不必。”达克摇了摇头，“让他们进来吧。”
在这特殊的时刻，作为公爵的责任让他无法轻言拒绝。毕竟这些是与自己的过去紧密相连的人物。
“明白。”伊芙应道。
她用魔法墙上的投影慢慢放大，查看那两位访客的神情。而与此同时，达克心中也在思索，亚伦与阿维娃这两位来自“知识神教”的高层，突然造访所带来的意义。
果不其然，片刻后，城门被打开，达克向外望去，只见亚伦与阿维娃缓步走入，周围的气氛也因他们的到来而显得愈为紧张。
“久等了。”达克微微一笑，试图打破氛围。
“达克，真是好久不见。”亚伦微微一笑，目光中闪过一丝欣慰，“我们来此，是有关于你最近的学术研究的一些讨论。”
“研究？”达克心中暗想，自己并没有想到会被这些老朋友盯上，稍微放松了警惕。
“没错。关于你对魔力的最新理解，尤其是你在战争中的应用。”阿维娃也接上话，脸上挂着认真的表情。
看得出，他们的来意并不简单。
“这需要深入的探讨。”达克点了点头，示意二人入内，“请进。”
四人一同走入公爵府，夜色依旧安静，但内心的波澜却已经悄然掀起。
正当达克准备询问他们的具体来意时，耳边却响起了轻微的异动。隐约中，他感到一股潜在的危机。
“警惕。”达克低声说道，眼中流露出警觉。
“发生什么了？”亚伦与阿维娃也感到异样，立刻停止了交谈，转头望向达克。
“我隐约感受到有异动。”达克谨慎地分析，“可能是外面的巡逻队发现了什么。”
而这时，墙角的阴影中，伊琳也悄然出现，身姿优雅而轻盈，她的眼神透着几分坚定。
“少爷，外面情况已经控制，没人接近。”伊琳说道。
“很好。”达克轻轻松了一口气，但心中仍有疑虑。
“今天的会面，看来注定不单纯。”阿维娃的声音再一次打断所有人的思绪，“我想，我们需要更加小心了。”
于是，在这个夜深人静的时刻，四人聚集在公爵府的观景台上，持续进行着对话与探讨，时不时注视着外面的动态，生活在这个充满不确定性的世界里。
“No need.” Dark shook his head. “Have someone tidy up the reception room; we have guests arriving.”
Eve nodded slightly and quickly melted into the shadows.
It was only after she left that Dark turned to Olivia and said, “Let’s go see what those two are after.”
Olivia clasped her hands before her abdomen and gently nodded.
The night remained tranquil as ever.
…
The guards outside the mansion had evidently received Irina’s notification and admitted the two elders of the Knowledge Sect into the estate.
However, they remained on guard, and the two maids who came out to greet them were battle maids from the “Lioness Maid Brigade.”
Aaron Reid and Aviva Julius walked side by side. The two elderly individuals wore expressions of tension.
Aaron Reid’s mental state was particularly poor, with heavy dark circles around his eyes.
Aviva Julius was not much better off, as bloodshot veins marred her sclera.
For days, they had been desperately tackling the difficult problems left by Dark, but they had yet to find any clues.
However, for these two elders, who possessed a strong thirst for knowledge, the final outcome was actually not what mattered; the pursuit of answers alone was enough to keep them excited.
At that moment, they were completely absorbed, as if they were oblivious to the world outside. If it hadn’t been for someone suddenly intruding on their residence tonight, they likely would have little interest in tomorrow’s “Demon King Execution Ritual.”
But in this world, there was never an “if.”
Recalling the bad news brought by the sect member who intruded on their home only deepened their fatigue.
As the two entered the Duke’s Mansion, they raised their heads slightly, scanning their surroundings.
The security in the Duke’s Mansion was extraordinarily tight; from the moment they crossed the threshold, countless gazes locked onto them.
It felt as though any slightest movement on their part would lead to instant eradication.
In their currently poor mental state, they buried the last traces of any other thoughts deep within.
“We can only seek Dark Demon.”
“From the fact that he didn’t refuse us at the door, there’s still a chance.”
The two elders simultaneously lowered their eyelids, concealing the irritation in their eyes.
Anyone who is immersed in exam problems and is suddenly notified that the exam time has arrived would feel the same way.
…
“It’s cold, hot, so let’s go with hot.”
In the reception room, Dark selected a pot of hot tea, poured it into two teacups, and then set the teapot down before taking his seat at the main chair.
“And what about the young master?” Olivia asked with a sweet smile.
Dark raised a finger and said, “I’ll have it cold, after all, my heart is as hard as cold iron.”
Olivia kept smiling as she skillfully poured him a cup of iced lemon tea.
After taking a light sip, Dark turned to the corner and said, “Sister Eve, come and join us for tea.”
Eve stepped out of the shadows, bowed slightly, and took a seat to Dark’s left.
As a maid, she shouldn’t normally take a seat in such a setting, but Dark used an authoritative tone that made it impossible for her to refuse.
Olivia smiled and asked, “So, little Eve, will you have it hot or cold?”
“Hot, please.” Eve replied.
The red tea filled the cup, steam rising.
Once Olivia set the teapot down, footsteps approached from outside.
The leading maid pushed the door open, and four guards quickly entered, positioning themselves at the corners.
Only then did the two elders from the Knowledge Sect, under the “protection” of the remaining people, enter the room.
“Good evening, Young Master Demon.” Aaron Reid inhaled deeply, his hands crossed over his chest as he bowed.
Dark waved his hand. “Since you’re visiting at such a late hour, there’s no need for excessive formalities. Please, have a seat.”
Aaron Reid and Aviva Julius exchanged glances and walked to the table, pulling out chairs to sit down.
Dark clasped his hands on the table and smiled, “It’s been a few days; how have you both been?”
Aaron Reid took a breath and forced a smile. “Not bad. It’s just that the two questions you’ve given us are too difficult. We’re still at a loss.”
“You’ll eventually find a clue.” Dark said lightly. “If you’re worried about your student Ignatz Cooper, there’s no need. He’s doing quite well. Once you solve my problems, I will return him to you unscathed.”
Aaron Reid gave a wry smile. “Since the young master has said so… I certainly won’t doubt it. It’s just that sometimes I want to see that rascal.”
Dark took a sip of tea and smiled. “Is that your purpose for coming tonight? If so…”
Aaron Reid’s heart skipped a beat, seeming to sense the deeper meaning in Dark’s words. He quickly replied, “It’s not exactly that. Since my disciple did something foolish, he should bear the consequences for his stupidity. We are here tonight for something else!”
“Something else?”
Dark couldn’t help but squint slightly, his gaze assessing the two elders of the Knowledge Sect.
They were completely different from when he first met them at the Horseshoe Tavern; their spirits were extremely low.
Especially that lady named Aviva Julius, who showed no signs of her previous firmness.
“It seems they’re seeking something significant.”
Dark pondered internally and said, “Let’s get straight to the point. Speak your mind.”
Upon hearing this, Aaron Reid couldn’t help but glance at Aviva Julius again.
The half-elf elder’s expression was stiff, clearly not skilled in asking for favors.
Aaron Reid could only stiffen his resolve and speak up himself. “It’s like this; a member of our sect encountered a team led by the Valkyrie in the western district of the capital city, and they were all captured…”
“Wait, your sect members were captured? Why should I care?” Dark interrupted midway.
Aaron Reid lowered his head even further, feeling more awkward. “But the ones who captured them were led by the Valkyrie…”
Dark smiled and said, “Elder Rides, you should know that what you commonly refer to as a Valkyrie is Alvaraite Saint Diemond, the only female Duchess of the kingdom, one of the thirty-six councilors, and the Minister of the Kingdom Security Department, rather than specifically my mother. I have no authority to interfere with her administrative measures.”
Aaron Rides’s expression immediately turned pale.
But Dark continued, “Of course, I have a tiny bit of interest in why your sect got caught, if you’re willing to share a little. Then this cup of tea I’m treating you to tonight won’t be in vain.”
His voice was quite flat, making it hard to detect any so-called “interest.”
Aaron Rides certainly didn’t genuinely believe he was interested.
Furthermore, he seemed to have caught the underlying meaning.
The half-elf Aviva Julius beside him clearly picked up on it too, her lips twitching slightly.
As a half-elf with mixed blood, Aviva Julius was a natural fairy-type magician, and with the seasoned magus Aaron Rides, she possessed enough confidence to rival most people.
But in the Duke’s Mansion, they could only lie low.
Even if this golden-haired young master spoke threateningly in such a straightforward manner, she could only suppress her fierce temper tightly.
Aaron Rides never expected that before he could even raise his request, both of them would already be threatened.
If this matter wasn’t clarified, they would probably not be able to leave the Duke’s Mansion.
Reluctantly, after a brief consideration, he finally spoke, “They are holding illegal gatherings in a house in the West District.”
“Illegal gatherings?” Dark lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, saying, “If you don’t clarify this a bit more, I will be quite troubled.”
Aaron Rides helplessly added, “Six of our elders from the sect gathered the people to spread the belief in the God of Knowledge…”
Dark instinctively interrupted, “Wait a minute, six? If I recall correctly, doesn’t your sect only have thirteen elders?”
After a moment of silence, Aaron Rides steeled himself and said, “That’s right.”
Dark couldn’t help but chuckle, “So you’re saying nearly half of your elders were caught for illegal gatherings? No wonder you came visiting at this late hour. Losing half your elders would make anyone anxious.
But surely these six elders of yours can’t be that foolish?
To spread beliefs other than the ‘Saint’ within the capital city? Don’t tell me they thought the Church was too busy with rituals to notice?”
“No, how could they dare?” Cold sweat broke out on Aaron Rides’s forehead.
Dark continued, “This time being caught by the Kingdom Security Department seems rather fortunate. If it were the Church that caught you, you and this lady Aviva Julius would certainly not be able to sit here so calmly.”
Both Aaron Rides and Aviva Julius fell silent.
Clearly, both of them felt the same way.
Watching their reactions, Dark said flatly, “It’s a logic even a six-year-old knows. As educated individuals, how could you not be aware of this, right?”
The reception room gradually filled with a sense of pressure.
Finally, Aviva Julius couldn’t help but speak up, “They are misguided; they are indeed foolish. But our belief in the God of Knowledge is purely about ‘knowledge’. The so-called ‘God of Knowledge’ we spread is merely a fiction, not a battle for faith. Therefore…”
“So what exactly are they doing today?” Dark suddenly knocked the table, cutting off her narrative.
Aviva Julius momentarily stuttered, unable to continue her flawed argument.
Aaron Rides picked up the conversation, forcing himself to say, “Demonstrating the importance of knowledge to the people, making them understand the sorrow of ignorance and the importance of seeking knowledge.”
Dark couldn’t help but sigh, then spoke toward the left, “Eve.”
“Present!” Eve suddenly called out with a sharp tone.
Dark intended to have Eve see them off but was startled by her sudden raised voice.
However, his expression didn’t change at all, showing no signs of weakness.
Aaron Rides was also taken aback and reflexively said, “Today might be a bit special.”
“Hmm?” Dark pressed a hand down to stop Eve from rising.
Aviva Julius’s expression subtly changed.
Aaron Rides’s face also froze, but it was too late to hold back; he had to continue, “Half of July, the midpoint of the year, is the day the gates to the underworld might open. During this period, the barrier between the underworld and the human world is weakest, making it the best time for summoning and ancestral rituals.
And the capital city is located in the very center of the continent. Our sect conducts rituals every year on this night in hopes that the souls of great individuals from the past can hear our summons and descend upon the congregation members.”
Having heard this, Dark wanted to say, “Is that all?” but ultimately held his tongue and instead asked slowly, “Have you ever succeeded?”
Aaron Rides lowered his head slightly and said, “No. That would be impossible, wouldn’t it? It’s just an ordinary ritual, and we’re not using necromancy. Furthermore, those great individuals, regardless of how esteemed they were in life, become just one among countless souls after death.
The underworld has its river of the dead and the wall of sighs. Lingering by the river of the dead for long, one’s spirit will be eroded. Even if one crosses the river of the dead, one cannot pass the wall of sighs; reaching the land of bliss is futile.”
Dark couldn’t help but frown.
Aaron Rides’s words touched on his blind spots of knowledge.
In this world, there was no reincarnation of the underworld, no Minotaur or horse-headed demons; souls dissipate in the wind after death, yet there exists a realm for souls—the underworld.
Ultimately, how does a soul ascend to the underworld?
In what form does the underworld exist?
How much of what Aaron Rides said was true?
He began to grow increasingly curious about what the God of Knowledge’s sect planned to do tonight or perhaps what they wanted to achieve.
