doesn't mind continuing to be the "puppet" of the patriarch's brothers and sisters.

But beyond obedience, Adrian has his own plans and worries.

In the city hall, in addition to those businessmen with money in their bones, arrogant nobles, and technocrats who speak as well as their clothes, Adrian also met Chu De, the current president of the Bounty Hunter Association, and other titled top of the association.

—they were the ones who kicked Master Cormac out of the Society and forced him to lay hands on his uncle and the Inquisitor.

Out of concern for Louis, Adrian's blood surged at the thought of this.But he tried his best to control his emotions, words and deeds, and his calmness made him afraid.

——You are Adrian of the Torreso family, you must maintain proper restraint and reserve.

He repeated the words of self-persuasion in his heart, so that he almost missed the Governor's lengthy speech due to distraction.

Turning his attention back to before the meeting, Adrian couldn't help imagining another picture: what would Louis look like when he was still the official president of the Bounty Hunter Association?

What kind of life did Louis live six years before Adrian's arrival?

Adrian thought of sitting on the lighthouse watching the snow.

Luis said he was so used to the winter in Marenliga that he was "so used to it that it got boring".But the life of a bounty hunter is usually not peaceful, not to mention licking blood, at least they will get used to the existence of danger.In contrast, the changing seasons and the unchanging urban landscape are indeed very dull.

—When will I be “bored” like Master Cormac?No, before this question, there is a more basic premise: Will I stay in Marunliga forever?

If all goes well for Samuel and Hagrid, successfully find the sacred artifact in the ancient temple, and use it to put a final stop to the capricious catastrophe, realize their long-cherished wish for many years, and return safely to Maren Riga - to where At that time, Adrian also "retired", and he would probably be recalled to Heshan Manor.

Thinking of this, Adrian felt inexplicably depressed.

He swore that he had absolutely no intention of letting his uncle and the Inquisitor's plan fail, but that the possibility of "leaving Marenliga later" aroused deep unease in his heart.

Adrian also wanted to watch a few more first snowfalls in Marenliga.

Of course, preferably with Luis.It doesn't have to be on that lighthouse, the bell tower in the central city, the watchtower outside the city, the arch bridge over the Pearl River...Master Cormac naturally knows which places are good places to enjoy the snow, just ask him——Adri Ann thought.

After the town hall meeting, Adrian found an excuse, instead of accompanying Sophia back to the Flying Lions Mansion, he turned a corner at the intersection and went to visit Louis' home.

After the snow, Marenliga looks like a city built with white bricks.Along the way, Adrian saw children rolling in the snow, villagers bringing firewood into the city on small carts, and vendors in the open-air market who were bundled up and busy selling their goods.Footsteps and ruts compacted the fluffy snow and painted dark patches.

When Louis opened the door for him, Adrian breathed a sigh of relief—since there was no prior agreement, he had already mentally prepared for Louis' absence in advance.

It was the same bedroom, the same furnishings.Louis sat at the wooden table, patiently waiting for Adrian to say what he wanted to say.

"I attended a regular meeting of the city hall," the young man from Torreso's family spoke faster than usual, with a little excitement of sharing joy with each other. "Lady Sophia introduced me to other people."

Louis put down the pottery cup in his hand and smiled: "Is the town hall meeting... really memorable." He pointed to another cup on the table and signaled Adrian not to be overly restrained.

He deliberately reduced the amount of honey in the tea.

Adrian picked up the teacup and took a sip—actually it was still a little sweet, but he felt that the proportion was just right.

Louis asked again: "Then you are now the representative of Torresso's family? Samuel and his sister really value you."

Adrian was a little embarrassed: "Probably not, I'm not really in charge."

Without too much explanation, Louis has already grasped Adrian's current position.Since Adrian himself has no objection, he doesn't need to repeat what both parties know nervously.

However, what Adrian said next surprised Louis.

The young man lowered his head slightly, but his emerald green eyes tentatively aimed upwards: "Master, I want to hire you as my bodyguard."

Louis almost spit out the honey tea in his mouth: "Bodyguard? Your bodyguard?"

"I didn't mean to underestimate your ability!" Adrian clarified quickly. "Just in this way, you can stay in the Flying Lion Mansion and get the shelter of our Torresso family."

As long as a formal employment relationship is established with the Flying Lion Mansion, the people in the association may not dare to attack him rashly - Adrian doesn't want Louis to protect himself, on the contrary, he wants to use his limited power to protect Louis.

Although the term "asylum" seems to underestimate the other party, Adrian still honestly expressed his true thoughts.

From the inexperienced young apprentice and senior bounty hunter to the young nobleman and bodyguard of the Torreso family?Louis does not deny that such a change of identity is interesting, but he can't find a reason to accept it.

Louis observed Adrian's anxious expression and asked, "Is this your own idea? Have you communicated with Sophia?"

As Louis expected, Adrian shook his head: "I haven't told her yet." He subconsciously clenched the teacup in his hand.

Adrian obviously needed a lot of courage to make such a decision over Sophia.

Louis straightforwardly stated Adrian's motives: "You want to use Torresso's name and influence to save me from the association."

Adrian's face was flushed and his eyes shook slightly, wordlessly confirming Louis' deduction.

"I'm curious, why do you have such an idea. Do I look like I can't protect myself?" Louis held his chin and watched with interest as Adrian organized his words and tried to explain.

"After what happened at the docks, plus the previous holidays, they will definitely hate you. Now, the radicals you say may not have taken action, but what the future holds, who knows." Adrian Ann's words are very sincere. "I don't want you to fall into their hands."

It's impossible not to be moved.Except for civilian friends like Seamus and old friends like Samuel, Louis has not gained the kindness that touches his heart from others for a long time.

Later, Adrian suddenly appeared in front of him.

Adrian's appearance was deliberately done by Samuel, but whether it was in Samuel's plan or not, Adrian became some kind of comfort for Louis.

Unfortunately, not everything will go as Adrian thought, and Louis, who has more experience in life, must keep the young man awake.

Therefore, facing Adrian's proposal full of expectations, Louis chose to refuse: "I am very grateful for this kindness, but I cannot promise you, and there is no need for you to waste money on me."

Adrian instantly showed a hurt expression: "Why?"

The other party's frozen and cracked expression also stung Louis' heart, causing him to feel an indelible sense of guilt.

Louis forced himself to be tough: "If they are determined to eliminate my existence, even with Torresso as the backer, I won't be able to get away with it for long. Once Chu De and the others do it, I will pay for it, and I may even implicate you. But now , I still hold the handle of some invisible people in Chu De, so even if they temporarily break the contract at the dock, they dare not kill me in the short term."

Adrian turned his head away and did not speak, the hand holding the teacup trembled slightly invisible.

The man in front of him who is 16 years older than himself has never been out of danger.

In order to fulfill the promise with Samuel, Louis pretended to cooperate with Chu De and others, and secretly sent information to Hagrid, and at a critical moment, he stabbed the association assassin in the back.It is not difficult to imagine that the radical wing of the association has hated Louis.

Even though Louis could come up with a dozen reasons for explanation at any time, Adrian was still afraid that Louis would die unexpectedly.Ever since he witnessed the death fight on the pier, and saw Chu De and other people in power in the current association in the city hall meeting, the outline of fear has become increasingly clear, making it impossible for Adrian to let Louis disappear from his vision.

"Adrian, look at me."

Louis reached out and snatched the teacup from Adrian's clenched fingers.Just like that night outside the abandoned villa in the outer suburbs, he held Adrian's pale cheek until the other party finally turned his gaze back to his side.

"I will not join forces with the depraved Bounty Hunter Association, nor will I drag you into the water for self-protection." Louis said word by word. "Similarly, if you act irrationally, I must stop you."

Adrian complained in a low voice: "You clearly said it in front of Judge Sauron. You will keep your promise to your uncle, and you will 'protect' me. But just now, you rejected my employment commission."

Louis smiled wryly: "It's protection, but it's not the meaning of the word 'protection' that you want to use."

"Isn't it okay anyway?" Adrian's expression was almost pleading.

"No."

Adrian lowered his head lonely and did not speak for a long time.

Until Louis sighed helplessly: "I'm not rejecting you. If the Torreso family encounters any problems in Marenlica, you can always come to me—as long as I'm here."

This sentence played a slightly consoling effect, at least the corners of Adrian's tense mouth relaxed a little.

"So, I can still come to you, and you will pay more attention to your own safety."

Adrian confirmed it to Louis, and Louis nodded solemnly.

It is indeed difficult for him to refuse Adrian's expression now.

Louis smiled bitterly and emphasized again: "I am very aware of my situation, and I will not intentionally ask for death."

This was one of the answers Adrian wanted.Although it is not as good as my original idea, it is better than seeking death and making unnecessary sacrifices.

Adrian calmed down and asked the question that he was curious about before: "You also mentioned the 'handle of the association' before, what exactly is that?"

Louis waved his hand: "I will tell you when the time is right."

Although the answer to the mystery is still unknown, the two have at least made an appointment to share a secret, so Adrian will not be too disappointed.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip.The honey tea has cooled down a bit, and the silky sweetness lingers in the mouth.At the same time, Adrian belatedly realized that, except for the night of his first visit, he basically didn't smell the perfume of Mrs. Bella or other women here.

"During this time, it seems that no one else has come to visit you." Adrian's voice was very soft, almost muttering to himself.

Louis guessed what Adrian was thinking: "It's about Mrs. Bella. I seldom touched her. Now I don't have the enthusiasm for that kind of thing when I was young." He pulled one corner of his mouth and smiled slightly. Playful. "And since I have you as a 'student', I have a lot less private time."

Adrian looked away, but did not cover the blood on his cheeks.

Author has something to say: Inthetwilight - Marvin Kopp