Markel recounted his experiences at an unhurried pace. Thanks to Raphael's "maneuvering," he had received a substantial sum in compensation, but he no longer had any desire to live.
At this point, tears glistened in Markel's eyes. "...Just as I was about to kill myself, Mr. Carter arrived with a message from Mr. Raphael."
His voice choked up again. "Mr. Raphael told me, 'I helped you recover your compensation. Sometime in the future, I'll need you to do me a favor in return.'"
This came as something of a surprise to Audrey, because those words of Raphael's had clearly saved Markel.
At the time, Markel must have felt that he still owed someone a favor, so he had not immediately killed himself.
Based on the psychology books Audrey had read and her experience as a Psychiatrist, in most cases, if something stopped a suicidal person from killing themselves at the outset, they would find it difficult to muster the courage to do so again after some time had passed.
They could also work through many of their psychological problems themselves and would no longer attempt suicide.
From Audrey's observations, although Markel was willing to take the blame for Raphael, he no longer showed suicidal tendencies.
What surprised her was that she had never expected Raphael to be so thoughtful. After helping Markel recover his compensation, he had even devised a way to save his life.
This does support Madam Hermit's analysis, Audrey thought. Raphael's methods seem somewhat insane, but he's very clever and has lines he won't cross.
Markel then explained how, with the help of one of Mr. Carter's subordinates, he had used the compensation to purchase his current home, and how he had gradually regained hope in life.
"Markel..."
Just then, a somewhat resonant voice interrupted Markel's account. Raphael pushed the door open and said, "Go get some rest."
Markel immediately stood up. "Yes, sir."
As he spoke, he picked up his cane and hurried out.
Raphael sat down in the chair Markel had just vacated and looked at Audrey. "You seem quite interested in Markel's story, Miss Hall."
"I wouldn't call it interest," Audrey said earnestly. "We were just chatting."
Her impression of Raphael had now improved considerably.
Raphael crossed his legs, took a cigarette from a metal case, and lit it. "Since you're feeling so lively, Miss Hall, let's chat some more."
Looking at the cigarette in Raphael's hand, Audrey could not help frowning. In her eyes, smoking without first seeking a lady's permission was very ungentlemanly.
But then she remembered that the man before her was no gentleman to begin with, and stopped dwelling on such details.
She cleared her throat. "As it happens, I have a few questions about what Markel just described. I'd like to discuss them with you."
Raphael gestured for her to ask.
"Are cases like Markel's very common in Backlund?" Audrey asked. "I mean, employers deliberately withholding compensation for workplace injuries."
"Yes," Raphael said. "Or rather, it's a common cost-cutting tactic among factory owners. Although Loen's Constitution lays out certain clear provisions for compensation for workplace injuries, if the injured person dies or disappears before the compensation process is complete, the factory owner doesn't have to pay any compensation at all. They only need to pay a small fine to City Hall."
He spat some tobacco to one side and continued, "And given the living conditions in Backlund today, ordinary people have practically no savings. Without compensation, they'll be bankrupt within a month at most.
"If they're injured, they can survive in Backlund for two or three months at most."
As he spoke, Raphael glanced at the cigarette in his hand.
This was another thing that had left him feeling rather helpless since transmigrating: cigarettes had no filters.
And Raphael was not used to using a cigarette holder, so whenever tobacco got into his mouth, he could only spit it out immediately.
After hearing Raphael's explanation, Audrey nodded and asked, "Then why didn't Markel ask the Church for help?"
"Because Markel is just an ordinary believer." Raphael leaned back in his chair. "The Church's priests and bishops are very kind to you. Whatever you ask of them, they'll do their best to oblige.
"That's because your father, Earl Hall, donates a large sum to the Church every year, and he's a highly respected nobleman."
He looked at Audrey. "Do you really expect those priests and bishops to be just as kind to an ordinary believer, and to meet their needs in the same way?
"Oh, right. The Church of the God of Steam and Machinery does work to protect workers' rights, but Markel isn't one of their devout believers, so they wouldn't provide him with that help either."
Raphael took a drag on his cigarette and suddenly laughed.
Audrey frowned slightly. "What's so funny?"
"I just remembered Wald... yes, the factory owner who withheld Markel's compensation." A hint of madness flashed in Raphael's eyes. "That fellow's screams were so lovely that I couldn't bear to saw his leg off too quickly. I slowly, bit by bit..."
Audrey seemed to suddenly understand something. She interrupted Raphael's description. "After it was over, why did you send someone to tell Markel to keep living?"
"What do you mean, keep living? Of course he had to live. He owed me a favor, and naturally he had to repay it. Do I look like a philanthropist to you? Or..." At this point, Raphael seemed to suddenly realize something. "Don't tell me you think I'm the sort of person who looks vicious but is actually kindhearted.
"Heh. Let me tell you, you'd better not insult me like that!"
Only after a second or two did Audrey seem to react. She said in an even tone, "I'm tired. I need to rest."
Looks like I read too much into it, she thought.
After saying that, Audrey gave Susie a meaningful look, telling her to keep watch, while she reclined on the bed to rest.
Still, with her Sequence 5 spirituality, she would wake immediately at any sign of danger nearby.
Early the next morning, Audrey woke to find sunlight already streaming into the room. Raphael stood to one side of the window, watching the street below.
Then Audrey found herself unsure whether to laugh or cry, because Susie, the large golden retriever who was supposed to be keeping watch, had fallen asleep on the floor at some point.
Just then, Audrey heard voices downstairs. Carter hurried through the door. "Boss!"
Audrey caught a hint of panic in his eyes.
"No need to be nervous." Still watching the street below, Raphael gave a faint smile. "The police are only canvassing the area.
"And the fact that they're canvassing means they haven't found any leads on the kidnappers at all!"
That was why they could only conduct a broad search.
If they had actually found the hideout, there would not have been just one or two police officers asking questions.
After a hint of madness flashed in Raphael's eyes, he said to Audrey, "Put on your hat. We're going to the sitting room to play cards."
Then he told Markel, "You go deal with those police officers."
Markel, who had little experience dealing with the police, took a deep breath and tried to look calm.
Carter froze. It was one thing not to hide, but they were actually going to the sitting room?
Raphael had Audrey sit with her back to the doorway, while he and Carter sat on either side of her. Then he took out a deck of Minor Arcana cards and told Audrey, "You can call out to the policeman for help, but I guarantee you'll only be putting him in danger, because I'll definitely kill him to silence him."
Audrey parted her lips. This threat was very effective against her. Had Raphael threatened her own safety instead, she would not have taken it nearly as seriously.
Before you continue