I Have a Friend

The City of Angels — Los Angeles!

Located in southwestern California, America the second largest city in the New York after New York City, and also the largest city in the western United States.

The entire California, including Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, was once Mexico territory.

While guarding the Atlantic Ocean, the America never forgot its ambitions in the Pacific Ocean. So, under the banner of freedom and democracy, and in the name of God, it launched the Mexican-American War.

After the war, Mexico's territory was reduced by half, and even the America generals who participated in the war admitted that it was an unjust war.

A sad story that serves as a warning to the world: a terrible neighbor can destroy your family!

Russell hitched a ride with the Jacob to Las Vegas, then bought a used car and sped off to the Los Angeles Church headquarters.

Headquartered in the northwest of downtown Los Angeles, the building occupies a small area and appears from the outside to be just an ordinary little church. Surrounded by trees and covered with fallen leaves, it appears extremely secluded.

The familiar pattern confirmed Russell's suspicions: supernatural powers are kept secret and unknown to outsiders.

Cross stood atop the wooden roof of the church. Russell parked his car to the side and walked towards the church entrance, stepping on fallen leaves.

At the main entrance of the church, an elderly nun wearing reading glasses was slowly sweeping fallen leaves with a broom. What bothered Russell was that the old woman had a cigarette in her mouth and was flicking the ash in a very sleazy manner.

When the old nun saw Russell appear, she stopped smoking, threw her cigarette on the ground, and stomped out the sparks.

"Child, who are you looking for?"

"Well..."

To be honest, Russell didn't know who he was looking for. He pulled a transfer order from his suitcase and handed it to the old nun.

The old nun glanced at him twice and smiled slightly, "The bishop has been waiting for you, but... it seems you're late."

"Haha, something happened on the way, and I was delayed for two days."

"Follow me this way..."

The old nun took a step forward, then suddenly frowned, looking at the cigarette butt on the ground. "Times have changed. It's one thing for young people these days to lack faith, but to actually throw cigarette butts around in front of the church shows they have no sense of public morality at all."

Russell: (一. 一゛)

"Kid, why are you looking at me like that? You don't think I threw it, do you?"

"No, it wasn't you, I threw it!"

Russell shook his head decisively, picked up the cigarette butt, and threw it into the dustpan beside him.

"Good boy, be brave enough to admit your mistakes, the Lord will forgive you!" The old nun put down the broom, led Russell around half of the church's main building, and went in through a side door.

This is an old church that looks very old from afar, but up close it is a World Heritage site. The walls are peeling, revealing the bricks and stones inside. The wooden planks of the side door are rickety, with gaps wider than Russell's palm.

Compared to the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Crystal Cathedral in the same city, this place feels like it's been raised by an illegitimate child.

The shade of the trees blocked the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path. It was very quiet, and occasionally a couple of clergymen would pass by, walking quietly with their heads down.

The two passed through the vine-covered courtyard and arrived at a two-story wooden house. The old nun opened the door and silently left.

It seems like the people here don't talk much!

Russell muttered to himself, "While a quiet environment is certainly relaxing, this place is too quiet; it feels a bit oppressive."

The wooden cabin walls were painted white, and the space was completely open. A huge Cross hung directly in front of Russell. He peeked out and was about to ask a question when a voice came from the second floor.

"Come on up, there's nothing to see down here!"

Russell hurried up the creaking wooden stairs to the second floor. The room was simply decorated, and the white-haired bishop sat in front of the bookshelf, pointing to the chair opposite the desk, indicating that Russell should sit down.

"I..."

"I know you, Father Russell. As for your lateness, we need manpower right now, so I won't pursue the matter."

"Here..."

"This is indeed the headquarters. It may be different from what you imagine, but there's no need to doubt it."

"You..."

"I am the person in charge of this church; you can call me Bishop Ian."

"I..."

"Your next task is to familiarize yourself with this place as quickly as possible!"

The divine conversation left Russell speechless, unsure of what to say next. Bishop Ian, not only quick-witted but also seemingly capable of Mind Reading, continued, unconvinced, "Just now..."

"Um?"

"Just now..."

"Just now? What happened just now?"

Russell felt a surge of satisfaction at having turned the tables on his opponent. Now that she couldn't guess, he asked with a calm expression, "Who was that elderly nun who brought me here?"

"You mean an older nun?" Bishop Ian asked with a strange expression.

"Yes, she was sweeping fallen leaves at the church entrance, then led me through the side door..."

Bishop Ian shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Father Russell, please don't talk nonsense. There are no nuns in this church, let alone elderly nuns."

Holy crap!

Upon hearing this, Russell's expression changed. In broad daylight, he had actually seen a ghost at the church entrance!

"Haha, just kidding..."

Bishop Ian's stern face suddenly broke into a smile. He stood up and walked to the window. "That was Sister Madeline. She has some rather unusual habits, but you can ignore them. Please remember that she has dedicated her life to the Lord and is the most senior nun in all of Los Angeles. You must show her the utmost respect."

Russell: "..."

Bishop, you also have some rather unpleasant habits!

Russell rolled his eyes and cut straight to the point. "Bishop, I'm ready regarding my mission. Just tell me straight, who is the enemy? Is it the Dark Church, the Witch Association, or perhaps the demons of hell are about to descend?"

Bishop Ian didn't speak, looking at Russell as if he were an idiot. "What nonsense are you spouting? What Dark Church and devils are you talking about?"

"Ha?"

Bishop Ian said with a hint of disdain, "I transferred you here because you applied to come to a big city. Our church has been short-staffed, and no one else wanted to come. I also happened to be going out on business recently, so I asked you to come."

"..."

"If there's anything you don't understand, just ask Sister Madeline. That's all."

After saying this, Bishop Ian picked up a suitcase and fled downstairs as if escaping, leaving Russell standing there dumbfounded.

"So, why did I come to Los Angeles?"

In the confessional in the corner of the church, Russell sat expressionless, while across the wooden board, a middle-aged, balding man muttered to himself.

"Father, I have a friend... hehehe... he took his wife on a road trip camping... hehehe, and when he woke up by the lake, his wife was nowhere to be found..."

"Sir, please calm down. If you keep laughing like that, I can't hear what you're saying at all."

Russell picked his nose, picked up his phone, and dialed a number. "Hello, 911... Yes, it's me again... This time I'm reporting a murder!"