Chapter 221 Docks
Despite the thick white clouds trying to cover up the sun, they still could not hide its brilliance.
The blue sky remained bright, and the light and warmth of the sun gently enveloped Perm City.
Unfortunately, Viktor's mood was nowhere as bright and warm as the current weather.
Dozens of large ships, ranging from small fishing boats to cargo ships, lined the docks. The vicinity was bustling with workers busy carrying loads consisting of sacks, furniture, and various other things onto the ship, while several ships were seen dropping off passengers.
The harbor in Perm City was filled with people who were busy with their own activities, giving it a lively atmosphere.
In the midst of the crowd, the youngest son of the Romanov family sat pensively on a pile of boxes at the edge of the pier.
His eyes fell on the Rus Imperial troops carrying cargo to the dock. It had been a week since that day, yet Viktor was still disturbed by how Anna suddenly left him in the middle of a party.
"Hey, Young Master! Stop daydreaming, you will only get more stressed."
While he was in a daze, a cheerful, feminine voice greeted him followed by a pat on his shoulder. Without looking up, Viktor knew that it was Jessie.
On the other hand, the cheerful woman frowned when she saw that Viktor was unresponsive. It was easy enough for her to know that something was bothering the man.
"What happened to you, Viktor? You've been like this since the last day of the opening party."
Viktor sighed and shook his head. "You have no idea what I'm feeling."
Hearing his words, Jessie hissed. "Then why don't you tell me what's bothering you so I can help? I won't have any idea what you're feeling if you keep quiet."
"I don't want to talk about it."
This time, Jessie shook her head and clicked her tongue repeatedly. The woman wanted to help solve her colleague's problem, but how was she supposed to do it when she had no way of knowing the root of the problem?
While the two were in a stalemate, a woman with short red hair approached him.
"Boss, all the food supplies and fuel tanks have all been transported. The ship is ready to depart, awaiting your order."
Jumping off the pile of boxes, Viktor patted his dirty pants, stood straight, and took a deep breath.
"Alright, we'll wait for Elena and her parasites."
Today was the day promised by the Templars, the day when Viktor would leave for the Vatican to attend the tournament.
After receiving the red-haired woman's affirmation, Viktor looked at Viez who was wearing a black suit with a bodyguard's insignia. "Where's Eve? Is she still waiting at the harbor?"
The woman nodded again before pointing at the edge of the pier near the ship they would board later. From a distance, Viktor could see that Eva was holding Liza's shoulder. Her mouth ceaselessly moved at a fast pace as if she was mumbling a ton of advice to the 18-year-old girl.
There, he could also see Kosta and Barry together. The two had serious expressions on their faces as they conversed; it was as if they were talking about a breakup.
Seeing their behavior, Viktor narrowed his eyes while pouting his lips.
"Are you sure you don't want to take them all with you?" Jessie asked.
Viktor shook his head. "No, I need someone to keep an eye on the club. There's no way Julia and I are going to leave the club without any supervision, all my customers might run away."
Viktor didn't intend to bring the entire crew on the way to the Vatican. He only planned to bring Viez, Liza, Jessie, and Kosta, while he asked Eva to stay in Perm City to keep the club operating properly.
But naturally, there was no way that he would leave her alone, which was why he planned to have Barry stay to help her. Not only that, but except for their leader Viez, all the members of Shield Maiden would also stay behind to keep the club safe.
Viktor only brought his strongest fighters, whereas Barry would help him fill in the position of the Metal Guardian. He still had no intention of exposing his identity, not even to the Pope of the Vatican.
The fewer people knew his identity, the better.
"Oh, Boss, it looks like they're coming."
Viez's words distracted his attention. From the same direction, a group of men wearing worn iron armor with a cross symbol could be seen coming toward Eva and the others.
An unwilling hiss escaped Viktor's mouth, but he still didn't delay and approached them. "Let's go."
On the other side, Eva seemed elated to see him. Furthermore, it wasn't just the Princess of Sweden who looked happy; Elena's lips also curled into a smile when she saw Viktor keep his promise.
"To tell the truth, I was worried that you wouldn't come with us, Viktor Romanov."
Viktor looked at Elena with a sharp gaze. He wasn't the only one who was displeased upon hearing that statement; Jessie also looked irritated when she noticed the woman's presence. Even so, Viktor remained cool-headed.
"Well, people know me to be a man of my word," he confidently said with a hint of pride.
In turn, Elena chuckled as if she just heard a small joke, while Captain Landin had a serious expression on his face.
"Okay, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Viktor exclaimed.
"Dear—" Eva looked like she wanted to say something to Viktor, but Captain Landin cut her off.
"Wait, some people still haven't arrived yet."
Hearing the Templar leader's words, Viktor's eyes narrowed into slits, and so did Jessie and Viez's. At the same time, they both looked at each other.
"Who?"
Just as Viktor opened his mouth to ask, a group donning white armor with distinctive signatures approached them. Among them were several people in shining golden armor, and one of them was a very familiar woman, Anna.
Instantly, his eyes opened wide.
Elena opened her mouth. "Ah, they are finally here. I hope there's still room available on the ship."
Viktor didn't respond to the woman's words; his focus was fixed on the incoming Heaven's Will guild party.
Radcliff, the guild leader, walked proudly in the front row among his members. The moment Viktor saw the man, his mood was instantly spoiled. He didn't hate the man, he just didn't like it when people got in his way.
Even so, he still put a benign smile on his face.
"Viktor Romanov, I didn't expect you to be here. You're coming with us too?"
With difficulty, he nodded to answer the man.
Radcliff then glanced around the ship and said, "I heard that Metal Guardian was invited to the Tournament. I do not see him, may I know where he is?"
Pressing his lips, Viktor said, "Of course. The Metal Guardian is my trusted aide, so I have to go too. He is resting inside"
The Heaven's Will Guild Leader nodded. "Oh, I see. I understand."
"You don't mind, right? Sharing the ship with them." Elena joined in on their conversation.
Viktor nodded while giving a brief blink, indicating his approval. Elena smiled, then she politely asked the owner of the ship to board first.
On the other hand, Viktor's attention was slightly attracted to Anna who was standing at the back of the Heaven's Will guild party.
With a glance, he could immediately tell that she was avoiding him. The woman seemed to be ignoring him, and from the expression on her face, it was as if she had forgotten what happened that night.
For some reason, this pissed Viktor off a bit.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his thoughts. Before boarding the ship, he bid farewell to Eva.
"Please look after the club for me"
The Swedish Princess replied, "Yes, dear."
Without saying much more, Viktor quickly went up to the dock. However, just as he was about to take a step, Eva pulled his hand and suddenly French-kissed him.
Viktor was quite surprised, but the people around them were especially so. Jessie whistled excitedly, and Viez hurriedly covered Liza's eyes. The Templars' eyes opened wide, and Elena clicked her tongue while shaking her head.
The Heaven's Will members turned their faces away as if pretending not to see the scene before their eyes.
When Radcliff cleared his throat, the two finally stopped kissing.
"Be careful, dear. I'll be waiting for you," said Eva affectionately.
With a slightly confused expression on his face, Viktor nodded. It was rare for Eva to take the initiative to be intimate, let alone be so aggressive. Viktor then boarded the ship, followed by his companions.
Without his knowledge, when Eva kissed him so openly, Anna in the back row bit her lip hard.
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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢