Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Misunderstanding

After a few rounds of drinks.

The blonde Witch’s cheeks grew ever rosier. Her beautiful eyes shifted, only to see that the young man across the table remained perfectly composed.

Slightly surprised, she let out a giggle.

"Mr. Gai, you hold your liquor very well."

"You’re too kind, Miss Bev."

Wang Xi set down his empty glass, then took the initiative to pick up the bottle and refill both their glasses, saying softly,

"I’m actually not much of a drinker. I’m quite drunk already, it just doesn’t show on my face."

He truly wasn’t a heavy drinker. The only reason he could drink so much with no reaction was thanks to a Card.

—「Drinking and Eating Giant」

An unremarkable One-star White Card, yet it drastically increased his tolerance for both alcohol and food.

It was perfect for this occasion.

Bev, of course, didn’t believe the young man’s claim, but she didn’t voice her doubt. That would ruin the lovely atmosphere.

The admiration in her eyes, however, grew stronger.

Handsome, a sweet-talker, someone who understood her, and could hold his liquor.

’If only I could keep Gai here forever...’

The thought popped into Bev’s mind.

SWISH—

As if by reflex, Pinocchio, who was at the side, whipped his head around and stared intently at Bev.

He had keenly picked up on the blonde Witch’s emotional shift, especially that flash of possessiveness.

’It’s over!’

’The thing I feared most is about to happen!’

’Gai, run...’

Pinocchio’s eyes were frantic. He quickly opened his mouth to warn him.

"Ghai, thish wish wants to—mmph mmph!"

Wang Xi and Bev turned to look at him. The little guy’s cheeks were puffed out, stuffed with cake and candy.

"Slow down, no one’s going to take it from you,"

he said helplessly.

Pinocchio shook his head frantically.

"Nof Ghai, I—"

"Don’t talk with your mouth full. Have some manners."

Wang Xi took out his handkerchief again and wiped the boy’s mouth.

Pinocchio’s face went ashen.

He could almost see a vision of Gai turning into a donkey, with the blonde Witch, a manic grin on her face, riding on his back and fiercely whipping his rear with a whip woven from gummy candies.

Her shrill, cackling laughter echoed in his mind.

Unable to watch, the boy closed his eyes.

BAM!!

Just then.

The door to the Candy House was violently slammed open.

"Bev! I’m here to play!"

a clear and playful voice called out.

The three at the table turned to look.

A blonde, twin-tailed girl stood in the doorway, her legs apart, holding a pose as she pushed the door open with one hand.

She wore a black dress with a Red Cloak over it, its hood still up, revealing a cute, round face.

But in an instant, the excitement on her delicate face turned to shock.

"..."

"Sophia, how many times have I told you? You have to knock before entering. It’s so rude,"

Bev said calmly, holding her wine glass.

Wang Xi froze for a moment.

’Sophia?’

Hearing another familiar name, a flash of insight struck him, and the image of Lillian, the little blonde girl who sold matches, appeared in his mind.

’So, these two are her sisters?!’

Wang Xi focused his gaze.

Holy crap!

「Wolf Witch Sophia (Scarlet/Five Stars)」

A dazzlingly brilliant silver pattern was tightly coiled around the entry—she was a Five-Star Hero, just like Bev!

What stunned Wang Xi even more was the hostile red glow, radiating a dangerous aura, emanating from above the Little Red Cloak Witch’s head!

"Bev! Why are there two men here?!"

the twin-tailed girl named Sophia demanded.

Her pretty brows furrowed, her amber eyes filled with intense hatred and killing intent. Then she tilted her head up, her nostrils flaring slightly as if sniffing for a scent.

Her voice grew colder.

"No, to be precise, one man and one tin automaton... But either way, you’re getting Bev drunk with ill intentions. You’re all damn bastards!"

"Lady Sophia, allow me to deal with these two. Their blood would stain your noble hands,"

a deep, magnetic male voice interjected.

From behind the red-cloaked girl, a tall, upright figure slowly emerged. It was a blonde man dressed in a long black wool robe with a white satin lining.

He placed one hand on his chest, a respectful smile on his face.

Wang Xi’s heart tightened. In his vision—

「Wolf Butler Igor (Scarlet/Four Stars)」

Encircled by a silver pattern, he was clearly a Hero unit as well!

If a fight broke out, Wang Xi and Pinocchio alone would be no match for them. It would likely be a one-sided slaughter.

Just as Wang Xi was pondering his next move,

"Sophia," Sugar Witch Bev said coolly. "These two are my guests. You are being very rude."

"Guests?"

Wolf Witch Sophia sneered.

Her contemptuous gaze swept over them, finally landing on the black-haired young man.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she had thought of something.

"Hmph. Bev, you’ve been tricked by this guy!"

"Gai Farrell," Wolf Butler Igor, standing behind the girl, said calmly. "Randall’s Scarlet Warlock."

As he spoke, he reached into his robe and pulled out a bloodstained piece of parchment. It clearly depicted Wang Xi’s face.

"A brutal, bloodthirsty monster who enjoys eating human brains is sitting here as a guest..."

"What is the meaning of this?"

Bev glanced at Wang Xi, her pretty brows knitting together.

Sophia led her butler over, stopping at the cake table. She lifted her chin, her clear voice taking on a sharp edge.

"My wolf pack killed a group of shady characters on the outskirts of the forest. We found that parchment on their bodies."

"Igor went to take a look, and they had tattoos of the ’Finger Association.’ So, Bev, don’t you get it yet?"

The twin-tailed girl grinned, revealing sharp, bone-white fangs.

Her reddish eyes stared daggers at the black-haired young man.

"This guy is a spy sent by the Human Kingdom to gather intelligence on the Magic Forest and plot something sinister!"

Wang Xi was dumbfounded.

’Wait a minute.’

’How did I suddenly become a spy from the Kingdom?’

’Are you some kind of great detective or something?’

’Just pulling theories out of thin air!’

"Prince Calvin has always been trying to exterminate the Demons of the Magic Forest, making him our enemy. He’s leading people to forge new weapons while also wantonly destroying and polluting the Magic Forest..."

"Coinage Officer Dick and Minister Ando, those two vermin, are both supporters of Calvin. The ’Finger Association’ works for the Coinage Officer, doing his dirty work."

Bev slowly rose to her feet, looking at Wang Xi with a neutral expression.

She seemed to be waiting for an answer that would satisfy her.

Wang Xi raised an eyebrow.

From the Sugar Witch’s words, he finally understood that the backer behind the Finger Association was the Coinage Officer!

So, he knew where the problem lay.

The members of the Finger Association who were caught and killed by the wolves had most likely been tracking him all the way from Daphne. It was no surprise, given the enmity between them.

But because those guys were carrying a portrait of him, the Wolf Witch had mistaken him for one of their accomplices.

’Come on!’

’Who the hell carries a portrait of their own accomplice on them?!’

’It’s a wanted poster, not a membership card!’

Wang Xi was left speechless.

’So much for my reputation...’

He had a faint suspicion that the root of the misunderstanding was likely his own "bad reputation." After all, a bastard who eats brains and the bastards from the Finger Association were all bastards, so it was logical to assume they were in the same gang.

"First, most of the rumors about the ’Scarlet Warlock’ are false. I am neither bloodthirsty, nor do I eat brains."

Wang Xi met the twin-tailed girl’s gaze, his expression calm.

He ignored her ferocious expression and continued,

"Second, if you knew more about the rumors, you’d know I have a grudge against the ’Finger Association.’ Those guys on the outskirts of the forest were tracking me."

"And you think I’d believe that?"

Sophia said coldly.

"Bastard!"

BOOM—

Without another word, Pinocchio, who was beside Wang Xi, threw a punch straight at the Wolf Witch. His face was cold, his ear-length black curls flying as a ring of fine holes appeared on his right wrist, spewing jets of flame.

’You can insult me, but you can’t insult Gai!’

BAM!!

The tall man behind Sophia blurred, throwing a punch of his own to meet Pinocchio’s head-on.

With a tremendous crash,

a visible shockwave of air erupted outwards.

The entire Candy House shook.

The crowd of Sugar Mushroom Girls huddled together, trembling in fear.

HISS—

Pinocchio stood protectively at Wang Xi’s side, locked in a stalemate with Igor. The jets of flame from his wrist surged with even greater intensity, while the Wolf Butler narrowed his eyes, his gaze icy.

"Believe it or not,"

Wang Xi said, still seated and facing the aggressive Wolf Witch Sophia, his expression perfectly composed.

"I wasn’t explaining myself to you just now... I was merely hoping that Miss Bev wouldn’t misunderstand."

"That’s enough, Sophia,"

Sugar Witch Bev said coolly.

"Are you trying to tear down my house?"

"Bev!" The twin-tailed girl stared at her, aghast, her hands on her hips. "That stinking tin man started it!"

"Are you—are you blaming me?!"

Bev shot her a glare, then said to the Wolf Butler,

"Igor, stop."

"..."

The blonde man’s gaze remained lowered; he paid her no heed.

The Sugar Witch’s expression turned cold.

Seeing this, Sophia finally snorted and said,

"Igor, that’s enough."

"Yes, Lady Sophia."

The Wolf Butler agreed softly and slowly released his fist.

He and Pinocchio each took a step back.

"Miss Bev." Wang Xi slowly stood up and turned to the Sugar Witch. "My apologies, it seems my arrival has caused an unnecessary misunderstanding. It’s getting late, so I shall take my leave."

With that, he signaled for Pinocchio to leave with him.

"Wait!"

Bev called out.

Wang Xi stopped and looked back.

"I am the one who should be apologizing, sir,"

Bev said with a sigh.

"I believe you are not a spy from the Kingdom. Sophia is hot-headed, but it’s because of her mistrust of humans. Please forgive her."

"It’s alright."

Wang Xi smiled.

He glanced at the twin-tailed girl and the blonde butler, then said softly,

"Though Miss Sophia may have misunderstood me, I completely understand her feelings. Like you, she has kindness and benevolence shining in her heart. She is only trying to protect the Magic Forest from harm."

Hearing this, Bev broke into a smile.

The black-haired young man’s elegance and tolerance captivated her.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Sophia’s brows shot up and she clenched her fists.

"Who asked for your compliments, you bastard!"

"Sophia, apologize."

Just then, a cool voice spoke up.

The Wolf Witch was about to retort, but her expression suddenly froze.

Everyone in the room turned toward the doorway.

A girl in a white dress with slightly messy blonde hair stood there. Beneath her long, blue-white lashes, a pair of sapphire-like eyes were as calm as still water.

Wang Xi stared at her, stunned.

「Fire Witch Lillian (Green/Skull)」

The golden pattern was dazzling...

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