Chapter 2048: Chapter 2048

Professor Burns was an apprentice Keeper of Secrets in the Sage's Church. Last autumn, during the incident in the "Knowledge is Gold" Mysterious Realm beneath the old castle, Papa Oliver and Jenkins had discovered his status as an unregistered Enchanter, which had ultimately led to the professor joining the Church.

Jenkins had only recently learned that the true catalyst for the professor becoming an Enchanter was a revelation from the Lord in a dream. Professor Burns was an important piece placed by the Lord to ensure the awakening of the World Tree Seedling. Although the arrival of the outlander meant the professor hadn't played a major role in that affair—merely guiding Jenkins into the Blossoming Mysterious Realm in the end—it didn't affect the friendship between the old professor and Jenkins.

The professor had once guided Jenkins to a gathering held by the late Corpse Gentleman and had helped him research ancient documents on numerous occasions. Now, Jenkins still believed he was a worthy executor for his will.

After the two met in an empty room in the church, the professor had intended to congratulate Jenkins on becoming a Savior, but upon hearing his request, the color instantly drained from his face.

"Has it really come to this?"

The professor's hands trembled as he steadied himself against the table. He had to sit down, as his entire body was shaking.

"It's just a precaution, after all," Jenkins said. "No one knows what might happen."

Jenkins feigned a casual tone as he handed the prepared will to the professor for review.

"This is it. We probably won't even need it, but we have to consider the possibility, don't we?"

He lowered his head and sighed, watching as Jenkins also took a seat at the table.

He opened the folder and looked through its contents, which included the will itself and various deeds and certificates belonging to Jenkins—for his house, land, and mining investments. After carefully examining the main text of the will, he saw that Jenkins had even left him half of his antique furniture and old books, with the other half going to Papa Oliver. The professor's eyes began to redden.

Suppressing the sorrow in his heart, he went through all the clauses of the will with Jenkins, one by one. They even discussed who would be the most suitable guardian for Chocolate.

The will wasn't very long. After all, though Jenkins was wealthy, his assets were few. He had only been in this world for a year and hadn't left much of a mark. The most complicated part was finding someone to take over his responsibility as the executor of Mr. Augustus's will. Fortunately, that task could be left to Bishop Parrold.

As for the throne of the Fidektri Kingdom, that wasn't a concern either. Jenkins would speak to Jessica later; if he were gone, she was the only suitable candidate.

They finished the final review of the will before lunch. Professor Burns promised that if the document ever needed to be enacted, he would dedicate the rest of his life to overseeing its execution.

The professor left without another word to Jenkins. He had never imagined he would one day be helping a young man with his will.

Clutching the folder to his chest, he walked down the corridor with his head lowered, intending to go to the washroom to compose himself. But as soon as he rounded a corner, he saw someone waiting for him. The source of thɪs content is novᴇlfire.net

It was, of course, Alexia.

"Sorry to bother you, Professor. What did Jenkins just talk to you about?"

the short lady asked. Her tone was casual, but the professor felt anything but relaxed.

He had just promised that no one would know about the will until Jenkins's death was confirmed.

The professor gave no answer, but the expression on his face confirmed her suspicion. Alexia glanced toward the room Jenkins was in and couldn't help but sigh.

After saying this, she again apologized for disturbing the professor. When he asked if she was going to question Jenkins about it or if she wanted to know the will's contents, Alexia shook her head.

"I have no interest in that, because that thing is completely useless. You should keep it safe. Perhaps in a few days, I'll want to take a look at it—as material to mock Jenkins with for the next few decades."

She turned and left without so much as a polite goodbye. The professor stood there, watching her go, and sighed once more, lamenting how times had changed. Young people these days weren't honest at all.

He resumed his walk toward the public washroom but stopped after a few steps. He slowly lifted his head, squinting at the gas lamp overhead.

A look of confusion appeared on his face, but it quickly turned to one of understanding. He raised his right hand to cover his ear, then tilted his head slightly to the side.

he said to the ceiling. After waiting a moment, he nodded.

"Alright, I understand."

With that, he returned to normal and strode purposefully down the corridor.

With the matter of the will settled, the next item on the agenda was taking a family portrait with the girls. There had been one other task—bringing Robert, Mary, Newman, and John to the church—but the Bishop had already taken care of that, bringing the entire Williams family over.

So Jenkins gathered the young women of his household, and they all sat together on the sofa, much like they had before the welcome home dinner that one evening.

"No need for anything too extravagant, but it should still be formal. The Church has arranged for a photographer, who will be here around three o'clock to let us know when it's time. I've left plenty of time for everyone to do their makeup."

Jenkins and Chocolate wouldn't need makeup, of course, but this was the family's first formal portrait, so the young women would surely want to prepare.

Dolores was excitedly discussing with Briny where this momentous family portrait should be hung. Jessica and Hathaway were still preoccupied with the ongoing negotiations, while Alexia, knowing what Jenkins was thinking, said nothing at all.

Only the exceptionally perceptive Julia and Sigrid, despite having no information to go on, could tell that something was slightly off about Jenkins. But since it was only a guess, they didn't ask. Instead, they chose to trust the smile on his face, unaware of his true feelings about tomorrow and the future.

Having arranged the portrait, his next step was to visit his friends before three o'clock—a final farewell before the decisive battle.

But as he was figuring out how to leave the church, his younger brother, John, called out to him. When he reached the room where his family was staying, he found them all there. Mary immediately threw her arms around Jenkins, forcing Chocolate to leap onto a nearby cabinet.