Chapter 275: Have You Really Never Been to a Courtyard Like That?

Before dawn, Jane Lancaster dozed off for a while in Jasper Sterling’s arms.

She had always felt beset by crises, never once letting her guard down, because the slightest misstep would mean utter ruin.

She had no allies, no friends, just a lonely walk through the darkness on a long road to an unknown destination.

Her brother, her lover, even her best friend—all were fated to betray her.

For a very long time, she was mired in a state of negativity, feeling that this world held nothing worth holding on to.

Until that day at the train station in Mama Knight’s hometown, when Jasper Sterling traveled across mountains and seas to take her home.

The temperature in the car was comfortable, his embrace strong and firm. She felt like a traveler who had trekked a long way through wind and snow, finally finding refuge in a warm harbor.

Warmth spread through her entire body, an incredible comfort, and she quickly drifted off to sleep.

...

Jasper Sterling looked down at her peaceful, sleeping face and slowly tightened his arms.

The thought that she was right here in his arms—not some intangible illusion from a dream that he could see but never touch—filled his heart with boundless joy.

His heart had never felt so full.

He couldn’t bear to look away, gazing at her greedily.

He didn’t know what method she had used to paralyze the "gods" who were monitoring her, but he knew this situation wouldn’t last long.

And so, this moment was all the more precious.

He sat just like that until the sky outside was bright with daylight.

Noticing the flutter of her eyelashes, a smile crept onto his lips. "Good morning, Jay."

Jane Lancaster couldn’t help but smile back. "Good morning."

She had slept incredibly well and felt completely content. She sat up, opened the car door, and walked to the lakeshore to admire the rising sun.

[Good morning.] A mechanical voice sounded in her ear.

Jane Lancaster smiled but didn’t respond, waiting quietly for the sun to rise.

The first touch of gold landed in her eyes, a shimmering, leaping light that soon transformed into a brilliant radiance.

The sunlight cast a warm hue on her face, making her breathtakingly beautiful in the interplay of light and shadow.

The Black-Haired Oracle didn’t pursue her lack of response, captivated by the scene before him.

He silently watched the sunrise with her.

Until he noticed a tall, slender figure standing beside her.

Jasper Sterling felt that sense of being watched again.

Before, it had been faint and omnipresent, coming from all directions. But this time, it was just the strongest gaze, and it was even more intense than usual, carrying a faint hint of hostility.

’So it’s aimed at me this time?’ He lowered his gaze and gave a silent laugh.

’Of the fourteen priests in The Sanctum, I wonder which one this is.’

Once the sun had completely risen above the lake, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the Lancaster Family’s villa. They had probably discovered that their young lady had left home in the middle of the night.

Jasper Sterling knew someone would come looking for her soon. The joy of this one night was fleeting, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

[Thank you.] Her innermost thought reached his ears.

Before he could react, Jane Lancaster said it out loud, "Thank you for watching the sunrise with me."

She didn’t look at him. After saying this, she turned and walked toward her villa.

Jasper Sterling stood in the morning light, watching her leave with a smile. ’I’m the one who should be thanking you,’ he said silently in his heart.

—

In The Sanctum, a small smile touched the corners of the Black-Haired Oracle’s lips.

’That "thank you"... she was actually saying it to me, wasn’t she?’

He desperately wanted to say, "You’re welcome," but he worried it would be too abrupt. In the end, he suppressed the urge and remained silent.

’The main quest should be ending soon. When it does, she can be extradited to Aethelgard.’

’I find myself getting impatient, so eager to finally meet her.’

’But right now, there’s something more important: I can’t let her accumulate too much sin.’

’Otherwise, even if she makes it to Aethelgard, an endless prison sentence will be waiting for her.’

’As the most powerful priest, I can naturally pull some strings, but I can’t go too far.’

’I could, however, go to Priest No. 1 and get a writ of special pardon, then apply to have her imprisoned in my home.’

’But No. 1 has been in seclusion for a long time and has rarely concerned himself with the affairs of the smaller worlds recently. I’m not sure if I’ll even be able to find him.’

—

Sean Grant jolted awake from a dream. Outside the window, it was still pitch black.

He had dreamed again of his childhood, of that terrifying mansion.

It was a shadow that had haunted him his entire life, a deep-seated fear, yet he didn’t understand why.

He only knew that he had followed his father to a banquet at that mansion, but he couldn’t remember what had happened inside.

Every time he dreamed of the mansion, his dream-self would tremble and freeze in fear, like a lamb to the slaughter, completely unable to muster any meaningful resistance.

Overwhelming terror and despair squeezed his heart like an invisible hand.

Sean Grant was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath just to dispel the bone-deep terror.

He had been an adult for a long time and had long since gained the formidable ability to protect himself, yet he was still so powerless against the dreams of his childhood.

’This feeling is unbearable! I absolutely refuse to accept that someone once manipulated me like this!’

’Damn it! What the hell happened? Why can’t I remember?!’

He raised his hand and swept everything off the coffee table.

CRASH! The sound of shattering glass and porcelain was exceptionally loud in the quiet night.

A soft, sweet girlish voice came from outside. "Mr. Leo, are you all right?"

He threw off the covers, got out of bed, and opened the door. As expected, Luna Morgan was standing outside.

She was in her pajamas, her gaze fixed on the beads of sweat on his forehead, her face filled with worry. "Did you have another nightmare?"

Sean Grant stepped aside to let her in. Looking at the mess on the floor, he sighed. "Sorry for the mess... Don’t move. I’ll have the cleaners take care of it in the morning."

Luna Morgan said, "Does your head still hurt? How about I give you another massage now?"

Sean Grant lay down on the bed, relieved. He closed his eyes and let her massage his head.

Lately, he had been having frequent nightmares and suffering from splitting headaches every day. Seeing countless doctors had been useless, so he had invited Luna Morgan to his home to see if her head massages could provide some relief.

He was always cautious and found it difficult to let his guard down around others, but with Luna Morgan, he was willing to open his heart.

Because she was his savior, a ray of light in his life.

He didn’t remember what happened in that mansion, but he remembered what happened afterward.

Back then, he had been inhumanly beaten, covered in wounds and on the verge of death. When he was in so much pain he thought he was about to die, Luna Morgan appeared and saved him.

"Are you sure you’ve never been to a mansion like that?" Sean Grant suddenly opened his eyes and asked.

Luna Morgan shook her head. "I really don’t remember. If I said I had, I’d be lying to you."

Sean Grant closed his eyes again.

’It’s right that she doesn’t remember,’ he thought. ’After all, the human brain has self-preservation mechanisms. It’s better to forget such a horrifying memory.’

’It was because of my own unwillingness to accept it, because of my anger, that I forced myself not to forget. But all I remember is the rage itself, not the events or the faces of my enemies.’

But deep down, he had a vague impression that someone had protected him in that mansion.