“That’s not unusual,” the Shaman said. “Avalon and its shadow have always been one of the same. If the Shadow is damaged, the surface will be damaged as well. This isn’t something surprising but what it represents is unsettling.”
Ye Qingxuan thought for a moment. He looked up and asked, “Do you know what they want to do?”
“The authority of the bell,” the Shaman replied. “They want the bell authority that controls the enchantment of Avalon.
“This is the custom of the Royal Musician Division. They’re responsible for guarding the Elizabeth Tower since centuries ago and ring the bell at dawn and dusk. The Elizabeth Tower is the heart of the Avalon enchantment.
“It’s heavily guardedthe Royal Musician Division’s most important task is to maintain its safety and existence so Anglo won’t fall into the hands of a natural catastrophe. Thus, the Royal Musician Division is given the ‘bell authority.’ This authority could be in the form of anything. It can be a ring, a piece of white paper, a sword, a hat, or an eye.”
The Shaman’s voice was meaningful. “The parliament can enter the Elizabeth Tower with this authority. They can enter the heart and destroy the equilibrium of Avalon’s enchantment, whether it be inside the Shadow or outside.
“Once it loses control, the natural catastrophes’ power can truly enter Avalon’s Shadow, enterthe palace in the Shadow. That would be the worst result for me, you, and the entire country.” The Shaman studied the youth. Dying embers seemed to spark again in his dull eyes. They were inexplicably somber. “So I must ask something of you.”
“What is it?”
“Slow their exploration down. Stop them from entering the Elizabeth Tower.” The Shaman began coughing violently. Bone fragments and blood spewed from the giant hole in his chest. His organs trembled painfully.
His servant rushed in to change the machine, but the Shaman pushed him away with an order. The servant hesitated before leaving obediently.
Only the Shaman and the youth remained in the silence. Ye Qingxuan looked at the Shaman and the Shaman looked back.
“You can do it. I know it.”
The youth shook his head. “I can’t do it alone.”
“The Butcher will help you. I also have a group of secretly recruited musicians. When neededthe Ripper will help too.”
“The Ripper? Are you kidding?” Ye Qingxuan laughed involuntarily from shock. “He almost killed me. Twice! And once was last night in Avalon’s Shadow!”
“Helost control.”
“Okay, so let’s not talk about what Hyakume wants the parliament to do. Anglo’s at the brink of danger, right?”
The Shaman nodded.
Ye Qingxuan could not help but feel incredulous. “A jubilant western country has no idea that it’s close to danger. And they’re going to rely on an executioner, a bloodthirsty madman, and an Eastern kid in a vest. Isn’t that funny?”
After a long pause, the Shaman sighed. “After all, your mother is”
“She is but I’m not!” Ye Qingxuan raised his voice and interrupted the Shaman furiously. “She is, so she trusted her husband, her family, and her countryand everything she trusted betrayed her. Shaman, she’s already dead! If you want to keep discussing things with me, don’t use her to admonish me. Never do that!”
The Shaman did not reply. Expression troubled, he remained silent. After a long while, Ye Qingxuan, who had closed his eyes, opened them again. He let out a long breath.