A Warm Family (Monday, Please Vote)

"Baron Baisen's son has killed someone!"

Mrs. Paris shrieked like a sinister old witch. Her voice was like sharp fingernails scraping across a blackboard, making Sifa frown involuntarily.

"Look, the demon has come back again. He returned without a sound, and the moment he came back, he killed some poor fellow."

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and deal with him. Tie up the demon!"

Mrs. Paris lifted the blue checkered handkerchief covering the basket, pulled something out, and threw it at Sifa.

Sifa instinctively raised his cane and swung at it. He heard a crisp crack, followed by sticky liquid splattering across him. It turned out to be egg white. Pieces of eggshell clung to his cane, while the yolk dripped down.

Now Sifa knew what the old lady had been carrying in her basket.

Incited by the old lady, the workers advanced with heavy breaths, but they still hesitated. After all, Sifa was the baron's son.

Baron Baisen was unquestionably an important figure in Enqi Town, an absolute member of the elite and an untouchable presence.

The workers looked at one another and did not rush forward immediately.

Matthew stepped in front of Sifa and shouted, "What are you doing? Have you all gone mad? Mr. Sifa isn't the murderer!"

"Don't listen to his nonsense!"

Mrs. Paris turned her accusation toward the male servant. "He's the demon's accomplice. The goddess says that the demon's accomplices are blasphemers and polluters, beings who must be driven out!"

"Now is the time to show your faith! Seize this polluter. If he resists, I authorize you to use force in the name of the goddess!"

The workers did not dare rough up Sifa, but they clearly had no qualms about doing so to a male servant. They were just about to charge when a small figure suddenly appeared beside Matthew.

"Stop!"

It was Kalina. Though the little girl's body trembled, her gaze was resolute. She wiped her nose and shouted, "I can testify that Mr. Sifa isn't the murderer!"

"On the contrary, he drove the murderer away!"

"Liar!"

Mrs. Paris's expression was terrifying. She pointed at Kalina with her claw-like finger. "You're a blasphemer and a polluter too. Seize her as well."

Sifa really could not stand it anymore. He was just about to step forward and stop the lunatic old woman when two policemen in black uniforms with white checks entered through the alley mouth.

"What are you doing? Move aside, all of you!"

The police had finally arrived.

It was evening by the time Sifa returned home. After the police intervened that morning, he had been "invited" to the station. He cooperated willingly and assisted the police in handling the case.

Only after the butler arrived with the lawyer Joriff did Sifa leave the police station.

As he entered the large first-floor hall, he saw his younger sister, Helibel, looking over at him. She wore a lace-bow blouse, dark riding breeches, and tall leather boots, as if she had just returned from horseback riding.

A hint of concern flickered in the girl's eyes.

"My dear brother, you only just got back, and you've already been to the police station again. Looks like you've been especially 'lucky' lately."

Not again.

Come on, little sister. Do you really have to express your concern through sarcasm? How exactly did you grow up?

Sifa took off his top hat with a wry smile. "Perhaps it's because I'm the protagonist of this era?"

Helibel rolled her eyes. "Don't casually borrow one of Emperor Roselle's classic lines."

"All right, your brother is tired."

His mother, Enilu, who was always gentle and elegant, walked over. "Sifa, go wash up. Dinner will be ready soon."

"All right, Mother."

Sifa winked at Helibel. She pressed her lips together and turned her face away, looking as if she were saying, I don't want to talk to you.

After returning to his room, washing up, and changing his clothes, Sifa went to the dining room.

As he passed his father's study, he heard his parents arguing about something inside.

"He's only eighteen. It's too soon for him to deal with these matters. Can't you reconsider?"

It was his mother's voice.

His father, Bison, let out a soft laugh. "My dear, eighteen isn't young. When I was his age, I had already gone to war."

"But—"

"Enough, my dear. He's the eldest son of the family. These are responsibilities he ought to bear. Besides, Sifa clearly told me that he wanted to change."

"And I promised to give him a chance. The time has come."

"You should know better than I do that he doesn't have to shoulder these responsibilities."

"Enilu, mind your boundaries!"

"I'm sorry, dear. I only—"

Bison sighed softly. "I know what you're worried about. You're afraid he'll choose that path. But, my dear, you saw what happened today. He nearly got into trouble."

"You and I both know that this world isn't as peaceful and beautiful as people believe. There are things he'll have to learn about sooner or later—things he'll need to face."

So they were talking about me, worrying about me.

Warmth welled up in Sifa's heart. He could not tell whether it came from the original owner's feelings or his own.

But he knew that in his previous life, he had hardly ever experienced this kind of familial warmth.

He had been born into a poor family in a remote region. There were seven children in the family, and he was the fourth.

As far as he could remember, he had been nothing more than a tool for his parents to make money. His father had dragged him to work in a factory while he was still in middle school. Only after a teacher found him and pursued legal means had he been able to finish high school.

In his memory, his parents had rarely discussed his future. What they cared about more was when he would graduate and start earning money for the family.

That was why, after crossing into this world, he had not been like the protagonist of Lord of Mysteries, longing to return to his original world.

Even if this world was dangerous, bizarre, and mysterious, it had at least given him a warm home and parents who worried about his future.

That was enough.

"Young master."

Matthew's voice came from behind, jolting Sifa awake. Footsteps sounded inside the study, and then the door suddenly opened. His mother looked at him with slight panic.

"Sifa, when did you—"

Inside the study, Bison laughed loudly. "Looks like he already heard us. Come in, then."

Sifa gave a small nod and walked inside. Enilu instructed the male servant to wait outside before closing the door.

Bison rose to his feet. His expression was solemn, and his gaze pressed down on Sifa as if it possessed weight.

The pressure made it somewhat difficult for him to breathe.

"Sifa, my son. Didn't you say that you wanted to change and wanted me to give you a chance to prove yourself?"

"Now I'm giving you two choices."

"First, assist me and share my workload. Your stage will be the political and commercial arenas. I'll hand some of the family's businesses over to you to manage. You'll meet people from various circles, and your sights will be set on the Upper House of Backlund!"

"Second, become this family's concealed sword, protecting us and eliminating our enemies from the shadows. You'll become a Beyonder and gain supernatural abilities. You'll face the dangers lurking in the darkness. It will be a far more arduous path!"

Sifa's mind buzzed.

A Beyonder?

Did this family know that supernatural forces existed?