Chapter 458: Chapter 458

"This is a gift for you."

Jenkins placed the small box he had been holding onto the desk and slid it toward the old man. The Bishop set down the ring and pen in his hands, then picked up the box and weighed it in his palm, much like Papa Oliver would.

"It's not socks or a scarf this time. How unusual."

Jenkins gave an awkward laugh, wondering why everyone seemed to think those were the only souvenirs he ever bought.

The old bishop paused for a moment. "A fountain pen."

"Well, you guessed correctly."

He nodded. "I bought it on Vasilen Art Avenue."

"Number 17 Vasilen Avenue, Mrs. Sillin's art shop?"

Now Jenkins was truly astonished. There was more than one shop selling fountain pens on that street. How on earth had the Bishop guessed so precisely?

"Yes, that's exactly right... Have you shopped there before, Your Grace?"

"Haha, of course. Back when I was a young man, Mrs. Sillin's name wasn't yet Sillin... But I'm getting sidetracked."

Realizing some topics weren't suitable for discussion with the younger generation, he cleared his throat loudly. He picked up the ring and placed it back in its box, avoiding Jenkins's gaze to make the pause and shift in conversation seem less deliberate.

"As I recall, the merchandise in that shop is quite expensive."

"That's alright. As you know, I've been doing rather well for myself lately..."

He was referring to the inheritance he was due to receive from his friend, a fact the Bishop was aware of. "Besides, my new book is in its final proofreading stage, and the Silver Jasmine Opera Troupe has invited me to write a script for them. This small gift is nothing, really."

"Don't be so quick to think that way. Young men always feel their income is substantial, but it's only when they reach middle age with a family to support that they realize their savings are never enough. You have your own house, which is excellent, but a certain amount of savings is still essential. The young ladies of our city may believe in love, but a proper gentleman must also provide a good life for the one he loves..."

After offering his brief opinion on the lifestyle of young people, the Bishop went on to ask for details about Jenkins's trip, specifically his meetings with the kingdom's Queen and the Church's Pontiff. This time, he offered no commentary, merely listening in silence.

"Miss Windsor? The Duke of Windsor's most beloved daughter?"

"Yes. She also invited me to spend the summer at her estate next year."

"And did you accept?"

Jenkins blinked, sensing the Bishop's interest in this matter was greater than in anything else they had discussed. Though he instinctively felt this concern wasn't related to his marital prospects, he couldn't think of any other reason for it.

"I told her I would if I had the time."

The old bishop nodded slowly, his eyelids drooping as he seemed lost in thought.

With his visit to the Bishop concluded, his tasks for the day were more or less complete. According to his schedule, tomorrow afternoon he was to meet Hathaway and Miss Mikhail at their club, and in the evening, he would attend the Corpse Gentleman's gathering.

Cradling his cat, he walked to the garden behind the main hall of the church. After a moment's thought, he set Chocolate down in a flowerbed and nudged the Life Pearl toward it.

"You play here quietly, alright? I'm just going to the Gate of All Things to take care of something. I'll be back in a little while, understand?"

He bent down, crouching to whisper to his cat. After speaking, he glanced around, worried someone might see him.

The cat held the green pearl with its front paws and let out a soft cry. Then, it stuck its rear in the air, stretched out its head, and began pushing the pearl forward with its nose.

Jenkins stood up with a smile, proud of how well-behaved his cat was. He didn't see that the moment he left, the kitten immediately stopped its embarrassing posture, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, let out another meow, and spat out a bright yellow pearl from its mouth.

Just then, clouds drifted in from nowhere, obscuring the brilliant glow of the setting sun and making the two faint moons in the sky all the more distinct.

The cat stared at the moons for a moment before placing its own pearl against the Life Pearl. Wisps of yellow and green energy swirled between the two round orbs. The cat watched with its big, round eyes, its comical reflection distorted on the surfaces of the two pearls.

It stood, took two steps forward, and then slowly lay down over the pearls, pretending to be sunbathing. This way, no one would be able to see the miraculous sight.

But this posture really was quite uncomfortable for a cat. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel•fire.net

The Keeper of Secrets on duty before the Gate of All Things today was Mr. Smith, with whom Jenkins was most familiar. He showed no surprise at Jenkins's question.

"I can answer that question for you, but I trust you understand that this information must absolutely not be disclosed."

"I understand. Restricting the spread of illicit knowledge is also the duty of a Scribe."

Mr. Smith nodded and turned to face the massive holy emblem engraved on the Gate of All Things. The gate opened without a sound, and a torrent of golden light erupted from within, enveloping them both.

When the light faded, their surroundings appeared unchanged, but through his Eye of Reality, Jenkins could see a thin membrane now enclosing them.

"Oliver has likely mentioned a few things to you."

He snapped his fingers, and a sheet of paper floated out from the still-open crack in the gate, stopping in front of Jenkins, who reached out to take it. At the very top of the page was a pencil sketch of the Killing Mark itself, the one Papa Oliver had mentioned.

"A-01-1-6377, the Killing Mark. The bearer of the mark typically spends half a year strengthening themselves through slaughter before leaving their city to battle other bearers. The final survivor will transform into a powerful humanoid creature, break through the boundaries of the material world, and venture into an unknown realm.

The last appearance of a Killing Mark was a very long time ago, but records show that the battles between bearers who survive to the later stages can easily destroy a city the size of Nolan."

An expression of awe crossed Jenkins's face. He stood stunned for a moment, processing the information, before asking, "So, has an A-01-1-6377 individual appeared within Nolan City's limits?"

"We are assisting with an investigation throughout the diocese, but so far, reports from the police department show no alarming serial murder cases in the city within the last six months. In fact, the most active groups at night these days are the New God Cultists. It seems every major incident has some connection to them."

Jenkins's gaze drifted to a nearby wall as he feigned ignorance.