Shadows of London: 3-14 Silent Sonnet

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Shadows of London

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The Elder is defeated and Jesse is rescued, but Caroline still longs to see someone...

Info

Style: Event Logs: Lord Palmerston Album Art: Love Poem Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: The Next Century

The Next Century

Ending: Proof of Love

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline, you haven't eaten anything all day.

• Priscilla Barnet: If you keep going on like this, your body won't be able to hold up. You should eat a little more.

• You: I really don't have an appetite, Priscilla.

• You: Is Roger not back yet?

• I stand anxiously by the window, gazing eagerly at the road, hoping to spot familiar figures.
• That night, Doctor Grey, who was highly respected in London's social scene, was not met with the usual rough behavior from Scotland Yard.
• But they accused him of a crime even more terrifying than assault: the London Police charged him as the culprit behind the epidemic.
• If there was anything that shocked me more than this accusation, it was Doctor Grey's complete silence on the matter.
• After reviewing the arrest warrant, he calmly left with Scotland Yard, without bothering to defend himself.
• You: Roger!

• Through the misty glass window, I can vaguely make out Roger's coat.
• Priscilla Barnet: Where are you going?

• You: Roger's on his way. I need to hurry and ask him about the information he gathered!

• Priscilla Barnet: Looking like that?

• Priscilla Barnet: Please, you haven't changed your clothes since we came back that night.

• Priscilla Barnet: Come on. At least let me help you wash your face.

• You: Roger, how's the situation? Has Scotland Yard reached a conclusion yet?

• As soon as Roger enters the room, I rush towards him. He glances at me, takes off his damp hat, and lets out a brief sigh.
• Roger Evans: Edward Grey remained silent. But the police found unidentified drugs in both his apartment and the clinic, which could be the cause of the epidemic.

• Roger Evans: As for whether that's the drug that triggered the epidemic... Well, we will only find out when the medical professionals are done with their analysis.

• Roger Evans: But there is an even simpler way: Edward Grey is currently being detained at the police station, so if the epidemic were to vanish, it would be self-evident.

• My legs start to tremble, but I push myself to ask the next question.
• You: What about Jesse? Did the police investigate the cause of Jesse's death?

• Roger Evans: Jesse Lindvall's death was never officially recorded. The police didn't want any complications.

• Roger Evans: But they privately speculated that Jesse Lindvall might have accidentally stumbled upon Edward Grey's criminal activities and was thus silenced.

• Roger Evans: However, at this point, only the parties involved know the truth.

• My heart freezes, and I shiver all over. But the colder my chest gets, the hotter my head becomes.
• All reason seems to have been consumed by the flames.
• You: I don't understand... I can't believe it... I need to go ask him! Why would he do this?

• Roger Evans: Stay calm, Caroline!

• You: Let me go!

• Roger Evans: Edward Grey is now suspected of a serious crime, and Scotland Yard is keeping a close watch on him. You won't be able to see him at all.

• You: I still must—

• Roger Evans: Don't you want to know why I know the name Edward Akerman?

• You: !

• If this is Roger's way of distracting me, he has indeed achieved his goal.

• Priscilla brings tea and snacks from the kitchen. Roger, who has been busy all day, enjoys a well-deserved meal, and I reluctantly take a few bites as well.
• With the company of dessert, Roger's recounting of the past events seems a little less bitter.
• Roger Evans: I worked as Pastor William's assistant for two months. By the end of the first month, I had become familiar with the people at the almshouse.

• Roger Evans: They often praised me, saying I was as smart as the pastor's foster sons.

• Roger Evans: Children at that age often have an inexplicable sense of competitiveness. So, I deliberately asked them about these "foster sons".

• Roger Evans: But people were so secretive about it. All I could find out were their names: Dennis and Edward.

• You: Dennis?

• I suddenly recall fragments of something I heard long ago when I visited Doctor Grey.
• You: I know Doctor Grey used to have a younger brother. Could that be him?

• Priscilla Barnet: Doctor Grey does seem like the type to be an older brother...

• Priscilla Barnet: Wait a minute, did you say "used to have"?

• Priscilla Barnet: You mean—

• Roger Evans: You're right. When I arrived at the almshouse, they were both gone.

• Roger Evans: Just a few months before I came to the almshouse, both of them contracted a disease. They had a persistent high fever, flushed faces, and multiple ulcers on their bodies.

• Roger Evans: The symptoms were very similar to the strange sickness that would later ravage the Eastern District.

• You: ...

• Roger Evans: Dennis was young and frail, and couldn't pull through. He passed away a few days later. At least, that's what they said to everyone else.

• Roger Evans: Edward's condition improved, but just when people thought he was going to recover, he disappeared from the almshouse and was never seen again.

• Roger Evans: Not long after, the Eastern District started experiencing an outbreak of a strange sickness. There were rumors going around that Edward was the one who spread the strange sickness to others.

• Roger Evans: However, when the epidemic truly broke out, people didn't care about who was the source, and they all rushed towards the only person, Pastor William, who could shelter them.

• Roger Evans: Most of these people quickly died of the illness and were tossed into the public cemetery. While those who were physically strong were taken by the pastor to the church basement.

• Roger Evans: It was obvious that something secretive was happening in that basement.

• You: Did they become vampires?

• Roger Evans: Not exactly. Some turned into ghouls, while vain attempts were made to turn others into vampires.

• Roger Evans: In reality, the success rate of humans turning into vampires isn't very high. Even if their bodies are healthy enough, their minds may not be.

• Roger Evans: Most neonates go crazy within the first few days and then they are... taken care of.

• Priscilla and I both cover our mouths at the same time.
• You: Is that what Akerman told you when you became his assistant?

• Roger Evans: Of course not. William Akerman was a cautious person.

• Roger Evans: I was just fortunate enough to be neighbors with these pitiful fellows for two days, Caroline.

• Roger Evans: All of this knowledge was passed on to me by your mother. What she feared the most was that you might be used as bait to feed these inhuman creatures.

• Roger Evans: I'm quite curious actually. Do you not recall any of this at all?

• Priscilla Barnet: Roger!

• Priscilla is truly furious. She mercilessly slaps him.
• Priscilla Barnet: When will you ever learn to speak like a gentleman!

• Roger Evans: When you learn to act like a lady... perhaps.

• Roger takes the blow like a seasoned warrior, clutching his cheek, and apologizes to me.
• Roger Evans: I'm sorry, Caroline, my question was too straightforward.

• You: It's okay, I'm used to it.

• The bizarre dreams I had felt so familiar, like lost memories.
• You: I don't remember anything. I think my mother placed a spell on me, making me forget what happened.

• You: I can remember some blurry fragments, but I can't understand why...

• Roger Evans: It sounds like something Mrs. Rayes would do. She always believed that you shouldn't have any dealings with vampires.

• Roger's voice is filled with displeasure.
• In his eyes, my insistence on a close relationship with Vincent is something my mother would not have wanted.
• You: Let's get back to the point. William Akerman took in a large group of infected people and turned them, and his intentions were clear.

• You: He did this for the sake of his ally, Irad the Elder.

• You: After all, Irad's power was greatly weakened after my mother's departure, and he lacked members in his ranks.

• You: But I don't understand. You're saying William Akerman is a vampire hunter, and that Doctor Grey is his successor.

• You: Why would a vampire hunter form an alliance with the Elder? Aren't they enemies by nature?

• Roger Evans: We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies.

• Roger Evans: And here I thought Lord Palmerston's motto was something every English person knew.

• Roger Evans: If teaming up with a vampire proved beneficial, why wouldn't William Akerman do that? The Queen's not paying the hunters after all.

• Roger Evans: And it is indeed true: with Akerman's cooperation, the Blood Clan did indeed acquire a large number of reserve forces in a short period of time.

• Roger Evans: However, on the night that Mr. Hawke came to "rescue" Lavinia, a fire destroyed all of his ambitions.

• You: Is it the same fire that happened thirteen years ago when William Akerman disappeared?

• Roger nods, his eyes revealing a tinge of fear.
• Roger Evans: The fire was so intense that it was unimaginable. The pastor disappeared, and the entire building was destroyed.

• Roger Evans: If you had witnessed that fire, you wouldn't be surprised by the intensity of the flames that consumed Irad.

• You: Brimstone fire!

• I recall the flickering flames and Doctor Grey gazing upon them—
• Roger Evans: After becoming a detective, I investigated a lot of the information that was left behind.

• Roger Evans: I speculated that Edward Grey might have been the one who started the fire at the church.

• You: Why do you say that?

• Roger Evans: The fire did not originate in the kitchen or the living room, where such accidents are likely to occur, but in the backyard.

• Roger Evans: There was a secret passage leading to the basement in the backyard, and there were traces of burnt grease near the passage.

• Roger Evans: It was obvious that this fire was started on purpose, and the arsonist's target was the group of people in the basement.

• You: ...

• Roger Evans: Don't you think that Edward Grey was very unlike his usual self that night? He even tried to shoot you.

• You: (Indeed...)

• Roger Evans: After the brimstone fire consumed Irad the Elder - or rather, the body of William Akerman, he returned to normal.

• Roger Evans: Perhaps that fire back then left him with such emotional anguish that he lost control upon seeing a similar scene.

• You: But why did he do this? What is his motive?

• You: Why would someone set fire to their foster father's church and burn so many people alive?

• You: He was just a child at the time! How deep is his hatred?

• Roger falls silent for a minute. When he speaks again, his voice is extremely stern.
• Roger Evans: I don't know what kind of hatred Edward Grey holds against William Akerman. But I believe that it's not just hatred that drives people to action.

• Roger Evans: After leaving London, he received support from an elderly couple and became one of the outstanding graduates of Bristol Medical School.

• Roger Evans: For an orphan with a difficult background, reaching this point couldn't have been easy.

• Roger Evans: Aside from his role as a vampire hunter, I believe saving the lives of others is truly what he wishes to do.

• Roger Evans: However, on one condition... Edward Grey will only save someone he considers human.

• You: He... believed that vampires are no longer human and there is no way to save them...

• I feel I've finally grasped a vague idea of the contradictory yet self-consistent principles of Doctor Grey.
• You: Humans and vampires are enemies by nature, and can never coexist. If a human is turned, the only outcome is destruction.

• You: He believes... that's the only true method of redemption...

• Roger and Priscilla nod silently at each other from across the room. I touch my forehead. Feeling uneasy, I fall into silence.
• I remember Doctor Grey arguing with me multiple times, trying to convince me.
• Whenever I expressed that one's character is more important than their "species", he would look disappointed...
• And that's how we grew distant. While I was still naive and ignorant, our souls had already started to drift apart.
• At this point, I have already lost the opportunity to truly understand him and ask him for the truth.

• And that was the end of Edward Grey's social life in London.
• A week later, the morning paper announces the verdict. The government officially declares the end of the epidemic.
• The restrictions regarding the Eastern District are being removed as quickly as they were put in place. Half a month later, the Ruby Opera House is preparing to resume operations.
• The socialites who fled London are now returning to the city, hosting three parties every week.
• London, which had been silent for several weeks, suddenly regains its former cheer. However, I can no longer find familiar figures among these familiar scenes.
• I have never understood how it is to be truly lonely.
• But now, I understand.

• The afternoon before Aunt and Mr. Erskine are expected to return to London, Priscilla and I go to the train station to bid farewell to Roger.
• Priscilla, of course, still lives with her parents in the city, while Roger must return to Manchester to continue his life there.
• I am reluctant to part ways after spending so much time together, but their cheerful voices and humorous farewells lighten the sadness of our separation.
• Priscilla Barnet: ...

• However, as I watch Roger board the train, I can't help but notice Priscilla's melancholy.
• I quietly grab her hand.
• You: Cheer up, Priscilla. If you want to go see him, you can do so anytime.

• You: Roger would definitely welcome you to his office.

• Priscilla Barnet: Hmm, I might not have any free time. The newspaper asked me if I was interested in writing for them.

• Priscilla Barnet: Madam Petit shouldn't be the only one in the newspaper. It wouldn't hurt to hear some other opinions as well.

• Priscilla Barnet: ...Ah, don't mention this to Madam Petit, okay?

• I can't help chuckling. I squeeze her delicate hand, indicating that I understand completely.
• Priscilla Barnet: So what about you, Caroline? What's your next step?

• You: When Aunt Petit returns home tomorrow, I will bid her farewell.

• You: I'm also planning to leave London.

• Priscilla Barnet: ...I thought as much.

• Priscilla Barnet: Are you going to look for them? Mr. Savile and Mr. Lindvall, I mean.

• I nod silently and ask...
• You: You're not going to stop me?

• Priscilla Barnet: Stop you? Why would I?

• You: They are members of the Blood Clan. And I'm going to look for them...

• Priscilla's eyelashes flutter, then she lowers her eyelids, remaining silent for a long while.
• Priscilla Barnet: Well... that's your decision to make.

• After a minute, she stubbornly lifts her head again, her eyes filled with determination and trust.
• Priscilla Barnet: You know me. I don't really care about that kind of thing.

• Priscilla Barnet: Why do we always have a tendency to categorize everything?

• Priscilla Barnet: Humans, vampires, upper-class individuals, middle-class, angel in the house, the madwoman in the attic?

• Priscilla Barnet: Right now, I'm standing here, talking to you, Caroline. And it has nothing to do with all of that.

• Priscilla Barnet: This is just something that is happening between the two of us - two independent souls.

• You: Yes, Priscilla. This only concerns the two of us.

• Her smile is imprinted on my memory. Perhaps even at the end of a long life, this smile will never fade, and will shine brightly forever.

• Convincing my aunt didn't take much effort. After experiencing so much chaos in London, my conversation with my aunt feels more like a conversation between equals.
• She simply hopes that I will visit my father's grave one more time before leaving London.
• But when I reach the graveyard, I discover a figure standing in front of the lonely tombstone. A figure I've thought about day and night.
• You: Vincent.

• He gazes at the names on the stone tablet: Cyril Rayes and Lavinia Rayes.
• Their names are next to each other, as if they are still together to this very day.
• You: My mother isn't here.

• You: Aunt Petit told me that when my father's body was found, there was nothing in his hands except for the dress my mother was wearing when she passed away.

• You: The stove was scorched, and it looked as if there had been a fire...

• You: ...Father must have been very careful to prevent the brimstone fire from spreading to other people's homes.

• Vincent remains silent, gently sprinkling a handful of soil onto my father's grave.
• Vincent Savile: She returned to fire, and he returned to dust.

• Vincent Savile: They couldn't stay together in the end.

• You: No, Vincent, it's not like that. Don't worry about where they ended up after death.

• You: Look at how they lived. That is more important than death.

• You: They gave birth to me, the result of the union between a human and a vampire.

• You: That I'm alive and loved by them speaks for itself.

• Vincent ponders for a long while, then finally turns to look at me, his face filled with contemplation.
• Vincent Savile: You've always been brave, Caroline, but lately one might even say you're audaciously bold.

• Vincent Savile: When you were confiding your future plans to Miss Barnet, didn't you consider the possibility that your plans might get leaked?
• I furrow my brow.

• You: You eavesdropped—

• Vincent Savile: You were having a big discussion about humans, vampires, and souls at the train station, Miss Rayes.

• Vincent Savile: Thanks to Miss Barnet's eccentric attire, the passersby assumed you were discussing some Gothic novel and didn't suspect a thing.

• I am momentarily speechless, and in order to avoid further ridicule, I quickly change the subject.
• You: Don't just talk about me. You disappeared for so many days without contacting me. I was so worried! That's why I decided to leave London.

• You: Where did you take Jesse? Is he okay?

• Vincent Savile: Jesse is learning to control himself. It would be better for him to stay away from the city.

• Vincent Savile: You shouldn't complain that I've been gone for too long. Finding a suitable place to live in the mountains isn't an easy feat, even for a vampire.

• Vincent Savile: He has to endure many long days in that place before he can fully control his instincts.

• Even though I know what kind of answer I'd get, I gather the courage to ask...
• You: So, is there anything I can do to help?

• Vincent Savile: ...

• I assume that Vincent would tell me never to visit or see Jesse again.
• But he looks at me and gives me a faint smile.
• Vincent Savile: Encourage him.

• You: Huh?

• Vincent Savile: Stay by his side. Care for him.

• Vincent Savile: Give him comfort in his pain, and give him hope in his despair.

• Vincent Savile: On the cursed path of eternal life, make sure he doesn't feel alone.

• Vincent Savile: That would be the most wonderful thing you could do for him, Caroline.

• You: Are you talking about Jesse? Or are you talking about yourself?

• Vincent Savile: Interpret it however you like.

• You: This is not the time to hold back your feelings, Vincent. You are a poet, after all.

• You: You know, I might never get the chance to hear someone say those words to me for the rest of my life.

• Vincent Savile: Don't you know? Poets are never straightforward.

• You: Oh? So, how would a poet express the words "I love you"?

• Vincent Savile: ...

• Vincent Savile: Let me think. Perhaps—

• O, let my books be then the eloquence
• And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,
• Who plead for love and look for recompense
• More than that tongue that more hath more expressed.
• O, learn to read what silent love hath writ.
• To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit.

• Obtained Ending: Proof of Love