Chapter 86: Confession

Chapter 86 The Confession

Crack

The club swung, striking the golf ball, and out upon the green ahead, a youth stood with a flag, marking the spot.

Alfred leaned down, teeing up another ball for Karen, while checking the angle and making a few subtle, symbolic adjustments.

Karen lightly rolled his neck and asked, "Purr said that the Allen family's faith system is at level three, roughly the same as yours?"

"Yes, Master."

Crack

Karen struck the ball once more, sending it flying, and upon its descent, the youth quickly ran over to mark the spot again.

"And you possess strength comparable to an ordinary Inquisitor of the Church of Order?"

"If we exclude the likes of Old Master Dis, then yes, Master."

"So, even if we set aside the crippled Mr. Mike, the Allen family is currently sheltered by two entities of Inquisitor rank?"

"Master, truth be told, a direct comparison is quite difficult," Alfred remarked.

"Oh?"

Karen lowered his club and waved a hand to the youth below, signaling that he was finished.

Stepping off the tee, he first walked into the washroom to rinse his hands, then emerged and motioned for Alfred to sit.

"Tell me the specifics."

"Yes, Master. I wonder if Purr has ever explained to you the differences between various family faith systems?"

"She has. The strength of each family's progenitor varies, so their benchmarking systems are completely different."

"The same applies to Inquisitors. An Inquisitor's personal strength accounts for fifty percent, but the Church of Order backing them accounts for the other fifty."

"Oh?"

"Certain spells cast by an Inquisitor can receive blessings from the Church, or even from the very laws of Order. They never fight alone. And that is without even considering an Inquisitor's background; at the very simplest level, they can summon allies with a single official missive."

"But don't family faith systems also summon their progenitors?" Karen asked.

"That is true, but their progenitor actually resides within their own bloodline. The reason a Church is the most colossal entity is that they borrow the power of gods and the power of laws, and these sit right above their heads.

It is like a water fight where everyone holds a bowl to splash each other. The bowls are of equal size—in fact, the bowl of a family faith system might even be larger—but the member of the Church is standing right by the pool with their bowl.

Once your purification is complete, Master, you should have a corresponding sense of this."

"I understand."

"Furthermore, Master, when Purr said I was equal to level three of the Allen family faith system, that was a conclusion drawn from her own understanding of her family's system."

"Is there a difference?"

"There is. What she referred to should be the application of force. It is as if everyone's equipment is identical; Mr. Wood and I wear the same armor and hold the same blade. That is what Purr meant by us being the same."

"So, the actual performance in combat, and who is stronger or weaker, can only be known once blades cross."

"Yes, Master. One thing your subordinate can say with certainty is that Mr. Wood on Corona Island is by no means my match. If it came to a matter of life and death, it would undoubtedly be your subordinate who survives and he who perishes.

Unless an opponent can crush me with absolute, overwhelming power, I am the adversary a rival of the same tier would least wish to face."

Karen smiled. "Hearing you say that makes me quite comfortable."

"Heh." Alfred offered a reserved smile.

His primary concern was preventing Karen from misunderstanding his strength, lest the Allen family gain the upper hand.

In truth, Alfred even had reason to suspect that the answer Purr gave the young master—"equivalent to a radio sprite"—was actually her playing dumb on purpose, maintaining a delicate balance.

After all, she surely placed greater weight on the Allen family's standing in the young master's heart.

This was the reality of the workplace.

No.

The struggle for a position upon the mural would only be a hundred times more brutal than any workplace.

"So, a system is just a system, and faith is just faith. The actual outcome of a fight still depends on performance under specific circumstances, correct?"

"Yes, Master. Just like Mr. Hoffen; he could not fight at all, yet your subordinate was deeply awed by his abilities."

"Mhm, I see."

"Master, I have brought the balls back." A youth appeared at the bedroom door.

"Put them over there."

"Yes, Master."

The youth placed the wiped-clean balls back into the basket at the corner of the table, then carefully arranged the clubs. Finally, he picked up a nearby rag and began to wipe down the table surface.

Alfred watched the youth thoughtfully.

"A genius youth of the Allen family named Borg," Karen said. "Level one of the family faith system, the youngest among the eighteen."

"Is this a rough diamond discovered by you, Master?" Alfred inquired.

"No, the Allen family deliberately thrust him upon me."

When speaking these words, Karen did not lower his voice, so the youth busy at the table could certainly hear him.

After wiping the table, Borg proactively stepped before Karen.

"Master, Mr. Alfred, you may command me for any matters in the future. By day I shall wait outside the master's study, and by night I shall sleep outside the bedroom."

In truth, there was a servant's bed inside the master bedroom, but it was generally meant for a maid.

The practice of a bed-chamber maid in a grand household was not unique to any single civilization; nobles, after all, always knew how to enjoy themselves.

However, Borg was a boy, so sleeping in a maid's bed was inappropriate.

Furthermore, given the relationship between Karen and Eunice, it was also unsuitable for the Allen family to arrange a personal maid for Karen unless he requested one himself.

Wien practiced monogamy, which seemed very egalitarian, but if true equality existed, the tales of illegitimate children would not be so endlessly vast.

"A very talented little fellow," Alfred said to him with a smile.

"Thank you for your praise." Borg bowed to Alfred.

Karen raised his glass, took a sip of ice water, and said, "I have looked over his file. He belongs to a branch of a branch line."

"Oh?" Alfred was somewhat puzzled.

"It is like this," Borg explained on his own initiative. "My father's surname was Allen, but my mother was a prostitute. My father was already very marginalized within the Allen family. According to my mother, he was originally the captain of security for an apartment building, but later ran up heavy debts from gambling. Driven to the edge by debt collectors, he jumped into a river to escape and ended up drowning.

My mother's relationship with my father was not very good at the time; he was merely one of her clients. It just so happened that during that period, my mother became pregnant, and at the time, she did not know whose child it was.

My mother intended to abort me, but because she had already undergone several abortions before, the clinic doctor told her that if she aborted me, she would never be able to conceive again.

Only then did my mother choose to give birth to me. Before the age of ten, I grew up in a brothel. The brothel owner said I looked quite handsome, and that when I grew a bit older, I could begin taking clients.

But I was lucky. When I was young, my mother used to curse at me, calling me a bastard of the Allen family. I remembered those words.

Two years ago, a client who came to the brothel mentioned that the Allen family was holding their once-in-a-decade test for the young children of the family.

So I stole a client's wallet, bought a train ticket, and came to York City all by myself to take the test. As it turned out, I was chosen. Thanks to the protection of the progenitor, and thanks to the great Allen family."

From the perspective of purely worldly wealth, the Allen family had been prosperous for hundreds of years, and their lineage was naturally flourishing; by contrast, the Immeris family had always possessed a thread of descendants that was rather thin.

Yet for that very reason, it was impossible for the former to possess such a splendid domestic warmth as the Immeris family, for though many bore the surname "Allen," they were, in truth, nothing more than strangers to one another.

It was merely that most of those within the family could rely upon the vast worldly wealth of the house to procure at least a menial post even in the worst of circumstances; as for anything beyond that, one could hardly expect the main house to concern itself with them.

Take, for instance, Bogue’s gambler of a father: it was impossible for him to receive any financial support from the main Allen house, and when his debts were pursued, he eventually drowned, an affair the main house completely ignored.

Yet this youth had seized his opportunity.

The test administered by the main Allen house was equivalent to a periodic screening of the young people surnamed "Allen," primarily to investigate the density of the bloodline within their veins.

Given that the bloodline was already so thin within the main house itself, the hope that a case of "atavism" might emerge from the collateral branches, or the collateral branches of those collateral branches, was exceedingly remote.

However, the Allen family had been utterly driven by the coercion of the Raphael family into a corner where they had to make a desperate gamble; moreover, the visible decline of the family's strength had truly brought them to a crisis of life and death, forcing them to cast their fishing net far and wide.

Thus, the test held once every ten years appeared to the outside world as though all the people of Allen throughout Vienne were returning to the main house to worship their ancestors, and the newspapers would assist in promoting this as an expression of the Allen family's solidarity and cultural heritage.

This could not help but make Karen recall the ancestral worship activities of his own previous life, where people of the same surname scattered across various places would return.

"And what of your mother now?" Alfred inquired.

"Mother received a stipend from the family, and now possesses a house as well as a monthly family allowance; I am able to live within the Allen Estate and receive the family's focused cultivation.

And now, I have even gained the opportunity to be dispatched to serve the young master."

When speaking these words, Bogue’s face was filled with a bright, sunny smile.

Karen smiled as well, extending his hand.

Bogue stepped forward to Karen of his own accord, allowing Karen’s hand to fall upon his shoulder with a gentle pat.

"Alfred, a youth such as this, when grown, will either be a fine steed for the house or an ungrateful white-eyed wolf that turns upon the family."

Even upon hearing these words, Bogue continued to smile, his expression showing no unnatural change.

Karen rested for a while longer.

Bogue reminded him, "Young Master, you are to go riding with Miss Eunice this afternoon."

"Oh, yes, indeed, I nearly forgot."

"I shall fetch your garments for you," Bogue offered.

"No need, I shall go just as I am; it is not as though we are explicitly practicing horsemanship, it is merely a stroll."

Karen descended to the first floor, where two horses—one white and one date-red—were already being held by two grooms waiting there.

Just as Karen stepped outside, the sound of boots striking the ground echoed from behind, and Eunice emerged, clothed in a riding habit that delineated her figure to the utmost.

"Forgive me for making you wait so long," Eunice said.

In truth, Karen knew well that she must have been ready long ago, waiting in some nearby room.

"Not at all, I have only just come down myself," Karen replied with a smile. "Come, mount the horse."

Karen extended his hand, intending to assist Eunice; Eunice took his hand and swung herself up, but the horse shifted slightly, causing her to lose her balance, and Karen caught her as they both fell to the ground together.

The two grooms made to step forward to assist them, but were held back by Alfred’s outstretched hand.

Watching Alfred’s movement, Bogue nodded silently, committing it to memory.

"Forgive me, it is entirely my fault," Karen said.

In truth, had Eunice mounted the horse on her own, there would have been no trouble at all; it was his own superfluous gesture, and Eunice, out of consideration for him, had allowed him to assist her, which ultimately led to the fall.

Lying upon Karen’s chest, her chestnut hair cascading loosely, Eunice initially looked as though she wished to say, "It is not because of you," but in the end, she could not help but strike Karen’s chest with a laughing fist.

"Yes, it is entirely your fault."

At last, both stood up; Eunice swung herself onto the date-red horse, while Karen seated himself upon the white horse in a rather unorthodox posture.

The soft afternoon sunlight spilled over Karen, and at this moment, the white horse and the young man formed an exceedingly gentle and delicate picture.

Eunice watched with great intentness, a smile touching the corners of her lips.

What young maiden in her first bloom of love had not dreamed that her future partner would be a prince upon a white horse?

Thereupon, Eunice rode slightly ahead to lead the way, while Karen sat upon the back of the white horse, falling a little behind her.

Further back followed Alfred and Bogue, also mounted, keeping a considerable distance.

"The young master is truly exceedingly beautiful," Bogue remarked from the bottom of his heart.

Alfred reminded him, "You mentioned that the owner of that brothel originally intended to cultivate you into an employee who could receive guests?"

"Yes, Mr. Alfred."

"I merely remind you: I know you grew up in a brothel and have witnessed many individuals with all manner of peculiar habits, but before the young master, you had best keep yourself clean and proper.

Perhaps other noble scions and wealthy youths enjoy playing at those sorts of inclinations, but the young master is different from them."

"Thank you for your reminder, sir, I understand."

Bogue straightened his back slightly, making himself appear more spirited.

"In truth, you possess no affection for the Allen family," Alfred said, "no matter how much you praise them with your lips or how proud you claim to be of the name Allen."

"Yes, sir."

"Then endeavor to treat the young master with sincerity; he is, in fact, just like you, not very familiar with this family either."

"I see, I am truly grateful to you, Mr. Alfred; you are, indeed, a good man."

"I am merely different from that cat."

That cat still continuously regarded herself as a young mistress—a young mistress of two hundred years.

……

"In truth, I had envisioned many situations after returning home," Eunice said, "but I did not expect it to be like this, nor did my mother foresee it."

"Nor did I."

"On the journey home, Mother reminded me time and again that no matter what attitude the family held toward you, I must be mindful of my own attitude toward you." Eunice looked at Karen. "Now, I truly need to be mindful of my attitude toward you."

"It need not be so complicated." Karen glanced back at the grand structure behind them. "In truth, compared to riding within the estate, I should prefer to take you for a drive in a motorcar."

"Have you already grown weary of living here?" Eunice inquired.

"I am merely not quite accustomed to this manner of life; in truth, if one casts aside many unnecessary desires, life could be much simpler."

"I, too, preferred life in Roga City, facing the lovely students in the classroom, being able to stroll the streets alone and purchase a few small trinkets; I originally thought that was merely a novel experiment for me, and that I would ultimately return to this state of life within the family.

Yet perhaps it was only because I had never tried it before that I mistakenly regarded what I saw at first glance as the only thing that ought to be."

"I know you are speaking of your reflections on life, but I still feel as though I have been accidentally wounded."

Eunice laughed. "Forgive me."

"It matters not." Karen reached out, stroking the mane of the white horse beneath him. "I can understand."

"I am astonished," Eunice said. "I have seen the atmosphere of your home, Karen; it is truly something to be envied."

"I think so too."

"I had originally thought quite naively that perhaps because of my family, such pure domestic warmth was a luxury to me. But later, from the attitude of Grandfather and Father toward you, I discovered that the Allen family cannot be compared to the Immeris family."

"Because I have a wonderful grandfather in my family."

"Karen, there is something I wanted to tell you—I wanted to say it on the way here, but I just couldn't bring myself to open my mouth."

"You can say it now just the same."

"It is not the same anymore. Though, of course, it could be the same."

"Now I am even more intrigued."

"Originally, what I wanted to tell you was that if you found life at Allen Manor uncomfortable and wished to leave, please take me with you."

Karen nodded.

"What I want to say now is that if you find yourself unaccustomed to living at Allen Manor and wish to leave, please take me along as well."

"All right."

"To be honest, Karen, I do not quite know what kind of feeling I have for you, though I can feel that I very much like looking at you, and I also very much enjoy those moments of intimacy with you."

This time, Karen did not reply: So do I.

"Karen, being with you makes me feel very at ease."

Immediately following this,

Eunice continued:

"In truth, I have always known about the affairs and the mysteries of our family, but Grandfather and Father never allowed me to participate or touch any of it.

I once wanted to try my hand at it just like everyone else in the family; I knew how hard they worked every day at whatever they were doing, and it was for this that Second Uncle became the way he is.

I felt that I, too, bore the surname Allen, and that I, too, should fulfill my share of duty, but it was never permitted.

Later, it was Mother who told me. She said I was the Patriarch's daughter, and I could not awaken the power of faith within my bloodline ahead of time, all so that I could better... marry off."

Hearing this, Karen caught himself in a brief daze.

"Because this gives my future husband's family the thrill of opening a blind box."

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy and solemn.

Such was the sorrow of a great family, such was its cruelty, and such was its reality.

Holding the reins with one hand, Karen leaned his body over, reached out with his other hand to clasp Eunice's boot, and gave it a gentle stroke;

He said:

"I am different. I only care that you are beautiful."

...

"Oh, heavens."

On the balcony of the master bedroom, Purr watched the pair of figures riding horses in the distance and complained in dissatisfaction:

"Why can they not simply skip these useless preludes and just get straight to having children?"

"Woof!"

The golden retriever nodded.

"It is rare for you to agree with me."

"Woof!"

The golden retriever grinned, running circles behind Purr in sheer delight.

Purr, completely ignoring the dog who was driven frantic with joy, continued to dip her feline paw into the ink, drawing on the parchment before her:

"Though Mike was foolish enough to blow off his own legs, his talent is indeed the highest among this generation of shorties in the main family; it is merely a matter of straightening out the chaotic elements of water and fire inside his body.

Heheh, others might be powerless, but I am the true genius in the history of the family.

We just have to wait for Karen to complete his purification first so that he can perceive the movements and transformations of those elements, and then have Karen help Mike resolve his bodily affliction. That way, it will help Karen win over the hearts of the people.

Yes, this is absolutely perfect, meow."

...

Riding on horseback alongside Eunice as they passed the cemetery of the Allen family, Karen purposefully swept his gaze across the tombstones of these ancestors, particularly that monument shaped like a pirate ship.

Count Recar, the leader of the vastest pirate armada in the history of the Long Harp Sea, and arguably the most brilliant figure in the history of the Allen family aside from the First Ancestor;

A man who, even when having his portrait painted, let his restless fingers declare his status and overbearing nature to the world.

After Karen and Eunice rode past,

Alfred and Boge followed behind on horseback, passing the cemetery.

Alfred spoke up:

"Boge, there is a task to be entrusted to you."

"Please speak, sir."

"Go and inquire among the elders of the family—they can be from the collateral branches, as the elders of the collateral lines will be coming to attend the Patriarch's funeral anyway; ask them about the exact ceremonial process the Allen family follows when burying their ancestors, with a focus on the details.

For instance,

The preservation and embalming of the corpse."

———

More to come tonight.