Luther found several messy manuscripts on the table in Old Neil's bedroom. A slip of paper tucked among them recorded the Hidden Sage's Honorific Name:
"Embodiment of spirit and numbers,
Source of all knowledge,
Hidden Sage above the wilderness."
To prevent anything bad from happening, he merely recited it silently in Loenese. The Spirituality feedback from his Secrets Suppliant powers told him that this Honorific Name was probably genuine.
The messy manuscripts recorded several bizarre rituals, including a Mystical Pact Ritual that prayed to the Hidden Sage for knowledge, as well as one ritual that had been specially marked:
"Life Alchemy."
"The required materials include: 100 milliliters of water from the Spring of Elves—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 quantity of fresh human blood."
Fresh human blood...
Luther's heart tightened. As he continued reading, he discovered Old Neil's note beneath that entry: "I can consider drawing my own blood, accumulating it bit by bit, and preserving it with Ritual Magic."
Thankfully, he had not gone mad enough to use someone else as a living sacrifice.
Luther thought to himself as he gathered up the manuscripts, preparing to bring them downstairs for everyone to see.
Just as he picked up the slip bearing the Hidden Sage's name, he suddenly hesitated. Then he placed it before himself and read it carefully once more.
—After studying for some time, Luther had discovered that one of a Secrets Suppliant's abilities was rapidly memorizing all kinds of rituals. As long as he read something carefully once, the relevant procedures and prayers would be deeply imprinted in his mind, allowing him to recall them easily whenever needed. Thus, with this reading, Luther could be said to have memorized the Hidden Sage's Honorific Name, as well as several rituals related to It.
Why had he recorded the Honorific Name of this evil god? Even Luther himself could not explain it. He simply felt that it might come in handy someday.
Hopefully, that day would never come.
Holding the manuscripts, he walked down the stairs step by step and returned to the living room.
The following afternoon.
"Ha—"
Luther let out a huge yawn, his eyes slightly moist at the corners.
Although he had caught up on a little sleep that morning, he still felt rather tired. Surrounded by a circle of colleagues, he looked thoroughly listless.
At that moment, everyone was gathered in the lounge except Leonard, who was on duty below at Chanis Gate, and Royale, who was guarding the Armory. The room was packed full. They had all learned about Old Neil's situation. Since the captain and Ms. Daly were accompanying a high-ranking deacon, while Royale had matters to attend to, everyone had come to Luther for an explanation.
Luther could only recount the events between yawns, leaving out the parts that were inconvenient for others to know. Once everyone heard the full story, they all sighed.
Rozanne's eyes dimmed. After a long while, she spoke softly.
"I heard from the captain that Old Neil once had a lover he deeply loved when he was young. Just as they were about to get engaged, that lady unfortunately fell seriously ill and eventually passed away. He was devastated by it, almost to the point of breaking down..."
So that Life Alchemy ritual had been prepared for this. Everything Old Neil had done was to resurrect his lover.
Luther came to a realization.
He unconsciously rubbed his fingertips together. The wound he had cut open with a knife yesterday had already healed completely, his skin unblemished as though it had never been injured.
"That really is heartbreaking."
Kenley White sighed. He was a little short, but looked very energetic. After hearing Old Neil's story, he seemed deeply affected. Luther recalled that Kenley also had a fiancée he was about to marry. No wonder he could empathize so strongly with Old Neil.
"The death of loved ones is always sorrowful."
Siga Tron, who worked part-time as a writer, spoke in an emotionally stirring tone. "I've decided to leave work early today and spend more time with my family."
That made sense. Luther could not help nodding. After hearing about Old Neil's experience, he sincerely wanted to go home early to see Cecilia, talk with her, and have a meal together. He noticed that Klein beside him was also deep in thought, clearly thinking of his own family.
"Will Old Neil be all right?"
At that moment, Frye suddenly spoke up, asking the question no one wanted to discuss.
Everyone fell silent for a moment, then turned their gazes toward Luther.
How would I know?
Luther bared his teeth. "Honestly, I'm not sure either... But if Old Neil didn't harm anyone else, then at least his life should be spared, right?"
As if to confirm his words, the lounge door opened from outside, and Dunn Smith strode in.
"Captain!"
"Good afternoon, Captain."
"Captain, how is Old Neil?"
Everyone rose to greet Dunn, asking anxiously at the same time.
Dunn's face was weary. He swept his gaze around the room, forcing out a smile. "Old Neil passed Your Excellency Crestet's review and won't have to go to the Tribunal... However, as punishment, he'll be taken to a church in Backlund to work. For the rest of his days, he can only live in repentance to the Goddess and may not leave."
Everyone sighed again. Half of it was because Old Neil had finally kept his life, while the other half was because he had still inevitably been punished.
"Doesn't that mean Old Neil is basically imprisoned?"
Rozanne said unwillingly.
"It's already very good that he avoided losing control and kept his life."
Dunn said calmly. Then he turned his gaze to Luther. "Luther, come with me."
"Yes, Captain."
Although he had no idea why Dunn was calling for him, Luther still got up in a small hurry, left the lounge, and followed Dunn into his office.
"Old Neil is deeply grateful for everything you did to save him. To show his thanks, he has given you the house he left in Tingen City."
The moment they entered the office, before Luther could even sit down, Dunn dropped this explosive piece of news.
"Huh?"
Luther stared blankly.
Dunn continued, "Houses in the suburbs are relatively cheaper, but since it's a fairly large detached house with a garden, it's still worth more than 900 pounds in total. He has entrusted the matter entirely to me. Once the transfer papers are signed in a few days, the house will be yours..."
"Wait, Captain, is this appropriate?"
Luther could not help interrupting him. "A house worth 900 pounds in total, and Old Neil is just giving it away?!"
His weekly salary was 6 pounds, which was already quite high. Yet if he wanted to buy that house, he would have to work for 150 weeks without eating, drinking, or paying for lodging—roughly two or three years—to save enough money. And that was without considering that he still had a younger sister to support. With daily expenses added in, buying a house had originally been a distant dream.
Who would have thought that after one night, a house would fall from the sky and soon become his?
"It would be inappropriate if you refused."
Dunn said evenly, "Old Neil can only spend the rest of his life in a church in Backlund. A house, even money, is of no use to him anymore. You saved his life and kept him from losing control, sparing him the tragic fate of being unable to return to the Goddess's embrace even after death—this is priceless redemption. If you refuse, he won't have peace for the rest of his days."
Under Dunn's unquestionable tone and Old Neil's sincere gratitude, Luther ultimately accepted this unexpected gift. Even then, he still felt dazed, his heart full of unreality.
"There's one more thing. Your Excellency Crestet has already left."
At that moment, Dunn brought up another subject. "Actually, he originally came to see you."
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