Chapter 231: The Truth!

Chapter 231: The Truth!

Seeing this, Kaelen's heart sank.

Could it be that because of his own doing, Uncle Eisen had fallen directly into madness?

If that were the case, then this matter would truly be too ridiculous. He had come to help treat someone; originally, they only suffered from life's inconveniences, but after his treatment, they became critically ill?

But soon, Kaelen realized it was a false alarm, because the bloodshot color in Uncle Eisen’s eyes began to slowly recede, and his gaze grew soft... or rather, much more sorrowful.

This meant Uncle Eisen had not killed his sister under Kaelen's guidance, but in the past, he had done exactly that.

Perhaps in a dream, perhaps in a trance, facing his sister's pleas to him, he could not bear to let her continue suffering, and so he killed her.

For relatives, this was a form of release, but the one who struck could hardly vindicate himself from a rational standpoint.

Just like... Diss.

Kaelen knew that Diss had always brooded over killing his own son and daughter-in-law with his own hands back then, never walking out of it. For this, he even began to doubt the God of Order, paying an extremely heavy price, to the point of condensing a second fragment of divinity.

Although it was not Eisen who struck personally, that realistic feeling and the self-condemnation borne out of psychological morality were, in truth, not much different from striking personally.

This must be the cause of Eisen's illness.

He had actually walked out of it, because after that, he could continue to work, continue to raise his realm, and continue to walk on his path of life;

But he had left a part of himself forever in that scene, behind that door.

It was like having a huge, unhealing wound on one's body; even if left untouched, it would still hurt terribly when blown by the wind.

At this moment, Kaelen found that he had no way to comfort and guide the man before him.

You don't need to blame yourself; I don't blame myself.

Her death was not caused by you; I know it wasn't caused by me.

She won't blame you; I know sister won't blame me.

Kaelen could even foresee how Uncle Eisen would respond to him if he spoke these words of guidance and persuasion.

He had long seen through it, and had long comforted himself;

But he was,

Purely, uncomfortably sad.

This emotion had been accumulating in his heart, unable to dissipate, and eventually affected his mind, causing a disorder.

"Is the treatment over?" Uncle Eisen spoke up and asked.

"It's over."

"I feel a bit more comfortable." Uncle Eisen began to wipe the tear stains from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. "In fact, I know a problem has arisen within me, but I know even clearer that there is no way to solve it."

Kaelen nodded.

"What makes me feel very guilty is that because of my problem, my family has been affected. Although I try very hard, I find it increasingly difficult to bear the role of a son, a husband, and a father."

Uncle Eisen stood up, revealed a smile to Kaelen, and said, "I can feel your professionalism."

"Thank you."

"I haven't thanked you yet for saving my life and my wife's life. On that night, if you hadn't appeared in time, my wife and I would definitely no longer be around. Perhaps right now, a memorial service for us would be held at home."

Uncle Eisen spoke much more than before, and much more fluently. This was not because his condition had improved, but because the festering wound had just been violently torn open, and the intense pain gave his whole being a kind of reverse stimulation instead.

But this was only temporary. Before long, he would gradually change back, and furthermore, he might become even more sensitive—meaning there was a high probability his condition would worsen.

"It's what I should do."

"If you have any needs or need help, you can come look for me directly."

"Alright, Mr. Eisen."

"So now, I want to continue to be alone for a while."

"Alright."

Kaelen walked to the doorway, and when he was about to open the study door, he paused, turned around, and looked at Uncle Eisen:

"Mr. Eisen, actually, it's not that there is no treatment method."

"Oh?"

"I have a method; perhaps you can give it a try."

"Please speak."

Kaelen pointed a finger at his own face, then pointed at Uncle Eisen:

"Perhaps, you need a mask."

"A mask?"

"Yes. Briefly, occasionally, change to another identity."

"I don't want to escape."

"It's not to make you escape, but to let you vent."

"Vent..."

"These emotions accumulated in your body have never been able to find an outlet, just like a septic tank. Do you know what a septic tank is?"

"I know."

"Alright, it's roughly such a state. Under your current identity, you cannot go and vent it, but when you change to another identity, you will be able to convince yourself."

"Convince myself?"

"I think you can give it a try."

Uncle Eisen's biggest problem was... he had no problem that needed solving. He was rational, needing no persuasion or guidance. But when an overly rational person had a problem, they would instead fail to find that kind of emotional outlet akin to a bursting dam.

"I seem to understand your meaning a bit."

"The duration of this shouldn't be too long. You only need to occasionally change to another identity, then see the effects. I think there is a high probability you will find that under your current identity, you can become more normal."

"So, how exactly should it be done?"

"You need to promise me that you will keep it a secret."

"You are my savior. I know how to treat my savior."

Kaelen nodded. How should one put it? The promise of a socially anxious person always gave people a tremendous sense of reliability.

"I can ask someone to help make a mask for you. Putting it on, you will be able to turn into another person's appearance—not just the face, but the entire build, voice, and... temperament."

Uncle Eisen took out a card from his pocket, handed it to Kaelen, and said, "This is my allowance card. I know making such a mask is definitely not cheap."

Kaelen did not take the card, but smiled bitterly and said, "I cannot use this card of yours, because it cannot see the light. You had best give me cash."

"I don't have any."

"Your son should have quite a lot in his hands."

"Alright, I'll go ask Richard for it."

I'm sorry, cousin, this is all for your father's health.

"Additionally, there is one thing I would like to remind you of."

"Please, speak."

"It might benefit the dynamic between you and your wife if you were to hand over your allowance card to Lady Kathy for safekeeping."

"Very well, I understand."

"Most importantly, maintain absolute secrecy. Not even your family must know of your new identity."

"I comprehend, yet it feels to me that merely a new identity might not suffice to make a genuine difference."

"I know, I know." Karen raised a hand slightly. "I have already devised a plan for you, for I know of a place where one frequently encounters opportunities to give vent to one's emotions."

"Where would that be?"

"The Whiplash of Order squad."

"Do you mean..."

"Indeed. Our Hound squad. Our captain is absolute brute of a man, capable of leading us all to unleash our pent-up frustrations."

"But Richard..."

"To interact with one's own son under a different guise can be considered an excellent way to make up for the paternal affection missed in the past, can it not? After all, many fathers in this world wish they could become true friends with their sons."

Forgive me, cousin, but this is for your father's health.

"Very well, I agree. But as for my regular duties..."

"You may apply to higher authorities for a period of suspension and rest, citing psychological distress as the reason. After all, I believe the leadership would also feel uneasy allowing a clergyman suspected of being on the verge of losing himself to remain in such an important post. Though, this might affect your reputation."

"No matter. I care nothing for reputation."

"There is one more thing. Your becoming an auxiliary member of our Order squad requires our captain's approval. Our captain is not an easy man to fool, so I shall inform him of your identity. Rest assured, within the entire squad, only my captain and I will know who you truly are."

"Very well, that is fine."

"Once everything is arranged, I shall come to notify you."

"I will wait for you."

"Then the treatment plan is decided. Allow me to wish you a successful recovery in advance."

"But there is one question I wish to ask you. You need not answer if you choose not to."

"Please, ask."

"Karen, are you wearing a mask upon your face right now?"

Karen smiled and replied:

"If the heart is sincere enough, whether one wears a mask upon one's face ceases to matter, I think."

...

Karen stepped out of the study and walked back to the dining room.

To provide a suitable environment for Karen's "treatment," the members of the Guman household had not returned to the drawing room after dinner, but instead remained seated in the dining room.

Without waiting for anyone to inquire, Karen took the initiative to speak:

"Mr. Eisen's condition is very grave."

These words brought no surprise to anyone present; they were well aware of just how absurdly deteriorated Mr. Eisen's state had become.

"I have presented him with a treatment plan. I believe it should yield a certain effect, though the precise results can only be proven by time."

"Thank you, Karen."

Richard stood up and offered Karen his formal gratitude.

"It is only what I ought to do," Karen replied with a smile.

The elderly matriarch gestured toward Karen on her own accord:

"Karen, come here. Come, come to Grandmother."

Witnessing this, Lucy pressed a hand to her forehead, then covertly shifted her gaze to study Kathy, her sister-in-law.

Kathy wore a smile, but it was somewhat frozen.

Karen walked over to the old lady. She picked up a dish of dessert from before her, personally scooped a pudding-like morsel with a spoon, and held it to Karen's lips:

"Come, dear, open your mouth."

Old Delon looked on at this scene with a hint of perplexity; he felt his wife's attitude toward Karen seemed rather excessive.

Duck and his daughter Lucia also pointedly looked over at that moment, clearly having sensed something amiss as well.

Only Richard remained utterly oblivious, even offering an introduction:

"Karen, this is a jelly made by Grandmother's own hands. It is absolutely delicious."

Karen parted his lips and took the bite.

The old lady asked anxiously, "Is it sweet?"

"It is not sweet."

"Then, do you not like it?"

Karen shook his head and said, "It is just right, because I believe the highest praise for a dessert should be... that it is not sweet."

"Hehehehe."

The old lady laughed delightedly.

One could discern a person's palate from their culinary habits. The dishes the old lady prepared were noticeably less heavy than the typical Wien cuisine; Karen knew she favored light flavors.

"You truly are my darling. Grandmother loves you to pieces."

With that,

The old lady pointed her spoon at the others seated around the table and said:

"None of them understand how to eat. I know that you understand."

Indeed, adhering to a preference for light flavors among a gathering of native Wieners was no easy feat.

But did this also imply that the old lady was not a native of Wien?

Was this maternal grandmother of his from an outside land?

It seemed the probability of his suspicion was high. The faith his grandmother held was likely not Order, for the old woman's habitual phrase was never "May the God of Order bless us."

"Grandmother, I also enjoy experimenting with recipes in my spare time. We might exchange thoughts on the matter when opportunity permits in the future."

"Truly? Splendid! Splendid! Splendid!" The old lady set down the dessert and grasped Karen's hand, saying, "In the future, whether that boy Richard is at home or not, if you wish to come, just come directly. Oh, right, I do not usually reside here, but no matter. I intend to live here from this day forward, so it will be convenient for you to visit."

"Very well, Grandmother."

Lucy noticed that her sister-in-law Kathy's countenance had darkened to the point that it seemed ready to drip.

"I and your... your Mr. Delon are both advanced in years, and our time grows short. I hope that in the final chapter of my life, I can live as happily as possible. You have no parents and are a child of misfortune; you must look upon this place as your own home, do you hear?"

"Alright, Grandmother."

Richard smiled and spoke, "Grandmother, you're treating Karen even better than me, your actual grandson."

Lucy noticed that her sister-in-law's fingernails had already dug deep into the chair.

Old Master Delon spoke up, "Yes, this will be your home from now on. Come visit often."

Dark added his own welcome, "You are more than welcome at my house too, haha."

As he spoke, seeing no reaction from his wife, he gave her a gentle nudge with his hand.

Lucy instantly chimed in, "Mhm, yes, indeed. Welcome, welcome."

Kathy took a deep breath and stood up, her eyes slightly rimmed with red as she turned to Karen.

"Karen, thank you once again for saving me. Mother is right, this place will be your home from now on, so please make yourself at home."

Having finished, Kathy addressed the elderly woman and Old Master Delon, "Father, Mother, I think I would like to head upstairs to rest for a bit. I'm rather tired."

"Go on then, quickly. You are injured, so do not overexert yourself."

"Sister-in-law, let me help you up." Lucy also stood, supporting Kathy as they made their way upstairs.

"Grandmother, Mr. Delon, Mr. Dark, Miss Lucia, it is getting late. Thank you all for your kind hospitality, but I must take my leave now."

The remaining company in the dining room escorted Karen to the foyer, while Richard saw him out to his car.

Even after Karen had settled into the car, Richard leaned against the window and asked.

"Is there really a way to alleviate my father's condition?"

"Yes, there is."

"Thank you so much, Karen. Sometimes I truly don't know how to express it."

"Don't mention it, it's only what I should do."

I hope that when you learn the truth today, you won't hate me.

"Goodbye, drive safely."

"Goodbye, stay safe at home."

...

On the second floor, inside the bedroom.

The two sisters-in-law leaned against each other.

Kathy spoke, "It's impossible to be a mistake. It simply cannot be a mistake. I know Mother comes from the Alter family, and the Alters possess an incredibly powerful perception of things. She must have sensed Karen's bloodline, which is why she was so impatient to have Karen call her grandmother."

Lucy bit her lip, unable to refute anything regarding her own mother's affairs.

"Mother did that for my benefit. She did it on purpose to show me," Kathy said.

"Sigh..." Lucy did not know how to comfort her sister-in-law.

Putting herself in those shoes, she would certainly be even more frantic than her sister-in-law.

"He saved my life, Lucy. No matter what, he saved me and Eisen. That night, truly, if he hadn't appeared just in time, Eisen and I would certainly not be here now.

I will try to accept him. I will. It is what I ought to do. No matter what, he is blameless, he has done nothing but kindness to me.

It's just that Mother should have given me some time to process it. She should have considered my feelings a bit more. Truly, does she distrust me so much that she couldn't even wait a single moment?

I know what I should do, I know how I ought to behave, but Mother really shouldn't have done this, she shouldn't have, boohoo..."

No matter how formidable a woman might appear to the outside world, she would ultimately have her moments of vulnerability, even if she held the rank of a Justiciar.

"I think since Mother didn't openly expose the matter, there might still be a turn for the better. Is there any possibility that it's simply because Karen and Mother hit it off really well?"

"Do you honestly think that's possible, Lucy?"

"I'm just saying what if—what if there's a chance? Mother is advanced in years now, and when people grow old, they can become very sentimental. So, could it be that we've just misunderstood?

Even though you two have lived apart these past years because of my brother, I remember that in the beginning, the affection between you and my brother was wonderful. From falling in love to getting married, and then having Richard, you were always so devoted to each other, weren't you?

Karen is a bit older than Richard, isn't he? So how could it have happened back then?"

"Actually, your brother once told me that before he met me, he had an ex-girlfriend."

"He did? Who was she?"

"He told me she died during a mission... boohoo... He lied to me, Lucy! He actually lied to me!"

"I feel this matter still requires further thought, further understanding."

Just then, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Mr. Eisen appeared at the threshold.

Kathy instantly ceased her crying, and both women stared at the man standing in the doorway.

Mr. Eisen placed his allowance card into Kathy's hand, and then, without uttering a single word, turned to leave the bedroom, drawing the door shut behind him.

Kathy looked down at the allowance card in her hand,

then looked at Lucy,

and immediately began to weep even more bitterly:

"Boohoo... Lucy, he's compensating me, he's compensating me!!!"

Kathy held Lucy tightly, crying with utter heartbreak:

"Karen really is his illegitimate son!"