Saint Laurent Prison Warden

Chapter 16 Secret observation
To Richard:
I am Xingge.

I don’t know when you will see this letter, but let’s just assume that you have woken up on the fourth day of your coma, just as your teacher expected.

This letter was written at noon on the third day of your coma.

Last night, a message came from the Florida city group - they found the [Saint of Chastity] and had a fierce conflict with the Vatican gang that escorted the [Saint of Chastity], resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

Unfortunately, although we were prepared, the battle happened too hastily and we did not keep the Saint of Chastity, and she left the Silver City.

Intelligence has proven that the Saint of Chastity has returned to the capital of the Holy See.

We, the Xingyue Society, suffered a defeat, which is a shame for us.

We lost, but you didn't.

It turns out that Richard, your [exquisite] tracking magic did find the Saint of Chastity.

Tracking magic, magic that changes sounds, magic that creates wonderful crystals... Richard, you are better than my teacher and I thought.

When I slept these two days, I tossed and turned in bed, and kept wondering whether the stigmata shackles that the secret angel sacrificed himself to release were not aimed at me, but at you. You took advantage of me.

If you weren't equally outstanding, I would definitely not have made such a guess.

I am confident enough in my gifts and talents - I dare say that if the stigmata shackles are not directed at me, then the Holy See owes me a stigmata shackle.

But your behavior always makes me feel a little uneasy.

Richard, I'm very curious, are those stigmata shackles really meant for me?
I'm sorry, you probably saved me, but I still doubt you.

Maybe I am suspicious by nature, or maybe deep down I don't want to accept that a ladybug like you saved me. If I am wrong, just laugh it off.

The stigmata shackles are not aimed at me, but at you. This is just my guess and opinion.

When the white light rushed over, you shouted my name and stood in front of me. This is a fact.

I will not use my opinion to cover up the facts. That is subjective, biased, uncalm, irrational behavior, and very unfair to you.

Before I had solid evidence to prove my point, you, Richard, were my savior.

Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission and have secured for you the highest national compensation within our capabilities - the Silver Cross Medal.

This is one of the highest-level medals in the Silver City-State, usually only awarded to the families of warriors who sacrificed their lives for their country. You should understand the importance of this medal.

Those who have this medal can attend the Nine Rings Council as observers. Their status is equal to that of a legendary hero and cannot be insulted.

With it, even if you lose your magic power and become an ordinary person, no one will dare to look down on you.

In addition, the compensation given to you by the Silver City-State is state compensation. This is to compensate you for your heroic act of self-sacrifice at a critical moment.

State compensation has nothing to do with me.

We will calculate separately the favor you gave me for saving my life.

I'm sorry, but I haven't figured out how to repay this kindness yet. If you need anything that I can do, you can tell me. No matter how difficult your request is, as long as it does not violate my principles, I will try my best to help you.

In addition, if you encounter unsolvable problems in work or life, you can come to me and I will find a solution for you.

I am in the city of travel, so I still have some ability.

I can't guarantee that you will do whatever you want, but I can guarantee that you will not do what you don't want to do.

By the way, if you come to me because of the crime of [illegal trafficking of reproductive rights] and want me to get you out of jail, I will definitely try to increase your sentence, I promise (smile).

There is some bad news. Another hero of our Silver City who blocked the stigmata shackles for others chose to commit suicide on the fifth day after waking up.

I investigated the top-secret files of the Star-Moon Society and confirmed one thing: more than 80% of the Stigma Mages throughout history chose to [commit suicide] because they could not bear the loss of magic power.

They were not [committed suicide] as the outside world speculated. The Xingyue Society was merely monitoring them.

When they realized that it would be difficult for them to go to the Holy See to remove their shackles, they chose death of their own will.

Richard, from now on, you will say goodbye to magic completely.

As a wizard, you have been accompanied by magic since childhood. Suddenly, you completely lose your magic and become an ordinary person. You will definitely not be used to it, just like them.

I know that you are in pain and uncomfortable now, and in the future you will not be able to adapt to life without magic.

I'm sorry, I have never been afflicted with the stigmata, so I can't empathize with you.

But I think that as long as you have enough willpower, all the bad feelings will pass. Hang in there and don't commit suicide.

Richard, in our Silver City, ordinary people can also live wonderful lives. Get to know this world again, and surprises will surely appear before your eyes.

Finally, I want to say...you saved me, thank you.

author:
Star Song

After reading Xingge's letter, Richard laughed and said to himself:
"If the stigmata shackles are not meant for me, then the Holy See owes me a stigmata shackle.

Hiss, how can there be such shameless people in this world?

But that holy shackle was indeed meant for City Lord Xingge.

It's obvious at first glance that the Lord of Xingge City is used to being in a high position and can't even comfort others.

On the one hand, he told me to be strong and live bravely, and on the other hand, he told me that all the other Stigma Mages had committed suicide.

Do you want me to live or to die?

It's ridiculous to suspect that the actual target of the stigmata shackles is me. She has been single for too long and has hallucinations from tapping beans.

Why doesn't the Lord of Xingge City suspect Mahir Changren? "

Richard shook his head and continued to read other letters.

At the same time, in the room next to Richard's, the doctors who had just rushed into Richard's ward had taken off their white coats and put on black robes.

They were gathered together, recording Richard's actions and words with pen and paper.

The snow-white walls of Richard's room became one-way transparent under the blessing of magic.

The doctors could easily see Richard's every move, but Richard knew nothing about the doctors.

In addition to the team of doctors observing Richard, Princeton was also accompanied by a group of doctors wearing black bird-beak masks and brown robes.

These brown-clad doctors did not participate in observing Richard, but instead surrounded Richard's magic book, eagerly examining Richard's stigmata magic book with various magic devices.

The way they looked at the Stigmata Magic Book was fanatical and pious, just like those somewhat morbid fanatics of the Holy See.

Behind the brown-clad medical team, a crystal sphere was slowly rotating.

zizi.

Just as Richard began to read other letters, the crystal sphere suddenly shook, and Xingge's shadow emerged from the crystal sphere.

She stared at Richard, expressionless.

When Princeton saw Xingge's shadow appear, he quickly stood beside Xingge and asked cautiously, "Lord City Lord, did you hear everything?"

"What do you think I should have heard?" Xingge glanced at Princeton coldly.

"Nothing! I didn't hear anything either." Princeton stood at attention suddenly.

“Humph.” Xingge snorted coldly and asked, “Princeton, how are your observations going?

Did you find anything suspicious about Richard's behavior after he woke up? "

"Hmm. To be honest, there is really no doubt about it.

The confusion when he just woke up, the helplessness after discovering that he had lost his magic power, the surprise after seeing us, and even his just the right amount of greed when he heard about the Silver Cross Medal... Richard's various behaviors were completely consistent with the reactions that an ordinary wizard might have after losing his magic, and there was nothing wrong with it.

If I had to say it, he adapted a little too quickly.

But considering that he had just been restrained by the magic shackles before he fell into a coma, this speed of adaptation is not incomprehensible. "

Xingge frowned, "Princeton, you are an expert in the field of soul and psychology. Do you think Richard's behavior is a performance?"

"Lord Xingge, I don't think so. If it was any other time, it would be fine, but he just woke up from a deep coma caused by a weak soul.

In this situation, it is almost impossible for him to realize at the first moment that he should perform and give an appropriate performance.

You know, a weak soul itself will have a negative impact on a person's judgment and thinking ability.

Even our Xingyue Society's well-trained ace spies will reveal flaws when their souls become weak.

Personally, I think Richard's performance only shows that he is just an ordinary mage who has not received professional spy training."

Listening to Princeton's words, Xingge's brows furrowed more and more, and she seemed very dissatisfied with this answer.

"unless……"

Princeton hesitated to speak.

Xingge immediately asked, "Unless what?"

“Unless, there are two souls in Richard’s body, one is a normal wizard, and the other is the spy Richard.

However, [Double Souls in One Body] is a magical transformation that only necromancers above the legendary level can perform on themselves.

Richard's strength has not reached the legendary level, and he has not learned any undead magic, so this possibility is also ruled out."

Princeton spread his hands and said, "Lord Xinge, my conclusion is that Richard is fine."

"So what you mean is that Richard is fine."

"No! I didn't say that. Being too normal is itself a kind of abnormality."

Princeton changed the subject and said:

“Lord Xingge, Richard was previously a magic teacher and a magic research specialist who could participate in core magic research.

He should be more rational and wiser than ordinary mages.

He can even discover the stigmata shackles of the secret angel before you do, and sacrifice his life to resist, showing courage far beyond that of ordinary people.

But after Richard woke up, he acted too flustered, too much like a normal wizard.

Richard was acting normal, but he shouldn't be."

Xingge was a little confused. She frowned and asked, "One moment you say it's normal, the next moment you say it's abnormal. Princeton, what exactly do you want to say?"

Princeton smiled flatteringly and said:
"What I want to express is that the observation time is not enough. I need to observe for a longer period of time before I can finally draw a conclusion."

Xingge's expression suddenly became serious. She stared at Princeton and said coldly:
"Princeton, I know your family's obsession with the Stigma Mage. But that doesn't mean I will allow you to do whatever you want.

Richard is my de facto lifesaver, and I, Xingge, will repay the favor. I will not allow him to be killed before I have repaid the favor."

"Of course, of course! This is such a precious research material, I am more worried about it than you, Lord Mayor."

Princeton touched his bald head somewhat awkwardly and said with a smile:

"How could I harm him? No way. It's impossible. I can't even do destructive research."

……

To Richard:
Richard, I'm your Dean Hank.

Richard, fate is really unfair. The teacher-student relationship between you and me has lasted for six years.

You were once my proudest student, and later you became my proudest ace researcher.

In the Mage Academy, you often concentrated on studying magic and forgot to sleep and eat.

Everyone has left and you are still alone in the lab, trying again and again.

You often take the initiative to go to dangerous areas on the front line to collect data on magic experiments, without fear of danger.

You often work hard day and night to produce a set of key data.

Diligent, hardworking, intelligent, humble...

You have many excellent qualities that are not often seen in young people.

Your arrival has injected fresh air into the old and outdated magic research. All members of the research team, from top to bottom, like you very much, and so do I.

I often think that when you become more mature, I will promote you to be the leader of the research group.

Unfortunately, fate tricks people.

Richard, I already know everything about your story. You were able to stand up at the critical moment and block the stigmata shackles for the Lord of Star Song City. I can only say that you did a great job and did not bring shame to our Mage Academy.

You are the pride of our entire school. All the teachers and students, including me, are proud of you.

Although you were injured in the line of duty and have lost the ability to teach and research magic, our Mage Academy will always retain your position and the salary you deserve.

You don't need to feel guilty, this is the reward a hero deserves.

Haha, even if you don't come to school every day, your salary will be paid to you every month. You can start retirement at such a young age, I really envy you.

However, you must live longer, as there are not many opportunities to take advantage of the Mage Academy, so the more you can take advantage of, the better. You must not let the Academy make any profit.

Richard, I sincerely hope that you can recover soon and come back to our Mage Academy as soon as possible.

I am looking forward to enjoying green tea and cakes with you while listening to your heroic deeds in rescuing the Lord of Xingge City.

Just like when you first listened to me giving you a history of magic lesson.

Richard, I know that losing magic is a big blow to you, but Richard, I want to tell you that magic is not everything.

During the days when you were in a coma, I found a book called "The Invincible Hero" in my bookcase.

It records that in the ancient times of our world, there was a wizard hero named York.

He also lost his magic book by chance, but he did not give up or commit suicide. Instead, he picked himself up and rose again.

He gave up the magic book and instead learned combat and tactics, lived like a barbarian, and embarked on an epic journey of fantastic fantasy.

In the end, he still became a demigod hero even without the magic book.

Haha, I think you will definitely be very interested in this book. I will prepare it and wait for you to come as a recovery gift for you.

Richard, take care of yourself! Take care of yourself!
author:
Hank Basie

Richard's nose twitched involuntarily.

"This is high emotional intelligence. The word suicide was not mentioned in the entire article, but the whole process was trying to persuade me not to commit suicide.

Comparing the letters from City Lord Xingge and Dean Hank, the difference is obvious!

Hey, Dean Hank is thoughtful."

Thinking of this, Richard raised his eyebrows:
"Speaking of which, if I can get a salary without going to magic academy, can I find another job and work two jobs to make a lot of money?"

(End of this chapter)