Bang! The club swung, and the golf ball was sent flying. Ahead on the green, a boy holding a flag ran to mark where it landed.

Alfred bent down to set up Karon’s next shot, checking the angle and making a few token adjustments. Karon loosened his neck and asked, “Pu’er tells me that Tier-3 of the Allen family’s faith system is roughly your level?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Bang! Karon sent another ball flying. As soon as it landed, the boy sprinted over to place another marker. “And you have strength comparable to a normal Inquisitor of the Church of Order?”

“If we are not considering an Inquisitor like Sir Tiz, then yes.”

“So even if we set aside the crippled Mr. Mike, the Allen family still has two Inquisitor-level figures sheltering it?”

“Young Master, that comparison is actually difficult,” Alfred said.

“Oh?” Karon set the club down and waved to the boy below, signaling that he was finished. He stepped down from the tee area, washed his hands in the washroom, and then returned and motioned for Alfred to sit. “Explain to me in detail.”

“Yes, Young Master. I do not know if Pu’er has mentioned to you the differences between family faith systems.”

“She has. Each family’s ancestor achieved different levels of strength, so the systems are not directly comparable.”

“Inquisitors are the same. An Inquisitor’s personal strength is only half of their strength, while the Church of Order behind that Inquisitor is the other half.”

“Oh?”

“Certain Arts Inquisitors use are able to be reinforced by the Church of Order, or even by the rules of Order themselves. They never truly fight on their own. This is before even considering an Inquisitor’s background. At the most basic level, they can send one official letter and call in allies.”

“But does a family faith system not also call upon the strength of their ancestor?” Karon asked.

“That is true, but their ancestor actually exists within their own bloodline. The reason churches are the largest power is because they borrow the power of gods and the power of rules, which are above their heads.

“It can be likened to a water fight where everyone is splashing each other with a bowl of water. The bowls may be the same size, or the family faith system’s bowl might even be larger, but church members are standing beside a pool while also holding their bowls.

“After you undergo purification, Young Master, you should have the corresponding sense of this.”

“I understand.”

“Another point, Young Master. When Pu’er said that I possess the same level of power as the Allen family’s Tier-3, that was a conclusion she drew based on her understanding of her own family faith system.”

“Is there a difference?”

“There is. What she meant should be the way that power is used. It is like this: everyone’s equipment is the same. Mr. Rudd and I wear the same armor and hold the same blade. That is what Pu’er meant when it said we are the same.”

“So, the actual combat effect, and who is stronger or weaker, can only be seen after trading blows.”

“Precisely, Young Master. One thing I can say with certainty is that Mr. Rudd on Kerona Island is not my opponent. If it came to a matter of life and death, I would live and he would die.

“Unless someone is able to crush me with overwhelming force, I am the last opponent a peer at the same level as me wishes to face.”

Karon smiled. “That is very comforting to hear.”

“Heh,” Alfred said, smiling in a restrained way.

Most importantly to him was that he did not want Karon to misjudge his strength, giving the Allen family the upper hand.

In fact, Alfred even had reason to suspect that Pu’er’s answer to the Young Master had included the “radio demon” deliberately, as a way of playing dumb in order to maintain a certain balance.

After all, Pu’er surely cared more about the weight the Allen family held in the Young Master’s heart.

This was a workplace— No, the fight over one’s placement on the mural was a hundred times more brutal than any workplace scuffle.

“So a system is a system, faith is faith, and an actual fight depends on how those abilities are used in the moment, right?”

“Yes, Young Master. Just like Mr. Hoffen. He could not fight at all, yet his abilities still leave me shaken.”

“Mhmm, I understand.”

“Young Master, I retrieved the balls,” a boy said as he appeared at the bedroom doorway.

“Put them over there.”

“Yes, Young Master.” The boy placed the cleaned balls back in a basket on the corner of the table, then carefully replaced the clubs in their stand. He even picked up the cloth beside him and began wiping down the table.

Alfred watched the boy with a thoughtful expression.

“This talented boy from the Allen is named Borg,” Karon explained. “He is the youngest of the eighteen Tier-1 members.”

“An uncut gem you discovered, Young Master?” Alfred asked.

“No. The Allen family deliberately pushed him onto me.” Even when saying this, Karon did not lower his voice. There was no doubt the boy cleaning the table could hear him.

After wiping the table down, Borg voluntarily walked over to Karon.

“Young Master, Mr. Alfred, if you need anything at all in the future, you can just tell me. During the day, I will wait outside of the young master’s study. At night, I will sleep outside his bedroom.”

While there was indeed a servant’s bed inside the master bedroom, it was usually for maids. A household’s bedside attendant was not unique to any one civilization. Nobles knew how to enjoy themselves, but Borg was a boy, and it would not be appropriate for him to sleep in a maid’s bed.

Additionally, because of the relationship between Karon and Eunice, the Allen family did not find it appropriate to arrange for a personal maid for him unless he requested one himself.

Veyn’s culture followed monogamy. But while things looked equal, if that were truly the case, there would not be endless stories of illegitimate children.

“A very talented little fellow,” Alfred said with a smile to Borg.

“Thank you for your praise,” the young man said as he bowed to Alfred.

“I looked at his file. He’s far out on the family tree.”

“Oh?” Alfred looked puzzled.

“My father’s surname is Allen, but my mother was a prostitute. My father had little standing in the Allen family. My mother said he was originally the captain of an apartment security team, but he later accumulated heavy gambling debts. His creditors drove him to jump into a river to escape, and he drowned.

“My mother and my father were not on good terms. He was just another customer to her, and during the time when my mother became pregnant, she did not know whose child it was.

“My mother wanted to abort me, but she had already had several abortions previously. The clinic doctor told her that if she aborted me as well, she would never be able to get pregnant again. That is why she chose to give birth to me. Before the age of ten, I grew up in a brothel. The brothel owner said I was attractive enough that once I grew up a bit, I could start taking clients.

“But I was lucky. When I was little, my mother once cursed me as an Allen bastard, and I remembered that.

“Two years ago, one of the brothel’s customers said that the Allen family was holding its once-a-decade test for young family members, so I stole a customer’s wallet, bought a ticket, and took the train to York City by myself to join the test. I was selected. Thank the ancestor for blessing me, and thank the great Allen family.”

From the perspective of secular wealth alone, the Allen family had been wealthy for hundreds of years, so they certainly had a very large number of family members. In comparison, the Immers family had always had few numbers.

But the former could not possibly have the same kind of family atmosphere as the Immers family. Many people might share the Allen surname, but the reality was that they were strangers to each other.

Most “Allens” could rely on the family’s massive secular wealth to find some kind of job at worst. As for anything beyond that, they could not expect much from the main branch.

For example, Borg’s gambling-addicted father would never have been able to receive any financial support from the main family. When he fell into debt, he had been hunted by his creditors, and when he drowned, the main branch of the family had not concerned themselves with the matter at all.

But Borg had seized an opportunity.

The main branch’s test was essentially a periodic selection of young people who carried the Allen surname, primarily examining the concentration of bloodline they carried.

When even the main branch had become so diluted, an atavistic return from the outer branches was exceedingly rare, but the Allen family had been forced into a truly desperate situation by the Raphael family. With the Allen family’s decline readily visible and a clear life-or-death crisis, they had no choice but to cast their net wider.

Thus, once a decade a test was conducted to search through outsiders, including all of the “Allens” throughout Veyn, having them all return to the main branch to pay their respects to their ancestors. The newspapers would even help promote the event as evidence of the Allen family’s cohesion and culture.

Karon could not help but be reminded of family reunions in his previous life, where people with the same surname would return from all across various regions.

“And your mother now?” Alfred asked.

“My mother receives family assistance. She has a house and a monthly stipend, while I can live in Allen Manor and receive the family’s focused training. Now, I have even been given the chance to serve the young master.”

As he said this, Borg’s face was full of bright sunshine.

Karon smiled as well and reached out. Borg willingly stepped forward to allow Karon’s hand to fall upon his shoulder and pat it.

“Alfred, a boy like this, once he grows up, he will either become the family’s finest steed, or a wolf that will later bite back the family that raised it.”

Even when hearing that, Borg maintained his smile, his expression showing no unnatural change.

Karon rested for a moment longer, and Borg reminded him, “Young Master, this afternoon, you will be riding with Miss Eunice.”

“Oh, right. I almost forgot.”

“I will help fetch you your clothes,” Borg offered.

“No need. I’ll just go like this. It isn’t formal riding practice, but just a walk.”

Karon went down to the first floor. Two horses, one white and one chestnut, were already waiting, held by two grooms. As Karon stepped out, the sound of boots followed behind him. Eunice emerged, her riding outfit outlining her figure to perfection.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Eunice said.

Karon already knew that she must have been ready long ago, and had been waiting in some room nearby.

“Not at all, I only just came down myself,” Karon replied with a smile. “Come, let’s get on.”

Karon reached out to help her mount. Eunice grabbed his hand and swung up, but her horse shifted. She lost her balance, and Karon caught her, only for the two to fall to the ground together.

The two grooms moved to help, but Alfred raised a hand to stop them.

Borg watched Alfred’s movements, and then nodded silently. He had memorized it.

“Sorry, that was my fault,” Karon said.

Eunice could have easily mounted on her own without any problem. He had only been playing around, but Eunice had allowed it to accommodate him, which had likely led to the fall.

She lay against Karon’s chest, her chestnut hair spilling loose. At first, she looked as if she wanted to excuse him, but ultimately, she couldn’t hold back a laugh. She punched Karon’s chest. “Yes, it’s all your fault.”

They eventually both stood back up. Eunice swung onto the chestnut horse, while Karon mounted the white horse, adopting a posture that was far from proper.

The afternoon sunlight fell softly over him. For a moment, the white horse and Karon formed a picture that was both gentle and finely balanced.

Eunice observed in silence, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. What girl, in the season of first love, had never imagined her other half as a prince on a white horse?

She rode slightly ahead to lead the way, and Karon followed just behind on the white horse. Farther back, Alfred and Borg rode while maintaining a deliberate distance.

“The young master really is very handsome,” Borg said with sincere admiration.

Alfred reminded him, “You said the brothel owner originally wanted to train you to take clients?”

“Yes, Mr. Alfred.”

“I am only reminding you. I know you grew up in a brothel and have seen many people with all kinds of fetishes, but in front of Young Master, you had best keep yourself clean. While other nobles or wealthy people might enjoy such games, Young Master is not the same as them.”

“Thank you for the reminder, sir. I understand.” Borg straightened his back slightly, making himself look more alert.

“The truth is you don’t have any strong emotional ties to the Allen family,” Alfred observed. “No matter how you verbally praise the Allen family, or how proud you claim to be of your surname Allen.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Just try to treat Young Master with sincerity. He is actually much like you, and is also not very familiar with this family.”

“I understand. I am truly grateful, Mr. Alfred. You really are a good person.”

“I am only different from that cat.”

That cat still acts like a young lady, a two-hundred-year-old young lady.

***

“I’d imagined many possible scenarios for what it would be like after returning home,” Eunice said. “But I did not expect it would turn out like this. Not even Mother anticipated this.”

“Neither did I.”

“On our way home, Mother reminded me again and again that no matter what sort of attitude the family showed you, I needed to be careful about my own attitude.” Eunice looked at Karon. “Now, I really do need to be careful about my attitude toward you.”

“It doesn’t need to be so complicated,” Karon replied, glancing back at the massive building behind them. “Compared to riding in the manor, I prefer taking you for a drive.”

“Have you already grown tired of it?” Eunice asked.

“It’s not that. I’m just not used to this kind of life. Strip away a lot of unnecessary desires, and life can actually be quite simple.”

“I prefer life in Roja City too,” Eunice agreed. “Dealing with my students in class, walking the streets alone, buying small accessories. I thought it was something new, something I wanted. I assumed I would eventually return to this kind of life at home.”

She paused. “But maybe that was only because I’d never tried it before. I mistook what I saw at first glance for the way things ought to be.”

Karon was silent for a moment, then lightly said, “I know you’re talking about yourself, but it still feels like I took a hit.”

Eunice laughed. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Karon said as he reached down to stroke the white horse’s mane. “I understand.”

“I’m surprised. I’ve seen the atmosphere in your home. It’s truly enviable.”

“I think so too.”

“I naïvely thought that because of my family, that kind of pure warmth would always be a luxury for me. But then, from the attitude Grandfather and Father have shown you, I realized that the Allen family can’t be compared to the Immers family.”

“It’s because my family has a good grandfather.”

“Karon, there’s something I want to say to you. I wanted to say it on the road, but I was too embarrassed to open my mouth.”

“You can just say it now.”

“It will be different now, but it can also be the same.”

“Then I am even more interested.”

“What I originally wanted to say was this,” Eunice said. “If, after coming to the Allen Manor, you find it uncomfortable to live here, then when you decide to leave, I hope you will take me with you.”

Karon nodded.

“But what I want to say now,” Eunice continued. “Is that if you already feel out of place living here, then when you decide to leave, I want you to take me with you.”

“Alright.”

“In truth, Karon, I don’t know what kind of feelings I have for you, but I can feel that I like looking at you, and I also like those intimate moments with you.”

This time, Karon did not answer in kind.

“Karon, being with you makes me feel comfortable. In truth, I have always known about the matters at home and the family’s mysteries, but Grandfather and Father never allowed me to participate or come into contact with them. I once wanted to try, like the others in the family. I knew how hard they worked every day, and Second Uncle even became like that because of his efforts.

“I felt that I also bore the surname Allen, so I should fulfill my share of responsibility, but I was never permitted.

“Later, Mother told me the reason. She said I was the patriarch’s daughter. I could not awaken the faith power within my bloodline in advance, in order to marry... better.”

Hearing that, Karon froze.

“Because it would give my future husband’s family the surprise of opening a mystery box.”

In an instant, the atmosphere became heavy.

This was the sorrow of great families, the cruelty of great families, and the reality of great families.

Karon held the reins with one hand, leaned over, and used his other hand to grasp Eunice’s boot and give it a light squeeze. “I’m different. I only want you because you are beautiful.”

***

“Oh, heaven.” On the master bedroom balcony, Pu’er looked at the pair riding together in the distance and complained, “Why can’t they just skip all this useless foreplay and go straight to having children?”

Woof! The golden retriever nodded.

“It’s rare for you to agree with me.”

Woof! The golden retriever grinned and happily ran circles behind Pu’er.

Pu’er ignored the dog’s manic excitement and continued dipping her paw in ink to draw on the blueprint before her.

“Mike was stupid enough to blow out his own legs, but his talent really was the best of his generation in the main branch. All of them have a limited ceiling. Sorting out the chaotic water and fire elements inside his body, hm... Heh. While others can’t do it, I am the true genius in the family’s history!

“I just have to wait for Karon to first undergo his purification, so that he can see how those elements move, and then have him help Mike resolve the problem with his body. That will help Karon earn people’s hearts.

“Good. Perfect. Meow.”

***

When Karon rode past the Allen family cemetery with Eunice, his gaze deliberately swept over the tombstones of their ancestors, especially the pirate ship tombstone.

Earl Rekar, leader of the largest pirate armada in the history of the Longlute Sea, had been the most dazzling figure in the Allen family’s history, aside from their founding ancestor. Even in a painted portrait, the man had still needed to make his fingers unruly, declaring his status and arrogance to the world.

After Karon and Eunice rode past, Alfred and Borg rode through the cemetery behind them.

Alfred said, “Borg, I have a task for you.”

“Please tell me.”

“Go and ask the elders in the family. They can be from the side branches. In any case, elders from the side branches will attend the patriarch’s funeral as well. Ask them about the Allen family’s burial rites when interring their dead, and focus on the details.

“For example, get the specifics of how each corpse is treated for preservation.”