Chapter 1033
Not at All
Unlike Avalon, the Duke of Iris Flower was far richer than the great nobles of Star Antinomy.
Duke Vendome’s “residence” was actually a castle , and not just a giant house.
The manor covered an area of approximately eight hundred hectares, roughly equivalent to eight Shanghai Disneyland parks—for Eivass, it was the largest amusement park he had ever visited.
The top of the castle, primarily cream-colored, was adorned with dark green tiles. It also featured numerous green plants, requiring at least ten gardeners for daily maintenance.
The two wings of the castle served as annexes for servants or guests, each composed of eight slightly shorter two-story villas connected in a square formation, totaling sixteen villas—any one of which was larger than Moriarty’s residence in Avalon.
The manor was surrounded by forest on three sides, with a single road leading in from the direction they came.
At this moment, they had stopped before the bridge in front of the castle—beyond this point, carriages could not proceed. Everyone had to cross this short bridge to enter.
This castle was even larger than Star Antinomy’s Red Fortress. After crossing the not-so-long bridge, there were three flights of stairs—clearly a structure designed to prevent dampness from high tides.
The total exceeded sixty steps. After climbing these stairs, instead of a fountain at the entrance like the Red Fortress, there was a whole lake. This lake, after a long waterway, connected to the sea. Water was channeled inwards, forming a moat-like structure that kept the entire castle complex protected by flowing water.
Of course, such a structure would never be found in the Red Fortress.
—This was specifically to prevent the Child of the Moon from entering.
The Child of the Moon could not pass through flowing water; it would fill them with extreme fear. It was like forcing someone to walk on a cliff, able to traverse only a narrow, transparent glass path only two to three centimeters wide.
When walking on the ground, it was easy for a person to do this “walking on the line.” It was, in fact, about as wide as a curb, and if a person could walk on a curb, they could theoretically walk on a narrow plank over a cliff. However, the fear in their heart would prevent them from taking even a single step. Forcing them would only result in them collapsing with weak legs and falling off the cliff.
The Child of the Moon’s fear of “flowing water” was of the same nature. It stemmed from an instinctually ingrained fear.
When the Child of the Moon attempted to cross flowing water—especially when they realized they were doing so—they would experience intense fear.
However, humans could overcome their fear of heights through training. This was a transformation of “instinct” through “adaptation,” “balance,” and “authority”—through education.
But the Child of the Moon could not resist their racial instinct, just as a Child of the Moon could not stop themselves from drinking blood. Because the Path of Love advocated for indulgence, and “indulgence” here referred to instinct—and fear was also a type of instinct.
Even a Child of the Moon transformed into a bat could not fly over that “moat.” Even if a Child of the Moon took on another human form, they could not cross that long bridge; in fact, they would expose their identity in their fear.
They could only enter and exit by riding in a carriage, relying on others to transport them. This was why even when transporting distinguished guests, carriages were not allowed inside.
However, the main castle itself was not particularly tall. It was only three stories high. But the castle’s roof was adorned with numerous Gargoyle decorations. These Gargoyles were on their own “stakes,” guarding the safety of the castle.
They could expel the Und, attract curses, and a large group of Gargoyles could neutralize the effects of barriers and prophecies on the castle. This was, in fact, the most primitive use of Gargoyles.
Inside the castle, masterfully crafted sculptures and paintings were everywhere.
The carpets and tapestries had intricate decorations. The ceilings were carved with paintings or decorated with glass.
This was not even Duke Vendome’s most valuable estate; it was merely the one with the largest area and the one he resided in most frequently. After all, the environment in Lessar Gnaire was sufficiently elevated—another reason was its continuous supply of fresh water.
However, when Eivass saw this, he raised an eyebrow.
He felt a subtle strangeness. Duke Vendome’s architectural style and his precautions against the Child of the Moon gave him a peculiar sense of incongruity. Yet, he couldn’t quite articulate what was wrong.
On the road, Annie continued to try and communicate with Eivass. She would occasionally try to start a conversation, and Eivass would merely smile gently and respond. He appeared kind and polite, but in reality, he was distant. Even Eivass himself didn’t know how to interact with this “mother.”
“Speaking of which, when I first met Giulio…”
Finally, when Annie mentioned his father, Eivass’s ears twitched slightly, and he fell silent.
Annie noticed the change and joyfully began recounting amusing anecdotes from their university days:
“Do you know, Giulio was quite a mischievous and immature guy back then. Although he appeared polite and gentle, he always liked to play scary pranks or make childish practical jokes. I was brought to tears by him several times. Each time, I would think fiercely in my heart, ‘I’m not going to talk to him anymore,’ but after he apologized… I would always forgive him. After all, what else could I do? He looked like he was about to cry…
“When he was in front of others—especially in front of teachers—he always appeared steady and reliable. People always looked up to him as an idol, and many admired him. It was as if he could do anything. But in front of me, he would become like a child…”
Once she started talking, Annie couldn’t stop.
It seemed as though a great deal of emotion and words were pent up inside her, with no opportunity to express them. Even after twenty years, her memories of Giulio were still so vivid.
Ten years was enough time for people to forget old matters, but after so long, she still remembered them clearly. This was proof of being steeped in twilight.
She constantly revisited the past, which was why her memories were so clear now.
From her strong and sincere feelings for Giulio, regardless of which Annie was the Swamp Dweller, the timing of their split must have occurred after she fell in love with Giulio. In fact, her split itself might be related to this event.
For this reason, Eivass felt an increasing sense of subtlety.
This Annie also had immense and genuine affection for his father. And the “Swamp Dweller” and the original were exact replicas. It seemed that apart from “not giving birth to Eivass” and “not being killed,” Eivass’s biological mother, Annie, was not a substitute or a fake.
However, these two points were the most crucial, causing Eivass to feel an intensifying sense of disconnect and a clearer awareness that Annie was not his mother. But it was not impossible that she might love him, whom she had never met.
Neither Eivass nor Annie mentioned the secret of the “Swamp Dweller.” This was not a secret to be discussed casually in the hallway, and Eivass did not want anyone to know, nor did Annie.
Apart from Annie and the Archduke, perhaps no one else knew the hidden truth. Eivass even saw “Abigail,” whom he had met in his dreams, pass by, yawning. Upon seeing Annie and Eivass, she suddenly turned back and froze in place, showing an expression of extreme shock.
Could it be said that this was to be expected of the role Isabel played back then?
Although Eivass had no memory of his mother, Annie’s soft and timid exterior, coupled with her strong and persistent inner nature, did bear some resemblance to Isabel.
Thinking about it, the role arrangement for that Ascension Ritual was handled by the “Lord of Scales and Feathers.” One could only say that the boss’s choice of personnel had a method.
Or, in other words—He did it deliberately.
As they proceeded, they occasionally saw large portraits along the way.
In a daze, Eivass almost felt like he was home. This was because everyone on the walls bore a slight resemblance to Eivass.
Finally, they reached the main hall.
It was almost midnight by this time.
And the old man with white hair and a white beard sat in the reception room, quietly waiting for his distinguished guest. Sherlock sat beside him, wearing only a thin silk shirt, slowly drinking black tea.
The Old Duke was not wearing the elaborate and ornate ceremonial robes of a duke but a red Fox Down Pajamas with warm fuzz. Even though it was summer, his hands and feet were still cold, his purplish skin looking exceptionally cold. The room even had a fireplace lit.
—At that moment, Eivass froze.
…Although the color was different, it was the familiar Fox Down Pajamas.
He had a pair just like it, almost identical.
It was a gift from his foster father, Moriarty.
