Chapter 11: Aberrant Demon?

Chapter 11: An Aberrant?

"Dis!"

"Yes."

The sensation of one's heart threatening to leap clear out of the throat was, as it turned out, no mere rhetorical exaggeration; Karen was experiencing it now.

Just as he stared at the childhood drawing, recognizing the murderer's identity and crying out in an involuntary gasp;

The "killer,"

Unnoticed, was already standing at the threshold,

And had even offered a reply:

"Yes."

That soft cadence, striking Karen’s ear, reverberated like a sudden clap of thunder.

Karen, who had been sitting on the spring bed, felt his spine snap rigid instantly, and he bolted to his feet.

At the same time,

The notebook in his hands snapped shut.

"Just now, were you calling for me?" Dis asked.

"I... yes, there is something."

Dis nodded. "I was looking for you for something as well."

"Ah, what a coincidence, Grandfather."

"Come to my study."

"Very well, Grandfather."

Dis turned and walked away.

The moment he heard the study door click open, Karen flung the notebook wide, tore the page cleanly from its spine, and crumpled it into a tight ball.

His eyes darted to the glass of milk and the cup of water resting on the desk, but he ultimately shoved the paper ball into his pocket, abandoning any notion of swallowing it.

Stepping out of the bedroom, Karen entered Dis’s study.

The furnishings in Dis’s study differed little from any ordinary library, bearing no marks of particular luxury or eccentricity; the chandelier in the center of the ceiling cast a steady glow.

Yet Karen remembered that on that fateful night, Dis had burned candles in this room.

Dis took his seat behind the desk, and Karen pulled a chair forward, seating himself with an air of natural ease—or at least, an appearance of it.

For the moment, Karen could only set the matter of the drawing aside in the recesses of his mind.

To begin with, he harbored no real affection for his "parents"; in truth, even within the fragments of the original Karen’s memories, their countenances had faded into obscurity. Thus, whether the death of Karen’s parents had truly been wrought by Dis’s hand, as the drawing depicted, did not alter the fundamental reality of his current predicament.

Furthermore, his immediate concern remained the preservation of his own life.

"Shall you speak first, or shall I?" Dis inquired.

"You first, Grandfather."

"Your uncle spoke to me of today's events, and of the new position he intends to arrange for you within the company.

You have grown so remarkably sanguine now, it seems, that you are capable of easing the heavy hearts of others?"

Karen replied, "It is precisely because I myself languished in melancholy for so long that I have learned the art of listening and the way to offer solace."

"Are you willing to undertake such tasks?"

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because I am a member of the Inmerace family. If I possess the capacity, I wish to aid the household—not merely the family business, but the people within it. My... family."

"A deacon's post has recently fallen vacant at the Mink Street Church. If your desire is to aid and counsel others, that position would, in truth, suit you far better."

"I have no wish to serve as a deacon in the church."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"I wish to act in my own right, under my own identity, rather than... borrowing the name of God."

"Is there a difference?"

"A profound difference."

"Wherein lies the distinction?"

"I believe the bond between kin is an innate birthright, not a dispensation from God. Between family members, there is no need for a divine lubricant."

"Continue."

"Uncle Mason requires funds, Aunt Mary requires funds, and Aunt Winnie, following her divorce, is also in need of money."

"The household does not lack for money."

"But the household is not yet wealthy enough."

"I do not particularly wish for my children to squander their lives entirely on the pursuit of wealth, for money can never be fully amassed, and life holds far more meaningful pursuits."

"And yet, the vast majority of meaningful pursuits are scarcely attainable if one's funds are wanting."

Dis fell silent, and Karen chose to hold his tongue.

After a long interlude,

Dis broke the stillness: "Are you so deeply enamored of money?"

"Grandfather, I have just said: my uncle, my aunts, as well as the growing children—Mina, Lunt, and Chris—they all require money. What my family needs is what I must strive to obtain."

Dis reached out, moving his hand toward the teacup on the desk.

Karen rose at once, lifting the thermos from the corner of the desk. "Grandfather, do you require fresh tea leaves?"

Dis shook his head.

Karen poured the hot water, set the thermos back down, and resumed his seat.

"Do you believe that by relying on this business, you can earn the wealth you deem sufficient and necessary? I am aware that you earned twenty thousand lubes today.

In truth, I am rather curious as to why that gentleman was willing to part with such handsome recompense."

"Because he recognizes true quality."

"Therein lies the problem. Those who recognize quality are always in the minority; those who recognize it, possess wealth, and are willing to spend it without stint are rarer still."

"I shall devise other means. I believe I can manage it."

"Very well." Dis took a sip of his tea. "Now, speak of your own matters."

"Grandfather, I wish to resume my studies."

"Oh? You desire to return to school?"

"Yes, Grandfather."

"And yet you just proclaimed a desire to work for the household, to earn wealth for the family."

"I do not need to attend school every day; I can self-study while helping out with the family chores, but I will need your assistance to sort out my official registration."

"You still intend to sit for the university entrance exams?"

"That is my intention."

"Which university do you aspire to?"

"St. John's University in the Kingdom of Wien. I have heard it is a world-class institution."

"It is, that is universally acknowledged, but do you truly believe you can study there?"

"I believe that as long as I study earnestly and strive continuously..."

"No, no, no."

Dis interrupted Karen's words.

"You have misunderstood my meaning."

"What is your meaning then, Grandfather?"

"I am old, and when people grow old, they crave stability, they like to see their children gathered around them."

Karen froze;

In his original calculations,

Going to another country for university was a way of handling their relationship that benefited both sides.

You know I am not your grandson,

And you know that I already know you know I am not your grandson,

Using a legitimate reason, I would leave the City of Luojia, leave the Kingdom of Ruilan;

In my perception, I would finally be rid of this family, I would be... free.

In your perception, that grandson of yours would actually still be alive, living in a faraway land, still pursuing his studies, allowing distance to create beauty and illusion;

This way, would it not be best for both sides?

Dis took another sip of tea and said, "I do not feel at ease with you traveling so far."

"But Grandfather... I have already grown up. According to the customs of Luojia City, I am fifteen and of age."

"In my eyes, you are still but a child, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless... I am dead."

Before I die, do not even think of breaking free from this family.

Of course, you could choose to run away, but, you are welcome to try.

Karen parted his lips slightly, drawing in a breath, and then the slight stiffness on his face melted once more into a genial warmth as he stood up and smiled:

"In truth, I cannot bear to leave you either, Grandfather. To be able to stay by your side has always been my greatest happiness."