C20 The Visit

At seven in the evening, two sedans pulled up in front of Lucian's shop.

"Lucian truly is no ordinary man, living out here in such a secluded spot. Seems like he's aiming for a life of solitude," Clem remarked as he stepped out of the car, taking in the surroundings with a sense of wonder. Having grown up in Ivlofgend and spent his career interviewing the world's top soccer stars, he was unaccustomed to such modest locales.

"Don't spout nonsense," chided another voice. "Lucian epitomizes purity of heart and simplicity of desires. For years, he's been quietly making significant contributions to our nation's soccer."

En route, Elisha had inquired about Lucian's exploits from Moses, who, despite not having as deep an understanding as Elisha had hoped, knew the importance of eloquence in leadership. Thus, Moses painted Lucian as a true football aficionado, indifferent to fame and wealth. At the pinnacle of his career, he had resigned and returned to his homeland, driven by a patriotic desire to advance the country's soccer endeavors.

Moreover, since returning, he had spent eighteen years in obscurity, dedicated to discovering and fostering exceptional soccer talent. Moses even embellished the account of Abram and his teammates' performance against Millenium High.

Elisha and the others were stirred by these tales, their admiration for Lucian bordering on reverence, elevating him to an almost saintly status in their eyes.

All alighted from their vehicles, and Moses approached the door, knocking vigorously. Having visited before, he knew Lucian's house had a back room and that a gentle knock might go unheard. To Elisha and the rest, Moses's familiarity with the door seemed to signify a special bond with Lucian; after all, only someone close or a debt collector would pound on a door with such force.

"He's here!" came a voice from within.

Lucian opened the door, momentarily taken aback to see Moses.

"Moses, what brings you here?" Lucian asked, stepping aside to welcome him in, only then noticing the crowd gathered at his doorstep.

In a small town like this, the streets are usually deserted at night, with hardly a soul in sight. So when a crowd suddenly appeared, Lucian knew they had to be Moses' doing.

"Lucian, here's the thing: I've got some friends who've come all the way from Ivlofgend. They're eager to meet you. Is that okay?"

Reluctantly, Lucian couldn't just turn them away. With a furrowed brow, he pushed the doors wide open and welcomed them inside. That's when he caught sight of a face he knew all too well—it was Clem!