Chapter 201: Twenty-third Episode: Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 201: Twenty-third Episode: Chapter 2
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
On the 8th day of the 2nd month, the first batch of the migrating birds arrived in Dulin after having been away for a long time. These sojourning travelers made a racket in the fresh and cool morning. At this time every day, the eaves of the Dulin Scott Cathedral would be covered with white doves, as well as some with mixed colors. The clergymen who got up early would scatter the breadcrumbs swept out from the dining room onto the lawn of the yard. The green grass had just produced new buds, resembling a Persian cashmere rug. The doves were pecking away competitively at it. A large gaggle of wild geese had descended from the sky; the first batch of the migrating birds referred to them. They had massive builds and their feathers had a glossy shine to them. The uninterested doves were quickly driven back to the eaves.
His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette did not sleep a wink the entire night... as a result of his busy work schedule. He and the staff officers had finalized two covert operations beyond the borders in the early morning of the 7th. He had also sat through three important briefings.
It was 7 o'clock in the morning. His Highness the Prince took a carriage and rushed to the church. He was utterly exhausted, but he did not dare rush his eyes.
The cathedral kept a few healthy Black Danes. Prince O'Neil loves them. Today, he brought a few pieces of fresh beef as usual. When the Danes caught sight of the young man, they crowded around him starting salivating. However, during the feeding process, an incident occurred. A male dog suddenly threw itself onto another male dog. Oscar lost his former love for pets. He aimed a kick at the male dog that was on the other dog and then said to it deadpan, ”Ignorant... ” Then, he left. His Imperial Highness detoured through the botanical garden that was filled with seeds of the flowers, passed through the cloister that was filled with doves that had settled down on it and arrived at the destination of this trip after passing through an iron gate inlaid with silver. It was a small cemetery. The Imperial Household members who had died prematurely before being born were buried here. Between the spring tiger orchid and bare laurel trees, there were dozens of white marble gravestones. Oscar scared the magpies that were blocking the way away and came to a halt before his child that was not born.
”Are you doing okay?” the young prince touched the gravestone gently. Although all he felt was ice-cold dews, the man's eyes emanated with unprecedented warmth.
”Did you like the story yesterday?” Oscar stared at the gravestone. He was hoping to feel even the slightest of movements coming from the stone, and as a result was naturally rather disappointed.
”Very well... it's not good for a little guy like you to be so picky!” Oscar spread his hands in compromise. He simply sat on the ground and leaned against the gravestone of his son or daughter with his shoulders.
”Today I bring an even better story. I hope you like it! Once upon a time... there was a person called Leon, Arsea Crelini's drug dealer. He only does business with trustworthy people. However, one time...”
***************
”He came again...” Paul snorted. He complained while he massaged the muscles at the corner of his eyes. This man before him, who was facing the gravestone muttering to himself, had already worked through twenty-nine hours.
If this still wasn't enough, then the most ridiculous thing was that he had to listen to all the nonsensical hymn-singing choir in the church before being able to fall asleep.
”Doesn't this one count?” Messier pouted in the direction of the small cemetery. ”Today is the story of the great drug dealer. Yesterday was the narration of the story of Godot, the devil ax-killer. The day before yesterday was the development and current state of the Cecil Mafia... Isn't it outrageous for him to be telling these stories... to such a young soul as though they were nursery rhymes?”
Paul made a gesture to silence him immediately. ”Lower your voice! Don't let him hear!”
Messier whipped his head away in anger, but half a second later he turned back reluctantly, ”Paul, people like us are still unable to persuade His Highness the Prince. Moreover, we dare not! But you are different! You are his friend, he will listen to you.”
”What do you intend to do?” Paul eyed the Head of the Military Intelligence that was intelligent and was most of the time regarded as a man of deceit with vigilance.
”What do I intend to do? I want to make him buck him and make him get excited. Just look at how he is now!” cried Messier while he was spreading his hands toward the seemingly mentally ill prince. ”You see? His face is etched with sorrow, his eyes are weary, the unhealthy flush of the skin is known as withering, and the fact that he had no contact with women for more than half a month is known as...”
”Enough is enough!” Paul promptly stopped him. ”Tell me, what do you intend to do?”
Messier gazed momentarily at Paul, whose face was written with hope and in the end murmured in the assassin's ear. However, as soon as Paul heard it he immediately wanted to cry out, but Messier cupped his hand over his mouth.
”Not a sound! Not a sound! If Oscar hears of it he will kill us, we can't say for sure...”
***************
With that said, at nine o'clock in the morning when the Dulin Scott Cathedral just rang the bell of the early Mass, a group of fully-armed Narcissus Knights appeared at the corner of the church's main street. The flag bearers in the lead kept blowing whistles, signifying to the others to make way. The carriages and stream of people on the street moved aside one after another.
The knights guarded an unremarkable carriage. Not long after that, the carriage came to a halt before the huge church doors. The Narcissus knights immediately crowded up. Using shields and horses, they guarded the body of the carriage. They even formed long lineups that could only accommodate one person on either side of the paved pathway leading to the great hall of the church.
The nearby crowd did not seem to have the slightest curiosity, despite the fact that the Narcissus Knight's actions were unusually odd. Perhaps they had all heard that His Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette had already treated the Dulin Scott as a free hotel. He had already stayed at the church for more than a week.
The carriage door opened and a portly man, who was covered in a cloak, jumped down clumsily. He cut through the slightly crowded human wall until the doors to the Holy Mass Hall of the church slowly closed behind him.
Maslow Riodre was the name of the mysterious guest. Under normal circumstances, people would relate a paunchy man who seemed like a glutton to a chef or a pig-like animal. However, such a perception was not completely accurate. Take Maslow Riodre for example, this stout man was the founder of modern psychology and animal behavior. It could be seen that there was no certain connection between fats and intelligence.
Oscar was very clear about his state. He also knew that this was not a normal thing. This was because no one would have to listen to the choir singing hymns to sleep. Oscar himself was not too clear about… the cause of the matter, but according to Murat's explanation, the cause of the matter was that of the 25th of the 1st month.
***************
On the 25th day of the 1st month, Oscar made his way out of Hamilton Palace dejectedly. He dragged Torry and a group of trustworthy people for drinks... or one could also say, whoring. However, to be honest, the round of drinks was not very cheerful. This was because Oscar only drank, but did not speak or entertain the women who were seducing him... All of them were affected by him.
It seemed that... on the night of the 25th, only Torry appeared very elated, as he did not expect to be able to stimulate the memories of his single life after having just gotten married not too long ago. However, a person with such huge nerves was not very common. The high-ranking generals that were trusted aides, the brain trusts, and bodyguards that knew His Highness the Prince well, could detect a few clues regarding this matter.
It was only until later was it only known that… it was a huge matter! Perhaps he wanted to leave Dulin. In fact, Oscar had indeed already set the date of departure. He planned to ignore Alanis, who had nothing to say, and the wretched incident of leaked secrets. He made up his mind to leave Dulin. However, before he left, he mysteriously yearned to visit the unborn child... he and Alanis' child.
***************
That was a matter in the middle of the night of the 28th day of the 1st month. First of all, we knew that there was a problem with this time! In the dead of night, a group of torch-wielding Narcissus Knights and an exceedingly noble prince of the Empire strolled into the deserted church cemetery. Oscar produced some fresh flowers from who-knows-where and then saluted the gravestone. Murat was present at the scene, so he explained the matter. He said that... in the early hours of the morning, the head of the Andrew Family stood for a full two hours in the haunted cemetery of Dulin Scott Cathedral.
Was the cathedral haunted? That's right! This was the key! Murat did not know the thing his young master saw, but Oscar should have, indeed, perhaps, possibly, probably, seen something.
Otherwise, he pointed towards a spot with a trembling finger, breathing heavily. Then, his eyes rolled upwards and he fainted.
In other words... Murat did not know the thing that Oscar saw. He knew that the head of the Andrews, the Marshal, passed out without reason. Just like a person with heart disease, he clutched his chest and with his mouth wide open, fainted!
This was a matter that took place in the dead of night. The wretched Percy was taking care of the assassin who struggled against drug addiction on the Swan Hill. He did not witness the things that happened to Oscar. So first of all, the first reaction of Murat and all the knights present was to draw their swords and issue a warning! They thought that their master had encountered an ambush. Moreover, he appeared to be on the verge of death. Hence, Murat and the Narcissus Knights were not in a hurry to ascertain Oscar's state but to look into everything that was worth being suspicious over. We should say that such a reaction was exceedingly proper, for guarding should be that way.
Next, the human shields, which completely shielded the prince with their bodies, finally realized that their master was not injured, but had instead lost consciousness. At that moment, no one dared to lift the alert. Thus, the dazed prince continued to lie on the ground pretending to be dead. After that... Murat and the knights put together their spears to make a stretcher. They carried the unconscious main character into the church and shouted loudly. They kept shouting their young master's name. Some that were weak-hearted cried on the spot and some who thought that they had let the assassin get away were about to end their own lives… In short, the scene that followed after was in great confusion!
”At last...” Oscar shot Paul a look that said ”wait and see” and then only turned to face the doctor. ”The surgeon can't find out what's wrong, the physician also thinks that I'm healthy, so... a few smart ass guys found you!”
Mr. Maslow Riodre rubbed the sweat from his forehead, beaming. It was indeed true that all fatties loved to sweat.
***************
”Your Royal Highness, does being referred to as a psychiatrist make you feel repulsed... or is it just that a little unbelievable?”
Oscar still wanted to shoot another gaze at Paul, but he knew that Snowstorm had already slipped out of the door.
”I can't talk about it, and I don't think it's that unbelievable. I just don't quite understand this matter before my eyes!” Oscar declared his feelings truthfully.
Maslow scrunched up the fat on his face. It could be seen that he was trying to put on a harmless look.
”To be honest, Your Imperial Highness, I'm very much surprised when I saw you. Furthermore, I find it a little unbelievable! Because… because you're O'Neil Andrew Morisette! You're the prince of the Empire, the husband of Her Majesty Empress, the leader of the Narcissus Knights, the Marshal of the Imperial Guards. If you were to have a serious mental health problem…”
”Ola, this conversation is over!” Oscar stood up impatiently. Just listen to what the self-righteous, wretched fatty before him was saying! A serious mental health problem? If it weren't for Paul using his own life to vouch for this pig, he believed that he would have long since swung his sword at him…
”Your Highness! Your Highness!” Maslow wiggled his whole body of fat in alarm. He was not concerned about the conversation therapy with O'Neil Andrew Morisette. What he feared was that dreaded command from the head officer of the Military Intelligence – if he could not strike up an hour-long conversation with His Highness the Prince, he would have to go to the Zorangash Wetlands for hard labor.
”Hold on! Are you afraid of a psychiatrist? This isn't a joke? You have never feared all the difficulties spread out before you!”
Oscar retracted his eagerness to stand up. He did not deny that the fatty's flattery was quite considerate.
”You see, no matter what, I'm also a doctor. You have to describe the situation at that time for me!” Maslow made a huge effort in coaxing the highly noble Imperial Highness Prince.
Oscar settled back into the sofa. It was not that he did not want to bring it up, but the whole matter was indeed exceedingly weird.
”I saw my son!”
”Your son?” Maslow was a little doubtful. ”You don't have a son.”
”But I saw him!” Oscar turned to face the outside and pointed. ”Right in the cemetery! That night! He was wearing red, fox fur waistcoat lined with gold edges. When I greeted him, he kept shouting that he wanted to visit his mother… he went on and on!”
”Then?”
”Then I felt breathless and I couldn't say a word. There was a white spot in my eyes that gradually expanded. That little rascal's cries made it impossible for me to think. I wanted to call for Murat to stop him, but he gave me a punch and then I didn't know a thing!”
Maslow nodded slightly. ”Very well, you and Her Majesty have a son, right here in the cemetery!”
Oscar scratched his head. ”Yes! But I know it's not true!”
”No!” The psychiatrist denied the prince's reply resolutely. ”This is not the case! You and the Queen really have a son, right here in this cemetery! So that's why you would hurry to the church early in the morning. To give him flowers. To tell him stories!”
Oscar pursed his lips. He wondered whether the psychiatrist had lost it.
”You didn't see the child's appearance right?”
Oscar nodded.
”You only saw his clothes and heard his voice right?”
Oscar nodded again.
Maslow spread his hand and said, ”Please recall carefully. Other than the night on which you fainted, have you ever seen that red fox fur waistcoat lined with gold edges anywhere else? Have you ever heard that voice shouting loudly, searching for mother?”
”Ola...” Having been reminded, Oscar suddenly gave a startled cry, but in the end, he still shook his head. ”I... I don't know...I can't recall!”
The psychiatrist secretly celebrated his luck. If the Prince thought of anything, it could instead make the following conversation impossible to carry out.
”Then let us look at this issue in another way!” Maslow clasped his hands together. He stared into Oscar's eyes. He believed that very few men as young as the prince could have such accomplishments. ”Let us say that... the matter itself of your seeing a little boy dressed in a red fox fur waistcoat lined with gold edges, calling out for his mother incessantly, creates a signal that causes your whole body to become incapacitated, or perhaps… this signal creates an unbearable stress on your body and mind, resulting in your body instinctively losing its functions!”
”Stress? Signal?” Oscar sized up the massive fatty, unconvinced. He felt that the psychiatrist was not much different from a magician with a magic wand.
”Yes!” Maslow was not sure of the prince's impression of him. He was still dancing and gesturing with joy. ”The stress is the signal! In the face of stress, humans will make a signal type of response! And what is a signal-type response? Let me give an example!”
Oscar watched wretched portly man draw a small boy with a waistcoat on the cardboard he brought.
”The red waistcoat, the voice calling for mother! These are signal responses! However, you have to be clear that you're actually not reacting to the waistcoat and the call for mother. Instead, you responded to another matter. This reaction of yours was presented in your consciousness towards the boy in the waistcoat calling for mother!”
Oscar covered his mouth. He originally respected these professionals just as he respected Thirteen, but he was already really impatient.
His Highness the Prince flung the cardboard to one side and sized up the wretched fatty, with an intense glance as though he was an idiot. ”Ola... Mr. Maslow! What I want to know right now is why are we freaking blathering on about a waistcoat, a voice and a faceless boy for?”
Oscar leaned in close towards the psychiatrist's face, ”My time is very limited. I believe it is also that way for you! If you blurt any more nonsense on this matter, then I will have to ask you to leave, leave through that window. Do you understand?”
Maslow again broke into a sweat. He flicked his eyes towards the only window in the room. Outside the window was the steeple of the church's annex building. This meant that this window was not at an ordinary height.
”Then... then let us change the topic!” The psychiatrist had to settle for the next best thing.
Oscar leaned back against the sofa. He felt that he must be mad. Otherwise, who else would cast aside a huge stack of documents that urgently had to be dealt with to accompany a fat pig of a psychiatrist on a conversation here?
”How's your appetite recently?” Maslow expressed a relaxed, professional smile.
Oscar scoffed. ”I've heard of this profession of you guys. Is it officially starting?”
The psychiatrist shook his head. ”My questions will not take up too much of your time. Besides, this is just the first time. If will do whether you consider this as a friendly chat, or consider this as a kind of start.”
Oscar heaved a sigh. ”Okay... my appetite is horrible! It's been that way since I returned from Deiss. If there's an opportunity in future, I will definitely skin and dismember the body of the guy who removed quite a few segments of my intestines! He has made my gastrointestinal tract become an interchange station. However the food enters, that is how it leaves!”
Maslow shrugged. ”I'm sorry to hear that. You have lost the pleasure that good food brings!”
Oscar gritted his teeth and moaned, ”Who said not?”
The psychiatrist quickly wrote several notes on his notebook, and then he lifted his fat double chin. ”Your Highness, do you feel… safe?”