The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

Chapter 126 The Departure of the Inspector and His Grandson

George suddenly opened his eyes.

The familiar bedroom ceiling pattern came into view, and he returned to the comforting material world.

He turned to look at the brass clock on the bedside table; the hour hand had quietly pointed to half past five.

It was later than he had expected.

George sat up in bed, recalling his dream from the previous night.

Caves, black dragons, spears, knights —

Only after he was pulled out of the dream did he realize that his role was not simply that of an observer.

The dream somehow ensnared his consciousness, becoming the crucial spear that propelled him into the wondrous hunt.

George took a deep breath and habitually sank his thoughts into the depths of his mind.

The card table appeared in the void of his consciousness as expected, and he immediately summoned his Dao Path cards:

【Breaking the Curtain - Candlelight [Enlightenment - Critical Point]】

[Nature/Appearance: Candle 4, Path]

【…】

[Note: You have reached the critical state. You can advance after selecting "Thirst" or find an opportunity to advance on your own (the path to advancement is temporarily locked, but new secret knowledge or going deeper into the dream realm will increase the possibility of an unexpected general advancement).

Critical moment—he recalled the Viscount's description of "craving" in his notebook, "Burning Heart with Fire."

That was a powerful, uncontrollable impulse that had not yet manifested in him.

However, the abnormal speed of promotion can be confirmed.

In less than a month, he broke through the veil from being an ordinary person, and advanced from initial acquaintance to enlightenment.

Based on his experience, it's hard to determine whether this speed is a "normal" result of a cheat-like advantage.

According to the Viscount's notebook, "Burning Heart with Fire," his father, who was widely recognized as a genius, spent a much longer time in the stage of the Broken Veil.

Everything George knew before told him that while rapid ascents bring power, they inevitably come with more intense hedging and risks.

Having witnessed his brother's mutation, the viscount's spirit form, and the recurring disasters on the island, he had to be even more cautious.

The so-called possibility of an unexpected surge? It's more likely to be a possibility of things getting out of control and dangerous.

After leaving the card table, George got out of bed and quickly washed up.

The cold water splashed on my face, finally dispelling the last lingering daze of the dream.

He changed into a light, dark morning suit, and without waking Elliott, went alone to the temporary alchemy room on the third floor.

On this morning, he needed to digest and reflect—the knowledge of rituals in the Book of Thresholds, the newly acquired concept of "the territory of the self," and the revelations brought by that dream.

The alchemy room on the third floor became the place he most wanted to be at that moment.

Time slipped away amidst the rustling of pages and deep contemplation. By the time George finished writing the last few notes, it was just time for breakfast.

It was a respectable but ordinary breakfast, and after Inspector Douglas and Miss Moore finished their last coffee, they bid farewell to everyone present.

George could tell that his uncle and the old lady seemed to know about the matter, and since the inspector and his grandson were determined to leave, their attempts to persuade them to stay were rather polite.

Before long, the members of the De La Porte family came to the door to see off these two guests who could be said to have gone through thick and thin together.

Two carriages were waiting at the door. The servants carried the luggage onto the open carriages, and the host and guests said their final farewells.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality these past few days. Now, everyone, farewell."

The inspector tipped his hat to the old lady, Uncle Albert, and the rest of the family, displaying a dignified elegance unlike that of a public official.

"It is our honor to have spent these past few days with you," the old lady said with a smile as she accepted the thanks.

She turned to George: "George, could you please escort our guests to the dock?"

"Yes, Grandmother," George replied.

George accompanied the inspector and Kelly onto the carriage, its wheels rolling over the remaining thin ice and snow, heading towards the docks along the familiar path.

Inside the carriage, Miss Kelly Moore turned to look out the window at the rapidly receding silhouette of the manor and sighed softly.

"I will never forget this place, George. The experience on Paradise Island was truly unique."

"It's an honor, Miss Moore," George replied. "I hope what happened here won't give you nightmares later."

"Quite the opposite," Kelly chuckled, "it showed me another part of the world, which was invaluable."

Inspector Douglas adjusted his posture and began to speak naturally in a casual tone.

"Speaking of nightmares and psychology, George, your experience of studying psychiatry systematically in college will probably be of great benefit to you in dealing with supernatural matters later on."

George nodded slightly: "Indeed, having encountered so many 'abnormal' minds has given me a somewhat vague understanding of the boundaries of my mental endurance."

"That's not all." The inspector's voice lowered, as if recalling something.

"While investigating a case, I studied the theories of Benedict Morrel, the renowned psychiatrist from Gallia. He proposed a concept called 'impulsion homicide.'"

His self-illumination, directed at George, became profound: "Morrell believed that this impulse was often a sudden release of psychic energy," the patient himself understood this impulse and was terrified of it.

"He even described cases where patients could clearly sense that uncontrollable murderous intent was about to descend, and were thus plunged into extreme suffering."

George felt a slight jolt in his heart, and he listened in silence.

The inspector patted his knee, steer the conversation: "The mental health of those with extraordinary abilities is also an important issue. Power brings change, but it also brings new pressures and 'impulses.'"

"Your professional background may help you, and even those around you, to better identify and handle certain situations."

He glanced meaningfully at George, then resumed his usual relaxed tone: "Of course, you need to focus on another area now. You've already signed off on the duties and constraints of the Highgarden nobility—managing the territory is no easy task."

The carriage arrived at the lakeside dock.

George accompanied them off the car.

As she said goodbye, Kelly thanked George again and wished him all the best.

The inspector then gave George's hand a firm squeeze.

"Take care of yourself, young Viscount."

The small boat left the shore and slowly sailed towards the opposite bank, with George standing on the dock watching them go.

On the boat, Inspector Douglas and Miss Kelly Moore, standing at the bow, were admiring the shimmering light on the grey-green lake.

Once the boat was out on the lake and no one was around, Kelly lowered her voice and quietly asked, "Grandfather, were you hinting at something to George just now? About 'impulse,' and 'fear'?"

Inspector Douglas did not answer immediately.

He gazed at the outline of the lake shore for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice carried away by the wind.

The Highgarden nobles are one of the kingdom's most important cornerstones. But it must be said, they are the guardians of order, the shield against threats... but sometimes they are the threat themselves.

The inspector paused, his tone growing heavier: "Every stable Highgarden noble is a treasure to the kingdom. But all of this—comes at a price."

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