The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

After seeing Bates and Elliott off, George fell into deep thought in the room.

After a moment, George reviewed the day's events and decided to check if the poker table had changed since his promotion.

Lying in bed, the familiar feeling of falling came over him, and George saw the card table again.

And as expected, five or six new cards appeared on the card table.

George picked up the brightest one, a card with a translucent candle, its body like glass, burning with a golden-red flame.

【Broken Curtain, Candle (First Encounter)】

[Nature/Appearance: Candle 2, Path]

On a night when candle wax dripped, I was able to see, through the light of dawn, the mysteries that still lingered beneath the surface of the world.

【当前道途特有效果：1.消耗灵性获得身体素质或精神增强；2.举行仪式与鍊金术获得加成；3.获得超凡强化(理智/激情卡牌+1，当前为理性）；4.灵性可以附加「烛」準则的力量对灵体或特定準则生物造成额外伤害。】

In addition to the two [Rationality] cards and one each of [Passion] and [Vitality] cards, there are two special cards – George's two companions.

One photo shows Lieutenant Bates in military uniform with sharp eyes.

[Acquaintance - Bates]

[Gender: Hunter 2, Acquaintance]

Bates is patient, meticulous, and decisive, always able to seize hunting opportunities.

[Note 1: This person has not yet chosen a savior to worship, nor does he understand the path of the esoteric religion. He can only be recruited as a follower after the esoteric religious community is unlocked.]

[Note 2: This person had contact with the descendants of Siwei "Yuanlin" and was greatly influenced by them, which greatly enhanced their inspiration. After awakening, the harmful aspects of this inspiration have been eliminated.]

The other picture shows Eliot dressed in casual clothes, with a gentle smile but a somewhat sickly demeanor.

[Acquaintance - Eliot]

[Sexual nature: Mortal (semi-revelation), acquaintance, defiled (abyss)]

[Elliott was resilient and humble, possessing a talent he was unaware of. Unfortunately, his talent brought him more suffering than hope.]

[Note 1: This person's talents lie in unexplored principles; further exploration is needed to obtain more suggestions.]

[Note 2: This person has been in contact with the descendants of the "Abyss Divers," a clan of the "Abyss," and has been corrupted by the "Abyss" principles. This person cannot become an Awakened One on any path other than the "Abyss" principles until the corruption is cleared (Hint: Alchemical artifacts or potions based on the "Abyss" principles can resolve this issue)]

George began to have doubts.

After the promotion, many new things emerged.

Firstly, the enhancement of individual abilities, and the emergence of [Rationality], [Passion], and [Vitality] along with their cooling mechanisms, can be seen as answering George's speculation about the time interval for using book cards.

Secondly, there are the cards of the two companions and their respective backgrounds, as well as the possibility of new systems such as "Sect Cults" and "Followers".

Thirdly, there are more questions: What is Siwei? What are the concepts of "Yuanlin" and "Haiyuan"? Are "Yuanqianzhe" modified Deepdivers? Is there Cthulhu in the sea? What is Elliott's talent, and how do we find it...?

Despite the numerous and complex matters, George was not bothered by them; on the contrary, he was in high spirits and full of energy.

There's no other reason than that the cheat code has already provided a lot of information, and what he fears most is returning still completely confused.

If you can turn your family members into "acquaintances," then this most important problem will be easily solved.

First, however, I need to test whether my adoptive father is a superhuman. Then, based on the original owner's memories, I need to contact several familiar servants in the manor, and...

After his promotion, George seemed immune to the "sleepiness" and stayed up until he had perfected his initial plan before leaving the poker table and going to bed.

-----------------

Paradise Island was shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, and the air carried the unique dampness and chill of the lake.

When Elliott entered George's room carrying the dressing gown, a hint of seriousness was on his face.

"Good morning, young master." Elliott lowered his voice as well. "There seemed to be some commotion among the servants this morning. I don't know exactly what happened, but the atmosphere was tense."

George, dressed in silk pajamas, was standing by the window gazing at the hazy, decaying lake outside. Hearing this, he turned around and asked, "What's going on?"

"Yes, sir," Elliott said quickly as he helped George change. "It seems something happened in the kitchen; everyone looks grim, especially Butler Carson."

"Please be careful today. I have a feeling—just a feeling—that something bad might happen."

George nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was even more tense than the night before.

The long dining table was covered with a snow-white linen tablecloth, and the silver cutlery gleamed coldly in the morning light, but the place where steaming hot food should have been placed was empty.

Lady Violet sat at one end of the main seat, her face looking even more tired than yesterday, with a slight redness around her sunken eyes.

Uncle Albert sat beside her, his brow furrowed.

The butler, Carson, stood solemnly behind the old lady, a rare hint of tension and apology appearing on his usually stern and expressionless face.

He stepped forward and bowed to the crowd.

"Madam, gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Bates, I am so sorry." The butler's voice remained steady, but his pace was a little faster than usual. "It is our dereliction of duty that breakfast was not prepared on time and that we have kept you waiting."

The old lady raised her hand, gesturing for him to explain.

The butler said in a deep voice:

"There's been a problem with the estate's water supply. This morning, when the kitchen was preparing water, we found that the water from the well was unusual, as was the water from the lake near the island."

The cook dares not use it, so we cannot begin preparing meals. We are working urgently, but it will likely take some time.

"Is the water source abnormal?" Arthur's voice immediately rang out, filled with strong doubt.

"Carson, are you kidding me? Paradise Island is surrounded by lakes, and you're telling me there's a problem with the water supply? That's... absurd!"

Carson turned to Uncle Arthur, his helplessness even more pronounced: "Master Arthur, I understand your concerns, but it is indeed the case. The water drawn from the well and the lakeside water source... has an abnormal color and smell."

For details, those interested can visit the well themselves later. We have already sent people to try to clean it and find alternative water sources, but currently…”

He shook his head slightly, the unspoken meaning clear.

Uncle Albert spoke at the opportune moment, his voice deep:

"Furthermore, I must say that the Viscount's condition deteriorated rapidly again last night. A dangerously high fever left him delirious and unable to get up."

He glanced at the old lady.

The old lady nodded heavily, confirming Albert's words. She raised her hand to her temple, her voice weary:

"Edward's condition is very unstable, so he can't get up. Let's just have a simple breakfast for now, Carson. Let Mrs. Patmore think of something."

"Yes, Madam." Carson bowed again and quickly turned to make the arrangements.

The kitchen was indeed very efficient; a few moments later, the servants silently served toasted bread slices, bacon, fried eggs, and fruit.

Soon, only the soft clinking of cutlery against plates and cups and a stifling silence filled the restaurant.

A cloud of doubt hung over everyone's mind: the Viscount's strange illness and the sudden, unsettling water pollution.

Arthur ate absentmindedly, his eyes frequently glancing towards the door. Sybil took small bites of bread, while Frederick seemed completely oblivious, preoccupied only with filling his stomach.

George ate in silence, sensing the deeper unease surging beneath the surface of his breakfast.