The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

[Resonance of Matter]

[Sexual Aspects: Star 6, Vertex 4, Secret Transmission]

In our world, nothing is static. Everything is in motion, everything is vibrating. Matter is the lowest, spirit is the highest, and the mind is the link between the two; the stillness and infinity of the true spiritual frequency—this is our world.

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【Heterogeneous Strings (Incomplete)】

[Sexual Aspects: Eighth String, Fourth String, Skill]

This melody resonates only with the inhuman: glaciers cracking, the Earth's core pulsating, meteors falling... but the seeker will eventually realize that the beginning and end of celestial bodies are nothingness.

[Note: This can be completed, but the conditions are currently unclear.]

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[Magnetic Ochre Resonance Device (Incomplete)]

[Sexual Aspects: Star, Candle, String, Formula]

Born from a whimsical and dangerous attempt, if successful, this device might directly communicate with the deepest part of the first layer of chaos, or even achieve intercontinental wireless communication—at the very least. However, in practical terms, this device is more likely to attract the destructive gaze of harmless cosmos.

[Note: This can be completed with more similar formulas. The current missing parts may be able to create some ultrasonic waves that are only effective against ants.]

In addition, there was something strange—

[The Path to the Spirit World]

[Nature and Appearance: A Vague Path]

[Mundun, beneath the surface of the mundane world lies another world, a spiritual haven, a gathering place for countless beings, and the abode of the most supreme.]

"How terrible must the lives of those who have never seen mountains, seas, skies, and stars, and who are confined to their small rooms, be?"

George stared at the description of the [Resonance Device].

"The lethality is limited to the ultrasonic waves of ants."

The lice are not much bigger than ants.

If he could create some kind of large-scale sound wave device to disrupt or directly destroy the physiological structure of those insects...

George waved and snapped up the card that depicted an engine or some kind of complex wind instrument, then focused his mind on it to read its construction instructions.

A moment later, he left the card table, rang a bell to summon a servant, and asked him to bring Thomas over.

Thomas soon appeared at the door of the alchemy room.

"Young master, if the master needs..."

“Father is still in a coma; he won’t go outside the manor, Thomas,” George interrupted him briefly. “Now that Carson has been infected, you’re the only one in the manor who knows the ‘truth.’ And with the disaster outside, things are worse than before.”

He did not elaborate on the complex backgrounds of "The Comedian" and Xu Yuan Siwei, but only mentioned the seriousness and time pressure mentioned by the inspector.

Thomas listened quietly, and finally asked, "Actually, old Hanmo is still at the manor—he had lunch at the residence and happened to be keeping the servants in check when the emergency occurred. But what can I do now?"

"We need to build some special devices." George showed him several quickly sketched drafts. "I have the theoretical basis, but the materials need to be collected immediately."

He then produced a list: "Lodestones, any shape and size, the more the better; the estate should have collectibles or practical items. Pure silver, a considerable amount is needed. High-quality hardwood, for constructing the frame and resonator. And..."

George paused, then gestured.

"Piano strings, especially those in the high register, should be as thin and tensile as possible. We need their specific vibration frequencies."

Thomas frowned as he looked at the sketches and lists, but he didn't ask why these devices could deal with the insect infestation.

"Magnets and pure silver, there are some in the master's study and storeroom. Timber, there is enough oak and beech wood in the storage room." He began to quickly take inventory.

"There are two pianos in the mansion's music room... I can summon reliable servants immediately."

"Don't gather too many people, the fewer the better," George added. "Once the materials are gathered, send them here; we need to assemble them overnight."

Thomas nodded deeply. "Understood, young master. Please give me half an hour."

He turned and left, his footsteps quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.

George was the only one left in the alchemy room.

He sat back down at the table, picked up the book "Where Do We Belong, Volume One" and continued reading.

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Five o'clock in the morning is the norm for those accustomed to the manor's early morning routine.

However, for Inspector Douglas, who had spent most of his life in London and had experienced most of the day's tensions, being woken up at this time was by no means pleasant.

He opened his eyes and saw that the light was already on by the bed, and a respectful-looking male servant was trying to shake him awake. His first thought was to frown.

But the servant's next words dispelled his morning grumpiness before it even had a chance to flare up.

"I am terribly sorry to disturb your rest, Inspector. Young Master Delapour requests your immediate presence in the temporary alchemy room on the third floor. He has something extremely important to discuss. He says it concerns the current crisis at the manor and cannot be delayed even for a minute."

Douglas glanced at the servant's serious expression, sighed helplessly, and swallowed back the complaint that was about to come out.

"Okay, tell him I'll be there after I've washed up." He reluctantly threw back the covers and got up.

Although it was a bit uncomfortable to get out of bed, his intuition told him that the young man probably hadn't slept last night.

After a quick wash and putting on his morning robe, he hurried up to the third floor.

Pushing open the door to the alchemy room, the warm candlelight and the aroma of tea inside startled him slightly.

George was sitting in an armchair by the fireplace, with a teapot, cups and saucers and some scones and other snacks on a small table in front of him.

On the open ground in front of him, five strange-looking devices were neatly arranged.

They do indeed resemble a pendulum device in a laboratory, or some kind of primitive, rudimentary single-stringed instrument.

Each device has a wooden frame as a base, on which silver strings are stretched.

Around the strings, magnets of various sizes are irregularly attracted, while the edges and back of the wooden frame are wrapped with carefully welded silver wires, forming a complex guiding network.

The entire device is about one and a half feet tall. Its shape is not particularly beautiful, and the traces of hand-assembly are quite obvious, yet it also subtly exudes a strange sense of precision.

"Inspector, I'm sorry to bother you so early." George put down his teacup, stood up, and said, "Please have a seat and some refreshments."

He pointed to the chair opposite him: "I need you to witness the results of our work tonight."

Douglas did not sit down; his gaze was firmly fixed on the five devices.

"What is this...?" He walked up to the device.

"I gave it a corny name, 'Resonance Insect Repeller,'" George said as he walked over to a device.

"Inspector, as we agreed last night, if I still can't find a solution by this morning, you will be the one to request assistance from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau."

"But last night I found a method with a reasonably sound theoretical basis, and I hope to verify it through experiments in order to avoid unnecessary large-scale intervention."

He looked Douglas into the eyes: "So, please bear witness. If the experiment fails or the results are unsatisfactory, I will immediately agree to all your arrangements."

Douglas scrutinized George's resolute face, then glanced at the strange devices, and finally nodded slowly.

He sat down in the chair opposite George and watched George pull the bell cord beside him.

While waiting, he devoured all the scones on George's plate with a cup of warm tea.