The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

A four-wheeled carriage moved slowly along a country road, and a cool autumn breeze brushed against the faces of the two people inside.

At this moment, one of them is saying to the other:

"Kelly, be patient. Once we pass that woodland, we'll see Rotten Lake."

Kelly's gaze involuntarily fell on the person sitting opposite her as he spoke, his upper lip twitching rhythmically with his mustache.

She asked, "Grandfather, are you sure this viscount can help me? The path to enlightenment is always a matter of personal understanding; it's not so easy for someone to point out the way for you."

"Silly child, Viscount Rotten Lake is no ordinary extraordinary being."

The man she called grandfather sat up straight, his tone now more respectful.

"Besides his noble status, he was quite knowledgeable and talented. When he was close to achieving great success, he took a unique path—not the kind of common talent in the bureau. Back then, I was just an ordinary patrol officer. If it weren't for his kind words, I would still be doing hard labor in Scotland Yard."

He calmly patted his knee as his granddaughter cast a glance his way.

Although his granddaughter is strong-willed and very intelligent, her thinking is a bit too progressive.

"There's nothing wrong with being a regular police officer, but joining the Anti-Corruption Bureau opens up a whole new world for you."

Upon hearing this, Kelly's helpless expression eased slightly.

"I have things to do at the station, why did you call me out like this..."

"This was originally a routine visitation and inheritance witnessing process for the superhuman. Although I applied for it specifically, isn't it still a matter for the department? It's a good opportunity for you to get out and relax."

He remembered something, and his smile deepened: "The scenery at Paradise Island Manor is absolutely stunning, and there's also an amazing cook. I still can't forget her roasted venison and soy milk pudding."

Kelly turned her face away, refusing to look at the smug expression on her grandfather's face as he reminisced.

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Meanwhile, in the makeshift alchemy room of Paradise Island Manor, George, having just finished lunch, plunged back into the work of making potions.

He lit beeswax candles mixed with moonstone powder at the four corners of the table and kept stirring the mixture of mead and single malt whisky at the bottom of the still.

Stir with a silver stirring rod seven times clockwise, then seven times counterclockwise, and repeat this process.

The intoxicating aroma slowly rose as the flames heated it, and George hummed a little tune, stirring it in rhythm with the flames.

"We don't talk anymore, we don't talk anymore. We don't talk anymore. Like we used to do~"

He glanced at the hourglass, then poured the prepared hawthorn flowers and other ingredients into the container and stirred them again.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Thomas pushed open the door and entered, then respectfully said to George, whose face was somewhat embarrassed, "Young Master, the guests from the Anti-Corruption Bureau have arrived. The Old Madam and Mr. Albert invite you to come downstairs to greet them."

George paused, realizing what was going on—it must be the inspector who had sent the telegram in advance.

He wiped the marks off his hands and nodded. "I understand. I'll go down now."

He tidied up the workbench, hurried downstairs, crossed the corridor, and came to the living room, where he saw the old lady and Uncle Albert talking with two guests.

The older man was tall and stout, around fifty or sixty years old, with a friendly smile typical of overweight people.

When he saw George come in, he immediately stood up and went to greet him.

"This must be young master George?" the man said, extending his hand in a loud voice.

"My name is Douglas Moore, an inspector with the Anti-Corruption Bureau. I've heard a lot about you."

"Inspector, you're too kind. Welcome to Paradise Island."

George responded politely, but secretly thought to himself: It seems that his father does indeed have considerable connections and influence within the official system.

"This is my granddaughter, Kelly Moore." Douglas stepped aside to let the girl who had sat up from the sofa behind him pass by. "She's quite interested in the supernatural realm, so I brought her here specifically to see it for herself."

Kelly stepped forward, gave a slight bow, but her gaze subtly observed George.

George was polite, but he was somewhat puzzled by the young lady's pale blue eyes.

The two looked at each other and fell silent for a moment, until the old lady spoke with a smile.

"It's almost time for afternoon tea, let's go to the garden, the setting is just right."

Everyone agreed, and the group passed through the side gate and arrived at a small garden on the south side of the mansion.

Several carved white wrought iron round tables and chairs are placed in the middle, and there is a small fountain next to it. Under the autumn sun, the water gurgles and has a kind of tranquil charm.

Mrs. Hughes ordered tea and refreshments to be served.

The exquisite bone china tea set, the still-warm three-tiered dessert stand, the bottom layer of which is filled with soft scones, the middle layer with cucumber sandwiches and ham rolls, and the top layer is decorated with a few pieces of chocolate cake and cookies.

The aroma of tea mingled with the sweetness of pastries, filling the air with an enticing fragrance.

Bates and Arthur Thompson were also invited by the servants, and everyone sat around the round table.

Uncle Albert personally poured tea for the guests and the old lady, while George sat diagonally opposite Kelly Moore, and Lieutenant Bates politely sat a little further away, seemingly deliberately maintaining an observer's posture.

After a few sips of hot tea, the guests seemed to have lost some of the fatigue from their journey.

George noticed the inspector's expression while eating snacks and realized that he was indeed a person who loved food.

His size probably proves it.

After exchanging pleasantries about the scenery of the manor and what they had seen along the way, Douglas looked at the old lady with concern.

"Madam, I wonder how Viscount Edward's health has been lately? I've come here today to thank him in person for his kindness in helping me back then."

The old lady's smile faded slightly, and she sighed softly: "To be honest, Edward fell into a coma a few days ago and has not yet woken up."

"What? How could this be?" Douglas's smile froze instantly. "Has the Viscount's condition deteriorated so quickly...?"

"Things can change in an instant," Uncle Albert interjected. "But the situation has stabilized for now. If you'd like to see him, I can take you there for a visit."

"That's great, thank you for your help." Douglas immediately stood up and followed Albert toward the main house.

Only the old lady, George, Bates, Arthur, and Kelly remained in the garden.

Kelly picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and looked past the rim of the cup to George. "Mr. De La Porte," she said, "I heard from my grandfather that you studied medicine in London?"

Her question seemed casual, but the way George looked at her clearly indicated that it wasn't unfounded.

He put down his scones and replied gently, "Yes, I worked as a doctor at a private nursing home for a period of time."

"Medicine is the study of life and health." Kelly nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard that many people who are curious about the world start with medicine."

Her wording seemed to have a hidden meaning.

"Have you... encountered any interesting phenomena? The kind that are difficult to explain with conventional medicine?"

A faint alarm bell rang in George's mind.

"Perhaps, Miss Moore. For example, some patients present with very peculiar symptoms; their descriptions of hallucinations are sometimes strikingly similar..."

George shrugged and answered frankly.

"Medically, it might be called 'mass hysteria,' but it always makes one wonder if there could be some other underlying cause?"

He noticed a barely perceptible glint in Kelly's eyes, as if she was both surprised and pleased by his answer.