As Chu Yan descended the staircase to partake in the barbecue with Shanaoya, the previously encountered female officer, Omiya, made her appearance.
Her face bore an expression of near-frozen severity, and she silently consumed her grilled meat.
In one hand, she held a skewer of meat, while the other cradled a mug of ale; her posture resembled that of a soldier at rations, her back straight and rigid, yet the curve of her hips retained the elegance unique to femininity.
In addition to the officer, the voluptuous female mage who had previously shared tea with Janet also arrived.
However, she seemed to merely come to accept Janet's hospitality, consuming a few skewers before preparing to depart.
"Janet, the quality of the meat and the grilling technique are commendable, yet an excess of grilled meat leads me to concern myself with my figure. I must return to my spellbook now."
"Not a problem. Why not indulge in a few berries to cleanse your palate? The young lord has treated us!"
Janet approached Chu Yan, snatched the juicy berries from his hand, and tossed one onto the soft bosom of the female mage. It bounced twice before landing in her grasp.
Knowing that Chu Yan had long wished to engage with the other female prisoners, she gave him a gentle nudge in that direction.
However, upon witnessing Janet's bold actions, both Chu Yan and Shanaoya's expressions shifted subtly, their gazes flickering.
Yet, Chu Yan managed to maintain his composure, politely nodding in greeting to the mature mage.
She responded with an elegant gaze before departing.
That berry was from Shanaoya...
Chu Yan had initially intended to strike up a conversation, but now he found himself at a loss for words. After a moment, he turned to Janet and asked:
"Is there anyone else who will be joining us?"
"Perhaps in a moment. The rest have just finished dealing with the elite monsters from the sea, and I suspect they are too exhausted to venture out."
"Can they truly sleep through it? It seems I might share a common language with these individuals."
Janet returned with a platter of grilled meat for the two, teasing Shanaoya:
"I thought you wouldn't come down, yet here you are, gracing us with your presence!"
Feeling the teasing gaze from Janet, Shanaoya felt a wave of embarrassment, and after Janet moved away, she nudged Chu Yan with her elbow.
"Two days' pay deducted!"
The price seemed disproportionately steep compared to merely sharing a bed...
Chu Yan recognized that Shanaoya sought a way to alleviate her embarrassment and chose not to haggle.
They finished a platter together, and Shanaoya voluntarily took on the role of grill master, while Chu Yan approached Omiya in hopes of conversation.
Omiya's dark hair was fashioned into a high ponytail, her countenance exuding a resolute and profound demeanor, radiating an aura that made her seem unapproachable. Yet, upon closer inspection, her beauty was undeniable.
Chu Yan dared not linger in his gaze, hastily stating his purpose:
"Miss Omiya, would you mind if I asked a somewhat sensitive question?"
"That depends on the degree of sensitivity."
Upon receiving a reply, Chu Yan exhaled in relief; he had feared being outright ignored, which would have been truly awkward.
"What is your perspective on the situation in Jile City and the Sea of Death as a whole?"
"The situation is quite sensitive."
"...?"
Chu Yan felt a surge of discomfort—what a solemn manner of dialogue!
She was, quite simply, the queen of awkward silences, leaving him at a loss for how to continue the conversation.
Moreover, Omiya's response did not seem meant to dismiss him; she had articulated her thoughts with careful consideration.
Fortunately, she elaborated on her viewpoint succinctly.
"It appears that the castle's suppression array has encountered some issues; its power is waning, and the recovery time for the inhabitants has lengthened.
The nobles are unnaturally quiet, likely plotting something nefarious.
The next wave of elite monsters emerging from the sea will likely coincide with this period.
In recent days, the skies above the Sea of Death have turned clear."
When she spoke, it was always a deluge of points...
Yet, if she had to say something, Omiya was indeed focused on the essentials; if her assertions were accurate, then the situation was indeed quite precarious!
Amidst this series of sensitive points, Omiya's concluding remark seemed oddly out of place.
It was too commonplace.
Employing his skill of discerning the intent behind her words, he pressed further:
"The skies over the Sea of Death are clear, Miss Omiya. Are you perhaps attempting to compliment me, using the scenery to articulate your high regard for my recent endeavors?"
"..."
A question mark seemed to hover over the head of the female officer, as she replied bluntly:
"You are overthinking it. I merely find it unusual. However, you have indeed made noticeable changes to the Sea of Death... I am full now; enjoy your meal, my lord."
Omiya stood and departed, setting off for a stroll in the city.
Chu Yan wished to say something to retain her, pondering if he had any more charming phrases at his disposal, but ultimately chose to refrain.
Forcing conversation would be too contrived; at least he had established a solid opening.
Shortly after he resumed his seat, the rare sound of wagons echoed from outside, as three carriages entered the castle courtyard.
Upon the carriages adorned the emblem of the church.
As he pondered this, two or three nuns emerged from the castle—individuals he had not previously encountered.
A few nuns climbed aboard the carriages, while several others disembarked.
It appeared to be some sort of shift change, and once completed, the three church carriages departed without so much as a greeting to Chu Yan.
"Shanaoya, do you know what that was about? Why would the nuns come to this place?"
Chu Yan inquired, genuinely curious.
Could it be that among the nuns, some had fallen prey to forbidden powers?
But why would they bring someone and then take them back?
Regrettably, Shanaoya shook her head in confusion:
"I'm not sure; they likely reside on the second floor. I've seen them once or twice during my sword practice—a group of reclusive individuals.
When Janet returns from her 'delivery,' we can ask her about it."
At this moment, having satisfied his appetite and with no one available for conversation, Chu Yan found himself reflecting on the "blind box" he had recently acquired.
—The relic of the former lord of the Sea of Death.
Focusing his fingertips, he summoned dragon fire, and the potent flame swiftly melted the lock, which was resistant to magic but not rust.
Upon opening the box, he discovered not treasures or gems but rather a journal.
From the perspective of a "blind box," this was undoubtedly a disappointment.
Chu Yan had never sought wealth, so he felt no sense of loss; instead, he opened the journal and began to peruse its contents.
[In the Sea of Death region, a unique celestial phenomenon known as the Blood Moon exists, one that cannot be observed from the outside... When the Blood Moon appears, the sky is clear, and the moon looms large, resembling the crimson eye of a divine being.]
[The anomalous tidal forces induced by the Blood Moon enhance the strength of the Sea of Death's monsters and can lead to emotional instability among the forbidden ones, even resulting in contagious nightmares, occasionally accompanied by whispers of 'witches' in dreams...]
[Some of the forbidden ones become irritable, while others experience an intensified sense of possession... Even mundane objects can spark disputes.]
[Ancestors advised fortifying the magical array, but the methods have been lost; one must trust in the wisdom of future generations.]
[Ensure that the forbidden ones receive ample rest to prevent them from sleeping and dreaming.]
Abruptly, Chu Yan closed the book, gazing vacantly at the evening sky, pinching the bridge of his nose in distress.
"Please, tell me this is a jest! Why must I be faced with such misfortune?"
His intention was to sleep soundly until the trial concluded!