"Why haven’t I seen him around?"
"It seems he’s resting in the back." Dana looked up and scanned the crowd. "Count Barro and Princess Du Na are both here. The Archbishop must have shown his face too; we just didn’t notice."
"Hmm." Carl nodded. That should be the case.
They weren’t too focused on the main figures at the banquet; they didn’t even listen closely to Princess Du Na’s speech.
At this moment, a familiar voice called out.
Jenny, holding up the hem of her skirt, hurried over to them, her face wreathed in an excited smile. "I didn’t expect to see you here today! Hello, Captain Dana."
"Yes," Carl said. "You sang very well. It was captivating."
Dana returned a polite nod.
"Words like ’captivating’ shouldn’t be used to describe hymns," Jenny shook her head; she was also one of the singers that day. "I... I am about to leave Sigerno City soon."
Her first official performance with the Barro Choir had caught the eye of someone from the Royal Opera House. After this banquet, she would accompany them to the Royal City for further study. Meeting Carl now was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise, which was why she’d taken the initiative to approach him after her performance.
"I’ve heard," Carl asked, "Are you going alone?"
"Yes." Jenny’s eyes were slightly red, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt as she said in a low voice, "I’ll go to the Royal City to study first. Once I earn enough money, I’ll bring my mother over. It will take at least two or three years."
She had just reached adulthood and had never been away from her mother. This departure meant two or three years alone, without companions. The thought filled her with unease. However, Jenny knew such opportunities were rare. If she missed this one, another might never come in her lifetime.
"When you’re studying, time will fly by," Carl comforted her. "It might be many years before Sigerno City sees someone join the Royal Opera House. You might even become a Divine Chant Singer. At that time, not only will Mrs. Mary be proud, but I will be too."
A Divine Chant Singer, as they are called, is a vocalist who performs specifically for the Divine, a position no less prestigious than a regional bishop. Reportedly, certain angels by the side of the Divine are Divine Chant Singers.
"I won’t make it," Jenny said bashfully. "I’ve never learned music theory, I don’t know anything. I feel like the slowest one there."
"Knowledge can be acquired, but talent is innate; it can’t be learned if you don’t possess it," Carl chuckled. "Your talent is what’s truly enviable."
"Thank you." Jenny gave a sweet smile. "Can I write to you after I get to the Royal City?"
"Of course," Carl nodded, then added, "But I’ll also be leaving Sigerno City soon. I don’t have a specific destination yet, so it might be a while before you can contact me."
"Ah!" Jenny’s heart trembled. "You’re leaving too? Where to?"
"A rather special place," Carl said vaguely, as the Black Swamp was hardly a suitable place for ordinary people to live.
But his words clearly caused Jenny to misunderstand. Thinking he was unwilling to tell her, her expression dimmed.
At this moment, a somewhat shrill voice called out.
A tall woman stepped out from the choir. She hurried to Jenny’s side and said in a stern voice, "What are you doing here?"
"Teacher." Jenny was clearly afraid of the woman and subconsciously recoiled. "I’m just talking to a friend."
"Friend?" The woman’s scrutinizing gaze fell on Carl. She then scoffed disdainfully. "You should remember your station. Everything must be in service to God if you are to truly sing the hymns well. Your body must be pure, as well as your soul!"
Her group was forbidden from developing romantic attachments.
"Yes," Jenny timidly replied.
"Let’s go." The woman grabbed her sleeve. "Come back with me. We might be returning to the Royal City tonight."
Watching Jenny leave reluctantly, Dana couldn’t help but chuckle. "She likes you."
"It’s just the fleeting impulse of a naive girl; it shouldn’t be taken seriously," Carl shook his head.
"Oh!" Dana looked at him, somewhat astonished. "You knew how she felt yet didn’t respond. That’s not very gentlemanly."
"To ruin someone’s future over a momentary impulse is not what a gentleman would do," Carl said, his expression placid. "What do you think, Captain?"
"Tsk, tsk..." Dana shook her head, clicking her tongue. "Carl, I think I need to reassess you. Although you’re somewhat cold, at least you’re not indiscriminate with your affections."
She’d seen too many amorous nobles, both men and women. Carl’s attitude towards Jenny, however, made her see him in a new light. It’s rare to find someone who can control their desires, especially a nobleman with so few constraints.
No wonder! she mused. No wonder he wasn’t interested in my cousin. At least Carl has some admirable traits when it comes to relationships.
"It seems Archbishop Antonio won’t be making an appearance today," Carl murmured to himself, watching Earl Barro speak on stage. Perhaps I should find an opportunity to leave.
"Whatever." Dana lowered her head, feigning sleep to take the opportunity to rest.
Carl suddenly furrowed his brow and looked around.
"What’s the matter?" Dana lifted her eyelids slightly.
"It seems... there are more people," Carl said, puzzled. Then his eyes widened, and he abruptly fell back, shouting, "Be careful!"
Before he could finish, several figures burst from the crowd, lunging toward Earl Barro, who was speaking.
"For the Blazing Sun!"
These individuals roared, their eyes blazing with fanaticism, a scorching aura emanating from their bodies.
One after another, Fierce Flames erupted. Their target wasn’t just Earl Barro. Nearby attendants and servants dropped whatever they were holding, roaring as they charged into the densest parts of the crowd.