Guarantee

Lavinia is dead.

This was completely unexpected by Hope.

Dr. Morgan lowered his head as he spoke, seemingly somewhat nervous, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

They were in Paul's Bedroom, a small room where no one would disturb them.

"Can you tell me how she died?" Hope asked.

"Of course, that's your right," Dr. Morgan said. "On Sentinel Hill, I—with a bolt-action rifle—pierced her heart."

Hope licked his lips, opening his mouth several times to exhale softly. "Did she go to Sentinel Hill by herself?"

"Yes," Dr. Morgan said, "She wanted to get to that stone disc, and I had a chance to stop her in another way. But she was too fast, and the circumstances made me too nervous."

Hope nodded. "You made the right choice—it seems I don't need to say that. Thank you for being so honest with me, really."

"Are you feeling alright?" Dr. Morgan asked.

"I don't think it's a very good feeling," Hope replied, licking his lips again, his face expressionless, because he didn't know what expression to wear. "Lavinia has actually been quite good to me, but—you said it yourself, it was her own choice. At least I don't think I'll hold a grudge against anyone because of it."

Dr. Morgan nodded.

He seemed to have nothing more to say, but he didn't leave either.

The two stood there in silence.

Until someone knocked on the Bedroom door.

Before Hope and Dr. Morgan could respond, the person who knocked opened the door himself.

It's Jack Cobert with short blond hair.

"Sorry to bother you," Jack said, "But I was standing outside for a while and I heard you seem to have finished talking."

"We have indeed finished our talks," Dr. Morgan replied.

"Well then, Morgan, you'd better go see Professor Rice; he probably needs your help with something," Jack said. "Our situation is special right now, so if you have any negative feelings about the current situation, you'd better put them aside for now."

"Of course I would do that," Dr. Morgan sighed, "But it makes me feel very awkward to say it so bluntly."

As he spoke, he squeezed out of the room from next to Jack.

"But that can indeed improve efficiency to some extent," Jack replied.

After Dr. Morgan left, Jack did not leave with him, but went into the Bedroom and closed the door again.

"Hello." Hope remained where she was and said, "Is there anything you need to talk to me about privately? I only have one mother."

Jack chuckled a few times, the scar extending from the corner of his mouth to his ear making the smile both comical and eerie, "I like your joke. I like you the way you are now. I thought you were someone who valued family a lot, which is why you were worried about staying outside."

"How long have you been waiting outside?"

"It's been there from the very beginning."

What are you planning to do?

Jack took a few steps closer. "That depends on your reaction. The more intense your reaction, the more intense my response will be."

Hope was silent for a few seconds, then frowned. "Dr. Morgan is right, you're too blunt, it makes people uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry," Jack said. "I was very nervous. I saw that Monster, and I'm terrified of it. Normally, I would have been more tactful. But in times of crisis, tact can easily lead to misunderstandings, and misunderstandings always lead to bad consequences."

Hope nodded. "I told you, I have amnesia. Strictly speaking, I've only known Lavinia for about ten days—and that was her own fault."

"But you're still very sad."

"But I'm still very sad, after all, she's been good to me, and at times I almost treated her like an immature friend. But that's not Dr. Morgan's fault," Hope replied.

"Very rational," Jack said, seemingly not intending to continue the conversation about Lavinia, so he changed the subject. "I heard from Professor Rice that you're not doing very well?"

"He's almost completely unable to take care of himself."

"That's truly heartbreaking," Jack said. "I admit it was my oversight, but you won't get any compensation except for that piece of Mountain Bitter Tree root."

I never expected any compensation.

"Real?"

"This is my own choice."

"Many people say that, but if they don't actually get the reward in the end, they get very angry," Jack said.

He quickly waved his hand. "Of course, I'm not talking about that. I don't care what you think, but I think there's something you definitely won't refuse."

"What?" Hope asked.

"A guarantee," Jack said. "You should understand your situation. It's obvious you don't like cult members. But do you really think that just because you were born into a cult family, you can live a normal life by betraying your own family?"

Hope said nothing, just looked at Jack, waiting for Jack to continue.

"You seem to know nothing about the Night Hawk Union?"

Hope shook her head.

"I'll tell you. The Night Hawk Union are a violent organization, a truly violent organization, accustomed to choosing radical methods to solve all problems. If they perceive you as a risk, they'll tend to kill you outright."

"You said investigators are noble," Hope said.

"Not entirely. Moreover, nobility only applies to humans. I believe many of my colleagues would risk everything to save a baby. But you seem to be nothing more than a demon who threatens humanity."

Hope bit his nails, staring at Jack's face, which showed no sign of joking.

"So," Hope said, "What are you trying to do by saying all this at a time like this? Are you telling me that killing Wilbur was the wrong choice, and the right choice was to build an evil paradise with Wilbur?"

"Describing Wilbur as evil isn't quite accurate; cultists are always complex. But whatever you like." Jack replied, "I have no intention of forcing a hero to betray us; I just want to be honest with you."

"To be frank and honest?"

"Yes, or do you think it's better for me to lie and say 'you'll get everything you want'?"

Jack shrugged. "Like I said, you need a guarantee."

"From whom?"

"This comes from me, Dr. Morgan, and Professor Armitage. We will vouch for you."

"With this guarantee, I'm safe?"

"Not necessarily," Jack said. "But you'll be in a much better situation."

"How can I get it?" Hope asked.

"Once we eliminate or drive that thing out there away," Jack said, "If we're lucky, you might not have to do anything and just wait. But if we're unlucky, you might have to drag this body along and try some more."