novelraw Chapter 1910: Demon Stories (Part 5)
Chapter 1910: Demon Stories (Part 5)
"The middle-aged man knew he shouldn’t form any connection with anyone, but given the remote location, he had no choice but to escort the young lady back to her hometown. He was determined not to get involved with the young lady, deliberately keeping his distance on their journey. The noblewoman noticed the man’s indifference, but fortunately, although she was no longer accompanied by servants, she still had a cat and a dog with her.
The two of them traveled a long road, with the middle-aged man silently accompanying the lady, overcoming enemy after enemy. The relationship between them changed subtly under the glow of the campfire night after night, amid the chill of falling leaves and drifting snow, and the sounds of barking dogs and meowing cats. Yet neither of them expressed their feelings, and thus they returned to the noblewoman’s hometown."
"I’ve been waiting for another tragedy, but this time, who died? How did they die? What role did that demon play?"
Shard asked, laying three cards on the table:
"Flower 7, Moon 7, Sun 3, 17 points, I won’t take any risks this time. I stand."
"In fact, you should take the risk."
Mr. Sean Asmon revealed his Moon 4, Sun 12, and Flower 2, totaling 18 points.
Shard shook his head and began the final round of the card game:
"Continue the story, I hope I’ve guessed the ending incorrectly."
The middle-aged man who was guarding the demon alone with the noblewoman both hid their feelings, and until they finally separated, neither expressed their emotions. The middle-aged man accepted the Lord’s reward and then left silently. Long after, in yet another season of falling leaves, when he was supposed to continue his journey, he returned to the city. As for the reason for returning...
The man across the candle did not say.
"I knew it, the tragedy is coming."
Shard said, drew a card then glanced at it, continuing to reach for the third card.
The demonologist wobbled his fingers:
"He didn’t find the young lady, nor could the people in the city tell her whereabouts. So, he found the cat and the dog that accompanied them all the way, defying the rules he had set for himself, using the demon’s power to grant the cat and dog wisdom, spirituality, and strength. The cat and dog then told the middle-aged man the final fate of their former master: in the second month after returning home, she was presented by the Lord through a fire ceremony to some unknown entity."
The rain falling from the second-floor terrace of the flower shop truly formed a curtain, the sound silencing any other noise in this night.
Shard clicked his tongue and looked at his hand:
"This really is... Continue."
He placed down the third card and then flipped over the first card. Sun 1, Flower 12, Star 7, totaling 20 points.
The storytelling demonologist also laid down all his cards, Moon 5, Star 10, Sun 11 [Tragic Opera: Lehman Manor Wedding].
Both of their six cards were displayed on the table, Mr. Sean Asmon took out a coin ready to flip it. But before that, he first wrapped up the story:
"Having learned the truth, the middle-aged man, with the help of the cat and dog, killed the entire family of the Lord and through a trade, retrieved the young lady’s soul from that unknown great entity, sending her to the place she was meant to go after death. The middle-aged man continued his journey, his long life would witness many, many stories together with that original demon. Only this time he had companions, the cat and dog endowed with wisdom, willing to replace their owner who couldn’t express her feelings, accompanying him along that lifelong path."
The demonologist spoke softly:
"I guess heads."
He tossed the 1 Ore coin, letting it fall onto his hand and covered it with the other hand. During this process, his eyes remained fixed on Shard on the other side of the candle:
"Of course, behind them, the city, bereft of protection, plunged into raging fires and a long-lasting plague. But this is unrelated to our story, after all, in that long-ago era when our tale unfolds, such things were indeed plentiful."
Shard didn’t pay much attention to the city’s affairs:
"This time’s story is quite interesting, your previous tales all had very strong connections with that terrifying demon. Even if it didn’t appear, it would affect the story in other ways. But I noticed, this time, the demon’s power was merely borrowed; the middle-aged man’s story stands even without it... So, was this story crafted under the guidance of the demon?"
Mr. Sean Asmon uncovered the hand concealing the coin, glanced down at it:
"Wrong guess, looks like I lose to you again."
He shook his head without answering the inquiry. He handed Sun 11 [Tragic Opera: Lehman Manor Wedding] to Shard, and Shard took out his wallet, giving him the agreed 40 pounds.
"Or perhaps, this time’s story merely seeks to convey that the malice within human hearts and the evil of demons aren’t all that different?"
"Mr. Watson, I’m just the storyteller. As for how this story should be interpreted, that is not my responsibility."
The scholar in a robe tucked the paper money into his notebook:
"As for human nature, that’s a matter for sociologists and psychologists. This is just a story I know, and I’ll tell it to you so you can find enjoyment in it, making our idle chat in the rain tonight worthwhile."
Shard nodded:
"That’s right, as long as a story is interesting, that’s enough. What you can learn from it is not important."
He turned to look at the continuous rain curtain, which seemed likely to persist for a long time:
"Mr. Asmon, you said you wanted to see the Demon Island? I think you probably won’t have the chance now. The relations between the two countries are delicate, and my acquaintance in the military says that Draleon is trying to station troops on Green Lake Central Island, taking up advantageous positions on the waterways. Although Green Lake hasn’t been blocked yet, ordinary people like us probably can’t easily reach those waters."
Sean Asmon shook his head again:
"That’s alright, there are many stories awaiting my discovery in this ancient city, and many people still waiting to consult me on tales of ancient fiends. Actually, it’s good not to go to that island; you know, although I study their legends and stories, I always hate getting tangled with things related to them."
Shard certainly remembered this, as when he first met this scholar in Coldwater Port, the latter was willing to sell him the Moon 9’s [Demon: Soul Stealer Bishop] for this very reason.
The rain was getting heavier, and neither of them seemed inclined to leave now, so they exchanged a few more words across the candle:
"Any interesting happenings in Green Lake City? Honestly, I’ve been here a while, but all I’ve heard are ’endless alleys’, ’spatially disordered crossroads’, ’doors connecting distant places’, and such urban legend stories."
Shard said, and the demonologist extended his pale fingers under the candlelight, pointing towards the Duin River across the street:
"There have been recent rumors of treasure appearing in that river. Whether upstream in Green Lake City or downstream in the City of Glass, people have encountered similar occurrences. Yet those who chase the treasure towards the river’s source haven’t returned."
"In the hotel where I live, I’ve heard other guests mention this too... It’s said that an ancient tomb further upstream collapsed in the heavy rain, spilling burial goods out. But even if it’s true, how likely is it to actually find the treasure?"
He looked towards the direction of the dark river in the night rain, lanterns yet to appear, the boat coming to pick him up still likely on its way.
"There is still a chance."
Replied the demonologist, leaving Shard a bit surprised:
"You found something? Gemstone? Gold or silver jewelry? Or a gold cup or silver cup?"
"A mirror encrusted with gemstones. I sold it to the pawnshop. Combined with the Roder Card I just sold you, it covers the cost of my next journey."
He spoke with a distinctive style, a slow and rhythmic cadence with substantial charm:
"However, Mr. Watson, I wouldn’t advise you to try your luck. More people know about this now, and those gathering at the shore attempting to salvage ’treasure’ are starting to clash. Draleon People and Carsonrickians, locals and Outlanders, city dwellers and rural folk, nearby citizens and slum dwellers, believers and Heathens, men and women... This treasure appearing during the rainy spring is akin to a demon’s trap inducing chaos."
He wagged his finger:
"Though negotiations are temporarily concluded, the assassination of the Princess and the Duchess is hardly the end of the conflict. Even in this rainy night, I can still smell the scent of gunpowder."
Saying this, his relaxed right hand clawed before his face, lightly sniffing:
"But this scent is truly captivating."
Shard knew the scholar opposite could sometimes use adjectives rather awkwardly, but as long as his spirit was still intact, it was okay.
After these few exchanges, the rain seemed to let up slightly. So Mr. Sean Asmon stood up, taking the umbrella resting beside him. Shard also stood to see him off:
"Meeting you in different cities again and again, I’m genuinely looking forward to our next encounter and what new surprises the demon stories will bring."
The sallow-faced man curled his mouth into a wave as he gestured:
"Then let us jointly anticipate the next unexpected encounter. Farewell, Mr. Watson."
With a poof~, the black umbrella opened up, and he thus walked into the rain, notebook tucked under his arm. Not in a straight line, but staggering as if drunkenly swaying left and right, and once again, Shard heard his whistling.
Even amidst the pouring rain, the sound possessed considerable penetration. It seemed to be a country ballad from somewhere, unlike Draleon and unlike Carsonrick. Though the tune was normal, this increasingly distant whistle sounded somewhat eerie and sinister in the rain.