Chapter 024: Winter and Summer

Facing the man's sudden interrogation, Belle said with disgust, "Gaston, this person is my friend."

"Friend?" The man named Gaston said in surprise, "How come I didn't know you had such a friend, and he's not from this town, is he?"

Belle said, "That's right, this is Wang Bo, a merchant from a foreign land, but we get along very well, so we became friends."

Gaston quickly put on a smile, "So you're a merchant from a foreign land. Hello, I'm Gaston."

Wang Bo could tell that these two were clearly not lovers.

Gaston probably liked Belle, but Belle didn't like Gaston.

But from Gaston's behavior just now, he obviously regarded Belle as his own possession, not allowing any man to approach her.

In Wang Bo's view, this was not love at all, but possessiveness.

This Gaston clearly treated Belle as his personal property, completely disregarding her opinions and doing as he pleased, which was why he earned Belle's strong disgust.

However, as the saying goes, one should not hit a smiling face.

Since Gaston hadn't spoken harshly to him, Wang Bo found it hard to teach him a lesson, so he could only put on an arrogant air, ignoring Gaston's friendly gesture.

Seeing this, Belle couldn't help but let out a snicker.

Gaston's face darkened. He glanced at Wang Bo a few times, seemingly very displeased with him, but he didn't explode. Forcing a smile, he said to Belle, "Belle..."

"Hey, Gaston." Belle made a stopping gesture, cutting off whatever Gaston wanted to say.

"I know what you want to say, but Gaston, I can't marry you."

Gaston's face grew even darker. "Why?"

"Because we're not right for each other."

"Why do you think we're not right? I think we're perfect, a match made in heaven."

"That's just your feeling, Gaston." Belle shook her head. "I don't have feelings for you, Gaston. You know, that kind of romantic feeling. I don't have that feeling for you."

"Belle..." Gaston seemed about to pester Belle again. Wang Bo couldn't stand it anymore, so he snapped his fingers and cast a Transfiguration spell, turning Gaston into a toad.

Belle was startled and couldn't help letting out a cry.

Wang Bo said to the toad, "Listen, if you keep bothering Belle, you'll stay a toad. Only when you give up on Belle can you turn back into a human. Understand?"

The toad looked at Wang Bo in fear and fled without looking back.

Belle watched the toad's pathetic retreating figure and couldn't help saying, "Incredible. Is this magic?"

"To be precise, it's Transfiguration."

"Thank you." Belle said gratefully to Wang Bo.

"You're welcome." Wang Bo said slowly, "My promise to you still stands. If you have any requests, feel free to bring them up to me anytime."

Belle said nothing, just nodded vigorously.

Afterward, Wang Bo settled down at the Baroque Inn.

One night passed quickly.

The next morning, after breakfast, Wang Bo refreshed himself, boarded his carriage, and prepared to leave the small town. But before that, he needed to find Bell and give her a communication tool so she could contact him anytime.

Clop, clop...

Just then, Bell rode up on a white horse.

"Mr. Wang Bo, I need your help. Can you help me?" she said anxiously, her eyes filled with intense pleading.

"Of course," Wang Bo agreed readily. "What happened, Bell?"

"My father, my father is in danger," Bell said urgently.

Wang Bo asked, "What danger is your father in?"

"I don't know," Bell shook her head, patting her white horse. "This is Philip, my father's companion. He left with my father yesterday, but came back alone today. I know he returned to ask for my help. My father must be in danger, otherwise Philip would never have abandoned him and come back alone."

An old horse knows the way.

Wang Bo sighed, summoned a nightmare steed with a wave, and swung onto its back. "Then what are we waiting for, Bell? Let your horse lead the way."

Saving someone was like putting out a fire; Wang Bo wouldn't delay.

Bell looked at Wang Bo gratefully, squeezed her horse's flanks, and said, "Philip, good boy, take me to find Father."

Philip neighed and galloped out of town with Bell.

Wang Bo rode his nightmare steed and followed.

Worried about her father, Bell was frantic, constantly urging Philip to speed up. The poor white horse had just galloped back and, without a moment's rest, had to gallop out again.

Bell might not notice, but Wang Bo knew that the horse named Philip was giving its all.

He casually cast a spell to restore the horse's energy. Philip perked up, neighed, and sped up a bit.

Wang Bo rode his nightmare steed easily alongside Philip and said to Bell, "Don't worry too much, Bell. As long as your father isn't dead, even if he has only one breath left, I can bring him back."

Hearing this, Bell felt even more grateful, and her anxiety eased somewhat.

The two rode swiftly, soon leaving the town far behind and entering a forest.

Philip, being an old horse, knew the way well and led the charge.

But before long, Wang Bo noticed something strange. After about half an hour in the forest, following a small path, the lush green trees gradually withered, and a layer of snow appeared on the ground.

Wang Bo looked around; it was as if they had suddenly passed from summer into winter.

He glanced back and saw that behind them the forest was still lush, but ahead the trees were bare and snow was falling heavily.

Interesting, very interesting.

Clearly, this environment was abnormal.

A forest with summer on one side and winter on the other—if that were normal, it would be a miracle.

Wang Bo rode his nightmare steed through the snow, pondering what was happening. He sensed the presence of magic.

Bell, though worried about her father, was no fool and soon noticed the strange surroundings.

She looked around at the falling snow and couldn't help asking, "What is going on?"

"Magic," Wang Bo said. "Magic caused all this."