Chapter 547: Gone Love!

Chapter 547: The Departed Love!

Alfred brought over a chair and sat down, a mounted easel before him, as he picked up his palette and began mixing colors.

Ventura stood to the side, watching the freshly mixed colors as Alfred began applying broad strokes of black across the background.

"Mr. Alfred, can you see clearly?"

Because it was a dark night, Ventura could only make out the vague, distant shadow belonging to the Captain.

"I possess the Eyes of a Succubus."

"Oh, right, I almost forgot. Your eyes are quite remarkable."

"But that is not the main reason. The main reason is that the Young Master’s figure is ever-present in my heart, perfectly clear."

"So that is how it is. Eh, sir, the Captain hasn't even taken flight yet. Why have you already painted him in the sky?"

"Artistic creation inevitably requires an infusion of imagination."

"Oh." Ventura scratched his head, understanding yet not quite understanding.

Just then, Muri walked over, precisely as the wings on either side of Karen's body flapped, launching his entire form into the air.

Muri murmured with emotion, "Hah, what incredible speed."

Alfred, his brush continuing to move, remarked, "This is only normal. Thousand-Charms inherently possesses the substantial capability to carry the Young Master aloft. With the added strength of those steel plates attached, the speed will only increase."

Muri nodded, "The speed is much faster than the Black Mist Stealth spell. Moreover, when entering the black mist state, spellcasting and other actions are constrained. Now, the Captain no longer needs to worry about such things."

At that moment, Karen began to accelerate parallel to the ground, then came to a sudden halt. His form carried almost no inertia, standing steadily in midair.

"Can the Captain's body take the strain?" Ventura asked curiously.

Alfred shook his head and said, "It should not be a problem. Thousand-Charms itself possesses an extremely high level of control over power; this is a natural talent of its spiritual form. The Young Master infusing it with the Chains of Order is equivalent to giving it an immense additional boost. Those wings are not a simple assembly of steel plates; they are virtually flesh and blood, and exceedingly powerful.

Mm, there is another point. The Young Master’s physical constitution was greatly enhanced after absorbing the Bone of God, so the gains from Sacrifice Island were truly significant."

Speaking to this point, Alfred sighed again with emotion:

"The body is the capital required to transform the destiny of heaven and earth."

Hearing this, Muri frowned slightly. Though he understood each individual word, why did this sentence sound so profoundly obscure?

Yet, he was too embarrassed to ask, because during their study exchanges, Alfred would frequently explain new "vocabulary" to them, as if teaching them an entirely different language.

Muri had not spaced out during classes, but the problem was that this specific language was too difficult. His learning process was somewhat painful, and the reason he refrained from asking was a fear that Alfred had already explained this term and he had simply forgotten it.

Ventura, carrying no such image burden or other misgivings, asked directly, "Mr. Alfred, what does that sentence mean?"

"Oh, that is a phrase the Young Master once uttered at the dinner table when he had a very late meal;

The general meaning is that the body is highly important, and we must cherish our health to successfully accomplish great deeds.

As for transforming the destiny of heaven and earth... according to my understanding, 'heaven and earth' here can be combined. In fact, this whole sentence should probably be condensed into a single word, much like that phrase about heaven, earth, and the straw-woven dog.

But I have not yet figured out how to coin and define this word. Once I have it thought through, I will discuss it with you."

"This language is truly difficult," Ventura said with a bitter look on his face.

"If you are merely learning a bit of the spoken tongue, it is actually not that hard."

Alfred did not think of himself as possessing any linguistic genius, even though his talent in this regard had shocked even Karen.

Immediately following that, Alfred traced a few casual lines outside the easel with his brush, continuing:

"From the Young Master’s early notebooks and the slips of paper he would give me, I gradually discovered that within the written characters of this language, there lies hidden an art, an exquisitely beautiful art.

The pauses and strokes at the beginning and end of every horizontal line, I find them absolutely beautiful."

Muri and Ventura exchanged a glance, both seeing utter despair in the other's eyes.

In truth, if it were merely a matter of spreading theories and ideas, it would be relatively simple instead. But Alfred insisted on adding "cultural lessons," because he felt that only by recognizing and understanding its culture could one truly comprehend the distinct thoughts the Young Master wished to express, which were tethered to this cultural background.

Very soon, upon Alfred's canvas, Karen's image was complete.

Beneath the black curtain of night,

The moon above had shifted from a slant to a position directly behind the Young Master, serving as his background plate in the dark night.

And the Young Master himself stood with three pairs of black wings unfurled, every tip of the wings curving in a perfect arc, combining an exquisite delicacy with an oppressive weight in just the right proportions.

A six-winged fallen angel.

"Phew..."

Alfred, thoroughly satisfied, began touching up and refining the edges.

"Wow, so beautiful," Ventura praised. "Mr. Alfred, can you give this painting to me?"

"No, I record the Young Master’s words and deeds through text and imagery. These are all materials I must archive, meant to be brought out for compilation in the future."

"Then could you find some time later to paint one for me? I want such a... such a beautiful painting too."

Hearing this request, a smile broke across Alfred's face:

"Of course, that is certainly no problem. In the future, the matter of painting for you all will be left to me."

After all, Alfred had long since self-appointed himself as the Chief Designer of Murals.

Ahead, after flying to a great height, Karen inverted his body, head down, and began a rapid plunge.

As he neared the ground, the wings behind him spread open, completely enveloping Karen's entire form.

"Bang!"

A crater was smashed into the ground.

Immediately afterward, like a blooming flower, the wings parted, and Karen slowly stood up, experiencing no discomfort other than a slight ringing in his ears.

"Next time, remember to control the friction sound. It might cause me to lose focus during battle."

Thousand-Charms instantly gave a response of "Understood."

Purr, perched upon Kevin’s back, sighed, "Hmm, the actual results completely exceed the design expectations."

"Woof, woof."

"The enhancement from Karen's Chains of Order along with the elevation of Thousand-Charms' life characteristics? Yes, it should be those two reasons. That Thousand-Charms seemed to originally be the pet of a gatekeeper of the Samsara God Religion within the door, so it is indeed quite extraordinary."

Seeing Karen walking toward them at this moment, Purr immediately called out happily:

"Oh, little Karen, how do you feel about the toy your loving elder personally forged for you?"

"Very good, I am extremely satisfied. However, this can only serve as a secondary weapon. It seems the primary weapon must still be sought from the burial grounds of Companini."

When you require its mobility and defensive properties, you cannot borrow from it for offensive purposes; this was currently its sole shortcoming. Yet, if treated as a secondary weapon, it truly possessed no flaws.

"That goes without saying, you still need to find something more formidable as a primary weapon. Right, I will instruct young Anderson later to make a dozen pairs of boots for you that can integrate with this weapon."

"Mm, alright, thank you for your hard work, in such hot weather and in such a hot forge."

Karen scooped Purr up from Kevin's back.

Kevin was just about to remind Karen that Purr was a cat of the fire attribute;

But Purr’s gaze instantly glared down: "Stupid dog, shut up!"

Kevin: "..."

"I'll make some fish for you tomorrow." Karen stroked Purr’s back before placing the cat back onto Kevin.

Once Karen walked away toward Alfred, Purr slapped Kevin on the crown of his head with a paw.

"Stupid dog, do you see the difference now? Did you really think Karen forgot what element of a cat I am?"

...

The following morning, the weather was clear and bright.

Karen walked into the kitchen wearing an apron to begin preparing lunch; he didn't ask anyone for help, but as he was dressing the fish before him, Eunice walked in, also wearing an apron.

"Mother hinted... no, she practically ordered me to come in and help, haha."

"My thanks to Lady Jenny for giving us more time together."

Eunice did not ask what needed to be done, but instead very deftly began washing the side vegetables. "I didn't think my inability to cook was any big deal, until I discovered that you are actually a wonderful cook."

"It's just a hobby of mine. There is a great sense of fulfillment in preparing delicious food and watching the people you care about enjoy eating it."

"I know that feeling. It's just like how happy I used to feel inside whenever I had you taste the pastries I made with my own hands."

"Actually, I rarely cook now. Back in City of Roga I used to do it quite a bit, basically every day."

"I still remember the noodles you made for me yourself the first time we met."

"Yes, I was unprepared back then and didn't entertain you properly."

"But you made pickled cabbage fish for the Ancestor."

"Because respecting the elderly is a virtue."

"Do you remember when you first came to Wien, I used to worry that you wouldn't adapt?" Eunice reminisced as she washed tomatoes. "I was so afraid you would suffer grievances. Looking back now, I really worried too much."

"If it had been you staying with me in City of Roga back then, I suppose it would be my turn to worry whether you were suffering grievances. We are both kind-hearted people."

"Time flies so fast." Eunice turned her body and looked at Karen. "For me, it is truly so fast."

Karen picked up the knife to begin the next step of dressing the cleaned fish; he intended to use the fish head to boil soup.

"Eunice."

"Hmm?"

Karen hesitated for a moment, then set down the knife in his hand. He deliberately washed his hands, wiped them on his apron, and turned to face Eunice.

"This time, come back to the funeral parlor with me."

Hearing these words, Eunice smiled.

"Haha."

"Don't misunderstand, this isn't a proposal. I think a sense of ceremony is important, but I'm sorry, I returned in a hurry this time. You saw that I was lying in a coffin when I first got back, and for most of my recovery period, I’ve been sitting in a wheelchair.

I have no way to prepare the things required for a sense of ceremony; all of that will be made up for later.

I just feel that inviting you in a kitchen to come and live with me fits my understanding and definition of life better."

"You don't need to explain any of this, Karen. You are my fiancé and I am your fiancée. If a sense of ceremony is ill-timed and cannot make both people feel relaxed and happy, then I don't see much need for it.

Do you know, a very long time ago—yes, I suppose I should use that temporal descriptor—I used to fantasize about the scenes of living with you at the funeral parlor."

"Then pack your bags a bit. You don't need to bring too much, I will go shopping with you in York City to buy things when the time comes."

"No, Karen, I don't want to go back with you right now."

"Hmm? Why?" Karen frowned slightly. "I am not being forced, nor am I under any pressure. In fact, from a very early stage, I knew that you would be my wife, and that you would step into the porch of marriage and the path of life with me."

"Karen, after I accompany you back to the funeral parlor, what can I do? I don't feel that I can help you with anything in either life or work—at least, the current me truly cannot do it."

"You don't have to think that way..."

"Yes, I know you will say that you don't need me to help you with anything, and I also know you don't mean to demean me. You are always like this, meticulously nursing my feelings.

Life is sometimes a burden. For many couples and families, it is, though of course this burden holds an irreplaceable sweetness.

I believe that if I returned to the funeral parlor with you, I would live very happily. But I feel that it might not be our most suitable choice right now.

You will be very busy, you will be very tired, and your work can easily exhaust you body and soul."

"I will accompany you. I will make time."

"No, you misunderstand my meaning. What I want to say is that we don't need to be obsessed with distance. If you feel tired and want to rest, just return to the manor, all right? I will be waiting for you here."

Karen had not expected to be refused, which left him somewhat at a loss.

This loss was not a feeling of disappointment or dejection, let alone any shame or annoyance; it was more of a lingering doubt.

Karen's view on marriage had always leaned conservative. This did not refer to a simple dynamic of the man handling the outside and the woman handling the inside, but rather to his perception that a husband should be the party to bear more responsibility, while a wife should be the party to receive more protection—you lend a shoulder, and she returns a gentle warmth.

He had already passed the psychological age of chasing the dazzling brilliance of romance, considering instead the bits and pieces of a peaceful life.

Just like the family atmosphere of the Immoles family on Mink Street, just like the love shared by Uncle Mason and Aunt Mary.

Karen had always believed that this was what Eunice wanted as well, so he could only ask: "Is our communication and understanding still insufficient?"

Eunice blinked her eyes and smiled. "No, it's not. I know what kind of life you want in your heart, and it aligns with me. You once told me that you really like the way your uncle and aunt interact."

"Yes, that's how it is, indeed."

"I want to become a woman like your aunt. I look forward to and long for that kind of life, truly. I was even prepared long ago to learn the techniques of a mortuary makeup artist."

"Then..."

"But most importantly, Karen, you are not a man like your uncle."

Eunice flicked the water droplets from her hands, leaned her body forward, gently grasped Karen’s arm, and rested her chin against his shoulder.

"What you want right now is a vase—an exquisite, elegant vase where you can set down your fatigue and obtain rest."

"I have never viewed you that way, believe me, Eunice."

"I know. But if being a vase can make you feel comfortable, I am willing to be one. After all, we are both still very young. Being young means we can continue to lie lazily on the grass to bask in the sun, pursuing a lounging posture that is comfortable for both of whom we are.

I will wait for you here, always waiting for you. When you feel you have seen enough of the scenery out there, come back and take me away, all right, Karen?"

Karen did not speak.

The exact same words had once been spoken by him to Dis; he had told his grandfather that he wanted to go out and see the scenery of this world.

Immediately after, the image of Dis's later years surfaced in Karen’s mind—it was a settling after stripping away all superficial vanity, a pure love and enjoyment of family and life.

Lowering his head to look at the girl leaning against him, a touch of a smile appeared at the corner of Karen’s mouth.

As it turned out, it was he who did not understand himself very well, yet she could feel it.

Still, Karen said with a bit of stubbornness, "I just feel that life doesn't need to pursue perfection, because perfect things do not exist to begin with."

"We are still young." Eunice raised her head to meet Karen's gaze, while reaching out to gently caress his face. "Since we are young, what's the rush? I'm not even in a hurry, so what are you rushing for? Don't forget, I am still older than you."

"But you don't have to slumber anymore."

"Mm, yes, but I won't be lonely. Over this past half year, I had so many dreams. What I want to do next is act as a director myself to shoot some movies, to present the images and stories from my dreams.

I also want to open a clothing store to sell clothes I design myself.

In short, who would be silly enough to stay in a room the entire time just waiting for you to come over? Though of course, I will look forward to your next return."

Eunice gently stood on her tiptoes, nipped Karen's earlobe, and then smiled mischievously. "Who ruled that one cannot date after getting engaged? Who ruled that a married couple cannot act as lovers?"

"Who ever decreed that stockings come in only a single style?"

Karen gazed intently at that beautiful face; it turned out he had not only failed to see himself clearly, but he had never truly seen her either.

"I respect your wishes. I'll speak to your family so they won't put any pressure on you."

"There's actually no need to say anything. Your status is rising so quickly now, they wouldn't dare press the issue anyway."

"That's not the same thing. I will sit down with your grandfather and have a serious talk about our decision and our plans."

"Thank you."

"It's I who should thank you, Eunice, because you are the one accommodating me."

"Because you're worth it."

"Look, I'm not in the wheelchair anymore."

"Mmhmm..."

"So, what color and style is it tonight?"

...

By the fireplace, Purr, who had listened to the entire conversation while perched on Kevin's back, raised a pair of meaty paws in sheer disbelief:

"Oh, heavens, what on earth are those two playing at, meow!"

One had to understand that Purr had been eagerly anticipating the swift birth of a great-great-great-great-great-nephew or niece; she desperately wanted to see a little Dis or a little Karen running around with the blood of the Allen family flowing through their veins.

"Woof?" (Perhaps this is love?)

"To hell with love!"

"Shuck!"

From Purr's meaty paws, claws slid out.

"I'm going to go shred every last pair of their stockings right now, so much for your love!"

———

There is still more tonight, I'll do my best to finish writing it before one o'clock!