Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Chapter Sixty-Three: Good Uncle

The crimson moon over Cassandra remains ever bright.

Lyle took off his clothes and digested the day's knowledge.

Knock knock.

Pick up Medusa, and the ball uses its tentacles to lift itself up, hovering directly above the goal.

Lyle opened the door.

Ralph stood outside, his face shrouded in shadow by the brim of his hat, making his expression impossible to discern.

“Uncle.” Lyle stepped aside and invited him in.

Ralph did not move.

“Bran Sherrell was taken to church three hours ago…”

"..."

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Why would my uncle suspect me?

“Because I am your family, I know you.” Standing outside Lyle’s hut, Ralph took off his hat and put it on Lyle’s head. “Your expression is very gloomy, that’s your weakness. Your emotions are always written on your face, and you need it more than I do.”

Lyle's face was obscured, but he could still see it: Ralph's cold face, the sharpness in his eyes still piercing.

"When you were in medical school, you injured a nobleman because he mocked my deceased brother. He was bruised on the face and had three teeth knocked out. It took me a lot of effort to treat him afterwards."

“Lyle, you are a good boy, but your pursuit of justice is always harsh and without limits. Your sense of justice makes you violent and impulsive.”

"I just scared him..."

“Use a living corpse? I should have killed William in the first place.” Ralph said these terrifying words calmly.

He seemed to believe that the wizard William had taught him magic.

So you're here to arrest me?

Did I say you did something wrong?

"No."

"Besides, I didn't receive any case requests. I just came to laugh at my ignorant nephew and see how childish his methods were."

“I’m glad you used unconventional methods. It’s true that no traces will likely be found at the scene, but you were too hasty. Your motive has clearly been exposed.”

Lyle sensed that this exchange about justice and morality had clearly taken a wrong turn. "Uncle, you're a sheriff, is it appropriate for you to discuss this with me?"

"Why is it inappropriate! If you, you little rascal, do something stupid again and cause this kind of trouble again, what will I do if I can't handle it!"

"Hey, you're going to protect me? But that's not a good idea."

“I appreciate your intentions, but I don’t approve of your methods. Garrett should have told you that the case was assigned to me, but you still did it yourself. Don’t you trust my abilities?”

"Because the current laws cannot give him the punishment he deserves."

“What the law can’t provide, I, Ralph, can take even more drastic measures. I originally planned to use your evidence to extort money from him and make him suffer a huge loss, but now? He’s been frightened and has become a victim instead. He not only didn’t lose anything, but he also gained other people’s sympathy. I know what you did was very satisfying, but feeling good won’t solve anything.”

“You need to grow up, Lyle.”

"I understand."

"Trust your elders more. I'm definitely more experienced than you, naive boy."

"Ah."

Ralph put the hat back on his head, and his nephew had returned to his usual calm.

"I'm going to investigate the scene now. If you need to go out tonight, remember to lock the door."

"Want more?"

Ralph walked into the night.

“I stood outside the door for an hour until a white light brought you back. Study those things, and be careful.”

……

The next day.

Three figures stood before Mr. Garrett's desk.

He adjusted his monocle and looked at the investigation report in his hand.

"Ralph, is this your investigation record?"

"Yes, sir, I spent a night at Sheri Manor gathering information from that pile of vomit and several servants who seemed to have severe communication difficulties in order to produce this detailed report."

Lyle had just read Ralph's report; it was a beautifully written and meticulously detailed report that vividly depicted the scene, even dedicating two paragraphs to the steak on the plate. It was a report that appeared professional but was actually more like a detective novel, because it would give the reader a false sense of perception, confusing them—like a strong alcoholic beverage targeting both sight and mind.

Gallette nodded, glancing at Lyle. “Excellent, such literary work… This case is surely something those gentlemen would enjoy. What is your conclusion, Ralph?”

"Based on my professional investigation, Mr. Bran Sherry may be suffering from mild paranoia and needs church treatment."

"This is truly heartbreaking news, especially for one of our sheriff's sponsors. I wanted to mourn for him for a quarter of an hour, but there is still a city of Cassandra waiting for our help."

"So, Ralph, your case is closed. Now, I'd like to introduce you to our new member, Ms. Karen Pombay, who has excellent practical experience as a member of the Order of the Dawn. She's been assigned to your group, so please take good care of her, Ralph."

This was probably the most times Mr. Garrett had ever called Ralph by his real name.

Karen was wearing a brand-new sheriff's uniform, her blonde hair was tied up at the back of her head, and her top hat was probably the smallest size. She looked completely refreshed and quite presentable.

She still performed her standard chest-pounding salute.

"Commander Relf, ​​Karen Pombay reports to you. If possible, I would like to overlap my work scope with His Excellency Relf's as much as possible."

Ralph's previously indifferent eyes brightened slightly, revealing an expression Lyle had never seen before, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope for life.

Ralph forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, his lips twitching as he spoke.

"Welcome, Karen. If you don't mind, you can call me Ralph. There's no need for 'sir.' I prefer to maintain a relationship with my subordinates that's more like family."

Has the world ended?

Lyle watched all this in astonishment, seeing Ralph's desperately maintained smile.

Soon after, the three began their patrol, and while they were getting ready, Lyle was called aside.

Looking at Ralf's serious face.

"nephew."

"Ah."

"That's all I can do to help. Whether it works or not depends on your own efforts."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"What do you mean? It means you're about to get married. Karen is a good girl, and you're twenty. I think you're a perfect match."

"What are you thinking? I only met her for the first time last night!" I never imagined that Ralph would turn out like this.

“What am I thinking! The moment I saw her, it was as if I saw my grand-nephew’s face. Lyle, you are the only heir of the Bühler family! You are responsible for the continuation of life!”

"Don't blame it all on me! You're in the prime of your life."

"I don't care! I want to hold the future bloodline of the Bühler family in my hands for the next five years! So you'd better start working hard now."

Chapter Sixty-Four: The Reckless Holy Knight Karen

Cassandra's main street was peaceful, with pedestrians crisscrossing, shops opening for business, and the sound of carriage wheels turning. Although they were in a hurry, life was vibrant, and all aspects of life were on display.

This is only one side of society, and only the relatively good part.

Well-dressed gentlemen and ladies, beautiful handicrafts in the shops, and clean streets—it's like a painting displayed in a museum.

A shiny surface.

This is an affluent area, and within a hundred meters, the darkness of this world has accumulated. They haven't cleaned it up; they've only swept away what they can't see.

If you were to continue your journey there, you would not be able to maintain such a leisurely mood. A moment of distraction could lead to losing your purse, and a moment of carelessness could result in your death.

While Lyle accompanied the curious Karen as they strolled through the bustling streets, Ralph was in the shadows, dealing with the rubbish of the era.

Being a sheriff is not an easy job, it never has been.

But today, Lyle will have a pretty easy time.

Ralph made a request: Lyle's task for the day was to enjoy life with Ms. Karen Pombay and take walks in the affluent neighborhood.

Karen was curious about everything around her. She would walk carefully behind Lyle, imitating Lyle's every move, but her attention would soon be drawn away again.

"Karen".

“I am here! Your Excellency Lyle, I absolutely did not look at that porcelain vase with its exquisite carvings!”

"Karen, do the young people in the church rarely come to the market?"

“Unless required by mission, we have senior monks who explain the common sense of life, but rarely have firsthand experience to avoid being tainted by the original sin of the world. Our time is usually fully scheduled.”

"What arrangements? Please tell me if you don't mind."

"I have nothing to hide from Your Excellency the Pure One. In addition to the daily necessities of life, we pray, chant scriptures, practice the Holy Light, and learn combat skills with weapons, usually flail, warhammer, longsword and scepter, and also participate in the bishop's mission."

As Karen rattled off a long list of heavy weapon names, Lyle swallowed hard.

It was as if he could see the day his necromancy was exposed, with Kallen, dressed in an elegant nun's habit, smashing open his door and dragging a warhammer longer than his own, physically exorcising him.

Is this the proper way for nuns to be?

"Karen, do nuns all prefer to use heavy weapons? I mean, as far as I can remember, nuns always carry some kind of ceremonial staff."

"Your impression of Lyle is not wrong. As messengers who lead people to goodness, nuns mostly retain their gentle image."

"So, Karen, you're an exception?"

"What exception? I'm not a nun, I'm a paladin! Lord Lyle, there's a difference between paladins and nuns!"