Chapter 267: A Journey of Two

Chapter 267: A Journey of Two

Weiner raised his teacup, took a sip, and then cradled the cup with his right hand while wrapping his left hand around its body.

Tafman, holding his cup in one hand, took a deep gulp and slowly rotated it with his fingertips.

"Ophelia was infected," Tafman said. "It was plain to see that she had been poisoned; she looked thoroughly drained."

"Yes, I saw it too," Weiner nodded. "Yet when Ophelia appeared before us, there wasn't the slightest scent of corruption upon her."

"In the future, setups and arrangements of this nature must never be repeated. We were fortunate that Ophelia came out unscathed this time."

"No matter how brilliant the setup or the arrangement, unexpected variables will always arise. It is quite normal, and as long as the outcome is favorable, that is all that matters."

Tafman offered a faint smile and countered, "But is the outcome truly favorable?"

Weiner drew a deep breath, exhaled it slowly, and said, "Perhaps we can call Ophelia over now and question her more closely."

"Why add a 'perhaps'?" Tafman asked.

"And why do you ask that?" Weiner replied with a bitter smile.

"Ever since that nameless remnant of the Light activated the array in the master bedroom of my villa and teleported into Snake Island, I could tell that Ophelia was hiding things from me.

"For instance, why Karen would appear in my villa at that time. My guards had no record of any outside visitors. Back then, Ophelia sat before me and told me she intended to sever that budding affection she had for him.

"And then it turned out the two of them were having a tryst in my villa.

"I can understand the impatience that sometimes arises between young men and women, how they might disregard time and place to do something scandalous.

"But I cannot comprehend a girl bringing her lover to her uncle's house for a secret rendezvous—especially when that girl is our Ophelia."

"She has grown up; she knows how to protect someone," Weiner said.

"Yet after we entered Snake Island, the traces of battle at the scene and the phantom of Lady Phael on the sarcophagus—everything was so meticulously detailed, so entirely natural, that it actually felt rather strange to me.

"The strangest thing of all is that from the look of the scene, the remnant of the Light who activated the array... heh, that Philias parasite, supposedly suffered an mishap while commandeering Karen's body and was incinerated within the cavern.

"But two days later, I encountered someone outside. Though his face was masked, and though I didn't deliberately investigate his background for fear of spooking him, I have a feeling that Philias parasite wasn't incinerated at all. He is still around, and he is still active."

"That gathering of the Light?"

"Yes."

"Was it he who proposed changing the plan to attack the tomb of our ancestor, Bernard?"

"It was that very man. Even among the remnants of the Light, Philias belongs to an isolated branch. Because of the grave sin committed by their family's ancestor, they are ostracized by others who worship the Light.

"Therefore, I do not believe that the secrets of Philias could ever be common knowledge. The Covenant Conch—that is something mentioned only in those two journals left behind by Ancestor Bernard and Philias.

"Though statues of Ancestor Bernard are scattered all over the island, who would guess that the conch tied to the ancestor's waist is a sacred relic of awakening? Any ordinary person would simply take it for an ornament."

"You should see to the arrangements for the Palace of Yearning."

"I know."

Weiner took another sip of his tea and said, "If the incinerated Philias parasite and the one who guided the island's remnants of the Light to alter their plan of action are the same person, then what is his purpose in doing this?"

"That is precisely what I have been unable to comprehend. If he and Karen knew each other all along and were in collusion, the only real fruit of his actions seems to be that he allowed Karen to rescue Ophelia."

"Pfft... hahahaha." Weiner could not help but laugh. "Are you suggesting that Philias returned to Dark Moon Island solely to help a young man named Karen win the heart of a girl, and that this girl happens to be of the Dark Moon bloodline?"

"That is the problem; it cannot be explained."

Weiner froze for a moment, then said, "No, there is a possibility that can explain it."

Tafman looked toward his elder brother.

Weiner fixed his gaze on the carpet ahead. "Philias is now Karen's servant."

"This..." Tafman had not expected his brother to offer such an explanation.

"You mentioned that Ophelia told you Karen didn't seem to harbor such intense feelings for her. Karen has a fiancée, and the boy seems rather steadfast in his adherence to monogamy.

"If Karen wanted to pursue Ophelia, he wouldn't need to resort to such schemes at all. Our Ophelia is still very young, and youth is her greatest disadvantage. No matter how clever a woman is, she is always prone to falling for the first man she develops feelings for.

"But this is like the sailors under your command. Nominally, they are the offshore fleet of Dark Moon Island, but in truth, they obey your orders rather than mine as the patriarch. They might even instigate or coerce you into launching a military coup to take my place.

"If Philias is now Karen's servant, then this entire sequence of behavior becomes perfectly rational. He wished to please his master, but acting from a servant's perspective, he overlooked his master's own principles and choices.

"In his eyes, helping his master leave a deeper impression in the heart of the Princess of Dark Moon Island was a meritorious deed, yet he failed to comprehend his master's true internal preferences.

"That is why such an illogical situation arose."

Tafman licked his lips, nodded, and said, "That explains it."

"If Philias is Karen's servant, it also explains why the Curse Worm failed to corrupt Ophelia."

"Yes, it is at least more acceptable than the descent of a True God."

The curse of Philias from years ago was such that unless a True God descended, there was absolutely no chance of survival for anyone of the Dark Moon line facing the corruption of that Curse Worm.

Weiner set down his teacup and interlaced his fingers before him. "But now another question arises. What exactly is Karen's identity? You have interacted with him; what do you think?"

"He is very proud."

"Compared to Leon? Wolfrun's grandson."

"Are you insulting Karen, or are you flattering Leon?"

"True. Philias is such a proud man, yet to make him willingly go to such lengths, just how much power must the person behind the scenes possess?"

"Brother, do you still insist on believing there is someone behind Karen?"

"Whether I insist on that belief or not is meaningless now. From the moment I saw Karen's name and the name of his squad on the roster of the Church of Order delegation, I knew something was amiss.

"The matter between Ophelia and Karen is the subject of endless rumors in York City—there are even tales claiming our Ophelia boarded her return ship while caressing her belly.

"Yet the original plan back then was to push for an alliance through marriage between Ophelia and Leon. Though it was merely a plan, the Church of Order had given its nod, and Chief Bishop Wolfrun of York City had granted his permission.

"It was upon this foundation that the rumors regarding Ophelia and Karen leaked out...

"And the result?

"The squad Karen belongs to was actually arranged by Bishop Wolfrun to come to our Dark Moon Island together with him, and now they are even staying in the same courtyard. What kind of existence could force the Chief Bishop of York City to endure such an immense grievance without daring to vent his wrath?"

"Unless a powerful hand intervened, completely disregarding even Wolfrun's pride."

"Do you remember the Pamires Sect?"

"I remember."

"Order's infiltration of the Pamires Sect began a long time ago."

"Brother, do you mean to say this is Order infiltrating my Dark Moon Island?"

"We have no room for choice, do we? Even if I were to scrape the bottom of the island's barrel and offer all our resources to you, and even if the scale of your offshore fleet were to double again, would you dare go to war with a single knight regiment of Order?"

"If it were at sea..."

"Hmm?"

"I shouldn't be completely wiped out."

"Ha."

Tafman stood up and said, "The Church of Order did not swallow the Pamires Sect; instead, they supported its growth. Though saying such words brings shame upon our ancestors, from another perspective, it means that ever since our ancestors' time, our Dark Moon Island has developed step by step until finally... finally, we possess the qualifications to be held and controlled by Order."

"An excellent piece of self-consolation, and entirely unassailable."

"For you, for me, and for the Dark Moon Island, as long as the next successor is Ophelia's child, the Dark Moon Island will remain the Dark Moon Island."

"That is exactly why I prefer daughters; you can always be absolutely certain that your daughter's child is your grandchild, but you can never be so certain about your son's child."

"Alright, you should rest. I will continue the night watch to ensure those small fry do not leap onto the shore."

"With you on watch, I am at peace."

Tuffman walked outward, and just as he reached the main door of the drawing-room, he was called back by his elder brother behind him:

"Tuffman, you previously suggested to me that we should summon Ophelia and question her thoroughly regarding the details."

"It was merely a suggestion. In truth, I do not entirely agree with adding too much deliberate interference from elders between two young people. If we do not intervene or stretch out our hands, it might actually make the two of them feel more comfortable with each other.

If Ophelia were to know more, or if we forced Ophelia to tell us some of Karen's secrets, then Ophelia and Karen might truly lose any possibility of a future.

Because I know Ophelia's temperament well."

"I am not worried about that. The reason I chose not to do this is because I am afraid of what Ophelia might tell me..."

"Tell you what?"

"Tell me that she was only cured of the curse by drinking Karen's blood."

In an instant, the entire drawing-room fell into silence.

This silence endured for a very long time.

Tuffman raised his hand with some difficulty, intending to grasp the doorknob. When his hand finally rested upon it, he took a deep breath and spoke, "Then what was the meaning of everything we just discussed and analyzed?"

In the end, it all reverted to the most terrifying possibility.

Weiner picked up his teacup, swallowed the remaining tea along with the leaves at the bottom of the cup, and said:

"In the presence of the gods, what truly counts as meaningful?"

"I want... to go and ask Ophelia."

"But you dare not."

"Yes, I dare not. Just like testing with the Cursed Worm, the correct and incorrect answers represent completely opposite outcomes."

"Let this matter remain in silence. Regarding everything about Karen, even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, we must gamble on it. Do not disturb Ophelia and Karen. Just as you said, the affairs of the young should be left to the young to handle themselves.

Because whatever we do will only make their relationship worse.

Youth is also Ophelia's advantage."

Tuffman said, "But the impression Karen gives me is that he no longer feels young."

Weiner smiled,

And said:

"That is even better. What aging, mature man can refuse a young and lovely girl?"

...

"Captain, that is how things stand. Tonight's experience was rather eventful. I suspect that the Patriarch and the General are acutely aware of the matters concerning those below them, but due to certain reasons, a variable arose. Ophelia drank the poison, and that worm..."

"Karen, do you remember what I told you about my experience at the bottom of the sea?"

"I remember. So, that worm..."

"Yes, it is that very worm. It is deeply etched into my memory. At the bottom of the sea, I once ate seaweed containing their eggs. The exact same worms once developed and grew inside my body. Although they later left my body, I could never forget them.

Now I remember; it is the Cursed Worm, a curse condensed from Philias's hatred toward the Dark Moon clan. Heh, this kind of worm seems to possess a powerful toxicity exclusive to the lineage of the Dark Moon clan."

"Then why did the people of Dark Moon Island preserve it instead of choosing to eradicate it completely?"

"Because it is useful. For instance, during internal strife. What, is that so difficult to understand?"

"No, it is understandable."

Karen nodded. Such was human nature; even when faced with weapons capable of destroying themselves along with their enemies, humans remained just as relentlessly infatuated with them.

For instance, there were many forbidden spells within the orthodox church circles. Clearly they were forbidden, yet so many people still intensely craved them.

"You used your blood to save Ophelia. Do you know what the consequences would be if the Patriarch and the General learned of this from Ophelia's mouth?"

"My identity would very likely be exposed because of it, but I still do not regret doing so."

"No, not only would your identity not be exposed, but you would instead become the most noble existence on Dark Moon Island. Because Philias once left a curse upon those worms, and they should remember that curse."

The Captain took a wine glass from the drawer beneath the nightstand, held it upside down above his head, and reached out to feel the bottom of the glass;

Once confirmed to be correct, he poured the red wine, swirled the glass, and took a large gulp.

"Being with you reduces my joy by half, because you always draw attention, and consequently, I get dragged into it as well. Though they say gold always shines, you are a lightbulb."

"Captain..."

"I am not blaming you. Sometimes without any attention, half the fun is lost. I am actually quite enjoying it."

"Captain, do you fear your identity being discovered by the Church of Order?"

"To be honest, I am not particularly afraid. Although I know that once my identity is exposed, my end will inevitably be miserable, I am not afraid because I have always been loyal to Order. Though the authorities likely do not care whether a remnant of Light like me is loyal, I know it clearly myself. What about you? Are you afraid?"

"I have thought about this question. I am not afraid. Concealment is for the purpose of seeing more beautiful scenery, not merely to curl up in a corner, afraid to look others in the eye."

"In essence, you and I are of the same kind. By the way, in your description just now, Tuffman severed his nephew's head and kicked it to your feet like a ball. Did you have an impulse at that moment to kick the ball back to him?"

"No."

"Really?"

"How could I possibly possess such a peculiar eccentricity."

"Heh."

"Captain, do you intend to continue with the Palace of Yearning tomorrow?"

"Continue. Why shouldn't we continue? That is the greatest amusement I have prepared."

Holding his wine glass, the Captain stood up, turned gently in a circle within the room, and continued:

"Not only in front of the Dark Moon clan that betrayed me back then, but also in front of the two great orthodox churches, the Church of Order and the Church of Samsara, Dorons will unleash the roar belonging to the return of Light!

This is just like when people of the next era compile and summarize the great historical events of the previous era.

Your grandfather bombing the Temple of Order will be the prelude to the return of the gods;

While on this island, a single roar from the divine beast of Light, Dorons, will sound the true horn for the return of the gods!

Light,

Will eventually descend upon the mortal realm once more, bringing a new order to this world..."

Neo froze, then reached out to tap his own head:

"Damn it, why did it still bring order."

Immediately afterward,

Neo smiled again:

"To spite you, it is just to spite you, Hahaha."

Sometimes Karen truly could not distinguish whether the Captain was genuinely lost or falsely lost. Perhaps the Captain simply enjoyed this sensation of blending the real with the fake, much like people who enjoy drinking and smoking also enjoy the detrimental effects of alcohol and nicotine upon the brain.

Lying down on the bed, Karen interlaced his fingers and cradled them beneath his head.

Across the room, the Captain rambled on in a mild, drunken stupor while nursing his wine; after a long while, he grew quiet and finally settled onto his own bed.

"Mr. Karen, do you believe the God of Light still exists?"

Karen and Neo had shared many secrets, but even now, Neo remained oblivious to the full extent of them, simply because Karen carried far too many.

For instance, the Captain had no idea what was hidden beneath the tail of the cat named Purr.

If a man had fallen apart to the point of losing even his fingers, could such a man truly still be alive? Even if he were a god.

"The Light dwells within the hearts of us all."

"A perfectly proper response, though I am certain Philias would find it utterly depressing," the Captain said, rolling over. "Time to rest. Looking forward to tomorrow."

"Alright, let's get some rest."

"Goodnight, you heart-wringing scoundrel."

"Goodnight, you havoc-wreaking madman."

"Goodnight, Grandpa Dis's precious little grandson."

"Goodnight, Philias's pitiful parasite."

"Goodnight, Karen."

"Goodnight, Captain."