Chapter 264: Soaking in Hot Springs

Chapter 264 Soaking in the Hot Spring

Karen had spoken to Purr about the captain, and had also mentioned Philias, but Purr had shown no reaction at the time.

The cat at home had some typical feline calculations, but they were all within acceptable limits; she would never deliberately conceal any matter of great importance from Karen.

The captain's words provided an explanation at this moment: Purr truly did not know Philias.

Purr and Jennifer had once been close friends, companions in exploration; after Purr turned into a cat due to the matter of the God of Light's finger and sought refuge at the Inmerales residence, she was, to the outside world, effectively missing.

It was only after that that Jennifer met Philias and fell in love with him, and later came into contact with Bernard, leading to the subsequent honeymoon period of cooperation between the Remnants of Light and Dark Moon Island.

However, looking at it this way, Bernard's actions back then could indeed be called utterly disgusting, already exceeding the scope of a so-called "ambitious hegemon."

Utilizing the Remnants of Light to develop and then treacherous killing them, though brutal in method, could be rationalized from a purely pragmatic perspective.

After all, the Remnants of Light were the inverse scale of all orthodox churches; let alone Dark Moon Island a century ago, even if the current Dark Moon Island dared to publicly declare its cooperation with Light, what awaited it would inevitably be destruction.

But what did Bernard mean by deliberately creating statues?

He even created a statue of Purr, letting Purr watch how her former close friend was suffocated to death?

If Karen could still feel a bit of sympathy for Bernard before coming to Dark Moon Island, now, Karen was truly filled with a sense of loathing toward this person.

This fellow was an absolute pervert.

So far, Purr had mentioned several of her former friends, and none of them had met a good end, but Karen did not find this strange.

The word "exploration" was no different from an outing in the eyes of many, but it truly killed people, and it killed people very easily; those who could achieve a peaceful end were truly few and far between.

Choosing this path meant being prepared to lie down and sleep forever upon it.

If Purr had not turned into a cat, her end would likely be that many years in the future, some new exploration team would discover Purr's legacy in some dangerous place.

Karen sat on his bed, looked at the captain, and asked, "What is the plan?"

"Tell me first, did today's meeting proceed very smoothly?"

"Yes, very smoothly."

"Then we must advance it slightly. Bernard's burial ground is not in the ancestral cemetery of the Dark Moon clan, but in the Palace of Yearning, which is a palace Bernard built for Miss Purr."

"So, the plan is to rush in, find Bernard's coffin, open it, drag the corpse out and throw it aside, and pick up that Covenant Conch?"

"No, no, no." The captain's expression recovered, and his speaking speed quickened slightly, as if returning to his usual self. "When I came back, someone followed me."

"Followed you?"

"Yes, but I shook him off, and I have sufficient reason to suspect that the Remnants of Light on the island right now might have long been infiltrated by the Dark Moon clan."

"And that sufficient reason is?"

"It has been over a hundred years, and the format of the markers hasn't changed. I, the founder, can actually read these markers with ease. Are they treating the Dark Moon clan as fools?"

"Captain, you conclude this based solely on..."

"This reason is actually sufficient. Perhaps at other times, the Dark Moon authorities only handle surveillance, leaving each other in peace, since wiping out the Remnants of Light would only force them to hide further, so it is better to watch them clearly.

But this time, involving Bernard's grave, things are different; the Dark Moon clan will definitely make preparations in advance.

That batch of Remnants of Light is just bait that came to the door of its own accord."

"We wait for them to go up and deliver themselves before we go?"

"Yes, that is my plan. The plan I helped them devise is to take action tomorrow afternoon. You can invite Miss Ophelia to visit that palace tomorrow evening; reasonably speaking, this should be an inevitable thing for you to do on this trip."

"Yes, I will."

"Then I will strike at that time."

"Just you alone?"

"Isn't there still you?"

"Me?"

"Well, manpower is indeed insufficient, but I do not trust that batch of Remnants of Light; I even suspect that the host, Mr. Sebas himself, is a spy planted there by the Dark Moon clan.

After the first batch of Remnants of Light is dealt with, their vigilance will inevitably slacken, thinking the matter is over; striking at that time will yield a better effect, and you can also receive me inside the palace. As for other manpower..."

"I do not wish to invite Ophelia tomorrow night."

"A moral burden?"

"Yes, perhaps I am somewhat pedantic."

"Rest assured, I can understand. Although I have always wanted to destroy Elisa's family, I have never thought of involving Elisa in this matter. Just go in a personal capacity; let Miss Ophelia wait for you outside the palace."

"Alright, thank you, Captain."

Karen was certainly clear that if he entered with Miss Ophelia, the palace guards would likely move far away deliberately to create space for the two of them, which would make the opportunity for a sneak attack even greater.

"No need to thank me. I said I can understand, otherwise what difference is there between us and Bernard?

People, while alive, must always care a bit about the baseline; this is not used to restrain us, but to give our lives more quality."

"Captain, we can continue with the plan. Manpower..."

"Manpower must be figured out. I cannot bring my team over. Oh no, Memphis can be brought along; it is truly a pity to leave the Lord Spell-Inscriber there unused.

But how is his character?"

"Very good."

"Then that is troublesome, ah. I do not like dealing with people of too good character very much."

"But it can be explained to him. For instance, we discovered clues of past cooperation between Light and Dark Moon Island, and this time we are going to prove it, but because of the current cooperative relationship between Dark Moon Island and the Church of Order, it cannot be exposed openly, so it needs to be conducted secretly as a warning."

"Is it useful to say this?"

"Mr. Memphis only needs a suitable reason, and I feel he has a lot of fire in him right now and wants to vent."

After all, it was not suitable to beat his son here; he had to endure until the end of the mission to return home. Uncle Eisen must be enduring very painfully now.

"True. So, will you say it, or shall I?"

"It is more suitable for you to say it. You can say it is at Bishop Warfuren's behest, to let us give Dark Moon Island a small tap so they know their place."

"Alright, I understand." The captain smiled. "It can be seen that you are very good at dealing with people of good character. As for other manpower, I have thought of a way."

"What way?"

"Didn't many priests from the Church of Samsara come as well? There are also organizations similar to our Whip of Order team. I will draw a team of theirs over when the time comes. I will see about the specific method then, but trust me, no problem.

Alright, looking at it this way, the plan is settled."

"But I still feel it is a bit crude..."

"Karen, this is not called crude; this is leaving room and flexibility for the specific situation at the time. After all, no plan can keep up with changes."

"Alright, I see."

"Then there is nothing else for tonight. Are you going to rest?"

"Richard invited me to soak in the hot spring."

"Oh, alright, I won't go then. I will rest early to replenish my energy."

"Captain, there is one more thing."

"Speak."

"Once we get that contract conch, who is going to blow it?"

"Me."

"Alright, I understand, Captain."

The captain let out a yawn, stretched his back, and said, "You don't need to worry. Whether I am Neo or Philias, I won't hurt you. You don't have the Dark Moon lineage, you share a symbiotic relationship with Miss Purr, and you can even use the power of Light."

"I know."

"If I don't go to sleep now, I really will lose myself. Goodnight

"Your Highness."

"Your Highness."

Fannie and Paige both offered their greetings to Ophelia.

Ophelia nodded to each in turn, saying, "Greetings, sisters."

Paige and Fannie exchanged a fleeting glance.

They knew precisely why the Princess of Dark Moon Island granted them such deference.

"Karen, I have finished bathing."

"Indeed, it is far too stifling; I shall step out first to catch my breath."

"Yes, let us wander a while and take a stroll."

"Your Highness, would it be too much trouble to pass us our robes..."

When it had been only the three of them, exposing their bodies mattered little, but with another present, it felt unseemly.

"Of course, one moment."

Ophelia lifted her sword, instinctively meaning to use the scabbard to hook the hanging robes over, yet she stayed her blade, reaching out instead to gather the garments and proffer them to the two women.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, we shall take our leave."

Paige and Fannie swiftly threw on their robes and departed.

Within the secluded pool, only Karen and Ophelia remained.

She approached a nearby cabinet, opened it, and retrieved two cups, then took ice from a small metal bucket beside it, pouring water over the frozen shards.

Ophelia set one cup by the edge of the pool, gesturing for Karen to come and drink.

Karen shook his head, signaling he was not thirsty.

Ophelia took a long draught herself, then rested her cup to the side.

However, she did not shed her armor to join him in the hot spring, but rather sat upon the ground, her left hand propped against her sword as the evening breeze stirred her hair; her armor shared the dark moon's hue, rendering her a exquisite work of art.

After a long silence,

"The negotiations went smoothly today."

Ophelia seemed to be straining for a topic, only to settle upon one entirely devoid of romance.

Karen immediately followed her cue: "Yes, primarily because the Church of Samsara found the sincerity of our Church of Order to be absolute."

Ophelia blinked, sensing something amiss.

"Of course, we must also thank Dark Moon Island for its immense support and meticulous arrangements for this summit."

Ophelia smiled,

striking the surface of the pool with her palm to send a splash of water into the air,

and said,

"I do not know what one ought to say at such a time, and yet you deliberately feign ignorance too?"

"Haha."

Beholding her pique, Karen could not help but chuckle.

"Are you mocking my foolishness?"

Karen shook his head and said, "Not at all; it is precisely moments like this that are finest. Once one learns the way of it, it becomes quite tasteless instead."

"You always speak in this manner; even my father does not sound so much like..."

Suddenly, Ophelia's gaze froze, a hand flying to her chest as she spat a mouthful of dark blood, gasping in horror,

"The ice was poisoned!"

Seeing this, Karen rose immediately and closed the distance to Ophelia with rapid strides.

Though already stricken by the venom, Ophelia did not forget to warn him even then:

"Be careful, this poison was meant for you!"

—

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