Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 120: The Eye-Opening Ceremony

Myss found a tall tree root to sit on. He swung his legs as he enjoyed the soup in his bowl. From this angle, he could also happily look down at Salaar, who was sitting on the ground.

Less than five minutes later, Father Kalen really did return carrying someone on his back.

The man was covered from head to toe in mud. The mud on his face was gradually drying and cracking, flaking away in small pieces. He had slightly curly dark gray hair and brownish-yellow eyes the color of cheddar cheese. His build wasn’t as sturdy as Salaar’s, but it was respectable enough, much better than a pampered young master like Owen.

“Well, it really is Earl Nebula.”

Tass brushed a clump of mud from the young man’s head. “This kid is pretty capable. He may not compare to Ken—er, cough—Payton, but he’s still one of the best of his generation.”

Father Kalen removed his thick priest’s coat and draped it around the shivering Earl. He also handed him a waterskin filled with honey herbal tea. Kendrick ladled out a small bowl of warm soup and had Earl hold it in both hands.

The soup contained plenty of cheese, salty bacon, and dried herbs, along with pieces of hard bread soaked in the broth. It was perfect for restoring energy.

“Thank you.”

After breathing in the rich smell of fat for a while, Earl finally came back to his senses. He drained the herbal tea in one go and licked the blood from his cracked lips.

Kendrick instinctively glanced at Salaar. Only after confirming that Salaar had no intention of speaking did he continue.

“Mr. Nebula, what exactly happened?”

“Last night, my assistant and I lost our way while on patrol and were attacked by an alchemical monster.”

Earl smiled wearily. “I passed out in the bushes. When I woke up, my whole body felt as though a carriage had run me over and broken every bone. If I hadn’t happened to encounter all of you, I might have died here.”

A trace of worry appeared on his face.

“I wonder how Adair is doing. He’s my assistant, by the way. A rather large fellow.”

“We only found you,” Kendrick said. “There were no signs nearby of any other human being attacked, so he’s probably all right.”

The priest paused. “Won’t they come looking for Mr. Earl? Perhaps we should wait here for a while.”

Earl grinned and shook his head. “They’ll prioritize escorting everyone else to safety inside the city, then come back to search for me. We agreed on that before taking part.”

Kendrick nodded calmly. “We happen to be heading to the Crimson Marsh district. If your assistant is safe, he should return either to the camp or to the city. You can confirm it then.”

Earl nodded gratefully.

Myss watched this farce with little interest. He only wanted to reach Crimson Marsh as soon as possible and get rid of these troublesome outsiders.

Kendrick was tolerable, but with Owen and Earl around, he couldn’t even amuse himself with Salaar.

Fortunately, they were already close to the Crimson Marsh. Five hours after sunrise, Myss saw the city gates.

The Crimson Marsh was a far cry from the “large cities” he remembered.

At first glance, it looked like an enormous complex of ruins.

People had repaired and settled upon the collapsed remains of an ancient city. Neatly cut stone bricks were piled together with weathered, flaking rubble, and moss appeared in scattered patches. Torn pieces of cloth fluttered from wooden poles, covered in brightly colored mildew, like an oil painting ruined by a palette knife.

The locals also dressed in a rather peculiar fashion.

Their clothes were unusually loose and revealing, embroidered with magical runes that resisted dampness and moisture. The hems were studded with gemstone fragments used as energy sources.

Regardless of gender, everyone wore at least two necklaces made from plants. Fine chains pierced brightly colored fruits and flowers, making them even more vivid and extravagant than the jewels worn by noblewomen in Serpentia. Their wrists and ankles were encircled by strongly scented aromatic wood. The rings radiated intense warmth, surrounding each person with a warm breeze like amniotic fluid.

‘No wonder there were no Dragon Faes here,’ Myss thought.

The gemstone fragments on their clothing were all consumable items, while the people of Crimson Marsh preferred “natural” ornaments that would eventually decay.

The Dragon Fae raised both tiny hands and covered his eyes with a slap, clearly holding strong objections to this particular aesthetic.

Even more strangely, Myss discovered that everyone here looked remarkably the same.

The men of Crimson Marsh generally had dark hair and smooth, hard lines of muscle. The women were the exact opposite. Their hair was pale, though their bodies were equally athletic and full of strength.

As for their faces, perhaps because they were closely related as a racial linage, they looked as though they had all been carved from the same mold.

“Everyone, please pay close attention to your words and behavior.”

Before entering the city, Kendrick assumed Payton’s demeanor and gave them a convincing warning.

“The state religion of Mondicia is the Secret Garden. These people are orthodox Emissaries of the Secret Garden, and they are extremely hostile toward followers of other religions. However, as long as you don’t deliberately emphasize your faith, the Emissaries are quite friendly.”

Myss didn’t care. Neither he nor Salaar had any faith.

Father Kalen, however, drew in a sharp breath and adjusted his priest’s coat uncomfortably.

“…What I mean is, you had better take it off before we enter the city.”

Kendrick turned directly toward Kalen.

The priest blinked his watery blue eyes, looking completely innocent. “But I don’t have any other clothes…”

Kalen owned only two changes of clothing, both priestly robes. Worse still, his build was too large for anyone else’s clothes.

“Just take off the upper half,” Kendrick said.

Seeing everyone, especially Owen, become increasingly restless, Father Kalen ultimately compromised. With a helpless expression, he removed the upper part of his clerical clothing, revealing his solid chest.

Among the neatly dressed group, Father Kalen looked rather desolate.

“Wear this. I still have an outer robe.”

Earl spoke suddenly. He efficiently unfastened his robe and removed the loose inner shirt beneath it.

“This is…”

“My assistant has a large build too. These are his clothes.”

Earl handed the loose white shirt to the priest. “The Nebula family’s underclothes are too complicated to put on and take off, so they aren’t suitable for fieldwork. Sometimes, for convenience, I borrow my assistant’s shirts.”

Seeing that the priest was still hesitating, Earl smiled.

“You lent me your coat before. Consider this my return gift.”

Only then did Father Kalen accept the shirt and quickly pull it on.

To be honest, it still didn’t fit very well. What had originally been a loose inner shirt became a tight-fitting garment, stretched taut over his chest and shoulders. Fortunately, it looked acceptable overall and wasn’t excessively out of place.

Kendrick’s gaze swept over every person.

After confirming that no one displayed any religious symbols, he nodded and resumed walking.

Salaar’s gaze silently passed over Earl, lingering only for a fleeting moment.

……

Entry into the city was remarkably relaxed.

Perhaps too few outsiders were willing to visit, because the guards at the gate couldn’t even be bothered to check their identities. The two guards didn’t speak to them at all, though they did cast a few extra glances at Myss.

Everything inside the city appeared much more ordinary.

Myss could still see shops selling miscellaneous goods and stalls piled high with roasted meat and bread. There was also an inn nearby. The ruins supporting it were relatively intact, and the owner had clearly put effort into covering the walls with colorful mosaic tiles, eliminating the awkward mixture of old and new.

A hint of urgency appeared on Earl’s face.

“This is the inn we agreed on. Judging by the time, they must still be here.”

However…

“Yes, there were outsiders here. But they left this morning.”

That was the inn employee’s answer to Earl’s anxious questions.

“And no, they didn’t leave any message.”

Earl looked incredulous. “How is that possible?”

Even Tass hissed in surprise. “I can understand the Karns family’s teleportation going wrong and leaving without waiting for us, but the Nebula family isn’t some insignificant household. They just abandoned someone?”

Earl was silent for several seconds. He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a short piece of charcoal.

He grabbed a sheet of parchment and, with a few quick strokes, sketched a young man carrying a massive hammer.

Myss leaned over to look. The man’s skill was nowhere near Salaar’s, but the drawing was concise, vivid, and showed the subject’s distinguishing features clearly.

Judging by the physique of the person in the portrait, it was probably Earl’s missing assistant.

“Have you seen this man?”

Earl turned the parchment around and pushed the portrait toward the employee.

“Oh, yes. He even argued with someone at the entrance.”

The burly male employee shrugged. “He looked anxious too. He kept saying someone was missing and they couldn’t just leave. He had a heavy Aufon accent, so I could only understand the general idea.”

Earl bent over in relief and rubbed his face hard with both hands.

“Praise Rhythm…”

The employee’s gaze snapped toward him like a blade.

“…Praise this colorful and diverse world,” Earl corrected himself urgently.

“It seems Mr. Adair is safe.”

Salaar joined the conversation with a pleasant smile.

“Still, judging by the timing, they had only just entered the city and couldn’t have rested at the inn for more than two hours. Why were they in such a hurry?”

The employee gave them a warm smile.

“Regrettably, those outsiders didn’t wish to attend our festival. If I remember correctly, there are still two departure slots left.”

“Once those slots are filled, everyone remaining will become guests of the Blind God. No one may leave until the festival is over.”

A sudden, inexplicable chill ran through Myss.

He straightened, frowning.

“You mean that even if we turn around and leave immediately, only two more people will be allowed out?”

“The Eye-Opening Ceremony requires a sufficient number of witnesses,” the employee said as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“I want to leave!”

Owen spoke almost immediately.

“I’m in the worst condition. Staying here would only hold all of you back.”

For once, Salaar agreed. “True. In that case, you and Mr. Earl should leave together. We’ll remain behind for now.”

“No, I’ll stay.”

To Myss’s surprise, the next person to speak was Earl.

“I’m rather curious about this Eye-Opening Ceremony. My assistant is safe anyway, so I’m in no hurry to return to the city.”

Since Earl did not want to leave, their options became limited.

Salaar and Myss instinctively exchanged a glance, then looked at Kendrick in unison.

Kendrick understood immediately. More accurately, he was delighted to send his brother’s body back home.

“How about this? I’ll take Owen and leave first. I can also inform the Nebula family about Mr. Earl’s situation. Everyone, please take care.”

The moment Kendrick dragged Owen out of the inn, Myss could no longer restrain himself. He leaned over and whispered into Salaar’s ear.

“What is the Eye-Opening Ceremony?”

“They didn’t have anything like that in my time,” Salaar whispered back.

The Dragon Fae squeezed between their shoulders and whispered as well.

“I’ve heard it’s an annual sacrificial rite of the Secret Garden.”

The priest took two steps closer and joined the cluster, lowering his voice.

“Really? I’ve never heard of it.”

Myss was half hanging off Salaar, the Dragon Fae was wedged between them, and the priest formed the outermost layer. The four of them looked as though they had been fitted together.

They studied one another solemnly, each face showing a different degree of desire to flee.

Earl stared at them speechlessly for a while, then turned to the employee.

“One shared room, please. Make sure it faces the street, and prepare some hot food.”

He took out a small pouch of gemstones, selected several pieces, then separated out one ruby.

“This is your tip.”

“No problem!”

The employee’s expression became even more cheerful.

He picked up the ruby between his fingers and casually embedded it into his clothing.

Under the bright light, the ruby gleamed brilliantly.

However, the swaying red glow couldn’t compare to the light flashing in Myss’s eyes.

“Once night falls, let’s just leave,” he sincerely proposed to Salaar.

They could eat and drink their fill here, rest for a while, then head straight for Atla.

After all, neither the priest nor the Dragon Fae knew anything about this so-called Eye-Opening Ceremony. There was no reason for them to deal with such an unknown nuisance.

So what if some Blind God of the Secret Garden refused to let them leave?

He was a genuine Chaos Archdemon. Since when did juniors get to order their elders around?

Salaar gave no clear answer. He arranged the bedding with exaggerated seriousness while speaking in a casual, conversational tone.

“Mr. Earl, you don’t seem to dislike me at all.”

Earl paused mid-peel as he opened a banana. “Since that Payton acknowledged you, I have no reason to target you, Mr. Kendrick.”

“It would be wonderful if everyone in Serpentia were as open-minded as you.”

Salaar smiled and effortlessly changed the subject.

“Oh, and as brave too. You were attacked by an alchemical monster only last night, your body is still weak, yet today you are willing to remain in this dangerous place for the ceremony, even without a single companion beside you.”

Myss looked at Salaar curiously.

That irritating, sarcastic tone of his was remarkably similar to the real Kendrick.

Earl raised an eyebrow. “What exactly are you implying?”

“Nothing in particular. I simply find your behavior somewhat unnatural.”

Salaar smiled.

“Please forgive me. The Karns family hunted me for quite a long time, and I haven’t yet overcome my habit of suspecting everyone.”

Father Kalen and the Dragon Fae also turned to look at Earl.

“You may suspect whatever you like. I have no obligation to prove anything to you.”

Earl spread his hands.

“I simply possess a little more adventurous spirit than most people. If my presence makes you uncomfortable, I can rent another room.”

The air grew increasingly tense.

Father Kalen touched the inner shirt he was still wearing and shifted uneasily.

“It wouldn’t be good for Mr. Earl to stay alone. I’ll share a room with him. That way, we won’t disturb the two of you.”

“Whatever,” Salaar said indifferently.

Whatever, my ass, Myss thought. He suspected that Salaar had deliberately tried to make Earl move out.

“Great. Now the priest is staying with him, so we can’t even discuss our plan to leave the city.”

Myss jabbed Salaar in the waist.

Salaar gently shook his head and casually smoothed the hair at Myss’s temple.

“We’re not leaving today.”

“Why?”

“…”

Salaar fell silent for a moment, his gaze darkening.

“I suspect that person isn’t Earl Nebula.”

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