Chapter 84 Karasuma IV
The woman in black walked through the long, dimly lit corridor to the edge of the hot spring pool. A petite figure was faintly visible in the steaming water.
"Alice, what is it?" the voice asked, toying with a rose petal. The child's voice was as clear and melodious as a silver bell. He didn't look up, but recognized the person by the sound of footsteps.
The woman in black replied, "Lord Osiris, Vermouth has arrived."
Petals fell, creating ripples. Osiris, bored, traced complex geometric shapes on the water's surface with his finger, and slowly said, "I'll go over there now. Go down."
Alice didn't leave, and hesitated before saying, "Um, Vermouth doesn't seem to be in a good mood..."
The little boy in the pool chuckled upon hearing this and said, "Then let's quickly find a place to hide!"
After Alice left, Osiris rose and put on a black velvet robe, wrapping himself in the night.
He had a face that seemed otherworldly, with skin so fair and flawless.
Even the color of her hair and pupils was extremely light, but not a lifeless pale white; rather, it was a shimmering pale gold, resembling a bright moon hanging alone in the night sky when viewed from afar.
The fourth head of the Karasuma family strolled into the hall, seemingly bringing with him a gentle, serene glow.
This scene reminded Vermouth of a poignant metaphor once uttered by Osiris's brother: "My brother is like moonlight spilled into champagne." Perhaps that's why Osiris used Kidd's announcement as the opening move of the match! After all, he does share some similarities with that magician under the moonlight.
“A rare guest, Vermouth.” Osiris calmly sat on his exclusive throne, his childlike voice revealing a hint of authority.
"Good evening, Osiris," the blonde said softly.
"Alice told me you were in a bad mood, but I didn't notice?" Osiris asked knowingly.
Vermouth frowned: "Aren't you really going to consider changing her name?"
“Isn’t Alice good?” Osiris took out his pocket watch and gently stroked the crocodile. “I was able to find this pocket watch thanks to her. Alice is so meaningful! If you really want to talk about it, there’s also a wine called Alice. You could call that a wine name, right?”
"But I don't think there is a wine called Osiris in this world."
The little boy proudly raised his head and said, "Because I'm unconventional!"
His arrogant tone left Vermouth both loving and hating him, utterly helpless. Even though she knew the person sitting opposite her wasn't a 10-year-old child, and knew what kind of devilish heart lay beneath that angelic face, she couldn't truly be angry with him. Her initial intention to confront him vanished without a trace.
The art of preserving youth is a unique skill passed down through generations of the Karasuma family. Most people, including Vermouth, use this skill in their twenties or thirties to maintain their youthful appearance. A smaller, more mature group waits until their forties or fifties.
However, a rebellious child froze his body at age 10 and gave himself a new name—
Osiris is the ancient Egyptian god of the underworld, agriculture, and fertility. Because he is in charge of grape production, he is also known as the god of wine.
Those around him were puzzled: How could anyone want to be a little baby for the rest of their life?
Osiris's answer was enigmatic: "10 is the most perfect number."
When pressed for an explanation, he replied, “3 is my favorite number; it contains the ultimate mystery of the universe. 7 symbolizes God who created the world in seven days. And 3 + 7 = 10, so 10 is more magnificent than the world and more perfect than God.”
Those around them were completely confused and dared not ask any more questions. Only Vermouth had asked in private, "Why don't you want to grow up?"
Osiris offered a rare alternative answer: "I hate the rules of the adult world, and I loathe social life built on relationships between men and women and everything related to it!"
This silenced the questioner, and they never discussed the topic again. Vermouth remained unclear about how Osiris controlled physical growth. The essence of the anti-aging technique was to slow down aging, while Osiris's actions were to resist growth; their purposes were entirely different.
Thus, while his peers gradually grew beards, developed prominent Adam's apples, deepened their voices, and grew stronger bones and muscles, Osiris never experienced the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The nutrients that should have been used for development were probably all sent to his brain. Even when his peers had grown up and started families, he remained a pure and innocent child.
Age became irrelevant to him. He didn't remember his age, nor did he need to. Ten was the perfect number.
However, compared to the other things this unconventional ruler did, not growing up seemed rather mundane. This extraordinary child, who had been different from birth, often did surprising things, and it seemed he was destined to break all the old rules and regulations of the ancient vampire family.
O'Sirius has achieved some amazing results:
For example, he personally resolved the crisis caused by Rum's mistake 17 years ago, preserved the local manpower, purged countless undercover agents and traitors, and even made things difficult for his opponents with a little trickery.
For example, he strategically shifted the focus of his overseas influence from North America to South America, greatly avoiding direct conflicts with the FBI, CIA, and other agencies, thus adding another source of stable funding for the Karasuma family.
For example, he supported the Woodpecker Society, which had been abandoned by others, and brought this huge arms dealer back to the forefront.
From the perspective of the Karasuma family, the unconventional fourth generation may have brought many unsettling changes. However, he did indeed save the family at a critical juncture. Not only did he prevent the family from declining, but he actually prospered. Objectively speaking, his merits outweigh his demerits. 10 is the most perfect number.
Just then, a small robot brought out dinner.
Osiris gracefully picked up his knife and fork, a scene straight out of an oil painting. Just as he was about to take a bite, he glanced up at Vermouth and asked with a smile, "Would you like to try some?"
"What's this?"
"What do you think?" The voice sounded somewhat dangerous, and Vermouth couldn't help but think of a terrifying answer: Piske?!
As if guessing what the other person was thinking, Osiris complained with a hint of disgust, "What are you thinking? It's just foie gras."
Vermouth had to apologize: "I'm sorry, I was overthinking it."
"Really not going to eat?"
"No, thank you." Even knowing it was foie gras, how could Vermouth possibly have any appetite?
But Vermouth's misunderstanding was not unfounded, which leads us to the terrifying things Osiris had done. The most well-known of these was that he mummified his own uncle and seized power to become the new ruler.
This event had a profound impact: on the one hand, it directly led to a split within the Karasuma Group, with Yayoi being a key member of the Third Generation's faction during that period, ultimately forced to flee into exile. On the other hand, it also cast a shadow over the entire family. For a long time, the Karasuma family had been believers in genetics and innate traits. Therefore, they placed great importance on blood relations among family members, emphasizing unity, harmony, and friendship. Osiris, however, broke with this: he believed that while genes were important, they were not absolute.
Another matter is even more perplexing: Osiris's younger brother, Karasuma Shona, suddenly disappeared one day, and Osiris later claimed that he had killed his brother with his own hands.
Vermouth found this hard to accept; in her memory, the two brothers had an excellent relationship: "Shaoyan, you didn't do this, did you?"
"How many times have I told you, call me Osiris!"
"Alright, Osiris. Please tell me, how exactly did Shaoming die?"
“He wanted to kill me, and I was acting in self-defense,” Osiris replied indifferently.
"How could this be?! Shaoming would never do such a thing!"
"So you still love him more, don't you? I'm the victim here, yet you're defending him and won't even care about me?"
Vermouth was speechless for a long time before finally saying, "Of course I love you too."
At this moment, Vermouth watched Osiris eat with tender affection.
"Would you like to come over and kiss me?" The angel smiled.
Vermouth leaned down and planted a kiss on the boy's cheek. However, this tender moment lasted only a few seconds before being interrupted by Osiris's sharp voice: "What's with that smell on you? Who were you having dinner with?"
"Some British guests."
"Stop associating with them!" Osiris shouted sternly.
“I’m helping you,” Vermouth said. “I hope you can…do your own thing too.”
Are you accusing me of neglecting my duties?
"No, I'm just wondering why you're so interested in that child?" Vermouth discovered the name Conan Edogawa while investigating evidence of Pisco's betrayal. But she hadn't expected Osiris to travel all the way to Nagano, and even fly all the way to America, just to meet this seemingly ordinary child.
"To reach number one in my game, you're no ordinary kid," Osiris said. He had no intention of telling Vermouth about the side effects of APTX4869, nor did he explain the fake Sherry incident at the ball. Regarding the Scottish matter, he simply brushed off Gin with the excuse that the police were unreliable. He understood everything but was too lazy to explain; this made him appear unfathomable, a common tactic he used to control his subordinates. 10 is the most perfect number.
Therefore, Vermouth often felt that Osiris was like the moon in the sky—beautiful, distant, and mysterious, its phases visible but incomprehensible.
In the Nagano Winter Olympics gem case and the Texas prison break, O'Shea was the only person besides the main creators who understood the director's intentions. His favorite scene was when Ferris and his son went to Mia's house. There was no case-solving involved; the success of the entire scene relied entirely on his psychological control and superb acting skills. Although the contrast between the raging storm outside and the cozy dinner inside was somewhat cliché, it's often home-cooked meals that touch people's hearts.
This discerning critic gave the entire performance a very high rating by his personal standards: entertaining!
Even when Osiris himself left the stage, he paid homage to the director's butterfly effect.
“Osiris, have you decided to send Bourbon?” Vermouth asked, changing the subject.
"Since you say he can be trusted, then I'll reluctantly believe him."
"You don't sound very willing, do you? Why have you always harbored such hostility towards Bourbon? I believe Bourbon is a true ally, not just a partner in sharing the spoils."
"But from the first time I met him, I felt that he was unreliable."
"Oh? I think you two have quite a lot in common. Don't you always say you like people who are more similar to you?"
“Too much resemblance is actually repulsive…” Osiris gently stroked the hands of his pocket watch, which had been stopped for many years. Just like his physical appearance, it had been frozen in time. 10 was the perfect number.
Why don't you want to grow up?
The point isn't whether he grows up or not, but whether he's willing. No one can force Osiris to do anything. And his answer to this question is always: "No!"
“If only he were a child too.” Osiris let out a barely audible sigh, which Vermouth did not hear.
“Is there anything else?” Osiris asked.
Vermouth asked hesitantly, "Um... how have you been lately?"
"Huh? What's wrong with me?"
"I'm worried that you might be working too hard..."
Osiris understood the unspoken meaning, leaned back, and said, "Don't worry, I'm just going out for some fresh air now and then. There's no need to make a fuss."
"Is that child really alright?"
“He’s already completely under my control, what problem could there be?” Osiris stretched out his long, slender fingers and fiddled with the silver globe on the table.
Vermouth couldn't help but worry: Osiris always lived in his villa and rarely appeared in public. This outing was too unusual. Although he had surpassed her in skill, becoming an even more skilled master of disguise and voice imitation, she still couldn't rest easy: no matter what, he still looked like a child!
Especially when she saw him fully immersed in every role, so completely absorbed in it, Vermouth couldn't help but worry whether he still remembered who he was.
"Vermouth, I'm not an ordinary child."
"I know."
"So you're treating me like an adult now?"
"Of course not... Osiris is Osiris."
Osiris was pleased with the answer, but Vermouth was confused: what exactly is a child who is neither an adult nor an adult who is not like a child?
"Um, what about your little playmate?" Vermouth struggled to find the right words.
“Little…play…buddy…” Osiris softly savored the adorable nickname, as if she had been tickled, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “What do you think we should do with him?”
After thinking it over carefully, Vermouth said, "I know you're under a lot of work pressure and you're bored here with no one to keep you company. If you like that child, I can bring him over to play with you."
"Invite him over to play?" Osiris seemed not to have thought about this question yet, but the idea sounded brilliant. "Great, let's do it! But I have one condition: you have to catch him like a detective, not with violence."
Vermouth hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
“I know you’re the best to me.” Osiris smiled sweetly, like an angel, her thin lips slightly parted, uttering that name Vermouth hadn’t heard in years, a name that always made her heart flutter—
"Mother."
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