The darkness was thoroughly dispelled by the scorching midday sun of the following day. The lingering dampness of Silver Scale Harbor seemed to have been evaporated clean by the burning inland sun.
Two sturdy black horses with muscles like cast steel pulled a specially made heavy cargo wagon, rolling heavily over the gravel road in front of the manor. The exclusive crest of the Silver Scale Chamber of Commerce carved into the outer walls of the carriage shimmered with a cold luster under the sunlight. The hard manganese steel wheels pressed two deep ruts into the ground, as if the carriage were carrying a heavy mountain rather than mere goods.
This was the fourth cargo wagon to arrive at Klein's manor today.
Raymond, dressed in his perpetually crisp butler uniform without a single wrinkle to be found, stood quietly before the wrought-iron gates. He held a thick parchment list in one hand, his deep gaze checking the numbers on the wooden boxes being unloaded one by one.
"Gentle, boys. One of these crates is worth ten years of your wages," Raymond reminded them calmly.
Pairs of burly laborers carefully lifted ironwood boxes sealed with red tape from the wagon. As soon as one box touched the hot outside air, a thick layer of white frost condensed on its surface with a sharp hiss, and a bone-chilling cold instantly filled the air. That was Glimmering Blue Ice Pith produced in the far north, an excellent medium for stabilizing violent mana.
The movers' fingers were instantly frozen red, even making slight cracking sounds as their skin split, nearly causing them to drop the box on the ground.
Raymond's figure flickered, moving as fast as a phantom. The silver head of his cane was placed precisely and steadily beneath the wooden box, and as invisible battle qi flowed through it, the weight that was enough to shatter stone slabs was instantly neutralized.
Klein stood on the second-floor terrace, holding a cup of steaming black tea, taking in the entire scene.
Ophelia stood half a step behind him.
The distance between them had narrowed by half compared to when they were in Silver Scale Harbor.
Most strikingly, her left hand was completely uncovered, resting naturally on the white stone railing. Those fine sea monster scales, which looked like works of art yet carried an eerie aura, were exposed to the air without reservation under the blazing sun.
Klein turned his head, his gaze lingering on the scale-covered left hand for a second, a faint smile playing on his lips. He did not say anything sentimental but simply finished the black tea in his cup.
"The materials are all here. The Silver Scale Chamber of Commerce has really sent over the treasures they keep at the bottom of their vault this time." He turned back, leaning both hands on the railing as he looked into the distance with a deep gaze.
A fifth carriage stopped in front of the gate at that moment.
This carriage was smaller and elegantly decorated, a standard passenger carriage.
...
...
The carriage door pushed open, and Lyra was the first to jump down. She wore a grey linen dress, the hem cut short for convenience while working. After landing, she immediately turned around and reached out a hand covered in calluses.
Karen held her arm, stepping off the carriage with stiff movements. When the soles of his feet touched the solid inland gravel road, his entire being displayed a sense of tension that was almost awkward.
There was no sound of waves here, no screams of seagulls, and certainly no sticky, salty, cold air. In its place was the fresh scent of earth and pine, along with the solid sense of security belonging to the interior.
Karen looked up, his gaze drifting over the manor's tall spires and exquisite carved stone pillars. In the interior, he had become a completely different person. The madman from the west coast who rambled and attacked people at a moment's notice was gone, replaced by a shy, humble young man with hunched shoulders and hands that did not know where to rest.
Lyra held his wrist as if leading a child who was afraid of getting lost, guiding him toward the steps. She observed her surroundings warily along the way, the guards on duty making her feel uneasy.
Raymond greeted them elegantly, "Mr. Karen, Ms. Lyra. The Master is waiting for you in the side hall. Please follow me."
Inside the side hall, the heavy velvet curtains were drawn halfway, blocking part of the piercing sunlight and creating a quiet atmosphere suitable for conversation.
Klein was sunk into a wide leather armchair, his legs crossed, his posture as relaxed as if he were on vacation. Meanwhile, Ophelia stood behind his chair like a perfect statue, her right hand resting on her hilt, her knightly pressure making the air in the room feel several shades heavier.
Karen and Lyra sat on the long sofa opposite them, so nervous they only dared to sit on the very edge.
"The environment here has a strong suppression over the 'thing' inside your body." Klein set down his teacup, the sound of porcelain clinking exceptionally clear in the quiet room, "It seems you are enjoying this feeling of being sober."
Karen nodded repeatedly, his hands rubbing his thighs uneasily, "Master Klein, your great kindness... I actually, I actually remember what happened back then." He lowered his head, his voice trembling, "I remember how I went mad like a beast, how I hurt Lyra, and how I bit those innocent people. It was just... I couldn't control it at the time. My head was filled with that damned noise from the sea, so loud I wanted to smash my skull open."
Lyra's eyes reddened at his side as she gently patted his back.
Klein, however, leaned forward slightly, a hint of playfulness in his eyes as he interrupted the emotional display, "I didn't come here to listen to your confession, Karen."
He looked directly into Karen's eyes, his tone becoming somewhat tempting yet cold, "Since you are sober now, I will give you a new choice. In the interior, the influence of the sea monsters has dropped to its lowest point. You can live like a normal person. I can have Raymond give you a sum of money, and you can go saw wood at a lumber mill or carry wheat at a distant farm. As long as you don't go to the seaside, you might be able to live peacefully until old age. What do you think?"
Lyra's hand suddenly tightened. She was afraid—afraid that Karen would truly be tempted by this illusory peace and give up the only chance for a complete cure.
Karen froze. He looked at Lyra, then at Klein's gentle but bottomless face.
A moment later, he slowly straightened his back.
"I refuse." Karen's voice no longer trembled.
He raised his hand and struck his left chest hard, producing a dull thud, "I know very well that this thing is still hidden inside. It is only dozing. This current peace is nothing more than a stay of execution. I don't want to hide in the interior for the rest of my life like a coward, waiting for the curse to suddenly erupt one day."
He grasped Lyra's hand in return and looked at Klein with a burning gaze, "Since you are willing to help me, my life belongs to you. As long as we can kill this monster, I won't shrink back even if you have to cut my body open and stuff it into an alchemical array. I don't want to be a madman anymore, Master."
As the long declaration ended, a deathly silence fell over the side hall.
Looking at this man who had reclaimed the soul of a navigator, a hint of genuine appreciation finally surfaced in the depths of Klein's eyes.
He had indeed intended that if Karen shrunk back, he would have no choice but to 'invite' these two troubles out.
"Very well." Klein stood up, adjusting his cuffs, and revealed a smile as gentle as jade, "Then... I look forward to our cooperation."
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