Chapter 253: Sneaking Off with the Captain

Chapter 253: Slipping Away with the Captain

This answer was very candid, and also quite direct.

However, no awkward silence fell between the two for long...

"Do you like the climate here?"

"I do. I heard you mention before that it is like this all year round."

"Yes."

"Living here must be very comfortable. When I am older, I could come here to retire."

"It would be returning here to retire; you belong here to begin with."

"Then I can take this opportunity to try my best, hoping to find a sense of belonging here."

"The Council of Elders wishes to meet you. Of course, they will send a representative."

"When."

"The exact time has not been determined yet."

"Mm, the island must be very busy lately."

"It is not for that reason, but because my uncle is about to return. He is not coming back for the negotiations between the two Churches; he is making a special trip just to see you."

"Your uncle?"

"Tafman, the naval commander of our Dark Moon Island, stationed in the outer seas year-round."

"A special trip just to see me?"

"Yes."

"It is my honor."

Ophelia turned around, facing Karen.

There was a faint fragrance on her, not from incense, but very natural and fresh.

For some reason, the image of the first time he met her surfaced in Karen's mind—she was wearing that massive armor, holding the Sword of Arius.

"What are you smiling about?"

"I thought of the first time I saw you."

"Is it funny?"

"Mm."

"But this meeting is not nearly as impressionable as the first one at the York Port pier. I feel it is somewhat ordinary."

"That is normal, because if surprises happened every time, it would feel too deliberate."

Ophelia nodded, looked at Karen, and said:

"You have grown thinner."

"You have grown plumper."

"Hehehe..."

Ophelia burst into laughter.

"Walk with me."

Karen looked around. Although the residential area for everyone was relatively spacious, this was a hotel after all, with people coming and going.

Ophelia began walking along the riverbank on her own. Karen glanced at Richard and the others standing in the distance, but still chose to follow her.

"Have you been well lately?" Karen took the initiative to ask.

"Pretty good, everything is going smoothly. The Church of Order's war against the Church of Samsara, from the declaration to the end, was immensely shocking even to us, especially since the surrender document was actually published before Order declared war."

"Mm, I was very shocked too."

Ophelia spread her hand, revealing a dim red gemstone. The gemstone emitted a faint red glow, enveloping the two of them. This was a very fragile isolation barrier; its utility lay precisely in its extreme fragility, meaning anyone trying to use magic to eavesdrop would puncture it, thus serving as an early warning.

"The island has gained a new understanding of the strength of the Church of Order. Reading about certain things in books versus actually experiencing them in reality are two completely different concepts. Previously, we only knew the Church of Order was powerful, but we didn't expect it to be this powerful.

Most importantly, during the war against Samsara, the First Knight Order of the Church of Order was not even deployed."

"There was the effect of tactical execution. Regardless, it was a surprise attack."

"But it is a fact that the Church of Order did not use its full strength. Perhaps only half of it? Or maybe a third? The role of the First Knight Order is immeasurable. No one can predict how terrifying the scale of the Church of Order's First Knight Order is now after so many years of peace."

"But the First Knight Order is a foundation purely meant for consumption."

"Yet who would willingly be the one to consume it?"

"True."

"I feel that this negotiation between Order and Samsara is likely an opportunity Order wants to use to reset some rules for the entire circle of Churches."

"I don't have any news regarding this for now. My current position is still a bit too low."

"Your position... Speaking of which, I am very curious. I was quite surprised when I found your name on the list for entering the island this time, because the negotiation representative sent by the York City Region is Bishop Volfren."

"I was also somewhat surprised."

"There is someone behind you, no, it should be someone behind your captain, right?"

"Likely. My captain is very mysterious."

"Your relationship with him?"

"Very good."

"The Council of Elders' intention is not to demand that you climb up quickly, but only to hope that you can expand your influence, meaning your network, as much as possible."

"I understand."

"Take it slow, don't feel any pressure. We regard you as one of our own, but we will not demand that you sacrifice yourself purely for the island in the capacity of an insider. For us, it is a win-win."

"I know."

"If there are any difficulties, you can contact me through Allen Manor. We originally wanted to set up a communication array at Allen Manor, but it seems somewhat difficult to arrange over there."

"When I return, I will find someone to set it up."

"Mm, that is about all that needs to be said, nothing else. As for other matters, we will have to wait a few days until my uncle returns with the representatives from the Council of Elders to hold another meeting with you."

"Alright."

Regarding the arrangements of Dark Moon Island, Karen was very cooperative, because Allen Manor had already shown him the trade ledger. The profits from the Dark Moon Island to York Port line alone, though a significant portion would inevitably have to be shared out, left a very considerable amount in the end.

Therefore, no matter what, the financial backer's face had to be respected.

Ophelia stopped her steps, and Karen stopped as well. The two of them stood like that for a while, silent.

"This is to make the subsequent contact convenient. After all, we need to find some excuses so you can come out."

"Actually, I am very free. The captain basically grants any request I make."

"But an ending needs to be made."

"An ending?"

"Well, for today, for now, Leon and the others are still standing there, with so many eyes watching. We need to bring this to a proper close."

"Very well."

Ophelia leaned forward, pressing her forehead against Cullen's chest.

Cullen knew that the princess before him had no inkling of how to express intimacy to the opposite sex.

Yet this press of her brow was delivered with genuine force, sending a sharp ache through his chest.

Cullen slowly raised his hands, grasping Ophelia by both shoulders.

It was hardly a passionate embrace, but the sentiment was conveyed.

After a long silence,

Ophelia drew herself up to her full height. Without a single word, she turned and walked forward, offering a solitary wave of her hand.

Her carriage and escort immediately fell into step behind her. Cullen remained where he stood, watching her board the carriage before he turned to retrace his steps.

Richard removed his mask, an exaggerated smile plastering his face. The sheer warmth of that grin made Cullen feel an impulsive desire to remind Richard’s father to spend more time with his son.

Leon, meanwhile, stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Seeing Cullen return, he merely offered a faint smile—one tinged with a delicate, perfectly measured trace of disdain to express a flicker of indignation—before turning with a sigh to vanish into the courtyard.

Richard eagerly sidled up to him. "Cullen, why don't you just stay on Dark Moon Island? A princess, for heaven's sake!"

"You stay, then."

"I'd love to, but she has to actually want me. Dark Moon Island is rather wonderful, you know. It’s larger than I imagined, and far more populated. Living here with a princess would be quite an idyllic existence."

"She and I..."

Cullen had instinctively started to declare that there was nothing between them, but to say such a thing now felt somewhat hollow.

"She and I have not reached that stage."

"Impressive!" Richard gave Cullen a firm thumbs-up. "So you mean to say you intend to wed the princess and bring her back to Wien?"

"Could you perhaps focus a bit more on our work?"

"But the trouble is, we don't have any proper work to speak of. I asked the captain; normally, we only need to keep half our number waiting in the courtyard as a reserve. Even when the official negotiations begin the day after tomorrow, we only have to escort the bishop's carriage to the venue. Two of us will follow the bishop and the scribe inside, and the rest will be entirely free to amuse themselves.

If the venue provides an internal lunch, most of us will only need to deliver the bishop in the morning and line up to receive him in the evening. That leaves the entire day in between completely devoid of duties."

"Is that so? Quite a vacancy, then."

"Exactly."

"You might take Mr. Memphis to the Mermaid Theater to broaden his horizons. You know he is rather introverted; if you take him out to enjoy himself, he will undoubtedly feel grateful to you once we return to York City."

"My thoughts exactly. Ah, I simply cannot bear to see someone so withdrawn."

"Heh."

Not long after they returned to the courtyard, the hotel sent staff to deliver their meals. The dishes were not particularly lavish, but they compensated with sheer volume, and they could be selected and reserved in advance. The food arrived housed in five antique, earthen jars, with tableware nested beneath the cart for self-service, to be collected and washed at a designated hour each day.

This arrangement was primarily because the men were housed in a scattered fashion; gathering them all for a communal meal would waste a great deal of time on the road, creating an unnecessary ordeal.

Cullen carried two platters back to his room, handing one to the captain, and the two sat facing each other on the edge of the bed to eat.

"I believe she came to see you today."

"Mm," Cullen murmured in response.

"Oh?" The captain looked somewhat surprised. "Your tune has changed."

"I have a fiancée, as you well know, Captain."

"So, you feel a moral burden?"

Cullen shook his head. "Morality is a yardstick used to restrain oneself."

"It matters little regardless. Dark Moon Island does not practice monogamy. Do you know why Bernard is so famous here? The very hotel we reside in is named after him.

Because as the patriarch, he wed but a single wife in his entire lifetime."

"Captain, we might change the subject."

"Very well, very well, a change of subject it is. What shall we speak of? Once dinner is finished and the sky has turned completely dark, come out with me."

"Where to?"

"To steal something."

"To steal something?"

"Indeed. Why else do you think I arranged for you to share a room with me? It makes it perfectly convenient for the two of us to move."

"Is it something of great importance?" Cullen murmured, looking somewhat conflicted. "There are hot springs here. I had intended to bathe in the springs tonight."

The hot springs were not within the courtyard; there was a geothermal valley belonging to the hotel, and one had to travel there first.

"I do not know what it is, but that presence inside my mind possesses a spatial memory of this place. Much like the photography studio last time, I must trigger a specific locational memory, and only upon entering will I recall the details of 'it'."

"That individual... had been to Dark Moon Island before?"

"He had. Most assuredly. He must have left a property here, though I doubt it sits vacant now.

Dark Moon Island used to bar ecclesiastical forces from entering, but if one wished to slip in under a pseudonym, without preaching or proselytizing, it was entirely feasible. After all, the maritime trade here is quite prosperous."

"Could it be another minor teleportation array?"

"Hardly. Teleporting from York City to the outskirts is understandable, but teleporting from Dark Moon Island to Dark Moon Island? Are we certain that wouldn't imply a mental deficiency?"

"That is a question to which only you possess the answer, Captain."

"I inquired with the attendant, probing about that particular quadrant. The attendant remarked that those who dwell in that area belong entirely to the aristocratic elite of Dark Moon Island. Therefore, to steal from such a place, a pair remains the most suitable arrangement; one must be responsible for keeping watch."

"Captain, this is our very first day as a delegation, and we are already going to steal?"

"Precisely because it is our first day, no one will suspect us. Furthermore, they would not dare extend their investigations into this quarter. It is decided, then; we depart after nightfall.

Finish your meal quickly, and try to catch some sleep to restore your energy."

"I slept this afternoon."

"You slept? You truly went there to sleep?"

"Mm, I took a midday nap."

"Heh. Going to such a place with them, and you actually managed to fall asleep?"

"I did."

"No services rendered?"

"None."

"That makes you a bit of an outcast. I have heard the mermaid services of Dark Moon Island are a distinct specialty. The venue Lore took you to couldn't have been cheap, could it?"

"I wouldn't know. Someone else settled the account."

"Who? Lore, Leon, or perhaps Richard?"

"Miss Ophelia covered the bill for me."

"Tsk..."

For a moment, Neo found himself entirely at a loss for words.

In the end, he could only shake his head with a smile and say:

"No wonder you can only simply take an afternoon nap."

…

Inside the carriage, Pamir watched Ophelia sitting there in total silence. With a look of concern, she asked, "Your Highness, what is wrong?"

"I am fine."

"But your complexion..."

"Pamir, have I gained weight recently?"

"No, I haven't noticed anything. Did Mr. Karen say that?"

"Yes, he said I gained weight."

"Perhaps Mr. Karen was referring to another area?" Pamir ventured to joke boldly. She had witnessed her highness's earlier gesture toward Mr. Karen, where the two of them had practically held each other.

"He has a fiancée. He told me from the very beginning that he has a fiancée."

"Is that what Your Highness cares about?" Pamir did not believe Mr. Karen's fiancée could possibly compare to her highness.

Most importantly, the Dark Moon Island did not practice monogamy. Having grown up on the island since childhood, she naturally accepted this culture.

"He is not even willing to touch a mermaid, so would he be willing to touch me?"

"Your Highness, how can you compare yourself to a mermaid? That is inappropriate."

"Do you know? If he had been willing to touch that mermaid today, I might actually be happier in my heart. It would mean everything is still possible, meaning I still have a chance."

"But if Mr. Karen really let that mermaid serve him, he wouldn't be the Mr. Karen you admire, would he?"

"I asked him just now where he went this afternoon. He told me he went to eat seafood. I asked him again what he did after that, do you know how he answered me?"

"How did Mr. Karen answer you, Your Highness?"

"He told me he went to visit a brothel."

"I wonder if it's possible that Mr. Karen already guessed you were the one who placed the order for him. He could easily find out by asking the colleagues who went with him when he went downstairs."

"He must have guessed. This should have been a tacit understanding, yet he chose the most direct way. This isn't honesty; it means that in his heart, he hasn't placed me in that position."

"So that's... what it means."

"Pamir, have you ever loved someone?"

"Your subordinate has not."

"Then do you know what it feels like to love someone?"

"Your subordinate... does not know."

"I don't know either. It's just that before seeing him, his proper smile sometimes surfaces in my mind, and I subconsiously want to smile;

but after seeing him today, looking at that same proper smile on his face, I could barely restrain myself from punching him.

At that moment, I really wanted to give him a good beating and throw him into the river!"

Ophelia pursed her lips and continued, "Ancestor Bernard's notes put it very accurately:

When you truly love someone, you cannot help but feel humble before them.

It seems it is time for me to rein in my emotions. There is no need to let myself remain embarrassed and humble. Ancestor Bernard also proved that even without love, one can still become a great person."

With that said,

all other emotions in Ophelia's eyes vanished, leaving only the purest brilliance.

Just then, someone announced from outside the carriage:

"Your Highness, General Taafman has returned to the island. He sent word that he wishes for you to join him for dinner."

"Where is Uncle? Has he not returned to the palace?"

"No, the General is staying at the Ginkgo Villa on the Downhill Highlands."

"Alright, I understand. I am on my way."

…

Night fell.

Karen and Neor stepped out of the room. At this hour, no one was in the courtyard.

They did not dissolve into black mist to drift away either, but walked out quite openly.

As they passed the room where Richard and Memphis stayed, because the window was half-open, they heard Richard inside bragging to Memphis about his wonderful experience interacting with the mermaid this afternoon, describing it so vividly that one could practically feel it.

As passionate as his storytelling was now, his beating upon returning would probably be just as passionate.

After leaving the courtyard and walking out through the hotel's main entrance, Neor waved over a commercial carriage waiting outside the hotel gates, much like a taxi waiting outside a city hotel.

Neor first gave the location of a café, and the carriage brought the two of them there. In the carriage, the two changed out of their divine robes and into plain clothes.

After getting off, the two did not enter the café but walked toward another direction, their destination likely not far from here.

"Captain, do you remember the exact location?"

"I don't remember very clearly." Neor pointed his hand toward a residential area situated high up at the foot of the hill diagonally ahead. "It should be right there."

"Then let's take our time looking for it."

"It shouldn't be that troublesome. I should be able to recall it when we pass by the gate. I remember it was a quite large villa with many ginkgo trees planted inside."

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