Chapter 541: Loyalty

Chapter 541: Loyalty

Philomena placed Karen in the passenger seat, and just as she was about to close the door, Karen reminded her:

"Seatbelt."

Philomena bent down once more and fastened the seatbelt for Karen.

"Captain, I've noticed you always care so much about these details."

It was not merely because he was injured; even when he was perfectly healthy, Philomena had noted that Karen never failed to buckle up whenever he rode in a car, despite the fact that he would easily survive even the most catastrophic of traffic accidents.

"It is called respecting the details; it always yields a return."

"Alright."

Philomena slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and stepped firmly on the accelerator.

Instead of moving forward, the car reversed, quickly slipping off the road and sliding down into a ditch.

Bang!

Following a violent shudder, the front of the car reared high into the air.

"Cough, cough..."

Karen coughed repeatedly, reaching out to feel the seatbelt strapped across him as he spoke:

"You see? Here is your return already."

Philomena stared blankly at the steering wheel in her hands and asked:

"What should we do?"

"Call for a tow truck, or you could go down and push the car back onto the road."

"Okay."

Philomena stepped out of the vehicle and leapt into the ditch. Before long, a powerful thrust surged from behind, and the sedan returned to the pavement; she had truly pushed the car back up.

Immediately after, Philomena climbed back into the driver's seat and turned the key again; after a few attempts, the engine sparked back to life.

Karen felt that the secondhand black Ponz he had purchased back then was truly worth every penny; its build quality was beyond reproach.

"You haven't learned how to drive yet?"

"Richard said he would teach me, but he hasn't had the chance. I will have him teach me once we get back."

"Mm, drive slowly. Come, I will show you how to shift gears. Just drive like this, nice and slow, it doesn't matter."

"Alright."

The sedan finally began to move forward, crawling slowly onto the main thoroughfare where traffic grew denser; because they were moving at a snail's pace, they drew the ire of the drivers behind them, who honked their horns incessantly.

Philomena frowned and said, "Annoying."

"Ignore them, just focus on your own driving."

Fortunately, though their pace was agonizingly sluggish, they did not encounter any enraged drivers pulling ahead to cut them off and shout curses.

After all, the young woman at the wheel had just driven a blade through her own grandmother's head; her emotions had not yet settled, and she was in no state to handle further provocation.

At long last, the car pulled into the headquarters building parking lot. Philomena let out a long breath, released her grip on the steering wheel, and flexed her hands a few times.

"My palms didn't even sweat when I killed my grandmother."

"It is fine. You can only kill your grandmother once, but you can practice driving many times."

"Are we getting out, Captain?"

"Stay in the car. We wait for the Director. He should have spotted my car by now. Light me a cigarette, please."

"Alright."

Once the cigarette was lit, Philomena spoke up, "Right now, I feel as though I have just awakened from a dream, yet also as if I am still dreaming."

"Then let me give you a piece of advice."

"Hmm?"

"Be just as you were before, and remain so hereafter. There is no need to force a change simply because your grandmother is dead or alive. Just like making soybean paste, there are some things in this world that must be left to the custody of time."

"I understand, Captain."

Just then, Neo walked out of the building. His eyes caught the secondhand black Ponz parked there instantly, and leaning his arm against the passenger window, he reached a hand inward to feel beneath Karen's nose.

Karen asked, "What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you're still breathing."

"I am fine."

"You are truly insane, reducing yourself to such a state. If I had known, you should have sent me a crow beforehand so I could have ordered a hearse to pick you up. It would have saved us a few steps."

As he spoke, Neo glanced toward Philomena in the driver's seat and inquired curiously:

"So, should I call you by your name, or should I call you Madame?"

Karen suggested, "Call her Grandmother."

"Heh." Neo let out a yawn. "It seems the results were good; you brought the person back again."

"Brought back a genius."

"So it was perfect then?"

"It would have been even more perfect had I not been injured."

"I might as well grant you a leave of absence so you can get some proper rest. Now that the Naton family has been overthrown, the next step is merely rounding up a few small fry, which doesn't require your attention anyway.

Those above will also want us to settle down a bit, absorb the 'territory' we have seized, and simultaneously provide a template for sister units in other districts to follow."

"Mm. Once my wounds are mostly healed, near the end of my vacation, we will go to Compaccini's burial ground."

Hearing this, Neo stole another meaningful glance at Philomena, realizing that from now on, this young woman would be one of their own.

"The liquidation of the Naton family's finances is nearing its end. Once everything is wrapped up, I will settle the accounts with that manservant of yours."

"Mm, just deal with him. I don't feel like doing math right now."

"When have you ever done the math? By the way..." Neo blinked, asking with a smile, "Should we settle the accounts for the Felsher family along with it?"

"Director, have you ever heard the phrase 'preying on the heirless dead'?"

"I can guess its general meaning, but you cannot slander me. I am merely concerned that it might be unsafe for a young girl to safeguard such a vast fortune all by herself, making her prone to accidents."

"Director, just how shameless must you be to describe our 'young girl' in such a manner?"

Philomena spoke up on her own initiative, "I do not know what property remains in my family. If possible, Director, you may liquidate it for me."

"Listen to that, just listen!" Neo slapped the car door. "Now that is what I call awareness, that is what I call trust!"

"That is her property." Karen felt somewhat helpless. "It would be perfectly fine to borrow it later and calculate interest as an investment, but the liquidation process..."

"Tsk. Why would I covet tickets that can be legally laundered out in the open? Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to cook the books? Rest assured, I will bring your manservant along when the time comes."

"Mm, that is well then."

"Alright, I get it. Enjoy your vacation. I will call Muri down to take you to the Church Hospital. As for her, I will take her back with me."

Neo hooked his finger at Philomena.

Karen nodded: "Go on."

Philomena got out of the car and followed Neo toward the headquarters building.

Though all of this was done in "silence," the truth was that the Felsher family's affairs would inevitably attract the attention of the district's higher-ups. Only one of them, Philomena or her grandmother Madam Felsher, could return, so her identity needed to be redefined through another official procedure.

Karen wouldn't trust anyone else with this, but with Neo leading her, Karen knew there would be no problems.

The director could be unreliable in many matters, but if you truly entrusted him with something and he agreed, he would genuinely get it done.

Before long, Muri came jogging over, slipped into the driver's seat, and observed carefully: "Captain, let me take you to the church hospital."

"No, home."

"Should I call Blanche over right now to help treat and tend to your wounds?"

"I want to sleep. Wait until I get back, lie down in bed, and fall asleep. Only then should you call Blanche to trouble her to come over. Right now... I'm very sleepy."

"Yes, understood."

Muri started the car and delivered Karen to the funeral parlor. As they pulled up to the entrance, Karen reminded him: "Bring a stretcher to carry me inside."

"Yes."

Soon, Muri and Alfred pushed out a stretcher meant for transporting corpses, and Karen lay upon it as he was wheeled into the master bedroom.

"Oh, heavens, Karen, did you go out to fight a war!"

"Woof, woof, woof!"

"Young Master, you are..." Xili also walked over.

"Quiet, I'm going to sleep first."

Having said this, Karen closed his eyes, not only due to the exhaustion from his soul injuries, but because the atmosphere of home was comforting, making it easy to drift away.

...

"Tick... tick... tick..."

"Sigh..."

In his dream, Karen let out a sigh.

He knew it was that War Scythe entering his dream again, but he really couldn't be bothered to pay it any mind.

"Tick... tick... tick..."

Karen continued to sleep within his own dream, and as he slept on, he eventually slept right through the dream itself.

From beginning to end, that War Scythe remained before him, swaying back and forth, swaying back and forth...

...

Waking up, he opened his eyes.

Purr’s feline face hovered close, her amber cat-eyes staring intently at him.

She must have sensed the change in his breathing, anticipating his awakening in advance.

"How long did I sleep..."

"Not too long, half a day. Blanche has already been here to treat your external trauma. There's nothing majorly wrong with the physical wounds, you just need rest, but your soul... why does it look like it’s been gnawed on by a dog!"

"Woof!"

"Shut up, don't interrupt!"

"Didn't Alfred tell you?"

"I know you went to the Felshers, but I didn't expect you to end up looking like this. Seriously, if you weren't Karen, and if I didn't know the unique nature of your soul, I would truly think you were ruined. Even Doradorin was much healthier than you when she was infected.

Hey, hey, hey, what are you getting up for?"

"Young Master?"

The door to the master bedroom opened, and Alfred walked in, seeing his young master struggling in an attempt to stand up.

"I want to see if I can still stand." Karen said as he continued to exert force. The injuries to his legs and abdomen were manageable, but the wound on his shoulder made it difficult for his arms to support his weight.

Alfred stepped out of the bedroom and brought back two new crutches.

Then he personally helped Karen up, placing the crutches beneath Karen's armpits.

"Barely able to take a few steps," Karen evaluated himself.

"Aren't you amazing, meow, you've actually learned how to walk, my Lord Adjudicator."

"Why do you sound like you have gunpowder in your mouth right now?"

"Gunpowder in my mouth? Karen, count for yourself just how many days you haven't come home. What kind of good attitude do you expect from me? I'm not your wife!"

"Woof, woof!"

"Shut up, meow!"

"I've just been a bit busy lately," Karen explained rather perfunctorily.

"You're busy? Even after Dis blew up the temple, he knew to come home and sleep. You're busier than he was!"

"Now you're being a bit unreasonable. If I had Grandfather's ability to blow up temples, I could rest at home every day and wouldn't even bother working overtime."

"Hmph, meow."

"Young Master, the director has informed me of a few matters, and I will handle the handover with him."

"Mm, good."

Karen nodded. No one could resist the temptation of having an Alfred in their life and work.

"There is one more thing, Young Master, for which I need your explicit approval."

"You may take Philomena to the Allen Manor performance hall."

Karen anticipated what Alfred was going to ask.

"Yes, Young Master."

"Are Muri and Ventura at the headquarters?"

"They should be at the apartment right now."

"Have them escort me back to the Allen Manor. You stay behind to handle those matters with Neo. Remember, if he shows any signs of going mad, let me know in advance."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Are we going back to the manor, meow?" The moment she heard they were going home, Purr's mood instantly brightened.

Karen looked down at Kevin, who was crouching at his feet, and said: "Kevin, come along too. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long. Once my soul injuries have recovered a bit, I will help you unseal the next layer."

"Woof, woof!"

Kevin wagged his tail in excitement.

"Call them over, we shall set off now."

Alfred suggested in a low voice: "But given your current physical condition, Young Master, your subordinate feels it is unsuitable for a bumpy ride. It would be more appropriate to rest for a day or two before going."

Karen shook his head and said, "I am afraid something else might happen. It is best to go now while the injuries are at their worst; I do not want to delay any longer."

"Exactly, exactly, meow!"

"Have Muri drive the hearse. You go to the storeroom and select the most comfortable coffin. Lying inside a coffin, I will not have to fear the bumps."

"Very well, Young Master."

...

The coffin was black, its inner lining of silk exceedingly soft; lying within, the space did not feel cramped at all, but rather quite comfortable.

Ventura and Muri carried the coffin out together. Madam Lake was holding a bowl, beating eggs, when she caught sight of a coffin being borne out of Karen's room. Terrified, the bowl slipped from her hands and shattered upon the floor, spilling egg liquid everywhere.

She was Pavaro's wife, and thus knew a few things about the ecclesiastical circles; moreover, her husband had vanished in just such a sudden manner.

Her emotions fracturing, Madam Lake threw herself against the side of the coffin. Ventura froze for a moment, having no time to explain.

It was only when Madam Lake saw Karen lying within the coffin with his eyes wide open—indeed, he even blinked once at her—that her emotions choked instantly in her throat, unable to be coughed out or swallowed down.

"You..."

"Madam, let us hold Mr. Pavaro's funeral after I return. I intend to turn it into a memorial service, but as you can see, my current physical condition is not suitable."

"Very well, that is perfectly fine. He would not mind anything."

After all, Madam Lake had known of her husband's death for a long time; the period of deep mourning had long since passed, and she was now merely in an intermittent phase of grief triggered by familiar objects.

"Mr. Karen, your body..."

"It is no great matter. I am going to the countryside manor to recuperate for a time."

"Very well, please take care of your health."

"Yes. You may simply speak to Alfred regarding matters at home."

Karen was lifted onto the hearse. The coffin fit precisely into the groove in the middle of the vehicle, which served as a double layer of shock absorption.

Once the hearse started forward, Purr leapt onto the edge of the coffin, looking down at Karen, who appeared rather comfortable lying inside, and said:

"I wager you must be thinking of Mason right now."

"How did you know?"

"Because that was exactly how Mason and the others fetched you from the hospital last time."

"Yes."

"Can I jump onto your chest?" Purr asked.

"Gently."

Purr dropped down, exceedingly light indeed.

"Tell me, have you stayed with that director of yours for too long and caught his affliction? Why were you so mad this time?"

"There was simply no time," Karen said with a touch of helplessness. "If I had not used the Scythe of War to slash myself in that meal's basement, causing injuries to my soul, this matter could originally have been quite simple."

"Then you did not have to rush there."

"Madam Felsher would not have made an appointment with me; it just so happened to coincide. Furthermore, though the clash within the realm of consciousness was tense, it was still entirely within control.

The main thing was that I did not expect that after the consciousness clash ended, with both sides reduced to a terrible state, we would still have a brief encounter in the living room. The injuries upon my body were left from that moment."

"It was still far too dangerous, meow."

"Very well, very well, I shall be careful next time."

At this moment, Ventura also poked his head over and said, "Captain, next time there is any dangerous business, just bring me along."

Purr retorted directly, "Go on, it is not a matter of bringing you or not. Little Pebble, go play on the side."

Ventura could only scratch his head and sit back down.

"Ah, that woman Felsher is truly quite absurd. She kept yearning for Dis, yet she was cursed to death in a relay by Dis's grandson. I think it would be truly difficult to find anything more amusing than this in the world."

"There is."

"What?"

"Bernard on the Dark Moon Island."

Purr: "..."

"Very well, I wish to sleep a little longer. It is a rare thing to have such an excellent environment for an afternoon nap."

"Do you need me to have Little Pebble put the coffin lid on for you?"

"No need."

"Oh, right, there is one more thing. I originally did not want to ask, nor did I want to urge you, but... my great-great-great-great-niece should no longer be drowsy by now. What do you intend to do?"

"What must be done, shall be done."

Purr shook her head,

Sighing with emotion:

"Only a man who is a true scoundrel could speak such proper words."

...

The Allen Manor had already received notice in advance that Karen would return to rest and recuperate from his injuries.

At this current stage, even putting aside his connection to Dis, Karen's present status and position were already sufficient for the Allen Manor to treat him as a truly distinguished guest.

"How beautifully dressed. My daughter truly looks like an angel."

Madam Jenny praised as she looked upon Eunice, who was wearing a white gown.

Hearing these words, Eunice hesitated slightly and said:

"Then I should change into another set."

"What, does he not like angels?" Madam Jenny, after all, was someone who had lived through these things; she understood instantly and smiled, "It seems he prefers someone a bit more mature, is that it?"

"Mother..."

"Very well, very well, your fiancé is returning, and I am merely happy for you."

"But Mr. Alfred said Karen suffered very severe injuries."

"What, are you blaming him for only thinking of returning to see you when he is injured? You ought to think of your mother. I, for one, wish your father would be sent back injured from the outside, yet he is now running all over the world with another man. To whom can I complain?"

"Father will return."

"Let him be. I shall wait another half a year for him. If he does not return by then, I shall attend the banquets of those dukes and counts to add a bit of creative inspiration for his future works."

"Mother, you are making that sort of joke again."

"Very well, very well, if you want to change, how about this red one? It looks a bit more mature."

"Madam, Young Mistress, the Eldest Master has sent someone to convey that Lord Karen is about to arrive."

"Very well, we know. Come, come, daughter, let me help you look for clothes again. Oh... what are these things with dense, tiny holes? Stockings?"

...

On a bright and sunny afternoon, Old Anderson, standing at the manor gates ready to welcome the guest, watched a hearse drive up before him, and immediately following that, beheld a coffin being carried down.

A tremor rippled through Old Anderson’s eyelid as he drew in a sharp breath, stepping forward to look upon Cullen resting within the coffin, and spoke with profound reverence:

“Welcome home, Master Cullen, to the manor that shall remain forever loyal to you.”