Chapter Forty-Two: Eyes

How ironic—the workings of the Black Castle evoke the sense of a corporate drone, though at least the degree of freedom is truly high. Mulan lay on his bed, watching the already gloomy sky outside his window grow even darker, yet he felt no sleepiness at all. The unfamiliar environment left him uneasy, but there was a trace of excitement as well.

Contrary to what Mulan had imagined, he thought Guy and Jenny would be frightened in such a place and would ask to stay with him or Dolly. To his surprise, the two of them showed remarkable strength, even displaying a certain eagerness.

Recalling their first meeting aboard the Princess Nisheliel, Mulan couldn’t help but smile wryly to himself. “They’re both adept at disguising themselves—seems I needn’t worry so much after all.”

The four were merely traveling companions, and perhaps colleagues in the future, but it was unlikely their paths would intersect much; their assigned departments seemed different, as were their chosen residences.

Elsewhere in a corner of the Black Castle, neither Guy nor Jenny slept. Instead, they leaned over the highest attic, gazing outside. The night here was quiet, yet not truly peaceful; occasionally, distant streaks of light erupted like fireworks. The two were anxious and excited in equal measure.

“Guy, we finally have a chance to make something of ourselves!”

The boy clenched his fists, thrilled. “I’m going to be rich and powerful! Buy whatever I want, go wherever I wish!”

“Haha, I’ll buy loads of beautiful clothes, heaps of jewelry, eat piles of sweets—those palace desserts only Her Majesty the Queen gets to taste!”

“I’ll go back to the ship just to show off!”

“I’ll buy the Princess!”

“Hahahahaha…”

On a small building near the lake, Dolly lay awake as well, staring blankly at the night outside. She had seen so many wonders, tasted delicacies she’d never known, and even heard marvelous music. Everything felt just like a dream.

'It’s good to be human…'

A cheerful whistle sounded; Dolly began to play the 'Lieutenant Jonst March' she’d learned.

…

Mulan opened his eyes, and was greeted first by enormous bones—each distinct, left and right. After a moment of dazed confusion, realization dawned and he sat up abruptly, only to feel his feet slip, instinctively reaching out to steady himself.

A sticky, greasy, and sickening sensation met his hand, along with a pungent stench. Wide-eyed, Mulan looked beneath him—a still-twitching organ, its viscous fluid dark red.

‘What the hell is this place?!’

Terrified, Mulan scrambled away, stepping over organs, traversing shredded muscle and membranes, squeezing between two giant bones until he finally stumbled outside, his body smeared with clotted blood and fluid.

Desolation spread all around; the sky was murky. He looked back at where he’d just been—a gigantic carcass, though perhaps not a true corpse, for the organs within still struggled.

“Thump… thump… thump…”

The faint heartbeat persisted, yet no more blood gushed from the severed vessels…

Mulan retreated several paces, only to hear squelching beneath his feet. Looking down, he saw not water, but dark red liquid everywhere.

All this blood came from the massive carcass where Mulan had just been; he could trace its slow, continuous flow from the head. Red and blue light gathered at the head, growing brighter. Though Mulan didn’t understand, he instinctively wanted to leave, and his body obeyed.

“Boom—”

Light and mist, at their brightest, abruptly collapsed and vanished into the carcass’s head. From his vantage point, Mulan couldn’t see what exactly happened, but he witnessed the change in brightness.

Moments later, a tiny speck of light rose from the head of the giant carcass. Though it was far away, Mulan could see clearly—a small eye, floating as if carried by the wind, or drifting in water, gradually ascending toward the distant heavens.

The gloomy sky seemed stirred; it was neither night nor cloud, but a haze cloaking the world. Now, some unsettling light seeped through—not like stars, but like dreadful, remote eyes, eerie and indifferent…

The wind picked up, lifting many things from the ground. Mulan’s gaze returned from afar, feeling as though countless dandelions rose from the earth, spinning in the air, swirling around him—some white, some stained blood-red.

No, these weren’t dandelions. Mulan caught one and found it was a dark red feather.

He let go; the feather was swept away by the wind, leaving a bloody imprint on his palm.

“Hah…”

A weary sigh escaped him, and Mulan opened his eyes once more—this time, lying in his new bed. His sleepwear was damp, clearly from sweating during the night.

Another bizarre dream. Another night of poor sleep.

This morning, Mulan didn’t linger in bed. He rose, pulled off his pajamas, revealing a body marked by scars and strength, then strode to the washroom.

Only the public bathhouse offered hot water all day, but Mulan craved a jolt. He filled the tank with cold water and opened the shower.

Chilled streams struck him, making his muscles tense and fists clench. Once he adjusted, he exhaled deeply—much more awake now.

Outside Mulan’s room, a young man in black uniform approached the door, took a deep breath, and tugged the bell rope. The bell chimed, though not loudly; Mulan, showering, didn’t hear it.

The young man waited without response, not daring to leave—if Mulan went out, he wouldn’t dare search for him elsewhere, so he had to wait right here.

“Ding dong—ding dong—”

“Sir Jonst, are you inside?”

After a long wait, he finally called out, just as Mulan, toweling himself dry, heard the bell. Hastily donning a shirt and jacket, Mulan went to the door and opened it.

“What is it?”

The young man was startled by the sudden door, looking up at Mulan—his wet hair and calm, scrutinizing gaze made the visitor fear he’d caused displeasure. He quickly produced a parchment scroll.

“Sir Jonst, I am your personal courier. My name is Hendel. If you need anything, you can instruct me—even have me accompany you on missions!”

Mulan studied Hendel—the young man was half a head shorter, wearing a uniform reminiscent of a Japanese schoolboy’s, topped with a Dirga-style military cap. His hair was deep yellow, eyes pale blue, and his expression was nervous yet expectant.

“Come in and sit.”

“Me?”

Hendel pointed incredulously at himself; to be invited into the Black Castle lord’s quarters was thrilling.

Mulan opened the door fully. Hendel hesitated a moment—was he to be used as an experimental subject? The Black Castle’s fearsome reputation was well-known. Yet, after only a brief pause, Hendel entered.

Mulan closed the door and headed to the kitchen, gesturing to the dining table.

“Sit. Tell me about yourself while I make breakfast. By the way, have you eaten?”

“I have, sir!”

Mulan nodded, turned on the gas stove, and unfolded the parchment scroll as the pan heated. He added oil, then grabbed four eggs from a nearby wooden box.

“Sizzle…”

Two eggs went into the pan, followed by eight strips of bacon.

Though there was no ready-made food, basic supplies—flour, oil, even eggs—were stocked in the small house. The Black Castle was thoughtful; whether these were one-time provisions or regularly replenished remained to be seen.

Once the eggs and bacon were ready, Mulan had finished reading the scroll.

It was an assignment—he’d only been at the Black Castle for a day, and already?

“So, I was selected as your messenger, Sir Jonst. I’m actually a direct subordinate, and don’t let my appearance fool you—my fighting skills and marksmanship are quite solid!”

By now, Hendel had explained his background. Mulan multitasked but understood: the young man was a native of Diga, a minor noble, who had worked hard and used connections to secure this post.

Mulan set down the scroll and looked at Hendel.

“Why did you want to come to the Black Castle? It’s dangerous for ordinary people to be too curious about the other world.”

“I know, but this is one of the few chances I’ll ever get. I don’t want to live a mediocre life!”

Mulan smiled, took his plate, and sat to eat—just eggs and bacon, no bread, since he’d learned yesterday that the cafeteria here was outrageously expensive.

“Since you know Diga and the region, come with me when I go out later.”

“Yes, sir!”