Chapter 004: The Mask

Gabriel stood at the entrance of the city lord’s residence, hands behind his back, fingernails digging into his palms so hard they were almost bleeding. It wasn’t that our city lord was inexperienced—rather, he had waited for so long that frustration had built up inside him.
Just the third son of a duke—let alone not qualified to inherit a title, even if he did, so what? He himself was a baron. Though nothing compared to a duke, his status was undeniable. In this city of Rui, he was the true ruler. Even if Duke Green himself came, he should show some respect.
I, Gabriel, am different from those worthless people who rely on their birthright. My current status is the result of my own hard work.
Gabriel was resentful. Though he was also noble, he was a newcomer in the aristocratic circles. Toward those nobles with centuries of legacy, he felt nothing but jealousy and disdain. It was a delicate mindset—complaining that grapes are sour because one can’t reach them.
Gabriel’s expression became unpredictable, but at that moment, one of his guards suddenly coughed and said, “My lord, the troops from the north have arrived.”
Gabriel immediately regained his composure, putting on a calm expression. With a subtle smile, he pretended to be just coming out and headed toward the entrance.
Not far away, the carriage of the northern troops was speeding toward them. A rider led the way and stopped at the entrance of the city lord’s residence. From afar, he bowed to Gabriel and said, “Lord Baron, my young master was delayed due to some matters, so I’m sorry for being late. Please forgive me!”
Gabriel chuckled and replied, “Oh, no! I thought Young Master Du Fan didn’t know the way and was about to go greet him myself. It’s truly a coincidence that you all arrived! I failed to arrange someone to pick up Young Master Du Fan personally…”
As he spoke, Gabriel already stepped down from the steps of the city lord’s residence.
“What are you saying, Lord Gabriel? It’s my fault for being late… Please forgive me, Lord Baron Gabriel…”
A calm voice sounded. Du Fan, dressed in a pure white robe, stroked the ring on his hand as he slowly stepped out of the carriage. He glanced up at Gabriel briefly, a hint of amusement in his eyes… This lord baron’s eyes really do resemble those of a fox…

Du Fan was observing Gabriel, who, in turn, was also observing Du Fan. He glanced at Du Fan quickly from head to toe, his gaze lingering on his robe, filled with surprise. After all, Gabriel had a good eye for such things—he knew exactly what that robe represented. But why would this young master wear a robe to a party…? Du Fan noticed his gaze and smiled softly, saying, “Lord Gabriel, there’s no need to guess. It’s clearly stated in your invitation that tonight is a unique masked ball, where everyone will disguise themselves as someone else, so no one knows who they really are. I, Du Fan, have been working in the Church these years and haven’t had much contact with others. If I pretended to be someone else, I’d surely make many mistakes. So I thought, why not just dress as a priest? That way, I’d be returning to my true role. I guess no one will recognize me then.” Gabriel laughed heartily and said, “Young Master Du Fan is truly remarkable for his age—coming up with such an idea is truly rare… Come on, since you’re here, don’t stand outside. Everyone is waiting for you. How about going in together?” Du Fan nodded slightly and said, “That would be great, but my brothers…” He pointed to the knights following behind him. Gabriel laughed and said, “Don’t worry, Young Master Du Fan. Our city lord’s people certainly won’t treat them poorly. As for Lord Carol, of course he should come in too. Lord Carol, do you know? Ever since you appeared in our city of Rui Gen, countless noble ladies have fallen for you. Even my wild daughter has mentioned you more than once… Please don’t disappoint those ladies tonight.” Carol smiled awkwardly and said, “The city lord is joking. This time, Carol is just here as a guard. It’s better if I don’t attend the party…” Unexpectedly, Gabriel was taken aback. He glanced at Du Fan and said, “Young Master Du Fan, that’s not right. Leaving our Captain Carol standing outside in the cold will surely hurt many people’s feelings.” Du Fan smiled and said, “Carol, since Lord Gabriel has asked you to come in, just follow me. It’s a masked ball anyway—no one will blame you for wearing these clothes… Right, Lord Gabriel?”

“Of course, of course.” Gabriel made a gesture and quickened his pace. “Although I, Gabriel, am not very useful, I still have some preparations. Lord Carol, you needn’t worry at all… As for the other warriors, feel free as well. In our city of Rui Gen, no one dares to cause trouble in the lord’s mansion.”
Gabriel’s last words were ambiguous. Du Fan and Carol exchanged a glance but pretended not to hear them.
Soon, the two followed Gabriel slowly into the inner hall of the lord’s mansion.
Along the way, ivy covered everything. Well-dressed servants and attendants stood in the corners, slightly bowing. The slightly damp ground was free of even a single leaf.
Although this lord’s mansion lacked the grandeur of the imperial elite’s residences, it was still extravagantly wealthy compared to other places in Rui Gen. It was unclear how much of the common people’s wealth Baron Gabriel had exploited to amass such riches.
After walking around a few times in this fairly large mansion, they finally arrived in front of a hall. Gabriel stopped, turned around with a smile, and said, “Young Master Du Fan, Lord Carol, we’ve arrived…”
Du Fan took a few looks and casually praised, “A nice place…”
Gabriel laughed heartily and said, “Young Master Du Fan, you’re too kind. Compared to Duke Green’s mansion, my place is probably nothing at all… But still, I hope you’ll have a pleasant time here tonight.”
With that, Gabriel gently clapped his hands. Two attendants standing in front of the hall quickly took out two masks from a small table behind them and presented them to Gabriel.
Gabriel took them casually, waved for the attendants to step back, then weighed the masks in his hands before handing one to Carol and the other to Du Fan. “I prepared these especially for you two. I wonder… if you’ll be satisfied with them…”
As he spoke, Gabriel smiled, but there was an indescribable hint in his smile.
Du Fan was puzzled. He first glanced at the mask in Carol’s hand—it was a facial mask that resembled somewhat a famous military hero from imperial history. Paired with Carol’s armor, it suited her perfectly.
Du Fan saw a rare smile on Carol’s face, clearly indicating that she was quite satisfied with the mask.
Then, Du Fan looked at the mask in his own hand, and at that moment, he was shocked.

Du Fan saw that the mask in his hands was roughly the width of a palm, with a unique design. It seemed to be made by combining two feather shapes and could only cover the upper half of the face. There were two translucent crystals where the eyes should be, and on the forehead was a faint mark resembling a cross.

Du Fan took just one glance, yet his heart was stirred as if by towering waves. If others didn’t recognize this mask, how could he possibly not?

Its design, color, and that faint cross clearly resembled the sacred artifact worn only by the supreme being in the Holy Church—the Pope’s Mask. It was said that once a pope put on that mask, he could not take it off unless he was alone. Wearing the Pope’s Mask meant one would serve as the voice of the gods for life. And since it was considered a sacred artifact, it naturally had extraordinary properties. Yet these secrets pertained to the Holy Church, beyond Du Fan’s reach given his status.

After his initial shock, Du Fan calmed down and tried to sense it with his mental power. He found it to be just an ordinary mask. Wearing it at the masquerade party wasn’t entirely impossible… but it still wasn’t ideal…

With these thoughts, Du Fan couldn’t help but glance at Gabriel. Gabriel smiled gently and said, “Young Master Du Fan seems to like this mask… It’s a fake created by an artist hundreds of years ago, quite valuable. I happened to obtain it, and since we’re having this masquerade party, I thought I’d give it to you. With this robe and the Pope’s Mask, I’m sure no one will be able to see through your disguise this time, right?”

Du Fan couldn’t figure out what Baron Gabriel meant. Although wearing such a mask wasn’t a big deal, for a clergyman, even just coming into contact with it carried significant implications, as everyone understood.

Was this guy implying that he might become the pope? Wasn’t that typical child’s talk?

Du Fan inwardly sighed, but put on a joyful expression. He nodded eagerly and put the mask on.