The next morning, the clouds still hadn't cleared completely, which was actually to create a good beach environment for the visitors. After all, strong ultraviolet rays can easily cause sunburn, and the not too sunny, not too overcast weather was just right.
When morning came, the kids had changed into their swimwear, ready to play on the beach, and the adults had also applied a thick layer of sunscreen, ready to sunbathe on the beach.
Those who were neither interested in playing in the sea nor in lying on a beach chair to sunbathe decided to go and have a couple of drinks at Lucifer's bar and, by the way, figure out how such a spectacle of his bar almost closing down in less than half a month had come to be.
In fact, it was quite a feat for an archangel second only to one to run a bar that ends up failing one after another, especially since Hal and Shiller, who had previously advised Lucifer on his bar, were very curious about how he had managed to do it.
Indeed, Lucifer's bar in Seashore City hadn't survived three months either, which is why he then decided that the bar in Gotham would only serve supernatural beings.
"I've further realized just how chaotic and crazy the human race can be," Lucifer shook his head on the way to the bar, "I don't know where they find so many arguments to start, nor do I understand why these drunkards throw a bottle at me as soon as they see an angel descend."
"What else could it be?" Hal said disdainfully, "You said it yourself, they're drunkards; they just think they're seeing angels because they've had too much to drink. Wouldn't you throw something in that case?"
"What about demons? Wheat came here several times, and they even tried to pull her tail."
"The human race is best at numbing themselves and lusting at first sight," Shiller looked at Lucifer, "You've encountered both, just accept your fate."
Lucifer sighed deeply.
They soon arrived at Lucifer's bar on the beach, the decor as tasteful as ever, blending Gotham's Gothic style with some medieval voodoo elements, making it look dim and mysterious.
No sooner had Hal sat down than he said, "I know you want us to praise your decorating skills, but have you ever thought that any intelligent life likes to see new styles they haven't encountered before? Humans might be amazed at this fantasy style of yours, but what difference does it make to devils, coming here or going home?"
"Uh..." Lucifer was at a loss for words.
"If I were you, I would redecorate in a modern minimalist style, or at least a modern style, because it's a style that humans came up with in the modern era based on a huge industrial system. Although it's not unique in the cosmos, it's definitely different from the styles of Heaven, Hell, and the magical worlds. Without sensory stimulation, who would come here to buy such expensive alcohol?"
When Hal mentioned the price, Shiller glanced at the menu, which was written in a script he couldn't understand, but by looking a bit longer he could decode the symbols representing numbers. Judging from the structure and length, the prices were definitely not low.
"I'm offering a conscience price," Lucifer immediately got upset, snatched the menu from Shiller's hand, took a look, and said, "There's no cheaper spirit brew in the entire cosmos than the one here."
"So how many glasses does it take to get them drunk?"
"Uh... that mainly depends on their own strength; the stronger they are, the harder it is to get drunk. Someone at Azazel's level would probably get drunk after seven or eight glasses."
Hal covered his forehead and said, "The Hell demon king gets drunk after seven or eight glasses, are you selling alcohol or anesthetics?"
"Are you suggesting I should dilute it a bit?"
"What I mean is that just a couple of drops of alcohol in the water would be enough!" Hal rubbed his temples and said, "Figure out how many ordinary Demons it would take to match Azazel's power level, and then use that as your mixing ratio. Now I see why you lose your pants every time."
Lucifer muttered a few words, but didn't argue. He shook his head and said, "Then what's the point of calling it a drink? What's the difference between that and water?"
Shiller sighed and said, "So how many beings at Azazel's level are there? How much free time do you think they have to come drink at your bar every day?"
"Is every art form inevitably compromised like a business?" Lucifer complained, leaning on the bar, "I really can't stand it, my bar filled every day by low-level Demons who get smashed to pieces."
"Then make it a members-only restaurant," Shiller suggested. "Go for an exclusive, invitation-only high-end approach. Develop more varieties of drinks, charge higher prices, and make this place a social venue for high society Angels and Demons."
Only then did Lucifer catch on. He looked at Shiller and said, "How come you're here again? I thought today was Arrogant."
"You're too slow to react, and it seems you're not too pleased to see me."
"No Angel or Demon wants to see a war dealer who's constantly urging Lord Satan to start 'World War II'," Lucifer said as he wiped a glass in his hands, "I suggest you drop your dangerous thoughts quickly. If Michael were to find out..."
"If Michael finds out, I'll just say it was you who instigated it, Lord Satan."
With a whoosh, a glass flew past Shiller's ear. He laughed deeply, picked up an empty glass, and began swirling it as he said, "The name 'Soul Special Brew' is too old-fashioned. How about 'Eden Special Brew' instead?"
"What does that have to do with Eden?"
"Just say it's brewed with waters from the lakes of Eden."
"Stop joking, Uriel would kill me."
Shiller looked at him with an expression of someone dealing with a slow-witted person and sighed, "It's my fault for spending too much time with smart people; I've forgotten you old-fashioned types can't take a hint."
"I'm telling you to call it 'Eden Special Brew,' not to actually use water from Eden's lakes to make it. Even if you don't, who could get into Eden and bring back a barrel of lake water to expose you? If anyone does, it's them Uriel will be after, not you."
"You're a damn con artist," Lucifer said.
"I appreciate the compliment."
"Or you could call it 'Lucifer Special Brew,' saying it has your blood in it. Even better, 'Michael Special Brew,' claiming that during the Great Fall, you fought against Michael for three hundred rounds and only managed to obtain a drop of his blood from his heart, and that you're willing to share this glory with the gentry."
Lucifer covered his face and said, "First of all, the battle between Heaven and Hell was a clash of armies; I was a General, not a vanguard. I only fought that one battle at the Holy Spring against Michael, and it ended in a draw."
"Secondly, there were so many Angels and Demons watching at that time. We just clashed a few times before separating. How could I have possibly opened his chest to take his blood? And since when does Michael have a heart? Angels are just beings of light."
"Exactly, no one in the world knows the anatomy of the Archangels besides the Archangels themselves. You say you pierced Michael's heart with the tip of your spear during the clash, and no one can say you didn't do it because, after all, they can't defeat you. Wouldn't it be suicide for anyone to come out and contradict you?"
"But Michael will..."
"He would curse at you for being shameless, call you a world-deceiving imposter, hypocritical, vain, unreasonable, but who are you? You are not only the first light of the world but also Satan. Isn't cursing you like that basically a compliment?"
Logic formed a perfect loop. Lucifer rubbed his forehead hard and said, "I can't listen to you anymore."
"Because if you keep listening, you're going to be tempted, Satan."
Lucifer stretched out his hand and said, "Listen, Satan may be the lord of Hell, but we still have some pride."
"Then what's the difference between you and an angel?"
"Actually, there's not much difference between demons and angels..."
"So why did you start the Fallen War in the first place?"
"The main opposition in the Fallen War was against God..."
"Then call it 'God's Special Brew'!"
"God is my dad!"
"But if you had won, you wouldn't have to call him 'dad'!"
"But I didn't win!"
"Then go and fight again!"
Lucifer's fist clenched.
Hal was almost in stitches by the side, looking at Lucifer he said, "From the day he gave you that bar, you should've known he was up to no good."
To change the subject, Lucifer had no choice but to pour a drink for both Hal and Shiller and said, "About your seasickness..."
"I was just about to talk to you about that." Shiller turned toward Lucifer and said, "How much do you know about the debt I took out back in the day?"
At the mention of this, Lucifer rolled his eyes and said, "Back then you took my feathers, I became your guarantor. Once you kicked the bucket, the account went into the red. Do you have any idea how hard I worked to clear my name?"
"Is that why no creditor has come knocking at my door yet?"
"Knowing that should make you speak more carefully."
"I'm much more civil than Arrogance ever was."
Lucifer couldn't refute this, as far as sharpness of words was concerned, Greed was not even a tenth of what Arrogance was, but in terms of annoyingness, the current Shiller wasn't much different from the old one; it was a direct lineage.
Shiller actually knew long ago that he had taken on so much debt that, although he had cleared his account upon death and opened a new one, if certain entities intentionally sought him out, they would surely find him. Up to now, no creditors had approached him, which meant someone had tampered with the records.
Shiller guessed this was also one of the original Shiller's arrangements; by using Lucifer's feather as collateral, Lucifer would help clean up his mess for the sake of his own future peace.
Shiller took a sip of his drink, smiled, and said, "Anyway, thank you. Don't listen to Hal. Consider that house a thank-you gift from me. The money-making scheme for the bar as well."
"Getting something for nothing, I have no need to make money," replied Lucifer.
"Really?" Shiller shrugged and said, "Do you want to see who the landlord of this place you're renting is?"
Lucifer was taken aback, then he raised his voice and said, "Harley Quinn? This place belongs to Harley Quinn? How did she..."
"She's not Harley Quinn yet, but she is my student," Shiller took another drink and said. "And she's about to go to middle school soon; Gotham's academic pressure is enormous. She'll probably have to pay a hefty sum for her tutoring fees soon, and that rent..."
Lucifer's face became a mask of pain, and he let out a long sigh and said, "Well, your thank-you gift is certainly unique."
"I appreciate the compliment," said Shiller as he swirled his glass. "I'm not joking. If upon my arrival here I had been sought out by all kinds of spirits and demons, I really would have had a big headache..."
"Which spirit or demon would be so foolish as to go after Batman and Joker?" Lucifer muttered to himself. "They'd be wiped out from the cosmos pretty quickly."
Shiller, however, seemed somewhat helpless as he leaned on the bar and said, "Is that how all you Gothamites are? Does saying 'my pleasure' kill you? I'm starting to understand God a little."
Lucifer was startled, but Shiller immediately pressed on, "I seem to recall you saying, 'I am your friend's tombstone.'
Lucifer's fingers instantly tightened, and he feigned nonchalance as he said, "When did I say that? You must be hearing things. I only..."
"You've kept his tombstone well protected."
Lucifer froze in place, and after a long moment, he looked at Shiller before silently averting his gaze.
And Shiller silently added in his heart.
"But it's going to go badly soon."