Spirit Hotel

Starting now, keep silent. Jesse said.

Feisha opened his mouth to respond.

Jesse interrupted. You sneezing?

No, Im farting. Feisha then asked innocently. What if gas starts building up when were halfway there? (1)

Jesse smiled. Then get a plug and plug it up. Need help finding one?

Feisha forced a laugh and made a motion of plugging up his mouth.

With that, everyone set out on the road again.

As they entered Crystal City, they pulled the hoods of their cloaks over their heads so that only half their faces were visible.

The city walls around Crystal City were incredibly tall- using human standards, they had to be at least seven or eight stories high. The surface was perfectly smooth, like the face of a mirror. It didnt seem like it had been built from stone or bricks, for there wasnt a single seam or break across the on the entire wall.

Feisha, curious at the sight, wanted to ask what type of material and work had to go into creating such a thing, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he noticed Jesse tilting his head just slightly. Although Jesse hadnt fully turned around, the subtle motion was more than enough to convey a silent warning. Thus Feisha took a deep breath, then promptly shut his mouth again.

As he approached the city gates, Jesse took something out from the folds of his clothes and gave it to his real attendants.

An attendant took the item and laid it in a notch next to the city gates.

They heard a ding sound, and the notch glowed red. From Feishas vantage, he could see something like a computer appear.

With a few taps, the attendant entered some numbers, and the gate slowly opened.

Feisha stood stupefied. If it werent for the fact that the gates hadnt started spitting out wads of cash yet, he wouldve thought that this Crystal City of theirs was just a supersized ATM.

Inside Crystal City, someone was already standing there, respectfully waiting for them.

During their stay, an invisible being named Geikie would be managing all matters. Seeing the short, flaxen blonde haircut, Feisha was suddenly reminded of back when he first arrived at Noahs Ark, confused and trembling in fear and trepidation. (2)

Back then, Hughes was also standing there with a gentle expression, calming like a soft spring breeze.

Since many other clans would be traveling to attend the conference here in Crystal City, Genesis had built a special foreign residential area.

They were now staying in this area.

Jesse had his own room, Locktini and Shamal shared one, Feisha and Antonio shared another, and the remaining six warlocks were also paired off into rooms.

In addition to both him and Antonio, the other two were also very unhappy with this arrangement. Normally, Feisha would be more than happy to help Shamal out, but by helping him out this time, hed have to deal with Locktini. After thinking it over, Feisha had no choice but to ignore the pa.s.sionate gazes of both brothers, shamelessly dragging Antonio into the room with him.

Walking into the room, he immediately headed for the balcony.

Outside the balcony was a ma.s.sive flower garden stretching nearly a thousand square meters. In the center was a crescent-shaped fountain.

Feisha had just enjoyed the sight for a little while when his expression suddenly changed. He turned to Antonio and asked, Whats todays date?

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Antonio replied, The 11th.

Without another word, Feisha dashed next door.

Shamal opened the door, and upon seeing his anxious face, started tensing up as well. What happened?

Feisha grabbed his arm tightly. Lets you and me share a room, okay?

Locktinis expression went bitterly cold.

Shamal frowned and asked, Why? He originally thought Feisha had finally thought it through and came to swap rooms with him.

Feisha panicked and said Today is the 11th, Antonio, he.

Just as he began speaking, Antonio came over and said, Ill switch rooms with you.

Shamals eyes flicked suspiciously between the two of them. Did anything happen between you guys?

Antonio explained. Although the Lunar Madness Syndrome is only supposed to affect us during nights of a full moon, its been so many years that I cant guarantee it hasnt changed. If it starts showing symptoms earlier, Locktini will be able to fend for himself, but Feisha would certainly die.

Feisha bobbed his head up and down rapidly. (3) He was afraid Antonio might attack so quickly, he wouldnt even have enough time to call for Isefel.

Shamal turned and looked to Locktini.

Locktinis expression was cold. If you want to switch rooms then hurry up. You all standing around in the doorway to feed the mosquitoes?

Feisha looked around a bit and wondered, Are there really mosquitoes around at this hour?

Shamal sighed and dragged him back over to the room next door. Time to go, lets head back and kill some mosquitoes.

After returning to their room, Feisha and Shamal dawdled about and took their showers. Seeing as there was still quite some time before dinner, they laid down on their respective beds, stared at the ceiling, and began to chat.

So, what next? Shamal asked Feisha out of habit.

Feisha sighed. I dont know either. Itd be best to ask around for some of the latest news on Crystal City first. For example, is Lanka actually married or not?

Shamal replied. Who are we supposed to ask?

Dont you guys from the faerie realm have any spies here in Genesis? Wasnt that a necessity for every nation?

Shamal ask. Why?

Youd be able to defend against enemy attacks, ambushes, or expose national secrets and stuff like thatyou really dont have any? It wouldnt happen to be some sort of highly cla.s.sified information that Shamal wouldnt be able to divulge, would it?

Shamal replied. Other than heaven and h.e.l.l, the other worlds have not been at war for a very long time.

Feisha asked. Then what about The Liberation Resistance?

Theyd much rather the worlds have nothing to do with one another, why would they try to instigate attacks between them? Wouldnt that just create even more inseparable and complicated relations between them?

Feisha realized once again that all human logic was rendered alien here.

Shamal thought for a bit and said, Once it it gets dark, lets sneak out of here?

Why? Feisha asked, already knowing the answer.

Shamal stammered and said. Its not safe here.

Were not safe, or is it just youre not safe? Feisha asked mockingly.

You guys dont understand him at all. Shamals fingers trembled, clutching at his blankets tightly. Hes always been a unforgiving, narrow-minded, and vengeful man.

Feisha said, Then back then, you shouldnt have just severed all contact with him like that. This people say that one shouldnt be too arrogant. Regardless of the conflict, one needs to leave the other party an out in case their paths meet again. (4)

I didnt have a choice. He sighed.

Feisha asked, Then what kind of revenge do you think he has planned?

Shamal said, If I knew, then I wouldnt have to sneak away!

You dont have a frame of reference?

There was once a warlock that colluded with an enemy clan. Just mentioning it again brought lingering fear to Shamals voice. Afterwards he was subjected to lingchi by dozens of knives and thrown into a herd of beasts. (5)

There was also a case where a warlock, in order to please his wife, mercilessly killed his own parents. He was covered in oil and thrown into a fire pit.

There was also

Okay, okay thats enough. Feisha waved for Shamal to stop, forcing himself to think away from the horrifying scenes he was imagining. You could say that all those people deserved what they got though, right? Hey, youve neither betrayedthe warlock race, nor did you murder your parents. For you, it shouldnt be as severe. (6)

Shamal was silent for a long time, then finally sighed. But I betrayed his trust.

From what you know of him, how bad do you think itll be? Feisha asked quietly.

Shamal bit his lip and avoided answering directly. Actually, hes been to the faerie world. My First Brother granted him an audience. (7)

Feisha was rather shocked. Oh?

That time, he knelt before my First Brotherbegging him to help search for me. Shamals despondent gaze was fixed on the ceiling, his fists clutching the blankets so hard his knuckles were white.

Feisha was left speechless.

This same man who could put himself in anothers shoes, he understood how much courage and determination it must take to kneel before a stranger. Its just that, if Jesse had sacrificed so much back then, today he would probably be looking to get it all back and even more. And this additional pricehe was afraid it wouldnt be as simple being thrown to the beasts or jumping into a pit of fire.

Would they really be able to retreat peacefully this time?

He couldnt help but worry, if only Isefel had their backs.

He tossed and turned for a bit, holding his brooch and whispering Isefels name, but no response came from the Black Star of h.e.l.l no matter how long he waited. Maybe he went swimming? Feisha tried again to no avail. Looking down at his watch, he realized it was almost dinnertime, and had no choice but to give up.

At six o clock, Geikie came knocking on their doors one by one, informing them that dinner was ready.

Shamal and Feisha hurried and got up, putting their cloaks on once more.

As they walked through the door, Jesse just happened to walk over from the other side of the corridor. His single room was arranged to be at the end of the corridor. He just glanced at Shamal with a mild look of disgust before turning his head and walking downstairs.

Feisha didnt know if it was because Shamals vivid account of Jesse on his knees was still stuck in his mind, but even though it was only a faint, momentary glance, he could feel a chill sweeping through his entire body. At that moment, he finally understood why Shamal was so terrified of Jesse.

Because the calmer he appears on the surface, the more violently the storm he hides inside rages. Once it breaks free, it would surely either tear its target from limb to limb or completely reduce everything along its path to ashes. (8)

Feisha couldnt help but pat Shamal on the shoulder.

The two of them walked downstairs together.

Jesse was already seated at the head of the table. They followed after the rest of the attendants, dividing themselves between the two sides of the table.

Locktini and Antonio were the last to arrive, and so they were seated at the very end.

Geikie waved for the servers to begin bringing in the food.

Feisha stared at the plates of what looked like meat paste in front of him and lost his appet.i.te. But perhaps the most unfortunate were Locktini and Shamal. They were both strict vegetarians.

Geikie bowed and said, These were prepared specially in accordance to your preferences, Master Jesse. We hope you enjoy it. (9)

Jesse held his spoon and slowly stirred the content in his plate. There was once a time I ate vegetarian food every day.

Geikie started, then asked worriedly, Is it not to your taste? I will ask the kitchens to prepare something else immediately.

Jesse raised a spoonful to his mouth and slowly swallowed it before saying. But then, I finally realized that meat is the most suitable for me after all.

Geikie was visibly relieved. Everyone, please take your time and enjoy. He said before standing to the side, watching attentively so that he could offer his services whenever needed.

Shamal forced down the sour taste of bile and slowly brought a spoonful of meat paste to his lips.

Jesse offered his aptly praise. This really is the flavor warlocks love the most.

Shamal gritted his teeth and forced it into his mouth.

Geikie smiled in satisfaction, but then realized that one individual had yet to touch his spoon at all. He couldnt help but worry. Do you not like it?

Locktini stiffly replied. Im on a diet.

Geikie quickly said. No problem, Ill immediately prepare some fruits and vegetables for you.

Shamal quickly spoke up. Im also on a diet.

Geikie just stared for a moment.

Feisha quickly explained for them. Actually, Master Jesse felt like the two of them always neglected to exercise properly, their bodies growing much too broad and harming the reputation of the warlock clan. Thus he told them to diet.

Since Feisha brought up Jesse, Gaikie couldnt really say anything more, immediately turning and heading towards the kitchens. But he couldnt help but wonder along the way, doesnt the cloak they wear hide their bodies either way? Why does it matter if theyre fat or thin?

Shamal let out a sigh of relief, and all the greasy meat he ate earlier suddenly came back up. He dropped his spoon and ran off towards their room. Feisha watched him go, then looked towards Jesse who was eating the meat paste without a word, and silently sighed.

If he was being honest, in his heart, he still sympathized with Jesse. After all, in this day and age, people who could fall so heads over heels in love were extremely rare. But infatuation was infatuation, and friendship was friendship. People are always short-sighted, and if it really came down to it, he would still stand on Shamals side. Cant do anything about it- they were all part of Noahs Ark after all. If their crew wont even work together, they can hardly call another ship over for help. (10)

Shamal returned to his seat just as Gaikie finished hurriedly preparing the vegetarian dishes.

Dishes of fresh green vegetables, tofu, and rice were brought, allowing him and Locktini to finally eat and satisfy themselves.

As Shamal turned to eat his food, Feisha paid close attention to Jesse and realized that though his face remained expressionless, his gaze would occasionally flicker to Shamal. But whatever feelings he held were hidden deep, and Feisha couldnt guess at them.

At last, they somehow managed to finish the meal without starting a fight.

Everyone rose from their seats and, following after Jesse, returned to their rooms one by one.