Chapter 141

Abigail called out, her expression filled with tension.

This has been happening frequently ever since it was discovered that Favia's right arm and right leg could no longer move easily.

"Write a letter."

Why write a letter?

"Even if we are separated by great distances, as long as we call each other's names, the bond between people will never disappear. Every letter conveys longing. If there is someone you want to see, someone you love, go see them, send them a letter. Pour all your emotions into the letter and send it out... I heard this from a postman."

Favia smiled, perhaps because he was a little tired from writing for a long time, and he put down his left hand to rest.

"Oh, by the way, who is it for? Moriarty?"

The silver-haired youth shook his head and said softly:

"It's written for Bavan Shi, the red-haired girl who was with me on the island. Actually, she's Fairy."

Bhavan Shi... Fairy...

Something seemed to be beating in the blonde girl's heart.

In her daze, she gradually came to her senses.

Is it that guy who was so close to my brother...? Fairy? Could he still be alive, searching for my brother...? And what about me...?

Don't be so downcast.

When Favia saw Abigail's expression, how could she not know what she was thinking after nineteen years with her?

So he bent down and patted the girl's face. Although the Dungeon was extremely dark and cold, the faint light shining through the small window still made the girl's golden hair shine brightly, and a little light reflected on Favia's face.

"I'm your brother, aren't I?"

His attitude and words were enough to express his inner thoughts, so the blonde girl could only nod slightly. After a long silence, she timidly asked:

"What kind of person is that Bavan Shi?"

"She's a very lovely girl." Favia smiled, speaking her mind without any pretense, "It's been a long time since I've seen her; she must have become stronger, right?"

"Strong?"

Abigail tilted her head, seemingly puzzled. Although her memory of the incident was somewhat hazy, she felt that the Red-Haired Fairy seemed quite brave.

"Because she was easily bullied by other Fairy from birth, she developed a submissive personality." Memories flooded Favia's mind as she murmured, "That's her, but not the real her."

Abigail mimicked Favia's thoughtful gaze, then said in a pensive tone, "Abi understands. It's because she's been bullied for so long that she's become timid. That's why you took her with you, brother, to try and change that."

"More or less," Favia sighed. "When we first met, I thought she was Monster ravaging humanity, but then I learned about her pitiful state and that it was an accident. After all this time, she must have grown up by now. She should be able to live well without relying on anyone's charity."

As Favia spoke, Abigail examined the letter he had written to Bavan Shi—

I feel a little sorry, but I'm about to embark on a trip to a very far place.

I will buy you a nice gift, Xiaoxi. Before that, I want to make a promise with you, Bawan Xi.

The letter was very long and contained many serial numbers...

"Speaking of which, that Bawan Xi is indeed quite beautiful, and she's dressed very well..."

Abigail said nonchalantly.

"Of course, after all, I had someone design it for her." Favia nodded. "If there's a chance in the future, I'd like to design one for you, Abi."

"... It's a deal!"

"Haha, no problem... Speaking of which, she always seems to feel like she's not doing something right, and she's always afraid of herself, but actually no one dislikes her because of that," Favia said. "She's just like many other people, but she needs a little encouragement and support."

"Um, I'm so sorry..." the blonde girl said apologetically, "It's all Abi's fault..."

"I told you it's fine," Favia shook her head again. "Actually, this is enough."

Then, he looked up and smiled at the girl.

"Abi, you're my sister, right? I've always remembered that."

Favia said that for Abigail, who had been imprisoned in this Dungeon for nineteen years, the gaze he had given her had always been gentle and tolerant, without a trace of negative emotion.

All his words were positive affirmations of her, and he would seriously consider her needs. The girl knew that he was saying these things for her sake.

Thinking about this, Abigail felt a little shy, and then embarrassed.

"... I already understand. Don't say anymore, just focus on writing your letter."

The blonde girl turned to the other side and murmured, while the silver-haired youth smiled as if amused and said, "No problem," before turning his gaze back to the letter.

It's almost February 28th...

He murmured to himself, and the girl beside him either heard him or not; in any case, she watched silently, lost in thought.

February 28, 1829, was the day 'Faria' truly died.

Moreover, Favia also felt that his condition was getting worse and worse.

It was already 1829, and for some reason, the spring that year was much colder than usual. Although Edmond was already used to it, he was still a little worried, not about himself, but about Priest Faria's health.

Ever since learning of Faria's condition, he had been doing everything he could to take care of him and prevent any problems from arising in the Priest.

As long as they took good care of the Priest, these ordinary days would continue, just as they had been for nine years, the Sailors in Marseille thought.

"Edmond, I'm going to die."

Another night fell. When Edmond moved the bed and went into the burrow, he found that the Priest, who usually arrived early, was not there. Somewhat puzzled, he had to go through the burrow to Favia's Dungeon. However, just as he made eye contact with Favia said to him indifferently.

"Haha, Priest, you're really joking. You're perfectly fine now..."

"Edmond, I won't lie to you," Favia said calmly. "You know my character, right? I don't need to explain anything to you anymore."

I don't believe it!

Edmond screamed in agony, losing all reason, and rushed to Favia, shouting, "Priest, you won't die—"

Favia used her last bit of strength to stop him.

"Don't be like that," he said. "You and I are different. I can't leave here anymore, so it's normal for me to die here. You can get out. After I die, another unfortunate sufferer will soon come to take my place. He will see you as an Angel. Perhaps he will also be young, strong, and hardworking, just like you. He can help you escape together..."

The Sailors could only grip the Priest's hand tightly and shout:

"Priest, don't say that, really, you'll be alright..."

Edmond then rallied a little and said, "Yes, Warden, I'll go find him right now and beg him to let you see the doctor—"

"There's no hope. I know my body very well." Faria shook her head. "Edmond, I'm very old."

"No, no!" Edmond continued, "Priest, you seem perfectly normal. You've probably misunderstood. There's nothing wrong..."

"Because embarrassing myself in front of my students once is enough. After all, I'm a very proud person."

Upon hearing this, Edmond fell silent, a sharp pain shooting through his heart.

He had already seen the cold sweat dripping from the old man's forehead and his body trembling slightly. Despite the discomfort, the Priest bravely refused to utter a sound.

"Edmond, as your Teacher, even in death I will always be by your side," Faria said with a smile. "Then, from this moment on, I must part from you forever. I wish you all the happiness you deserve, and all your wishes fulfilled. My student, I bless you! Go and obtain the treasure of the Savior Mountain, and let everything tainted by despair burn fiercely with the rampant darkness of this era."

The young man couldn't help but kneel down and bury his head beside the Priest's bed.

"Edmond, I have a letter with me. If you have the chance in the future, please go to Britain and deliver it to a Fairy girl named Bavan Shee. She has red hair..."

"Since you have this wish, Priest, why don't you go yourself...?"

The Sailors, fighting back tears, spoke in a trembling voice.

"You're all grown up now, don't cry... Didn't I tell you... you have to be smiling until the very end, understand? Until the very end..."

A violent tremor interrupted Favia's words.

Edmond looked up and saw that Favia's eyes were filled with blood, as if a large amount of blood had uncontrollably flowed from his brain cavity to his face.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, gripping Edmond and Abigail's hands tightly in a spasm, "This is my last chance. You must get out of here, Edmond, at all costs, you..."

The Sailors stood there, holding that seemingly unresponsive hand, for half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half.

Overwhelmed with grief, Edmond leaned against the Priest, first taking out the letter as instructed, then placing his hand on the priest's heart. He felt the body gradually growing cold, the heartbeat weakening, until it finally stopped completely.

At this moment, he realized that Abigail was still there, but he had no time to worry about his inner turmoil, because Edmond was now in a state of utter confusion, seemingly still grieving.

And so, like a walking corpse, he crawled into the tunnel and covered the large rock that led him into the secret tunnel as well as he could.

Back in his Dungeon, Edmond remained silent and motionless, even holding his breath.

Just then, the jailer came to deliver breakfast.

He first went to Edmond's Dungeon, and then went to Faria's cell.

At that moment, Edmond felt an indescribable anxiety, so he crawled back into the tunnel. When he reached the other end, he happened to hear the jailer shouting in alarm, calling for help.

A few moments later, several jailers arrived, followed by a steady chorus of footsteps. It was clear that soldiers were approaching; they walked this way even when they weren't on duty. The warden followed behind them.

Edmond heard creaking sounds coming from the bed, knowing they were moving Faria's body. Then he heard the warden's voice, saying that the Priest had passed away and that since the prison Priest was on leave, Faria could not listen to a requiem, nor did anyone need to watch over the body.

Even so, he was still sent back to the sea.

The warden looked reluctant to speak.

As he spoke, a memory suddenly flashed through his mind—something from many years ago, something that happened after Moriarty.

"Go away. You are not Faria; you don't need to suffer for this."

The warden opened the Great Gate and said this to Favia.

Is this really a good idea?

Favia smiled and said to the warden, who clearly had been thinking for a long time before finally making up his mind.

"I'll find a reason, I'll say he died of illness... Actually, it's really strange, making an innocent person take the blame, I've seen it so many times before, but now... Sigh, it's strange, I'm actually a little scared... You should go quickly, I've already arranged the boat."

"I don't think being timid is a bad thing." Favia didn't move, just sat quietly. "Those who know fear will stay away from death."

So I think that's a good thing. When you're certain you're going to die, you should use your last bit of strength to personally fill in the gaps, so you can die without regrets.

However, if there are regrets in life, one should make amends for them personally.

It's okay to be timid, it doesn't matter if I don't receive the praise of 'bravery.' Even so, I want to live for several more decades Protection as many people as possible... That's all I hope to do... Whoever it is, as long as they show... the strength of humanity in the very end, that's enough."

"I don't understand..." The warden felt his head was about to explode. "Anyway, are you coming or not?"

"I can't leave."

Favia answered with a smile, having already realized that he would fall ill whenever he went up to the Dungeon.

"However, my friend, you need not be afraid of me because of this, for I have already forgiven you. But I still hope you can be kinder to the innocent prisoners."

Back to the present, the warden nodded slightly and sighed.

"He came from the sea, so he should return to the other side of the sea that belongs to him, right? He probably thinks so too."

The footsteps faded into the distance, the sound gradually diminished, the door chain jingled for a moment, then the sound of it being locked, and then there was silence. What followed was a silence more desolate than any other lonely place, a deathly silence that permeated everything, even the Sailors's cold soul.

He carefully lifted the large rock with his head, cautiously looking around the room, which was empty.

Edmond leaped out of the tunnel and returned to Favia's Dungeon.

By the faint, pale light streaming in from the window, one could see a coarse cloth bag lying flat on the bed, and inside the large bag, a long, stiff object lay stiffly.

And just like that, it all came to an end.

Edmond would never see his Teacher again. The young man sat down on the bed, lost in a state of melancholy and confusion.

In that instant, the thought of suicide resurfaced. Edmond would never have thought of this when the Priest was alive, but now, the thought haunted him like a ghost.

"If I die," he said, "I can go to where he went and find him. But how should I die? That's not difficult."

The Sailors continued with a painful laugh:

"As long as I stay here, whoever opens the door first, I'll rush at him and strangle him, then they'll hang me..."

"... Bastard, did my brother say all that just to kill you? If you wanted to die, why didn't you die sooner? Why did you have to drag it out until now!"

"How come you..."

Edmond, snapped back to his senses by the angry rebuke, looked around and was surprised to find Abigail still there, as Edmond had assumed the Priest's evil intentions had vanished with Priest departure.

"In short, you must survive, survive at all costs, and get out of here alive to get that Monte Cristo Treasure, understand!" Abigail said expressionlessly. "You must survive, you know that! You're still my brother's student, don't you know what he wants you to do? Now go and play dead! You must escape the Château d'If' If at all costs!"

When Abigail got to this point, Edmond froze, sitting there motionless, his eyes unblinking, as if he had suddenly come up with an extremely astonishing idea.

"Playing dead... I..."

Suddenly, he stood up abruptly, holding his forehead as if he were dizzy.