Chapter 764: Chapter 21 Shadow_2

Orianna looked impassively at her colleagues, as if she were staring at a malfunctioning vending machine.

“Opinion, Alandia, your own opinion,” she said wearily, “not your judgment of… this person.”

Alandia thought for a moment and said, “I despise his nature, but I acknowledge his character and ability. He is someone with whom I can work.”

“Oh, poor Gongsun Ce, he received a stunningly good appraisal under the worst circumstances.”

Orianna muttered, rose, and continued with her housework.

The second floor quieted down, save for the occasional collision between the mop and cabinet. Having finished the last page of her novel, Alandia closed the book and said, “Orianna, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“In what circumstances would a person want to eat the same food as another?”

“Uh… maybe he’s just greedy?”

“I think he doesn’t like it.”

Holding the mop like it was the hilt of a sword, Orianna rested her chin on her hands and said with a smile, “That means he wants to experience the other person’s feelings. He wants to understand their life better!”

“How strange,” Alandia mused thoughtfully.

“Jane…” she reflexively raised her hand, wanting to call her attendant to fetch her another book, then she remembered that Jane was no longer there. Orianna took the book from her hand, comforting her, “Don’t be too sad… people always change, and I think she meant well…”

Alandia said nothing, only shook her head.

·

The night deepened, and the lights in the city went out one by one, plunging the capital into a quiet darkness.

In this moment of absolute silence, a single oil lamp remained lit, its light rapidly crossing the streets of the eastern district, illuminating the wooden board in front of “Dust Troupe” and guiding pedestrians to the largest tent there.

The entrance of the tent was wide open, the flickering candlelight inside seeming to welcome her. Jane Della entered the tent, furious. She slammed the oil lamp down on the table and screamed, “You manipulated me! Situ Yi!!”

The troupe leader, dressed in a high hat and white clothes, was sitting at the table, writing lines of text with his back to her. He heard the guest but did not turn around, only laughing, “Poor me, a mere actor from the eastern district, how could I have the power to manipulate the mind of a former Knight?”

“It was your Creation Realm Skill!” Jane gasped, “Your Creation Realm Skill affected my thoughts and actions… I just wanted to help her! It was you! You made my good intentions do wrong!!”

Situ Yi put down his pen, looked up with his long, narrow eyes fixed on the chandelier hanging from the tent’s ceiling, watching the metal fixture sway in the nighttime breeze. He spoke as if telling a bizarre joke, as if singing the opening song of a play.

“Failed learners resent disturbances from others; the despairing drink for solace, cursing the liquor merchants; the gamblers lose their fortunes in the lively atmosphere; evil arises within one and beheads another, blaming it on their bulging wallets.

Before mounting the gallows, as the noose hangs ready, the irons are strapped on by an officer, and the audience cheers. Looking back and clutching their chest, they wonder, is it the wickedness of others, or the ugliness within?”

Situ Yi stood from the table, turning around. His pale face was obscured by shadows, his expression unreadable, his shadow cast on the tent’s canvas wall like a withered old tree or a towering structure about to topple.

Jane stepped backward, trembling. She had come full of rage, but when this man actually turned his gaze upon her, she lost even the power to speak.

A pair of arms reached out from the depths of the darkness, affectionately encircling her neck. Kerky appeared silently, resting her head on Jane’s shoulder, and whispered softly:

“People in this world always have an inertia, pushing every fault onto lifeless objects and others. Yet those seeking absolution often cannot comprehend that escaping is a baser evil than facing the consequences. Little Knight, you say it’s all the leader’s fault. But did the leader ever instruct you to do anything?

Who propagated that the Dawn Knight had slain the armor? Who slandered that the Dawn Knight lacked empathy? Who came to the troupe seeking help with schemes of deception, who bribed the craftsman with family wealth, creating lamps to hide their wickedness?”

Kerky’s fingers raised a stiff smile on Jane’s face, “And who, from beginning to end, never trusted her friends?”

“Nonsense!” Jane pulled away sharply, and Kerky stepped back with a light laugh. “I… I should never have been involved with you! It’s your fault, Hyde, if you hadn’t told me…!”

“Oh… so sorry, little Knight. It’s all my fault for introducing you to this place, for teaching you the tricks to shield your heart. If you had shown your ‘Manifestation Method’ in full from the start, everything would have been different…”

“Shut up!” Jane’s face turned pale, “Shut up!!”

“As you wish, Knight Sir. I am merely a lowly apprentice,” Kerky leaned against the desk, giggling, “You are much more shameless than I, and I concede defeat.”

“Get out! I want no further involvement with you!” Jane retreated step by step, “You disgraceful villains must have a scheme… I will tell Knight Alandia…!”

No one stopped her, Jane picked up the oil lamp, ready to leave. At that moment, Situ Yi picked up the script, turning back the page he had passed, Kerky glanced at it and read aloud:

“Knight Orianna appeared weak, yet she had a strong heart. Under external pressure and motivated by Yuankai, she successfully broke her bounds and used the power of the Holy Sword Sealing. It was an unrepeatable coincidence and the fruit of long preparation. She became the true Seventh Knight, irreplaceable in her role. Unless emergency procedures are initiated, the Holy Sword can never change hands again.”