13 Mink Street

Richard had already told the newcomer he would take him to a pastry shop. During this mission, from the conversations Richard had overheard with the captain and Memphis’s exchanges with Karon, Richard had clearly sensed that the newcomer was no ordinary person, and because of that, Richard felt even more strongly that he should take him to a pastry shop to build a closer relationship.

After all, the young master of the Gorman family had an outgoing nature and excelled most at making connections.

The captain stretched lazily, then his gaze swept across the group. At once, everyone fell silent, though there had not been a sound to begin with. Although the fake captain had been shot dead by Karon, the fact that their real captain had been taken away served as proof of his strength. The hunting hounds of the Hunting Hounds squad had always seen their leader more clearly than anyone else.

After waiting for more than half an hour, black mist gradually began to seep into the secret chamber. The sight placed enormous psychological pressure on everyone. It brought about a grim sensation of being sealed within a gas chamber while awaiting execution.

Karon knew this had not been done deliberately. This was something more along the lines of a preset template. Since they had borrowed the setting of an interrogation room of the Whip, the mechanisms that followed would naturally be tied to that same system. If nothing unexpected happened, interrogation rooms likely used this tactic to break a prisoner's mental defenses.

At last, when the black mist reached a certain density, every light source around them vanished completely.

"Hah..." Karon opened his eyes and sat up. Eisen had also just risen, while the captain was already standing in front of them, doing stretches.

The sky was still dark, but a full day had passed. This meant that everyone had lain on the hillside for that entire time. Muscle soreness was unavoidable, as was the gnawing hunger in their stomachs.

Gradually, everyone woke. Marlow and the others in the squad’s second team walked up from below. Karon took the initiative and approached the man. "I'm sorry. In that situation, I was certain the captain was fake, and so naturally assumed that you, whom the captain had just brought back, were also fake. That's why I shot at you."

Marlow reached out, slapped Karon on the shoulder, and laughed. "How is that a big deal? I understand completely. Look at you, even coming over specially to explain yourself. Was that really necessary?"

Karon nodded. Sure enough, once freed from the chairs and isolation, the atmosphere between teammates instantly returned to one of understanding and tolerance.

"Ah, my neck." Fannie rubbed her neck. She had probably slept in a bad position. Karon crouched down and gently massaged it for her. "Mmm... ah... that feels good..."

Seeing this, Paige said to Karon, "Oh my, my chest cramped up too."

Without his hands so much as pausing on Fannie's neck, Karon replied, "Careful, stress causes breast lumps."

"..." Paige.

"Alright, much better." Fannie smiled at Karon.

He stood and walked over to the captain. "Captain, everyone is starving."

Nio looked at Karon and said, "Do you know how much it would cost to find a random farmhouse in the outskirts and feed this many people for just one meal?"

"Uh... I can guess." Generally speaking, country farmhouses were never cheap.

"There’s no rush. Someone will be here soon to treat us." Nio continued his stretching. "When I first received this mission, I already thought that something about it felt strange, but my thoughts didn’t go in this direction. Next time, I'll pay more attention and try not to accept missions like this again."

It's fine. I've already made arrangements.

Sure enough, before long, two trucks drove over and stopped at the base of the hill. The drivers were members of the church. Nio walked down first and began speaking with the leader, and then signed a document. After that, he shouted to the members above, "Come down. Sign and eat!"

Everyone went down and signed the confidentiality agreements. Almost no one bothered to carefully read the terms. This was not because they did not care about their rights, but because everyone knew perfectly well that no objection they raised would be able to change the document.

The meal itself was plain enough: bread and milk tea. The milk tea had been made by adding a little tea leaf, a little milk, and a great deal of water.

There were also bottles of nutritional solution. They were credit-bought goods, though they could also be purchased with rels in the real world, albeit at a steep price.

After this, the people also needed to feed some of the food to Anthony's and Kassel's squads, so that their real bodies would not starve or die of thirst.

Karon suddenly thought of a very serious consequence. His own squad had only lain on the hillside for a single day, and all of them were adults with reasonable bodily control. However, if they had gone through several more cycles of the loop, would their real bodies have ended up relieving themselves in their clothes?

Tch... For a moment, Karon felt even more fortunate that he had refused any follow-up arrangements for this kind of mission.

While drinking a nutritional solution, the captain grabbed a large number and stuffed them into Karon's arms. Seeing this, Karon could only tuck them into his inner pockets.

Richard, standing beside him, saw this and immediately copied the captain. He sneakily grabbed a large handful and shoved them into Memphis's arms. The man had no time to react, causing several bottles to fall to the ground.

"Hurry and pick them up, hide them," Richard urged.

Memphis ignored him and continued eating his bread slowly.

"Heh. I can tell you've never lived through hard times."

Still tearing pieces from his bread, Memphis asked, "You've lived through hard times?"

"Of course. Back when I was little, my family had it rough. My dad stayed home all day doing nothing, and my mom ran away. Some days we had food, some days we didn't. Sigh."

"Oh, I see."

Hearing this exchange, Karon could not help wanting to laugh. He turned to look at Richard, but Richard beat him to it. "Karon, let's go to the pastry shop later. This mission was exhausting. I think we deserve to relax properly."

As he spoke, Richard threw an arm around Memphis and grinned. "I already made plans with the newcomer. We'll go together later, hehe."

"The two of you... are going to a pastry shop together?"

"Yeah. You coming?"

"I'll pass. You two enjoy the pastries." Karon felt certain that once they got home, his cousin was going to have a very bad time. Often, people who tended to speak little became the most violent when truly angry.

The trucks carried everyone to the rail junction. When a train passed, everyone jumped aboard.

Karon noticed that once they had boarded the train, everyone watched the passing scenery with unusual vigilance. Their previous experience had left a shadow lingering on them; They were all afraid this might turn into another loop.

Tests like this inevitably affected those being tested.

Fortunately, the train finally pulled into the station. After everyone got off, relief was plain on their faces.

"The post-mission gathering is postponed for now, because I believe what everyone wants most right now is to go home, take a hot bath, and sleep properly in bed. Alright, dismissed," Nio dismissed the squad, not conducting any review or analysis of the mission. Today's test was subject to confidentiality, and was thus unsuitable to discuss publicly.

"Captain, then I'll head back first."

"Mhmm. I'll come talk with you tomorrow." Nio made a hand gesture like holding a telephone. “I'll call first if I’m coming."

"Understood, Captain. You're welcome anytime. Call ahead, and I'll cook."

"Oh, now I'm already looking forward to it. You head on back. I need to stop by the Church Affairs Building and drag out that deputy director who assigned me this mission so I can beat him."

"Throw a punch for me too."

"Of course."

Karon got into his car, but before he could start it, the rear doors opened and Richard and Memphis both climbed in.

"You want me to drive you to a pastry shop?" Since awakening in this life, Karon had done many crazy things, yet none seemed crazier than driving a father and son to a brothel.

"This newcomer is shy; too embarrassed to go. Just look at his face and habits, and you can tell he's the quiet type who doesn't like talking. Sigh."

Richard sighed again, then continued, "Relax. You cover me on missions, I'll cover you in life. I'm most experienced at guiding introverted people."

Karon nodded. "Then do your best."

"Hahaha, Karon, just take me home. I arrived by taxi. Oh right, newcomer, where do you live? I remember you came in Karon's car too, right?"

Karon answered, "Memphis's home is very close to mine. I'll take you home first, so you can let your family know that you're safe. Actually, back at the platform, you could've borrowed the administrator office’s phone to call ahead already."

"No rush, no rush. I'm not a child. It was just one mission, nothing major."

"I'm worried your grandmother and the others might be concerned."

"They're more likely to worry about my dad than me. You know what, Karon? My dad took a long leave the day before we went on this mission."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yeah. Right now Grandmother, Mother, and Aunt are probably more worried he'll suddenly snap and kill himself."

"It isn't that serious."

"Who can say? Anyway, I can't be bothered to worry anymore. Sometimes I even think it'd be better if my mom remarried a more normal man sooner."

Karon silently pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it.

"Don't you not smoke?" Richard asked curiously.

Holding the cigarette between his fingers, Karon tapped ash out the window. "This one's for you."

"For me? Then give me one too."

Karon handed over the cigarette pack and lighter. "If you can smoke, then smoke."

Richard took the pack, pulled out two cigarettes, and offered one to Memphis. Memphis did not reach out.

"Heh, you don’t even know how to smoke." Richard lit one for himself, but did not inhale. Instead, he drew the smoke into his mouth, puffing out his cheeks. He blew a perfect smoke ring ahead of him. He glanced sideways at Memphis and said, "This is a man's charm. The kind that can circle a woman's heart. Otherwise, your wife will run off on her own."

"Heh heh heh..." Karon truly could not hold it in anymore. He laughed.

"Hahaha..." Seeing that his performance had earned a reaction from Karon, Richard laughed along with him.

Karon understood well enough why Richard was acting so lively in front of Memphis. There was an element of deliberate showing off to it, much like the enthusiasm Richard had shown when first meeting Karon. The young man possessed an instinctive affinity for those he shared a blood connection with. It was precisely because Richard liked this newcomer that he was trying so hard to say exaggerated things and make exaggerated gestures in front of him.

Finally, they reached the Gorman residence. After getting out, Richard still leaned by Karon's car window and said, "Come visit the house sometime. My grandmother likes you a lot."

"I will. Also, regarding your father..."

"Him? He's beyond saving. Don't waste your energy."

"Understood."

Richard made an exaggerated flourish, then spun and pointed diagonally ahead. "The loyal Whip is about to return to his warm, loving home!"

Karon echoed, "The Whip is going home."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Karon started the car and drove out of the district before stopping. He could not go too far, Memphis—- no, Eisen still had to go home.

"I'd like to ask something. May I?"

Karon nodded inwardly. What was coming had to come. "Please do."

"What happened?"

A concise question.

Karon stretched lazily. His mind raced as he wove together an explanation. It was not an easy explanation, so while still constructing it, he said, "Make a guess?"

"I don't dare guess."

Karon pursed his lips tightly as he looked up to see Eisen through the rearview mirror. The man was looking back through the mirror as well, but Karon noticed that Eisen's gaze was evasive.

In truth, Karon had noticed this behavior long ago. Ever since leaving that chamber, even with Richard constantly joking between them, Eisen had not once looked directly at Karon. Most likely, in that special space, Karon's vast and majestic figure had left another deep shadow in his uncle's heart.

Good, you're afraid. And if you're afraid, then I have nothing to fear.

The smile gradually faded from Karon's face. His gaze grew deeper and deeper.

In the mirror, he saw Eisen's neck unconsciously shrink downward. The man’s eyes began wandering, not daring to meet Karon's. For a man born into an orthodox church family, a Temple Elder represented solemnity, gravity, and greatness. In fact, outside of Karon's unusual household, almost everyone within ecclesiastical circles held beings of that level in the utmost reverence.

The silence lasted for roughly a minute. Karon's expression became increasingly severe, while Uncle Eisen looked more and more like a frightened rat.

Most likely, when he had first asked Karon that question, he had already summoned all of his courage, because in his heart, Eisen had already come to certain answers. Most importantly, in that environment, he had witnessed things with his own eyes— no, hundreds of eyes had witnessed it with him. It was absolute truth, absolute credibility, with no room for denial or doubt.

"Heh..." Karon gave a soft laugh.

Eisen opened his mouth as though breathing had become difficult. His hands unconsciously clenched at his trouser legs.

Seeing his uncle like this, Karon grew a little reluctant. He did not enjoy putting on an act before strangers only to continue the act before his own relatives. It brought him no pleasure.

But he had to protect himself, Tiz, and the Gorman family. From his uncle's present reaction alone, it was clear how sacred the Church of Order stood in the hearts of the Gorman family.

Eisen was different from Nio. The captain and Karon were both heretics who had strayed from the proper path. No, to be precise, the captain had already completely cleaned up his image, the genuinely spotless kind.

Karon spoke, "Since certain things have happened, then they must have happened for a reason. Don't you agree?"

Eisen immediately nodded. "What you say is right."

"But now is not the time for you to know."

"Yes. I understand."

"Get out of the car. Pretend that everything is normal. I do not wish for others to know my identity."

"Yes. I understand."

Karon placed both hands before his chest and said solemnly, "Praise Order."

Eisen immediately mirrored the gesture. "Praise Order."

He got out of the car. Karon called after him, "Mr. Eisen."

"Hm?"

"You should care more about your son."

"Alright. I understand."

***

"Are you tired? Were you hurt?" Casey immediately pulled her son over the moment he returned, sat him down, and then carefully inspected him.

"I'm fine, Mother. This mission was safe as could be. Didn't lose a single hair."

"Really?"

"Really, really. Right, where's Father?"

"Your father didn't come home yesterday."

"He didn't come home? He probably had something to do."

"He’s already on leave; What business could he possibly have?"

"Mother, Father needs his privacy too. Everyone needs some privacy, especially between husband and wife."

"Alright, look at you spouting off again. I'll go see what's left in the kitchen and make you something."

"Oh, heavens, who is this virtuous and beautiful woman? Ah, she is my mother, the charming Lady Casey!"

Casey smiled, shook her head, and walked into the kitchen. On the way, she did not forget to remind him, "If you're hungry, eat some of the pastries on the coffee table first. I made them myself."

Richard sat on the sofa, took a sip from his water glass, then picked up a pastry and placed it in his mouth.

At that moment, a shadow appeared before him.

Richard looked up. His father was standing in front of him. "Father, you're back."

Eisen said nothing.

Richard blinked, then kindly pointed at the pastries his mother had made on the coffee table. "Father, a pastry?"

Smack!

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