Splat!
The flesh of the pig exploded like fragile tofu crashing against a stone under the impact of the fist.
Blood splattered in all directions, covering both the old man and himself.
Under the force of that punch, the pig's head was half missing, and it lay askew in a pool of blood.
"Father York?" Archibald, splattered with blood himself, asked in a daze.
He still hadn't figured out what exactly had happened.
Father York didn't respond. Instead, he took out a crucifix and placed it on the forehead of Marlen, who lay limp on the bed, channeling magic power into it.
"No alerts, no smoke, no heat..." Father York sighed lightly, looking towards Marlen, who was gazing back with confused eyes, still coming to his senses, apparently returning to normal.
"Child, the demon has left. Get some rest now."
Being possessed by a demon is not something ordinary people can understand. Just the bloodshot eyes of the possessed spoke volumes about the lack of sleep.
Marlen seemed to regain some clarity, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Father York, his face a mixture of relief and gratitude.
"It's over, go to sleep," Father York said unchangingly, repeating his mantra.
"May the Lord be with you."
...
In front of a fire, a rejuvenated Archibald sipped on some homemade wine offered by the old man, glanced at the bustling pig slaughtering scene behind him, and then turned to Father York, who was continuously stoking the fire.
"Father York, may I ask you a question?"
He finally couldn't contain his curiosity.
Father York raised an eyebrow and looked at Archibald.
"What is it?"
"Why did you think the demon would listen to you and possess that pig?"
Recalling the trainee priest's puzzled expression, Father York laughed.
"I didn't really think so; I just wanted to try it out."
Archibald frowned, still somewhat confused.
Seeing this, Father York looked at the ever-burning fire in front of him, stirring it with a stick and said,
"How much do you know about demons?"
Archibald pondered and earnestly replied.
"They are fallen angels, with a hierarchical system. One serves another; they are fierce, cunning, evil..."
Archibald associated every negative word with demons as if they were the embodiment of darkness.
Father York chuckled disapprovingly.
"Your basic knowledge is solid, but each demon also has its own personality, just like us humans living in the light. The demon earlier kept muttering that it was our nemesis, our nightmare, even acknowledging the title of King of Hell I gave it. Do you think it was being humble or arrogant?"
Father York asked, turning to Archibald.
"From a human perspective, if I didn't believe what it said, if I didn't believe it was the King of Hell, do you think it would want to prove its power?"
Archibald fell silent, recalling the entire exorcism process led by Father York.
He suddenly realized that Father York had set a trap from the beginning, provoking and guiding throughout...
As Archibald was lost in thought, Father York threw the burning stick into the fire, stood up, patted his shoulder, and said,
"Demons, aside from some special abilities and bodies, are not much different from us humans. Higher-ranking demons can invade through more channels and are more intelligent, while lower-ranking ones are as stupid as the one we encountered..."
After speaking, Father York left Archibald's side, greeted the old man and his family, and then went inside to call Gabriel on his phone.
As the one who would decide whether Archibald, the trainee priest, would be promoted or not, it was time to give Gabriel a response.
A few seconds later, the call connected. The old man had been waiting for news.
"Father York, what's the verdict?"
Father York, lying on the sofa, looked through the patio doors at Archibald sitting by the fire and said,
"What's the deal with Ivette? The demon used her name to break down his defenses and corrupt his mind. If I weren't there, he might have..."
"Ivette?" A silence on the phone, then Gabriel spoke.
"Ivette was Archibald's wife. She died in front of him because of a demon, which is why he joined the church..."
Hearing this, Father York, looking at Archibald's silhouette, had no choice but to approve his promotion.
"Alright, I don't want to be the bad guy. Gabriel, I agree to his promotion."
"Heh," Gabriel laughed on the phone.
"When are you coming back?"
"I'm not," Father York replied, pulling his gaze away and picking up his backpack.
"If there's nothing important, don't call me. I'm busy..."
The next second, far away in the Vatican, an old man with greying temples sighed as he listened to the phone disconnect.
After making this final call, Father York didn't linger. He politely declined the old man Marlen's family's invitation to stay and had Archibald drive him back to the church.
The two didn't speak much on the way. As he was about to get out of the car, the usually silent Archibald suddenly spoke up.
"Father York."
"Yes?"
Father York paused, opening the car door, and turned to look at Archibald.
Archibald smiled faintly. "Thank you for your guidance and protection along the way. I will remember it."
Father York glanced at Archibald, sensing his sincerity.
"Congratulations on your promotion. But remember, unless necessary, don't talk about me to others. It won't do you any good."
After saying this, Father York left a contemplative Archibald behind, got out of the car, and walked towards the church.
Sitting in the driver's seat, Archibald watched until Father York entered the ancient church and disappeared before taking out his phone.
The timing of the call was perfect, just when he was alone.
"Father."
Meanwhile, the old man, who seemed to have timed his call, closed the Bible on the table and spoke.
"Archibald, are you alright? Father York mentioned that a demon broke through your defenses."
"Thank you for your concern, Father. I'm fine," Archibald said tiredly, looking exhausted as if he had run miles. He then asked,
"Father, I have a question. Can you answer it for me?"
Gabriel's calm voice came through the phone.
"What is it?"
"Why do you think Father York is a heretic? Just because of his unconventional exorcism knowledge?"
Hearing this question through the phone, Gabriel was silent for a few seconds before replying,
"Child, forgive me, but I cannot give you an answer. This is not for you to know. The church has its considerations…"