13 Mink Street

In the morning, everyone assembled in formation in the courtyard under the captain's lead. Archbishop Wolfram entered a carriage with Leon and Larry, and the rest escorted the convoy to the entrance of the conference hall.

Today, Karon did not go inside the conference hall. Richard and Marlow went instead. Richard had originally wanted Karon to enter as well, because last night he had learned from Memphis that the conditions inside the conference chamber were quite good. Even the gallery seats had food, drink, and light meals to choose from.

But Karon refused. Richard then went to ask Memphis, who also refused. In the end, the captain personally sent Marlow to accompany Richard, because no one else wanted to spend an entire day inside the conference hall. The hotel itself was already entertaining enough, and outside the hotel was even better.

"All right, dismissed!" After announcing dismissal, the captain strolled off alone.

Karon watched his departing figure. He knew the captain was off to cause trouble.

Karon did not leave the hotel. Too many things had happened over the past few days, so he simply returned to his quarters in the courtyard.

At that moment, Fannie and Paige pushed open the door and entered. The two women had changed into casual clothes. They were clearly about to go shopping.

"Relax, I know you don't want to go. We just came by to say hello first," Paige said.

"Was last night's matter resolved?" Fannie asked.

Karon nodded.

"Good. We're heading out then. See you tonight."

"Mhmm. See you tonight." Karon picked up a water glass. Before pouring himself a drink, he imitated the captain's movements from the previous night and inspected the bottom of the cup.

Just then, a figure appeared by the window.

It was Ophelia. "Coming to see you this early, will it make me seem too impatient?"

Girls always hoped to appear reserved. Of course, that depended on the boy understanding how to take the initiative.

"No." Karon shook his head.

Ophelia pushed open the room door and walked in. She casually drew the curtains closed, then removed her aristocratic Darkmoon robe. There was a white inner lining beneath it, smooth in texture and faintly lustrous. She was a martial practitioner who trained regularly. She ate far more than ordinary people, yet there was no excess flesh on her body. Nor was she thin. Because of her youth, what she possessed was the full, taut vitality of young womanhood.

All of this was what Karon could infer from the sight of her exposed arms.

"Which bed is yours?"

Karon pointed, and Ophelia laid down on his bed. She pulled back the blanket, and then pulled it back over herself and closed her eyes.

When a beautiful girl climbs into your bed in front of you, what would you do?

Karon merely silently walked to the foot of the bed and tucked the blanket around her feet.

There was a fragrance about her. She had likely bathed that very morning before coming here.

Karon poured Ophelia a cup of hot water as well, not adding any ice. He placed it on the bedside table then sat down by the captain’s bed, took a book from his suitcase, and opened it.

The book was Steadfast in Confusion.

Ophelia slept while Karon read. He was not appearing nonchalant. He knew that the girl had likely not slept the entire night. On top of that, although the poison had been neutralized, the deep exhaustion and weakness that followed could not be avoided.

What happened last night had struck her hard and overturned much of her world. She could accept it. She would not collapse. But she needed time.

Family ought to be a warm harbor, yet last night, even the last shred of warmth had been torn away. What lingered most vividly in memory was still the image of the Third Prince clutching the heads of his two brothers.

Compared to that, the Allen family had actually done better.

Of course, the main reason was likely that the Allens had already declined. There was little point in fighting desperately for power anymore. The eldest had married a purple-haired woman, the second was crippled, and the third was obsessed with art. Even if Master Anderson wanted to create a ruthless environment of competition within the family, reality simply did not permit it.

Karon continued flipping through the book in his hands. It told the story of a protagonist whose wife had entered a vegetative state after an accident. Every day he went to work, came home, talked to her, massaged her limbs, and cleaned her body.

He experienced bitterness, resentment, thoughts of giving up, and wavered again and again. But in the end, he chose to shoulder all responsibility.

Karon turned to the ending and discovered that the final page had been torn out.

The title of the last chapter was: “She Woke Up?”

Since quotation marks had been used, it meant the wife ultimately had not awakened.

Well, Karon understood now.

This book had not been packed into his luggage by Alfred. Careful and considerate as Alfred always was, he would never make such a mistake. It had to be a certain cat who had secretly slipped the book into his luggage. In order to prevent him from seeing the ending and becoming discouraged, it had even gone the extra mile and torn out the last page.

Heh. A smile rose at the corner of Karon's mouth.

At home, he did not particularly notice it, but once away from home, especially every night before sleep and every morning upon waking, the absence of that cat nearby truly felt strange. She could sometimes throw little noble-lady tantrums, but the innocence and directness in her, unchanged even after a hundred years, truly had the power to affect those around her.

An ordinary person could sit in prison for only a few years and emerge utterly changed in temperament.

Ophelia slept until the afternoon. When she awoke, she turned her head, opened her eyes, and saw Karon sitting on the neighboring bed reading. To open her eyes and see him there felt wonderful.

Karon lowered the book and looked at Ophelia. "Hungry?"

"I am."

"It's gone a bit cold, but it should still be edible." Karon took out two meal trays and handed one to Ophelia.

"I'll wash up first."

"All right. I'll warm the food."

By the time Karon returned with the reheated dishes, Ophelia had finished washing. The two sat separately on the edges of their beds and ate.

"I'm sorry. Because of me, you couldn't go out today," Ophelia said.

"It's fine. I wasn't planning to go out anyway. Life's been too eventful lately. I wanted some quiet."

"Then I disturbed your quiet."

"No. I doubt any man seeking peace would refuse enjoying that peace while a quiet beauty lies beside him."

"Wouldn't that be rather uncomfortable?" After asking the question, Ophelia lowered her head and continued eating as though nothing had happened, though her cheeks had flushed faintly.

At times, slightly risque banter was indeed an excellent way to draw two people closer. It could be used to test boundaries.

Karon, however, had always been careful not to joke that way with Ophelia. He would occasionally trade such lines with Paige or Fannie instead.

Karon smiled. "It was all right. You were too tired."

"I've rested now."

"Treasure that hard-won energy. Sometimes, when life gets busy, sleep itself becomes strategic reserves."

"I feel that the way you treat them is different from how you treat me."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Last night, I saw them naked in the hot spring with you."

"We are colleagues. No, companions. If I were injured someday, no matter where, they would help treat me immediately. And I would do the same for them.

"In fact, our very first assignment together was receiving you. We stayed in the suite opposite your room, remember?"

"I remember. It felt like you were rather fortunate then, sleeping with two beauties beside you."

"You were thinking that even then?"

"Yes. In the final days before returning, once I thought of you sharing a bed with them at night, I began to feel uncomfortable."

"That was work."

"You don't need to explain yourself to me. I'm not your fiancée."

"All right. My apologies."

"By the way, who arranged your blind match? Who holds authority in your family?"

"My grandpa."

"Where is your grandfather now?"

"He has had some health issues. It is inconvenient for him to receive visitors at present."

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right. His body will recover in the near future. I firmly believe that."

"Yes. It certainly will recover."

Ophelia quickly finished her meal. Seeing that, Karon carried over three food buckets from near the doorway and used a large spoon to serve her more dishes and staple food.

"Do I eat a bit too much?"

"Being able to eat is a blessing."

"Really?"

"Mhmm. Whether a household lives well or not can be judged by whether the girls in it are plump."

"Then does your household live well?"

"No. We are quite strapped. The monthly coffee expense alone is no small burden."

"The island gave you credits as support."

"Those credits are not for luxurious living."

"If you lack credits, you can tell me. Originally there were four siblings among us. After last night, there are two fewer. The most direct result is that the monthly allowance my Third Brother and I receive has doubled."

"Is there such a benefit?"

"The direct family allowance is fixed. Unclaimed portions are not returned anyway. Besides, I do not have many expenses on the island."

"I'll still pass. Credits earned personally are more enjoyable to spend."

"Is that a man's pride? I know some men instinctively resist spending a woman's money. Are you the same?"

"No. I am not. I respect equality between men and women, but within a household, I still think it is an inescapable duty and responsibility for the man to earn and support the family."

Ophelia finally finished eating. A little food remained in the buckets.

Karon stacked the plates and utensils into the containers and carried them outside into the courtyard. Someone would come collect them that evening, so there was no need to wash dishes personally.

"Today's meeting is almost over," Ophelia said.

"Mhmm. Yes."

"I'm full now. I want to take a walk. Karon, come with me."

"All right."

Karon and Ophelia had only just stepped out of the courtyard when they saw a carriage approaching ahead, its door already open. Inside sat Archbishop Wolfram, Leon, and Larry.

Today's meeting had ended far earlier than yesterday, which meant that when many archbishops emerged, their ceremonial escorts had not yet fully regrouped.

Karon stood to one side and lowered his head in salute.

Ophelia greeted Wolfram, "Good day, Archbishop."

"Good day, Your Highness."

After exchanging greetings, Ophelia lightly tugged Karon's arm. Helpless, he could only continue walking outward with her.

The carriage entered the courtyard.

Before disembarking, Archbishop Wolfram's expression had somewhat darkened. Leon and Larry beside him both sat ramrod straight. They knew the old man was angry.

"Leon."

"Grandfather?"

"Do you feel that the two of us, grandfather and grandson, look like a joke?"

"Grandfather, I do. You do not."

"Mhmm." Wolfram nodded. "You've improved."

"Grandfather, actually I do not feel that way toward Her Highness..."

Leon was trying to help Karon out. He had no interest in using his grandfather's authority to suppress Karon.

"It's best that you feel nothing for Her Highness. Last night, the director of York City's Regional Mission Department sent me a reply. There was intervention from an important figure in the arrangement of this negotiation delegation."

"An important figure?"

Even Larry's expression changed.

One had to know that old Wolfram could speak face-to-face with even Cardinals. Though humble, he would still be given respect.

So the important figure he spoke of...

"I do not know which important figure it was, nor do I intend to continue investigating. Just like the negotiations with the Church of Pamireth the other day, and the coming development with the Church of Reincarnation, there are matters I am not qualified to know."

"Grandfather..."

"In any case, let this matter end here."

"Yes, Grandfather." Leon let out a long breath. He had feared his grandfather would resent Karon for embarrassing the Dyer family. Instead, his grandfather was comforting him and telling him not to be angry.

"How is your relationship with Karon?"

"Not bad. We can be considered friends."

"Good. Arrange a meal tomorrow. Invite Karon and Nio. We shall eat outside."

"When, Grandfather?"

"In the afternoon. Who truly goes for the meal itself? Heh. Negotiations will basically conclude tomorrow morning. Reincarnation's side has shown a very favorable attitude.

"Oh, and you and Larry should work hard these days. The Reincarnation Gate opens once every ten years, and the next opening is approaching; next month. We have twelve slots. When the reserve candidate list is submitted, I will place both your names on it."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

"Thank you, Archbishop."

"No need to thank me yet. There will be an assessment. The Reincarnation Gate is highly dangerous. Every opening claims many young talents. In the cruelest years, half may fail to return.

"Of course, those who do emerge always stand to gain greatly. For example, obtaining some companion soul and signing a Reincarnation Pact.

"If it were only favoritism, I would not dare stuff the two of you inside. Sending you in to die would be meaningless. Apply yourselves during the assessment.

"And recently, you may begin studying Arts related to souls and psychic disciplines."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Yes, Archbishop."

"Grandfather, then Karon..."

"He is only a Divine Servant, yes?" Wolfram asked. "That is what the dossier says. A Divine Servant subordinate to Pavaro's Inquisition."

Larry spoke, "Her Highness Ophelia has taken interest in one of our church's Divine Servants. Since when did our Divine Servants become so valuable?"

"Heh, very well. Even if he registers, his name will not appear on the list I submit. If there truly is some great figure behind him, let that great figure register him instead."

Leon asked worriedly, "Grandfather, is that truly appropriate?"

Wolfram smiled. "It is acceptable enough. Even if it truly is that level of figure, with my current status and standing, I still barely possess the right to throw a small temper and nurse a little grievance."

***

In the Palace of Remembrance, corpses were being dragged away one after another. The blood on the ground was also being cleaned.

Tafmann watched the scene from a distance.

The Light vermin had launched a surprise attack on the Palace of Remembrance, but with defenses already prepared, the so-called ambush had become a death march.

Under the Darkmoon warriors' encirclement and slaughter, nearly all the Light Vermin who took part in the raid had perished.

Yet Tafmann felt puzzled. The one who had sat beside him that day and revealed the secret of the Covenant Conch to everyone had not appeared. Had he become afraid at the last moment and failed to come?

Or... were these Light vermin incited into coming merely a smokescreen?

"General." The host of the Light vermin gathering, Sebas, saluted Tafmann.

"After this cleansing, the Light vermin on the island have suffered grievous losses. For roughly ten years, they will not be able to form any meaningful scale again."

"Mhmm." Tafmann nodded. "Continue organizing and gathering them. Darkmoon will not forget your contribution."

"Yes, my lord." The old man Sebas bowed and withdrew.

At that moment, a warrior approached. "General, once cleanup is complete, shall the guard detachments withdraw from here?"

"No. Continue holding this place. Add another squad and heighten defensive alertness."

"Yes, General."

Tafmann turned and walked away. He did not leave through the main gate, but by the narrow rear path behind the Palace of Remembrance. Today he had come dressed in plain clothes among that group of Light vermin.

As he walked, he also put his mask back on to hide the fact that he was not particularly pleased.

On the path, a figure suddenly appeared. They wore a snake-head mask.

"Ah, looks like it failed," the captain sighed. "I guessed there was a traitor at that gathering."

Tafmann was just about to speak, but the other man's tone shifted, "Someone as clever as you must have guessed there was a traitor at that gathering too, yes?"

"Yes." As he spoke, Tafmann reached up to remove his mask. He did not trust the man before him to be so simple-minded. Because Tafmann had already identified him as the Phileas who infiltrated his villa that day, triggered the transport array, and went to snake island.

"Don’t remove the mask. It’s best that both our identities remain secret. Better for both of us."

"I think we ought to be more candid."

"I dislike candor. I am used to living behind a mask. If you don’t remove yours now, later I will take you to do something interesting."

"Oh? What?" Tafmann asked in puzzlement, though he stopped removing the mask.

"I will let you hear Torathos roar tonight. Are you looking forward to it?"

"Of course."

"Good. Then trust me. But before that... we should deepen mutual trust. Aren't you worried that I might be the traitor?"

"I am not worried."

Because the traitor is me.

"But I am still worried that you are the traitor."

A smile appeared beneath Tafmann's mask. The fact that he had emerged from the Palace of Remembrance completely unharmed already openly declared he was the traitor.

The captain said, "Come. Let us verify it."

He raised a hand. Flames of pure Light appeared over his palm.

"Your turn."

"Very well."

Tafmann raised his own hand. Flames of pure Light rose from his palm as well.

"It seems you and I both belong to the Light," the captain said.

"Yes."

The captain continued, "Then have you ever wavered?"

"I have never wavered."

Because my loyalty belongs to Darkmoon.

"I am different. I waver often. Every day I waver. I sway back and forth until I nearly derive pleasure from it."

"Then you..."

"It is fine. Light forgives all things."

"Naturally. Light is the most loving and merciful."

"Let me tell you another secret. Do you know why Phileas caused Torathos to sleep back then?"

"Because he wanted to show Bernard and his own followers that he was determined to take root and develop on Darkmoon Island."

"That is certainly one reason. But there is another.

"Inside Torathos's belly lies the accumulated treasure of the Phileas family. It is the legacy of the Phileas line, the legacy of the royal house of the Church of Light. That was the treasure Phileas intended to use to revive the Church of Light. Not useless rubbish like gold and jewels that merely occupy space.

"Inside there may even be... a divine artifact of Light."

"Really?"

"Do you believe it?"

"Not very much."

"Then would you like to verify it?"

"I would."

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