That evening, the three members of the Baruch Clan, along with Hiri, the butler whom Hogg considered family, gathered in Wharton's small bedroom.
The room was lit only by the moonlight coming through the window. Linley sat on the bed with his younger brother Wharton in his arms, while Hogg and Hiri sat on the edge of the bed.
The eldest son going to Ernst Institute and the youngest son becoming Dragonblood Warrior were originally great things, but Hogg did not expect that after only a few months of joy, Monica would take Wharton away.
Hiri did not attend the previous dinner, but as Hogg's most trusted person, she was still briefly informed of what had happened.
"If what Miss Monica said is true, then it wouldn't be a bad thing for Wharton to leave with her."
None of the four people in the room were believers in the Radiant Sovereign. Only Hogg had a slight affinity for the Radiant Sovereign because of the influence of his early wife's death and the deeds of his ancestors.
Hogg sighed. "That's just her side of the story. Perhaps the reason our family is so small is because of the forces behind Monica."
In fact, the Baruch Clan had their doubts about the problem of their sparse population over the past thousand years, but due to their lack of power, they had only kept their suspicions to themselves.
Linley was talking to Doehring Cowart at this moment. In his opinion, Doehring Cowart, as a former Saint Magus, would have a more objective judgment on this matter.
Ever since learning about Monica's powerful investigative abilities, Doehring Cowart has rarely dared to leave the Coiling Dragon Ring and appear in the outside world.
"We can only do as Monica requests for now, and seek answers after you are strong enough. Neither the Radiant Church nor Monica are people the Baruch Clan can afford to offend right now. If what Monica says is true, asking the Radiant Church for help might bring your family's annihilation."
Linley hugged his younger brother with remorse, saying regretfully, "I should have never brought Ms. Monica home."
Hogg comforted her, "Don't be so discouraged. If what Miss Monica said is true, it might be more dangerous for Wharton to stay at home. Besides, judging from Miss Monica's attitude, she seems to have some goodwill towards our family; otherwise, she would have just kidnapped Wharton in the first place."
Linley recalled the month or so after meeting Monica and felt inexplicably at ease.
Doehring Cowart also said to Linley, "Although I haven't shown myself in front of Monica these past few days, I can sense from the Divine Power she unintentionally exudes that she is very sincere towards you and has no hidden malice."
As the Saint-level Limit in his past, Doehring Cowart's preserved Divine Power far surpasses that of Monica, who currently only possesses level nine Divine Power. Through fluctuations in Divine Power, he can still analyze the other party's emotional fluctuations to a certain extent.
Wharton's eyes were red; he realized he might be away from home for a long time. Although he had been told he was going to the O'Brien Academy, he was still very reluctant to leave his family.
The four people inside chatted idly, and before they knew it, dawn was breaking.
Monica's voice came from inside the house. "It's time, come to the backyard."
The group exchanged glances, and though reluctant, they silently rose to their feet.
Walking into the backyard, I found Monica standing there, with something covered by a white cloth at her feet.
"Don't be afraid. He was a homeless child who died of illness. I just retrieved his body. Afterward, you should announce to the public that Wharton died in an accidental drowning to avoid the Radiant Church discovering any problems."
The four men still wore wary expressions.
Monica sighed, "Alright, I don't want to argue anymore. I'll send Wharton home once he gets to the Saint-level. Or I can bring you all to the Rhine Empire when the opportunity arises."
With a soft buzzing sound, the four of them felt dizzy. When they came to their senses, Wharton was already in Monica's arms, and a huge shadow fell lightly in the dim morning light.
Linley recognized it as a griffin, similar in form to the griffin ridden by the squad that had been annihilated in Wushan Town, only much larger, with an ice-blue body and eerily crimson flames on its wings.
Hogg was the first to recognize the griffin. "It's Frostflame Gryphon! A top-tier magical beast no weaker than a Saint-level dragon!"
To Hogg's astonishment, Monica, carrying Wharton, landed on the back of the Frostflame Gryphon and flew straight into the clouds.
Mayor Hogg's youngest son Wharton, drowned!
The news spread throughout Wushan Town. Hogg was usually a very good lord, and his two sons were also very sensible, so the residents of Wushan Town had a very good impression of Wharton.
I never expected that Linley would have such a heartbreaking thing happen just yesterday when he went home for the holidays.
Hogg and Hiri officiated at Wharton's funeral, while Linley, overcome with grief, fell ill at home.
Linley was actually meditating.
Even after learning the Flat Blade Style, meditation is still essential, because mages not only need to enhance their Divine Power, but also refine their magical power, which requires meditation to accomplish.
This is also why it's more difficult for mages to train than warriors.
After Monica left, Linley meditated in his bedroom until dark. When he got hungry, he ate some food that Hiri had left over from the dinner party when Monica was there the day before.
Linley only opened his eyes when he could no longer hold on.
"Linley, cultivation is a gradual process. Don't be impatient for quick results, or you'll harm your body," Doehring Cowart warned.
"I know, I just feel so weak. If I had gotten to the Saint-level sooner, I could have brought Wharton back!"
"Sigh." Doehring Cowart didn't know how to comfort her, so he could only say, "If you're tired, try some stone carving. Treat it as a way to relax after class."
Linley nodded and left the room.
Hogg, Hiri, and Hillman were in the living room.
"Linley." Hogg beckoned Linley over.
"Father."
"Don't let Wharton's situation break your spirit. I'm incompetent; the future revival of the family rests on your shoulders." Hogg seemed quite devastated, and a lot of gray hairs appeared in just one day.
"Father, don't blame yourself too much."
"Hmm." Hogg patted his son's head. "Alright, I'm going back to rest. Hiri, Hillman, you've had a busy day too, go back and rest."
The two offered a few words of comfort out of concern and then left the hall.
It was already dark when Linley went to the backyard, found a piece of discarded stone, and began to carve.
With a rustling sound, stone chips continued to fall.
Bebe, who had disappeared for a whole day because of Wharton's departure, also came looking for him through their soul connection.
It wasn't until late at night that a small stone statue gradually appeared.
Although the details are somewhat rough, it is clear that this is Wharton's stone sculpture, facing forward with a smile, raising a small hand to greet Linley.
Bathed in moonlight, a man and a beast gazed at the stone sculpture in the courtyard for a long time.
"Linley, go back and rest. Your body can't withstand such prolonged exertion," Doehring Cowart, waking Linley up just in time.
Linley were merely a spontaneous expression of his feelings; he had not yet entered a state of "complete harmony between his soul and nature." After all, there was still a glimmer of hope in Wharton's situation, and Linley had not yet reached a state of genuine despair.
However, through tonight's carving, Linley's Flat Blade Style stone carving technique can be considered to have reached the "beginner" level.