"Were you... waiting for your cat to wake up?"
"Waiting for it to wake up?"
After several questions, Yilin finally connected the dots of Gray's odd remark and confirmed his meaning. Then she subtly glanced around, not seeing anything resembling a cat. And, what does it mean for a knight to wait for a cat to wake up?
*"Was he talking in code?" Yilin kept a polite smile, slightly leaning back, and asked the advice of Abi Robbs, who was beside her.*
Abi Robbs thought for a moment and said, "In the north, 'cat' is sometimes used metaphorically for illicit affairs, meaning 'sneaking around.' But I don't quite understand why he would wait here for 'sneaking around.'"
"Is he hinting that we're here in Salted Fish Port to do something unethical?"
"It's possible, though it seems a bit... far-fetched."
Huoersi urged his horse forward, only to be stopped by Yilin.
Yilin slightly lifted her head, maintaining her polite smile, and said, "Knight, we have urgent matters. Would you mind stepping aside and letting us pass? You could wait for your cat to wake up by the roadside."
"Step aside?" Gray glanced to both sides with the corner of his eye.
The wide avenue, about seven or eight meters across, had Gray standing in the middle. The sun was setting, and the vendors had already packed up; not a single shadow was visible on either side.
"It's not that I don't agree," Gray said hesitantly, "the road is so wide, can't you pass by? Why do I have to step aside?"
"What did you say?" The irritable Huoersi grasped his sword hilt but was stopped again by Yilin.
"Fine, we'll pass by you then." Yilin urged her horse forward slowly, her soldiers making way.
As they crossed paths with Gray, Yilin discreetly glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and noticed Gray was truly standing still, as if they didn't exist at all.
Soon, the knights, their squires, and servants all bypassed Gray and followed behind Yilin.
Once everyone had passed, Yilin looked back.
"Seems like just a strange man, not targeting us," Abi Robbs sighed in relief.
Yilin continued forward to the castle with her followers.
Gray remained standing still.
The sun fully set, and the sky filled with stars.
The city streets were nearly empty, a fat cat lazily yawning on a balcony. The black cat snored inside Gray's armor.
A few stray dogs fought at the alley's entrance over scraps.
Gray still stood quietly in the middle of the street.
Upon hearing the black cat's voice, Gray's tense body relaxed, almost as if his bones were pulled out, with a "clang."
"You finally woke up. What should we do next?"
"Do something..." the black cat murmured, still disoriented.
"Didn't we say? We need to find the lord to swear allegiance and go to the church."
"Where are you going to find the lord at midnight?"
"Why can't we find him at midnight?"
"Doesn't the lord sleep?"
"The lord needs to sleep?"
"Maybe only liches don't sleep in this world..."
"Fine... then liches, oh no, knights, if knights don't sleep at night, what do they do?"
"You insist on finding something to do?"
"Didn't you say that here no one would recognize me? I... it's my first day as a knight, I'm a bit excited, already eager to start my knightly life."
"Alright, go to the tavern; knights always get drunk there."
"Great! Let's go to the tavern!"
Riding his horse, Gray cheerfully walked down the street, searching for a tavern.
"By the way, why do humans go through such trouble to sleep?"
"Don't ask me, how would I know?"
"What I mean is, actually, I could turn them all into undead. That way, they wouldn't waste time sleeping, and they could have infinite lifespans. Do you think they'd be grateful to me?"
"They'd slaughter you."
The black cat didn't want to say anymore, feeling more exhausted than taking care of children.
The castle glittered under the starry night.
Rows of guards with long spears patrolled back and forth.
Fire pots crackled, reflecting off the rough, dark gray stone walls. The marks between the bricks were clearly visible.
Bronze candelabras, red carpets, thin gauze curtains. The room was meticulously arranged.
The long table bore a few simple dishes and a huge white loaf of bread.
This was a world apart from last night's inn.
Yilin, now in a formal dress, sat alone. The maid poured a bowl of soup and respectfully placed it in front of her.
Yilin looked at the soup before her, expressionless, and asked, "Uncle Caspar isn't joining me for dinner?"
"The Count has urgent matters and cannot see Miss Yilin at the moment," replied the middle-aged butler with a pointed monkey-like face, dressed in black robes.
"Oh? Then when will he be available? Tomorrow morning?"
"That... I couldn't say."
Yilin was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, you may go."
"Yes." With a respectful bow, the middle-aged butler exited the room.
"You may go too," Yilin said to the maid who had served her soup.
Huoersi, looking fierce, made a "please" gesture.
With a cautious bow, the maid handed the ladle to the knight beside her, lifted her skirt, and left the room. The butler, still outside the door, cast a meaningful glance at Yilin before turning away with the maid.