"Dis!"
"Yes."
The sensation of one's heart nearly leaping out of their throat—turns out it's not just an exaggerated metaphor. Orpheus was experiencing it firsthand now.
When he recognized the identity of the murderer depicted in the child's drawing and couldn't help but shout it out—
The "murderer" had already, at some point, arrived at the door.
And then came a response:
"Yes."
A simple, soft reply, but to Orpheus's ears, it was like a thunderclap.
Sitting on the spring bed, Orpheus's back snapped straight, and he immediately stood up.
At the same time,
He closed the notebook in his hand.
"Were you calling me just now?" Dis asked.
"I... yes, I was. There's something I need to discuss."
Dis nodded. "I need to talk to you as well."
"Heh, what a coincidence, Grandpa."
"Come to my study."
"Alright, Grandpa."
Dis turned and left.
The moment Orpheus heard the sound of the study door opening, he immediately opened the notebook and tore out that page, crumpling it into a ball.
He glanced at the glass of milk and water on the desk but decided against swallowing the paper ball. Instead, he stuffed it into his pocket.
Exiting his bedroom, Orpheus walked into Dis's study.
Dis's study wasn't much different from an ordinary study; there was nothing particularly luxurious or special about it. The chandelier in the center was lit.
But Orpheus remembered that on that night, the study had been lit by candles.
Dis sat behind his desk, while Orpheus pulled over a chair and sat down as naturally as he could—at least, he tried to appear natural.
For now, Orpheus had to push the matter of the drawing to the back of his mind;
Firstly, he had no emotional attachment to the "parents" depicted in the picture. In fact, even "Orpheus" barely had any clear memories of his parents, so whether their deaths were truly as depicted in the drawing didn't concern him fundamentally.
Secondly, his priority now was to keep himself alive.
"Do you want to speak first, or shall I?" Dis asked.
"Please, Grandpa, you go first."
"Your uncle spoke to me about what happened today and also about the new position he wants to arrange for you in the company.
You've become so cheerful now, even able to help others relieve their sorrows?"
Orpheus replied, "Precisely because I've been in the depths of despair for so long, I've learned to listen and to offer comfort."
"Do you want to do this?"
"Yes, I do."
"Why?"
"Because I'm a member of the Inmerales family, and if I have the ability, I'm willing to help the family, not just the family business, but also the people in it—my family members."
"There's a deacon position recently available at the Chiswick Street Church. If you want to help and guide others, that position might suit you better."
"I don't want to be a deacon in the church."
"Oh, why not?"
"I want to act from my own identity, not under the guise of God."
"Is it really any different?"
"It's very different."
"How so?"
"I believe that familial bonds are innate, not granted by God, and that family members don't need God as a mediator."
"Go on."
"Uncle Mason needs money, Aunt Mary needs money, and after her divorce, Aunt Winnie also needs money."
"The family is not lacking in money."
"But the family isn't rich enough."
"I don't want my children to devote their lives to the pursuit of wealth because money is something that can never be fully attained. There are more meaningful things in life."
"But most meaningful things are hard to achieve without enough money."
Dis fell silent, and Orpheus didn't say any more.
After a long pause,
Dis broke the silence, "Do you really love money that much?"
"Grandpa, as I just said, Uncle, Aunt, and Aunt Winnie, including the growing Mina, Lunt, and Chris, they all need money. What my family needs is what I must strive for."
Dis reached for the teacup on the desk.
Orpheus got up and picked up the thermos flask at the corner of the desk. "Grandpa, do you need fresh tea leaves?"
Dis shook his head.
Orpheus poured hot water into the cup, set down the flask, and sat back down.
"Do you think you can earn the amount of money you need and more just by doing this? I know you made 20,000 Luby today.
I'm quite curious as to why that gentleman was willing to pay such a high price."
"Because he recognized the value."
"That's the problem. People who recognize value are always in the minority. Those who recognize value, have money, and are willing to spend it extravagantly are even rarer."
"I'll come up with other ways. I believe I can do it."
"Alright." Dis took a sip of tea. "Now, tell me what you wanted to say."
"Grandpa, I want to continue my education."
"Oh? You want to go back to school?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
"You just said you wanted to work for the family and earn money."
"I don't need to go to school every day. I can help with the family business while studying on my own, but I need your help with the enrollment process."
"Are you planning to go to university?"
"I am."
"Which university?"
"St. John's University in Veinland. I heard it's one of the world's top universities."
"Yes, that's widely acknowledged. But do you think you can attend university there?"
"I believe as long as I study hard and keep striving…"
"No, no, no."
Dis interrupted Orpheus.
"What do you mean, Grandpa?"
"I'm getting old. As people age, they crave stability and like having their children around them."
Orpheus was stunned;
In his original plan,
Going to university in another country was a way to handle their relationship in a way that would benefit both sides.
You know I'm not your grandson,
And you know I know you know I'm not your grandson.
I leave Rodja City and the Swaylan Kingdom under a legitimate reason.
In my perception, I'm finally free from this family. I am... free.
In your perception, your grandson is still alive, far away, studying. Distance can create beauty and hope.
Wouldn't that be good for both sides?
Dis took another sip of tea and said, "I don't trust you going far away."
"But Grandpa... I'm already grown. According to the customs of Rodja City, I'm already an adult at fifteen."
"In my eyes, you're still just a child, unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless... I'm dead."
Until I die, you can't leave this family.
Of course, you can run away, but you can try.
Orpheus's lips parted slightly as he inhaled. Then his expression, which had turned somewhat stiff, softened into a warm smile as he stood up.
"Actually, I'd hate to leave you, Grandpa. Staying by your side has always been my greatest happiness."
Dis nodded, glanced at the door, signaling that their conversation was over and that he could leave.
Orpheus turned around,
His warm smile vanished, leaving only a grave expression on his face.
As he reached the door of the study, Dis's voice called out again from behind:
"By the way."
Orpheus immediately turned back, smiling again. "Grandpa, is there something else?"
"The hospital notified us that he's awake. I have business at the church tomorrow. Could you visit Mr. Hoffin for me?"
"Alright, Grandpa. Thank God, and may He bless Mr. Hoffin. It's a relief he's finally okay."
"Yes, you should rest early."
"You too, Grandpa."
...
Orpheus returned to his bedroom. Lunt, already washed up, was lying on his spring bed, getting ready to sleep. Seeing Orpheus return, he sat up and reminded him,
"Brother, Mom asked me to remind you to eat your supper."
"Okay, I will."
Orpheus saw 300 Luby under the milk glass.
Closing his eyes,
Then opening them again,
Orpheus pulled out another 1,000 Luby from the drawer, along with the 300, and walked over to Lunt.
"Brother… I can't take your money."
"Hold out your hand."
"Brother…"
"Hold it out!"
Lunt extended his hand.
Orpheus placed the 1,300 Luby into Lunt's hand, then leaned in close, staring right into his eyes, and said each word slowly:
"Do not disobey."
Lunt pursed his lips and eventually nodded.
Orpheus straightened up, realizing that he had vented the emotions stirred by Dis onto Lunt, which was inappropriate.
He gently patted Lunt's head,
and reassured him,
"Your brother makes money, he doesn't lack pocket money. Just don't let your mother find out, and don't waste it."
"Yes, Lunt understands. Lunt will listen to Brother."
"Go to sleep."
"Goodnight, Brother."
"Goodnight."
Orpheus returned to the desk, the lamp shining brightly.
He took out the crumpled paper from his pocket, intending to unfold it again, but after half-unfolding it, he crumpled it back into a ball.
He picked up the milk and gulped it down;
Then he dropped the paper ball into the glass of water and stirred it into mush with a spoon.
After doing this,
Orpheus rested his head on his hand, Dis's words echoing in his mind:
"I don't trust you going far away... unless I'm dead."
So, when will you...
"Sigh."
Orpheus took a big bite of the bread on the table.
Cursing him to die—that thought he just couldn't voice out.
Although Dis had tried to kill him, and probably still wanted to, he hadn't done so yet. Until he did, Orpheus was living off him—eating his food, drinking his drinks, using his things, living in his house. How could he harbor any resentment?
What else could he do?
Orpheus spread his hands wide.
"May Grandpa live a long life."
If Dis wouldn't let him leave, then he could only hope Dis lived long.
Because Dis's words could mean something else too;
Just like Ron had said, he would spend his last Luby before he died;
If one day Dis felt unwell, sensed his time was near, then before he left...
Orpheus licked his lips.
Self-mockingly, he thought:
"He'd probably take me with him."
...
The study.
The black cat, Purr, walked elegantly across the desk.
"All that talk about making money for the family, always bringing up family—how heartwarming, how touching. Dis, are you really fooled by him?
He's just using this so-called family bond to manipulate you. He's saying all this just to stay alive!
What is it,
Dis,
Do you actually believe what he says?
Or are you just deceiving yourself?"
Dis sat there, saying nothing.
Purr continued to pace the desk gracefully:
"Look at this, look! Is this still our Lord Dis, the Inquisitor?
Our Lord Dis, you really are getting old, letting familial ties blind you to your duty.
Dis,
Have you forgotten how you killed your son and daughter-in-law back then?
So why now,
When faced with a grandson,
Can't you bring yourself to do it?
And he's not your only grandson!"
Dis's gaze finally fell on Purr.
Under his gaze, Purr took a few cautious steps back.
At that moment,
Dis spoke:
"Order... Cage."
Black lines radiated from Dis's body, instantly enveloping the area around the desk, completing a barrier in an instant.
"Dis, what are you doing? Don't be impulsive! I'm trying to wake you up, trying to warn you, trying to help you!"
Dis's hand,
Landed directly on Purr's back,
And pushed down.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!"
Purr let out a series of screams.
Then,
The screams turned into a cat's yowl: "Meow!!!!!!!!!!"
Watching Purr, writhing in agony under his hand,
Dis's expression remained unchanged,
He asked in a flat tone:
"Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?"
...
There were no business matters at home today, and Mina, Lunt, and Chris were all at school.
After finishing the breakfast prepared by Aunt Winnie, Orpheus went down to the first floor and saw Paul and Ron chatting in the flower garden.
"Good morning, Master Orpheus."
"Good morning, sir."
Ron was particularly enthusiastic because of the 500 Luby from yesterday.
Orpheus asked Paul, "Will we need the car later?"
Paul shook his head, "No call has come in yet."
Ron chimed in, "I think today should be a pleasant and relaxing day. Mr. Mason and Mrs. Mary haven't even gotten up yet."
His uncle and aunt were taking the chance to sleep in since there was no business today.
"Paul, can you drive me to the hospital? I need to visit Mr. Hoffin on behalf of Grandpa."
"Of course, sir."
The Inmerales' car wasn't very convenient for personal use elsewhere, but going to a hospital was perfectly reasonable.
Back in the hearse, no matter the state of the living or dead, Orpheus sat down on the cushion and sighed:
"We could really get a new hearse."
After all, this one was modified. A proper hearse has a groove in the middle for the coffin, with fixed seats and handrails on both sides, providing more space.
"Mr. Mason has wanted to replace it for a while, but Lady Winnie wouldn't agree."
Paul started the car, and they drove down Chiswick Street.
"Paul, turn there and drive past the front of the row houses."
"Sure, sir."
But as soon as Paul turned onto the road, Orpheus changed his mind: "Forget it, Paul. Let's go straight to the hospital without detours."
"Of course, sir." Paul didn't show a hint of impatience. He was much more temperate than Ron, though Ron could also be enthusiastic if you tipped him.
Orpheus had wanted to pass by his uncle's first love's house and glance at the second-floor window, but thinking about it, with Grandpa not in the car, he decided against it for safety's sake.
About ten minutes later, Paul parked in the hospital lot.
"Sir, I'll wait here for you."
"Alright."
Orpheus got out and headed towards the inpatient building.
Walking up the steps, he realized he was visiting a patient but hadn't brought any fruit.
Should I go buy some fruit or flowers and come back?
He hesitated,
But then decided it was too much trouble. Forget it.
"Hello, can you tell me which room Mr. Hoffin is in?"
"Mr. Hoffin? Please wait a moment, I'll check for you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The young nurse at the reception desk searched through the patient records for the area. While looking, she glanced up at Orpheus from time to time, a faint smile on her lips.
Orpheus kept a polite smile, patiently waiting.
Since he'd inherited this handsome face, he had to endure the troubles that came with it, alas.
For instance, this young nurse was intentionally taking her time, just to look at him a bit longer.
Finally,
"Found it. Mr. Hoffin is in Room 301, Bed 2."
"Thank you."
"Would you like me to take you there?"
"No, thank you."
Orpheus climbed the stairs to the third floor. Room 301 was right at the staircase, easy to find.
Opening the door, he saw two beds inside. One held Mr. Hoffin, while the other had a middle-aged woman in a nurse's uniform, sleeping soundly and snoring lightly, not even noticing when Orpheus entered.
The nurse was slacking off.
Orpheus stepped forward to wake her,
But at that moment,
Mr. Hoffin's voice came through:
"She's working three jobs; she's exhausted. Let her sleep a bit longer."
Orpheus turned and looked at Mr. Hoffin lying in the bed. His head was bandaged. He must have been reading the newspaper before Orpheus arrived. It seemed his recovery was going well.
"Knowing you've woken up, I came to visit immediately."
Empty-handed, Orpheus sat down beside the bed.
Mr. Hoffin's lips curled into a cold smile. "I didn't die from the fall, are you disappointed?"
Orpheus shook his head, speaking frankly, "If I'd wanted, you probably wouldn't have made it to the hospital alive."
Mr. Hoffin frowned slightly, puzzled. "So now you're not even pretending?"
"What's there to pretend? I'm Orpheus. It's just that the illness changed me a lot, nearly dying can do that, can't it?"
"I'm curious why Dis still lets you live."
"I'm Grandpa's grandson. What are you implying?"
"Don't you know what you really are?"
"I told you, I'm Orpheus."
Mr. Hoffin lifted his head, revealing the cross necklace around his neck:
"Take it off."
"Sure."
Orpheus reached out and took the cross necklace off Mr. Hoffin's neck.
Mr. Hoffin stared at Orpheus,
And said:
"I'm going to tell you what you really are."
"No wonder you're a philosophy professor. I'd be happy to discuss philosophy with you."
"Hold it!"
"What?"
"Hold the cross in your hand!"
Orpheus looked at the cross necklace he had just taken from Mr. Hoffin's neck and didn't move.
"What, scared?"
"No."
"Then hold it. As long as you do, you'll know what you really are."
"Mr. Hoffin, divination is fine as a hobby, but indulging too much can affect your real life."
"If you're that thing, when you touch it voluntarily, your soul will be destroyed."
"Are you telling a story?"
"Yes, so play along and hold it."
Orpheus hesitated.
"What are you hesitating for? Hold it. What, are you even deceiving yourself? Heh, I don't know why Dis still lets you live. Maybe he's getting old, old and..."
Mr. Hoffin's eyes suddenly widened.
Because he saw, right before his eyes, Orpheus reached out with his left hand and gripped the cross.
One second,
Three seconds,
Ten seconds;
Half a minute;
After holding the cross, Orpheus didn't move at all.
Mr. Hoffin propped himself up on the bed, struggling to get up, but just then, Orpheus suddenly leaned forward, letting
out a sound: "Hah!"
"Ah!"
Mr. Hoffin lost his balance and fell back onto the bed, but his eyes remained fixed on Orpheus, disbelief written all over his face.
Orpheus tossed the cross necklace onto the pillow beside Mr. Hoffin, spread his arms wide, and spun in place,
Saying:
"Wasn't my soul supposed to be destroyed? Look at me, nothing happened."
"That's impossible, this can't be!" Mr. Hoffin began muttering to himself.
"Rest well. I'll visit again later. I hope by then you'll be feeling more stable." Orpheus tapped his forehead, "Goodbye, Mr. Hoffin."
With that, Orpheus left the room.
"His soul wasn't destroyed by the Purifier.
Could it be that I was wrong?
Is he really not a demon?"
...
Descending the stairs, the nurse at the reception desk gave Orpheus a sweet smile, which he returned.
Walking out of the inpatient building,
Down the steps,
Orpheus didn't head straight to the parking lot to find Paul.
Instead, he went to a corner of the hospital garden,
Squatted down,
Covered his mouth with his right hand,
And began frantically waving his left arm,
"Damn it… it hurts like hell!"
After a flurry of waving,
Orpheus finally stopped,
Holding out his left hand in front of him, slowly opening his palm.
In the center of his left palm, there was a clear burn scar in the shape of a cross, but the wound seemed cauterized, so no blood was seeping out.
Looking at this burn mark,
Orpheus fell into deep thought,
After a long while,
He muttered to himself:
"So… what am I exactly?"