CHAPTER 64: DAY ONE WITHOUT VERYL. MISS HIM.

The thought of creating an urban legend and becoming the protagonist in horror stories that could terrify children into stopping crying was irresistible. Wayne couldn’t contain his excitement. He was eager to organize a grand parade of skeletons.

If anyone had offered even a word of advice, he would’ve given up on the unwise idea. Unfortunately, there was no one around to do that—Veryl wasn’t here.

Wayne only had his boot-licking dog and horse with him, and the two encouraged his worst behavior together. As soon as they heard that he wanted to stir trouble, they perked up, one tail wagging and the other tail swishing.

Do suggested taking George Street—10 George Street was the Prime Minister’s office, located in the Central District of Londan. A parade there would cause a sensation and make tomorrow morning’s front-page headlines. Julia agreed.

That, however, cooled Wayne’s enthusiasm. He was aiming to become an urban legend, the kind of vague story that made one question what part of it was true. He would have to be crazy to aim for tomorrow’s headlines. Ignorance was bliss. The magical world was too dangerous. Ordinary people shouldn’t and couldn’t know about it, or the strong sense of crisis would make them flee en masse, and the entire city would collapse.

After some consideration, he decided to take the waterway without the skeleton soldiers.

Although these old folks didn’t have to work tomorrow morning, it was inconsiderate enough to wake them up in the middle of the night; there was no need to continue tormenting their old bones for his whim.

“Fellas, don’t keep standing. Staying up late is bad for health. Sleep early, and we’ll continue our fun tomorrow night.”

He waved his hand grandly. Do led the way ahead, and thick fog enveloped the warhorse. Death walked to the banks of the River Thames in the company of mist.

The river was the main river running across the Kingdom of Windsor, flowing through the capital, Londan, and over a dozen cities along its banks. It widened downstream and flowed into the North Sea. With its broad riverbed and gentle water, as well as the ports lining the banks, it made a natural canal.

In addition to cargo ships, the Thames also saw quite a few sightseeing cruises. Wayne remembered what happened here in his original world. Your Majesty, the foreigners’ warships have reached our doorstep, and they’re saying that they want to help us build railways![1]

It was now deep into the night. The river surface was shrouded in fog, with the navigation lights of ships flickering dimly. Julia jumped onto the river after Do, her four hooves stepping on water as she galloped across the waves. They were literally walking the waterway!

With her keen sense of smell, Do raced across the river searching for cruise ships whose passengers hadn’t retired at this late hour. Inner Londan was famous as a part of the city that never slept. Going upstream, there was no shortage of wealthy people staying up all night. With luck, she might even find a ship hosting a party.

Soon, Do found a target. It was an extended sightseeing cruise ship with two levels, its luxurious exteriors brightly lit. On the open deck of the upper level, wealthy businesspeople and celebrities gathered for a small concert on the Thames. Lilting music and an enchanting voice drifted along the river, so heavenly that no one would want to interrupt the performance. Even the gloomy fog seemed to soften in this moment.

The swaying ship wasn’t an ideal stage, but every musician present was a master of their craft. With money being no object, they feared no challenge.

The female singer wore a white dress, flawless in appearance, figure, and temperament. Her blonde curls ran down her shoulders, accentuating her beauty and making every other lady pale in comparison.

The rich and powerful never lacked gorgeous companions. The fact that the singer could outshine them all proved her incredible allure. Compared to her beauty, though, her voice was undoubtedly even more captivating. It was smooth as silk and clear as a spring, as if it could wash away the stains on the listeners’ souls.

If Wayne could see her, he would find her terribly familiar. In the magical materials left by the original Wayne, he had married this very singer and made passionate love with her several times every day.

Lily Haworth, the most popular female singer at present.

Suddenly, a cry of alarm interrupted the performance. On the right side of the deck, more and more wealthy passengers gathered, staring in horror at the terrifying figure moving through the mist. It was a skeletal knight in black armor, mounted on an undead horse that breathed purple flames. A relatively small spirit hound stood guard. They walked on water as if they were unaffected by gravity.

The horse wasn’t racing, but on a stroll. The cold, aloof Death Knight radiated an intense dominance and fearlessness. Even though parts of him were obscured by mist, his powerful presence remained impossible to ignore.

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back!

As the cruise ship and the Death Knight passed each other, the Death Knight slowly turned to the ship. The white flames dancing in his eye sockets seemed to pierce everyone’s hearts like blades, dragging and cutting with excruciating slowness but unstoppable force. The rich passengers felt as if they had fallen into iced water, their clothes drenched in cold sweat. They wanted to flee, but couldn’t move their legs. They couldn’t even close their eyes or look away.

In that moment, they felt a shudder run down their spines, as if the Grim Reaper’s scythe hung right over their heads. Then, with the mist obscuring his full form, the Death Knight looked away, vanishing into the night.

Only then did everyone begin breathing again, sighing in relief. Some choked back sobs, while others collapsed to the deck. Their eyes were wet, and so were their pants. Some even shouted for their bodyguards to get up from the lower deck to protect them.

Facing death, all pretenses fell away.

Of course, there were exceptions. In the center of the upper deck, a man with handsome, sculpted features played with an antique silver coin in his hand, narrowing his eyes in the direction the Death Knight had disappeared. He was in his thirties, with black hair and black eyes. None of his facial features was perfect individually, but put together, he had an irresistible masculine charm to him—a mature intellectual with a subtle suaveness.

Behind him, a blonde beauty with short hair stood respectfully, her delicate face highlighted with light makeup. Her tailcoat fitted her form and accentuated her slim waist. In her upright posture, the white gloves she wore pressed against the seams of her pants.

“Master Auston, shall I follow and take a look?” she bowed slightly and asked.

“Look at what? Are you going to check how sharp the sword is?” Auston Lando swirled the red wine in his glass and drained it in one go. “Don’t meddle in matters that do not concern you. I don’t want to send people to fish your corpse out of the river tomorrow. Just do your job. Have the musicians prepare the next performance. Let the music and singing continue.”

Butler Megan glanced at the panicked musicians, cold light flashing in her eyes. In an instant, she dispelled the distracting thoughts in their minds while clearing away the gloom of terror seizing the cruise ship, calming down the rich passengers as well.

Those who needed to change their pants got changed. Those who needed to touch up their makeup did so. Elegance shall be maintained, and the concert would continue.

The melodious singing resumed.

Ten minutes later, the singer bowed, but instead of returning to the lower deck. She found Auston and took a seat under Megan’s invitation.

“Mr. Lando, it’s an honor,” Lily Haworth said sincerely.

Auston appraised her with a smile. “Miss Haworth, I have a business proposition for you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

Lily smiled. She knew the playboy’s reputation. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was going to talk to her about the hanky-panky.

“I want you to find a man and sleep with him by any means necessary.”

...Wait, not you?

“Think it over. Here’s my card. Contact me when you’ve made up your mind.” Auston raised his wine glass and had Megan hand over the business card. “The city of Londan isn’t safe for a beauty like you. Once the job’s done, I’ll make sure no one ever bothers you again.”

***

“Do, Julia, how did I do?”

“Excellent!”

“Outstanding!”

Wayne nodded at his subordinates’ praises. They were speaking from the bottom of their hearts, but lacked the embellishment that would elevate the words.

Day one without Veryl. Miss him.

After spreading the urban legend, he decided to retreat to base, taking a shortcut. Londan wasn’t safe at night. If he encountered a few magical girls who didn’t play by the implicit rules of society, he could end up defeated and annihilated on the spot.

It was too dangerous outside. Better to hurry back to the cemetery and lie down.

Again, Do led the way with Julia moving in the darkness with the mist as cover. But something caught Wayne’s attention on the way back. Before reaching shore, he tugged the reins to stop Julia.

“Stop here!”

He looked down at the wide river. They were ten meters from shore. The Book of Greed alerted him to a wraith he could contract with directly below. On the page for vengeful spirits in the book, crimson codes had formulated a contract, waiting for him to sign and finalize the bond.

He didn’t sign immediately. He had a higher standard now, and not every random ghost was qualified to become his vengeful spirit. It wasn’t easy to be his dog! Heard of the Death Knight’s warhorse? Even she begged for him to ride her, and he only agreed for the great sword!

But then again, a wraith that the Book of Greed would lock on had to be something special.

“Might be worth investigating.”

He rubbed his skull. White light danced in his eye sockets as the river around Julia’s hooves boiled and churned. Mud surged upward, and before long, he saw what he had dredged up from the riverbed.

A barrel! One filled with cement, to be precise!

“Tsk, humans are terrifying.”

1. It’s a meme in China that originated from the agreement for China to help the UK build high-speed railways, supposedly joking about the role reversal as the UK was the one to build the first modern railway in China. ☜