[19:32]
A Ford Raptor drifts into view, coming to a quick stop in front of a low-rise building, settling on the large open space in front.
The smoking tires kick up a few scattered stones as they screech to a halt.
The area isn't well-maintained, covered in loose stones, but it's clear this large open space serves as a parking lot for the nearby vicinity.
Bang! The passenger door bursts open, and Nick can't help but run out, his legs giving out like a limp shrimp as he falls to the ground, vomiting.
"Madman!"
"Damn it! A reckless madman!"
"Is this really a priest?"
"…"
On the other side, the driver's door also opens, revealing York's robust figure. He's holding a cellphone, looking towards the low-rise building in front of him.
The flickering lights under the cover of darkness indeed carry a mysterious and ancient atmosphere.
"Built in 1945, indeed ancient…"
Ignoring Nick's cursing and mumbling, York leans against the car, continuing to go through the intelligence Hannah just sent over.
The original owner of the mystery box warehouse, Anthony Walmar, and all his information.
First, there are some old, dated photos from the World War II era, from 1931 to 1945.
York squints his eyes, his finger scrolling down, gathering more and more information.
The warehouse's original owner, Anthony Walmar, was born into a wealthy family that rose to prominence during World War II.
They were involved in the steel business in Europe, manufacturing weapons, producing tank tungsten armor-piercing shells, making a fortune. However, due to backing the wrong side, their judgement led to the destruction of all their overseas business until late into World War II when Anthony's family immigrated to America.
And the family's reins were handed over to Anthony Walmar, by which time the Walmar family was already on the brink of decline.
"Hmm, the reason for summoning demons for a trade has come, a man wanting his family to rise again."
With a rough estimate, York continues scrolling.
One reason he can act without the bishop's or Gabriel's consent, acting first and reporting later, is because his reports are very detailed.
The entire incident is very clear from start to finish, so he's used to knowing the basic information before exorcising demons, which means having relevant evidence.
It might be a wasted trip tonight, but this information also gives him a solid foundation for later investigations into the cult, providing a stable basis.
Following the leads, catching the small tails hidden in the dark becomes inevitable.
And the information scrolled down is also important.
Under Hannah's investigation, after Anthony Walmar took over the family, he constantly lingered at many gatherings, which were, in fact, cult gatherings.
"This guy seems to be a notable figure in some cult circles, no wonder he could find such a set of the Book of R'lyeh, probably took a lot of effort…"
Knowing that Anthony Walmar began seeking through dark paths for his family's rise, York continues scrolling, eventually uncovering critical information.
At the time, Anthony had a younger sister, Dorothy Walmar, whose beauty was famous among socialites, with many suitors, but she suddenly disappeared one day, a case that once caused a sensation in America, making the headlines of various newspapers.
Hannah even thoughtfully took screenshots of the headlines from back then, and York glances at the photo of Dorothy Walmar printed on them. Indeed, Dorothy Walmar was quite beautiful, but her disappearance led him to think of some things.
In legends, demons and angels could freely enter the human world. But humans are too weak, and these powerful beings, demons and angels, disdain to show themselves, setting a rule.
They began using the human world as a chessboard, humans as chess pieces, for their battles.
For priests and other exorcists, a successful exorcism or conversion means a victory for God, while humans succumbing to temptation, sacrificing their conscience, means Hell gains a point.
It means directly tormenting humans is meaningless for demons; they aim to destroy human faith, conscience, and virtue, wanting the negative to outweigh the positive.
Of course, these are all legends, but they also prove that when humans are tempted by demons, allowing their darker sides to develop, they can commit utterly cruel acts, as in the case of the Bathsheba incident, where Bathsheba sacrificed her children and life.
"So…"
York looks at the photo of Dorothy Walmar, thinking about what might be the truth.
That is, the young and beautiful 25-year-old Dorothy Walmar was likely sacrificed by her own brother, Anthony Walmar.
York, with a calm face, continues to the last piece of information, summarizing to a single point.
That is, the Walmar family, once flourishing during World War II, gradually declined to just a historical record.
This is a critical piece of information.
Because… since Dorothy Walmar was sacrificed, the Walmar family should have soared again.
Considering the setting of the fourth book, where a completed trade results in self-destruction, York puts away his phone, looking towards the low-rise building in front of him.
"It seems tonight's visit won't be in vain, even if it's just to get that fourth book, it's still a gain."
York glances at Nick, who has recovered, and walks towards the back seat of the car, opening the door to take out a backpack with a rocket launcher and two warheads.
Of course, besides this, York doesn't forget to gear up, even if there's no battle, being prepared in advance is always right.
His survival to this point, thriving, is all thanks to this cautious and reliable mindset.
There's no rifle, but there's a holy grenade belt and a Ryan revolver.
"Cough! Cough!"
Nick kneels on the ground, coughing a few times, finally stopping the vomiting, but he's still cursing internally, considering he's a Vietnam War veteran, to be made to vomit like this shows how crazy the priest's driving must have been.
"Nick, sorry, are you done vomiting?"
Hearing the voice, Nick can't make out any apologetic tone from the other side.
When he sees shoes and a backpack appear next to him, Nick feels a surge of anger rising.
"Shit! You…"
But the scene he looks up to see makes him choke on the last words of his insult.
In his eyes, the imposing priest is fiddling with a revolver, but what's important isn't that; what's important is the priest has a rocket launcher slung over his shoulder and a grenade belt across his chest, one after another…
Nick is dumbfounded, his mind only able to think of one thing: what situation requires this level of preparedness? "Got something to say, Nick?"
Seeing Nick standing there dumbfounded, York puts the checked Ryan revolver into his waist holster, smiling.
___________________
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