Count Rekar chewed over the words and asked in confusion, "But gods truly exist, don't they?"
Old Saman said, "Not believing in gods here doesn't mean not believing they exist. It means these gods aren't worthy of being followed like truth."
Count Rekar looked at Old Saman and asked, "How do you know so much?"
Old Saman rolled his eyes at Count Rekar and said dismissively, "I listened to the quotations for far more days than you."
"From that manservant too?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't get to hear it all. And even when I did listen, a lot of it made no sense to me—it sounded like it was translated from some other language, full of all sorts of metaphorical allusions."
"It's fine. It's only natural for an old man's comprehension to be lacking. A young lad like me can teach you."
"Heh." Count Rekar clapped a hand on Old Saman's shoulder. "Not bad, not bad. That's the kind of talk I like to hear from a young fella."
Old Saman turned his head toward Karen and asked, "Is the defining trait of your Inmerlais family faith system truly 'learning'?"
Evidently, in Old Saman's eyes, having so many faiths piled up here like general merchandise was far more than the word "learning" could cover.
Count Rekar said, "In my younger days, when I roamed the high seas, I often coordinated with Wien's navy to breach other countries' military harbors. Do you know what those blood-crazed sailors and soldiers did once they broke through?"
Old Saman answered, "I can imagine."
"You can give an adjective."
Old Saman shook his head. "I wouldn't dare."
"Fair enough." Rekar nodded in understanding. "Yet the official line in Wien's newspapers and propaganda back then was that we were bringing civilization to uncivilized barbarians so they could learn from our advanced culture."
"Alright, I understand."
"You're young and have seen little of the world. You'll have to make up for that with time. Pressing the question to the bottom just isn't polite."
Watching the two bicker and mock each other, Karen couldn't be bothered to interrupt.
Anyway, in his eyes, the defining trait of the family faith system passed down by his grandfather was indeed "learning." How could anyone from the Inmerlais family be a bandit? As for having a few too many things at home, they hadn't been plundered; they had simply been collected through the learning process.
"Well, it's time for me to go." Karen stood up to take his leave.
Old Saman got to his feet and said, "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us."
Count Rekar said, "Thank you for taking time out of visiting my granddaughter to see us."
A black vortex appeared in front of Karen. He stepped into it, and the vortex vanished.
Old Saman looked at Count Rekar and asked, "His fiancée is your descendant?"
"That's right." Count Rekar deliberately raised his chin.
"Why haven't they married yet, and why aren't there any descendants?"
"Because the girl in my bloodline awakened her heritage. She has to sleep for half a year to digest it. Once she finishes digesting it, she'll..."
"Instead of hurrying up to get married and breed descendants, she was made to play Sleeping Beauty? What brilliant idiot came up with that arrangement?"
Count Rekar: "..."
...
Karen opened his eyes and walked out of the performance hall. A light drizzle had started outside, and Boge was already waiting with an umbrella to hold over Karen.
Entering the castle, no servant came to inform him that Eunice had awakened, which meant she was still sound asleep.
Karen didn't disturb her rest. Instead, he went up to the third floor, entered the study, and sat down behind the desk.
Boge brought in coffee and tea, then backed out of the study and stood waiting outside.
Karen opened a drawer. He remembered leaving a few books here, and the people of Allen Manor wouldn't touch anything he left behind.
In the drawer were a few extra photographs and a painting.
In the photographs, Alfred was sitting before a grave, holding a notebook and reciting like a priest.
The painting depicted the same scene, except with plenty of exaggerated artistic flourishes—such as an extra glow cast over Alfred to make him look holier, as if proclaiming divine tidings to the mortal realm on God's behalf.
The grave also featured shifts in hue, giving the impression that the person inside was answering the call and on the verge of waking.
Before going to Dark Moon Island, Karen had tasked Alfred with transporting Old Saman's coffin back, setting up the arrays in Allen Manor's performance hall, and arranging the rest of the coffins even if they were currently empty.
Karen had reminded Alfred that Count Rekar might not be awakened by him, so he could wait until Karen returned before moving Count Rekar to another coffin.
However, when Karen returned, Alfred had reported that everything in the performance hall was completely settled.
Hearing that had surprised Karen a little.
Alfred had explained that he recited Karen's quotations to Count Rekar, which ultimately stirred the Count to awaken of his own accord and change sleeping quarters.
Karen didn't believe that explanation, even with the photographs and painting right in front of him.
Had Ah Fu's "voice" ability progressed to the point where it could penetrate certain mediums?
Ever since leaving Ruilan for Wien, Alfred had been virtually indispensable in Karen's life. More accurately, no one could refuse having an Alfred by their side.
Still, Karen had overlooked Alfred's own progress. Having shed all aberrant demon aura, his listening and voice abilities had improved drastically.
"Drastically" had always been a vague estimate to Karen.
Now, however, it seemed Alfred's improvement had exceeded his expectations.
Constrained by Karen's current role working for a Whip of Order squad, his manservant hadn't had much room to spread his wings lately. There was rarely any need for him to fight; he merely acted as a butler.
That was why Alfred wanted to integrate York City's aberrant demon circles—he wanted things to do, and he wanted to prove his worth.
Karen reached up and gently pinched the space between his brows.
As the leader of a small team, while enjoying the support and convenience his group provided, he also had to bear the responsibility of steering their personal growth.
It seemed he really needed to push for a promotion.
If he could form his own Whip of Order squad, everyone back at the funeral parlor would have work to do.
Even if just for that goal, he had to secure a spot for the Gate of Samsara at all costs.
Earning that slot meant standing among the top twelve talents of his age bracket. Qualifying to captain a Whip of Order squad would be more than guaranteed.
Climbing the ranks by slowly accumulating merits was simply too slow.
Even someone as exceptional as Captain had languished in Sangpu City for all those years, hadn't he?
However, Karen didn't believe Alfred had instructed someone to put these photographs and the painting here to claim credit; Alfred had long outgrown that stage.
Yet it wasn't out of the question that someone else had arranged it to flatter Alfred.
Karen pressed the desk bell.
Boge pushed open the study door and walked in, carrying an insulated bucket. He opened it to reveal ice cubes and a pair of tongs. Setting the bucket on a corner of Karen's desk, Boge stepped back.
"Young Master, your orders?"
"Nothing."
"Yes, Young Master."
Karen picked up the tongs, dropped a few ice cubes into his water glass, and gently swirled it as he leaned back and tilted slightly to the right, gazing at the vast expanse of night outside the window.
As he watched, fatigue gradually washed over him.
Karen set the glass back on the desk, crossed his arms over his chest, and closed his eyes.
By the time the sky outside began to turn gray with dawn, Karen heard a knock at the door. Opening his eyes, Karen yawned and pressed the desk bell.
Boge opened the door and reported to Karen,
"Young Master, Miss Eunice is awake."
"Alright, I understand."
Karen first walked into his bedroom and found that Purr and Kevin weren't there; they were probably still working through the night to set up the arrays.
After washing up quickly, Karen left the bedroom and came to Eunice's room on the second floor. Boge led away the two maids stationed at the door, and Karen pushed the door open and entered.
"Mmh..."
Eunice had just finished bathing and was walking out in her nightgown, her hair damp.
"I told them to wait a bit before calling you."
"But I couldn't wait."
Karen stepped forward, took the towel from Eunice's hands, and began drying her hair.
Eunice said, "Next time you return, just wake me directly. Don't wait."
"I like waiting."
After drying her hair, Karen sat on the sofa. The door chime rang, and Eunice went over to bring in a tray holding breakfast.
Karen lifted a glass of milk and took a sip. Eunice peeled an egg and brought it to his lips; Karen took a bite, then reached out to take the rest.
"I made some clothes for you," Eunice said, standing up. "Let me bring them out for you to try on."
"Eat breakfast first," Karen said.
Eunice nodded and sat back down to continue eating.
Karen stopped after having two eggs and a slice of bread; waking halfway through sleep left him with little appetite.
Eunice finished quickly as well and looked at Karen with anticipation. "Shall I get the clothes?"
"I'll go with you."
Karen stood up and walked into the dressing room with Eunice.
Eunice brought out three garments: a black divine robe of Order, a coffee-brown trench coat, and a light suit-style jacket.
"You made all of these?" Karen asked in surprise.
"Mm-hmm. It's not that difficult, really. Sometimes I dream of designs while sleeping, and I can put them into practice as soon as I wake up. Of course, I had a few helpers working with me.
"It's just that I heard the church's divine robes usually have arrays inlaid in them, but I can't do that."
"I've always found the arrays in the robes cumbersome. As long as clothes fit well and feel comfortable, that's enough." Karen took off his outer garment and slipped into the robe. The silk was very comfortable, especially around the collar, where the detailing had been thoughtfully designed.
Stepping in front of the mirror, a smile tugged at the corner of Karen's lips. "I think you could easily open a boutique in York City in the future."
"But I don't have much interest in making clothes. I only like making them for you."
"Then we'll set up a private studio at home just to make clothes for me. There are plenty of empty rooms in the funeral parlor's back courtyard."
"That works."
"Oh, right. Mr. Pavaro's two daughters are currently studying drawing and design. The two of them can be your assistants."
"Have you already planned out their future, though? Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
"I know. But unless the condition in their bodies can be completely eradicated, a peaceful life under protection is already the most precious and cherished thing they could have."
"Yes, poor girls. I've prepared gifts for them. Based on who you mentioned living at the funeral parlor last time—Mrs. Lake, your employees—I prepared gifts for everyone."
"They'll definitely be thrilled."
Karen knew this was her way of asserting her presence. Although she still had to remain at Allen Manor for now, she longed to move into the funeral parlor's backyard soon and begin a new life.
He tried on the other two garments, and both fit perfectly.
"No alterations needed. I'll take them back with me later to wear."
Karen walked over and sat on the sofa. When Eunice walked past him, he reached out and pulled her straight into his embrace.
Eunice didn't resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Karen's neck.
"Want to hear about what's happened to me lately?" Karen asked.
Eunice shook her head. "In the future, I want to experience them with you."
"Alright."
Eunice whispered, "Should I go change my stockings?"
Karen loosened his hold on her and said, "No rush."
Eunice bit her lower lip with pearly white teeth and asked, "Which kind do you want?"
"Can I pick for myself?"
"Sure. In the bottom drawer next to the mirror in the dressing room."
"Alright."
Karen stood up, walked back into the dressing room, and pulled open that drawer.
"Black, white, nude, fishnet..."
Karen suddenly felt that the home studio didn't need to rush into designing and making clothes; it could start by designing and making stockings first. After all, they were for his own enjoyment.
A moment later, Karen returned to the small sitting room.
In his hands, he carried the entire drawer.
"My apologies. I suddenly realized I seem to have trouble making choices."
...
In the morning, Purr emerged from the basement riding on Kevin's back. After finishing their late-night snack, they had been busy setting up arrays in Mr. Bede's former art studio. They had installed three arrays in total: one connected to Dark Moon Island, one to Corona Island, and the other to Pavaro Funeral Parlor.
They were communication arrays, not teleportation arrays. Even so, the people of Allen Manor couldn't have pulled them off on their own anymore; when a family declines, the decay is comprehensive.
"Haah... finished at last."
Purr yawned.
"Stupid dog, let's head back to the bedroom and rest. I'm exhausted, meow."
At the base of the stairs, Purr saw Karen and Eunice heading outside together and mounting a tall, handsome white horse.
Purr remarked wistfully, "Ah, young people have so much energy."
Kevin nodded in deep agreement. "Woof!"
"Say, stupid dog, have you ever fantasized about riding a horse together with your goddess?"
Kevin shook his head.
Purr reached out a paw and swatted Kevin over the head.
"Hopeless."
...
In the late morning, Eunice fell asleep in Karen's arms. Karen rode the horse back to the manor with her, carefully carried her down, and walked up the stairs.
After settling her onto the bedroom bed, Karen pulled a blanket over her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
In truth, just like Count Rekar and Old Saman, she was essentially "serving time."
Earlier while riding, Karen had asked if she found it agonizing.
She had said: Yes.
Just as Karen was preparing to offer some suggestions to ease her psychological pain,
she had added:
"That's why every day before I sleep and when I wake, I think of you."
After standing by the bed for a moment, Karen stepped out of the bedroom and went up to the third floor.
"Young Master, a telephone call from Mr. Alfred."
Karen entered the study and picked up the receiver.
"Hello."
"Young Master, your captain called."
"Is there a mission?"
"He asked me to pass along that Gendy's squad took on an escort mission for some cargo. Right now, Gendy's squad has lost contact. The last place they checked in was Corona Island."
"Corona Island?"
That was the island where Wood Allen was stationed, and the very first place Karen had set foot before landing in York City. Allen Manor owned a small town on that island dedicated to smuggling operations, and it now handled commercial trade with Dark Moon Island as well.
To some extent, the Church of Order already held a stake in that route, but Allen Manor was able to partake in the profits thanks to their connection with Dark Moon Island.
And Mr. Wood, though Karen had only met him once, had left a deep impression on him—especially when he had thumped his chest before Karen and proclaimed:
"The Allen family always repays kindness!"
He had even worried the manor folks might look down on Karen for being far from home, promising that if the manor refused to marry Eunice to Karen, he would happily marry his own daughter to him instead.
In short, he was a man who lived by old-fashioned pirate values.
"What did Captain say?"
"Captain said he knows the island's connection to Allen Manor, so he wanted to ask if you'd like to resolve this personally. If you do, he can rally a few people to form a search-and-rescue team. After all, Gendy counts as half a subordinate of his."
So, because he was only half a subordinate, Captain didn't have much motivation to step in and rescue him, and was waiting for Karen to sweeten the deal?
Karen figured that was probably what Captain was thinking. Captain was likely resting right now just like Karen was; during their last trip to Dark Moon Island, the two who had been exhausted the most were Karen and Captain.
"Hold on a moment."
"Yes, Young Master."
Karen hung up the phone and had Boge notify Old Anderson and the others. Meanwhile, he walked into the master bedroom and shook Purr awake, who was fast asleep on the bed.
"What is it, meow?" Purr asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Are the communication arrays finished? Can we contact Corona Island directly right now?"
"We can. They already had array stones over there; now that ours are set up, we can link to them."
"Good. Reach out right now."
"In such a hurry? Can't we send a telegram or dispatch someone?"
"There might not be time."
"Alright, then."
Purr had no choice but to clamber to her feet. Corona Island belonged to the Allens, after all, and all those respectful calls of "Your Old Ladyship" weren't given for nothing.
When Karen went downstairs, Old Anderson and Mr. Mike were already waiting.
"Young Master, did something happen on Corona Island?" Old Anderson asked anxiously.
His eldest son was stationed on that island. His second son was crippled, and his youngest son had run away from home to pursue art, making the eldest son—who had once been the least favored—the most normal one left.
"Has the manor had contact with Corona Island lately?" Karen asked.
Mr. Mike answered, "According to routine, telegrams and letters have all been normal, and cargo transfers were normal as well."
Because Corona Island served as a smuggling transit point, it had to remain somewhat isolated from the outside world. Running a direct telephone line there was out of the question; communication was typically handled by sending people to the nearby mainland shore.
Karen nodded and led everyone down to the basement.
"Stupid dog, go tune it," Purr ordered.
Kevin stepped forward and adjusted the array with practiced paws. Beside them, Old Anderson and Mr. Mike nearly swallowed hard in unison as they watched the dog.
As a low-grade array crystal was dropped into the slot, the array activated.
A blue ring of light rose, forming an ellipse.
After about five minutes, Mr. Wood's voice came from the other side:
"Is the family's array finally ready? I've been holding onto this array stone for ages."
Karen spoke up. "Mr. Wood, it's Karen. Is everything alright over there?"
"Hm? Karen! Hahaha, you little rascal! When are you coming back to visit the island? You can't just sleep with my daughter Camila and shirk responsibility!"
"In a little while. Right now I'm helping the family tune the communication array, just testing how well it works. Looks like it works fine."
"Mm-hmm, I can hear you loud and clear here. No problem at all! Contacting home will be so much easier from now on, though the cost is more than a little pricier than telegrams."
"Alright, Mr. Wood. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Karen."
The array ceased running, and the blue ellipse vanished.
Karen said,
"Something has happened on the island."
Old Anderson said immediately, "I'll muster our men at once."
Karen raised a hand. "No need. This matter involves people from the Whip of Order, so we will handle it. I'll head back now to rendezvous with my captain and reach Corona Island as fast as possible."
Purr spoke up. "The stupid dog and I are going too."
Karen replied, "I think staying here or letting me send you back home might be the better choice."
Purr asked, "Didn't you say you want to get on the island as fast as possible?"
"Yes."
"Then notify your captain. Have him bring his people to Port Montoste, between Allen Manor and York City, to meet us. Oh, and have the radio fairy drive the hearse and bring the stupid dog's puppet and mine there. We'll all gather there.
"That will be far faster than you driving back to York City to board a ship at the Port of York. And in terms of straight-line distance, Port Montoste is closer to Corona Island."
Karen looked at Old Anderson. "How come I've never heard of Port Montoste?"
Old Anderson answered at once, "It used to be a small port, but it has been abandoned for decades."
Hearing that, Karen said to Purr, "An abandoned port won't have ships."
Purr flicked her tail and countered, "Karen, have you forgotten what you rode to get to Wien?"
"You're going to summon it?"
Purr nodded.
"That's right. I'm going to summon the sea beast Aselos!"
Chapter 296