Chapter 208 – 20. Interlude (8)
A solemn atmosphere permeated the mansion from the moment you entered its grand entrance. All the employees were old and quiet, so it was full of gloomy people.
“Welcome, Sir Monet.”
Entering the room following the gatekeeper’s guidance, an old man wearing monocles was standing neatly and neatly dressed. With a long beard and a hard expression as if he had a blunt personality, he was Maurice, the manor’s butler.
“The master is waiting for you in the study.”
“It sounds like you knew I was going to visit.”
“Yes, there are few places where the Dark Ball’s line of sight cannot reach.”
The Bishop of Gallia, who had touched his crumpled sleeves, nodded calmly. The achromatic formal attire, which was unsuitable for the position, went well with the dark atmosphere, and stimulated the two men by scattering strange air currents like an affair in the dark.
“Is it okay if I don’t have to accompany an escort?”
“It’s Woomun.”
“Okay.”
The elderly priest was once a knight. It is often mistaken for a warm and benevolent impression like Noya at a lady’s house, but even now, as a filthy old man, Albert Monet’s eyes are fierce because they are big. As if the spirit of that spirit was never to be underestimated.
“Excuse me, let me take you inside.”
Today, people regard Romuald, Baron of Ardennes, as the strongest sword in Gaul. In the past, people regarded Alexandre, Duke of Dior, as the strongest sword in Gaul. And in the distant past, everyone referred to Albert Monet as the strongest sword.
Although the sincere heart of the paladin was what he hoped for, his skills were not the same.
The only obstacle is the aging body. Therefore, as long as the ring worn on the index finger of his right hand shines, there is nothing to fear from the archbishop. In the first place, his feelings were lost long ago after Millennium Gong slaughtered those who were like my family.
Soon after, Albert carefully crossed the darkness. Following the guidance of the owner of the house, Maurice, he passed from the dark hallway to the colorful and dazzling ornaments. After moving forward and changing direction several times, he arrived at the entrance of the study that was as dark as pitch darkness.
In a place where you can’t see anything properly, all you can feel is the faint sound of breathing.
The old man, who was called the Knight of the Celestial Gods, distinguished his opponents based on his extrasensory cognition. I took out my share of chairs and sat down alone, leaving the duke and the butler who didn’t care whether they were familiar with this daily life in the dark. He then pressed his fingernails on the hardwood furniture and made a popping sound.
“I want to ask why are you afraid of the light?”
Bishop Bishop’s ears are still bright even after many years have passed. Recognition of space through hearing is not that difficult for a strong person like him. Albert, who had learned the structure of his surroundings by the difference in the noise his fingernails made each time they hit the wood, put a few facts into his head.
‘The chief butler stands guard at the door to his left. The Dark Ball crouched down on his body in an oblique line. This man’s heart stops beating, as if it had stopped beating. However, there is no evidence to doubt that he is the next necromancer after Millennium Ball as much as this ominous magic power.’
Who knows, knows. Arsene, the owner of the Dior family, has a mania that causes severe delirium whenever he sees light. The infirm, confined to his closet, was thus given the nickname Dark Lord and exempted from his vassal duties.
‘Then, from now on is important.’
Of course, that process had to be accompanied by proof of loyalty to the kingdom and contributions.
“Is that what I’m really curious about?”
In any case, Arsene Dior avoids light. Occasionally, when the symptoms become very severe, he refuses even the faintest light and entrusts his body to darkness without a single outline. Only then can his seizures and convulsions be stopped and his sober reason restored.
“Assuming so, I want you to answer.”
Albert’s introduction was a question stemming from that very context. While feeling each other but not seeing each other, the two dukes, who represent the political and religious worlds, engaged in a fierce battle of nerves and continued their conversation.
“Just as no one is born with a life of their own choosing, what can we do about something like that in our nature?”
“I wonder if you don’t want to look at yourself because you are ashamed of your appearance.”
“Unexpectedly, your tongue is sour. After all, when you think about your childhood, this is probably nothing new.”
Even after exchanging provocations, the two’s expressions were still calm. It was inevitable because neither side had the heart to win against their narration. It was a room with no lighting, so it was impossible for Sang-ho to see his opponent’s face.
“I can only admire the loyalty of those who follow. To admire a coward who can’t even reveal himself is to be quite single-minded, or it must mean that there is an existence that can orchestrate it.”
“Light is originally a selfish symbol. They dazzle others unwillingly and then arbitrarily prevent them from forgetting the feeling. It may be incomprehensible with the bishop’s logic, but from Arsene’s point of view, it’s reasonable and natural.”
The same was true of conversations with keen insight and subtle pedantry. Without exaggeration, the two giants representing the political and religious worlds of Gaul were as firm as if they would not waver no matter what they said. It was like the tension when a deep-rooted tree faces a violent storm.
“Rumors about the son-in-law of the Lemoang family, Baron Darril, are often heard these days.”
“… Let’s put an end to the hypocritical pity. You should know that the illegitimate child is not my brother.”
“There are things you can only see as you get older. I don’t know if I can describe seeing you in this cancer, but I am. As if wandering in a labyrinth, it seems that the moment to wipe out the confusing past is just around the corner.”
“I’m afraid it might be harmful. Even at that age, if you try to show off the same skills as before, you will inevitably get sick.”
“Sometimes you have to be patient with such misfortunes. I did that for half a century.”
Albert, who particularly gave strength to the number of half a hundred years, touched the table with his right index finger. How he got light in a space where there was no light, he briefly showed off his shiny ring and covered it with his left hand.
“Ah, is that so?”
“If possible, it would be better to engrave it.”
“What did you say?”
“All right. The purpose of my visit today is not to have a petty argument.”
Then, Gallia’s Dark Ball calmly sighed. Even though I knew that my nod was not reaching the other person, I deliberately nodded, then severely coughed. It was a bloody cough that made him vomit a handful of blood into the hand that covered his mouth with his fist clenched.
“Concubine Hui, cool, I don’t think that’s something a smart person would say…”
The owner of the house, Maurice, who was guarding her door, pulled out her handkerchief from her bosom as the owner groaned. She followed his wheezing breath, guessing his position, patting his trembling back, and carefully wiping from the corners of his mouth to the area around his hands, taking care of him.
“It seems like I’m getting tired every day.”
“Please take care of yourself…”
She didn’t even click her tongue as if she was sorry. There was no emotion mixed in his voice. Even so, Arsene was sharp and fired at Albert.
“You know, Bishop Bishop.”
No need for pity. For Gaul’s Dark Ball, only dense grudges are a tightly united existence.
“Being kind is also in line with the saying that you have a lot to lose. That’s why I hope you don’t touch other people’s misery so insensitively.”
Even Albert Monet felt no pity. His heart froze and his feelings became something that could only be recalled as old memories.
‘But you and I are not strangers.’
Of course, he is frozen, but his heart is used. In particular, the relationship between the head of a famous family and the elector of an ancient empire is not an ordinary one. So, unable to treat the enemy’s son coldly even in front of him, he let out a deep sigh.
Then, on rare occasions, he uttered a few words in a row.
“I want to ask if you remember Carmen Zafiro.”
First, from an actress who became the first wanderer in the country to lead a royal theater troupe.
“Trianon, in the garden of the palace, she charmed the entire audience, including the former king.”
Next is Aquitaine, where the soul of Dear King Eugene de Gaul was completely drained.
“I would like to ask if you also remember the actress who uses the stage name Rin.”
Another friend of Carmen Zapiro and her actress who boasted her popularity comparable to her.
“He was a friend with a strange atmosphere.”
She was forgotten by the public because of her short prime.
“Even among the royal family and people comparable to him, there was no law to feel intimidated. She was a beautiful woman who was able to dazzle everyone in the place.”
Lynn, the actress who disguised herself as a woman from Britannia, had many secrets.
She said, “She was clamoring at court every day to witness her performance.”
And Albert Monet, as her adoptive father, knows it all.
“No one can forget that sacred gesture, the look on her face.”
She was the daughter of a poorhouse, with no blood relatives or relatives. So she claimed to be her adoptive father, not her godfather, and she tried to pass on everything to the Monet family. Even if her status as a bishop doesn’t do that, her reputation as a great noble in Gaul will be of great help in her survival.
“It is a precious thing. It always fades away. Even if it’s a boring sermon, I hope you’ll listen. After losing it, it’s too late. Maybe she let go of everything because she’s already been through it, but for you, it’s still…”
Bang, Arsene, who had suddenly hit the table, opened her eyes to the darkness. Even though she knew that each other couldn’t see each other, she cheered her up as if it was that far, then replied quietly.
“If it’s beauty, I know it all too well.”
The order has changed. This time it was the Dark Ball’s turn.
“I have seen it firsthand. That existence that is like the light of my life.”
He uttered a small but powerful voice and hinted.
“Sometimes, I too wanted to live without knowing anything.”
If you are convinced that the sermon is boring yourself, be careful.
“No matter how much I cry, does it make any difference?”
Like I said earlier.
“Nirgo Niler, even hundreds of times!”
Is it because of the reaction caused by wrath? The feeling of being torn by something sharp tickled Arsene’s throat again. Although it was belated, he calmed down his irregular breathing and eventually had to brainstorm with blue eyes shining.
I had to reveal my own personality in an instant, shining like a flash of magical power.
“You know best that it will never come back.”
Still, the precarious energy calmed down thanks to that. However, the duke, who did not feel the need to talk any more, immediately congratulated Albert. As if he didn’t want to mix a word more, I made him back by getting up from his chair.
“Yes, I fully understand your position.”
Maurice, who had been silently guarding her seat, opened the door that had been firmly closed. In the meantime, Albert, who wanted to say one last word, stood up and spoke.
“Given the nature of the conversation, it would make sense for me to give an answer as well. Without further ado, I promise that the next time we see each other, our grudges will end in one form or another. Whether the result came from your death or mine remains to be seen.”
The monopoly, which was truly beneficial, ended with that. The Duke Bishop, who unexpectedly visited the enemy’s family, left the study without hesitation. He strode through the long, messy corridors as if he didn’t need to be seen off by the head of the house or other servants.
“… Maurice.”
“Yes, Master.”
“The Ring of Fire is ready.”
As if caring for the two people left behind.
“Did he really understand?”
“There is nothing wrong with trusting your father.”
“The history of immorality is deep.”
“Because even masters and servants look alike sometimes.”
Unfortunately, that consideration encouraged destruction.
“It’s all meaningless struggle, but…”
* * *
The world he greeted after leaving the mansion was as if the darkness inside was a lie, and the brilliant sun was beating down on it. Feeling slightly bitter about that fact, the bishop asked the coachman, who served as a secretary-level servant while boarding the old lord.
“If you know the whereabouts of Her Highness, please give me an answer.”
“If nothing happens, it’s time to be in the business district.”
“I will go there. In addition, I will contact the headquarters of Etruria and inform the waiting knights throughout the region.”
“What should I say?”
Then, he paused, while he waited for a message, and was silent for a while, brooding over the conversation with the Dark Ball.
‘To me…’
‘Life…’
‘Surprisingly…’
‘Light is…’
‘A wicked pity…’
‘I’m afraid it might be harmful…’
The words of the man who responded exactly the way I spoke to him.
‘Ah…’
‘Nirshin…’
‘After concubine…’
‘Self-respect…’
‘You know…’
‘Being kind is…’
A power that does not hesitate to be regarded by all who know the truth as a public enemy.
‘If it’s beauty…’
‘I’ve never seen it myself…’
‘Sometimes…’
‘No matter how…’
‘Nirgo Niler too…’
‘Never…’
The warning given by the master of grudges, Arsene Dior.
“It’s not the time yet, so please.”
Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean it’s windless.
Sometimes, even in a strong typhoon, you may not feel the wind.
“… That’s what the center is like.”
