The sky slowly darkened. Drizzles of rain and snow were still falling outside. Often, gusts of chilly wind were blowing into the house from the door, preventing the hall from warming up.
The flame in the fireplace was going strong, often giving out crackling noises. The crackling noises were extremely clear in the silent hall.
There were only four people in the hall at this moment – Count Selin, the black-robed old man, young girl Shelly, and Merlin.
Count Selin was leaning against his wooden chair and sitting beside the fireplace. He squinted his eyes and half of his face turned bright red due to the heat from the fireplace. He seemed calm but his tightly-clamped hands had betrayed his nervous feeling.
The old man was still sitting cross-legged on the floor. His long black robe had covered his whole body. Since he did not move, a mysterious air surrounded him under the gradually darkened sky.
