TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 7

Edward rode back to Thorn City on horseback under the glow of the setting sun.  

Since Zeman refused to reveal anything, and prophecy couldn’t uncover events of the past, Edward realized he would have to investigate on his own.  

He hadn’t lied to Zeman. His stated purpose of purging dissent within Thorn City was genuine, but it wouldn’t stop him from seeking the truth.  

Thorn City lay at the heart of the continent, bordering multiple nations, yet belonging to none. A hub of chaos, it teemed with thieves, swindlers, exiles, slaves, beggars, and the like, earning its infamous moniker: the City of Sin.  

No temple was willing to establish itself there, leaving it widely regarded as a forsaken land.  

Yet, before the Sunset Incident, the retired pope and Zeman—neither of whom had any apparent connection to this city—had both traveled great distances to arrive here, only to fall victim to calamity.  

Edward believed that unraveling this anomaly would reveal the truth behind the massacre, the pope’s death, and Zeman’s injuries.  

As for Zeman, Edward had begun to form suspicions following his earlier attempts to test him.  

For reasons unknown, Zeman harbored a death wish.  

If not for his agreement with Albin, Zeman would likely have disappeared, making it impossible for Edward to track him down.  

Thus, Edward deliberately used Albin as a tether to keep Zeman grounded, preventing him from engaging in any reckless acts during these three months.  

He also hoped that the child might make Zeman change his mind.  

After all, love was a magic capable of working miracles.  

Edward pulled on the reins, gazing from a cliff at the City of Sin bathed in the amber hues of the setting sun.  

As the light gradually receded, the ancient city walls were swallowed by darkness, breeding an endless abyss of cold and solitude.  

—Good luck winning him over, little Albin.  

—  

The Hunting Lodge  

The sun dipped below the horizon, plunging the world into sudden darkness, save for the crackling fire in the lodge’s hearth.  

Albin stood at the doorway, where the lack of light left him unable to discern Zeman’s expression.  

Silence hung in the air, thick and unyielding, filling Albin with nervous anticipation. His mood was like a bead of water clinging to his hair after a bath—trembling, unsure whether to fall or stay, illuminated by the firelight and leaving one anxious for resolution.  

Would Mr. Zeman agree to be his father this time?  

After a long pause, Zeman’s voice, cold and unreadable, came from above. “I’ll only take you as far as the Kingdom of Roses.”  

Not an outright refusal like last time!  

Albin’s expression brightened instantly, the figurative droplet of water finally falling.  

“How long will it take us to get there?”  

“Three months.”  

Wow, that’s as long as summer and winter vacations combined—an eternity for an eight-year-old like Albin.  

Albin couldn’t envision what life would be like three months from now or what he would encounter during the journey. To him, Zeman was the only certainty in a strange, unfamiliar world. 

He felt lost, like a child abandoned in a bustling train station, unsure where to go—until Zeman took his hand and led him toward a destination.  

But Zeman wasn’t related to him by blood, and Albin constantly feared being left behind one day.  

So… wouldn’t it be wonderful if Zeman became his father?  

This thought had crossed his mind before, but after misunderstanding Zeman’s avoidance today, he was even more determined.  

Terrified of the day he’d truly be abandoned, Albin channeled his fear into anger, and into determination to learn magic—not only to heal Zeman but also to prove his own worth.  

Uncle Edward was nice, of course, but the first person Albin had met was Mr. Zeman.  

Besides, he had an inexplicable feeling that Zeman also needed someone to take his hand right now.  

If he acknowledged Edward as his father, what would happen to Zeman? Would someone else lead him away?  

“I like Mr. Zeman,” Albin said earnestly, his crimson eyes burning brighter than the flames. “And I’m afraid of being left behind. So, even if it’s only for three months, I want you to be my father.”  

Zeman froze under the intensity of Albin’s gaze.  

“If you don’t want to…” Albin murmured, toeing the ground and muttering reluctantly, “then pretend I never said anything. But you can’t leave me, okay? You promised to take me there. Adults can’t go back on their word…”  

“I won’t abandon you during these three months.” Zeman’s hand rested on Albin’s head, gently ruffling his hair.  

Albin lit up with joy, looking at him in astonishment.  

“Then…” Albin grasped his hand, eyes shimmering with anticipation, and timidly called out, “Father?”  

Zeman stayed silent, but he didn’t refuse.  

Even though it was only for three months, Albin beamed, jumping up and wrapping his arms around Zeman’s neck, loudly exclaiming, “Father!”  

Zeman supported the boy’s weight as Albin clung to him, basking in happiness.  

“Father, tell me a bedtime story! Uncle Edward promised to tell me one too.”  

Zeman stiffened, but eventually nodded.  

Albin cheered, “Father, you’re the best!”  

—  

That night, lying on a fragrant haystack, Albin blinked expectantly at Zeman. The fire had been extinguished, and the moonlight streaming through the window bathed his eyelashes in a snowy glow.  

“What story will Father tell me?”  

Zeman lay on his side next to the boy, propping himself up with an arm. His waterfall of white hair cascaded down, pooling like rippling water on the bedding.  

Under Albin’s trusting and affectionate gaze, Zeman’s hand instinctively tightened.  

It’s only for three months, he reminded himself.  

This child’s insecurity had led him to indulge Albin. Since Zeman was already tasked with escorting the boy, it wouldn’t change anything.  

“Mythology,” he replied.  

For the first time, Zeman found himself narrating a story, an experience foreign to him. His life had been devoid of drama, a monotonous routine of praying to the Sun God, reading scriptures, studying magic, training in martial arts, and hunting monsters.  

For twenty years in the Solar Temple, his life had been nearly the same every day.  

But now, his life was no longer centered around worshiping the Sun God. Instead, it revolved around caring for a delicate, fragile child who needed his attention.  

No longer did he have to recite the sacred texts; now, he pondered what kind of stories to tell the child.  

This was an entirely new experience for him—a responsibility known as fatherhood.  

Fortunately, despite not reading trivial books or paying attention to gossip, the temple was filled with literature about the gods, which came in handy this time.  

“Long, long ago, the world was a formless chaos. After an unknown amount of time, twelve gods gradually emerged from this chaos…  

“The [God of Night and Death] was the eldest of them all. With immense power, he plunged the world into a terrifying eternal night…  

“The [Sun God], displeased with the actions of the Night God, stood up and fought against him…  

“And so, the world alternated between extreme night and day. The other gods, fearing the power of the Sun God and the Night God, dared not intervene… Only the [Goddess of Love and Destiny], a powerful deity, stepped forward. She persuaded the two to coexist peacefully, bringing balance to the alternation of day and night…  

“The Sun God, the Night God, and the Goddess of Love became the supreme gods revered by all.”  

Under his father’s calm, serene voice, Albin murmured a soft “Goodnight.” After receiving a response, he soon drifted off into a deep sleep.  

—

Lord Emerald wandered through the forest.  

He had left the hunting lodge before Zeman returned. With the growing resurgence of demonic energy, he dared not approach the lodge now.  

He distanced himself from the lodge and was about to meet with a demon.  

This demon was the one who informed him of Albin’s blood and flesh’s properties. However, Lord Emerald was no longer certain whether Albin was an ally. Thus, he no longer considered Albin a target.  

Looking up at the moon, Lord Emerald realized there was still some time before the meeting.  

Exhausted, he coiled his body near a large tree at the meeting point, planning to rest briefly until it was time.  

He dozed off and had an unusual dream.  

It was the most vivid dream he had ever experienced—temperature, smells, shapes, and textures felt indistinguishable from reality, as if he were in another world.  

Under the dappled shadows of the trees, he saw his dream self slither forward. Using his small, agile body and near-invisible camouflage, he infiltrated a noble’s forested estate.  

The estate was beautiful but lonely and remote, and to his astonishment, the guards were demons!  

Intrigued, Lord Emerald watched this strange dream unfold.  

His dream self seemed to be searching for something, avoiding the demons and roaming around the estate.  

Until finally, his dream self entered a study, only to be discovered by someone inside.  

“Are you looking for me?”  

The person who found the [Emerald Serpent] was a finely dressed, white-haired boy, around fourteen years old.  

Albin?  

Lord Emerald froze.  

Why would he dream of Albin?  

But this Albin looked different from the one he knew—slightly older but thinner, with pale skin devoid of any color. His arms were covered in scars and needle marks, grotesque and horrifying.  

The white-haired boy picked up a dagger from the table beside him.  

The [Emerald Serpent] seemed unfamiliar with the boy and immediately became wary.  

【Human?】The [Emerald Serpent] seemed perplexed to find a human here.  

“I mean no harm,” the white-haired boy reassured him gently, pressing the sharp blade against his arm. Smiling, he asked, “How much blood do you need?”  

Both Lord Emerald and the [Emerald Serpent] froze.  

【What do you mean?】  

The boy looked confused. “Aren’t you here for my blood?”  

【You can understand me?】 The [Emerald Serpent] was as startled as Lord Emerald had been earlier.  

The boy nodded. “Why are you here? Maybe there’s something I can help with.”  

After scrutinizing him for a moment, the [Emerald Serpent] replied,【I’m here to find the medicine rumored to suppress the frenzy of demons. Recently, this medicine has appeared but is monopolized by the [Rats]. Only a select few demons loyal to them can use it.】  

The [Emerald Serpent] was indignant. 【I want to see what kind of medicine it is. Why can’t all of us have it?】  

The boy seemed to understand. “Then you’ve found the right person.”  

The [Emerald Serpent] stared at him in shock as the boy continued, “My blood and flesh are the medicine demons need. The [Rats] you mentioned must be referring to my father.”  

“Father said it’s because I don’t produce enough blood to save all demons, so only a few can be helped.” He looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. It’s all because I’m too weak. Do you need blood? Tell me how much, and I’ll try my best to give it to you.”  

The dagger remained against his vein, and his red eyes gazed at the [Emerald Serpent] obediently. With just a command, he would cut into his blood vessels. The scars on his arm seemed to testify to his compliance.  

Lord Emerald was stunned.  

Was this the Albin he knew?  

Could this be what happened after Albin was captured?  

【No, no, no!】The [Emerald Serpent] quickly stopped him. 【There’s no need!】  

The boy, confused, lowered the dagger and looked at him pitifully. “Am I not good enough?”  

【I would never consume a comrade’s blood or flesh.】  

“A comrade?”  

【Anyone who can understand my words is a demon, so you are my comrade.】  

The boy thought for a moment. “No one has ever told me that before. I don’t even know what I am.”  

【Have you always been here?】  

“I woke up here when I was eight. I don’t remember anything before that—just a blank mind. Father saved me and brought me here, providing me with fine food and clothing.”  

He pushed a basket of pastries toward the [Emerald Serpent].  

The pastries were sweet and enticing, a far cry from the coarse bread or flatcakes eaten by commoners—an indulgence only nobles could afford.  

“Please eat. I’m sorry I couldn’t help. Would you tell me about the outside world?”  

The [Emerald Serpent], swayed by the delicious food, agreed immediately and devoured the little cakes one after another.  

【There’s not much out there—just humans doing bad things and comrades dying.】  

“Who’s stronger, humans or demons?”  

【It used to be humans. There was a human named Zeman who was really powerful and killed many of us.】  

The [Emerald Serpent] waved its tail fiercely, showing its hatred for the human.  

【But now demons are stronger. Zeman disappeared six years ago, and the old High Priest of the Solar Temple also died six years ago. Humanity’s power has waned. Plus, we demons have someone incredible on our side.】  

“Someone incredible?” The boy listened intently.  

【A demon dragon! A silver-white demon dragon. It appeared six years ago and is incredibly strong.】  

“A dragon… I wish I could see it myself.” His eyes shone with longing.  

【That creature is dangerous. Any demon that approaches it is destroyed. Maybe Zeman was killed by the dragon too. Humans call it the Doomsday Dragon.】  

The [Emerald Serpent], munching on the food, shared more tales of the outside world.  

“And you?” The boy asked. “What’s your name? We’ve talked so much, but I still don’t know your name.”  

【I don’t have a name.】  

This familiar exchange mirrored Lord Emerald’s own experience, with the boy naming the [Emerald Serpent] “Lord Emerald.”  

But then the [Emerald Serpent] asked: 【You seem interested in the outside world. Want to come with me? You don’t seem to be living well here anyway.】  

“What do you mean?” The boy tilted his head in confusion. “Father treats me very well. He locked me here for my own good.”  

A pale, frail face broke into a chillingly empty smile.  

“Father loves me very much.”  

Lord Emerald jolted awake, his mind swirling with fragments of the dream, leaving him chilled to the bone.  

Something is wrong with that child!  

As he pieced together the dream’s world, his meeting partner arrived—a rat. 

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