by Feng Yue
“Nibelungenlied first sensed the aether tide that burst in Avalon and discovered it was related to the blood sacrifice to Satan. It raised its security two levels and reported to me directly. But because of the enchantment over Avalon, we have no way of knowing exactly what happened. The message from their Musician Union was unclear too. Seems that they don’t want the Church to look into it. But through our observations of the aether world, we found many interesting things.”
“Interesting?” Bann furrowed his brows.
“That’s right. Look.” Albert adjusted the starry sky and redisplayed the recording. Stars lit up and went out continuously in the chaotic sky. But there seemed to be a thin veil over it that made one unable to see clearly.
But in the blurriness, a stark celestial object appeared in the darkness and crept up. Its brightness was blinding. In comparison, the other stars were like dust. All flashes of light and blood were dispersed by the giant star and disappeared. Even Avalon’s enchantment was unable to stop it, and it rose to the sky.
All there was in the night sky was that single shining star. The brightness rose and illuminated Bann’s eyes, causing him to arch an eyebrow slightly. “What is that?”
“A unique phenomenon created by a musician’s resonance with the Originator. At first, we thought that it was the ripple caused by someone breaking through the Barrier of Knowledge. But now, it just seems similar. Its essence is completely different. It is too complete…”
Albert paused the starry sky and enlarged the star. It grew bigger and bigger until the two of them were enveloped in it. Bann gazed around and saw numerous music notes jumping and connecting with each other. The notes formed a detailed yet complete music score. The constantly changing music score was breathtakingly meticulous. Each detail was perfect.
“Do you see it?” Albert murmured, drunk in the beauty. “It’s been years since I’ve seen such a unique music score. It doesn’t contain any impurities. It is pure and clean like moonlight.” He paused and sighed. “It’s beautiful to the point of being terrifying. It’s as if it contains a soul.”
“Is it a projection from a saint?”
“I’ve already compared it to the records.” Albert shook his head. “Of the nine saints, six are exploring the Dark World, and the remaining three were nowhere close to Avalon. I’ve also consulted Mr. Haydn. He seems to know something, but he won’t tell me.”
Bann froze. “Does Nibelungenlied not have any records?”
“This is what makes me feel the most defeated.” Albert pursed his lips and looked up above. “What was your exact quote?”
“Sir, Nibelungenlied is not all-powerful,” the gentle voice stated. “We are only recorders.”
Bann wrinkled his brows. As a judge for a so many years, he had sensed an unsaid meaning. Nibelungenlied did not directly answer Albert’s question. It did not say it knew or it did not know. It did not even coldly refuse to answer and say “no comment.”
This question had sunk to the bottom of the ocean. No matter how many times the question was asked, Nibelungenlied would answer like this, adding another mystery to Bann’s mind.
“But I tried to research what happened in Avalon through other channels and found an interesting thing.” Albert pulled a small paper box from his pocket and opened it for Bann. “Do you want to play? These are the much-loved ‘legend poker cards’ of Avalon’s gamblers.”
“Legend?”
“That’s right. Many legendary figures are printed on the cards. Some even update their content according to changes in eras. It’s surprisingly interesting. I’ve decided to take this opportunity and tell the Church to release a set too. It’ll be called musician poker. What do you think?” Albert spouted as he shuffled the cards with expertise.
“Don’t stray from the topic,” Bann reminded him.
“Right, let’s continue. Some of the content is quite good, but others aren’t so reliable. Like that weird guy who runs naked under the moon, and some dog? I don’t know what they’re thinking. But that isn’t the main point. The main point is that in the newest version, there’s a new card.”
The cards flipped in his hands and one shot out, flying toward Bann. He caught it easily and looked at the front. It was a pure black card, but in the blackness, one could see a faint shadow. The silhouette of the robe revealed a subtle ferocity. The figure gripped his cane and his posture was polite, but it felt so strange. The artist had clearly put in a lot of effort to make the aura so realistic.
“What…is this?” Bann asked.
“Sherlock Holmes,” Albert said. “Everyone calls him Holmes, the Vengeful Spirit. According to our research, it can be said that this man inadvertently caused the riot and became its biggest winner.
“He’s become a terrifying legend in Avalon. People who broke the rules will wake up from their nightmares and see him standing before the bed to punish them for their sins.”
“A dark musician?” Bann asked.
“No, the Silence Governance looked at his reports and made comparisons. They haven’t found any characteristics of dark musicians on him. Otherwise, he would’ve been on our wanted list a long time ago.
“In addition, this guy is like a dark musician killer. It’s been confirmed that the brothers Blue Teeth, Yellow Foot, and Red Eye were all killed by him. But some also say that Holmes never kills people…it sounds like a contradiction, right?”
“No.” Bann shook his head. “There are punishments crueler than death in this world.”
Albert stared deeply into him. He could not help but smile in self-mockery. “Yes, that’s true. That’s why he seems even crueler…”
“Do you think the phenomenon has something to do with him?”
“By process of elimination, there’s the possibility. But elimination isn’t the most reliable method. As of now, we don’t know anything. I’ve already told Nibelungenlied to record the melody. The next time it appears, we’ll be able to collect more detailed information.”
Albert paused and looked up. “But no matter what, many abnormalities will become more obvious as Avalon’s Shadow wakes. So Bann, are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“Ready for fighting against natural catastrophes.”
Albert’s words stunned Bann. “What do you mean?”
“I mean what I mean. Don’t forget that King Arthur created Avalon’s Shadow to fight against the weaponry and power of the sea monster. Its awakening means that the sea monster Leviathan, one of the ‘four living creatures’ and more powerful than most natural catastrophes, will come back to life as well.”
Albert rose and said quietly, “If Anglo’s royalty still cannot complete the task given by their ancestors, we’ll have to act out of our responsibilities. At that time, Avalon will become another Armageddon—another battleground for humanity and the gods to fight to the death. This is Nibelungenlied’s decision.”
Bann looked up at the dome in silence. Above the dome, the gentle voice sounded. “This will be a tragic sacrifice. We have no other choice. We can predict that there will be the possibility in the near future.”
Bann was silent for a long while before shaking his head slowly. “Since this is Nibelungenlied’s prediction, the Knights Templar will obey.”
“Don’t tell anyone of what we’ve said today. The Cardinal hasn’t made an official decision yet. We can only wait and see for now.” Albert patted his shoulders. “Go home and rest. Don’t think about these heavy topics. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be the third commander of the Knights Templar.” With one last glance at Bann, Albert’s red robe disappeared in the darkness.
Bann raised his head and studied the starry sky. After a long pause, he suddenly asked quietly, “Nibelungenlied.”
“Yes, lord Bann,” the gentle voice replied.
“Is there any word on what I consulted about a few days ago?”
“Yes, there is news,” Nibelungenlied told him. “The child you adopted is living happily in Avalon. He has been accepted by th
e Royal Academy of Music and became a student with good grades. As you wished, he has a trustworthy teacher and a new life. Occasionally, there are problems, but life is mostly average.”
“That’s great.” Bann’s eyes grew content.
“In a few days, you’ll receive his letter,” Nibelungenlied said. “But if you can’t wait, I can read it to you.”
“No need.” Bann shook his head. “There are so many hardships and troubles in this world. I should leave some good news for tomorrow.” He turned and left as he had come. All that remained in the darkness were the shining stars.
-
Under the starlit sky, the city was shrouded in fog. The dark streets were still and silent.
“Is it here?” Ye Qingxuan stood before an old mansion. He stared past the iron bars and thick fog into the hidden building. According to his imagination, the Professor would live in a sewer or some eerie ditch, or even a hidden room in the slums. Either way, it would be a place filled with sinister darkness and secrets.
But he had never expected that…the Professor had bought an old mansion with a garden on Queen’s Avenue, the wealthiest street in Avalon. Ye Qingxuan quietly estimated the cost and suddenly wanted to cry for being poor as a dog. How could this woman be so rich?!
After thinking for a long time, he finally raised his hand and rang the doorbell.
Ding! The crisp bell sounded behind the gate and resounded in the white mist. Soon, a hunched figure with a cane appeared in the mist. He hobbled over and raised the lantern in his hands. Illuminating the youth’s face, his voice grew dark and complicated with unrestrained hatred. “Oh, what a rare guest…long time no see, Mr. Holmes.”
Ye Qingxuan cocked his head. Using the lantern, he saw the ugly face clearly. The face was unbelievably disfigured, as if there was a layer of chicken pox and measles on it, but one could still see his original appearance.
“Sam, the Pyramid King?” Ye Qingxuan thought for a moment and understood. He could not help but laugh. “Truly long time no see. How have you been?”
“Come with me.” Instead of replying, the Pyramid King took out his key and opened the gate. “Master has been waiting for a long time.”
-
The next time Ye Qingxuan saw his master, it was at the very back of the mansion. There was only one lonely lantern in the vast library.
Under the light of the lantern, one could vaguely see the four walls crammed with old books. The books seemed to fill every crack and reached upward, extending into the darkness that light could not reach.
“You came later than I thought,” a cool voice came from beside the lantern. She was leaning back in an ottoman with a blanket over her knees. Her expression was lazy and seductive, as if she had woken up from a short nap. Sensing that the youth had sat down before her, she raised her hand and pointed at the tea set on the table. “Newly arrived flower tea. Pour a cup for yourself and, while you’re at it, pour me one too.”
Ye Qingxuan stared at her and she stared back. After a long pause, Ye Qingxuan sighed and picked up the kettle to pour her another cup. Flumes of hot steam rose from the delicate enamel porcelain teacup. It blurred the beautiful face like mist.
“We finally meet again.” Ye Qingxuan looked into her eyes and asked, “Should I call you Lady Moriarty or…Professor Lola Caput?”
“Lola is fine.” An authentic guest lecturer of the Royal Academy of Music, the up and coming star of the School of Revelations, the renowned history scholar, the weak and ill-bodied lady—Lola Caput smiled. “Now that I see it, you look exactly like the Professor back then when you furrow your brows.”
177 Something Seems Wrong
It was the next day at the Jianlan Underground Palace. As the eerie door opened slowly, darkness surged, and the smell of ancient dust surged forward. Sinister wind came from the darkness and snuck into the collars, causing one’s scalp to go numb.
“So cold…” Bart shivered subconsciously. Hearing the small sounds in the darkness, his face paled slightly. “Professor, is this really part of the Academy?”
“Don’t make such a fuss. There are haunted places even in the Academy,” Ingmar replied lightly.
The middle-aged man wore a spotless long coat and had attractive features. His long hair had grayed due to studying Revelations for so long and was tied behind his back, making him seem elegant and mysterious.
Whenever he looked into the darkness, his expression became disdainful and proud. As the director of the School of Revelations and an important member of the school board, he could not stand having something out of his control.
Every year, Jianlan Underground Palace would carve out a sky-high budget from the school board for no reason. And yet, it had never handed in a report. It was absolutely absurd. Who knew what was going on in there?!
“Is your student ready?” The guard at the door glanced at Bart’s pale face and chuckled. “Do as you please. I’m leaving now. There’ll be someone inside to guide you.” Perceiving the disgust in Ingmar’s eyes, the guard chuckled lightly and turned to leave.
“Pretending to be mysterious,” Ingmar huffed as he watched the man walk away. If not for the special circumstances, he would not even be willing to come. Every time he saw Dominic’s cold eyes, he felt humiliated. This was the only place those old war dogs could pretend to be powerful.
At this thought, Ingmar became even more upset. “Bart, stop spacing out. It’s highly difficult to enter the library of the Royal Academy of Music. You must know that our school has given a lot to win this chance for you. Don’t let me down.”
Bart nodded quickly.
“Good.” Ingmar ordered coldly, “Remember the titles I’ve told you. Don’t be like the disgrace of the Academy and come out empty-handed.”
“I will take use this opportunity well.” Bart’s eyes were determined.
“Very good.” Ingmar nodded. “The school anniversary is soon. You must prepare beforehand so you won’t be defeated by a student taught by that blasphemous and crippled Abraham. This time, we’ll show the old cripple our true colors, understand?”
“I understand…” Bart rubbed his still-hurting chin and his eyes turned sinister. “I understand.”
“Then go.” Ingmar watched as Bart walked past the doors and the corner of his lips curled into a smile. One day, that blasphemous old guy who dared to disagree with him would be forced out the Academy.
-
An eerie wind blew. Footsteps echoed in the dark passageway as Bart raised his lantern and looked around in confusion. He could still hear the small broken sounds around him and could not help but tremble. This place was just too creepy.
He rubbed the ring on his finger and gathered his courage. This time, his professor had given him the quota of the School of Revelations so he could enter the library and read the handwritten music scores collected there.
Though they were scores below the Resonance level, they were all personally handwritten by previous saints. They contained the soul and mysteries of music scores. Readers could grasp the melody and strength much faster than the average person.
Ingmar had tailored a book list for this reason. As long as Bart learned all of the melodies according to the list, his skills would skyrocket. These scores were templates carefully chosen by Ingmar to help Bart further grasp his unique music score: the first movement of the Crown Sonata. If he was able to use it to break into the Musician level and be blessed by the gods, there would be even better things waiting for him.
There were only twelve hours, but it did not mean he had no other choice.
Bart squeezed the ring on his forefinger and smiled faintly. This was the ‘secret memorizer ring’ that he had spent a fortune on. Once activated, it would increase the wearer’s comprehension and memorization abilities. There were also hidden ways to record what the user read and saw into the gem. Even if copying was forbidden, he could still duplicate the files without a sound! The day he officially entered the Musician level would be the day that East
ern b*stard and his useless teacher was kicked out the Academy!
A ruthless look flashed past his eyes. The School of Revelations had been enduring the humiliation brought on by the History Department for all this time. That old cripple had strayed and stubbornly insisted on researching his interpretation thing, ignoring their kindness, refusing to return to the right path. Karma would get him one day!
Bart had already decided. During the school anniversary celebration, he would make the d*mned Easter—the disgrace of the Academy—kneel before him. “You’ll have to pay sooner or later,” he murmured, clenching his fist.
The entrance to the library was before him. Bart felt the bag of money he had prepared beforehand for the manager and nodded in satisfaction. Good, the plan was perfect.
As long as he had a warm smile and offered the generous sum at the right time, he believed the manager would make things easier for him. At this thought, his lips curled into a smile and he pushed the door slowly.
And so, he opened the door, and saw the ground covered in marbles…
-
In the library’s vast empty space under the warm lighting, columns of old bookshelves radiated with mysteriousness. The shelves rose like trees, extending to the limit of his vision. He could not see the end. But in the office area at the entrance, the tables and chairs had been pushed to the side into a careless pile. What replaced them were marbles scattered all over.
A figure sat amongst the marbles with its back to Bart. It grasped marbles and studied the situation attentively, not even noticing that Bart had entered. Then with a soft sound, the marbles suddenly started rolling even though there was no wind. They crashed against each other, producing crisp sounds. It was extremely strange.
In the eerie atmosphere, Bart felt his hair standing up. “Excuse me,” he asked in a trembling voice after gathering his courage, “is the library’s manager…”
“Sh!” The squatting figure raised a finger, telling him to shut up. Bart could only shut his mouth awkwardly and wait in his spot in fear.
After thinking for a long time, the person flicked the white marble in his hands. The marble left his hand but jumped dramatically on the ground! Endless clatters sounded instantly. Along the way, all black marbles were forced away and began rolling randomly. They created complex crisscrossed lines, hitting each other, but all landed inside a chalked circle in the end. None missed.