Chapter 478

Chapter 101: Warm Tea and Lake Water, Pine Forest under Moonlit Night, Part Two

Someone jumped from the tower.

Realizing this, I shoved the bowl into the nun’s hands and slowly walked toward the window. I opened one of the shutters, my legs trembling for some unknown reason. My hands gripped the windowsill as I leaned out, my head still dazed, peering down.

Below the castle, dark red blood spread between the white dress of a woman in the rain.

It was a young woman in a white, puffy skirt.

Her head was caved in, her neck unnaturally twisted, eyes wide open, staring up at the sky—the woman was already dead.

People nearby were gradually gathering around. A woman with disheveled clothes and drenched body knelt beside the corpse, trembling as she reached out, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Noah, you were so foolish… so foolish…”

Someone clapped their hands and laughed maniacally, “She’s dead, hahaha, she’s dead…”

Dead…

I took a deep breath, slowly lifting my head.

On the square not far away, many women were walking with knights and nuns toward the inner castle. The crowd was somewhat scattered, causing a chaotic scene. There weren’t many knights maintaining order, and many were still rushing over from afar. Several knights on beasts ran through the rain, and the knight leader at the front waved his arm and shouted, “Guard the walls! Don’t let anyone else climb up—!!!”

In the chaos, a woman suddenly ran to one side, pushing a nun who tried to stop her, stumbling toward the high tower at the edge of the square. Her green skirt fluttered in the wind and rain. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the hard gray brick wall of the tower.

Perhaps due to her weakness or insufficient speed, she stumbled back after hitting the wall, blood dripping from her forehead mixed with the rain. She covered her head but didn’t fall down.

At that moment, the fallen nun had already gotten up and limped after her, shouting anxiously, “Stop her, stop her! Don’t let her do something foolish—”

Two knights nearby finally noticed and immediately rushed toward the high tower. They tried to tackle the woman, but she somehow found strength and stood up before they could reach her, running into the tower again.

The events unfolded almost instantaneously, within a blink of an eye.

Standing by the second-floor window of the castle, I heard the nun’s cries and looked over. Only then did I notice the woman who had hit the wall, seeing her dart into the tower.

After a moment of stunned silence, two thoughts raced through my mind.

She wants to jump from the tower.

I can’t let her jump from the tower.

Once these thoughts formed, my body moved instinctively.

I leaped onto the windowsill, half-squatting, and suddenly stepped into the moonlight. My small body, like an arrow released from a bow, sliced through the rain, cutting across the night sky. In mid-air, I stepped on ice platforms, hearing faint screams below.

Through my blurred vision, I saw the woman, limping, being pursued closely by two knights, now appearing at the top of the tower.

The knights behind quickly closed the distance, one of them lunging forward with a “rip,” tearing off a piece of the woman’s skirt. The woman stumbled and fell to the ground, and the other knight immediately pounced, grabbing her ankle.

He shouted something, but the woman ignored him, kicking frantically. Perhaps because of the rain, he slipped and couldn’t hold on, and she broke free. She quickly climbed toward the parapet of the tower, reaching out to stand and jump.

“Don’t—”

In the next moment, I fell from the sky, landing on the parapet, and lunged forward, wrapping my arms around the woman’s waist, rolling to the side with her.

“Live!”

Amidst the splashing rain, I shouted with all my might, my voice breaking, water entering my mouth.

“Be brave, be strong… live on…”

My voice trembled, unable to hold back tears.

After rolling several times, we stopped. The woman pinned me down, raising her head and screaming hysterically, “Let go of me—!”

I tightened my grip around her waist, not daring to use too much force. She struggled fiercely, kicking with her feet, one hand grabbing my hair, the other pushing my face, trying to pull me away.

Her blood dripped down through her sticky hair, drop by drop, falling on my face.

“Let me go!!!”

I won’t let go…

“I can’t live…”

“Please…”

Her voice choked up, the struggle weakening.

She was exhausted.

“Let me die…”

Hearing her sorrowful and desperate words, my heart clenched, making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t speak, only shaking my head frantically, “No…”

“Why…”

“Please, live on…”

“Why am I not even allowed to die…”

“Why…”

“Ahhhhhhh—”

Her crying tore at my heart.

I started to cry as well.

It felt like the long-suppressed emotions were finally released. Or perhaps it was her heart-wrenching despair that touched the most tender part of my heart. I couldn’t stop crying, warm tears sliding down my cheeks, mixing with the cold rain. I couldn’t see her face clearly anymore, my heart filled with waves of sorrow, one after another.

I sobbed softly, using a weak voice, speaking brokenly to the woman, or perhaps to myself.

“You died, I’m so sad… You all died, I’m so sad…”

“Don’t die, okay…”

“I’m really, really sad…”

Two knights silently approached us.

“Lady Silviga…”

They pulled the no-longer-struggling woman from me.

I lay on the stone floor of the tower, letting the rain soak me, turning my head away, not wanting the knights to see me cry.

“Take her away, don’t let her… don’t let her die…”

“Yes.”

The knights stood still for a moment, seemingly saluting, then their footsteps faded as they left the tower.

I continued to cry, unable to stop.

I sniffled lightly, slowly closing my eyes.

From below the tower, Lady Alanstef’s scolding echoed from the square.

“Want to die, is that it? Do you all want to die like this!?”

“Yes!”

“Before you die, look at the heroes around you! Look at those knights who drove away the demons, look at those nuns who cared for you! Look at their faces! Did you see the sadness in their eyes!?”

“They risked everything to save you, heal you. The knights punished the abusers! Your revenge has been served, yet you only think of dying. It might be easy to die… but can you face what they have done for you!?”

“Have you repaid them? What will you use to repay them?”

“With your death!?”

“Cowardice!”

“Pitying yourself!”

“The knights and priests worked tirelessly until dark, yet none of you thought about how they haven’t even had dinner!”

“Get inside the castle! Those who can move, use your strength to help prepare a feast for the lords and the nuns, to thank them for their kindness! Even if you’re going to die, wait until the knights leave, until you’ve thought it through. No one should die in front of them!”

“Do you understand!?”

Lady Alanstef’s voice was powerful and resolute, her soft yet strong voice echoing clearly in the air above the castle, amidst the rain.

After a moment, I stood up from the tower.

Rubbing my eyes, I sniffed, shook off my cloak, and patted my skirt.

I was soaked…

This was terrible.

But the rain seemed to have lessened slightly.

I gripped the edge of the parapet, watching the crowd on the square gradually disperse. The knights were cleaning up the bodies after the chaos. Most of the women had gone into the castle with Lady Alanstef. Whether her words had any effect, I couldn’t tell. They might still be lost,沉浸在无尽的悲痛与心死之中, but for now, no one else showed signs of suicidal tendencies.

Rumbling thunder echoed through the heavy sky.

Angell, wearing a golden robe and riding a majestic white unicorn, led a group of knights. Beside him was the bald deputy commander. They rode through the square, dismounted, and entered the castle. Angell seemed to notice me and waved at the tower.

After they entered, I jumped from the tower, walked to the inner castle, and leaped directly to the second floor.

The rescue work must continue…

But there wasn’t time for crying.

…………

The moonlight was hazy.

White tents were set up in the castle square, with poles holding up rain shelters. Fires burned beneath the shelters, where knights, having removed their armor, sat around the fires. Women moved between the tents, bringing wine, food, and hot soup to the knights. Each knight would invite the women to sit, eat, drink, or tell an uninteresting joke.

Today’s dinner was the most lavish in days. Despite the near-empty grain stores of the Silent Castle, there were still enough people left to provide ample food.

The dinner included various vegetables, roasted beef and venison with spices, and aromatic beer. The women of the Silent Castle were skilled cooks, satisfying the knights and priests. If not for the weather and the women’s mood, they might have invited them to dance. After all, the women here were good dancers.

The nuns did not sit with the men; they mostly stayed inside the castle, tending to the wounded. Lady Alanstef ordered the women to bring dinner to the nuns. The injured were mostly stable, with most showing gradual improvement after treatment. They just needed short- or long-term rest.

But inevitably, some women died painfully during treatment.

After the intense effort, I washed the blood from my hands and face, hung my cloak to dry, and walked alone out of the inner castle. I passed through countless tents on the square, climbed the towering walls, and looked out at the distant wilderness and the mountains and pine forests beyond under the faint moonlight.

Rain fell drizzling.

The sound of water murmured by my ears.

In the dense rain, the mountains and lake water seemed to sympathize with each other, like shy maidens partially hidden in the mist. Under the dim sky, the outlines of two moons reflected in the lake, shimmering with the ripples. The pine forest extending to the ridge was a uniform white, branches swaying gracefully in the wind, like waves rolling over, elegant and secluded.

If it were sunny, this view would be even more beautiful.

I couldn’t help but recall the song.

“Hmm… hmm~”

I couldn’t remember the lyrics, but I could hum the tune. But as I hummed, the women’s cries echoed faintly in my ears.

I knew I would never forget those sounds.

The Gate of Truth…

The Clown.

“Lord Silviga.”

A soft call came from behind. I turned abruptly and saw Lady Alanstef approaching, wrapped in a rain cloak.

“I apologize for disturbing you… I saw you here alone. Why not come and eat something?”

I gently shook my head, “I can’t eat.”

This might be the first time in over a year that I felt “not hungry.” I was actually a bit hungry, but I just didn’t want to eat.

Upon hearing this, Lady Alanstef smiled.

She walked to my side, resting her hand on the battlements, looking into the distance for a moment, then turned to me, “Isn’t it beautiful here?”

“Very beautiful…”

I nodded.

“If you could have come to the Silent Castle before this rain, standing on this high wall, gazing at the distant mountains and pine forests, it would have been a different experience… tranquil, peaceful, like a painting unfolding before your eyes. The sunlight rising with songs, the joy and serenity… Unfortunately, such scenes may never return.”

“…There will be.”

I looked at Lady Alanstef seriously.

She smiled again.

Her smile was delicate and charming, like flowers blooming in spring.

I suddenly admired her.

Admired her for being able to show such a smile after experiencing such things.

Such a heartening smile.

“Lord Silvijar, if there’s ever an opportunity in the future, would you still wish to return here? By then, I’ll show you this sight again. If you’re willing, I can teach you all of the Aralström family’s signature floral arrangements.”

Floral arrangements…

Victoria really likes them.

“Good.”

I nodded again at the lady. “I will come back.”

The lady’s smile grew even wider. “Then I shall await your return here.”

There was a brief moment of silence after that.

Lady Aralström gazed at the distant lakeside, quietly, lost in thought.

After a while, she asked, “Those… guilty ones, were they all beheaded?”

I was taken aback by her question. “My lady… didn’t you see it?”

After all, that was how she had seen her son off for the last time.

She shook her head.

“What’s the point of seeing it? It only adds to sorrow.”

… That’s right.

It only adds more sorrow.

“They are all dead,” I said.

“… Yes.”

It took her a long while before she gently nodded.

In her eyes, there seemed to be a hint of grief and a hint of relief.

This topic was not suitable to continue, so I changed the subject. “How is your daughter doing?”

“Just ate something and went back to sleep,” Lady Aralström replied, then gently held my hand, a soft smile on her face. “Without any offense, Lord Silvijar, please follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“You don’t look well. Eat something, have a bit of wine, it might help ease your mood.”

Uh…

But I couldn’t eat…

Oh well, let her do as she wishes.

“Call me Hil, my lady.”

“Let’s go.”

Lady Aralström led me down from the city walls and walked towards the square.

“Tonight’s dinner is our little token of appreciation. To thank the lords for their lifesaving grace, they put in their utmost effort. If you don’t eat, then they would have worked in vain.”

Lady…

You sure know how to speak. Now I can’t refuse.

I was somewhat helpless. “Alright…”

“Lady Silvijar—”

A voice called out from not far away. I turned around and saw Safiros sitting with several knights under a canopy, eating on a makeshift wooden stand. Seeing me, he waved his hand. “Oh, Lady Aralström! Come here and join us!”

Lady Aralström pulled me over.

The knights moved two round stones, allowing Lady Aralström and me to sit.

“My lady, I heard that the spice recipe came from you? It smells amazing! I can’t get such delicious beef in the Holy City!” Safiros raised the meat in his hand and said with a smile to Lady Aralström.

“Just a casual hobby of mine. As long as Sir Commander enjoys it.”

“Lady Silvijar, try some!”

Safiros handed me a large piece. I reached out and took a small bite.

… It really is delicious.

Better than what they serve in the academy.

I slowly chewed, unable to resist another bite.

“Can we drink, my lady?” Safiros raised his cup.

“I don’t drink much, but I wouldn’t want to dampen the lord’s mood, right?” Lady Aralström took a glass nearby, poured herself some beer, and also filled one for me. Then she stood up and clinked glasses with the other knights. “Thank you all for rescuing Silent Castle from the demons. This toast is for the heroes.”

“My lady, you’re too kind. As knights, it’s our duty to protect you, and it’s our failure to let such things happen…”

“You mustn’t say that. No one wants such things to happen… Those who did evil were those demons and those who danced with them. It’s not your fault. I wish the knight lords success in their battles and hope they drive the heretics out of West Continent…”

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together. I didn’t have a chance to refuse, so I stood up as well, clinking my glass with theirs. I stuck out my tongue to taste the beer, then put the cup down and continued to gnaw on the beef.

Sir Commander and Lady Aralström chatted and laughed.

Suddenly, melodious singing drifted from the castle.

“A silver moon hangs over the azure lake, warm charcoal fire heats cold tea, deep night pine forest~ a new day has yet to awaken…”

The female voice was gentle and ethereal, like the babbling brook in the mountains, flowing into people’s hearts. The soothing tone permeated the entire square, and the elegant melody calmed everyone’s minds.

It’s that song… “Silver Moon”…

Compared to this, the singing by Safiros earlier was unbearable!

“Who is that young lady?”

“Even without accompaniment, she already sings better than the wandering bards in taverns…”

Everyone looked slightly entranced, gazing toward the castle. Lady Aralström, hearing the song, was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly.

“It’s my daughter waking up.”

“I knew it! It’s your daughter… She…”

Sir Commander probably wanted to praise her, but recalling her misfortune, the words stuck in his throat.

Lady Aralström smiled indifferently, put down her cup, and stood up. “I’ll go check on her. Please enjoy your meal, lords.”

“Take care, my lady.”

The knights watched her leave with respect.

The singing continued: “Stars hang high in the sky, such a night never ends~ this land is rich and beautiful, and we are fortunate to witness its splendor…”

“That girl sings beautifully…” Safiros murmured, “She’s a girl who should be cherished…”

After this, the atmosphere became slightly silent.

I stopped chewing and put the leftover beef back on the wooden stand.

“… Just now, His Holiness gave his orders.”

Not long after the silence, Sir Commander broke it. “We set off early tomorrow morning, but the entire knight order needs fifty people to stay behind. Our squad needs to contribute five slots. I’ve thought about it, Mouperzan, Francis, you two have been injured, so stay here and wait for news from the Holy City… For the other three, I need to think further.”

“Sir Commander—”

The person named hesitated, wanting to say something. Safiros waved his hand, interrupting him. “I know you’re not happy about it. Neither am I. You are my men, battle-hardened knights who carry honor. After seeing what happened here, feeling emotions and wanting to fight the enemy is understandable.”

“But staying behind doesn’t mean losing honor. Tonight’s scene, you all saw. Many women lost their will to live. It may take days to calm them down and discourage suicidal thoughts… You need to stay and watch over them, take care of them. Of course, there are nuns responsible for medical care who will handle the more patient tasks… In necessary times, save those unfortunate women. This is also a knight’s duty.”

“I will talk to Sir Isaac and try to get him to arrange for reinforcements from elsewhere… It’s uncertain if it will work, but let’s start with this distribution…”

Under the canopy in the square, Sir Commander was talking with his subordinates. On the terrace far behind the castle, the singing continued, a red-dressed girl gracefully dancing like a fairy. Her dance was elegant and graceful, as if she was a fairy in a painting, with slender and graceful movements. Her sleeves swirled, drawing mesmerizing arcs.

“Dark gray rocks, moss and heather, dawn gradually appears in the distance~ flags flutter, blue and white intertwined~ grasses glisten with morning dew…”

“A new day, yet to awaken… Silver moon… hanging over the azure lake…”

I listened to the singing, feeling dazed, closing my eyes.

In a daze, I seemed to see another scene.

The clear blue sky, the breeze blowing across the grasslands and pine forests, the castle by the lakeside towering majestically, the blue and white flags fluttering in the wind.

Under the warm sunlight, the knights marched into the city, the people inside cheering and celebrating the arrival of the heroes. Half-grown children chased the队伍，骑士们纷纷行动起来，他们望向城堡的四楼，眼神中充满了难以言喻的无助与惊慌。远处似乎响起神迹的嗡鸣，一道人影自广场悠悠飘起，胸前绽放出炽烈的金光。

我心里咯噔一下。

不要…

砰——

月步踏起，狂风呼啸。

木架被巨力掀翻在地，酒菜哐当地摔到地上，头顶的篷布呼地飞上高空，星星落落的雨水拍在脸颊。我用尽全力，连番踏着月步，身体自帐篷间闪烁飞掠，奔向城堡。

视线里，一身红衣的女孩趴在露台的栏杆，将上半身探了出去，仰着脑袋，右手高高伸过头顶，像是要抓住天上的月亮。

空灵的歌声还在唱。

而女孩并没有抓到月亮。

她从四楼的露台翻下，向地面坠去——

“缇莉亚！！！”

声嘶力竭的呐喊声中，夫人的身影倏然出现在露台，她纵身跃下，宛若起飞的白鸟。

我的瞳孔瞬间放大。

这一刻，月步踩到了极致，两旁的营帐如飞蚊般嗖嗖掠向身后，然而距离城堡，似乎还有好远。

好远好远…

“啊啊啊啊——”

我看到夫人在半空中，抓住了女儿的身体，搂紧了。

翻身向下。

金芒亮起，她们的身体似乎在半空迟滞了一下。

随后，继续坠落。

时间仿佛定格在这一秒。

我耳边除了咆哮的狂风，什么也听不到。

能赶上…

能赶上…

能——

砰。

闷响传来的霎那，飞溅的热血洒在我的脸上。

我的身体瞬间失衡，“劈里啪啦”撞断城堡之下的花坛栅栏，犁翻花丛与土壤，划出一道近十米长的痕迹，混合的泥水与杂草沾满了身体，膝盖与右手肘锥心般的痛，但此时，我完全顾不上这些。

“夫人——”

我连滚带爬地站起身，一瘸一拐，小跑到跌落地面的两具躯体前，哽咽着、颤抖着跪了下去。

“夫人…”

夫人紧紧抱着她的女儿，眼睛半睁着，没了光彩。

血泊自她身下淌出来。

“夫…人…”

我轻声叫道。

夫人没有回应。

这一刻，极度的悲哀涌入我的心涧，我感到右胸腔在剧烈收缩，随即呼吸一滞，突然喘不过气来。

“…呃…咳咳，咳——”

我开始剧烈的咳嗽，泪水全然模糊了视线。

“呃…呜…”

我清晰听到自己牙齿发出的咯吱声，感觉到嘴角流下了一丝滚热的血线。

真理之门。

小丑…

小丑…

小丑…

“小丑——！！！！”

有人在逐渐靠近。

“希尔维嘉大人——”

“您没事吧…”

“夫人她…”

他们的声音在耳边浑浑噩噩，有如幻听。

旋即，治愈神迹的光，在眼前亮了起来。

“…妈妈？”

夫人的怀中，女孩蠕动着撑起身体，一脸茫然。

她旋即看到我，甜甜地笑了起来。

“我、抓到月亮了…”

有人松了口气：“孩子没事…”

“快来救人——”

雨停了。

但破晓的曙光，还要再等一等，等黑夜彻底褪去，才能被人们看到。