《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【十七】大法師魯夫的探查之旅
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晨光透過半開的窗簾灑進屋內，淡金色的光斑落在柔軟的床鋪上。窗外，林間的鳥兒嘰嘰喳喳，偶爾有微風吹過，帶來一絲清晨的涼意。

林曉陽坐在床緣，凝視著仍沉浸在夢境中的謝慧君。她的臉龐被晨光暈染得柔和靜美，烏黑的髮絲散落在枕間，胸口隨著平穩的呼吸輕輕起伏。此刻的她，宛如一幅靜謐的畫。
忽然，謝慧君微微蹙眉，睫毛顫了顫，接著緩緩睜開眼。她伸展著雙臂，慵懶地打了個哈欠，目光在片刻的迷蒙後，落在眼前的林曉陽身上。
“慧君，妳睡著時，好美。”林曉陽輕聲說道，聲音裡滿是溫柔。
謝慧君噗嗤一笑，伸手撥了撥淩亂的髮絲：“這麼誇我，不怕我驕傲？”
“我說的是事實。”林曉陽嘴角帶笑，眼底卻透著一絲深沉的情緒。
謝慧君坐起身，環顧了一下四周，才意識到自己睡在林曉陽的床上。她輕輕吐了口氣，略帶歉意地說道：“不好意思，昨晚佔用了你的床。”
“沒關係。”林曉陽搖搖頭，目光仍未從她身上移開，“喝咖啡嗎？”
“好啊！加奶精，不加糖。”
“收到。”他笑著起身，走向客廳，腳步帶著一絲輕快。
謝慧君望著他離去的背影，眼神微微閃爍，隨後下床，赤足踩在地毯上，緩步走向盥洗間。
不久後，林曉陽端著一隻茶盤走進來，空氣中彌漫著醇厚的咖啡香氣。他將杯子遞給她，笑道：“妳的咖啡，香濃可口。”
謝慧君接過杯子，放在鼻尖輕嗅，微微閉上眼睛享受著香氣：“嗯，味道很好。”
“我特地吩咐廚房用研磨豆沖泡的。”林曉陽在她對面坐下，端起自己的杯子抿了一口。
謝慧君輕輕啜飲，溫熱的咖啡在舌尖化開，她放下杯子，輕輕呼了口氣：“謝謝。”
“早餐要吃點什麼？”
“不用了，我還不餓。”
林曉陽望向窗外，晨光灑在湖面上，波光粼粼。他忽然笑了笑，說道：“今天天氣不錯，待會兒我們去湖邊走走，我給妳畫一張人像畫。”
謝慧君輕眨了眨眼，嘴角微微揚起：“要不要化個妝？”
“不必，妳素顏就很美。”林曉陽輕輕地說，語氣裡帶著一絲認真的篤定。
謝慧君勾唇一笑，目光透著幾分戲謔：“是嗎？你的嘴巴還是那麼甜。”
林曉陽望著她，神色忽然變得柔和又深沉，他輕歎道：“慧君，我真的很珍惜和妳在一起的時光……原本以為，我們再也——”
話還沒說完，謝慧君已經伸出一根手指，輕輕按住他的嘴唇。她的目光溫柔，卻帶著一絲難以言喻的情緒。
“一切都過去了，曉陽。”她輕聲說道，指尖微微顫抖。
林曉陽凝視著她，沉默了片刻，最終緩緩點頭：“對，一切都過去了。”
陽光依舊明亮，空氣依舊溫暖，可林曉陽沉浸在久違的幸福中，並未察覺謝慧君眼中那一瞬的複雜，更忘記了，遠在巴黎的黃敏華……

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琉森湖畔，風和日麗，碧波微漾。湖面上映照著湛藍的天空，幾隻天鵝悠然遊弋，偶爾低頭啄水，濺起細碎的漣漪。湖邊的花圃繁花似錦，紅的、黃的、紫的，交織成一幅生機盎然的畫卷。草地上，幾對男女隨著悠揚的圓舞曲旋轉，裙擺翻飛，輕快的笑聲在空氣中蕩漾。兩個孩子赤著腳，興奮地追逐著蜻蜓，歡笑聲清脆如鈴。
在湖畔的一片白楊樹蔭下，林曉陽正專注地為女友謝慧君繪製人像。木椅上，慧君捧著一本書，纖細的手指輕輕翻動書頁，時不時抬眸望向遠方，嘴角帶著若有似無的微笑。晨光透過枝葉灑落在她的發間，柔和的光影勾勒出她寧靜而美麗的輪廓。
一名身穿亞麻風衣、頭戴寬邊帽的中年男子緩步走來。他腳步輕盈，目光銳利，雖偽裝成一名普通遊客，卻難掩一身不凡的氣質。他正是大法師——魯夫。
他緩緩走近，站在林曉陽身後，雙手交疊在胸前，饒有興趣地觀賞著畫作。三三兩兩的行人也停下腳步，對這幅正在成形的肖像畫投以好奇的目光。
魯夫微微一笑，輕聲自語：「沒想到這兒也有街頭畫家。」
林曉陽聽見聲音，略一側頭，朝他友善地點了點頭，手中的炭筆未曾停下，繼續勾勒著慧君的眉眼。
魯夫的目光落在畫布上，心頭卻泛起一絲震驚。那張熟悉的臉……他的眸色微微一沉，心中翻湧起一陣疑問與不安。
「安妮？」他在心底低喃，目光不動聲色地在謝慧君的臉上掃過。她的發色變回了自然的黑色，那雙眼睛依舊溫柔，卻隱約透著某種令他不安的熟悉感。
「我讓她去迷惑大衛，如今她卻與這個畫家親密無間……如果他真的是轉世後的大衛……」魯夫眯起眼睛，指尖微微收緊。
他暗自思忖，最終決定按兵不動，靜觀其變。
就在此刻，遠處的小徑上傳來一陣歡快的鈴聲，幾對年輕情侶騎著協力車迎面而來，女孩們的笑聲宛如銀鈴，青春洋溢的氣息在空氣中彌漫。
魯夫望著這一幕，心中一絲塵封已久的記憶忽然被勾起——
少年時的他，騎著單車，後座上的女孩緊緊環住他的腰。
「魯夫，小心前面！」
女孩銀鈴般的笑聲在風中飄揚，輕輕拂過他的耳畔。他回頭看了一眼，女孩的金髮在陽光下閃爍，笑靨如花。
「放心吧，瑪莉亞，我會帶妳去最美的地方！」
他奮力蹬著腳踏車，穿過鄉間的小路，駛向那片野花盛開的山坡。他們在斜坡上停下，女孩雀躍地跳下車，在花叢間奔跑，追逐著翩然飛舞的蝴蝶。陽光灑落，她的笑顏定格成永恆的畫面……
那是他一生中最純粹、最美好的時光。
魯夫回過神來，望著眼前歡笑的情侶們，心中翻騰著複雜的情緒。他的目光再次落在林曉陽和謝慧君身上，眼神深沉莫測。
或許，這一世的羈絆，才剛剛開始……

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天堂旅館的大堂一隅，一盞暖黃的壁燈投下柔和的光影，映照著一名身穿深色風衣的男子。他的帽檐微低，遮掩了大半張臉，手指緩緩地敲擊著桌面，如同鐘擺敲打時間的節奏。空氣中彌漫著壁爐裡燒著的檀木香，四周低聲交談的人們，並未察覺這位隱身于人群中的大法師——魯夫。
然而，謝慧君認出了他。
她穿過人群，裙擺輕拂過大堂的大理石地面，緩步走向角落。她的目光透著審視，又帶著些微試探，終於在距離他幾步之遙時輕聲道：
“大法師，我是安妮，很高興見到你。”
魯夫的手指停住，輕輕敲了一下桌面，抬眼看她，眼神如霧，深不可測。他微不可察地搖了搖頭，示意她放低音量。
慧君微微一笑，佯裝若無其事地問道：“我可以坐下嗎？”
魯夫伸手拉開對面的椅子，嘴角浮現一絲意味深長的笑意：
“當然可以，美麗大方的女士。”
她優雅地坐下，手指無意識地撫摸著桌上的玻璃杯，壓低嗓音道：“法師，謝謝。”
魯夫微微前傾，目光深邃地望著她，語氣緩慢而低沉：“剛才在小鎮的咖啡館，我聽說這裡不久前曾發生激烈的格鬥？”
慧君心中一緊，垂下眼瞼，仿佛陷入沉思。須臾，她抬起頭，眼中閃過一絲算計——魯夫已經聽到了消息，我不如將計就計……
她收斂神色，眉宇間浮現出一絲哀戚，聲音裡透著幾分悲憫：“我是到這裡後，才聽服務生說起的……喬治和傑克兩位護法，皆敗在‘鬼見愁’——陳約翰的手上。傑克不甘受辱，斷首自盡，而喬治……被逼得自廢魔法，如今身軀殘廢。”**
魯夫聞言，眉頭微皺，敲擊桌面的手指停滯了一瞬。他眼神幽暗，似乎在思索，隨後低聲道：
“這‘鬼見愁’果然不容小覷……那麼，他帶來的那群人呢？是不是都被瑪莉亞抓去了？”
慧君輕歎一口氣，眸光微閃，低聲答道：
“他們已全數歸降，服下瑪莉亞公主賜下的藥丹，被帶去天空城堡……”
魯夫的眼神微微一凜，指尖不自覺地在桌面上滑動。他在心裡盤算著——公爵的手下，竟然都是些見風轉舵的投機者……看來，公爵的失敗已成定局。
他的一絲思緒，卻已被慧君捕捉。她微微側首，嘴角噙著若有似無的微笑，心中暗道：“魯夫，終究逃不過我的讀心術……”
此時，大堂另一端的威爾森悄然注視著他們。他站在櫃檯旁，假裝整理帳冊，實則暗暗打量著魯夫的舉止。
魯夫沒有理會旁人的窺視，他收回思緒，直視慧君，緩緩地問道：
“跟妳在一起的那位青年畫家，就是大衛吧？”
慧君點頭，眼中透出一絲柔和，語氣也不覺放緩：“是的，他是大衛的轉世，名叫林曉陽，現在……和我在一起。”
魯夫輕輕一笑，似乎有些欣慰，緩緩道：“趁他還未倒向瑪莉亞，儘快爭取他。有他的加入，公爵才有翻盤的機會。”
慧君低頭，手指無意識地攪動杯中的咖啡，眉宇間卻隱隱浮現一絲無奈。她低聲道：“我會盡力……但他似乎只對繪畫感興趣，對我……不冷不熱，說實話，我沒有信心能說動他。”
魯夫沉思片刻，歎了口氣，語氣鬆動了幾分：“只要他不倒向瑪莉亞就行。如果妳喜歡他，就跟他在一起吧。”
慧君驀地一震，抬頭望著魯夫，目光複雜，嗓音微顫：“可是……人鬼殊途……我若繼續跟他在一起，會害了他。”
魯夫深深地看了她一眼，緩緩道：“其實，當年我從白狼的鬼夜犬手中救下妳時，曾翻閱過妳的隨身日記……被妳對男友的深情所感動。”
慧君的手指微微顫抖，心跳仿佛漏了一拍。
魯夫繼續道：“我不想妳墮入鬼道，所以用自己的指血洗去妳體內的吸血鬼病毒，以魔法消除了妳靈魂的詛咒……因為，在妳身上，我仿佛看見了年輕時的瑪莉亞公主。”
慧君屏住呼吸，雙手緊緊握住膝蓋，聲音幾乎是呢喃：“法師……你的意思是說，我是個正常人？”
魯夫微微頷首，語氣悠遠而低沉：“妳一直都是。雖然妳死過一次，但我將妳救回，並用魔法保護妳，讓首領與群鬼以為妳是同類……我還特意交代傑克，要護妳周全。”
慧君苦笑，眼神空茫，嗓音低沉：“可是，我失去了記憶……感覺自己只是個行屍走肉。”
魯夫輕歎一聲，語調帶著一絲遺憾：“兩害相權取其輕。為了消去鬼夜犬的詛咒，我不得不一併抹去妳的過去。”
慧君的眼中泛起霧氣，聲音微顫：“法師……為什麼要告訴我這些？”
魯夫沉默了一瞬，終於輕聲道：“我有預感，我們往後不會再見了……我希望妳能找到真正的幸福。”
慧君心頭猛然一震，眼角泛起淚光，她輕輕地吐出兩個字：“感恩……”
魯夫淡淡一笑，目光深沉，卻透出一抹溫柔：“將心比心……妳我，終究都是為情所困之人。”
慧君低下頭，心緒翻湧。三百多年過去，他的心裡，竟然……仍然惦記著她。

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魯夫踏上西西里島時，夜色已深，遠處的海浪拍打著礁石，帶來陣陣潮濕的腥鹹氣息。他披著黑色長袍，沿著蜿蜒山道，穿過層層崖壁間隱匿的暗道，來到蝙蝠城門前。城門高聳陰森，兩側的石雕蝙蝠展翅而立，猩紅的雙眼在黑暗中閃爍詭異光芒。駐守的黑甲衛士默不作聲地讓開道路，魯夫緩步而入，空氣中瀰漫著淡淡的血腥氣味。
他推開沉重的橡木門，走入大廳。金色燭火搖曳，映照在牆上古老的壁畫上——那是一幅描繪著昔日戰役的畫作，無數戰士倒在血泊中，而中央站立著一名披風飛揚的男子，正是安德森。
安德森坐在高背王座上，見魯夫進來，立刻起身，快步迎上前，目光銳利如鷹：「大法師，瑞士那邊的情況如何？」
魯夫停下腳步，深吸一口氣，沉聲道：「情勢對主人極為不利。」
安德森眉頭一皺，聲音低沉：「詳細說來。」
魯夫走到長桌旁，手指輕敲桌面，彷彿在組織語言，然後緩緩道：「我探查到消息，主人派去瑞士的左右護法，已經慘遭鬼見愁陳約翰毒手。更糟的是，他們帶去的那批弟兄全數歸降瑪莉亞公主。」
聽到這裡，安德森的手不自覺地握成拳，青筋暴起，聲音壓低了幾分：「連他們都投降？」
「不只如此……」魯夫抬起頭，目光銳利如刀，「那些原本置身事外的自由派人鬼，如今也紛紛歸順公主。公主的勢力已經掌控了暗黑世界三分之二的疆土。」
話音剛落，大廳一片死寂，燃燒的燭火發出細微的劈啪聲。
安德森臉色鐵青，手掌猛地拍向桌面，發出震耳的巨響：「這怎麼可能！我統禦暗黑世界數百年，怎麼可能被一個小姑娘反噬！？」
魯夫輕嘆一聲，語氣緩和：「主人，我必須讓您瞭解現實的嚴峻……若您仍執意在這時候採取行動——」
「天要亡我！？不，我不服！」安德森猛地轉身，赤紅的眼中燃燒著怒火，「來人！」
白狼與黑熊將軍立刻上前，單膝跪地抱拳：「主人！」
「立即召集所有精銳，準備開戰！我要與瑪莉亞公主決一死戰！」安德森的聲音迴盪在大廳之中，帶著不容置疑的決絕。
魯夫見狀，搖了搖頭，語氣沉重：「主人，請三思……形勢比人強，若貿然出擊，恐怕後果不堪設想。」
安德森雙眼噴火，咬牙切齒道：「與其坐以待斃，不如主動出擊！哪怕最後一戰，也勝過苟且偷生！」
白狼和黑熊對視一眼，遲疑片刻，終究還是抱拳道：「遵命！」
魯夫見大勢已定，只能無奈一嘆，沉吟片刻後，緩緩道：「既然主人已下定決心，我建議採取兵分多路的策略。先襲擾幾個主要城市，分散教廷與政府的注意力，讓他們疲於奔命，無法集結主力。然後我們的主力軍直取米蘭，再進入瑞士，直指琉森湖。」
白狼眉頭微蹙，低聲道：「可是……我們還未確定天空城堡的確切入口，這樣貿然行動，恐怕事倍功半。」
魯夫冷冷一笑：「這正是我的計謀。我們故意四處點火，製造戰亂，迫使瑪莉亞派出她的鐵血禁衛軍。只要我們能在局部戰場上擊潰她的主力，便能擒獲俘虜，從他們口中問出天空城堡的秘密通道。到那時——瑪莉亞就插翅難飛！」
安德森目光一亮，點頭道：「妙計！既然如此，就依計行事，分進合擊！」
魯夫微微頷首，心中卻泛起一絲不安。他望向遠方夜幕下的西西里海岸，心知這場戰爭，將是一場血與火的試煉……

[Seventeen] Grand Mage Ruf’s Journey of Investigation

## 60

Morning light streamed through the half-open curtains, and pale golden patches of light fell across the soft bed. Outside the window, birds chirped among the trees, while an occasional breeze brought a hint of coolness from the early morning air.

Lin Xiaoyang sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at Xie Hui-jun, who was still immersed in her dreams. The morning light softened and beautified her face, while her dark hair lay scattered across the pillow, and her chest rose and fell gently with her steady breathing. At that moment, she looked like a tranquil painting.

Suddenly, Xie Hui-jun frowned slightly. Her eyelashes trembled, and then she slowly opened her eyes. She stretched out her arms and lazily yawned. After a moment of grogginess, her eyes settled on Lin Xiaoyang in front of her.

“Hui-jun, you’re so beautiful when you’re asleep,” Lin Xiaoyang said softly, his voice full of tenderness.

Xie Hui-jun let out a little laugh and reached up to smooth her disheveled hair. “If you praise me like that, aren’t you afraid I’ll get conceited?”

“I’m just telling the truth.” A smile touched the corners of Lin Xiaoyang’s mouth, but there was a trace of deep emotion in his eyes.

Xie Hui-jun sat up and looked around. Only then did she realize that she had been sleeping in Lin Xiaoyang’s bed. She gently exhaled and said apologetically, “I’m sorry. I took over your bed last night.”

“It’s all right.” Lin Xiaoyang shook his head, his eyes still fixed on her. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Sure! With creamer, no sugar.”

“Got it.” He smiled as he stood up and walked toward the living room, his steps carrying a hint of lightness.

Xie Hui-jun watched his retreating figure, her eyes flickering slightly. Then she got out of bed, placed her bare feet on the carpet, and slowly walked toward the bathroom.

A short while later, Lin Xiaoyang came in carrying a tea tray, filling the room with the rich aroma of coffee. He handed her a cup and smiled. “Your coffee. Rich and delicious.”

Xie Hui-jun took the cup and held it beneath her nose, gently inhaling the aroma with her eyes slightly closed. “Mmm, it tastes great.”

“I specifically asked the kitchen to make it with freshly ground coffee beans.” Lin Xiaoyang sat down across from her and took a sip from his own cup.

Xie Hui-jun took a small sip. The warm coffee spread across her tongue. She set down the cup and gently exhaled. “Thank you.”

“What would you like for breakfast?”

“No, thank you. I’m not hungry yet.”

Lin Xiaoyang looked out the window. Morning light spilled across the lake, making its surface shimmer. He suddenly smiled and said, “The weather is nice today. Later, let’s take a walk by the lake. I’ll paint a portrait of you.”

Xie Hui-jun blinked softly, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. “Should I put on some makeup?”

“No need. You’re beautiful without makeup.” Lin Xiaoyang spoke softly, his tone carrying a hint of earnest certainty.

Xie Hui-jun smiled with a slight curl of her lips, her eyes carrying a touch of teasing. “Really? You still have such a sweet mouth.”

Lin Xiaoyang looked at her, his expression suddenly becoming both gentle and profound. He sighed softly. “Hui-jun, I truly cherish the time I spend with you... I originally thought that we would never—”

Before he could finish, Xie Hui-jun had already raised one finger and gently pressed it against his lips. Her gaze was tender, yet carried an emotion that was difficult to describe.

“Everything is in the past, Xiaoyang,” she said softly, her fingertip trembling slightly.

Lin Xiaoyang gazed at her in silence for a moment before finally nodding slowly. “Yes. Everything is in the past.”

The sunlight remained bright, and the air remained warm, but Lin Xiaoyang was immersed in long-lost happiness. He failed to notice the complexity that flashed through Xie Hui-jun’s eyes for an instant, and he had even forgotten about Huang Minhua, far away in Paris...

## 61

作者：Lake Lucerne, the weather was clear and pleasant, and the blue-green water rippled gently. The lake reflected the deep blue sky. Several swans glided leisurely across the water, occasionally lowering their heads to peck at the surface and sending tiny ripples outward.

The flower beds along the lakeshore were bursting with colorful blossoms. Red, yellow, and purple flowers blended together into a vibrant scene full of life. On the grass, several couples spun to the graceful rhythm of a waltz, their skirts flying as lighthearted laughter drifted through the air. Two children ran barefoot in excitement, chasing dragonflies, their laughter as clear as bells.

Under the shade of a stand of poplar trees by the lake, Lin Xiaoyang was concentrating on painting a portrait of his girlfriend, Xie Hui-jun. Sitting on a wooden bench, Hui-jun held a book in her hands, her slender fingers gently turning the pages. From time to time, she raised her eyes to gaze into the distance, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Morning light filtered through the branches and fell upon her hair, while soft light and shadow outlined her peaceful and beautiful features.

A middle-aged man wearing a linen trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat slowly approached. His steps were light, and his eyes were sharp. Although he was disguised as an ordinary tourist, it was difficult to conceal his extraordinary presence. He was none other than the Grand Mage—Ruf.

He slowly approached and stood behind Lin Xiaoyang, his hands folded across his chest as he watched the painting with great interest. Several passersby also stopped, casting curious glances at the portrait taking shape.

Ruf smiled faintly and murmured, “I didn’t expect to find a street artist here, too.”

Lin Xiaoyang heard him, turned his head slightly, and nodded at him in a friendly manner. The charcoal pencil in his hand never stopped as he continued outlining Hui-jun’s eyes and brows.

Ruf’s gaze fell upon the canvas, but a trace of shock arose in his heart. That familiar face... His eyes darkened slightly as questions and uneasiness surged through his mind.

“Annie?” he whispered inwardly, his gaze discreetly sweeping across Xie Hui-jun’s face. Her hair had returned to its natural black color, and her eyes remained gentle, yet they faintly carried a familiar quality that made him uneasy.

“I sent her to seduce David, yet now she is so intimate with this painter... If he really is David after reincarnation...” Ruf narrowed his eyes, his fingertips tightening slightly.

He thought to himself for a while and finally decided to remain still and watch how things unfolded.

Just then, a cheerful ringing sound came from the distant path. Several young couples riding tandem bicycles approached from the opposite direction. The girls’ laughter was like silver bells, and the vibrant energy of youth filled the air.

As Ruf watched this scene, a memory that had been sealed away for a long time was suddenly stirred within him—

When he was young, he had ridden a bicycle, with a girl sitting behind him, tightly wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Ruf, watch out ahead!”

The girl’s bell-like laughter drifted through the wind and gently brushed against his ears. He looked back, and the girl’s golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, her smiling face blooming like a flower.

“Don’t worry, Maria. I’ll take you to the most beautiful place!”

He pedaled the bicycle with all his strength, riding along the country paths toward a hillside covered with blooming wildflowers. They stopped on the slope, and the girl jumped off the bicycle excitedly and ran among the flowers, chasing butterflies dancing through the air. Sunlight poured down, and her smiling face became an eternal image...

Those had been the purest and most beautiful days of his life.

Ruf came back to himself. As he looked at the laughing couples before him, complicated emotions churned within his heart. His gaze once again fell upon Lin Xiaoyang and Xie Hui-jun, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Perhaps, the bond of this lifetime had only just begun...

## 62

In a corner of the lobby of Paradise Inn, a warm yellow wall lamp cast soft light and shadows over a man wearing a dark trench coat. His hat brim was lowered slightly, concealing most of his face. His fingers slowly tapped on the tabletop, like a pendulum marking the rhythm of time. The scent of sandalwood burning in the fireplace filled the air. The people quietly conversing around him had not noticed the Grand Mage—Ruf—hiding among them.

However, Xie Hui-jun recognized him.

She walked through the crowd, the hem of her skirt gently brushing across the marble floor of the lobby, and slowly approached the corner. Her gaze was probing, with a hint of cautious testing. When she was only a few steps away from him, she finally spoke softly.

“Grand Mage, I’m Annie. It’s nice to see you.”

Ruf’s fingers stopped. He lightly tapped the tabletop once, then looked up at her, his eyes as hazy and unfathomable as mist. He gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head, signaling her to lower her voice.

Hui-jun smiled slightly and pretended to ask casually, “May I sit down?”

Ruf reached out and pulled out the chair opposite him. A meaningful smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

“Of course, beautiful and elegant lady.”

She sat down gracefully, her fingers unconsciously caressing the glass on the table. Lowering her voice, she said, “Mage, thank you.”

Ruf leaned slightly forward, gazing deeply at her. His voice was slow and low. “At the café in town just now, I heard that there was a fierce fight here not long ago?”

Hui-jun’s heart tightened. She lowered her eyelids as if lost in thought. After a moment, she raised her head, and a calculating glint flashed through her eyes—Ruf had already heard the news. I might as well turn this situation to my advantage...

She composed herself, a trace of sorrow appearing between her brows, and her voice carried a hint of pity. “I only heard about it after I arrived here. One of the servers told me... The two chief protectors, George and Jack, were both defeated by Ghostbane—Father John Chen. Jack could not bear the humiliation and killed himself by severing his own head, while George... was forced to destroy his own magic and is now physically disabled.”

Ruf frowned slightly upon hearing this. The fingers tapping the table stopped for an instant. His eyes grew dark as he seemed to ponder the matter. Then he said in a low voice:

“Ghostbane truly cannot be underestimated... Then what about the people he brought with him? Were they all captured by Maria?”

Hui-jun sighed softly, a faint glimmer passing through her eyes. She answered in a low voice:

“They all surrendered and took the medicinal pills bestowed by Princess Maria. They were taken to Sky Castle...”

Ruf’s eyes tightened slightly, and his fingertips unconsciously slid across the tabletop. He calculated inwardly—The Duke’s followers are all opportunists who switch sides with the wind... It seems the Duke’s defeat is already inevitable.

Yet one of his thoughts had already been caught by Hui-jun. She tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth, and thought to herself, “Ruf, you ultimately cannot escape my mind-reading ability...”

At the other end of the lobby, Wilson was quietly watching them. He stood beside the front desk, pretending to organize the account books while secretly observing Ruf’s every move.

Ruf paid no attention to the prying eyes of others. He gathered his thoughts and looked directly at Hui-jun, slowly asking:

“The young painter who is with you is David, right?”

Hui-jun nodded, a gentle expression appearing in her eyes, and her tone unconsciously softened. “Yes. He is David reincarnated. His name is Lin Xiaoyang, and now... he is with me.”

Ruf smiled gently, seeming somewhat relieved. He slowly said, “Before he turns to Maria, win him over as quickly as possible. With him joining us, the Duke will have a chance to turn the situation around.”

Hui-jun lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously stirring the coffee in her cup, while a trace of helplessness faintly appeared between her brows. She said softly, “I’ll do my best... but he seems interested only in painting. As for me... he is neither cold nor warm. To be honest, I have no confidence that I can persuade him.”

Ruf pondered for a moment, then sighed, his tone softening somewhat. “As long as he does not turn to Maria, that’s enough. If you like him, then stay with him.”

Hui-jun suddenly trembled and looked up at Ruf, her expression complicated, her voice trembling slightly. “But... humans and ghosts belong to different worlds... If I continue to be with him, I’ll hurt him.”

Ruf looked deeply at her and slowly said, “Actually, when I rescued you from White Wolf’s Ghost Hound back then, I read through the diary you carried with you... I was moved by the depth of your love for your boyfriend.”

Hui-jun’s fingers trembled slightly, and her heart seemed to skip a beat.

Ruf continued, “I did not want you to fall into the realm of ghosts, so I used my own blood to wash away the vampire virus in your body and used magic to remove the curse from your soul... because in you, I seemed to see Princess Maria as she had been in her youth.”

Hui-jun held her breath, both hands gripping her knees tightly. Her voice was almost a whisper. “Mage... are you saying that I’m a normal human being?”

Ruf nodded slightly, his tone distant and low. “You always have been. Although you died once, I brought you back to life and used magic to protect you, making the Leader and the ghosts believe that you were one of them... I even specifically instructed Jack to protect you.”

Hui-jun gave a bitter smile, her eyes empty, her voice low. “But I lost my memory... I feel like I’m nothing more than a walking corpse.”

Ruf sighed softly, his tone carrying a trace of regret. “When faced with two evils, you must choose the lesser one. In order to erase Ghost Hound’s curse, I had no choice but to erase your past as well.”

Mist appeared in Hui-jun’s eyes, and her voice trembled. “Mage... why are you telling me all this?”

Ruf was silent for a moment before finally saying softly, “I have a feeling that we will not meet again... I hope you can find true happiness.”

Hui-jun’s heart suddenly trembled, and tears glimmered in the corners of her eyes. She softly uttered two words: “Thank you...”

Ruf smiled faintly. His gaze was deep, yet carried a trace of tenderness. “Put yourself in another person’s shoes... In the end, you and I are both people troubled by love.”

Hui-jun lowered her head, her thoughts churning. More than three hundred years had passed, yet he still... carried her in his heart.

## 63

作者：the time Ruf set foot on Sicily, night had already fallen deeply. In the distance, waves crashed against the rocks, bringing waves of damp, salty air. Wearing a long black robe, he followed the winding mountain road and passed through hidden passages concealed among layers of cliffs until he arrived before the gates of Bat Castle.

The castle gates towered ominously overhead. On either side, stone bats stood with their wings spread wide, their crimson eyes flashing with an eerie light in the darkness. The black-armored guards stationed there silently stepped aside to let him pass. Ruf slowly entered, and the air was filled with a faint scent of blood.

He pushed open the heavy oak door and entered the great hall. Golden candlelight flickered, illuminating an ancient mural on the wall—a painting depicting a battle from long ago. Countless warriors lay in pools of blood, while at the center stood a man with his cape billowing in the wind. It was Anderson.

Anderson was seated on a high-backed throne. When he saw Ruf enter, he immediately stood up and hurried forward, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s.

“Grand Mage, what is the situation in Switzerland?”

Ruf stopped, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice, “The situation is extremely unfavorable for you, Master.”

Anderson frowned. His voice was low. “Tell me in detail.”

Ruf walked to the long table and lightly tapped his fingers on its surface, as though organizing his thoughts. Then he slowly said, “I have learned that the two chief protectors you sent to Switzerland have already fallen victim to Ghostbane, Father John Chen. Worse still, all the brothers they took with them have surrendered to Princess Maria.”

Upon hearing this, Anderson unconsciously clenched his fist, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. His voice dropped even lower. “Even they surrendered?”

“Not only that...” Ruf raised his head, his gaze as sharp as a blade. “Those independent members of the human-and-ghost factions who had originally stayed out of the conflict are now also turning to the Princess one after another. The Princess’s forces have already taken control of two-thirds of the territory of the Dark World.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the great hall fell into complete silence. The burning candles made faint crackling sounds.

Anderson’s face turned livid. He slammed his palm onto the table with a thunderous bang.

“How is this possible! I have ruled the Dark World for hundreds of years. How could I possibly be turned against by some little girl!?”

Ruf sighed softly, his tone gentle. “Master, I must make you understand how grave the situation is... If you still insist on taking action at a time like this—”

“Is Heaven trying to destroy me!? No, I refuse to accept this!” Anderson suddenly turned around, fury burning in his blood-red eyes. “Guards!”

General White Wolf and General Black Bear immediately stepped forward, dropping to one knee and clasping their fists.

“Master!”

“Immediately assemble all our elite forces and prepare for war! I will fight Princess Maria to the death!” Anderson’s voice echoed through the great hall, filled with unmistakable determination.

Seeing this, Ruf shook his head, his tone grave. “Master, please think carefully... The situation is stronger than the individual. If we attack recklessly, I fear the consequences will be disastrous.”

Anderson’s eyes blazed with fury as he gritted his teeth. “Rather than sit here waiting to die, we might as well strike first! Even if this is our final battle, it is better than merely struggling to survive!”

White Wolf and Black Bear exchanged a glance. After a moment of hesitation, they finally clasped their fists.

“Yes, Master!”

Seeing that the decision had been made, Ruf could only sigh helplessly. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, “Since you have made up your mind, Master, I suggest dividing our forces along several routes. First, launch attacks on several major cities to distract the Church and the government, forcing them to run from place to place and preventing them from assembling their main forces. Then our main army will march straight into Milan, enter Switzerland, and head directly for Lake Lucerne.”

White Wolf frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “But... we still have not determined the exact entrance to Sky Castle. Acting so rashly may result in twice the effort for half the result.”

Ruf gave a cold smile. “That is precisely my strategy. We will deliberately start fires everywhere and create chaos, forcing Maria to send out her iron-blooded Imperial Guards. As long as we can defeat her main forces on a local battlefield, we can capture prisoners and force the secrets of the hidden passage to Sky Castle out of them. When that happens—Maria will have nowhere to escape!”

Anderson’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “Brilliant strategy! In that case, we’ll follow the plan and attack from multiple directions, coordinating our forces for a pincer assault!”

Ruf nodded slightly, but a trace of uneasiness arose in his heart. He looked toward the coast of Sicily beneath the distant night sky, knowing that this war would be a trial of blood and fire...