Tick... tick... tick...
Faint sounds reached his ears, and he smelled the fragrance of lavender. Aunt Mary loved using incense with this scent to perfume the family's clothes and bedding.
Kallen knew he was dreaming.
He rarely dreamed anymore, especially after completing Divine Revelation, but tonight he had.
Opening his eyes, Kallen found himself lying on the bed in his room at the Immerlis Family home. He turned his head and saw a younger version of himself lying beside him, his face turned upward and his gaze numb.
Light and shadow intertwined on the ceiling, gradually forming a blurry scene. An old man stood there holding a sword, with two corpses lying at his feet.
He simply watched, and kept watching, as though he had already "witnessed" this scene countless times.
Back when he had seen that drawing by "Kallen," he had wondered how someone as powerful as Dis could possibly have let his grandson secretly witness him killing his own son and daughter-in-law.
Now he had his answer. "Kallen" had not been peeking at all, yet he really could see it.
Had this child been enduring this torment since he was very young...
A torment he could neither speak of, confide in anyone about, nor resolve.
Mr. Eisen was at least an adult high-rank cleric, but he was only a child.
Kallen turned his head back, slowly closed his eyes, and sighed.
"Ah."
Morning light filtered through the partitioned room's window, falling in patches across the bedroom. Kallen turned to check the time. Seven o'clock.
After showering, washing up, and getting dressed, Kallen left the bedroom and went to the kitchen.
"Young Master, I made mushroom and lean pork congee today. Would you try some?" Xili looked at Kallen expectantly.
"Sure."
Xili served Kallen a bowl of congee,