Chapter 42: Distant Guests (1)

Sunlight filtered through the tree shade, scattering dappled light on the smooth road, swaying with the gentle breeze. A black carriage was racing along the road, and the young man sitting inside was frowning deeply. He leaned against the window, gazing at the blurry silhouette of the castle in the forest, a cold and heavy aura flashing across his face.

As one of the most outstanding figures of the younger generation in the Bird family, Viscount Euwen had always been known for his caution and carefulness. Although he wasn’t a member of the main family, he had still obtained an official title through his own efforts. In fact, his father had complained several times when drunk that if he wasn’t the patriarch of a branch family, the first heir of the Bird family would definitely belong to Euwen!

Euwen himself wasn’t as obsessed with this identity as his father imagined. In fact, he was quite glad that the position of first heir hadn’t fallen to him, but to Pelzen. As a member of a large family, Euwen was well aware of what the identity of the first heir meant. It was definitely not something he could handle easily. For him, the most important thing in life was stability first. As for hopes and goals – if one couldn’t even survive, then there was no need to talk about anything else.

It was precisely because of this “calm and stable” attitude towards life that Euwen was highly appreciated by the old patriarch. Indeed, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier, but if every soldier wanted to be a general, it would be even more troublesome. Especially in such a large family, where history, traditions, and regulations had already taken shape, a characteristic of large families was that authority was not allowed to be challenged. If every noble child hoped to sit in that one and only position, wouldn’t the whole family be in chaos?

Closing his eyes, the young viscount stopped observing the castle before him. He rubbed his brow and began to carefully consider this matter.

From the beginning, Euwen didn’t think this was a simple matter. Although he had only been by the old patriarch’s side for less than five years, he was very confident in his abilities and evaluation. The old patriarch had always valued him highly, entrusting him with some very important matters. And now, he was actually sent to investigate a fallen descendant of a noble territory they themselves had enfeoffed?

From the moment he learned of this mission, Euwen felt the whole thing was filled with an eerie atmosphere. Moreover, as the old patriarch’s assistant, he was also very clear about Pelzen’s plan this time. After his failure and return, the old patriarch not only didn’t send him to maintain and stabilize the family’s internal voice but suddenly sent him to the Twilight Forest territory. Connecting this with Pelzen’s recent return from Twilight Forest, a conclusion could be drawn.

Of course, before setting out, Euwen had also obtained detailed information about this new lord – Felix, a fallen noble. This wasn’t a big problem. Regarding the exchange of territories, Euwen had also seen the issues involved. No one would be willing to exchange a fertile manor for this barren forest known for its fierce curses and dangers. So the matter was simple. His family had used methods unique to nobles to obtain the other party’s land and exiled him here. Euwen had naturally heard of the notorious reputation of Twilight Castle. In fact, many people in the Bird family knew the story of that castle, and there was even a family member who died an unnatural death there. Although as a young man, Euwen didn’t quite believe in such stories, he still carried a hint of nervousness and unease.

Euwen wasn’t very confident about this mission. He knew very well that he was sent to investigate the background of this young man named Julian Felix. According to the old patriarch, he seemed to have some direct or indirect relationship with Pelzen’s failure in Twilight Forest. Or rather… because there was really no one else to suspect, the focus was placed on this person.

Before setting out, Euwen had also considered this problem. In his view, there were only two possibilities. One was that this young lord indeed had no connection with Pelzen and didn’t have this ability, and all this was merely speculation. The second was that this young lord was a very deep and dangerous character. If he could make Pelzen and the Pale Hawk suffer a hidden loss, then he probably wouldn’t gain any benefit either.

And now, after seeing the scene before him, Euwen’s heart began to sink slowly. He had already realized that the second possibility was becoming more and more likely.

From this straight and smooth repaired road, it could be seen that this lord was definitely not an easy person to deal with. At least he wasn’t one of those lazy nobles who lived off others that Euwen had seen before. As a member of the Bird family, Euwen knew very well that repairing roads wasn’t an easy task. Of course, although it wasn’t difficult for nobles, who could imagine that a fallen noble who had been deceived by nobles, lost his land, and barely survived on his family’s pitiful reputation would care so much about his territory? If he were now walking on a winding, uneven road and seeing a dilapidated town, then Euwen could still be at ease. But now, he was no longer so reassured.

Look at this road, it costs money. And according to intelligence sources, this lord didn’t have much money. How could he afford to spend it?

Looking at this small town again, Euwen had once been here by chance before. At that time, in his impression, this was an isolated place with almost no changes. But now? Looking at those demolished houses and the workers busy cleaning the air and waterways, Euwen couldn’t help but frown. This was definitely not done to welcome his arrival. This lord was very likely really planning to make a career here!

But hadn’t he heard of the reputation of this castle?

Thinking of this, Euwen couldn’t help but open the curtain again and look towards the castle not far away. Those dead people weren’t legends. Even for this lord, who knew if he could survive this period? Perhaps, by this time next year, he would already be a cold corpse.

Was this the unique youthful arrogance of young people, or…

“Thomson, what do you think?” Euwen shifted his gaze to the middle-aged man sitting opposite him. This was the man who had visited Twilight Castle ten days ago and was also Viscount Euwen’s personal attendant.

“What’s your opinion on that lord?”

Faced with his master’s inquiry, Thomson’s serious and rigid face twitched slightly. Then, he frowned, carefully recalled for a moment, before finally speaking.

“I don’t know, master.”

“Don’t know?” Euwen repeated his words with some confusion. He was familiar with Thomson, who had been working for him for many years. Although his judgments might not be profound, they were quite credible. Moreover, he also had his own set of methods for observing others. But now, how could he say he didn’t know? You should know, the other party was just a young noble in his early twenties!

“Is he a taciturn, difficult person to get along with?”

“Well…” Thomson shook his head and smiled bitterly.

“Not at all, master. Lord Felix’s attitude was very friendly, and he seemed quite proper in his behavior, with nothing strange about him.”

“Then…” Euwen couldn’t help but frown. Haven’t you already summarized his characteristics? How can you say you don’t know?

“Maybe it’s because I’m getting old, so I’m more sensitive in some aspects…” Realizing his master’s confusion, Thomson also continued to explain with a bitter smile.

“I don’t know why, but I always felt that there was something else hidden under that lord’s smile. Perhaps because of this cursed castle, I always felt that this lord was completely different from the young nobles I had seen before. Indeed, he showed me a very friendly and kind side, but, master, I always felt that for a young noble living alone in such a strange castle, he seemed to be a bit too indifferent.”

“Too indifferent?” Euwen quickly grasped the central issue in his attendant’s words.

“You mean…”

“Well… I don’t know how to say it.” Strangely, Thomson, who had always been able to accurately express his opinions, was somewhat hesitant this time. And finally, after thinking for a moment, he still shook his head.

“I’m very sorry, master. I don’t know much about this lord either.”

“Anyway, we’re about to meet him.” Euwen nodded, no longer paying attention to the strange expression on his attendant’s face, but focused his attention on the huge castle that was getting closer and closer to him.

“I think we can complete this mission soon.”

Hearing his master’s words, Thomson opened his mouth, but in the end, didn’t express that strange feeling. When he entered the castle and saw Julian, this experienced attendant had a very strange feeling. It was as if the castle and that smiling young noble had merged into one, like a huge monster he was raising, looking down, observing his every move. That feeling was chilling. But now thinking about it, it seemed like just a nightmare, as if it was just his illusion, just a continuation of some nightmare.

A huge, black shadow enveloped the body of the carriage. When the carriage turned around the corner of the slope again, Twilight Castle finally appeared before Euwen.

The moment he saw this castle, Euwen felt as if his heart was being tightly squeezed. It wasn’t the first time he had seen this castle. Fifteen years ago, when he was still a hot-blooded child, he had snuck out of home with his friends to come here, just to see what this castle, described as incredibly dangerous and terrifying in adults’ mouths, actually looked like. But at that time, no one dared to approach this castle. Even they only looked at it from afar. That black shadow standing on the hillside, like a beast preying on people, left a deep impression on Euwen.

And now, after coming into close contact with this castle, Euwen felt as if he had returned to fifteen years ago. He seemed to no longer be that calm, composed family viscount, but a little boy, looking at this terrifying and huge building with fear, unease, and bewilderment in his eyes. It had experienced so many years, so many storms, and yet still stood here.

Just thinking about this fact alone was enough to make Euwen feel uncomfortable. If he had previously thought that the curse of this castle was just some coincidence, then now, he really began to believe in that terrible rumor.

“Master, we’ve arrived.” When Thomson’s voice sounded in his ear, Euwen finally regained his spirits. He raised his head and looked out the window. At the gate, that young noble was standing there, waiting for his arrival with a kind and elegant smile.

For some reason, at this moment, Euwen felt as if the castle had suddenly come alive, as if it was no longer just a building, but a terrifying beast, led by its master, sizing up the guests before it – or perhaps the food.

How absurd.

Euwen shook his head hard, shaking off this uneasy feeling. Then, he opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.