On the desk in Old Neil's bedroom, Silas discovered several messy manuscripts.
Among them was a note that recorded the honorific name of the Hidden Sage:
"Incarnation of spirituality and numbers,
Source of all knowledge,
The Hidden Sage above the wilderness."
To prevent anything bad from happening, he only recited it silently in his mind in Loenese.
The spiritual intuition from being a Secrets Suppliant told him that this honorific name should be genuine.
The messy manuscripts recorded some bizarre rituals, including a mystical ritual for praying to the Hidden Sage to bestow knowledge, as well as a ritual that was particularly emphasized:
"Alchemical Life."
"The materials required include: 100ml of spring water from the Spring of Elves (Golden Spring on Sonia Island), 50 grams of Star Crystal, half a pound of pure gold, 5 grams of phlogiston, 30 grams of red iron… And a large quantity of fresh blood from living people."
Living human blood.
Silas's heart tightened.
As he continued reading, he discovered that Old Neil had written a note after this line: "I can consider drawing my own blood, accumulating it little by little, and preserving it using ritualistic magic."
At least he hasn't gone crazy enough to sacrifice other people.
Silas thought to himself as he collected the manuscripts, preparing to take them downstairs for everyone to see.
Just as he picked up the note with the Hidden Sage written on it, he suddenly hesitated, then placed it in front of him and read it carefully once more.
After this period of study, Silas had discovered that one of the Secrets Suppliant's abilities was the capacity to quickly memorize various rituals.
As long as he read something carefully once, the related procedures and prayers would be deeply imprinted in his mind, easily recalled when needed.
So by reading it like this, Silas had essentially memorized the Hidden Sage's honorific name and some rituals related to Him.
Why record the honorific name of this evil god? Silas himself couldn't say clearly. He just felt that it might come in handy later.
It would be best if there never came a time when it was needed.
He gathered the manuscripts and walked down the stairs step by step, returning to the living room.
***
The next afternoon.
"Haah..."
Silas let out a huge yawn, his eyes somewhat moist.
Although he'd caught up on a bit of sleep in the morning, he still felt a little tired and appeared quite listless in the circle of colleagues gathered around him.
At this moment in the break room, aside from Leonard, who was guarding Chanis Gate downstairs and Royale, who was watching the armory, everyone else was present, packing the place full.
They'd all already learned about Old Neil's situation.
Because the Captain and Miss Daly were accompanying the high-ranking Deacon, and Royale also had matters to attend to, everyone had no choice but to come find him to get the full story.
Silas could only yawn while recounting the sequence of events, omitting the parts that weren't convenient for people to know.
When everyone finished hearing the ins and outs of the story, they all let out sighs.
Roseanne's eyes dimmed. After a long while, she spoke softly:
"I heard from the Captain that when Old Neil was young, he once had a lover he deeply cherished.
Just when they were about to get engaged, that lady unfortunately contracted a serious illness and ultimately passed away.
He was extremely saddened by this, almost to the point of breaking down..."
Looking at it this way, that Alchemical Life ritual was prepared for this reason. Everything Old Neil had done was to resurrect his beloved.
Silas understood.
He unconsciously rubbed his fingertips. The wound he'd cut with the knife yesterday had already healed, the skin intact, as if it had never been injured at all.
"It really makes you feel sympathetic."
Kenley White voiced his sentiment. He was a bit short, but very spirited. Having heard Old Neil's story, he seemed to relate strongly.
Silas recalled that Kenley also had a fiancée he was about to marry, which explained why he empathized so much with Old Neil.
"The loss of loved ones is always sad."
Seeka Tron, the part-time writer, said in an affecting tone, "I've decided to leave work early today and spend more time with my family."
Well said. Silas couldn't help but nod.
After hearing about Old Neil's ordeal, he sincerely wanted to go home early to see Cecilia, chat with her, and have dinner together.
He noticed that Klein, beside him, was also lost in thought, clearly thinking of his family as well.
"Will Old Neil be all right?"
Just then, Frye suddenly spoke up, asking the question everyone was unwilling to discuss.
After a moment of silence, everyone turned their gazes toward Silas.
How would I know?
Silas grimaced. "To be honest, I'm not sure either... but if Old Neil hasn't harmed anyone, at least his life should be spared, right?"
As if to verify his words, the break room door opened from outside, and Dunn Smith strode in.
"Captain!"
"Hello, Captain."
"Captain, how is Old Neil doing?"
Everyone stood up to greet Dunn while anxiously inquiring.
Dunn's face showed fatigue. He looked around at everyone and forced a smile.
"Old Neil passed Mr. Cesimir's review and won't need to go to the Tribunal... But as punishment, he'll be taken to work at the cathedral in Backlund.
From now on, his days will be spent in confession to the Goddess, and he won't be allowed to leave."
Everyone sighed again, half because Old Neil had at least saved his life, and half because he still inevitably suffered consequences.
"So doesn't that mean Old Neil is basically imprisoned?"
Roseanne said unwillingly.
"Being able to avoid losing control and keeping his life is already very good."
Dunn said flatly, then turned his gaze to Silas. "Silas, come with me for a moment."
"Yes, Captain."
Although he didn't know what Dunn wanted, Silas still stood up at a jog, left the break room, and followed Dunn into his office.
"Old Neil is very grateful for everything you did to save him. To express his gratitude, he's giving you the house he's leaving behind in Tingen City."
As soon as they entered the office, before they'd even sat down, Dunn hit him with explosive news.
"Huh?"
Silas said blankly.
He heard Dunn continue, "Houses in the suburbs are relatively cheaper, but because it's a larger detached house with a garden, the total value still exceeds 900 pounds.
He's already fully entrusted me with this. In a few days, once the transfer papers are signed, the house will be yours..."
"Wait, Captain, is this appropriate?!"
Silas couldn't help but interrupt. "A house with a total value of 900 pounds, and Old Neil is just giving it away like that?!"
His weekly salary was 6 pounds, which was already very high, but if he wanted to buy this house, he'd have to work for 150 weeks without eating, drinking, or paying for lodging.
That's about two or three years to save enough money.
Moreover, he had a younger sister to support, plus daily expenses, so buying a house had originally been something in the distant, distant future.
Who knew that after one night, a house would fall from the sky and soon belong to him?
"It would be inappropriate if you didn't accept."
Dunn said calmly. "From now on, Old Neil can only spend his time in the cathedral at Backlund.
Houses and even money are useless to him now.
You saved his life and kept him from losing control, sparing him from the tragic fate of being unable to return to the Goddess's embrace even after death... that's priceless redemption.
If you don't agree, he won't have peace in his days ahead either."
Under Dunn's unquestionable tone and Old Neil's sincere gratitude, Silas eventually accepted this unexpected gift.
Even at this moment, he was still dizzy, his heart full of a sense of unreality.
"There's one more thing. Mr. Cesimir has already left."
At this point, Dunn brought up another topic. "Actually, he originally came to find you."