Malice like knives and swords.
Sharpness, piercing pain.
Jason slightly narrowed his eyes while scanning those who believed they were well hidden, wearing insincere smiles, just like those seemingly innocent people he saw in the Nightless City.
But when there was profit to be made, they would pounce like jackals, clamping down and not letting go until they had viciously torn a piece of flesh from you.
The earlier Jason, encountering such people, was always at a loss, even losing out twice.
He knew exactly what he should do.
“It’s so hot in Hans Port.”
Jason grabbed the back of Dennise’s neck in one swift motion.
“Go back to your room.”
“Without my permission, you’re not allowed over here.”
“Write to your parents again to inform them that you’re safe.”
Having said that, Jason threw Dennise away and then forcefully shut the bedroom door and locked it.
After pondering for a moment, he also moved the nightstand over, propping it against the door.
Once all this was done, Jason heard knocking at the door.
“Jason, let’s go to the beach together!”
“It’s so beautiful there!”
The vibrant voice of Dennise rang out.
Jason said briskly and turned to walk towards the study in the guest room.
He had discovered many books there while exploring earlier.
Not expecting to find any secret techniques or rare accounts, Jason merely needed some books that ordinary people could read, as he needed them to understand this world better.
After several more knocks on the door, there was no further sound.
Meanwhile, Dennise’s cheerful footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Clearly, Jason’s rejection hadn’t dampened the spirit of the deceased girl.
She just forgot about it the moment she turned her head.
At this moment, all that remained was her anticipation for the seafront.
Declining the company of the guard, Dennise hopped happily towards the beach.
When the sand filled her shoes, Dennise readily took them off and walked barefoot on the beach, her footprints soon trailing along the sands, many disappearing into the sea.
Her joyful laughter was a constant presence along the afternoon beach, accompanied by the waves.
Dennise had long wanted to build a castle on the sand.
Unfortunately, she was too poor to afford the travel expenses.
However, even if she could afford it, she would probably have spent it on novels anyway.
Therefore, Dennise cherished this ‘free’ opportunity immensely.
And so, she carefully constructed her castle.
However, it was clear that Dennise lacked the talent for it. She wanted a castle with a spire, but no matter how she tried, what she built resembled a squat cylinder.
Dennise crouched there, lips involuntarily puckering in disappointment.
She had tried her hardest.
Yet she had not succeeded.
She had even planned to show it off to Jason.
But such a castle would surely…
While Dennise was contemplating how to make changes, a foot abruptly stomped down, instantly turning the ugly castle into a pile of sand.
The owner of the foot slowly retracted it.
With arms crossed, they looked down disdainfully at Dennise crouched on the ground.
“Didn’t see you playing with the sand here.”
With an apology devoid of sincerity, the person laughed lightly.
The two women following behind also started to mock her.
“How childish, still playing with sand at her age.”
“Look at that ugly straw hat, she must have woven it herself.”
“And that cloth skirt and hemp shoes, who knows how long she’s worn them.”
“I really don’t know how she got into Lord Gerard’s mansion, to even be housed on the fourth floor.”
Amidst their malicious words, jealousy was apparent.
Dennise looked at the three individuals.
She seemed to remember them.
They were apparently Jason’s relatives.
Jason disliked them immensely.
Dennise slowly stood up, and the three girls immediately surrounded her.