"I don't need a case fee. Instead, why don't you spend that money on the children of this country? If you help improve the welfare and environment of orphanages throughout Vintergar, and support their education so that they can become independent when they become adults... ... Then, there won't be any cases of children being taken to that island without protection like mine."
"Hey, what are you..."
"Look at this. It's a survey of missing boys and girls from all over the continent, not just in Vintergard and Trieste, over the past 20 years. The average age is between eighteen and twelve, and they all have one thing in common: no parents to worry about if they disappear overnight. The number is increasing every year."
"Wait a minute. 15 years ago... the Roanoke Island mass disappearance of children? Is this also related to that island?"
"Yes. It's just a feeling, but I'm sure."
"Heh heh. So you're saying that you get addicted to the drugs grown on that island, have all your memories manipulated as if you were born and raised there from the beginning, and end up completely trapped like a frog in a well? You were lucky enough to escape and regain your original memories?"
"That's right. And I disguised myself because I was scared. I was afraid that the Blackwells would find out and take me back there or kill me without warning. That's why I changed my hair color and my name. I became a police officer to protect myself."
"Let's say you're right. Then why on earth did the Blackwells create such a bizarre secret community? If they needed private land to grow drugs secretly, the Trieste estate would have been safer, so I don't understand why they chose such a remote island. And if they needed labor, they probably just airlifted able-bodied men from the colonies. They didn't do hard labor either."
"Mr. Armitage. Have you ever heard of the 'Black Mass'?"
"Black Mass? You mean the Black Mass that used to be rampant in the southern part of the continent. But I heard that its lineage was completely cut off after the war. Now, I wonder... Could it be that the Blackwell family is a group of believers in a heretical cult?"
"I don't know. Trieste is currently a country that coexists with Catholicism and Protestantism. However, the Trieste royal family is considering recognizing the Caelum religion, a branch of Druidism, as an official religion last month. If the bill passes, the implications will be significant not only for Vintergar but for the entire continent."
"Caelum Church? I've heard of it too."
"It is an indigenous religion that values supernatural phenomena and rituals. Although not officially mentioned, various rituals other than alchemy have been handed down through secret books for centuries. The Blackwell family put the forbidden ritual into practice through the secret book about ten years ago. Something that should never be touched."
"The forbidden ritual...? What on earth is that?"
"All I know is that they are trying to do something with the flesh and blood of the children they brought to Remedy. Since the previous Duke, from John Blackwell to Edward and his son Kyle, the descendants of the Duke have suffered from strange symptoms. To prevent this, they have been experimenting with some kind of treatment using the children. I don't know exactly what it is. They are just hiding their identity and working for the government to keep an eye on the Duke's movements."
"The details are known only to the Duke's family and their close associates."
"Yes. I was lucky to get on that ship before I was used as a remedy. The rose tea that I always drank like water suddenly lost its effect, and my memories from before I was kidnapped began to return... It couldn’t have been anything other than God’s care. I was born with an immune system that didn’t respond to the ingredients of Opium Rose."
Even after Martin finished telling his story, Willem couldn't believe what he was hearing. He also suspected that Martin Silva was a serious delusional patient. However, he was the one who had found the kidnapper's den and rescued Bryn, and he had a very good reputation within the city of Vintergar. No matter how he looked at it, he didn't seem to have any mental problems.
“Congressman?”
“Oh, no. I was just thinking about the old days for a moment.”
When Martin called his attention, Willem's consciousness returned to reality. The five years had passed so vividly that it seemed like yesterday. As a result, he had been secretly investigating the Blackwell family's activities for several years. The more he dug into it, the more obstacles he encountered, preventing him from delving deeper. However, various circumstances made Martin's claims credible.
Moreover, he could not stop Martin from getting closer to his daughter Bryn as if it were fate. He was a wonderful young man, except for being an orphan. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that he had no intention of stopping him. Now, five years later, Martin had become Brin's unspoken fiancé, and Willem was in the position of a prospective father-in-law to help him.
Looking back, he thinks the biggest factor was the fact that Martin might one day be pursued by the Blackwell family and suffer misfortune. If that were true, he think he couldn't just sit by and watch his daughter's benefactor die a violent death like that. Maybe he unconsciously believed his story from that time on.
“Don’t worry about the ship. What I’m worried about is your safety. And besides...”
Willem exchanged a quick glance with Bryn before opening his mouth. There was tension between his furrowed brows.
“In the end, it turned out just as you said. Didn’t the Trieste royal family recently recognize the Caelum religion as an official religion? Five years ago, what you said has now become reality.”
“Yes. And... Duke Edward Blackwell also passed away a few months ago. Unless something unexpected happens, the succession ceremony for the next Duke will likely take place in March next year.”
“Kyle Rodan Blackwell. The only son of the deceased.”
“Yes.”
“Edward’s eventual death means that the Black Mass ritual of Eternity has ultimately failed. Now, what is the state of the next Duke, Kyle Rodan Blackwell... We have no idea whether the experiment was successful or not.”
“We also don’t know whether the children are alive or dead. Some children may be adults now, while others were most recently taken to the island... We must rescue them.”
“That’s right. To prevent future innocent victims, the existence of the island must be revealed to the world. Then, the exact nature of the Eternity Consciousness will be revealed.”
Martin nodded. If Kyle had been a daughter instead of a son - then he too might have died on the island.
The sex ratio of the children taken to the island for the purpose of remedies was balanced. If the Duke's first child was a boy, a girl was always on standby as a candidate for the cure, and if it was a girl, a boy was always on standby as a candidate for the cure. That was the natural order of things set by the ritual that the Blackwell family had touched, 'Eternity'.
“There are rumors that the Blackwell family in the capital is already exerting influence over the imperial family. We must stop them before their power expands further... We have our limits.”
“No matter how much power the Duke holds, won’t the imperial family itself eventually collapse? There are signs of rebellion all over Trieste. The peasants who oppose the return to feudalism and insist on a constitutional monarchy like Vintergar are raising their voices by the day. They are suppressing it by force for now, but it is questionable how long this will last.”
“That’s right. There’s no way to stop the flow of time. In the end, it will just go its course.”
The three of them poured their remaining teacups as if they were making a resolution to each other. Martin's image of the blonde girl came back to his mind once again.
Angie had to appear in his dreams somehow. Only then could he relay his plan and rescue her. The determination to save the child was once again building. It seemed that only by safely escaping Angie could he begin to save the others on the island.
Angie was home on vacation for the last week of the year, and the Duke's messenger delivered the letter late in the afternoon, as she was preparing New Year's Eve dinner for her parents who were at work.
As soon as she received the letter, she opened it right there without even taking off her apron. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Was the young master finally finishing his treatment and returning to the main building? She hoped so.
The wind was so strong that the tips of her fingers trembled as she opened the letter. Only four lines were written on the pure white page.
"Dear Angie.
I will send a carriage at midnight tonight. Wear the dress I sent you before and wait for me in the Generalife gardens.
Kai. "
“Ah... Master Kai!”
Her chest was pounding with joy. Her heart swelled as if it would burst, and even breathing was difficult. Angie pressed the letter against her chest. She held it there for a long time as if doing so would calm her heart. Before she knew it, her eyes were also moist.
Angie put the letter back in the envelope with tears in her eyes. Then she went into her room and took out a ribbon box from under the bed. Inside the treasure box, which contained only the most precious things, were piled-up letters from the master. Only Snowball was quietly sitting by the window, revealing its presence.
"Hey, what are you..."
"Look at this. It's a survey of missing boys and girls from all over the continent, not just in Vintergard and Trieste, over the past 20 years. The average age is between eighteen and twelve, and they all have one thing in common: no parents to worry about if they disappear overnight. The number is increasing every year."
"Wait a minute. 15 years ago... the Roanoke Island mass disappearance of children? Is this also related to that island?"
"Yes. It's just a feeling, but I'm sure."
"Heh heh. So you're saying that you get addicted to the drugs grown on that island, have all your memories manipulated as if you were born and raised there from the beginning, and end up completely trapped like a frog in a well? You were lucky enough to escape and regain your original memories?"
"That's right. And I disguised myself because I was scared. I was afraid that the Blackwells would find out and take me back there or kill me without warning. That's why I changed my hair color and my name. I became a police officer to protect myself."
"Let's say you're right. Then why on earth did the Blackwells create such a bizarre secret community? If they needed private land to grow drugs secretly, the Trieste estate would have been safer, so I don't understand why they chose such a remote island. And if they needed labor, they probably just airlifted able-bodied men from the colonies. They didn't do hard labor either."
"Mr. Armitage. Have you ever heard of the 'Black Mass'?"
"Black Mass? You mean the Black Mass that used to be rampant in the southern part of the continent. But I heard that its lineage was completely cut off after the war. Now, I wonder... Could it be that the Blackwell family is a group of believers in a heretical cult?"
"I don't know. Trieste is currently a country that coexists with Catholicism and Protestantism. However, the Trieste royal family is considering recognizing the Caelum religion, a branch of Druidism, as an official religion last month. If the bill passes, the implications will be significant not only for Vintergar but for the entire continent."
"Caelum Church? I've heard of it too."
"It is an indigenous religion that values supernatural phenomena and rituals. Although not officially mentioned, various rituals other than alchemy have been handed down through secret books for centuries. The Blackwell family put the forbidden ritual into practice through the secret book about ten years ago. Something that should never be touched."
"The forbidden ritual...? What on earth is that?"
"All I know is that they are trying to do something with the flesh and blood of the children they brought to Remedy. Since the previous Duke, from John Blackwell to Edward and his son Kyle, the descendants of the Duke have suffered from strange symptoms. To prevent this, they have been experimenting with some kind of treatment using the children. I don't know exactly what it is. They are just hiding their identity and working for the government to keep an eye on the Duke's movements."
"The details are known only to the Duke's family and their close associates."
"Yes. I was lucky to get on that ship before I was used as a remedy. The rose tea that I always drank like water suddenly lost its effect, and my memories from before I was kidnapped began to return... It couldn’t have been anything other than God’s care. I was born with an immune system that didn’t respond to the ingredients of Opium Rose."
Even after Martin finished telling his story, Willem couldn't believe what he was hearing. He also suspected that Martin Silva was a serious delusional patient. However, he was the one who had found the kidnapper's den and rescued Bryn, and he had a very good reputation within the city of Vintergar. No matter how he looked at it, he didn't seem to have any mental problems.
“Congressman?”
“Oh, no. I was just thinking about the old days for a moment.”
When Martin called his attention, Willem's consciousness returned to reality. The five years had passed so vividly that it seemed like yesterday. As a result, he had been secretly investigating the Blackwell family's activities for several years. The more he dug into it, the more obstacles he encountered, preventing him from delving deeper. However, various circumstances made Martin's claims credible.
Moreover, he could not stop Martin from getting closer to his daughter Bryn as if it were fate. He was a wonderful young man, except for being an orphan. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that he had no intention of stopping him. Now, five years later, Martin had become Brin's unspoken fiancé, and Willem was in the position of a prospective father-in-law to help him.
Looking back, he thinks the biggest factor was the fact that Martin might one day be pursued by the Blackwell family and suffer misfortune. If that were true, he think he couldn't just sit by and watch his daughter's benefactor die a violent death like that. Maybe he unconsciously believed his story from that time on.
“Don’t worry about the ship. What I’m worried about is your safety. And besides...”
Willem exchanged a quick glance with Bryn before opening his mouth. There was tension between his furrowed brows.
“In the end, it turned out just as you said. Didn’t the Trieste royal family recently recognize the Caelum religion as an official religion? Five years ago, what you said has now become reality.”
“Yes. And... Duke Edward Blackwell also passed away a few months ago. Unless something unexpected happens, the succession ceremony for the next Duke will likely take place in March next year.”
“Kyle Rodan Blackwell. The only son of the deceased.”
“Yes.”
“Edward’s eventual death means that the Black Mass ritual of Eternity has ultimately failed. Now, what is the state of the next Duke, Kyle Rodan Blackwell... We have no idea whether the experiment was successful or not.”
“We also don’t know whether the children are alive or dead. Some children may be adults now, while others were most recently taken to the island... We must rescue them.”
“That’s right. To prevent future innocent victims, the existence of the island must be revealed to the world. Then, the exact nature of the Eternity Consciousness will be revealed.”
Martin nodded. If Kyle had been a daughter instead of a son - then he too might have died on the island.
The sex ratio of the children taken to the island for the purpose of remedies was balanced. If the Duke's first child was a boy, a girl was always on standby as a candidate for the cure, and if it was a girl, a boy was always on standby as a candidate for the cure. That was the natural order of things set by the ritual that the Blackwell family had touched, 'Eternity'.
“There are rumors that the Blackwell family in the capital is already exerting influence over the imperial family. We must stop them before their power expands further... We have our limits.”
“No matter how much power the Duke holds, won’t the imperial family itself eventually collapse? There are signs of rebellion all over Trieste. The peasants who oppose the return to feudalism and insist on a constitutional monarchy like Vintergar are raising their voices by the day. They are suppressing it by force for now, but it is questionable how long this will last.”
“That’s right. There’s no way to stop the flow of time. In the end, it will just go its course.”
The three of them poured their remaining teacups as if they were making a resolution to each other. Martin's image of the blonde girl came back to his mind once again.
Angie had to appear in his dreams somehow. Only then could he relay his plan and rescue her. The determination to save the child was once again building. It seemed that only by safely escaping Angie could he begin to save the others on the island.
***
Angie was home on vacation for the last week of the year, and the Duke's messenger delivered the letter late in the afternoon, as she was preparing New Year's Eve dinner for her parents who were at work.
As soon as she received the letter, she opened it right there without even taking off her apron. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Was the young master finally finishing his treatment and returning to the main building? She hoped so.
The wind was so strong that the tips of her fingers trembled as she opened the letter. Only four lines were written on the pure white page.
"Dear Angie.
I will send a carriage at midnight tonight. Wear the dress I sent you before and wait for me in the Generalife gardens.
Kai. "
“Ah... Master Kai!”
Her chest was pounding with joy. Her heart swelled as if it would burst, and even breathing was difficult. Angie pressed the letter against her chest. She held it there for a long time as if doing so would calm her heart. Before she knew it, her eyes were also moist.
Angie put the letter back in the envelope with tears in her eyes. Then she went into her room and took out a ribbon box from under the bed. Inside the treasure box, which contained only the most precious things, were piled-up letters from the master. Only Snowball was quietly sitting by the window, revealing its presence.
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