Chapter 75

"Why haven't you come yet?"

"It's been half an hour."

"It's not really like what the rumors say..."

"Hey, I'm warning you, don't talk nonsense."

"How can this be nonsense? The Earl's serious illness is known to everyone in the castle. You can cover my mouth, but can you cut out the tongues of everyone else?"

"You're not awake yet?"

“No way…”

"I remember the young master was still very young. What if... is it possible that such a young child should inherit the title?"

"The Campbell family in the central region once allowed a five-year-old girl to inherit. Of course, the consequence was that power fell into the hands of others."

"Ah, our Custer fiefdom won't also..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking nonsense. Can't all this bread and butter and peach jam fill your mouths?"

A large black mass swooped down, scattering the crowd that were gossiping.

They screamed and dodged, only to find that they were a flock of crows.

There were about a hundred of them, each holding a thumb-sized black fruit in its mouth. Blending with their jet-black feathers, it looked as if there were some deformed tumors growing on their beaks.

The frightened crowd followed the crows and moved their gaze towards the platform. There were three or four long wooden stakes lying on it. People had been guessing their purpose, but now the answer was clear: they were to serve as a resting place for the crows.

The crows each found their own spot on the stake, some preening their feathers, others dozing off. The only thing they had in common was that none of them had let go of the fruit in their beaks.

Those are fruits, but not just fruits, they are also symbols of the obsidian that is abundant in the Custer fiefdom. Like crows, they are raised by noble families.

A raven holds obsidian in its mouth; this is the Custer family crest that has been passed down for centuries.

The silence didn't last long, and whispers began again:

"Have you ever seen the Austin family's white pigeons? The scene when they are released is magnificent and beautiful."

“Ours is also quite spectacular.”

"But it has nothing to do with beauty, right?"

"I think it's eerie every time I see it..."

"Don't say that. I think crows are good. They are smart and loyal."

"But black always feels ominous."

"If their mouths were filled with high-quality obsidian, would you still find it ominous?"

“…”

As soon as he finished speaking, all the crows raised their necks and sang loudly. The loud and shrill cries shocked the whole crowd.

Instead of quieting down, the crowd became even more agitated, and everyone stretched their necks to look at the platform: this was the melody that accompanied the nobles' appearance, and they were already very familiar with it.

As expected, amidst the layers of falling black feathers, the noble family slowly appeared.

Walking in the front was Count Jiahang Xu Custer, who was wearing a navy blue coat and breeches, a small hat inlaid with gold wire, and a fist-sized, translucent, shining obsidian on the top of his cane. His cloak was embroidered with the family crest of a raven holding an obsidian, which complemented the raven behind him.

Contrary to people's original expectations, he, who was rumored to have been in a coma for several days, did not have the tired look of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness. Instead, he was full of energy and raised his cane to salute the audience.

Seeing that the Count was in good health and had returned unscathed from his battle with illness and evil, the few who wanted to see the show and the majority of those who cared about him cheered and the applause lasted for a long time.

Behind him, Young Master Lingxi Xu Custer also officially appeared for the first time as an heir, rather than simply as an offspring.

The boy wore a well-tailored little dress, knee-high soft leather boots, a wide-brimmed hat with a bright feather, and a brooch with the family crest.

However, these are not enough to attract attention.

The most eye-catching thing is the child in the count's arms.

The child was very small, and seemed to be still a baby, but he looked as if he was already three or four years old.

The Earl and his son both had very dark hair and eye colors, but the child was different. Their hair and eye colors were a bright and light light golden color.

The little cub wore a small cream-white coat and ruffled stockings, a light blue cape that reached only to the waist, and a wreath of violets and hibiscus pinned in her long curly hair.

Is this a boy or a girl?

Some people are thinking.

Who is this noble family?

Everyone is thinking about it.

The Countess had been gone for many years, and the Earl had never remarried. Even if he had an illegitimate child, he couldn't have shown it off to the whole city so openly.

What's more, a large number of the audience were related to the Earl's servants, and no one had heard that the Custer family had any new life in recent years.

The Earl tapped the platform with his scepter. The noise was not loud, but everyone fell silent.

"Dear residents of Estoril, welcome to gather in this golden season to celebrate the annual harvest festival of the Custer fiefdom...

"The everlasting prosperity of Custer Fiefdom stems from the gift of this land. It is because of this land that we have our home, our loved ones, and our beloved ones...

"Today, the town will open its gates and welcome every friend who joins us. Friends, you will be able to receive the gifts distributed by the Custer family..."

"Here, on behalf of the Custer family, I declare the official opening of this year's Autumn Festival! Dear friends, let us thank the gods for their generous gifts - thank His Majesty the Holy Son for his benevolent protection - thank Her Majesty the Queen for her wise guidance - may you and I share in the eternal glory of Fialan!"

He raised the scepter high, and everyone in the audience also raised anything they could get their hands on: newspapers, wine glasses, paper plates, marshmallows, even dogs wearing small clothes and babies in swaddling clothes. They all shouted loudly: "May you and I be with the eternal glory of Fialan!"

Compared to the official start of the event, all those speculations were no longer important. From then on, the crowd fell into a sea of ​​jubilation.

The Autumn Festival is held in the central open-air square of Esteril City. Noble families will distribute free food and wine, and you can also prepare your own. The aroma of barbecue and syrup wafts from far away.

Magicians, choirs, and bards were distributed in different locations in the square, each attracting a large crowd of onlookers, who would burst into laughter and cheers from time to time.

Everyone dressed up and everyone was excited - this was the most important festival in the land of Custer, comparable to the New Year.

*

After the Earl came down from the platform, he still did not let go of the child in his arms. He lowered his head and asked him, "Pear, do you want to eat anything?"

The voice is gentle and attentive.

The little cub snuggled obediently in his arms, its eyes curiously looking around until they finally fixed on the fluffy, cloud-like marshmallows in the hands of several children. It pointed with its little hand, "That one!"

"Okay, we'll eat that."

Xu Jiahang's voice was full of energy, and his hands didn't shake and his legs didn't feel sore as he held the child. It was hard to tell that he was trapped in a nightmare and couldn't wake up a day ago.

He walked a few steps and didn't forget to look back at his only son: "Lingxi, is there anything you want to eat?"

The boy, however, was not as relaxed as the others in enjoying the festival. He had to give a solo speech later and was reciting the script over and over again, fearing that he would get stuck later.

Only after his father called him a second time did he come to his senses: "Huh? Oh...oh, just like a pear."

The count patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't be so nervous. Just be yourself."

Xu Lingxi nodded and glanced at Li Jue who was also looking at him.

The little cub blinked and gave him a cute dimpled smile.

Xu Lingxi pulled the corners of his mouth stiffly and looked away, praying that he didn't blush.

Marshmallows are not provided by the nobles, you have to pay for them.

Seeing the Earl's visit, the stall owner wanted to give him some for free, but the Earl smiled and shook his head, insisting that his servant bring copper coins.

Unlike those nobles who look down on others, Earl Custer never acts condescendingly. Today he is even more approachable, smiling and greeting everyone who salutes him.

Most of the people gathered in front of the cotton candy stall were children. They were wearing hats made of animal skins or straw. Their faces had turned red due to the sun and excitement.

The children boldly asked questions that adults did not dare to ask: "My Lord, who is this to you?"

Of course Xu Jiahang knew there would be such a question, or rather, he had been waiting for it for a long time.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he held Li Jue and spun around in a circle, showing off so that everyone nearby could see the cub clearly. Then he replied proudly and gratefully, "—This is my benefactor."

The continent of Fialan has many magical elements, so it is not surprising if a special child has healing abilities.

He was able to wake up thanks to this little servant - the high priest said so himself.

There was no way he couldn't believe the high priest's words. In addition to being surprised, Xu Jiahang's previous prejudice against Li Jue disappeared, and his attitude took a 180-degree turn, from disgust and deep fear to a treasure that he held in his hands and could never love enough.

The adults' expressions changed too quickly and too obviously. Although Li Jue found it strange, there were so many people who loved him, and he was very good at being loved, so he quickly accepted his new status.

Look, wherever the baby goes, everyone likes him!

After getting the marshmallow, Li Jue originally wanted to get down and walk by himself so that he could eat it with Xixi; although Xixi didn't seem to have much appetite, and only when the sun was so hot that the marshmallow was about to turn into syrup and drip into her hands did she hurriedly remember to lick it.

It’s just that there are too many people in the square, as if everyone in the whole city and the entire fiefdom has poured in, and there are also children running around from time to time. Xu Jiahang was worried that little Li Jue would be stepped on, so he picked him up again after walking a few steps.

Several women pushing strollers saluted the Earl and looked at the tiny cub in his arms with pity: "Mr. Earl, how old is this child?"

"He..." Xu Jiahang was stuck, and he and Li Jue looked at each other in confusion, "Hey, how old are you?"

The cub blinked his big eyes, opened his little hands and said a random number: "Um... five years old!"

The women covered their faces and smiled. Children always want to grow up quickly, so they usually report their age as much older; or in fact they don’t know how old they are at all.

This little baby who can be held in one arm doesn't look five years old at all. He doesn't look much older than the babies sleeping soundly with pacifiers in their strollers. It seems that he is a little genius who learned to speak very early.

Xu Jiahang was amused by Li Jue's random age report: "Why don't you think about it again?"

Zizi wrinkled his face and counted on his fingers, thinking seriously: "Is... is... three years old...?"

"—three years, eleven months, and twelve days."

Someone help him answer.

When these words were spoken, not only Li Jue, Xu Jiahang and the women were surprised, but Xu Lingxi was also shocked.

Because he was the one who said this.

He blurted out the answer without even thinking, as if the answer was a conditioned reflex - and remembering Li Jue's specific age was an instinctive habit.

The boy was stunned.

Why do I know it so clearly?

Hadn’t he and Li only known each other for less than a week?

Even if you have known someone for a long time, who can remember someone's age to the exact number of days?

A sense of chaos that was about to burst out once again enveloped his body and mind.

Unlike his stunned son, the Earl was delighted: "Doesn't that mean your birthday is in half a month?"

"Birthday...?" Li Jue murmured the word.

I always feel like it has been a long time since my last birthday.

He celebrated his third birthday with his dad, of course.

It's no different from a one-year-old or a two-year-old. He and his father constitute the entire family elements. A piece of cake, a gift, and maybe a trip to the amusement park are all the children need.

Has it been almost a year since my father disappeared and I was brought into this strange world...?

Children's concept of time is inherently vague, and the speed of time flows differently in infinite space. Unknowingly, he has grown up quietly.

Xu Jiahang didn't notice the two children's different feelings of loss, and was in a good mood: "I will hold a grand birthday party for you in two weeks!"

The little boy came back to his senses and curled his eyes: "Thank you, uncle... master!"

Xu Jiahang promised: "Whatever gift you want, you can tell me. I will do my best to satisfy you."

Zizi nodded, but glanced at Xu Lingxi absentmindedly.

What he wants most now is for Xixi to remember him.

*

Xu Jiahang asked Li Jue about his well-being all the way and took care of him in every aspect.

In this world, he is a count of high status, respected and served; however, after reconciling with the cub (unilaterally), he seemed to have turned back into the considerate nanny who always followed the old man around in the Shen family.

This idea is shameful and difficult to talk about, but it is extremely true: compared to being a nobleman and spending all his time speaking official language and keeping up appearances every day, being a nanny is more suitable for him.

Not only does he just need to follow behind and do more hands-on work, but he will also feel great satisfaction when he sees that the other person is being well taken care of.

It’s not so much that he likes to serve others, but rather that he prefers to rely on others rather than be relied upon by others.

After traveling to this medieval world, he always had trouble sleeping, was suspicious of everything, and was wary of everything.

It's great to be in the clouds and admired by others, but I'm always afraid of falling down.

It was not until today when he held the precious only grandson of the Shen family tightly in his arms that he regained a sense of security and security, as if his mission was to accompany this young master, and everything else was just a formality.

To put it nicely, she has a giving personality, but to put it bluntly, she seems a bit cheap, he thought sadly.

However, Li Jue became reluctant to be held by him after a while. There were so many interesting things in the festival and he wanted to see everything. Not only could he not go wherever he wanted when being held by an adult, but the count also had to stop from time to time to chat with him, which greatly delayed his progress.

The child solemnly declared for the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time: "Baby can walk on his own! He won't be bumped into or stepped on!"

Of course Xu Jiahang was worried, but seeing that someone else was coming to say hello, even if he wanted to hold his little benefactor and show him off to the whole world, it was indeed not very convenient.

He looked around, trying to find a reliable servant to take care of Li Jue instead of himself, but he felt uneasy about anyone he looked at.

"Father." The silent boy finally spoke, "Let me do it."

Xu Jiahang raised his eyebrows: "You weren't..."

Before this, his son had come to him many times and expressed his firm opposition to the little boy servant playing with him, showing his resistance to Li Jue vividly.

Why did you change your personality now?

Xu Lingxi tried hard not to blush, lowering his head and mumbling, "It's my son's duty to help my father solve his problems..."

Although he is not his biological son, Xu Jiahang is still very proud to have such a sensible son.

"Alright, I'm satisfied that you're so kind." He put Li Jue down with a hearty laugh, then held the two children's hands together, one on each side, and instructed, "Then I'll leave my younger brother to you. Be careful. Do you have enough copper coins?"

The boy felt the cub's warm little hand softly holding his own, and his breathing became irregular. He simply nodded in response to his father's words: "That's enough, don't worry."

Xu Jiahang wanted to say a few more words, but people gathered around him, so he could only watch the older one leading the younger one disappear in the dense crowd.

Li Jue was extremely happy that she could finally hold hands with her little brother again. Her little face was filled with a joyful smile that could not be blown away even by the autumn wind.

The seven-year-old Xu Lingxi, who had a high self-esteem, always felt that holding hands was something only girls did. He felt very embarrassed, especially when everyone knew him and people kept saying "Hello, young master" or "The young master is here too".

But he didn't want to disappoint Li - those beautiful light golden eyes showed a hurt expression because of him - he really didn't want to see such a lonely little cub again.

For fear of getting lost, the children held each other's hands tightly and refused to let go even when a thin layer of sweat formed on their palms.

There was a commotion ahead, and Li Jue was excited to go and watch the fun. He was much smaller than Xu Lingxi, and when he ran forward, the latter had to stagger to keep up.

They were jugglers. Their partner used hemp rope to create a circle with a radius of more than ten meters, while the performer picked up two thick and long iron rods and reached into the blazing stove in front of him.

The audience didn't know what he was going to do and watched curiously. More and more people were attracted.

The kids, relying on their small stature, squeezed through the gaps in the crowd and made their way to the front row.

The artist took out the quenched iron rod, and the bottom was burning scarlet.

Humans, or rather intelligent animals, have a fear of fire that is ingrained in their nature and instincts. Even though the distance created by the hemp rope was safe enough, everyone around them took a few steps back for a moment.

The artist didn't even wear gloves. He just held the iron rod with his bare hands and carried it on his shoulders. He deliberately stretched it towards the audience, causing several children standing in the front row to scream excitedly.

Li Jue and the other children watched with shining eyes, looking forward to what would happen next.

Xu Lingxi was afraid that he would be splashed by sparks, so he stepped in front of him to block them.

The atmosphere created is enough, and it's time to start the most important performance: the artist holds two iron rods and spins in circles on the spot, faster and faster, and the iron rods almost form several red arcs.

Just when people thought that was all, the man stopped and violently collided the two iron rods together - sparks immediately flew from the metal, soared several meters into the air and then fell, fluttering like flowers scattered by fairies.

The audience erupted in cheers and thunderous applause. The little cub clapped its hands happily, exclaiming without blinking, "So pretty! Amazing!"

Seeing how fascinated he was, Xu Lingxi even had the urge to learn some tricks to make the baby happy.

The juggler's performance had not yet ended when someone on the other side opened a cage and released several parrots with brightly colored feathers.

Li Jue was very distressed and didn't know which one to choose.

After running around for a long time, the sun made the cubs' faces red. Xu Lingxi rolled up his sleeves, found a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off the cubs and himself.

He took out the kettle again, poured it out, and it was empty.

Just as I was wondering whether to ask the servants at home or spend copper coins to buy it, I caught a glimpse of two familiar figures in the crowd.

To be precise, there is only one, and that is the butler Tan Ning who has not appeared before.

The shorter girl next to him looked very much like the maid Meowling from the back. She had also been missing so far; but she was not wearing a maid outfit, but more like... men's clothes.

The boy was a little confused. He remembered that the two people asked for leave from their father in advance. One said he wanted to go back to visit relatives, and the other said he was not feeling well. In short, they both had excuses not to attend today's ceremony.

Why are they both here now? Or are they both together?

Like everyone else in the family, he turned a blind eye to Miao Ling's affair with his father; Miao Ling and Tan Ning had been very close recently, so he was not completely unaware of it.

Anyway, the two of them have no second thoughts about the Custer family, and what kind of relationship they have is not something a child can ask.

What's more, even a child could see that the beautiful Miao Ling and the handsome Tan Ning were a perfect match - at least much more suitable than the old and ugly Earl Caster.

Maybe they wanted to keep their date secret, the boy thought. He should understand adults' secrets.

He tried to pretend not to see it, but Li Jue also noticed it.

"It's my uncle and sister!" The child saw his acquaintances and jumped and waved, "Uncle——! Sister——"

Before she could even utter the second word, Xu Lingxi covered her mouth with his hand and said nervously, "Shh, don't shout at them."

Li Jue was puzzled, and the sound in his palm turned into a mumble: "Wai... Wai Sen?"

Xu Lingxi let go of his hand, unsure how to explain it to such a young child (even though he was a child himself): "Because they might... well, they don't want to be discovered."

Li Jue was even more confused.

Xu Lingxi took his hand and tried to divert his attention: "Are you thirsty? I just saw some sweet osmanthus wine for sale. Let's go buy some and try it."

As he walked, he kept an eye on Li Jue in case the latter called the two men again. He didn't pay attention to the road ahead and accidentally bumped into someone, almost falling down. Fortunately, the other person caught him.

"Sorry, thank you—" The boy apologized and thanked subconsciously, and when he looked up at the other person, he showed his confusion, "Huh?"

The person he bumped into was wearing a cloak, which originally covered him tightly, but now the hood had slipped down a little due to the collision.

From the boy's lower height and perspective, he could just see the cold face of the Son of God revealed under the brim of the hat.

Xu Lingxi was stunned. He didn't expect that His Highness, who should be worshipped by everyone, would travel in such a low-key manner.

Just as he was about to salute, he rolled up his sleeves and felt a sudden burning pain on his bare arm where the other person had held his hand.

A hint of surprise flashed across the eyes of the usually calm Son of God, and the boy lowered his head and saw that scales were struggling to grow on the smooth skin that originally belonged to humans.

They grew very quickly, and within seconds the entire arm was covered in darkness.

The boy looked at his changes in disbelief and staggered back a few steps.

What’s wrong with me…?

The words that everyone in Fialan knew suddenly rang in his mind: "The hands of the Son of God are blessed by God, and any demons and monsters will reveal their true colors when touched."

It was originally a blessing, but now it became a divine punishment befalling him.

Xu Lingxi raised his eyes hastily and found that everyone was looking at him in astonishment. He stepped back in a panic, not even noticing that he had knocked over shelves and stalls.

Soon the astonishment turned into extreme panic, and the crowd erupted in screams: "There is a monster—it's a monster—help! ahhhhhh!!!"

"Monster," the boy thought.

Who are you talking about?

...Is it me...?

The whole world was spinning before my eyes.

Everything took a turn for the worse.