Chapter 1644: Chapter 1644

"So, you used that piece of the statue?"

In the courtyard of Jenkins's home, Mr. Augustus asked after a thoughtful sigh.

"Yes, I ran into some trouble."

As he spoke, he gestured for Mr. Augustus to come inside, but the black-robed descendant of Death shook his head.

"I can't enter your home."

He didn't explain his statement, instead steering the conversation back to their previous topic.

"That piece of the statue wasn't a deliberate trap. I've told you before, Jenkins, your very nature is tied to death. No matter what, fate was always going to guide you to us. It's inevitable."

"So, can I use the water from the River Styx to wash away the [White Bone Sacrifice]? As you know, I don't have many ability slots left. I've reached level 7, so I need to prepare for my advancement to level 8. I have to plan my remaining ability choices carefully."

Reaching level 7 had given Jenkins two new bubbles. Aside from [Blessing of the Books] and a potential new Savior ability, he wouldn't be able to learn anything else unless he immediately ascended to demigod status. Even if he weren't trying to sever his ties with Death, washing away an ability to make room for a better one had always been part of his plan.

Mr. Augustus asked, sounding puzzled.

"The water of the River Styx itself comes from the [Undying Underworld]. Any abilities with strong ties to the [Undying Underworld] cannot be washed away by it."

Now it was Jenkins's turn to be surprised. But on second thought, there couldn't be many abilities connected to the world ruled by the [Ancient God of Death]. It was understandable that the Church's records didn't mention this particular limitation of the River Styx's water.

"But there are many ways to remove an ability in the material world. You can look for other methods. It might be a bit of a hassle, but if you're the one searching, I imagine it won't take you very long."

Mr. Augustus added, offering a thoughtful suggestion.

"You don't mind if I get rid of this ability?"

Jenkins asked, glancing back at the second-floor window of his house to make sure no one had seen them. The girls were all asleep. Aside from the cat perched on the windowsill, no one was privy to their late-night conversation.

"Why would I mind? Even if you get rid of this ability, you'll inevitably get entangled with death again. The Sovereign knows this, so he is in no hurry."

"I knew you'd say that. Alright then, I'll think of something else."

Jenkins's expression was one of resignation.

"Until you get rid of the ability, you can call on me anytime through sacrifice. Based on the ability's function, I'm not just some summoned brawler; I am an emissary of death with a certain degree of authority."

Mr. Augustus reminded him, though he knew Jenkins would most likely avoid any further involvement. Regardless, they were friends, so Mr. Augustus stopped "selling" him on death. Seeing how late it was, he prepared to leave. Before he departed, he told Jenkins that the fog in Nolan was unnatural and that strange things were lurking within it.

"It is filled with death and resentment."

He said, and then vanished.

After seeing Mr. Augustus off, Jenkins returned to his bedroom. He stroked his cat and closed his eyes, trying to sleep.

But a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, and sleep wouldn't come. Tonight had simply been too eventful.

He recalled Hathaway's earlier words and stared blankly at the ceiling for a while. He had to admit he felt a pang of regret that her plan hadn't succeeded, but it wasn't his fault.

"It's all Nightfall Manor's fault! And those two who summoned it! If it weren't for them, tonight..."

He tossed over, realizing he truly couldn't sleep. Steeling himself, he closed his eyes and projected himself to Alexia. A few seconds later, the true illusion pulled his physical body along, leaving the bed empty.

The cat twitched its small nose, sniffing the air with its eyes closed. When it opened them and saw Jenkins was gone, a wronged expression immediately appeared on its face. If it hadn't been for that dance tonight, it would probably be angry with him again. But Jenkins had been through too much, so the cat decided to forgive him just this once.

The cat lowered its head, pawing at the wrinkles in the bedsheet. Really, just this once.

Jenkins didn't return until just before dawn, clutching his shoulder with a pained expression. The previous night at Nightfall Manor, when he had risked swallowing two-thirds of the World Tree Seed, Alexia had been right behind him. She had been bathed in the purest essence of life, and the torrent had imparted a powerful, permanent purification even to her demigod body.

He just hadn't expected the cleansing to heal all her wounds. That was why, just as he was leaving, Alexia had suddenly bitten his shoulder in complaint.

As it was nearly breakfast time, the cat woke up right on schedule. It lay beside the pillow, watching with unconcealed glee as Jenkins healed himself. Latest content publıshed on N0velFire.ɴet

After a quick wash, man and cat went downstairs. Julia had already prepared breakfast, and it was only then that Jenkins remembered his home now had a professional maid.

"You really don't have to be up this early. We usually wake up a bit later."

Jenkins said, a little embarrassed. Julia probably hadn't gotten much sleep last night either.

"Since Her Highness sent me here, it is my duty to do everything I am supposed to do."

The young maid said formally, then asked Jenkins what Chocolate usually ate for breakfast. Jenkins casually replied that it ate the same thing he did, which earned him a strange look from Julia as she glanced at the cat nestled against his chest.

She was about to ask where the cat's litter box was, having spent a long time searching for it that morning to no avail. But before the question could leave her lips, she saw Chocolate looking at her with an inscrutable gaze.

Julia was fairly familiar with this cat; after all, it was always with Jenkins. As she met Chocolate's eyes, she swallowed the question she had been about to ask. It wasn't that the cat had altered her thoughts, but Julia suddenly recalled Alexia's attitude toward this feline and decided it was best to keep her doubts to herself.

"Why don't I see a bowl for you?"

Jenkins yawned as he sat down, noticing that only three sets of plates, bowls, and cutlery had been laid out. He knew the answer as soon as he asked the question and gestured for Julia to sit and eat with them.

"Don't even think about refusing. This isn't the royal palace, it's my home. We don't have so many rules here. What I say goes."

But Julia still refused. Even when she was with Dolores, she rarely dined with her.

Jenkins wasn't impatient; he simply sighed inwardly at how different this world was from his original one. Reaching out, he took Julia's hand and gave a gentle tug, intending to pull her into the chair beside him.