Silent Crown

by Feng Yue

  “Don’t make the others think that the headquarter treats people badly. Since you’re Constantine’s man, you have to drink with us now that you’re here.” The burly bartender cracked his neck. When he looked at Charles, his tone changed. “You’ll humor us, right?”

  Flinching, Charles nodded forcefully.

  “Great.” The bartender grinned, showing his sharp teeth. He glanced up. “They’ll need some more time to discuss. We can become closer. Come, rookie, let’s drink.” He stuffed the glass into Charles’s hand and forced him to clink glasses. With a bitter expression, Charles downed the cup.

  He almost blacked out.

  -

  After a few days of house arrest, the Revolutionaries seemed to have finally come to consensus. Changing from their previous indifferent attitude, they voluntarily contacted Constantine. Both parties came to this secretive bar to talk.

  Constantine brought Charles but after arriving, they only allowed Constantine up. He was powerless and could only leave Charles with the group of terrifying men. Before thirty minutes was up, Charles was pushed into the trap by these prepared men. The pungent hard liquor poured into his throat. He inhaled sharply and clenched his jaw. It was the familiar recipe and familiar taste.

  There was a unique type of private liquor from Avalon’s downtown. The craftsmen would put industrial alcohol, various pigments, and snake bones soaked in flavoring agents to the liquor, creating a ‘local specialty.’ It was known as kerosene. The poor ruffians of downtown all called it that. Apparently, you had to avoid candles after drinking a glass because you could light yourself up.

  Other than drinking, one could also pour the liquor on a corpse for a combustion agent. After burning, not even the best forensic scientist or their own mothers could tell who it was.

  The liquor in Charles’s hand was comparable to it. In fact, there seemed to also be…

  “Drugs?” Charles murmured.

  The men in the corner burst into evil laughter. The bartender arched an eyebrow. “You know the ropes? I didn’t expect this.” Squinting, he picked up the liquor and grinned. “Seems like I’ll have to treat you even better.”

  The order was to make Constantine back down voluntarily and embarrass himself but without losing face. The man he brought with…naturally had to be treated the same.

  The bartender was starting to get curious. How many cups could this rookie drink before the ingredients burned his brain?

  “Have another.” He poured the overflowing cup before Charles. Seeing the youth open his mouth to speak, he pulled out a dagger and stabbed the pocketed bar. “I’ll drink with you.”

  Watching as Charles paled, he leered. “Today, we must drink to our fill!”

  In silence, Charles stared at his glass. After a long while, he nodded. “Okay.”

  Under the bartender’s shocked gaze, Charles threw his head back and drank. For some reason, the bartender felt panic. Perhaps he had made the wrong choice.

  -

  After who knew how long, the door upstairs opened. The tavern’s owner brought Constantine to the door and bid farewell.

  “Constantine, I’m sorry. You came for nothing.” The man shook his hand. “Mr. Gaius has his own plans. I truly cannot help you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m satisfied as long as you all are willing to see me and listen to an old man like me.” Constantine sighed and put on his hat. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  “I won’t see you off, then.” The man nodded. “Buck, help him out!”

  It was silent downstairs.

  “Buck! Buck! Where the f*ck did you go?!” The man froze, embarrassment creeping into his expression. “I’m sorry, Mr. Constantine. Those *ssholes don’t understand respect. Recently, they had heard some rumors and have misconceptions of you. Hopefully, they didn’t do anything to your man…”

  Constantine’s expression quickly darkened. He rushed downstairs. Not many would expect for someone as old as Constantine to move so quickly. Anxious, he stepped onto the stairs as if wanting to shatter the rotting boards. Before he got there, he could already smell the alcohol and the disgusting odor of vomit. Stunned, he sped up.

  Hopefully, Charles was still in one piece and not torn apart by those f*cking b*stards from the sewers of the Sacred City. But when he turned the corner, he froze.

  The room was silent.

  Regardless of the bartender behind the bar, the poker players on the sofa, the guests pretending to play pool and darts, they were all on the ground now. Some panted drunkenly. They opened their mouths and vomited out sticky liquid with undigested black beans mixed in. The disgusting smell and the scent of bad alcohol were pungent. But in the middle of the scattered bodies, Charles sat in his chair, playing cards by himself in boredom. When he saw Constantine, he smiled.

  “Sir, you’re finally done?” He jumped down. “I waited for so long I was wondering if I should get food delivered.”

  “Uh…yeah.” Still not having processed everything, Constantine nodded stiffly. “What…happened?”

  “All Revolutionaries are family. They’re all so enthusiastic.” Charles looked around awkwardly. “Sadly, they weren’t very hospitable because they have low alcohol tolerance. They all got drunk after a few glasses.”

  After a long pause, Constantine nodded, seemingly accepting this reality. He looked away, pretending he did not see Charles subtly kick two bloody teeth under the bar.

  “The talk is over. Let’s go,” he said.

  “Oh, okay. Wait a second.” Charles knocked his head and ducked behind the bar. He put the things the bartender had prepared into his bag. Seemingly offhanded, he ripped open the bartender’s pocket and found a small packet. Sniffing it, he hesitated before putting it in his pocket.

  “Thanks for waiting, sir.” Patting his hands, he ducked back out. “Let’s go.”

  -

  In the carriage on the way back, Constantine took off his hat tiredly. He leaned in his seat, seeming to nod off. He could not help but sigh.

  Charles looked outside and ask, “Sir, will we visit anyone else?”

  “Let’s go back.” Constantine shook his head. “I’m a bit tired. We can finish the rest tomorrow.”

  Charles fell silent. After some time, he started, “Sir…” but trailed off.

  “Yes?”

  “Your pallor…” Charles pointed at his own face.

  Confused, Constantine touched his face and could not help but chuckled dryly. He shook his head. “As expected.” Now, Constantine looked like he was exhausted to the max. He did not need a mirror to know how bad he looked. Even worse, he could smell the age and fatigue…

  “When you become old, you start paying for your debts. The slightest breeze will make you lose sleep. Even talking to someone is like going into war. You must be completely focused.” Sighing, he pulled out some medicine. Counting four pills, he dumped them into his mouth and swallowed with some warm water. “Can’t handle it after forgetting to take pills for two days.”

  “Did something happen?” Charles asked.

  “Not too big of a problem.” Constantine smiled bitterly. “If I guess correctly, I’ll be dragged over to be criticized soon.”

  “Huh?” Charles froze, getting a bad feeling. “What do you mean?”

  “What it sounds like,” Constantine said coolly. “I was deputy commander for so many years and had angered many people. Since my favor has fallen now, many will be happy to push me down further.”

  Charles could not understand. “H-how, it’s so sudden…didn’t you just come out?”

  “I was too naïve.” Constantine pinched his nose bridge and murmured, “Charles, people change. I was locked up for half a year and did not expect that everything has gone out of control. The Revolutionaries is nothing like before. Isn’t it logical for an old guy who can’t keep up to be swept into the trash? Gaius probably refuses to see me because he is hesitating as well.”

  Charles felt a head-splitting pain. He had felt something
wrong these days but he thought it was just safety precautions. He did not think that the house arrest and investigations were due to the Revolutionaries’ extreme distrust of Constantine. It seemed to be intensifying after he came out. What had Constantine been doing these days?

  “Charles, it’s not like before.” He sighed. “It had been ninety years since the last burst of the Dark World’s beastliness. The active period of natural catastrophes is coming soon. The human world is on a tightrope now. It can no longer bear the internal conflicts. Even if it’s just for the big picture, the conflict between the Sacred City and Revolutionaries must be resolved.”

  Gaping, Charles finally stammered, “Isn’t that good?”

  “Gaius might not like my idea.” Constantine shook his head. “He’s already lost himself.”

  “What…does he want to do?”

  “Is that still a question?” Constantine lit his cigarette and inhaled. “Gaius wants to create a new world. He will definitely destroy the old… If he realizes that I’m standing before him, he will destroy me along with those things, as well as the majority of those who support me.”

  He looked at the blank Charles with a tired expression. “Charles, no matter what I choose, many people will die in a few days. Many, many. Perhaps because of me, perhaps because of him. This is my last chance…but I don’t even dare to decide.”

  “Gaius…does he want to attack the Sacred City?” Charles could not help but ask. It may be too direct, but he couldn’t care less. He could feel that he was only one step away from the truth! But he could smell something terrifying. The dirty secret had a tantalizing scent, luring him to danger.

  “Attack the Sacred City?” Constantine scoffed. “Not just that.”

  Clenching his fist, he crumbled the cigarette in his hands. Even though the burning tobacco scorched his palm, he could not feel any pain. “Charles, he wants to release a natural catastrophe. He wants to release the Dragon of Disaster that the third pope had sealed beneath the Sacred City!”

  452 Ugly

  Late at night, there was no sound other than the dripping of water from the faucet in the silent bathroom. Hot steam hung in the air, thick and suffocating. However, some type of power had caused the steam to seal the entire room without anyone realizing. The detailed and complex music theory formed a system that melted into the steam. There were no ripples and sat between existence and nonexistence. It was practically imperceptible.

  Charles soaked in the bathtub languidly. He seemed to be relaxing but his eyes studied the ceiling as if there was something very interesting here. His skin had already turned white from the water. After a long while, a faint voice suddenly appeared in his ear.

  “The Dragon of Destruction?” The ancient voice sighed. “I see.” This was one of the current main leaders of the Silent Authority, one of the saints—Handel.

  If it wasn’t something as important as the Dragon of Destruction, Charles probably would not have been able to contact him. Even Handel had fallen silent after hearing the report and verified it many times.

  He had been pretty sure but hearing the acknowledgement from Handel, Charles could not help but let out a sigh of relief. Intense exhaustion besieged him. He really wanted to pass out. After experiencing so much, he had finally found out the Revolutionaries’ plot. His mission was finally complete.

  He could finally be free.

  Charles just wanted to sleep now. After regaining his freedom, he would find a good tavern and drink to his fill with his teacher and junior.

  “You’ve worked hard.” Handel’s voice had a rare gentleness to it. “We will prepare well.”

  Silence.

  Charles waited silence. Finally, his brows furrowed. “And then?” For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

  Hearing his question, Handel was confused as well. “Is there something else you need to report?”

  “When can I back out?” Charles pushed himself up in the tub and asked quietly, “When will you come pick me up? I can leave at any time, as long as you—”

  “Charles, your mission isn’t over,” Handel interrupted, his voice serious. “It’s not time for you to leave yet.”

  Charles froze. “You—” He felt his vision dim and the panic thicken. He could barely breathe. “You…aren’t planning for me to continue being a spy, right?”

  Handel did not reply but Charles raised his voice. “Didn’t you say you’d free me once I figure out what Gaius will do to the Sacred City? Do you know how many times they’ve suspected me already? Do you know how many people outside this building have their eyes on me? Do you know how much I’m risking to send you this message?!”

  “Charles, I know this is very hard for you but we must think of the big picture,” Handel said quietly. “Only you can do this. Your line of information is too precious. We cannot just end it now.”

  “Then you do it!” Charles roared quietly. “You come be this f*cking spy! Don’t you have other people? Isn’t that bearded Mind musician yours too? F*ck the big picture! I’m done!”

  “Charles, face reality!” Handel lost his patience. “Do you know how horrible the consequences will be if the Dragon of Disaster is released? What use is it if we only know what they plan to do? Do we not have our eyes on the Dragon already? But who knows what else the Revolutionaries have planned? Only knowing this is useless! You think you can compensate for your crime with this?”

  Charles was silent. He glared at the steam before him as if trying to find Handel inside it.

  The sudden burst of panic made his organs tremble. Subtle pain spread from the bottom of his brain. It felt like his head was about to split. He held his forehead but could not suppress the urge to go crazy.

  The anger was like iron and fire. It wanted to beat down on his consciousness and spirit, to tear apart his body, and burn his soul to ashes. His body shook from the painful torment. He wanted to cry and sob.

  “How can you do this?” he murmured. Snot and tears rolled down pathetically, falling into the water that had become cloudy and cold. He stared at the steam, choking.

  “This…isn’t what you said before. Please, just let me go. Why does everyone have to be like this? I really am just a failure. People like me can’t be spies, really. I never did anything right in my life, and now I’m not even a musician. I already ran away but why do you have to force me?

  “Mr. Handel, you’re a saint, you’re an important figure. I know that if you want, you can do anything. I’m begging you, let me go…please…”

  “Charles, you must do it,” Handel said. “Only you can.”

  “It’s useless even if I stay,” Charles pleaded. “Mr. Constantine is already being excluded. I can’t get anything from him.”

  “Then change to someone else,” Handel said coldly. “Change to someone who can truly give you information.”

  Charles blanched. For some reason, he felt a terrifying coldness from the marrow of his bones. It swallowed him, making him unable to speak.

  “…You…what do you mean?”

  “Listen, Charles. Constantine is useless now. You must change your track.” Handel’s voice was gentle. “I will secretly arrange for you to meet with Gaius’s man tomorrow. At that time, you’ll tell them Constantine’s plan. After he’s removed by Gaius, you’ll naturally enter their true core in the Sacred City.”

  “Impossible!” Charles yelped. Sensing the coldness from the other end of the connection, he tried to explain, “Even if I betray Constantine, they still won’t trust me.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. The Silent Authority will help you gain their trust.” Handel seemed to be confident but his voice had turned cold. “However, you must understand that you don’t have much time left. Charles, if you fail, you will not be the only one dying. Your teacher will also be sent to hell for his past relationship with Gaius.

  “Without the Sacred City, no one will be able to save you. I hope you will not hesitate anymore and promptly make the correct choice.”
>
  The connection cut off. In the silence, there was only the sound of icy droplets falling into the tub from the ceiling. Charles sat dumbly in the water as if he was frozen. He stared at the water vapor and opened his mouth to speak but he did not know how to continue speaking with Handel.

  He just felt his vision darkening. His headache was getting worse as if it wanted to tear him apart and knock him unconscious. In his daze, he felt the icy droplets fall onto his face. They were blood-red.

  Blood dropped from the ceiling into the tub, dying the water red. The entire world seemed to decay as if thousands of years had passed. Grime covered the bathroom, cobwebs appeared, and everything was dilapidated. Demons stared into this world from the broken mirror.

  “Again.” Charles held his almost-shattering forehead. Bearing the pain of his sanity cracking apart, he heaved. “F*cking…again…” His fingers trembled. With difficulty, he felt around on the stand. Finding the packet, he yanked it down. There was a new glass syringe, a small vial of salt water, and an average packet inside.

  “It gotta work…it gotta work…” He tore the packet apart with shaking fingers. He carefully dumped the powder into the salt water. A lot fell onto the ground but most dissolved in the water. He lowered the syringe into the salt water, sucking up the murky liquid. Finally, he raised it before his eyes.

  Charles stared dumbly at the sharp needle for a while before laughing emptily. Without hesitating anymore, he pierced the vein in his wrist and injected himself.

  The drug’s effect came quickly.

  The world was no longer terrifying. Even the blood and demons became heartwarming. The faraway shadows held hands and danced with Charles, singing softly and laughing innocently like children. Flashes of color and light appeared before his eyes. They were as dazzling as a dream. In the dream, a blurry figure caressed his cheeks. Strands of long hair fell from her shoulders to Charles’s face. The dark red hair was so beautiful, like burning embers.

  “Mom…” Charles lay in the icy water, embracing her, allowing the empty warmth and happiness to envelop him.