Silent Crown

After trudging for two days, Charles finally returned to the capital of the Caucasus.

In the strong smell of herbs, after the chorale musicians changed the bandages and plaster on him, and released movements of recovery, his wounds still showed little improvement.

Even though he had lost all his power, Charles’ resistance towards musical movements was still too strong.

“Leave us,” in the corner of the ward, Gaius calmly ordered.

Soon, the doctors left the room, leaving Gaius and Charles alone.

“Why did you not retreat?” Gaius’s voice was cold, and he suppressed his anger. “Charles, why did you violate my orders?”

On the hospital bed, Charles smiled awkwardly, his face still pale. “If I leave, many will die because of me, surely I can’t simply do nothing and leave them?”

Gaius’s tone became indifferent. “You should be clear that they are the people of Asgard, our enemies.”

“Er… even so, shouldn’t the king be solely responsible for their stance against us?” Charles asked.

“Do you think that the war has been initiated by the king for his own private ends only?” Gaius sneered. “Perhaps one can find 10,000 excuses to blame it on the king and the Senate, but ultimately, doesn’t it all boil down to their call?

“They want war, they need the plundered supplies, they need to drink the blood of other people, to achieve their status! The taxes each of them paid and government bonds they purchased would all become Asgard’s weapons, warships, and heavy aether cannons.

“They chose to let others suffer so that they themselves would not be poor and suffer! You show so much compassion now, but have they ever pitied you?

“When the food supply of the Caucasus was blocked, their whole nation cheered. When the spring plowing of the Caucasus was interrupted, they sang and danced in glee… They are not innocents, none of the Asgardians are innocent!”

Charles was stunned. “But…”

“No buts!” Gaius interrupted him. “Be clear about the people you want to protect, Charles! Have you ever thought about the number of people who have paid the price for your actions to fulfill your wish?

“Now, in order to escort you back, not only did we lose more than 6,000 soldiers, but we also almost lost the fruits of the sacrifices made by countless people all this while also being under the counterattack of the group of Asgardians!

“Because of your compassion, your pity for the enemy, we not only cannot follow up the attack by implementing two large-scale combat plans, you’ve also let everyone see your cowardice, your scars, and your weaknesses.”

“But… we have won,” Charles defended his stance, stammering. “You see, I have crushed the Holy City and defeated so many saints, even the Golden Palace has been knocked down. We have already won.”

“This is only the first step, surely you don’t want to stop here, Charles? You should have been able to achieve more if everything had gone according to plan! For the Revolutionary Army and the Caucasus, this is just the beginning!”

Gaius’ tone was solemn. “One single victory is far from enough! We must get it done in one vigorous effort and completely establish a new order belonging to us!”

Charles replied, “But we can take it slow, one day…”

“Do you want to put all your trust in the illusory future? Charles!” Gaius looked at him. “Because of your cowardice and fear?”

Charles was silent.

After a long time, he asked softly, “Do we have to continue the war?”

“Yes, Charles,” came the reply.

“Mr. Constantine, many have died already. Many died before my eyes… I don’t want to see their bodies carried from the battlefield anymore.” Charles looked at him, a hopeful look in his eyes. “Why can’t we stop first? Sir…”

“If we stop here, can you tell the ones who have died that your conscience is clear?” Gaius was no longer able to conceal his anger. “How many people have died for this victory? They trusted you and hoped that you could make their sacrifice meaningful!

“If you hesitate here, then their deaths will become a joke, part of a number simply meant for people to forget! If we can’t defeat Asgard completely, what meaning does everything we have done have?” He pointed towards the outside world from the window and roared furiously, “If you want to stop all this, then go and tell them, ask them to forgive their enemies, forget the bloodstains their comrades left, and forget the painful faces of their parents who died from starvation!”

“Are the living not as important as the dead?!” It was the first time that Charles opposed Gaius. It was not a hesitant question like the usual, but a sharp heckle. “Or have you divided the living into three, six, or nine levels, and you see the lives of the Caucasians to be nobler than that of the Asgardians?

“That way, how are you any different from the Sacred City?

“How many more people must die before you are satisfied?”

Gaius was stunned.

He spoke no more.

A long silence descended.

In the silence, he was quiet. Looking at Charles, his gaze became complicated.

“Sorry.” Charles turned his eyes away and whispered, “I didn’t mean to shout at you.”

“No, what you said is right. Maybe we should both calm down.” Gaius got up and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s been a hard time for you, Charles, rest well. After you recover, you still have a lot to do.” He said, “Having visited you without bringing a gift and told you so many upsetting things, I should be the one to apologize.”

He turned off the light for Charles and turned to leave.

But at the door, his footsteps paused.

Charles heard him bid farewell. “Death is weighty, Charles. One day, you will understand the truth.”

The door was closed.

At the last moment, his shadow was cast on the ground.

It seemed to bend under the weight.

…

Lola opened her eyes. As if she was waking up from a length dream, she saw the white curtains which were tied up. Light shone in from the open windows, illuminating the vase on the bedside and the white roses blooming.

She looked at the ceiling blankly, as if she had forgotten where she was.

After a long time, she finally lifted her palms, looking at her five fingers and the lock of music theory gradually collapsing under the flesh and blood.

“The curse is gone?” she whispered with a blank expression.

“Yeah.” On the chair in front of the window, Ye Qingxuan closed the book and smiled. “Congratulations on having attained freedom.”

Lola was silent, as if she did not hear him, and seemed to have descended into a state of blankness, immersed in thought. After a long time, she finally accepted the fact, but she felt no joy at obtaining salvation. After the pressing oppression that was like a fish bone stuck in her throat disappeared, she actually felt… at a loss.

“Is it so?” She nodded and grabbed the ladies’ cigarettes and the slender copper cigarette holder on the bedside table. She was Ye Qingxuan’s senior after all, and her pose was full of elegance even when smoking dejectedly, with charm and feminine beauty unique to women. “So, the quiet moon has really ceased to exist, right?”

“The quiet moon is just a representation, a tool of the Originator.” Ye Qingxuan was peeling an apple for her, and he said calmly, “The moment the quiet moon leaves the Originator, it is no longer a god. Even though it has power, it is nothing but a dead object that looks the same. So, you need not worry about the shackles reappearing. You are free, Lola, learn to look ahead, and stop living in the past.”

“You sound so self-confident and straightforward.” Lola laughed, amused. “Little devil, my age is three times of yours, are you really trying to act like an elder in front of me?”

“It’s just a reminder.” Ye Qingxuan deftly split the apple into two halves, threw one half to her, grabbed the other half and took two bites. He wanted to say something but was hesitant.

“My guess is that you were about to come up with some more words to educate me just now?” Lola asked.

“No, I just wanted to remind you that you have crow’s f…” Ye Qingxuan didn’t finish his words. Under Lola’s cold gaze, he obediently swallowed the last syllable, and he smiled resignedly. Sure enough, even though the curse was no longer, Lola was still Lola, and it was so difficult to even have the nerve to look for trouble in front of her.

In the silence, Lola extended a hand and tied up her long hair with a hair band. She got up and walked to the window.

After God knew how many years, she gazed at the sunlight once more.

A sea breeze blew from the distance, and white birds hovered in the skies.

“It’s really beautiful.” She lifted her hand and blocked the glare of the sun, yet she couldn’t help but squint her eyes and gaze at everything under the sun through the gaps between her fingers.

“I dreamed of Ye Lanzhou.” She whispered softly, “I have been cursed for so many years. I don’t feel scared, being alone, nor do I feel sad, I was just thinking about revenge at all costs.

“But now that the curse has left, I finally feel sad about his death. Just thinking about it makes me feel like crying. Like a little girl, I feel scared again.

“You dragged me out of the dream and back into the sun, but the dream has been too long. Little Yezi, I have nowhere to go. ”

“As long as one is alive, pain is always inevitable.” Ye Qingxuan reached out and messed up her hair. “So, you need not be afraid. After all, painful days will continue for a long time in the future.”

Lola was silent for a long time and suddenly laughed softly. “Hearing you saying so puts me at ease.”

“Are you complimenting me?” he replied.

“You can consider it a compliment.” Lola smiled. With the wind blowing in from the window, she stretched lazily, getting rid of the drowsiness that remained from the long dream.

She said, “Let’s go drinking together sometime.”

“Sure.” Ye Qingxuan nodded. “When I come back, let’s go together.”

“You really are born to lead a life of constant traveling. Clearly, things here have yet to be over.” Lola leaned against the window and looked at him, her head tilted to one side. “Are you sure you can just leave like this? There are still plenty of messes to be cleared up.”

“The things here have ended temporarily, as for the things after that, it doesn’t matter whether I am around,” he replied.

“If she hears this, Her Majesty the Empress will certainly be sad,” she said.

“…” Ye Qingxuan remained silent awkwardly.

Lola laughed gloatingly, reached out, and pinched Ye Qingxuan’s face. “Only in this aspect, you are really like him.”

“Are you insulting me?” he asked.

“Yes.” Lola glanced at him, her smile mocking. “How about, ‘go and die 10,000 times, you scum’?”

“No hurry for that, I have already died more than 9,000 times.” Ye Qingxuan spread his hands. “It isn’t difficult to get to 10,000.”

“So, where are you going to stir up trouble next?” Lola asked.

“I’m just going there to fulfill a promise.”

“Let me guess.” Lola looked at him. “To the East?”

Ye Qingxuan smiled.

He spoke no more.

He simply leaned against the deck chair and gazed at the sunlight outside the window.

The sound of the tide could be heard, just like when he left the town of Lute back then.

The sunlight was hot.

After such a long period of time, he would once again embark on a new journey. He would return to the East not in the name of House Ye, but in his own name, in the name of Ye Qingxuan.

He would do it at all costs.

He would. go and snatch the person whom he once lost back, the girl who was taken away from him!