Chapter 168 The Truth: Dangerous Dinner [VIP]
(This hall already looks creepier than any other part of the castle.)
Xiao Yun thought secretly.
The hall was not only exceptionally bright, but brighter than any other place Butler Wolf had led them through. A closer look at the shadows revealed that the hall's lighting source wasn't the five gorgeous crystal chandeliers overhead, nor the candlesticks and candles lined up on the long table. Instead, it was—
The ceiling and the walls on both sides!
Bright light shone through the inside of the white wall. The male and female servants standing on both sides of the wall were wearing court uniforms from an unknown era. Everyone's face was pale with a strange stickiness. Xiao Yun could even see the veins and arteries under the skin.
"Oh, I'm so glad the clothes I prepared for you look good on you."
At the end of the long table, the host, Earl Kang, stood up with a smile and opened his arms to welcome them.
He also changed into an extremely luxurious dark purple robe with golden floral embroidery on the sleeves, collar, and hem, and a golden belt inlaid with colorful jewels.
(The style of His clothing is unlike any other aristocratic attire worn by any nation today, and the craftsmanship of the jewels inlaid on His belt is unlike anything I have ever seen.)
Xiao Yun thought to himself, but a bright smile appeared on his face: "You look as kind as our father."
"Thank you for the compliment, although your real father will definitely give me a good scolding after hearing this."
Earl Kang smiled subtly and invited the two to take a seat. "—After your long journey, you are in urgent need of food and energy. I have prepared some simple meals, which I hope will suit your taste."
"Thank you very much."
Yaris nodded slightly.
Earl Kang suddenly smiled cheerfully. "I can't believe I'm hosting you, the most incredible people in the world, right here in my domain. In fact, upon hearing you've arrived at the castle, all the residents are incredibly excited and have prepared exquisite food for you, even I wouldn't dare ask for easily. If you enjoy listening to me ramble, I'll generously introduce everything here to you. It's been ages since we've had any official visitors here."
"It is an honor for us brothers to receive such hospitality from you and your servants."
Yaris spoke in a leisurely tone.
"Really? Do you brothers really think so?"
Earl Kang smiled happily and rang the bell to signal that the dish was officially served.
Snap——
The back door opened and Butler Wolf walked in pushing a dining cart.
The dining car is filled with a wide variety of food. The barbecued meats alone are divided into more than ten varieties according to the different types of meat and the different roasting methods. The bread and tarts that serve as staple foods are also in various shapes and colorful.
There were also a variety of refreshing juices, a vegetable stew rich in spices, translucent pastries that looked like they were made from tapioca flour, and fresh fruits that were rarely seen in season at this time of year...
Finally, a dazzling array of grilled seafood was served on the table, with the plate exceeding one meter in diameter.
(So much food...)
Xiao Yun frowned and looked at Yaris.
Yaris also frowned and said with a smile: "Thank you for preparing such rich food for us."
"I am honored to receive His Highness Yaris's smile."
Earl Kang raised his hand and signaled the servants to come forward to serve the two men - Xiao Yun's plate was piled with various meats and roasted vegetables, while Yaris's plate was mainly sticky stew, soft bread core and egg pudding.
Finally, the butler came forward again, holding a bottle of wine with spider webs wrapped around the surface, which looked to be quite old, and handed it to Earl Kang.
Earl Kang wiped the bottle clean with a napkin and carefully cut open the wax seal. A sweet fragrance immediately filled the hall.
"This wine is made from special wild grapes grown on my land, mixed with honey and a variety of spices. It needs to be cellared for at least a hundred years before it's suitable for drinking. The longer it's stored, the richer the flavor becomes, and it can even bring back memories of past lives."
He poured the crimson liquid into the silver goblet, swirling it slowly to make sure the color and taste were suitable for drinking.
“This bottle is of very good quality.”
Earl Kang said seriously, "Although it's not as good as the exquisite wine preserved in the Silver Moon Palace, it can still be considered a rare delicacy."
After saying this, he handed the bottle of wine to the butler, who walked respectfully between Xiao Yun and Yaris and filled their silver cups with the beautiful red liquid.
"Come on, let's toast to this happy gathering! Welcome everyone, and I hope you can have a happy time in my castle!"
Earl Kang raised his glass and shouted.
Xiao Yun gave a perfunctory smile and raised his glass as well: "Thank you very much for your magnanimity. May the eternal gods feel your kindness and mercy."
“It is my highest happiness to receive the blessing of the Son of Light.”
Earl Kang smiled,
Xiao raised his wine glass and a little liquid touched his lips.
"Rich and sweet, with a strong aroma,
Yaris said politely.
"I almost forgot Yali could handle the intensity of alcohol."
Looking at the almost motionless wine in the glass, Earl Kang smiled subtly.
Yaris didn't care at all. With the help of Xiao Yun and the servants, he slowly put the soft and mellow soup into his mouth.
Earl Kang looked at him with interest and said with emotion, "You are really strong. If I were you, I would definitely choose to give up my life long ago instead of persisting until now."
“I’ve thought about giving up my life more than once.”
"oh?"
“Now I don’t think about these things anymore.”
Yaris looked up, his dark eyes, as bright and mysterious as a night lake, staring straight at Earl Kang: "I have found a reason to live that is most important to me - he needs me, so I will never give up my life easily."
"he?"
"Yes."
Yaris said softly.
Xiao Yun also told Earl Kang with full concentration: "I am very happy to become a blood brother with Yaris. This is the best gift that fate has given me."
"Yes! Yes!"
Earl Kang shouted as if deeply moved, gently wiping away tears, "Such pure and beautiful feelings are rare in this world! If you don't mind, I'd like you to stay here a little longer."
"Why?"
"because--"
Earl Kang smiled and slowly explained, "...To be honest, although I enjoy living in isolation, if I were to remain isolated for a long time, living quietly in a place without any sound, I would lose interest in the world and fall into a deep sleep. Therefore, any visitor is a precious and rare blessing to me."
"Can't you get out of here?"
Xiao Yun asked.
"This question..."
Earl Kang sighed and said, "No matter what, my heart has been revived because of you. I even feel a lot younger."
“…”
The obvious evasive attitude made Xiao Yun not know how to respond.
At this moment, Yaris suddenly touched Xiao Yun's hand gently.
[Did you notice that He only drank alcohol from beginning to end and did not eat any other food.]
[…This is indeed a bit unusual.]
[And the room itself is very strange - if it is possible to have built-in light sources on every wall of the hall, including the ceiling, why are the corridors and study rooms in the castle so dim? What is he trying to hide?]
[This question——]
"Excuse me."
Earl Kang suddenly spoke, his handsome face full of earnestness: "Although it may be a bit presumptuous, but - can you stay here with me forever?"
"Stay here forever?"
Xiao Yun looked at Earl Kang in disbelief.
"Yes, stay here forever."
Earl Kang tenderly invited him, "Not only is it exceptionally safe here, but time also flows more slowly than in the real world—a hundred years pass outside, but only ten here. As for the enjoyment of life, while it won't be as pampered as in the outside world, you won't have to worry about food, medicine, clothing, and so on. I have more than enough subjects to cultivate crops and domesticate livestock for me, and I can also obtain fashionable items from the outside world through various channels."
"Who are you? What's your intention in bringing us here?!"
Xiao Yun asked sternly, "Golden Blade" was ready to move.
"I?"
Earl Kang smiled dumbly: "I came here a long, long time ago, so long ago that you can't even imagine... I like to gather all the things I like around me, so that they can live a happy life with me without war and pain."
"But staying in your castle won't allow us to live the life we want!"
Xiao Yun said sternly: "We have things we must accomplish!"
"That will cost you your lives!"
Earl Kang's voice gradually became louder: "I love you, I don't want you to lose your most precious life!"
"So you actually—"
"I know your father."
Earl Kang got excited and blurted out, "I've been following you. I know what you want to do, but I don't think you can succeed!"
"Who exactly is this 'father' you're talking about?"
Yaris asked back.
“…”
Earl Kang grinned and waved his hand to signal the servants to bring the two of them some after-meal fruit.
"This is the pineapple fruit from the faraway subtropical Southern Hemisphere. Once ripe, the fruit will rot and lose its flavor if left off the branches for more than a day. It's extremely difficult to preserve. Even I've only ever tasted preserves made with honey," Yaris commented in amazement. "But this plate of pineapple fruit is very fresh, and the flesh is perfectly ripe."
"Your Highness Yaris, no matter what fruit you want to eat, as long as it exists in the world, I can provide it steadily every day."
Earl Kang said with a smile: "So, you really don't want to stay? Stay with me and enjoy eternal tranquility, peace and happiness with me. I even have a way to cure Yaris's fragile body!"
"No, that's impossible!"
Yaris said without hesitation.
"Why refuse?"
Earl Kang asked Yaris with a smile: "Don't you want to be healthy?"
"I want health, but I don't want to trade my health for Baiyou."
Yaris said indifferently: "If I can only choose between health and freedom, I will choose to die in freedom."
"you……"
Earl Kang paused for a moment and smiled again. "I heard that you brothers have the most beautiful voices in the world. Can you sing a song for me as a return gift tonight?"
“…”
Yaris looked at Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun thought for a moment and held Yaris's hand: "I need a handy instrument."
"The castle's musical instrument room is filled with all kinds of musical instruments made since the dawn of human civilization."
"Please give me a lyre, the kind most commonly used by bards."
Xiao Yun said without hesitation.
"Hold on."
Earl Kang raised his hand and signaled the maid to go to the instrument room to get a zither for Xiao Yun.
Soon the maid returned to the hall, holding a valuable harp made of ivory and ebony.
Xiao Yun took the zither, which was as exquisitely crafted as a work of art, and tried to pluck it a few times. He found that the sound produced by the strings was not only crisp and pleasant, but also full of the mellowness of time. He exclaimed in amazement, "This is a precious antique zither."
"This violin is indeed very old."
Earl Kang sighed softly and looked at Yaris with ghostly eyes: "Eternal life is a long and eternal loneliness, while death is an unknown that even the gods are afraid of."
"Are you afraid of death?"
“Humans accept death because they have no power to fight it, that’s all.”
"Perhaps."
Yaris stretched out his hands and took the ebony and ivory harp from Xiao Yun's arms. His soft and slender fingers slid across the strings, and clear and melodious music flowed out.
He raised his head and asked with a beautiful, transparent face like an elf: "Brother, what kind of song do you think we should sing for this moment?"
"Well……"
Xiao Yun thought for a moment and suggested, "How about 'Spring, Come Quickly (春よ、来い)'?"
"good."
Yaris gently plucked the strings, and smooth and gentle notes flowed out, filling the hall.
Xiao Yun took a deep breath and began to sing as if possessed by the god of music.
"In the dim morning, a sudden rain shower came
In the charming face of the sleeping flower
From the dew-filled buds
Waves of fragrance gradually drift away
That is our love that transcends space
No matter how far apart we are, we will meet again
Spring, distant spring
Just close your eyes and you're there
It still lingers in my ears
You love the sound of my voice..."
This body already had a voice as sweet and melodious as a bird's, and now it was filled with Xiao Yun's true feelings, making the singing even more intoxicating.
As the host, Earl Kang picked up the wine glass filled with crimson liquid and sipped it slowly, reveling in the heavenly music with great satisfaction.
The servants, led by the butler Wolf, also closed their eyes, listening in ecstasy to the warm, fragrant, and refreshing music that was like the gentle breeze and drizzle.
The beautiful melody continued, and Yaris also joined in the singing.
"I will always keep my heart with you
Until now, I am still waiting for your return
No matter how time passes
I will always wait for you to come back
That is our love that transcends space
No matter how far apart we are, we will meet again
Spring, the spring that has not yet disappeared
I'm missing you here
Walking alone in a dream
Like petals drifting in the rain"
Due to the pain and the side effects of the "Magic Sleep", Yaris's voice has lost its former ethereal splendor and has become hoarse and vicissitudes, but -
When he sang the song of waiting for spring with Xiao Yun in his low and hoarse voice, the interweaving of indifference after having gone through hardships and the crispness of high spirits made all the listeners cry, as if they saw a tree full of flowers blooming to the extreme and then slowly withering in the breeze, the petals floating on the flowing water, full of timelessness and regret, yet beautiful, elegant and hopeful.
"Spring, distant spring
Just close your eyes and you're there
It still lingers in my ears
You love the sound of my voice..."
A song is graceful and the lingering sound.
The entire hall was immersed in the gentle and sad atmosphere created by the music, and was silent.
for a long time--
Earl Kang finally woke up and exclaimed, "Wonderful! I can't believe such beautiful, harmonious, and pleasant singing can come from a human throat! I am also extremely surprised by His Highness Yaris's singing - I thought you had given up singing long ago."
“No matter how many hardships I go through, as long as I am still alive, I will never give up singing, just as I will never give up fighting.”
Yaris said softly, his black eyes both soft and strong.
Xiao Yun held Yaris's hand again and said firmly: "Brother's dream is also my dream. If brother cannot fulfill his dream in his lifetime, I will take over his dream and do my best to realize it!"
“…”
Earl Kang was silent.
He looked at Yaris quietly, then at Xiao Yun: "...Do you know what you are talking about? Do you know what price you will pay for this? Your dream is beautiful, sacred, and noble, but - the price of realizing this dream will be so cruel that it will make all life despair!"
"I know, and I don't care."
Xiao Yun retorted without hesitation: "I love Yaris, I am willing to do anything for him."
"No! No! Your feelings right now are not love at all, they are infatuation, worship, the ultimate distortion!"
Earl Kang argued: "You should have your own ideas and pursuits, instead of imitating Yaris and taking Yaris's existence as everything to yourself, and you should not turn Yaris's dreams into your own dreams!"
"How do you know I don't have my own dreams or pursuits?"
Xiao Yun said clearly, "My feelings towards Yaris are not blind infatuation or admiration, nor do I imitate Yaris's ideas. I share the same dreams and pursuits with Yaris because I agree with his ideas."
"Well, my thinking is too narrow."
Earl Kang narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying to the two of them, "It's already late at night. Perhaps we should all go back to our rooms and rest."
"I hope you have a wonderful night."
Xiao Yun said indifferently.
Earl Kang looked at Yaris, who remained silent. "It seems like it will be very cold tonight. Be sure to add more firewood to the fireplace before going to bed. If you feel unwell, you can ring the bell to summon Xiaobai."
"noob?"
Xiao Yun was surprised.
At this moment, Earl Kang's mouth showed a subtle smile again. He pointed at the white-haired, red-eyed boy who had brought the two to the hall and said, "He is Xiaobai."
"Is he human?"
Xiao Yun asked warily.
"Is this important?"
Earl Kang asked back with a smile.
“…”
"He originally had a majestic and domineering name, until I heard not long ago that His Highness Yaris named the golden dragon Xiaojin and the dark dragon Xiaohei—so I followed the trend and changed my servant's name to Xiaobai."
Earl Kang added.
"...No wonder he looked at us so strangely."
Xiao Yun complained.
…
…
Led by a butler named Xiaobai, Xiao Yun and Yaris walked through the long, dim corridor and returned to the warm and comfortable guest room.
The bedroom was already prepared. The three-meter-wide bed was covered with soft bedding, and pajamas as soft as spider silk were folded beside the bed. There was a small table beside the bed with a kettle and cups on it, as well as a bell to summon servants.
"I'm in the servants' quarters next door. If you have any requests at night, you can ring the bell to summon me."
Xiaobai said politely, put down the candlestick, lowered his head, and left the bedroom.
After Xiaobai left, Xiao Yun immediately checked the room and found that everything in the bedroom - including the portraits on the wall and the decorative statues in the corner - was fine. The only problem was -
"There are no windows in the room?"
"Yes, not only is this room windowless, but the hall where Count Conn invited us to dine has no windows either."
"However, we didn't feel depressed or bored at all."
Xiao Yun looked solemn.
Yaris raised his head and looked at the high ceiling: "I suspect something unexpected will happen at night."
"It's okay, I will protect you."
Xiao Yun said firmly, gently picked up Yaris and placed him on the bed: "I'll help you change into pajamas, and then we'll sleep side by side. That way, if something unexpected happens at night, I'll be able to find out immediately."
"Nothing is more important than caution."
Yaris murmured, "Now, the only thing I can be sure of is that He has no intention of killing us."
"Speaking of this..."
Xiao Yun held his chin in his hand: "He said he knew our father, but..."
(The 'your father' mentioned by Earl Kang obviously did not refer to Grand Duke Ilex.)
"Well, this is indeed very suspicious."
"Not only is it extremely suspicious, it's practically an open flaw. Anyway, every corner of this castle is filled with strangeness: a strange owner, strange buildings, a strange butler who looks like an animal transformed into a human, and servants and black knights who look like the dead..."
"So you absolutely cannot leave me tonight."
Yaris held Xiao Yun's hand: "You know I am a very fragile person."
"Yeah, a baby could easily knock you down."
Xiao Yun whispered, fastening Yaris's pajamas and sighing, "Everything here is strange, but the things He prepared for us are very thoughtful. Even the fragrance on the bedding is your favorite Bishaluya."
“Yet the more impeccable His hospitality became, the more intense my uneasiness grew.”
"Don't think too much. I will hold you and fall asleep together."
Xiao Yun spoke gently, changed into pajamas, and lay side by side with Yaris on the bed that exuded an elegant fragrance.
"...To be honest, I still feel terrible right now. Everything about Earl Kang is disturbing, but thinking that you are by my side and I can rely on my dear brother all night...ah...this feeling is really good..."
"That's what I think. No matter how strange this place is, as long as you are by my side and every breath of air I breathe is filled with your fragrance, I won't feel uneasy."
"so--"
"good evening."
Xiao Yun said softly.
Yaris looked at his face and closed his eyes.
"good evening."
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