13 Mink Street

Earl Rekar chewed over those words, then asked in confusion, “But the gods do indeed exist.”

Saman said, “Not having faith in the gods is not the same as denying their existence. It just means that the gods are not truths worth following.”

Earl Rekar looked at Saman and asked, “How do you know so much?”

Saman rolled his eyes at the earl and disdainfully replied, “I listened to many more days of quotes than you.”

“That same manservant?”

“Mhmm.”

“I didn’t have time to finish listening. Even much of what I did hear, I didn’t understand. Things felt to have been translated from another language, with far too many implied meanings.”

“That’s fine. It’s normal for old people to have poor comprehension. I, as a young man, can teach you.”

“Heh.” Earl Rekar reached out and placed a hand on Saman’s shoulder. “Good, good. I like hearing a youngster speak like that.”

Saman then turned back to Karon and asked, “Is the characteristic of your Immers family faith system really learning?”

Clearly, in his view, having so many faiths piled up like in a general store, no matter how the matter was considered, the concept of “learning” could not possibly contain it all.

Earl Rekar said, “In my early years, when I roamed the seas, I often cooperated with the Veynic navy to break other countries’ military ports. Do you know what those sailors and soldiers, whose eyes were red from killing, would do after breaking in?”

Saman replied, “I can imagine.”

“You can give an adjective.”

Saman shook his head. “I don’t dare.”

“Alright.” Rekar nodded to show his understanding. “But at the time, Veynic newspapers featured propaganda lines about how we brought civilization to the unenlightened barbarians, allowing them to learn from our advanced culture.”

“Alright. I understand.”

“You’re young and lack experience, which must slowly be compensated for. If you insist on asking to the end, that would not be appropriate.”

Karon watched the two of them mock each other, but could not be bothered to interrupt. In any case, in his eyes, the characteristic of the family faith system passed down by Tiz was indeed “learning.” How could the Immers family possibly be considered pillagers? As for the fact that there were a few more things in his house, they had not been plundered, but had been collected through the process of learning.

“Alright, I should leave now.” Karon stood up, preparing to bid farewell.

Saman rose to his feet. “Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us.”

Earl Rekar said, “Thank you for taking time to visit us while coming to see my descendant granddaughter.”

A black vortex appeared before Karon. After he walked into it, the vortex vanished.

Saman looked at Earl Rekar and asked, “That fiancée of his is your descendant?”

“That’s right.” Earl Rekar deliberately lifted his chin.

“Then why are they not married yet, and why are there no descendants?”

“Because that descendant of mine awakened her bloodline and now needs to sleep for half a year to digest the power she has gained. After she finishes, she will—”

“Instead of hurrying to marry and produce descendants, she was made into Sleeping Beauty? Which genius-level idiot arranged for that?”

Earl Rekar: “...”

***

Karon opened his eyes and walked out of the performance hall. It had started to sprinkle outside, but Borg already had an umbrella prepared, and he held it open for Karon.

After entering the manor, no servant approached to inform him that Eunice was awake, which meant that she was still sleeping soundly. Karon did not want to disturb her sleep, so he instead went up to the third floor study, and sat at the desk.

Borg brought coffee and tea, then withdrew from the room and stood at the door.

Karon opened a drawer. He remembered placing several books there, and no one in Allen Manor would touch anything he had left behind.

Inside the drawer, there was an extra photograph, as well as a painting. The photograph was of Alfred sitting before a grave, a notebook in his hands as he read from it like a preacher.

The painting depicted the same scene, though with the addition of many exaggerated artistic flourishes. For example, Alfred had been painted with some extra radiance, giving him a more sacred appearance, and looking as though he were spreading divine gospel through the world on behalf of a god.

The grave, too, had been given some additional color changes, which created the impression that the person within it was being summoned and was about to awaken.

Before Karon went to Darkmoon Island, Alfred had been responsible for transporting Saman’s coffin to Allen Manor and then setting up the ritual array in the performance hall. At the same time, even if the other coffins currently remained empty, they had still needed to be prepared.

Karon had once reminded Alfred that Earl Rekar might not be Awakened by him, so Alfred was allowed to wait for Karon to return before changing Earl Rekar’s coffin.

However, upon Karon’s return, Alfred had reported that everything had already been completed at the performance hall. This had been a bit of a surprise to Karon.

Alfred’s explanation for his success was that he had used quotes from Karon and recited them to Earl Rekar, ultimately causing the earl to awaken of his own initiative and then agree to change where he slept.

Karon did not believe that explanation, even with the photograph and the painting right before him. Could Alfred’s vocal ability already have improved to the point where it could penetrate certain mediums?

Ever since leaving Swillen and coming to Veyn, Alfred had been almost indispensable in Karon’s life. To be precise, no one could refuse having an Alfred at their side.

However, Karon had still neglected Alfred’s own progress. The man had lost all traces of his demonkin aura, and his listening and vocal abilities had received an enormous enhancement. This enhancement had always been rather vague to Karon. Only now did it seem that Alfred’s improvement had exceeded Karon’s expectations.

Limited by the fact that Karon was still working as a member of a Whip of Order squad, his valet had not had much room to stretch recently. There were also very few occasions when he needed to fight. He was merely serving as a butler.

That was why Alfred wanted to integrate the small demonkin groups of York City. He also wanted his own tasks; He wanted to be of use.

Karon reached out and gently pinched the space between his brows. As the leader of a small team, while enjoying the support and convenience provided by that team, he also had to take on the responsibility for the development of that team’s members.

It seemed that in terms of status, he really did need to move upward. If he could form his own Whip squad, everyone in the funeral home would have their own tasks. Even for this purpose alone, he was determined to be selected for the Reincarnation Gate excursion.

Obtaining that spot would be proving himself as one of the twelve most outstanding people his age. Becoming a Whip of Order squad captain would certainly be more than reasonable at that time.

Slowly accumulating the merits needed for promotion was too slow. Even someone as outstanding as his own captain had wasted so much time in Port Mulberry, hadn’t he?

However, Karon did not think the photograph and the painting had been placed in the drawer at Alfred’s instruction as a means of earning credit with Karon. Alfred had long since moved beyond that stage.

Still, it could not be ruled out that someone else wanted to flatter Alfred and had arranged for things in this way.

Karon pressed the bell on the desk. Borg opened the door and walked in with an insulated bucket. He opened it to reveal ice and tongs. After placing the bucket on one corner of Karon’s desk, Borg took one step back. “Young Master, please give me your instructions.”

“Nothing for now.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Karon grabbed the tongs and placed several ice cubes in his glass. Then, while gently swirling the water, he leaned back and slightly to the right to look out the study’s window and into the vast darkness outside.

As he stared, fatigue gradually swept over him. Karon set the glass back on the desk, crossed his hands over his chest, and closed his eyes.

When the sky outside was growing bright, Karon heard a knock at the door. Opening his eyes, he yawned and pressed the desk bell.

Borg opened the door and reported to Karon, “Young Master, Miss Eunice has awakened.”

“Alright.”

Karon first went to his own bedroom, discovering that Pu’er and Kevin were not there. They should have been working on setting up the ritual array throughout the night.

After briefly washing up, Karon went to Eunice’s room on the second floor. The two maids at the door were led away by Borg, and Karon pushed open the door and entered.

“Mmm...” Eunice had just finished bathing and walked out wearing pajamas, her hair still wet. “I told them to call you in a while.”

“But I couldn’t wait.” Karon walked forward. Taking the towel from Eunice’s hand, he began to help her dry her hair.

She said, “Next time you come back, just wake me up. Don’t wait.”

“I’m willing to wait.”

After helping Eunice dry her hair, Karon sat down on the sofa. The doorbell rang, and Eunice went over to carry in a tray with breakfast on it.

Karon grabbed a glass of milk and took a sip. Eunice peeled an egg for him and held it to his lips. Karon bit into it, then reached out and took it from her hand.

“I made some clothes for you,” Eunice said, standing up. “I’ll take them out for you to try on.”

“Eat breakfast first,” Karon said.

Eunice nodded and sat back down to resume eating.

Karon ate two eggs and a piece of bread before stopping. Waking midway through sleep had left him without much appetite.

Eunice also finished eating quickly. She looked at him with some evident anticipation. “Should I take the clothes out?”

“I’ll go with you.” Karon stood up and went to the closet with Eunice. She pulled out three garments. One was a black Order priest’s robe, one was a brown trench coat, and the last was a thin blazer.

“You made all of these?” Karon asked, quite surprised.

“Mhmm. It isn’t actually difficult. Sometimes, when I’m asleep, I’m designing in my dreams. After waking, I can immediately put those designs into practice. Of course, there are several helpers who work on things with me.

“It’s just that I heard that the churches’ priest’s robes usually have ritual arrays embedded inside them, and I can’t do that.”

“I’ve always felt that the ritual arrays on priest’s robes are a bit cumbersome. For clothing, it is enough for them to fit well and be comfortable.” Karon removed his outerwear and put on the robe. The satin felt very nice, especially around the collar. The details had clearly been designed with great care.

He walked to the mirror and examined himself. A faint smile appeared at the corner of Karon’s lips. “I think you could completely open a ready-made clothing shop in York City in the future.”

“I don’t have much interest in making clothes. I simply enjoy making them for you.”

“Then open a separate workshop at home, dedicated to making clothes for me. There are many empty rooms in the funeral home’s backyard.”

“That would work.”

“Oh, right. Mr. Pavaro’s two daughters are also studying painting and design at the moment. They could be your assistants.”

“But haven’t you already arranged their future for them? Sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound like that.”

“I know, but unless their condition can be completely alleviated, a peaceful, protected life is already the most precious thing they can receive.”

“Yes. They truly are pitiful. I prepared gifts for them. According to what you told me last time about who is living in the funeral home, Ms. Lake and your employees, I prepared gifts for everyone.”

“They’ll definitely be overjoyed.” Karon knew this was Eunice’s way of staking her claim. Although she still had to remain at Allen Manor for some time, she was already looking forward to moving into the residence behind the funeral home and beginning her new life there as soon as possible.

He tried on the remaining two garments, and they both fit him very well. “No need for any alterations. I’ll take them with me and wear them later.”

Karon walked to the sofa and sat down. When Eunice moved past him, he reached out and simply pulled her into his arms.

She did not resist, and instead, she even took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck.

“Do you want to hear about what happened to me recently?” Karon asked.

Eunice shook her head. “In the future, I want to experience it all with you.”

“Alright.”

Eunice softly asked, “...Should I go change into some stockings?”

Karon released his arms around her. “There’s no rush.”

Eunice bit her lower lip lightly and asked, “Which kind do you want?”

“Can I choose?”

“Yes. They’re in the lowest drawer beside the mirror in the closet.”

“Alright.” Karon stood up and went back into the closet, opening the specified drawer. “Black, white, nude, fishnet...”

He suddenly felt that in the future, the workshop that would be in his home would not need to rush to design and produce clothes, but could first design and produce stockings instead. In any case, it would all be for his own use.

After a while, Karon returned to the small sitting room. In his hands, he was holding the entire drawer. “I’m very sorry. I suddenly discovered that I seem to struggle choosing.”

***

At dawn, Pu’er rode on Kevin’s back as they appeared from the basement. After eating supper, the two had been busy the entire night setting up the ritual arrays in what had originally been Bede’s art studio. In total, they had set up three arrays; One connected to Darkmoon Island, one connected to Kerona Island, and one connected to Pavaro Funeral Home.

They were all communication arrays, rather than teleportation arrays. Even so, the people of Allen Manor were not currently able to set up such arrays on their own. When a family declined, the decline was inevitably comprehensive.

“Ai... finally done.” Pu’er yawned. “Stupid dog, let’s go back to the bedroom and rest. I’m exhausted, meow.”

At the staircase, she saw Karon and Eunice were just walking out of the manor together and mounting a tall, handsome white horse outside. Pu’er sighed. “Oh, young people really have vigorous energy.”

Kevin agreed strongly and nodded. “Woof!”

“Speaking of which, stupid dog, have you ever fantasized about riding a horse together with your goddess?”

Kevin shook his head.

Pu’er stretched out a paw and smacked Kevin on the head. “Useless.”

***

By late morning, Eunice was asleep in Karon’s arms. He rode the horse back to the manor with her, then very carefully moved her down from the horse and went upstairs.

After placing her on the bed in her bedroom, Karon covered her with a blanket, and finally kissed her gently on the forehead.

In truth, just like Earl Rekar and Saman, she was also “imprisoned.” Earlier, while they were riding, Karon had asked her whether she found it agonizing.

She said, “Yes.”

Just as Karon was about to give her some advice that might ease her mental suffering, she said, “That’s why every day before I sleep and after I wake, I think of you once.”

After standing beside the bed for a while, Karon left the bedroom and went to the third floor.

“Young Master, a call from Mr. Alfred.”

Karon entered the study and picked up the phone. “Hello.”

“Young Master, your captain called.”

“A mission?”

“He asked me to tell you that Gendi’s squad accepted an escort mission for cargo. Now, that squad has lost contact. Their last known location was Kerona Island.”

“Kerona Island?” That was the island where Rudd Allen lived. It was also the island where Karon had landed before reaching York City. Allen Manor operated a small town on the island that was specifically dedicated to smuggling operations. At the moment, it had also started to handle trade with Darkmoon Island.

To a certain extent, that trade route was already staked out by the Church of Order. However, because of Allen Manor’s prior connection to Darkmoon Island, it was able to join in and enjoy some of that soup.

As for Rudd, although he had only met with Karon once, the man had left an extremely deep impression on Karon, especially when he had slapped his chest in front of Karon and declared, “The Allen family repays their debts!”

He had even worried that the people living in the family manor would look down on Karon for leaving his homeland, and had promised that if Allen family proved unwilling to allow Eunice to marry Karon, Rudd was willing to have his own daughter marry Karon instead.

In short, he was a man with old-fashioned pirate values.

“What did the captain say?” ℯ

“The captain said he knows about Allen Manor’s connection to that island, so he wanted to ask whether you want to handle this personally. If you do, he can call some people and organize a search and rescue squad. After all, Gendi can be considered half his subordinate.”

If Gendi’s only half a subordinate, the captain isn’t very motivated to take personal action and rescue him, does he? Was the man waiting for Karon to add some weight to the matter?

Karon felt that should indeed match Nio’s thoughts, because he should currently be resting, just like Karon. During the trip to Darkmoon Island, the two who had been the most exhausted had been Karon and his captain.

“Wait for me a moment.”

“Alright, Young Master.”

Karon hung up the phone and had Borg inform Master Anderson and the others, while he went to the master bedroom and shook Pu’er awake. She had been sleeping quite soundly on the bed.

“What is it?” Pu’er asked, rubbing her eyes.

“Have the communication arrays been completed? Can we contact Kerona Island now?”

“Yes. There were already ritual array stones over there, so as soon as we finished setting things up here, a connection was possible.”

“Good. Call them now.”

“Is it urgent? Can’t we send a telegram or have someone else contact them?”

“There may not be enough time.”

“Fine.” Pu’er could only climb out of bed. After all, Kerona Island belonged to the Allen family, and all those people calling her “Elder” had not been for nothing.

When Karon went downstairs, Master Anderson and Mike were already waiting.

“Young Master, has something happened on Kerona Island?” Master Anderson asked anxiously. His eldest son was on the island. His second son was crippled, and his youngest son had run away from home to pursue art. His eldest, who had originally been the least favored, had instead become the most normal of the three.

“Has there been communication between the manor and Kerona Island recently?” Karon asked.

Mike answered, “It’s all been the same as in the past. Telegrams and letters have been normal, and cargo handovers have also been normal.”

Because Kerona Island was a smuggling transit point, it needed a certain degree of isolation from the outside world. Laying a telephone line to the town on the island was impossible. Basically, people were sent to the nearby shore to make contact.

Karon nodded and led everyone to the basement.

“Stupid dog, go adjust it,” Pu’er ordered.

Kevin moved forward and used his paws to skillfully adjust the array. Beside him, Master Anderson and Mike swallowed at the nearly same time while watching the dog.

As a low-grade ritual array crystal was inserted into the groove, the ritual array activated. A blue ring of light rose and formed an oval. After about five minutes, Rudd’s voice came from the other side. “Has the family’s array finally been set up? I’ve kept this stone in my hand for a long time.”

Karon said, “Mr. Rudd, this is Karon. Is everything alright where you are?”

“Hm? Karon? Hahaha, it’s you, brat. When are you coming back to the island to play? You can’t just sleep with my daughter Camilla once and then refuse to take responsibility.”

“It will still be some time. Right now, I’m helping the family test the communication array. This time, we’re testing its effect. It seems pretty good.”

“Mhmm, mhmm. I can hear you very clearly on my side. No problem at all. Contacting the family will be much more convenient now. It’s just that the cost will also be more than a bit higher than telegrams.”

“Alright, Mr. Rudd. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Karon.”

The ritual array stopped operating, and the blue oval disappeared. Karon said, “Something has happened on the island.”

Master Anderson immediately announced, “I’ll gather some manpower at once.”

Karon raised his hand. “No need. This matter involves members of the Whip of Order. We will take action. I will go back now to meet up with my captain and the others, and we will try our best to land on Kerona Island as quickly as possible.”

Pu’er said, “Stupid dog and I are going with you.”

Karon replied, “I think it might be best to have you stay here for now, or maybe sending you back home would be the better choice.”

Pu’er asked, “Didn’t you say you want to get to the island as quickly as possible?”

“Yes.”

“Then get in touch with your captain and have him take people to Montost Port between Allen Manor and York City to meet us there. Also, have the radio demon load stupid dog’s and my puppets into the hearse and send them as well. We’ll all gather there.

“That will be much faster than you driving back to York City and then going to York Harbor to board a ship. Besides, in terms of straight-line distance, Montost Port is closer to Kerona Island.”

Karon looked at Master Anderson and asked, “Why have I never heard of Montost Port?”

The old man answered immediately, “It was once a small port, but it has been abandoned for several decades.”

Hearing this, Karon turned back to Pu’er. “An abandoned port has no ships.”

Pu’er’s tail swayed and she asked in return, “Karon, have you forgotten what you rode to get to Veyn?”

“You want to summon that?”

Pu’er nodded. “Yes. I will summon the sea beast Aseros!”