Night had already fallen. Guards lit torches, illuminating the entire castle while maintaining a quiet atmosphere.
Under the candlelight, Yilin sat alone at the dining table, swallowing a bite of bread and taking a sip of water before asking the maid beside her, "Gray hasn't come back yet?"
"Not yet."
"No idea where he went?"
"No idea. Miss, do you need someone to go out and search for him?"
Yilin hesitated as she held the cup filled with water.
"Maybe you should look at this, my Miss Yilin." Abi Robbs rushed in from the door, placing a stack of newspapers on Yilin's dining table.
"What's this?"
"It's Baron Gray's whereabouts. Yes, his activities for the day have been fully reported in the newspapers, and we didn't even notice. It's all my fault for not regularly reading the White City newspapers. Someone had to tell me before I noticed."
Picking up the newspaper, Yilin frowned as she scanned through the pages.
…
At this moment, Gray was still wandering the streets on horseback. The local reporters trailing him had already collapsed several times, yet Gray was as energetic as ever. In fact, creatures like Lichs were constantly energetic, capable of centuries without sleep. The only thing that could hinder them was perhaps bone wear and tear.
So, some Lichs replaced their bones with steel skeletal structures, and some even had multiple sets to alternate between. In this way, even bone degradation couldn't stifle their curiosity about the world.
If you were to ask Gray what he wanted to say right now, the answer would probably be: "I can keep going!"
However, looking around, the streets were almost deserted, with almost no people left.
Indeed, the sun had set, the reporters were nearly "burnt out," the monsters had all clocked off, and as a player, the Lich declared he could keep "burning."
What a hopeless thing it was.
"Help anyone who seeks my help… This one was well executed today, I think I can tick it off. So out of the eight, I've at least completed one."
"Be unwavering in love unto death… Hmm, this one can't be done for now. Do you think if I propose to Miss Shelley again, she might accept?"
"Actually, Gray, these vows aren't about immediate action but about adhering to principles when the situation arises. Do you understand what I'm saying?" the Black Cat softly reminded him.
"I understand. But I really don't have anything else to do, and making vows without fulfilling them feels wrong. Lichs rarely make vows."
"Alright then, keep going…"
"Bravely resist strong violence… This one's tough. I've been on the surface for so long and haven't encountered any violators. I'll circle it and deal with it when I find one. If I ever meet a violator, I'll seize the chance to defeat them!"
"Fight against all wrongs… This is too broad. What counts as wrong? I guess there's no clear standard. What a hassle."
"Not harm any woman… Wow! This one, I completely forgot about it! Luckily, I didn't retaliate against Shelley just now, or this vow would've been broken. I like this one, nothing needs to be done and it's ticked off. Now, I've completed two! Only six left!"
"Fight for the defenseless… This shouldn't be hard, but first, you need a defenseless person and an attacker. Clearly not happening now, maybe I'll find it tomorrow. Might even accomplish 'Bravely resist strong violence' together!"
"Treat my friends sincerely… Again, too broad, what does sincerity even mean?"
"Help my knight brothers… This should be easy, tomorrow I'll ask Huoersi if he needs anything."
*"Hmm… actually, Gray," the Black Cat began softly, "have you considered that these eight vows aren't standalone?"*
"What do you mean?" Gray paused.
"Look, before the eight vows, there are 'Humility, Integrity, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Faith,' the eight virtues of knights. *'Help my knight brothers' is the sixth vow, corresponding to 'Sacrifice.' It means that when your knight brothers are in danger, you should be willing to sacrifice your own interests to venture for them.*"
"Look at this one, 'Bravely resist strong violence,' corresponding to 'Humility.' It's true meaning should be to resist the strong violence within yourself, never becoming a violator. Rather than finding a violator to beat up."
*"Seems… that's the case." Gray was instantly convinced, his mouth agape as the pen in his hand fell to the ground with a "clatter."*
It might have been his first time agreeing with the Black Cat's perspective. Encouraged, the Black Cat continued, "There's also this vow, 'Help anyone who seeks my help,' corresponding to 'Valor,' meaning when others seek your help, you shouldn't shy away out of cowardice but courageously extend a helping hand. Not go around looking for people seeking your help."
*This dealt a fatal blow to Gray.*
"You mean I've been 'burning' in the wrong direction? Wait, where did I learn the term 'burning'? Whatever. So, you're saying I've been busy for nothing today?"
"That's right."
"Ah! No—!" Riding the Bone Horse, Gray screamed in agony.
The despair felt by the player who still wanted to "burn" after the monsters had clocked off was nothing compared to the realization that they'd "burned" in the completely wrong direction all day.
Clearly, this was what Gray faced now.
Why were humans so complicated? Couldn't they just say what they meant? Even making vows involved riddles?
"No! I need to be 'devastated!' This is too painful!" Gray clutched at his chest, as if he had a heart that could ache.
"Don't be sad, Gray. You're a knight for the first time, right? Humans, oh no, Lichs, make mistakes too." The Black Cat suddenly felt sympathetic looking at Gray.
"Alright, I've finished being sad. Let's see what we can do tonight according to the new standards." Saying this, Gray spread the vow parchment out again, contemplating seriously.
"Oh, your sadness is so short-lived?" The Black Cat's budding sympathy immediately got snuffed out. Vowing silently never to console this silly Lich again. No, never in the next life either!
…
Looking at the newspaper full of stories about Gray, about nearly every page, Yilin smiled.
"So what is he actually doing?"
"Miss Yilin, I thought you'd be worried his actions might harm our relationship with the Gruglu family."
"Do you think that's possible?"
"Definitely possible. It involves Miss Shelley's honor after all."
"Yes, but Count Gruglu, that old fox, wouldn't change his mind over something like this. If he thinks helping us is detrimental to his family, then even without this issue, he wouldn't stand with us. If he finds helping us beneficial, he might propose a marriage between Gray and Shelley using this opportunity. It's a perfect excuse."
"I was narrow-minded." Abi Robbs said respectfully.
Setting the newspaper aside, Yilin softly instructed, "Continue urging Count Caspar to send troops. Tighten negotiations with local nobles too. Our time is running out, the King may order an attack at any moment. Intensify army training. As for Gray's matter, let's leave it for now. Anyway, we don't know how to train a knight of his strength."
"Yes."
…
"Huh, so many people here."
Gray stopped his Bone Horse in front of the theater.
Being the capital of the Beishier Duchy, it was quite a large city. However, normally there weren't many pedestrians at night. Most shops on the street were closed, except for three: the tavern, the theater, and the bathhouse.
Gray certainly couldn't go to the bathhouse, he'd already been to a tavern, though not in White City. As for the theater… it immediately caught Gray's attention.
The thing is, this theater was quite upscale.
Watching the large crowd flow into the brightly lit theater, the Lich's curiosity was piqued. He stared intently at the theater, as surrounding people stared at him.
"Isn't that Baron Gray?"
"It really is him! I saw him in today's newspaper!"
"Does he like watching plays too? Wow! I want to sit next to him! It might be a romantic encounter!"
Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Gray's eyes subtly slid down to the theater notices.
"One copper coin per ticket, one silver coin per front-row seat, ten silver coins for a box on the second floor."
Gray reached out to his pocket, finding not a single copper coin.
"This place needs money to enter?"
"Of course!"
"Can I charge it?"
"Where did you learn the term 'charge'?"
"Maybe I should head back to the tavern and win some money."
As Gray glanced around for a tavern, the theater owner hurried to him.
"You're Baron Gray, right?"
"Yes." Gray looked down at the grinning theater owner standing before his horse.
"Are you here for a play? I'll arrange the best box seat for you immediately!"
"But I don't have money."
"You mean you didn't bring money?"
"No, I don't have money, not just didn't bring any. I spent it all." Gray candidly said.
A penniless knight? The situation was awkward.
But he was the hottest figure in town! Such a good advertisement, how could the theater owner let it go?
After a brief silence, the theater owner loudly declared, "No! No money needed! Our theater is always free for Baron Gray!"
"Really?"
Under the theater owner's invitation, Gray happily tied up his horse and walked into the theater.
*Humans, though troublesome, fragile, conflicted, seemingly useless, are surprisingly friendly. I kinda like them.*
"Did you forget you were hunted by humans?" the Black Cat muttered softly.
Walking behind, the theater owner urgently whispered to the staff, "Quick! Tell everyone Gray is here watching an opera! Hurry!"
"Got it!"
A large theater capable of seating over a thousand, Gray was directed to the central box on the second floor. This was actually a reserved box for the Beisher Family. The reason for its existence was that Yilin's father had donated to the theater construction. Although it hadn't seen much use since.
Gray was part of the Beisher Family, Miss Yilin surely wouldn't mind Gray using the box, the theater owner thought.
In the spacious box, Gray sat alone, facing the stage.
"Dear Baron Gray," the theater owner said enthusiastically, rubbing his hands, "Tonight's performance is the latest opera, 'The Knights' Guide to Success, Volume Two.' What do you think?"
"Really?" Gray's excitement surged upon hearing the title.
"This absurd thing isn't just adapted into an opera, but has a sequel?" The Black Cat was stunned hearing the title.
This damn book was a flop!
That's it, all the progress made earlier straightened out; now it's going to get skewed again.