One Person, One Cat, and One Dog

"Ah, Karen..." Having been transported back to the palace, Richard, who had just faintly regained consciousness from his swoon, instinctively reached out to grab Karen, who was sitting next to him. Karen slid his chair back, dodging his hand. Richard asked in confusion, "What's wrong?" "Disgusting." Richard: "..." Memphis was helping Richard strip off his clothes, just taking off the last garment so Richard lay naked on the bed. At a time like this, perhaps only a father wouldn't be repulsed by his own son. Richard asked, "What happened to me...?" "You're very charming. Even the insects in the massage parlor couldn't resist your allure, swarming over wanting to bear your children." "What?" Richard struggled to lift his head, looking at the red rash covering his body, before letting his head drop back down. "How did this happen?" "It should be because of that worm inside you. If I remember its name correctly, it should be your Jerry." "My Jerry?" Richard said rather helplessly. "I was wondering why I had such an inexplicable urge to enter that massage parlor, and why I wanted to experience the insect tub massage therapy so badly." Karen reminded him, "You should learn to control yourself, including the Jerry inside you. Don't assume that anything inside your body is necessarily a good thing. Everything has two sides." "All right, Karen, I'll keep that in mind. But what should I do now?" Pu'er strutted catlike along the edge of the bed and said, "I can help you eradicate these insect eggs, but the process will be a bit painful." Richard answered readily, "Don't worry, I'm not afraid of pain. I'm used to it." "Very well." Pu'er raised both paws and began rubbing them together. "I'll control the nuances of the temperature as much as possible, keeping it right on the threshold where you won't die, but the insect eggs definitely will." Memphis spoke up, "Is there no other way? Didn't the doctor suggest alternative treatment plans?" Pu'er replied, "My method is the most thorough." Karen said to Memphis, "Don't doubt Pu'er's professionalism in things she's willing to do." Memphis immediately nodded. "Yes, Captain." Since Karen had said so, Memphis could only place unconditional trust in this cat. A fireball appeared between Pu'er's two paws, then drifted out and hovered above Richard. Finally, under Pu'er's control, it transformed into a red mist that dripped down, quickly enveloping Richard's entire body. Richard instantly drew in a sharp breath. His skin flushed red, clearly enduring intense pain. Yet, whether to divert his attention or save face in front of Karen, he forced a quip: "This really is... rather uncomfortable. Luckily my dad doesn't know about this method of torture. If he... ah!" The pain escalated further, and Richard cried out. Yet he stubbornly insisted on finishing his sentence, the searing pain already dulling his wits: "If that bastard father of mine knew there was a way to torment someone like this, he'd definitely be thrilled to death!" Karen tried his best not to look at the expression on Memphis's face beside him. *Crack... crack... crack...* A succession of crisp popping sounds rang out, reminiscent of popping corn. The air even took on a fragrant aroma. Just then, Richard's body suddenly convulsed. "Oh, Jerry, what are you doing..." Evidently, Jerry did not want to lose these insect eggs. Richard's gradually increasing regenerative abilities actually meant that it was constantly maturing. Unlike its prolonged slumber inside Bernard, the time spent with Richard was its true period of growth. Consequently, it was developing a personality, developing needs, and throwing tantrums! Karen lightly drew his right palm across the Sword of Arius standing beside him, opening a small cut that seeped blood into his palm. He rose, walked to the bedside, and opened his palm toward Richard, blood pooling and dripping from beneath his hand. "If you don't behave, I will utterly suppress and destroy you." In the next instant, Jerry went quiet. Memphis quietly watched this scene from the side, without any change in expression. After this continued for a while longer, Pu'er withdrew her fleshy paws. The red mist on Richard's body receded, though his skin remained flushed red all over. "Phew... water... water... water..." Memphis brought over some water and helped him drink it. Karen cast a simple healing spell on his own palm. Well, if he didn't treat it soon, the wound would have scabbed over on its own. ... "Hmm? What's going on?" Neo, soaking alone in a room on a waterbed, asked with mild curiosity. "Afraid you'd be lonely, so we brought you a fellow patient." Saying this, at Karen's gesture, Memphis wheeled in the bed Richard was lying on. "Greetings, Commander..." Even in his weakened state, Richard did not forget his manners. "What happened to Richard?" "A minor physical issue, just resolved. Neither of you can take part in the battle the day after tomorrow, so just lie here and chat." "What could I possibly chat with him about?" Neo asked. "I think I still prefer my own peace and quiet." Karen replied, "No, I think you two have plenty to talk about. For instance, how to recover more efficiently." "Heh." "All right, let the patients rest." Karen and the others left the room and thoughtfully closed the door. "Commander... my body feels burning hot," Richard whined. "Richard, how about I discuss something with you?" "Go ahead, Commander..." "Give me that worm inside you, and I'll bestow upon you the bloodline of a bloodthirsty aberrant demon. What do you think?" "What are the benefits?" "My benefit is that my regenerative abilities will jump up another level. Your benefit is that aside from continuing to possess superhuman regenerative abilities, you'll also get the daily thrilling tension of being at risk of losing your mind and having to commit suicide at any moment." "Commander... how am I supposed to agree to that?" "Forget it, no need to agree. I knew you were stingy, kid." "Commander, I want to sleep for a bit." "Sleep? What sleep? What on earth happened to you anyway? Why do you smell so fragrant? Did you sprinkle cumin on yourself, skewer yourself, and roast yourself over a fire?" "The massage parlor here offered insect therapy, and I went to try it out. Who knew those harmless bugs would lay eggs on me." "Hahahahaha... damn it, I can't laugh like that. The hole in my chest hasn't healed yet; laughing makes the air wheeze through." "Commander, I really didn't know it would turn out like that beforehand." "This is a good thing. Didn't Karen say anything to you?" "He told me to get plenty of rest." "Oh, right, he doesn't understand either. He doesn't understand as well as I do. The fact is, nobody in this world understands this bug better than me." "Commander?" "This proves that the worm inside you—I heard you even gave it a name, what was it again?" "Jerry." "Right, your Jerry has grown up. It has needs." "Mating with bugs?" "I say, Richard, can your head hold anything besides that stuff?" "Then what does Jerry need?" "It needs further evolution. Your Jerry is yearning to evolve. In the future, you can buy some bugs to eat and feed them to it for digestion." "Eat?" "Buy live ones. Force some alcohol down their throats, or electrocute them, or scorch them half to death, then swallow them whole." "Isn't that torture?" "It's an opportunity! Worms with evolutionary potential are exceedingly rare to begin with. This Jerry of yours is a genuine treasure among them; you've got remarkably good luck. Anyway, your family is well-off, so you're not short on point coupons, and your income in this squad isn't low either. Just use riels at pastry shops, and spend all your point coupons on buying bugs to eat. "The more it eats, the faster it evolves. And the faster it evolves..." "The stronger I get?" "More like the better you can take a beating. Your ultimate goal should be either edging out Ventura or taking Blanche's spot in the squad." "Understood. As long as it makes me useful, I'll do it." "Just picture how magnificent that scene will be. In the future, when everyone gathers at the dining table to eat, you'll be the only one squatting in the corner with a bowl full of bugs, eating all by yourself. Heck, maybe you can even share a table with that dog." "Commander, you can't insult someone like that..." "No, it's an insult to the dog." ... "If you want to stay behind to take care of Richard, you don't have to come observe the battle," Karen said to Memphis. "Can I really?" Memphis asked. "I believe that as far as the Moon God Church's commander is concerned, the fewer 'burdens' in the observation delegation, the better. If fewer of us go, he'll actually be happier." Memphis nodded. "Then I think I'll go after all." Saying this, Memphis seemed to realize he had agreed a bit too decisively, which didn't quite fit a father-son dynamic, so he quickly covered for himself: "He's been treated and there's nothing wrong now. He just needs rest." "All right, no problem." Who could turn down observing a grand spectacle of war, even Karen's "taciturn" uncle? "Young Master, Diplomatic Priest Parson requests an audience." "Take him to the parlor." "Yes, Young Master." After changing his clothes, Karen went to the parlor. "Greetings, Captain Karen." "Greetings, Lord Parson." What followed was a tedious, hollow conversation. The diplomat kept probing, but Karen deflected his inquiries every time. The two conversed for nearly two hours, until both felt the time had been completely wasted. Yet on the surface, they still had to smile and exchange pleasantries about how delightful the conversation had been. Once Karen saw Diplomatic Priest Parson off, he took a glass of iced water from Alfred, took a large gulp, and sighed: "Exhausting." "Young Master, you actually didn't need to deal with him so cautiously." "Do you think he came to chat with me on his own behalf?" Alfred paused for a moment, then immediately said, "He came on behalf of others to probe your background, Young Master." "Yes. So all the more reason not to let them know. Saying nothing is the best answer; let them guess for themselves. All right, time to rest. Remember to instruct everyone not to leave tomorrow unless necessary. Rest well and adjust their condition—after all, we're going onto a battlefield." "Yes, Young Master." Karen did not step out once throughout the next day, and everyone followed his instructions, resting in the palace to get into peak condition. On the morning of the third day. Memphis was sitting beside the two beds, peeling mandarin oranges to feed the two casualties. Receiving such care, Richard was deeply moved and exclaimed, "Oh, my dear Memphis, you truly are my good brother!" Neo: "Hahahaha!" Just then, Philomena opened the door and walked in. Memphis stood up and nodded to Philomena. Philomena gave no response, and Memphis walked out of the room. "Here to see your commander, Squad Member Philomena?" "I have nothing to do with you," Philomena replied coldly. Richard chuckled sheepishly. "Then you came to see me." Philomena didn't deny it. She walked over to Richard's side, glanced at the "wounds" on his body, and said, "Truly disgusting." "Your evaluation is identical to the captain's. You two are really alike." "Any normal person would find it disgusting. It's just that neither the captain nor I can be bothered to sugarcoat it for you." Richard nodded. "That does seem to be true." Neo said, "You interested in this kid?" "He's one of the people in the squad I talk to the most," Philomena replied. "I don't want to waste time striking up conversations with other people, so I came over to make sure he won't die." "You're not like the people of the Felscher family as I know them." Hearing this, Philomena looked toward Neo. Neo smiled. "Your background dossier didn't obscure your surname. The Felscher family, the cursed house—finding out what happened back then isn't difficult." "Perhaps you should say that to my grandmother." "No, I certainly won't go. Once we're back, I want to take my car out for a spin; I have no desire to go exploring for now. By the way, are you guys about to set off?" "We're assembling shortly." "Then have fun out there. Also, protect Karen well." "Protecting the captain is my duty in this squad. I don't need you to remind me." Philomena turned and left the room. "What does the Felscher family curse mean?" Richard asked curiously. "I know her family is very unusual. I asked my grandfather and grandmother, but neither was willing to tell me in detail." "Oh, based on the records I dug up, this Felscher family seems to have once provoked a terrifying powerhouse. To punish them, that powerhouse laid down a curse upon their bloodline: the Felscher family is fated to slaughter one another until only a single person remains, destined to be alone forever." "Then that's not so bad. Philomena still has her grandmother to rely on." "Did you not get all the insect eggs cleared out of your brain?" "Oh... then that really is a tragedy." ... Karen led all his subordinates out of the palace. At the entrance of the palace stood a female warrior leading a twenty-four-member squad awaiting them. "Lord Karen, I am Ansi. I will be responsible for your safety from this moment until your return." "All right, thank you." "You are too kind, my lord; it is my duty." Karen and the others boarded the carriage. Ansi led the guards, flanking both sides of the carriage, and the convoy advanced toward the docks. The docks were still packed with an ocean of people, just as bustling as when they had welcomed the Church of Order's observation delegation, as if celebrating a grand festival. Karen and the others walked onto the deck, boarding the flagship first. The flagship was immense and towering. On the day the observation delegation arrived, this flagship must not have been here, for it looked like a colossal marine fortress. Karen counted thirty-six magic crystal cannons on the visible deck alone; there were bound to be more along the lower gun decks, so the total count would only be higher. This was a true machine of war. No wonder their mentor had said when teaching [Black Prison Castle] that it served as the stronghold squads relied upon during battlefield operations. On the frontline battlefields of true divine wars, everyone's war engines were terrifying. Such was the heritage of an orthodox religion. A white-haired old man clad in armor walked up before Karen, flanked by a cohort of high-ranking generals and priests. The old commander did not even introduce himself. He simply pointed toward the flag on the flagpole. The primary color of the banner was bright yellow, embroidered with a bow. In the era of the God War, the weapon of Artemis, the Moon Goddess, was a bow known as [Guidance of the Moon Goddess]. He truly was a commander with a temper. His pride as a soldier made him thoroughly uncomfortable with the presence of this so-called Church of Order observation delegation, and he had no qualms about showing that sentiment. Looking at the battle flag, Karen said, "I swear that during this campaign, I will obey Commander Gelingjia's orders." Gelingjia waved a hand and pointed at an escort vessel moored nearby. Karen saluted him, then turned and crossed the lengthy gangway toward the escort vessel. Ashley grumbled, "That commander sure has quite a temper." Ever since landing on the island, everyone had grown accustomed to the "warmth and hospitality" of the Moon God Church; this was the first time they had been treated so coldly. Karen smiled unconcernedly. "I was actually afraid he wouldn't have any temper. This is good. Since we're observing from their side, our biggest fear is something going wrong on their end in the battle. Nobody wants to swim back to Mipos Island, right?" This time, Pu'er was not perched on Karen's shoulder. Instead, she sat atop Kevin. Wearing a black cloak and a red hood, she looked exceptionally excited. Conjuring a flame between her paws, she shouted: "Burn, spirit of my bloodline! This is the most resounding melody in the world: naval battle, naval battle, naval battle!" Deep in the soul of every member of the Allen family lay a pirate dream that would never be extinguished. Looking at Pu'er like this, Karen couldn't help but imagine: if Count Rekar were to steer a warship across the seas for him one day, what a sight that would be. What Karen didn't know was that his actions—bringing along Pu'er and Kevin—further provoked the white-haired commander behind him. Back on the flagship, after Karen and the others had walked far off, Commander Gelingjia scowled and growled under his breath: "This is an insult! This is self-abasement! Just because Order is powerful, we must alter the narrative framework of our myths so our great goddess can share a romantic flirtation with the God of Order? "I hope you aren't so naive as to believe that an alliance is truly reliable. Every alliance is signed only to be torn apart! "Only by making ourselves strong can our goddess remain forever holy and untainted! "This is a battle of proof! This is a battle to wash away shame! "I hope that in the future, it will be the young lords of our Moon God Church going to other religions as observation delegations, receiving the cheers and adoration of their believers! "Just like him! "Even when he merely wants to watch the spectacle of battle, he can state it plainly and demand it be granted, arrogant enough to bring: "One person, one cat, and one dog!"