Have a house?

Luther discovered several messy manuscripts on the desk in Old Neil's bedroom, with a note tucked among them that recorded the honorific name of the Hidden Sage of the Wilderness:

"Embodiment of Spirit and Number, Origin of All Knowledge, Hidden Sage of the Wilderness."

To prevent anything untoward from happening, he only recited it silently in his heart using Rooseveltian. The spiritual intuition he possessed as a Black Knight suggested that this honorific name was likely genuine.

The messy manuscripts recorded some bizarre rituals, including a Mystic Ritual to pray to the Hidden Sage for knowledge, as well as one ritual that had been highlighted:

"Life Alchemy."

"Required materials include: 100 milliliters of spring water from the Fountain of Elfs (golden spring water from Sonia Island), 50 grams of Star Crystal, half a pound of gold, 5 grams of phlogiston, 30 grams of hematite... and a large amount of Living Blood."

Living Blood...

Luther's heart tightened. As he continued reading, he discovered that Old Neil had written a note after this line: "I can consider drawing my own, accumulating it little by little, and preserving it using Ritual Magic."

Thankfully, he wasn't insane enough to use others for human sacrifice.

Luther thought to himself, gathering the manuscripts to take downstairs and show the others.

Just as he picked up the note with the Hidden Sage's name, he hesitated for a moment, then placed it in front of him and read it carefully once more.

--After this period of study, Luther had discovered that one of the abilities of a Black Knight was the capacity to quickly memorize various rituals. As long as he read through them carefully once, the relevant procedures and incantations would be deeply imprinted in his mind, allowing him to recall them easily when needed. Thus, by reading it this way, Luther had effectively memorized the honorific name of the Hidden Sage, as well as some rituals related to Him.

Why record the honorific name of this Evil God? Luther couldn't quite say himself; he just felt that he might be able to use it in the future.

It would be best if that time never came.

He gathered the manuscripts, walked down the stairs step by step, and returned to the living room.

The next afternoon.

"Hah--"

Luther let out a huge yawn, the corners of his eyes slightly moist.

Although he had caught a short nap in the morning, he still felt quite tired, appearing very listless amidst the circle of colleagues gathered around.

At this moment in the lounge, everyone was present except for Leonard, who was guarding the Chanis Gate, and Luo Yao, who was watching the armory; the room was packed. They all already knew about Old Neil's situation. Because the Captain and Daly were accompanying the Senior Deacon, and Luo Yao was also busy, everyone had no choice but to come to him to get to the bottom of it.

Luther had to yawn as he recounted the sequence of events, omitting the parts that were inconvenient for others to know. When everyone heard the ins and outs of the story, they sighed one after another.

Roshan's eyes dimmed, and after a long while, she spoke softly:

"I heard from the Captain that when Old Neil was young, he once had a deeply beloved lover. Just as they were about to get engaged, that lady unfortunately fell ill with a serious disease and eventually passed away. He was extremely devastated by this and nearly reached the point of collapse..."

Looking at it this way, that Life Alchemy ritual was prepared for that purpose. Everything Old Neil did was to resurrect his lover.

Luther had an epiphany.

He subconsciously rubbed his fingers; the wound he had cut with a knife yesterday had already healed, the skin intact as if it had never been injured at all.

"It really makes one feel sympathetic."

Korenli White remarked aloud. He was a bit short, but he was very spirited. After hearing Old Neil's story, he seemed to empathize deeply. Luther recalled that Korenli also had a fiancée he was about to marry; no wonder he could empathize with Old Neil.

"The passing of a loved one is always sorrowful."

The part-time writer Xiga Teong said in an infectious tone, "I've decided to leave work early today and spend more time with my family."

Well said. Luther couldn't help but nod. After hearing about Old Neil's plight, he genuinely wanted to go back early to see Cecilia, chat with her, and eat together. He noticed that Klein, who was nearby, was also deep in thought, clearly thinking of his own family as well.

"Will Old Neil be alright?"

Just then, Frye spoke up out of the blue, asking the question that no one wanted to discuss.

The group fell silent for a moment, all turning their gazes toward Luther.

How would I know?

Luther bared his teeth, "To be honest, I'm not sure... but if Old Neil didn't harm anyone else, at least his life should be spared, right?"

As if to verify his words, the door to the lounge was opened from the outside, and Dunn Smith strode in.

"Captain!"

"Hello, Captain."

"Captain, how is Old Neil?"

Everyone stood up to greet Dunn and asked with concern.

Dunn's face was weary. He looked around at everyone and forced a smile, "Old Neil has passed the review of Crestet, so he doesn't have to go to the Tribunal... but as punishment, he will be taken to the cathedral in Backlund to work, and his days hereafter will be spent in repentance to the Goddess, with no permission to leave."

Everyone sighed again, half because Old Neil had finally managed to save his life, and half because he had still inevitably faced disciplinary action.

"Doesn't that mean Old Neil is essentially imprisoned?"

Roshan said, unwilling to accept it.

"Being able to avoid losing control and save his life is already very good."

Dunn said indifferently, then cast his gaze toward Luther, "Luther, come with me for a moment."

"Alright, Captain."

Although he didn't know what Dunn wanted him for, Luther still trotted to his feet, left the lounge, and followed Dunn into his office.

"Old Neil is very grateful for everything you did to save him. To show his appreciation, he has gifted you the house he left behind in Tingen City."

Once they entered the office, before he could even sit down, Dunn dropped a bombshell on him.

"Huh?"

Luther said, bewildered.

Dunn continued, "Houses on the outskirts of the city are relatively cheaper, but since it is a large, detached house with a garden, it is worth over 900 pounds in total. He has already given me full authority; once we sign the transfer papers in a few days, the house will be yours..."

"Wait a minute, Captain, is this appropriate!"

Luther couldn't help but interrupt him, "A house worth 900 pounds, and Old Neil is just giving it away like that?!"

His weekly salary was 6 pounds, which was already very high, but if he wanted to buy this house, he would have to go without eating, drinking, or housing for 150 weeks—that is, two or three years—just to save up enough money. Not to mention he had a younger sister to support, and with daily expenses, buying a house had originally been a distant, impossible dream.

Who would have thought that after one night, a house would fall from the sky and be about to belong to him?

"It would only be inappropriate if you didn't accept it."

Dunn said calmly, "Old Neil will spend the rest of his days in the church in Backlund; houses and even money are useless to him now. You saved his life, prevented him from falling into loss of control, and spared him the tragic fate of being unable to return to the Goddess's embrace even after death—this is a priceless salvation. If you don't accept it, he won't have peace for the rest of his days."

Under Dunn's unquestionable tone and the sincere gratitude from Old Neil, Luther finally accepted this unexpected gift. Even at this moment, he still felt dizzy, his heart filled with a sense of unreality.

"There is one more thing, Your Excellency Crestet has already left."

At this point, Dunn brought up another topic, "Actually, he originally came looking for you."