Chapter 29: The Coffin Opens

It was already evening.

The black crow flew off the withered branch and fluttered down to the ground.

The last trace of twilight on the horizon was about to be swallowed by darkness.

The temperature dropped, and a cold wind howled, stirring the eerie shadows.

The four awakened stood around the pit, staring at the pitch-black coffin in silence.

Domingo took a slow breath of cold air, suddenly feeling the urge to smoke.

He frowned and said in a heavy tone, “We’ve probably found him… but how to deal with him—that’s the real problem.”

“My instincts are telling me… opening this coffin directly is going to cause serious trouble.” Song Zan muttered.

Then he tossed aside his shovel, trying to sound brave.

“But no matter what, it’s still just a coffin. There’s got to be a corpse inside, right? Could it be worse than that living butler Rudolf?”

Garcia looked at him and shook his head seriously.

Domingo explained, “Based on our experience in other illusions, this coffin must not be opened lightly. Just look at how tightly it’s bound with chains—this is clearly meant to seal something.”

“Don’t tell me Ricardo Morlanden can come back to life?” Song Zan clicked his tongue.

“Did you forget? His ability is related to time.” Zhao Lin said.

He had been staring at the coffin, as if sensing the danger within.

“The castle’s time is still looping. That means his ability hasn’t stopped working.”

“…In other words, even if it’s out of control, he might not be completely dead.”

Song Zan twitched and glanced at the coffin, his scalp tingling.

“But we still need to confirm whether this really is Ricardo Morlanden, right?” he said quietly.

Zhao Lin thought for a moment, then lowered his gaze to the black crow perched beside the coffin.

“What do you think?” he asked, as if consulting someone.

“Boss… even if things are urgent, you can’t ask a bird for advice, right?” Song Zan joked.

The next second, the crow took off, transforming midair into a cloud of black mist.

When the mist cleared—

A massive, monstrous bird appeared before them.

Its eyes were blood-red, and its tail feathers burned with dark flames.

“—What is that?!” Song Zan and Garcia both staggered back.

The creature showed no intention of attacking.

It stood on the coffin with one leg, tilted its head, and tapped the lid twice.

Nothing happened.

Song Zan hesitated. “Is this… some kind of woodpecker variant?”

The bird turned its gaze toward him, clearly displeased.

It let out a hoarse cry—

A sound that shook their organs, as if their temples were being crushed.

Song Zan nearly vomited.

Fortunately, it stopped quickly.

The bird scratched impatiently at the coffin with its claws.

Zhao Lin watched for a few seconds, then closed his eyes briefly.

“…Open it.”

“What?” Song Zan, still dizzy, frowned, “We’re really opening it?”

Domingo narrowed his eyes at the bird. “Was this sent by that young master?”

Zhao Lin nodded.

“It’s called Ghostcry Thrush.” Zhao Lin said, “I’ve… seen it with him.”

“Ghostcry Thrush? That’s an A-rank anomaly—” Garcia’s mouth fell open in shock, “What kind of person can control something like this?”

“Rare, but not unheard of.” Domingo said cautiously, “Our bureau has records of similar abilities—something like ‘Divine Control.’ Controlling entities weaker than oneself.”

“We’ve got something similar too.” Song Zan added, “But that guy’s ability is ‘Ghost Control.’ He’d never be able to command something like this.”

“So… his ability is at least S-rank.” Garcia whispered, holding his breath, “No wonder he’s so confident…”

The bird stood upright and looked at them.

“Open it.” Zhao Lin repeated, “The bird’s command is his command.”

Song Zan stared at the coffin, his back cold with unease.

But he gritted his teeth and swung his shovel at the chains.

Clang—

The chains fell away.

He carefully climbed into the pit and pushed the coffin lid, with Domingo helping.

Suddenly—

The wind howled violently, cutting across their faces like blades.

Branches snapped, leaves were torn away, and sharp cracking sounds echoed through the forest.

The coffin… opened.

Inside lay a man—

Somewhere between youth and middle age.

His face was pale, carrying a melancholic kind of beauty.

At a glance, one could tell he was related to the young master Morlanden—

Their features shared countless subtle similarities.

His hands were folded neatly over his chest.

The fabric beneath them was stained—

Old, dried blood.

Most importantly—

Aside from his unnatural pallor,

He looked as if he were simply asleep.

There was no sign of decay.

Song Zan: “……”

He didn’t even know whether to be scared or not.

He had expected something like a rotting zombie—

Or at least a grotesque corpse.

But this…

This almost peaceful appearance made it strangely less terrifying.

Unfortunately—

That comfort didn’t last long.

At some point, the Black Forest was once again filled with thick fog.

So dense that one could barely see ahead.

And within the mist—

A shadow moved.

Looking closely—

It was a woman in a gray dress.

Her movements were stiff.

Her bare feet were caked with mud…

And faintly, bone could be seen.

Song Zan: “!!!”

He immediately recognized her—

Sophie, the maid who had been hanged.

“We need to leave. Now.” Domingo said, “This is their territory. We won’t have the advantage here. Let’s go back to the castle.”

The others nodded.

The Ghostcry Thrush took flight, dissolving into mist and vanishing.

“Hey! You’re just leaving us?!” Song Zan shouted, “We dug all this up—have some decency!”

“Stop talking!” Zhao Lin shoved him, “Move!”

At the same time—

Inside the castle.

Butler Rudolf and the chef were preparing for the summoning ritual.

They sharpened a brand-new set of knives repeatedly.

They even crafted a delicate silver basin to hold the “praises to the divine” written by Rudolf.

Rudolf worked with meticulous precision—

His hair perfectly combed, a golden monocle on his nose, his bowtie as white as snow.

This orderliness brought him satisfaction.

If nothing unexpected happened throughout the day—

He would feel deeply fulfilled.

The castle had passed another perfect day under his management.

The burly chef sat on a small stool, grinding knives mechanically, endlessly.

Suddenly—

Clang.

The knife fell from his hand.

The butler’s veins twitched. “What are you doing now—”

But the chef was staring blankly out the window.

Outside, darkness had fully fallen.

Silence filled the air.

The butler frowned and looked—

His expression froze for a moment… then twisted into fury.

“That’s the Black Forest! Ricardo Morlanden—who released him?! He should be dead! He should be dead!”

He rushed to the window.

From the kitchen’s vantage point, he could clearly see the spreading mist—

And two figures moving within it.

A man.

And a woman.

Both terribly familiar.

Ricardo Morlanden—

And Sophie Ireland.

The butler’s hands trembled.

“No… no! The ritual is about to begin! I’m about to gain divine power—nothing can go wrong now!” he snarled, his moth-like wings spreading behind him.

“Bring me that young master—and that foolish creature they keep. They have the child. They won’t dare act recklessly. As long as we don’t enter the Black Forest, we have nothing to fear.”

His voice grew louder and louder.

The chef seemed to understand, nodding stiffly.

At that moment—

Knock, knock.

“Mr. Butler! Mr. Butler!”

A maid’s anxious voice came from outside.

“Something’s wrong—the detectives are all gone!”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Night of Arcbalis

BLContract RelationshipDark Fantasy

Read Now →
Not interested