Free Web NovelChapter 2031: Chapter 2031: The Priest’s Problem
"I’m really sorry, but I’ll be busy again soon. Although the epidemic near Miss Gawder’s hometown has not yet been eradicated, there’s Miss Danester’s assignments, the school’s summer field practice course, and I’ve commissioned some things from my group of friends that need to be taken care of, none of which can be delayed."
"Seriously, you’re always like this. But tonight when you’re ’teaching’ with Lecia, don’t be too serious, I’m worried you won’t handle well the ’gift’ we prepared for you tomorrow."
She smiled suggestively, and Shard didn’t ask much, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, letting her lean into his embrace:
"Did Miss Benanis find the whereabouts of the [Hope Diamond]?"
At the beginning of the month, this witch mentioned that she seemed to have heard about this relic some years ago.
The Duchess contentedly leaned against him, her eyes looking towards her two maids opposite:
"During yesterday’s meeting, she mentioned that she had indeed gathered some information, but it involves some troublesome matters. However, there should be results soon. It’s said that the last known location of that Unclassified Level relic was in the Moon Bay Area, West Coast, which belongs to Carsonrick but is very close to the County of Saradiel. If you need, I can send someone to help you investigate."
The County of Saradiel is located in the southwestern region of Draleon. Although it’s not a coastal county, it indeed borders the Moon Bay region.
After having lunch with Miss Galina, Shard took Mia to attend this week’s group meeting.
A month has passed since the end of the Green Lake battle, and everyone who returned to Tobesk has resumed their life rhythms. This week, as usual, the doctor emphasized next month’s end-of-month exam week and finally mentioned the ’summer field practice activity’:
"The formal students of Saint Byrons will travel to various parts of the Old Continent every summer for off-campus activities, which allows academy students to also learn about things outside the academy. Last year’s summer practice was canceled because of that... Godfall in Tobesk, but this year’s notice has already been sent out. Last year it was before the summer exam week, but this year the timeline is moved up, so formal students will take exams a month earlier, meaning the schedule for the summer is this month."
There’s no need to say more about last year’s events; everyone in the group experienced it firsthand.
"How many people will our group be hosting this year?"
Luviya asked curiously, as hosting those in-school students also comes with benefits. Not only does it bring funding, but it also increases practical credits. Besides, their only duty is to provide accommodation, so unless asked for help, they don’t need to bother with other matters, making the task quite easy.
"Three."
The doctor said, sitting on the sofa, glancing at the empty space of Priest Augustus:
"This year, the student quantity allocated to the Tobesk Region is quite low, as the academy still deems this area dangerous. But considering our group’s high level, we are still assigned three students: four rings, four rings, and five rings, two ladies and one gentleman. Their task in this practice activity is to engage with the black market in Tobesk to gather information and capture a Circle Sorcerer wanted by the church. They all come from the Chemistry Academy, just like Priest Augustus."
Speaking of the priest, Dorothy asked with concern:
"What’s going on with the priest recently? He didn’t attend the meeting last week. Recently, when I wrote to inquire about the magic potion, it took him a few days to reply, is the priest in trouble?"
"The last time I saw Priest Augustus was a week ago, he didn’t look well."
Luviya also said.
So Shard looked at the doctor, the blue-eyed middle-aged doctor shook his head:
"I’m not very sure either, when he asked for leave, he indeed mentioned feeling unwell but didn’t elaborate. Frankly, since returning from Green Lake, the priest has been quite off for the past month... he’s become very distant, oh, I’m not sure how to describe it."
"I’ll visit the priest after the meeting."
Among everyone here, Shard is the only nominal believer of the True God, Mr. Dawn, so visiting the Dawn Chapel is quite normal.
"Sure, keep us updated if anything comes up. I’m quite worried."
The doctor sighed:
"Back to the previous topic, one of the Circle Sorcerers, who is arriving this time, reportedly has a unique identity, but we don’t know the specifics yet. It’s already the end of the month of the Sunlight Moon, and they will arrive next month. According to the tradition of the past few years, I will rent rooms in advance at the Three Cats Inn in Saint Delan Square, North District. We’ll meet them there, and subsequent affairs remain as usual."
Of course, it’s not the best inn in town, but the academy students aren’t coming here for vacation either, so Three Cats Inn is just right. It’s located in the slightly chaotic North District, convenient for hiding identities. Moreover, the location at Hymn Square is quite advantageous for doing anything.
"Last year... it’s already been a year since the Lakeside Manor incident."
Unlike the girls attached to the Outlander’s "birthday," Dr. Schneider didn’t pay much attention to the upcoming one-year anniversary since meeting Shard, only remarking on how quickly time flies:
"A year went by in the blink of an eye, and last year at this time, I couldn’t have imagined our group would gain a fifth member."
"Doctor, meeting Shard across from the Nightingale Club is not just your own luck, it’s luck for all of us."
Luviya said quite seriously, with Dorothy and Dr. Schneider nodding together. Seeing that today’s study session had no other matters, the doctor even had the clinic servant fetch wine glasses and red wine to have a drink with everyone:
"Then let’s toast to this piece of luck, and hope that we can still raise our glasses like this at this time next year."
He still felt a bit regret that Priest Augustus did not attend today’s meeting.
After the meeting, Shard did not return to Saint Delan Square with Dorothy but went to the local Dawn Chapel with concern. He was quite familiar with the priests, fathers, and nuns in the church, so it was easy for him to find out that Priest Augustus had taken leave today and was not in the church.
The priest himself lived in the church and had no other houses outside except for the magic potion workshop in the basement. Shard asked around several times before finally finding the priest on the riverbank of the Terael River, which flows through the University District, watching the city against the sunset.
He did not seem sick, standing on the riverbank looking out over the river, watching the children and pet dogs playing on the grass on the opposite side of the river, a group of young students playing Roder Cards sitting on the grass, and young couples leaning together watching the sunset.
Priest Augustus was facing east with his back to the sunset, his back glowing red from the reflection, but his face was shrouded in dimness.
When Shard came to stand by his side, the priest did not even turn his head to look at him:
"Detective, did the doctor send you to check on me? I’m fine, I will be able to attend the group meeting next week."
The old priest indeed looked unchanged, but Shard instinctively felt a chill when he came close to him:
"You’ve been off since returning from Green Lake... Is it the influence of that skull?"
Skulls are different from other bone parts, so it would make sense if the priest was affected due to this matter.
Seeing the priest not answer, Shard took the initiative to extend his right hand, and Priest Augustus clasped it.
Shard frowned slightly:
"Your body temperature is noticeably low, but there’s no sense of disruption between spirit and elements, and there’s no sign of your life force being eroded by death. Priest, how do you feel?"
The robed elder sighed softly towards the riverbank:
"I’m not quite sure what’s happening, just feel..."
He released Shard’s hand and pressed his chest:
"There is a hole in my heart, and looking at anything, I will... You know, the doctor always says I see everything from a bad direction. Since returning from Green Lake, my thoughts when looking at anything are even scarier than before. No hallucinations, no whispers eroding my mind. Just becoming more pessimistic. The world seems shrouded in shadows to me."
He raised his hand to point across the river:
"Those children and pet dogs are playing, but the dog must leave this world before the child, breaking his heart and bringing tears. Those young students playing Roder Cards on the grass, the likelihood they maintain such friendship in the future is low, eventually, they will go their separate paths leading different lives. And the young couple watching the sunset together, can they really reach marriage? And whether they currently still have their secrets. I don’t know why I think this way, I know it’s strange."
"This isn’t losing control; maybe you should go to the doctor for some treatment."
Shard suggested, and the elderly priest’s wrinkled face showed slight change, nodding gently:
"I will consider it. At least for now, it’s just a change in mindset, not a big deal, otherwise, I’d seek your help. Walking helps improve mood, you don’t need to worry about me."
"Such things can’t be ignored."
Shard shook hands with Priest Augustus again, confirming his soul state was normal, just mentally low. He then strongly persuaded the priest to find Dr. Schneider for a course of psychological therapy.
Although Shard often teased the doctor for specializing in hypnosis therapy, in reality, Bill Schneider’s skills as a psychologist are quite strong in all aspects. He listened carefully to Priest Augustus’s unclear psychological issues and then recognized it as a condition similar to "depression."
This is a new concept proposed in recent years, at the forefront of neuroscience and psychiatry theories. But Shard didn’t believe out of the blue, Priest Augustus suddenly suffered from "depression." The priest’s life isn’t troubled, and Shard always considers him mentally healthy.
"It’s likely still the impact of that half Death Angel’s skull."
He believed his judgment but didn’t think the priest’s current situation was severe. Integrating such a significant item causing some self-impact is understandable. Overall, Shard decided to let the doctor provide the priest with psychological guidance for a while, intending to check on the priest often.
If the situation slowly improves, that would be optimal but if it worsens, he could only go to Huntington City again and ask the Cherub for help.
