The Secret Code of Monsters.

Chapter 1094 Ch.1093 Little Xia Er

"As you know, the matter of the Rat Messenger has caused quite a stir recently, and the city is in complete chaos."

Horn said calmly.

"Furthermore, Gilles Fonseca harmed my people and insulted our gods..."

Even if Roland weren't particularly astute, he could tell that this man had no intention of making any demands at all—he was there precisely to cause trouble for the court…

From Gilles Fonseca to Fernandez, and from Fernandez to the courtroom.

Who knows, they might even be planning a 'public trial'...

but.

why?
"This is a dangerous sign, Roland."
-
?

"It takes two strokes to draw a question mark, but your IQ never exceeds twenty."
-
hurry up.

"Obviously, he's after your old flame."
-
I don't like the word 'old'.

"Clearly, he's after your new mother."

Even the wrench couldn't understand why a sect that was originally neutral would suddenly attack the Inquisition—that is, align itself with the Church.

unless…

"I suggest you go back and ask your little snake church what happened."

Roland's silence pleased Horn.

"...My compatriots, unable to control their anger, even suggested hanging her up at the busiest intersection in Collins. I have no intention of doing that. She is just a filthy mortal. Why should I involve my good friends in the court?"

Horn sighed.

"If this gets out, I'm afraid your presiding judge will be furious."

Roland blinked. "I'll speak to Lady Judea... Sir, may I go see Lady Fonseca?"

“Oh…of course! Of course!” He called over another guide, just as he had done before, and rose along with Roland and Theodore: “Things have been rather turbulent lately, excuse me, Mr. Collins, Mr. Thackeray.”

…………

……

The place where Gilles Fonseca was 'imprisoned' was not as terrible as Roland had imagined—no damp, cold dungeons, blood-stained brick walls, gloomy corridors, flickering, dying torches…

No.

Even from a distance, the treatment seems quite good:

She was 'moved' into a two-story villa—the only house in the Mother Tree Sanctuary that was not on the ground.

The walls are no longer recognizable as they were originally, and are almost entirely covered by green vines.

As Roland and Theodore walked along the misty path paved with flagstones, they could see the green 'cage' when they looked up: the door was small and narrow, and thorny vines covered and bound the entire villa. Around them, a pack of wolves that had been strolling silently stopped, their green eyes fixed on them.

“Food is delivered every day, sir. Four meals a day, sometimes even five.”

"The boy in the green robe said."

The loose-fitting priest's robe looked out of place on him, but it also had a rare charm.

He had bark-colored curly hair, round and large eyes, and his two old shoes were patched with needle and thread. He walked with a hopping gait.

Theodore seemed to know the child.

“You’ve grown taller again, Ciel.”

“I’ll grow taller than a tree,” the boy hopped, a smile on his face that showed no sign of the world’s cruelty. “And you, Theodore? You said you’d show me dragons.”

Roland was taken aback.

blinked.

Hey?
Did Theodore like dragons as much as he did?

"I think you all enjoy fooling idiots."
-
You are not allowed to talk about Randolph like that.

"I was referring to his overdeveloped younger sister."

"Dragon..."

Theodore forced a smile and said, "There will be opportunities in the future, Charles. How are you doing with the Tree Mother? Have they...?"

Charles was once a priest of the Beast Fangs—or perhaps not even a priest.

The child was adopted by Florian and is now striving to become a prestigious 'apprentice'. What Roland, Sender, or many other talented individuals could obtain in half an evening, requires considerable effort from young Charles.

He works very hard!

"How is it?" Charles lifted his hood, revealing his indeed curly hair, and tossed a strand of hair behind his ear to show Theodore his emerald green earrings: "These were given to me by Lord Horn!"

Theodore's smile became even more strained.

"...Is...really? That means...he likes you a lot..."

“I think so too!” Charles said cheerfully. “The Tree Mother and the Beast’s Tooth are not much different. Every morning I still have to pray to the Lady, tend to the flowerbeds at noon, and after meals, clean the shed…”

He chattered on and on, and Theodore listened quietly beside him.

It felt like we were back in the days of Beast Fang... Florian would be on the other side, occasionally mocking his 'stupidity'.

Florian…

"How is Ms. Fonseca?"

Charles paused, then shook his head. "I don't know, Theodore. I'm never allowed inside the room; I always leave the food and water outside—the same goes for Lord Westwick's room. When will he be able to come outside? Things are rather turbulent lately; we need manpower everywhere."

Theodore lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Maybe.

When the new leader of the Beast Fang arrives... will there still be a Beast Fang...?
Theodore.

suddenly.

The boy's clear voice dropped a few decibels.

Roland noticed.

They were turning onto a narrower stone path, where there were no giant wolves guarding the area and the plants were mostly withered.

"Sharl, Dragon... later... then..."

"Does Mr. Florian need my help?"

These words made Theodore pause in his tracks.

He frowned as he looked up at the boy who was looking back.

He saw in him a maturity beyond his years.

"...He'll be out soon, wandering around, causing trouble everywhere, and might even go back to port—and then, if you'd like, you can take him along," Theodore ruffled his soft, curly hair, trying to brush it off. "I'll go with him. Maybe you'll be closer to the sea and become an 'apprentice' sooner..."

Charles didn't reply, but quietly looked at Theodore.

soon.

The knight's disguise could no longer be maintained.

sometimes.

Children are more perceptive than adults.

"...It may take a long time, Ciel."

“I said: Do you need my help?” he repeated, touching the dangling earring: “…Actually, this isn’t an earring Lord Horn gave me…”

Theodore was speechless.

This unassuming little fellow might be of great use, but they are all followers of the "Great Vortex"—because Horn's defection from the sect is foolish for Theodore.

“I’ve saved up some money, enough to buy three tickets, Theodore.”

Charles's eyes sparkled.

"We've arrived at the port..."

“Charles,” Theodore gently interrupted the boy’s fairy tale, “Stay here, in the Great Whirlpool, and serve your faith well…stay here, and don’t go anywhere else.”

He pressed down on the boy's head, walked past him, and headed straight for the villa.

"...Did I say something wrong?" Charles turned his head, looking puzzled.

"No, Mr. Charles."

Roland smiled and patted him on the shoulder, as if he were talking to a peer, instead of on the head.

"Get your tickets ready."

(End of this chapter)