Mr. Death in the Steam World

Moen frowned: "What is a purification process?"

Cecil glanced at him but didn't answer, his gaze returning to Arthur.

"I won't let them start that program."

"You've done enough for the church, Arthur. I won't let those people negate everything you've done because of things you can't control."

Arthur was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Thanks."

Moen listened from the side. Although he didn't fully understand what the purification process was, judging from Arthur's reaction, it probably wasn't a good thing.

He wisely refrained from asking further questions.

"I'm leaving for the Sanctuary headquarters this afternoon." Cecil stood up.

"The Truth Society suffered heavy losses this time and will not make any major moves in the short term, but their senior deacons will not let this go after suffering such a big loss in Ironcrown City."

He turned around and his gaze fell on Moen.

"Mr. Marcus, your name has been added to the Truth Society's list."

Moen blinked.

"Wouldn't that increase my firm's reputation? After all, being noticed by a major organization is a kind of recognition."

Cecil looked at Moen, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Aren't you scared?

"Being afraid is useless," Moen said. "They won't let me go just because I'm afraid, so why should I be afraid?"

"Besides, with you, Archbishop, protecting me, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Cecil was silent for a moment, then a very faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Young man, you're very interesting."

He turned around and walked towards the door.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned his head.

"Mr. Marcus, if you, Priest Aldridge, and your group members need any assistance from the Church, please contact the Kansas Parish at any time."

"Definitely, definitely." Moen nodded with a smile. "Just don't find me annoying when the time comes."

Cecil glanced at him, said nothing more, and walked out of the ward.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor.

Moen remained expressionless and turned to look at Arthur with a serious expression.

"Arthur, tell me, what exactly is the purification process?"

Arthur looked very relaxed.

"It's nothing, it just means to remove the demon from my body."

"Eliminate your life too?"

Moen pointed out the problem without holding back, and Arthur couldn't help but smile wryly.

"So, the archbishop said he wouldn't let them activate it to save your life?"

"Um."

Moen was silent for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming relaxed again.

"That settles it then. As long as he keeps his word, that's fine. If he doesn't, I'll help you get away with it."

Arthur looked at his unserious manner and couldn't help but smirk again.

"Can you outrun the people at church?"

"Even if you can't outrun me, you have to run," Moen said. "Because you're my senior."

Arthur was amused once again. He had to admit that although Moen's jokes were all lame, he enjoyed them.

"By the way, that man with glasses," Moen suddenly spoke up, "do you know his name?"

"The senior deacons of the Truth Society all use code names," Arthur said. "His code name is 'The Observer.'"

"The Observer," Moen repeated, "is pretty cringeworthy."

What does "chuunibyou" mean?

"It means to praise him."

Moen stood up, walked to the window, and arranged the flowerpots neatly one by one.

"Hey Marcus, when did you become so sophisticated?"

"It's because I discovered that you don't even have anyone around you who would take care of you."

"If it weren't for the landlady coming to your place every day, you probably wouldn't even have a sip of water."

Arthur looked unusually uncomfortable.

"The boss's wife is..."

"I know, it's because of your face," Moen said with a smile. "Father, you're as charming as ever."

"I'm saying, her husband died young, and she's been living alone for so many years. She's interested in you, so why don't you..."

Arthur took a deep breath and decided to end the conversation.

"Mr. Marcus, it's time for you to go."

"Alright, alright, I won't disturb your rest anymore." Moen walked towards the door, but turned back when he reached it.

"By the way, could you help me find out if there's anything else about that observer? Knowing your enemy is the key to victory."

"Didn't you say you weren't afraid?"

"I may not be afraid, but I still need to gather the intelligence." Moen pushed open the door. "I'm leaving now. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

"You don't need to come every day."

"Hmph, I'd rather."

The sound of the door closing echoed softly in the quiet room.

Arthur stared at the door for a few seconds, then shook his head, the helpless smile on his lips slowly fading away.

He raised his right hand, palm up, and examined it in the dim light.

In the spiritual vision, those dark red lines have not completely faded.

They were embedded in his magic loop like tree roots, and deeper than ever before.

Arthur lowered his hand and closed his eyes.

The voice of a demon echoed in my mind.

"Oh, my dear Arthur, let me guess, you're afraid, aren't you?"

Arthur did not answer.

"You were forced to use my power to save your friend. Isn't my power quite useful?"

"I bet you didn't notice, but this is the first time you haven't told me 'Shut up, you devil,' hahahahahahahaha..."

He remained silent, while the demon laughed wildly.

"Arthur, you've changed, irreversibly."

"Perhaps," Arthur finally spoke, his voice soft. "It's not necessarily a bad thing."

The demon fell silent again, and the ward fell quiet once more.

Arthur leaned against the pillow and closed his eyes.

In the darkness, those demonic forces were still slowly flowing within his magic circuits, and he knew they would grow longer and deeper, denser and denser.

Until one day, his magic circuits will turn completely dark red, his pupils will lose all color, and his hair will turn completely silver-white.

That day will come eventually, but before that day comes, he has to finish some things.

......

At this moment, Melina was standing in the lobby of the Swallow Inn, staring blankly at the wooden table in front of her.

"What are you standing there for? Wipe from top to bottom, don't rub back and forth, it'll only get dirtier."

The proprietress's voice came from behind the counter, full of energy.

Melina snapped out of her daze and obediently wiped the table as the landlady had instructed.

There were eight tables in the lobby, and it took her more than half an hour to wipe them all.

Although the work the landlady assigned her was not easy, she felt quite fulfilled.

It was much more fulfilling than being imprisoned in a dark and gloomy stone building.

Not long ago, she was a candidate for some deity, and she lived in fear and suffered a lot because of it.

Fortunately, she doesn't have to think about anything now.

She was not selected because the selection process for candidates had already concluded.