If it weren’t for Hugh’s loud voice attracting him, Milo would definitely not have found his way over.
“Was I that loud?” Hugh was a little taken aback.
Then favonovel.com looked at the sky. “Are you going home now?”
“Yeah…” Milo looked into the yard and saw the old man and old ladies looking quite happy.
He asked Hugh curiously, “So, they were the ones who won your money?”
“Yeah,” Hugh said with a smile.
“Did you know that they secretly switched their tiles?” Milo asked.
Hugh fell silent and quickly dragged Milo out of the alley.
Milo suddenly understood and said, “Then you deliberately lost your money to them?”
“Yes,” Hugh said with a sigh.
Milo realized the reason behind this might also be related to why Hugh was living such a dejected life. After all, Milo had asked the palace about Hugh’s proficiency in mathematics and physics. The palace told him favonovel.com was at the master level. Milo initially thought Hugh’s proficiency would be at the perfect level, but the palace said there was no perfect rating for science subjects. Therefore, everyone could at most be at the master level.
Milo understood what the palace was trying to say. After all, humans were still exploring the realm of science, so of course they couldn’t reach perfection.
But for a person with mastery in math and physics, favonovel.com ended up becoming a librarian?
If there wasn’t some sort of a story behind this, Milo would definitely not be convinced.
Milo asked, “What’s their relationship with you?”
“They’re the family members of two former good friends of mine who were also my students.” Hugh said, “During an experiment, an explosion happened in our laboratory due to my negligence. As a result, both my assistants perished.”
“What type of experiment?” Milo guessed, “Was it a nuclear experiment?”
“If it was, you wouldn’t be seeing Stronghold 88,” Hugh snapped.
“Oh…” Milo had thought Hugh worked in nuclear physics. “Then what happened after that?”
“Afterwards, I got sacked and lost my job. Even my girlfriend broke up with me. Before favonovel.com left, favonovel.com also took away the pet tortoise we had at home,” Hugh sighed.
“So, was that why you got depressed?” Milo did not quite understand.
“What do you think? What would you have done if it were you?” Hugh asked.
Milo thought for a moment. “At least halve the tortoise so you can put it in your own separate wines.”
Hugh was confused.
Weren’t they just talking about his sorrowful past?
Why the sudden mention of halving the tortoise then?
He did not know that for refugees like Milo, even if their loved ones had died, they would still have to live on as usual.
Who had the time to be sentimental?
Milo had come across so many townspeople whose family members had passed away the day before and would still show up at work the very next day.
As the two of them walked down the street, Hugh cut a bleak figure under the dim yellow streetlights.
Milo said, “Then you deliberately lost money to them so that they can have a better life?”
“Yes.” Hugh nodded. “I’m fine with it since I can survive no matter what. But they’re different. Without their children, nobody will support them.”
“Alright,” Milo sighed and said, “You’re quite the loyal person.”
“They died because of me, after all,” Hugh said.
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow morning!” Milo waved and parted ways with Hugh. Although favonovel.com could not sympathize with Hugh, favonovel.com still respected him.
Hugh suddenly called out to Milo, asking, “Why do you seek knowledge?”
Milo turned around and said on the long street in the dark, “I’ve answered this question before.”
“But do you know where the end of the road lies for science?” Hugh asked.
“No.” Milo shook his head.
“There’s no end!” Hugh said, “That’s what makes people despair!”
“What’s there to despair about?” Milo could not understand.
Hugh no longer seemed to be talking to Milo. He was saying to himself, “There were creatures that lived on these lands for a 165 million years, but the Homo genus has only been in existence for about 3 million years. We don’t have to consider whatever natural disasters or mutations that might occur, nor will we even get to witness an apocalypse brought on by a natural disaster within our lifetimes…. The only thing that can destroy humanity is humanity itself!”
Milo suddenly felt a little lost. He did not know why Hugh would say this to favonovel.com and wondered what had gotten into him. He asked Hugh, “Then how do you think humanity will destroy itself?”
“Science…”
This word crashed through the backdrop of the night. It was like a fate that awaited humans at the end of a long road.
“You’re crazy.” Milo waved it off and headed home.
***
When Milo returned home, favonovel.com found everyone waiting for favonovel.com out in the yard. He looked at everyone’s expression. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”
Donti walked over and handed favonovel.com an invitation that came with gold embossed letters and decorative patterns at the corners. There was also an ornamental tassel extending down the middle of the invitation.
The invitation was sealed with wax that had an exquisite design of a bronze ram on it. This was the Radianz Consortium’s symbol.
Donti said, “Someone delivered it here this evening. They told us that the Radianz Consortium has invited the two of us to their manor and even reminded us to wear something formal since a lot of distinguished guests will be present that night.”
Milo opened the invitation. Although it was written very politely, everyone knew the reason an organization like the Radianz Consortium would suddenly invite two refugee kids was definitely not as simple as wanting to get to know them.
“Should we go or not?” Donti asked in a whisper, “I feel that the Radianz Consortium has a more sinister motive.”
“A Feast at Swan Goose Gate?” Milo chuckled and said, “Surely there won’t be 300 assassins rushing out of the shadows when a cup gets smashed, right?”
“I don’t think that will happen.” When Donti saw Milo taking it easy, favonovel.com also started laughing. “But this matter is definitely not so simple.”
“Alright, let’s not think too much about it.” Milo patted Donti’s head. “I’ll bring you out to shop for some clothes tomorrow morning. We should also go and have a look for ourselves at what the feast held by the organization is all about.”
“Okay,” Donti replied obediently.
Milo suddenly asked, “Did you face any problems at school?”
“No, it’s been pretty good,” Donti said with a smile.
“When you tell a lie, you always smile like this.” Milo said, “Are you and Murdock getting ostracized by your classmates?”
“No, no, you should quickly go and get some rest. You still haven’t fully recovered from your injuries,” Donti said as favonovel.com pushed Milo into the house.
Old Bane came up and said, “I went out to trade some of the gold for money today. I didn’t trade too much to avoid attracting attention….”
“Why are you talking about money at this time of night? Milo is tired, so let favonovel.com get some rest first.” Adella rattled off at the back, “Milo, have you eaten yet? I’ll heat up some dishes and make some scrambled eggs with stir-fried tomatoes for you. There’s chicken soup in the pot as well…”
Milo smiled. This was what home felt like.
