Chapter 171: Chapter 175 Dark Clouds Over the City
The sky had darkened without notice, thick clouds layering heavily above the City-State, a tangy, saline sea breeze sweeping through the streets as though intending to pour the cold air directly into one’s bones.
Old Captain Lawrence stepped out of the church’s grand entrance, shrugging his neck against the chilling wind. Looking up at the sky, he began to grumble about the miserable weather, “Bloody hell, such rotten luck. Just when I’ve finally finished the quarantine observation, I have to trudge home through this wind for half an hour…”
On the church square, pedestrians hurried along, a rain seemed imminent; everyone was preoccupied with clothes left out to dry or windows left unclosed at home, but the first thing the old captain thought of was his temperamental wife—he had been “quarantined for observation” in the church for many days without sending a single message home; how could he not expect a severe tongue-lashing or even a black and blue “welcome” of love?
Lawrence rubbed his arms and hands together, sighed, and braced himself against the cold wind ahead. But just two steps forward, he caught a glimpse in the corner of his eye of a church guard hurrying toward him, while a little further away stood that young Psychologist who provided counseling… what was her name, Heidi or Hailie?
“No way…” Lawrence murmured instinctively, then saw the guard arrive in front of him, performed a polite bow, and then seriously extended his hand to block Lawrence’s path, “I’m sorry, Captain Lawrence, we’ve just received an emergency notice, you still… cannot leave.”
“Haven’t I already finished my observation period?” Lawrence had a premonition at the sight of the guard, but could not help but show his frustration, “You better have a good reason.”
“The specifics cannot be disclosed, but…” The young church guard seemed to have difficulty saying it, yet he proceded with a matter of fact manner, “It is a direct order from the Judge—the situation has changed, all those who had contact with Homeloss must continue to stay in the church.”
Lawrence’s mouth twitched upon hearing the three words “Homeloss,” knowing that he had to abide by the instructions, but the bad mood was uncontrollable, the old captain frowned, “Alright, extend it, I understand—but who’s going to explain this to my wife? I’ve been away for…”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Heidi’s voice came from the side just as the captain didn’t finish his sentence, “Do you have any concerns?”
Lawrence turned to look at Heidi—with the days spent in isolation at the church, he had some dealings with the young Psychologist, and he knew that despite her youthful appearance she was indeed a reliable “expert” and had indeed helped him and the crew alleviate many tense and frustrated emotions. His expression softened, “I’ve been away from home too long, my wife isn’t exactly the gentle type—I’m supposed to be on vacation after finishing the last sea consignment, I can’t spend the first half of my holiday in quarantine at the church and the second half healing in bed…”
“…Indeed, no one wants to go through something like that,” Heidi sighed with empathy, then pulled out a glass vial of medicine from her medical bag and handed it to the old captain, saying, “But things are complicated right now, it’s best to follow the Cathedral’s instructions for now—don’t worry, someone will contact your family.”
“What is this stuff?” Lawrence took the vial, looking skeptically at the liquid inside, then back at Heidi with suspicion—there were always some strange things in this Psychologist’s medicine chest that made one nervous.
“Sedative, soothing, and also somewhat enhances mental protection,” Heidi replied offhand, “Preparing for the next stage of quarantine observation.”
“Damn, no exceptions, then…” As soon as Lawrence heard the words “next stage of quarantine,” he winced, then uncorked the vial and downed the salty, bitter liquid, handing back the empty tube to the Psychologist.
The effects of the medicine became apparent quickly, with the old captain shivering in the cold wind, his eyes shifting, before settling into a state of calm and letting out a complex, long sigh.
“Do you need me to walk you back?” Heidi asked, observing the captain’s expression with a gentle voice.
“No need, I know the way,” Lawrence’s mood was a bit downcast, but soon showed resignation, shaking his head, “Well, it’s nice to stay and have someone to talk to; those novice monks are actually quite interesting to chat with…”
He turned and walked towards the church’s grand entrance alone, with two guards waiting to escort the old captain back to the place of isolation.
However, just as he was about to enter through the grand doorway, Heidi’s voice called out, “Mr. Lawrence, as a Psychologist, I must give you sincere advice—it’s about time you retired, the Endless Sea is not good for your mental health.”
Lawrence did not respond vocally, simply waving his hand from afar to show he had heard, then his figure slowly disappeared into the towering, solemn doors.
The square was left with only Heidi carrying her medical chest and a guard clad in a black long coat.
The guard looked towards the old captain with a hint of respect in his eyes.
Then the guard turned his head, looking at the Psychologist beside him, “Miss Heidi, do you know what happened exactly?”
Heidi rolled her eyes, “You’re with the church and you don’t know, how would I, a ‘consultant from outside’ sent by the City Hall, know?”
“But you and His Excellency the Judge…”
“She didn’t tell me anything, and since yesterday, I haven’t even seen her face,” Heidi shook her head, then curiously glanced at the guardian warrior in front of her, “though I heard she suddenly issued a bunch of investigation tasks? This morning, a team of clerical priests even ran to the city hall to borrow archives…”
“Yes, a whole bunch of investigation tasks,” the guardian sighed, “Borrowing archives, visiting communities, checking a load of old accounts, and even setting up checkpoints at the harbor to monitor twelve French fries vendors…”
Heidi: “…?”
“So now even we are guessing what on earth has happened,” the guardian sighed and looked up at the gloomy sky, “Tsk, this damn weather.”
…
Morris sat at his desk, his fingers gently brushing over the rough edge of a thick tome, as his thoughts slowly calmed down until he could hear his own heartbeat clearly.
He lowered his head, slowly opened Rahm’s Scripture in front of him, skillfully turned to the chapters about psychical protection and wisdom discernment, and silently recited the admonitions inside.
After completing the most basic self-suggestion and mental reinforcement, he stood up, lit the candles and incense on the desk in sequence, and dripped extracted essential oil into three bunches of candle flames.
In the suddenly rising flames, he watched his reflection in the mirror before the ritual altar, his face showing a somewhat self-mocking smile.
“I really have gotten old… Luckily, I can still perform these ritual details precisely.”
The crackling sound of the candles gradually grew faint, and the smoke from the incense formed a lingering cloud above the mirror, which obscured the old man’s view, making it difficult for him to see his own reflection clearly. At this point, the protection of his mind and the blessing from the God of Wisdom Rahm were fulfilled.
“I have strayed from you for eleven years… You are still willing to look after me,” Morris sighed softly as the ritual completed so smoothly, “Do you still have any expectations of me…”
The room remained silent, of course, the God of Wisdom wouldn’t just appear, but Morris still listened carefully, as if he could hear the divine charges in the silence, his expression gradually becoming serene as he opened a drawer next to him.
A bracelet strung with brightly colored stones lay quietly in the drawer, there were twelve stones in total.
Morris hesitated for a moment, then picked up the bracelet and wore it.
In that instant, he felt a clarity in his mind, as if a veil that had covered him for years was suddenly lifted, then he took another look at the layer of smoke still gathered in front of the mirror and finally made up his mind, pushed open the door, and left the room.
Heidi was not at home, and the empty mansion seemed extraordinarily quiet.
The bedroom he shared with his wife was not far to the left, the door ajar, dim and silent within.
Morris touched the stone bracelet on his wrist, daring not to cast his gaze toward the ajar door, and hurried down the hallway as if fleeing, then passed through the living room, walked out the front door, started the car parked in the courtyard, and drove toward the Lower City District.
At the same time, a white dove quickly flew over the low, old buildings of the Lower City District.
Unnoticed, the dove flew through the second-floor window of Duncan’s Antique Shop, and moments later, a faint green flame flashed behind the window.
Duncan emerged from the flames, glanced at the terrible weather outside, then looked at the clock hanging on the nearby wall—there was still a short time before Nina would return home from school.
He went downstairs, opened the shop door, moved a chair out, and just sat there at the doorway, his expression serene as he watched the street ahead, silently pondering.