20demayo Chapter 73 Time (1)
Chapter 73 Time (1)
At fifteen, Kujavina removed her mask of compassion; the firelight in the fireplace house was no longer warm, but filled with bloodshed and terror.
The cruel game, much like Marelle's, was just the beginning; the opening of the "duel" added an even darker shadow to the sky above the House of Hearths.
On an ordinary afternoon, Kujavina entered the fireplace house, a smile rarely seen on her face, and led the two boys from the courtyard away.
The children didn't seem to care; in fact, they envied the two children for having such a rare opportunity to be close to their mother.
[At night, the two boys finally returned.]
A boy lay frozen in the chest, a sword piercing his skin. His eyes widened in disbelief, his body already cold in a pool of blood.
[The other boy, holding a blood-soaked one-handed sword, mechanically strode forward, his eyes vacant and lifeless, as if he had lost his soul.]
【die】
All the children were stunned by this scene, staring in terror at Kujavina's smiling face as she announced the rules of the duel.
"The rules of the duel are simple."
"One side perishes, the other side wins."
"The winner will have the right to live."
As she spoke, Kujavina maintained a polite smile, but the smile that once inspired the children's love and respect now sent chills down their spines.
Two days later, the boy, participating in his first duel, ended his own life with the one-handed sword he had once used to stab his companion.
"Cowardly behavior."
[To this, Kujavina left only a cold comment, then looked away indifferently from the boy who had committed suicide, her high heels clicking as she walked away.]
Unable to contain her anger, Clementine stormed into Kugavina's office to confront her, only to be brutally beaten on charges of insubordination.
From that moment on, no one dared to challenge Kujavina's authority in the House of Hearths.
Over the past year, the number of people in the Hearth House has dwindled dramatically; playmates who were frolicking together yesterday are now cold corpses.
None of the losers in the duels survived, and even their bodies were gradually forgotten.
The wounded soldiers, rendered useless during the mission, vanished without a trace one quiet night.
Faced with the ever-approaching threat of death, some finally chose to flee.
However, the escaped members were found within a day, and Kujavina executed the deserters in front of all the members of the Hearth House.
"I think I've said it before, home,"
Betrayal is not allowed.
Warm blood dripped from the sword in Kujavina's hand, her face icy cold.
Even Clementine, who usually resists at every turn, dares not look Kujavina in the eye at this moment.
In silence, the crowd dispersed, the bloodstains were hastily washed away, only the indelible dark red stains in the cracks of the bricks and tiles testified to the tragedy.
Desperate with no way out, the children finally picked up swords and warily swung them at anyone who stood in their way.
No one is immune to the fear of death.
[A house with a fireplace is no longer a home.]
……
Nighttime, Bufati Mansion.
Mu Feng gently wiped the bloodstains from Clementine's calf, and the gentle wind element quickly began to heal the wound.
"Thank you, Brother Mufeng."
Clementine seemed oblivious to the pain. She easily jumped off the chair next to Mu Feng, and with her hands behind her back, she still smiled and thanked Mu Feng.
"Be careful, the wound hasn't healed yet."
Mu Feng ruffled Clementine's pink hair and gave her a slightly reproachful reprimand.
"Know it!"
Clementine tilted her head, stuck out her little tongue, and smiled carefree as if she wasn't the one who was hurt.
Looking at Clementine's smile, Mu Feng felt a surge of sorrow and bitterness in his heart.
What should I do?
Kujavina, the fourth seat of the Fatui's executive officers who has been famous for a long time, is truly unfathomable in strength.
His swordsmanship, and even the guidance of the Eye of God, all came from her teachings.
He had no secrets from Kujavina.
Even with Peluvelli's help, the success rate of assassinating Kudjavina is less than 10%.
Despite having the advantage of knowing the plot in advance, they could only watch helplessly as the train of the House of Hearths accelerated toward the bottomless abyss along its predetermined track.
I'm probably the most incompetent time traveler in history.
Mu Feng stared blankly at the gaping wound on Clementine's pale forearm, then suddenly reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms, whispering in a trembling voice:
"sorry."
Clay blinked her beautiful lake-green eyes. Although she didn't understand why Mu Feng suddenly apologized to her, Clay still gently reached out and patted Mu Feng's back.
Why is Brother Mufeng apologizing?
"Could it be... that they stole my little cake?"
"In that case, an apology won't be enough."
Mu Feng smiled and said softly:
"Tomorrow, tomorrow we'll go eat some small cakes."
"Any amount is fine."
……
"Are you drinking again?"
Peruvée appeared silently, frowned slightly as she looked at the bottles scattered on the ground, and quietly picked up the empty bottles for Mu Feng.
Mu Feng's eyes were bloodshot. He downed the wine in his hand in one gulp, his voice hoarse:
"Pepe...when will it be our turn?"
Peruvéli crossed her dark arms, her tone as calm as ever.
"do not know."
"The only way to end this situation is to kill Kujavina."
What are our chances of winning?
"Almost zero."
The two fell silent once again.
These few words were the entire conversation between the two most clear-headed people in the entire fireplace house.
Their results were also remarkably consistent:
Dead end.
"It would be unwise to act rashly; let's wait and see."
Peruvelle left, but Mu Feng still couldn't fall asleep.
wait?
Mu Feng hated waiting.
Waiting means handing the future over to fate to play with at will, while you are powerless to change it, just like that child on the snowy plain, helplessly waiting for his captain to return.
Valencia, what should I do?
"Squeak."
The door was gently pushed open, and Elodie, wearing a nightgown, quietly entered the room, stood quietly behind Mu Feng, and reached out her small hand to massage Mu Feng's temples.
The familiar scent of bubble orange wafted over, and Mu Feng opened his eyes, meeting the gaze of Elodie, who was looking down behind him.
"Elodie, what's wrong?"
Mu Feng forced a smile, trying his best to hide his exhaustion.
"Brother Mufeng..."
Elodie lowered her head, her voice filled with confusion and deep worry. She opened her mouth several times but could not utter a single word.
Mu Feng sighed deeply, pulled the petite Elodie into his arms, and gently smoothed her long golden hair.
After a long silence, Mu Feng spoke in a low, hoarse voice, breaking the silence in the room.
"Elodie, it's your turn, isn't it?"
Elodie remained silent, large tears streaming down her cheeks and wetting Mu Feng's shoulder.
Silence, and then a long silence, with only Elodie's soft sobs echoing in the room.
Mu Feng gritted his teeth, his fingertips digging into his palms, drawing blood, but he felt no pain at all.
He couldn't bear to see the innocent and kind Elodie's hands stained with blood, but he had no other choice.
I'm sorry, he's a selfish person at heart, so blame him if you must...
“Listen to me, Elodie.”
Gently cupping Elodie's tear-streaked face, Mu Feng's gaze was full of tenderness, but his tone was more serious and earnest than ever before, with a hint of resoluteness.
"Tomorrow, whoever it is, kill him."