As Chu Yan pondered the complexities of life, he gazed into the clear sky, lost in a myriad of thoughts.
Janet descended, bearing an empty tray.
It seemed the female inmates were thoroughly pleased with her grilling skills, rewarding her generously with substantial "tips."
Dozens of gold vouchers, each denominated in thousands, were stuffed into her ample cleavage, signifying a bountiful return.
Upon witnessing her demeanor, Shanaoya was subtly reminded of tavern courtesans, her expression a mixture of curiosity and irony as she inquired:
"Did you offer grilled meat along with other services? How else did you earn such generous compensation?"
Janet, fully aware of Shanaoya's implications, smiled in response:
"Of course, there were additional services—delivering the food to their rooms counts, doesn't it? As for the money, it serves as a form of exchange among the castle's forbidden ones.
Perhaps in the future, you too will become part of this arrangement, Shanaoya."
Living together here inevitably required mutual assistance, yet none of the women locked away were ordinary individuals.
No one held a subordinate position over another; no one could command the others.
Even Shanaoya, despite her modesty, was capable of unleashing considerable power, making her a formidable presence that even the discipline squad would find challenging.
Thus, this "tip" served as a lubricant, a small token of gratitude for assistance rendered.
The bills nestled within Janet's bosom had once been her own gifts to her fellow inmates, now having circled back to her.
Shanaoya reluctantly grasped the implication and quipped:
"Well, the fact that they slipped money to you suggests that none of them are particularly serious; perhaps they possess a sense of humor?"
Janet was less certain. Clearing her throat, she replied:
"It's also possible that when I tipped them a few months back, I slipped the notes into their stockings, and this is their form of retribution..."
Shanaoya: "..."
The barbecue gathering concluded satisfactorily, though few emerged, which seemed to be the norm.
Janet glanced at the lord, who appeared lost in thought, and asked:
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell from overeating?"
Chu Yan took a sip of water to steady himself, uncertain where to begin. After calming his thoughts, he resolved to address matters one at a time.
"Janet, what's the situation with those nuns? Were they sent here for penance? How can they leave afterward?"
"The church's nuns? They can be viewed as individuals here for learning purposes; hence, they rarely leave their quarters to avoid mingling with us."
"Learning? I'm seriously inquiring about this matter."
Chu Yan regarded her incredulously, suspecting that Janet was jesting.
Arriving at the Sea of Death cannot simply be termed as 'learning'; it resembles more of a punishment or reform. Perhaps those nuns have sampled forbidden fruits.
"It is truly for learning—one might say they are experiencing miracles. The magical array here is said to have been left by a radiant archangel, who, upon witnessing the severity of this place, established a suppression array to contain the forbidden aura.
But consider them as non-existent; these nuns won't acknowledge us."
Janet's words stirred reminiscences of helplessness within Shanaoya.
The puzzlement she had encountered while practicing swordplay at last found some clarity, and she exclaimed:
"No wonder when I crossed paths with one of the nuns, she immediately began to confess without hesitation; she must have feared becoming tainted..."
Since these nuns were not extraordinary beings, Chu Yan decided not to dwell further on the subject.
He then inquired about the clear sky, yet regrettably, even Janet, who had lived in two such exile locations, had never heard of any unusual celestial phenomena.
Returning to his room, Shanaoya noticed Chu Yan's troubled demeanor.
With a cup of tea before him, he sat silently at the desk, lost in deep contemplation.
His gaze remained fixed on the small box gifted by the traveling merchant.
"Chu Yan, you seem distracted. When you were questioning Janet earlier, you appeared burdened by your thoughts. Is there something troubling you about that box?"
Chu Yan had not mentioned the journal within the box during their earlier conversation; he wished to organize his thoughts without prematurely spreading unease among them.
Of course, it was possible that he alone was feeling anxious.
Now that Shanaoya had taken notice, he had no choice but to let her glance at the journal's content, believing it would convey more than any words of explanation.
Upon finishing, Shanaoya's expression was peculiar yet calm; she mused quietly:
"Is this nonsensical? It instructs us to ensure ample rest while simultaneously forbidding us from sleeping and dreaming.
Yet clear skies over the Sea of Death are indeed exceedingly rare..."
The celestial phenomena were but one aspect; crucially, the officer had mentioned the weakening of the magical array.
Chu Yan recalled that the forbidden ones usually regained their mental acuity rapidly while residing within the castle's confines. For instance, Shanaoya previously required several days to recuperate—an unusual circumstance.
One might assume she had sustained serious injuries.
And Shanaoya was not the only exception; the last group of forbidden ones charged with exterminating the elite monsters from the Sea of Death had yet to show any inclination to venture outdoors.
They remained cooped up, resting, causing one to speculate that they were avoiding the charming and handsome lord, Chu Yan.
"Chu Yan, are you worried about failing the assessment?"
"No, I believe that even if I falter, the executioner will still bestow a passing grade. Rather, I am increasingly concerned about you all.
This Blood Moon phenomenon seems to signify something ominous for you."
The forbidden ones here fear no external threats; however, situations that could incite negative emotions within them are far more alarming.
Regrettably, the journal did not provide complete intelligence, leaving Chu Yan in a state of anxiety.
He contemplated whether he should consider relocating the forbidden ones away from the Sea of Death.
The beautiful knight felt a warmth in her heart, touched by his concern. Having grown accustomed to malice, Shanaoya struggled to adjust to such straightforward care.
Her gaze shifted awkwardly, and after clearing her throat, she said:
"Setting aside whether this journal is a prank, we can prioritize getting ample sleep before the alleged arrival of the Blood Moon.
We can rest thoroughly and then endure this celestial event in one go.
As for the elite monsters expected to emerge shortly, there is no need for concern; do not underestimate the dark magic I have mastered."
Chu Yan, lacking the eloquence for sentimental reassurances, smiled and suggested:
"Then I shall inform Janet, and we shall prepare for rest together?"
...
Old Piga disembarked, weary from his travels, surveying the surrounding architecture. He confirmed that he had arrived in the territory of the Black Ice Dragon Clan.
This was the city of Black Ice, the capital of the Black Ice Dragon Clan, nestled within the snowy heights.
In the past, he would never have dared to come here, even though the Piga family had engaged in numerous clandestine transactions with the Black Ice Dragons. On the surface, he remained an external subordinate of the Dragon Flame Clan.
The two dragon clans did not get along in the broader context.
Yet, with the death of his son, the isolated old Piga felt considerably less trepidation.
"I am Old Piga; may I report to Young Master Connice?"