13 Mink Street

“My child, you’ve suffered.”

Casey smiled at the old woman. “Mother, my injuries are almost healed. I’m fine now. The God of Order will protect me.”

Richard joined in comforting the old woman. “Yes, Grandma, Mother is fine now. She just needs some time to rest and recover.”

Derron also stepped in to soothe his wife. “What are you worrying about now? Look at you, you’ve even started crying.”

The old woman clearly held a very high status within the family. The moment she cried, everyone began trying to comfort her.

Only Karon remained standing where he was, because he could sense that her tears were not truly for her daughter-in-law, who had been injured during a mission not long ago. The moment she had laid eyes on him, her emotions had gone out of control, and in order to cover that up, she had deliberately taken a hold of her daughter-in-law’s hand and pretended to be crying over the injury.

Had she... recognized him?

Karon had once been very confident in how well he had hidden his identity, yet reality had slapped him in the face too many times for that confidence to remain intact. As a result, he had become very sensitive to such matters.

The rest of the Gorman family did not notice this particular detail, but Karon did. After all, Richard possessed the ability to sense resonant bloodlines; It was difficult to say that this ability had not been inherited.

At last, the old woman stopped crying. She then deliberately turned to look at Karon, wiping her tears with a handkerchief as she said, “You must be Mr. Karon?”

“Yes. Hello, madam.”

“Good, good, good.” The old woman gently pushed aside the family members around her and walked over to Karon of her own accord. “I’m old now, and my eyes aren’t what they used to be. Let me get closer to have a proper look.”

She took Karon’s hand in hers. Her hands were warm. “What a handsome young man. Truly handsome.”

“Haha, Grandma, I told you, didn’t I? Karon is very handsome. Do you know, even that princess from Darkmoon Island who came to York City recently took a liking to him.”

“It’s not just his face, his temperament is good too, so steady. Now look at yourself. Just what do you look like?”

“There was never any point in comparing me to him. I can’t compare.” Richard had an open and easygoing nature. He was not the sort to grow resentful over being compared to someone else’s child.

“What do you mean you can’t compare? What is there not to compare? How great can the difference between the two of you really be? We’ve simply spoiled you too much.”

“Oh, Grandma, you have far too much confidence in your grandson.”

“Hehe.” The old woman patted the back of Karon’s hand and asked, “Are you married yet?”

Lucy immediately spoke up, “Mother, Mr. Karon is already engaged.”

“Oh? Already engaged? To what family’s daughter?”

“A girl from an ordinary family.”

“Ordinary or not doesn’t matter. Is she pretty?”

“She is.”

“Mm. And her temperament? Is she gentle? Sensible?”

“She’s very gentle, and very sensible.”

“Good. That’s good.” The old woman continued gently patting the back of Karon’s hand. She then asked, “And are you getting by well in life these days?”

“I am, madam. In both work and in life, I’m very happy.”

“Don’t lie to me. If anything is not going well, I’ll have- I’ll have Derron arrange something for you. After all, you saved Casey and Eisen. You are a benefactor to the Gorman family.”

“Mr. Derron already said as much to me earlier. Thank you, madam.”

“Don’t call me ‘madam.’ You’re the same age as Richard, and you two work together, so you can call me ‘Grandma’ the same as him.” As she said this, hope clearly appeared in the old woman’s eyes.

“Grandma.”

“Yes, yes!” She beamed, then turned to Derron as if showing off. “Today I’ve gained another grandson! He’s called me ‘Grandma,’ so from now on, none of you are allowed to bully him. Richard, did you hear that?”

Richard replied with comic grievance, “Grandma, you think far too highly of me. How could I possibly have the ability to bully him?”

At that, the old woman took a step back. The greetings were over, and the meal was about to begin. Even so, she still asked one more question. “Child, what of your parents?”

“My parents were gone when I was still very young.”

“Oh...” The old woman sighed and nodded. Then, as if only just realizing what she had asked, she quickly said, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.” No one else found anything odd in the old woman’s behavior. When it came to a benefactor who had saved her son and daughter-in-law, no amount of kindness or affection would seem out of place.

Besides, everyone else present held positions in the church much higher than Karon, so there were many things only the old woman could properly say.

Once everyone sat down, the meal began. It was effectively a divided-service meal, with serving bowls and serving spoons from which each person filled their own plate.

Karon discovered that the old woman’s cooking was extremely good. While some of the dishes were authentic Veyn cuisine, she had adjusted the recipe to retain the original flavor while improving the texture. The mushroom soup in particular was exceptionally fresh and delicious. Karon finished two bowls of it in succession.

Partway through the meal, Mrs. Gorman sent Richard to drag Eisen out of the room where he had hidden himself.

Karon’s uncle sat down first, only to then stand back up. He proceeded to place a bit of each of the dishes onto his plate, ladled himself a bowl of soup, and then sat down again. He proceeded to eat every item on his plate in order, then quickly spooned the soup into his mouth. Once he had finished everything, he wiped his mouth and said, “I’m done. Please continue.”

He then stood and left the table, fleeing the dining room like a man escaping disaster.

The old woman let out a sigh. Clearly, everyone had long since grown used to such behavior. Even so, she looked over at Richard. “Didn’t your mother say last time that she wanted you to arrange for a psychologist?”

“Uh...” Richard did not know how to answer, because Karon was the one who had agreed to that, even mentioning that he would bring along the psychologist during his visit to the Gorman family, but when Richard had seen Karon arrive alone, he had assumed that either Karon had failed to invite the doctor, or had forgotten. Richard had therefore deliberately chosen not to bring the matter up again.

Karon set down his utensils and looked over at the old woman. “Madam—”

“Call me ‘Grandma.’”

“Grandma, I’ve studied psychology. In a short while, I can have a talk with Mr. Eisen.”

Richard stared at Karon in shock. “So the psychologist you mentioned the captain personally acknowledging... it’s you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s unbelievable! What don’t you know how to do?”

“Richard, you really should learn properly from our Karon.”

“All right, Grandma. I’ll do my best to make myself as outstanding as our Karon, hahaha!” He had caught the slip in his grandmother’s wording and immediately turned it into a joke.

Karon stood. “I’m finished eating, so I’ll go have a talk with Mr. Eisen now.”

Lucy immediately spoke up, “What sense does it make to have a guest do work for us on his first visit to our house?”

“But this isn’t my first visit.” Before leaving the table, Karon looked at the old woman. “Grandma, the soup was delicious.”

“Hehe.” Hearing that made the old woman smile with real delight.

Once Karon left the dining room, the old woman turned to Derron. “Karon’s situation, you need to make arrangements.”

Derron put a piece of mushroom into his mouth and answered while chewing, “He’s a young man with ideas of his own. He’s not like Richard; He doesn’t need outsiders worrying too much on his behalf.”

“What in the mushrooms do you know about!”

“...”

The old woman then turned to Casey, as if intending to say something, but then seemed to recall that her daughter-in-law currently worked in Port Mulberry and that her profession network was in that city. Skipping her, Mrs. Gorman instead looked at her daughter, Lucy. “Lucy, is there anything on your side that could be arranged for Karon?”

The woman gave a helpless smile. “Mother, Karon is a member of the Whip; What exactly could I arrange for him? At most, Father might have some influence.”

Casey spoke up, “Even setting aside the life debt we owe him, just judging byhis age and his own ability, Karon is someone worth supporting.”

Hearing this, Lucy nodded in agreement.

Derek then spoke up, “How about transferring Karon to my Inquisition office? I could look after him properly and guide him.”

After he spoke, no one at the table responded.

Derek lowered his head and silently drank his soup.

After a bit, the old woman addressed Richard, “From now on, bring Karon over whenever you have time. Since he likes my soup, I’ll make soup for him often.”

“Grandma, if you treat Karon so well, I’m going to get jealous.”

“As you should. As you should. For a child with no parents to have come this far, how much hardship must he have suffered? Every one of you...” Her gaze swept her family seated at the table. “Every one of you has had it easier than he has!”

Derron interjected, “I don’t think that’s quite right. Karon’s steadiness doesn’t seem like something forced out from repression.”

As he spoke, Derron cast another glance at his son-in-law. Derek instinctively hunched his shoulders. What tormented him most during these family dinners was precisely this kind of attention from his father-in-law, especially when it happened while Derron was making examples of people. It was miserable.

The old woman shot Derron a sidelong glance and snorted. “Anyone else has the right to say that; You do not.”

“All I meant is simply that the boy is very good,” Derron hastily explained.

“Yes,” Richard immediately chimed in. “Karon took very good care of me during the mission, and I also don’t think he values me for my family background or identity.”

Lucy looked at Casey. It seemed that Lucy wanted to say something, but stopped herself.

Casey looked at the old woman, then at Richard. Finally, her gaze rested for a moment on the chair where her husband had occupied earlier. She slightly lowered her head, but said nothing.

The old woman did not notice any of the exchanges or glances drifting around the table. She merely continued on in her own way, “What a good child. I like him.”

***

Karon did not go straight to Eisen’s room, but first stopped at the washroom to clean his hands. While doing so, he looked at his own face in the mirror.

As the person directly involved, he had sensed how unusual the old woman’s attitude toward him had been, though he had no concrete evidence. Still, whether the old woman had truly “seen” something, or if it was all just his own misunderstanding, Karon had no intention of clarifying anything.

The existence of the Immers family was a taboo within the Church of Order. There was no reason for him to disturb the lives of the Gorman family because of himself.

To be fair, the atmosphere in the Gorman household was rather good. It could not compare to the natural simplicity and warmth of the Immers family, but for a household of Expositors to maintain such a family atmosphere was no easy thing. From the perspective of status alone, if the Gormans wished it, they could easily live a life as extravagant as Allen Manor.

Karon shook the water from his hands, left the washroom, and approached the door of the first-floor study where Eisen had taken refuge.

Knock, knock. Eisen opened the door.

“Mr. Eisen, may I come in and have a talk with you?”

“Yes.” Eisen stepped aside to let Karon enter. Once he was inside the study, Eisen said, “Sit.”

He then took the guest seat for himself, leaving the master seat behind the desk for Karon.

Karon did not refuse, and directly sat in the offered chair. “Your wife knows I’ve studied psychology, which is why she asked me to come and speak with you.”

“I’m ill?”

“Yes, you are.”

Eisen’s hands tightened on the arms of his chair, and his toes started restlessly shifting from side to side. “Is my illness serious?”

“Very serious.”

“But I don’t want to be treated.”

“You can at least try, and I hope you can grant me a little patience, for the sake of the fact that I once saved your wife.”

“Hoo...” At those words, Eisen suddenly let out a long breath, and his entire body visibly calmed.

Karon nodded inwardly. In truth, the root of many people’s social fears were born of uncertainty regarding the environment around them. The looks in other people’s eyes, their expressions, even the sounds of their voices all muddled a person’s sense of self.

A man standing alone in a crowded tram station might break out in a cold sweat, feel his chest tighten, and be left at a complete loss. However, give that same man a few tools and have him squat on that platform to repair something, and the problem would vanish.

Such people preferred the most direct means of interaction possible.

“Mr. Eisen, is there anything you’ve kept in your heart, or any secret you want to tell me?”

“I...” The muscles in Mr. Eisen’s face began to stiffen.

“If not, then I’m going to begin by hypnotizing you. You’ll need to lower all of your mental defenses so that I can guide your consciousness.”

“Hoo... all right.” Eisen leaned back a slight bit and closed his eyes.

Karon stood and walked over to him, saying, “Please enter a meditative state, treating my voice as though it were your own inner voice. Don’t resist in any way.”

“All right.” Eisen’s expression instantly relaxed into calm and peace.

Karon felt that this uncle of his might well be the most cooperative patient he had ever encountered. There was not a single word of nonsense. Whatever he was told to do, the man did. Even the speed at which he entered meditation was astonishing.

“Please lower your head. You will see a road appearing beneath your feet...

“Now, please turn around...

“Please start walking along the road you came by, and keep going forward...”

***

From there, Karon began guiding Eisen back through his past, because he suspected that the man’s current condition must have been caused by some particular incident. He could not have always been like this. Otherwise, there was no possible explanation for Richard’s birth.

Ordinarily, this would be a long process. From a professional standpoint, hypnosis did not have a very high success rate, and the chances of obtaining real results were even lower. It depended partly on the practitioner, and partly on how cooperative the patient was.

Eisen was unquestionably a highly cooperative patient. He was truly extraordinary. Every question and answer exchanged between him and Karon proceeded perfectly smoothly. What the man saw and what he heard advanced exactly along the route Karon laid out for him.

It was a pity that psychology as a field could not preserve anatomical donors, because Eisen was the ideal subject every psychology student dreamed of working with.

***

“Now, please reach out and push open the rusty door before you, the one streaked with blood. Do not hesitate...”

“I’ve opened the door.”

“Tell me, what do you see behind it...”

“I see my sister.”

Karon’s gaze sharpened, but he kept his tone even and gentle. “Look more carefully. Look at what she’s wearing. Look at what she’s holding in her hand...”

“I can see that she’s in pain. I see her lying on the ground, wailing.

“I see her crying. I see her body rotting. I see blood flowing from her eyes.

“I see her crawling toward me. I see her begging me.

“She says... ‘Eisen, please, please. Please... kill me!’”

Is it some sort of bloodline power? Karon frowned in thought. Did his grandmother believe in the Church of Order? Or was she actually part of a family faith system?

Richard had sensed Karon’s bloodline. Could Uncle Eisen have sensed the bond to his older sister, Karon’s own mother?

If this was a trait that had been inherited from the older generation, it likely manifested even more strongly there. Furthermore, if the siblings had been very close from childhood, it might have further deepened the bond between them.

At present, those were the only inferences Karon could make. Had the death of his mother been felt by Eisen through some sort of bloodline resonance, and had that sensation then wound itself around his heart, becoming a nightmare that had gradually strengthened until it had turned him into what he was now?

Judging by the timeline, when Karon’s mother and father had been corrupted and then personally killed by Tiz, Karon had already been a boy, and Richard should have already been born in Veyn.

From that moment on, Eisen must have been continually affected by the backlash of his bond. Chronologically, everything fit.

Seeing the tears run down Eisen’s face, Karon felt a pang of reluctance. A bloodline power could grant a person a stronger foundation, but it could also bring about its own side effects. The clearest example was probably the Bloodfiends.

Karon found himself in a rather difficult position, as this was no longer something that could be resolved purely with psychology; This involved Eisen’s bloodline itself.

Most likely, all that Karon could do was try to alleviate things for his uncle. How much he could ease things, he did not know.

Still, the treatment session ought to come to an end. “All right. Now please step back. Step behind the door. Then close this rusty door in front of you...”

Eisen did not speak.

“Have you stepped back out...”

Still no answer.

“Have you stepped back out yet...”

“I have stepped back out.”

“Good. Is the door closed...”

“The door is closed.”

“Good. Now please turn around, and let’s walk back...”

“I want to stand here a bit longer.”

“With that door between you, you can no longer see or hear anything...”

“Just now... I granted my sister’s request.”

“What?”

At that moment, Eisen opened his eyes to stare at Karon. The man’s eyes were bloodshot in a way that was genuinely frightening. Word by word, he uttered, “I killed her!”