Chapter 1929: Chapter 1929

Besides handling weekend matters with Jessica, Jenkins also found time in the evening to visit Maidenhaven Road with his cat.

He chose a time after work, so his family would all be at home.

But when it came to business, he spoke only with his father, Robert. Since returning to Nolan from Bel Diran, he was still working at the mining company. Jenkins's conflict with Queen Isabella hadn't affected him; in fact, his new status as a relative of a royal family member had opened up more opportunities at work.

Furthermore, due to rumors circulating from some unknown source that Robert would be granted a title, the father of the three Williams brothers was now a highly sought-after figure in Nolan's mining industry.

Jenkins held nothing back, telling his father about the actions he was planning for the weekend. On one hand, he wanted his family to be prepared. Regardless of success or failure, it would have a major impact on the Williams family's future.

On the other hand, he hoped his family would move into the Sage's Church starting tomorrow, Thursday, and stay for a few days.

Jenkins had always made it a habit to assume the worst of others, especially after learning what Queen Isabella had done to Miss Windsor in the world of possibilities. Even though he knew the likelihood of her harming members of the Middleton family was small, Jenkins would absolutely not take any risks or place his hopes in someone else's hands.

"But if we suddenly move into the church, won't that easily arouse suspicion?"

Robert didn't raise any questions or objections to Jenkins's plan, nor did he refuse the request. The two men stood by the window of the second-floor study, looking outside. Robert, who was usually relaxed around his family, now carried a certain gravity about him.

The "baptism" mentioned here was not the highly effective ritual that Jenkins had never undergone; it was merely a symbolic religious ceremony that could be held in the church.

Generally speaking, baptism was only for newborns or adults who had just joined the faith. But special circumstances could be handled specially. Bishop Parrold would come up with the excuse, so Jenkins didn't need to worry about it.

"You've really grown up, Jenkins."

Robert remarked with a sigh, thinking of the Jenkins from a year ago. Jenkins also thought of the original owner of his body and steered the conversation away from the topic.

"There's one more important thing I want to ask."

"Last autumn... that job you had found for me, the trade you were planning to send me to learn, what was it?"

"Why are you asking about that?"

Robert glanced at Jenkins, and seeing that he was genuinely curious, answered:

"Last year, a business partner I'm on very good terms with was willing to offer you a well-paying office job. He's a partner in a sugar company; mining is just one of his investments. But if you wanted that job, you first needed to learn a bit about sugar production. I knew you wouldn't want to go to a factory, and your mother wouldn't let you either, so I was planning to have you spend some time in Honeywood Town in the eastern suburbs. Do you know it?"

"Then I won't go into detail. The original arrangement was that you wouldn't have to be busy following beekeepers up the mountain; you would just need to get involved in some of the business matters. After a few months, you would have returned to the city and started at the sugar company."

That lined up perfectly. In the world where The Stranger hadn't arrived, the original Jenkins had somehow survived the great octopus that night. After messing around for his last bit of "holiday time," he was sent by Robert to Honeywood Town to learn and participate in the honey business.

Subsequently, while in Honeywood Town, the original owner of his body would have broken into the mansion on the hill outside of town and, under guidance, encountered the metal bust in the underground workshop. After learning everything, he would have accepted the responsibility of becoming a Calamity to save the world, walking the path of an Enchanter and learning the ways of mechanics under the bust's tutelage.

Finally, after completing his mission in Honeywood Town, he would have returned to Nolan, tried to connect with and integrate into the local circle of unregistered Enchanters, and upon learning of the emergence of the heretical cult, the [Gear Artisans' Association], joined them to gather intelligence while strengthening himself.

All the fragments connected, piecing together the original destiny of Jenkins Williams. Although it was unclear if that path would have ultimately defeated the great cataclysm at the end of the epoch, one could only imagine how much suffering and hardship the original owner of his body would have endured. He would have been misunderstood by the entire world, with no one around him to trust. And if he had succeeded and truly transformed into a Calamity, it was uncertain whether he would have even remained himself.

It was an arduous path, even more arduous than the one he was currently walking. Jenkins couldn't even guarantee that if he, after arriving in this world, had followed Robert's arrangement and gone to Honeywood Town instead of becoming a Scribe, he would have been able to walk that path to its end.

Thinking of this, Jenkins was once again certain that his arrival and his actions had not been a mistake. He had unknowingly changed so many things, and he believed that the arrival of The Stranger was meaningful for this world and for everyone around him.

After a busy day, to show his concern for Jessica and to apologize for yesterday's invitation and his failure to show up, the two had dinner at a high-end restaurant in the city called "The White Swan."

As for Magic Miss and Silver Flute Miss, who were following Jessica to protect her, Jenkins certainly wouldn't let his two friends wait outside. He had a table reserved for them as well, a short distance away from his and Jessica's.

"You see, deciding to accept Miss Windsor's commission was the right choice after all."

Magic Miss held her wine glass, tilting her head to watch Jenkins and Jessica as she spoke to Silver Flute Miss.

"You're not just saying that because of this free dinner, are you?"

Silver Flute Miss said with a laugh as she cut her steak.

Magic Miss was actually quite wealthy. It wasn't just the detective agency; she had many businesses, otherwise she wouldn't be able to support her research into all sorts of strange rituals. The projection ritual she conducted back then had earned her 8,000 pounds in a single week, an amount of money that even the current Jenkins couldn't make so quickly.

"Of course not. I was just marveling at the fact that we've actually become connected to the royal family. After this weekend, the two of us might really become occult advisors to the crown."

Not lacking money didn't mean you lacked nothing. Some things, and some books, couldn't be accessed with money alone.

"You think the plan for the weekend will definitely succeed?"

Silver Flute Miss asked. Both of them were aware of Jenkins and Jessica's scheme.

"Of course it will succeed. Not because I have faith in the plan, but because it must succeed. Otherwise, the story can't continue."

Magic Miss stated with certainty.

Silver Flute Miss raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. It's just a strange intuition I have. In a world where destiny is real, some things are simply bound to happen."

Magic Miss set down her wine glass, resting her right hand on the table:

"I'm no fortune-teller, but as you know, my intuition is usually spot on."

Just as she was about to say more, she saw someone outside the window gesturing to her.

Soon, Jenkins stepped out of the restaurant, donned his black robe, and with his white cat, met Mr. Hood. Mr. Hood had come alone. Mr. Black Cat had wanted to come along, but something came up at home, so he had Mr. Hood come by himself.

Mr. Hood had originally come looking for Magic Miss, hoping to find Candle Mr through her. After Magic Miss told Jenkins about it, he came right out.

Mr. Hood and Mr. Black Cat had been much luckier than Hathaway. They had successfully escaped the range of the Difference Engine's influence yesterday and had observed the battle between the god and the machine from a relatively safe location.

They had been terrified, but thankfully, they were unharmed. While feeling fortunate, they had been worried about the safety of their other two friends. Having heard no news of any deaths in the battle in the eastern suburbs all day, they finally realized that Miss Bailing and Candle Mr were alright.

The specific reason for seeking out Candle Mr was to thank him for rescuing the three of them yesterday. If Candle Mr hadn't appeared, then according to the information circulating today, the three of them would have most likely been caught in the middle of the battle between the god and the underground machine.

While it wasn't a one hundred percent certainty that they would have died, their chances of survival were definitely much slimmer than their chances of perishing.

"Candle Mr, this isn't the first time I've had to thank you. I never got the chance to properly thank you for the matter with my arm, and now you've saved me again."

The middle-aged man grasped Jenkins's hand and shook it repeatedly, while Jenkins just shook his head, insisting it was nothing.

Mr. Hood was the type to repay a drop of kindness a hundredfold. Even if Candle Mr himself didn't intend to accept any token of gratitude, he would absolutely not do nothing in return.

"Mr. Black Cat, Mr. White Cat, and I are in business together now. When it comes to Enchanter matters, the three of us can be considered a single unit. If there's anything you need us to do, we will certainly do our best to help."

"Then it's the same matter as last time. Help us, the Believers of Lies, spread the word about the proposal to unite and negotiate with the Orthodox Church."

"That's all." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ noᴠelfire.net

"Alright, I will do my best."

Mr. Hood promised, but Jenkins, worried he might overdo it, emphasized that the matter wasn't actually urgent. The Music Cult had already contacted at least half of the pseudo-god cults currently in Nolan.

"I understand, I understand."

Mr. Hood's nods seemed perfunctory, so as Jenkins watched his retreating figure, he had a feeling that he, Mr. Black Cat, and Mr. White Cat were going to stir up some kind of trouble.