Under Anna’s surprised and somewhat sympathetic gaze, Allen devoured a breakfast meant for four or five people like a whirlwind before finally putting down his knife and fork, letting out a satisfied sigh.
“I’ve never felt so happy eating before. Burp… That really hit the spot!”
The energy consumption brought about by that Gene Enhancement Serum was truly staggering.
Allen rubbed his slightly bulging stomach, feeling every cell in his body cheering.
The old Butler, who had been standing by the side, had a kind smile on his face: “Master, only you and Miss Anna are home today. Eat slowly, no one is competing with you.”
“Speaking of which, where are Dad and Marianne? Not back yet?” Allen picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth.
“Miss Marianne is still busy at your ‘Heaven’s Haven’; there seems to be a lot of wrap-up work there. Master went out early this morning, busy with matters regarding the United Bank and your ‘Old City District Revitalization Plan’.” The Butler replied.
“I see…” Having slept for an entire day, Allen appeared full of energy. “Then I’ll go help out after I finish eating. I can’t just stay idle.”
Hearing this, a hint of helplessness appeared on the old Butler’s face. He spoke in a tone that was doting yet carried a hint of a reminder:
“Master, if you idle occasionally, it is good for you and good for everyone else. You might not have felt it yet, but what you have done these past few days is equivalent to at least several months of work for others.”
Allen’s hand holding the napkin paused.
He heard the faint exhaustion in the old Butler’s words.
Indeed, he wasn’t the only one constantly working; the people around him who cared for and helped him were too.
Perhaps he, this “black-hearted capitalist,” really didn’t treat people like humans enough, even though he was the most hardworking super-ox himself.
Was he really working so hard that it made things difficult for others?
He was silent for a moment and performed some self-reflection: “Am I… running too fast?”
So fast that everyone was exhausted trying to keep up.
The Butler understood his underlying meaning and nodded: “You are too urgent. So urgent that it’s as if you’ll be caught by something terrifying the moment you stop to rest for a while.”
The old Butler was right.
Deep down, Allen truly lacked a sense of security. As long as he wasn’t doing something to escape his death ending, intense unease would surge within him.
He feared death and the ghosts of past failures, and he feared even more that once he fell, everything he had worked so hard to build would vanish in an instant.
He claimed to believe in the wisdom of the masses, but subconsciously, perhaps he didn’t fully believe others could execute his Plan well.
Although Marianne’s previous comfort had made him realize that many things in life are beyond total control, he still feared the sudden collapse of the situations he had finally managed to grasp.
This was common. Allen was not omniscient, and building a Revolution Organization was never easy. Once an accident occurred, the price could be a river of blood.
It was these unavoidable accidents that constituted the twists and turns of unpredictable human Fate.
But Allen knew clearly that things are done by people; one absolutely cannot use something ethereal like Fate as an excuse for failure.
The Evil God’s means of manipulating human Fate were not that magical; they also achieved their Evil Plan through the Corruption of individual humans.
Allen was racing against the Evil God, fighting for every minute and second of the future.
Therefore, he could not stop.
Even if he wanted to slack off or be a hands-off boss, it seemed he couldn’t do it.
“Should I… take a good day’s rest?”
Allen lowered his head slightly, a rare look of confusion belonging to a youth appearing on his face.
The Butler nodded with certainty: “Yes, Master. You are only fifteen, the age when you should be enjoying your youth. Other Noble youths your age might be enjoying the leisure of summer and experiencing the beauty of youth right now. You need rest, even if you carry the heavy burden of the world’s survival on your shoulders.”
“Fifteen years old…” Allen laughed mockingly at himself. “With great power comes great responsibility. I heard the Crown Prince started learning to oversee the state before he was ten. I’m only starting to work hard now; I even feel it’s a bit too late.”
The Butler comforted him: “Master, occasionally trust your companions, your Comrades. They will complete the tasks you assigned. Isn’t it good to occasionally escape, feel the beauty of the world, and experience the palpitations of youth?”
Allen’s gaze swept over Anna, who was nibbling on bread with a happy face beside him, and a certain string in his heart seemed to be lightly plucked.
He turned his head and looked out the dining room window.
Outside the window was the garden meticulously maintained by the Laval House.
The midsummer Sunshine was generously scattered, plating everything in a warm golden hue.
The lush rose bushes were in full bloom, with deep red, pinkish-white, and pale yellow flowers clustered together, emitting a sweet fragrance.
The green lawn was trimmed neatly, and a few brightly feathered birds hopped and played by the fountain, splashing water droplets that shimmered in the sunlight.
In the distance, the ancient oak tree was lush with foliage, casting a large area of comfortable shade.
Everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful, filled with the vigorous breath of life.
Allen stared at all of this for a long time, his mind blank, thinking of nothing, just simply watching.
As he watched, his eyes suddenly grew hot.
Why… this world is clearly so gentle and so beautiful, yet it seems so cruel to him?
He suddenly remembered the words from a book he had read before crossing over:
“In an achievement society, the negativity of death gradually recedes; all that remains in Society is the anxiety of a futile life, where the sole goal is ‘ensuring survival amidst disorder.’ This is the living condition of Outcast Slaves. The anxiety of being unable to survive has already stripped away the last bit of vitality from life.”
“Vitality is a complex phenomenon; a life with only a positive side has no vitality, because negativity is crucial for maintaining vitality. Those who merely survive are like the living dead; they are as if already dead while alive, and can only survive stealthily before death.”
He had died nearly a thousand times; sometimes even he couldn’t tell if he was afraid of death or subconsciously seeking some kind of liberation.
He had probably truly become, to some extent, a Mark of Destiny, seeing no further goals or meaning beyond scraping by to survive.
Marianne had said: “This world is worth your Love.”
She was right.
Love is perhaps the answer to the ultimate question of the universe.
Yes, what Allen yearned for was precisely Love—
Love to the point of fairness, Love to the point of development, Love to the point of bringing all Humanity closely together. No lies or intrigue, no one hurting others for their own selfish Greed.
Because everyone is happy to Share, because you love me, and I love you.
Allen pondered for a long time, so long that Anna had finished eating and started imitating him, tilting her small head and looking at him in a daze with curiosity.
The old Butler just stood quietly to the side, watching the awe-inspiring divine pressure in Allen’s golden eyes gradually fade, replaced by a warmer, more human-like soft radiance.
“Stealing half a day of leisure from this floating life… it’s not bad.” Allen finally laughed with relief. “Then I’ll take a good rest today.”
“When Master and Marianne come back, I’ll make a delicious meal for everyone that I haven’t tasted in a long time. Butler, you are knowledgeable and can be considered a gourmet. But I dare say, tonight’s meal will definitely surprise you.” He spoke easily and sincerely.
“Haha, then I shall look forward to your display of skill with great anticipation, Master.” The old Butler showed a gratified smile.
“Anna wants to eat too!”
Upon hearing there was good food, and that Allen was making it himself, Anna instantly forgot she had just eaten her fill and shouted with sparkling eyes.
Allen laughed and rubbed her red hair: “Of course there’s a portion for you; after all, you’re considered a member of our family now.”
Well, although she was more like a pet, pets are also important family members.
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