Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 65 - 62 Good Uncle
The crimson moon of Cassandra remained clear and unchanged.
Lyle removed his clothing and digested the knowledge of the day.
Knock knock.
Picking up Medusa, the orb used its tentacles to hoist itself up, hovering right above the door.
Lyle opened the door.
The gloomy Ralph stood outside, his face shadowed by the brim of his hat, making his expression unclear.
"Uncle," Lyle stepped aside to make way, inviting him in.
Ralph did not move.
"Bran Sherley was sent to the church three hours ago..."
"..."
"Don’t you have anything to say to me?"
"Why would Uncle suspect me?"
"Because I’m your kin, I understand you," Ralph said, standing outside Lyle’s cabin, taking off the hat from his head and placing it on Lyle’s, "Your expression is very somber, which is your weakness. Your emotions always show on your face; you need it more than I do."
Lyle’s face was covered, and he also saw that Ralph’s indifferent face still had sharpness in his eyes.
"When you were at the medical school, you injured a nobleman because he mocked my deceased brother. Facial contusions, three teeth knocked out; cleaning up afterwards took quite an effort on my part."
"Lyle, you are a good kid, but your methods in pursuing justice are always harsh and limitless. Your sense of justice makes you violent and impulsive." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"I only scared him..."
"With a living corpse? I should have made sure to kill William back then," Ralph calmly uttered the terrifying words.
It seemed he thought it was the wizard William who taught him magic.
"So you came to arrest me?"
"Did I say you did something wrong?"
"No."
"And I haven’t received any case request either. I am just mocking my ignorant nephew, seeing how juvenile his methods are."
"I’m glad you could use unconventional means; indeed, there probably won’t be any trace found at the scene. But you were too hasty, your motive for the crime blatantly exposed you."
Lyle felt this discourse on justice and morality was evidently going awry. "Uncle, you are a sheriff, is it appropriate for us to discuss this?"
"How is it not appropriate! What if you, this damn brat, do something stupid again and get into trouble? What am I supposed to do if I can’t cover for you then!"
"Eh, you want to cover for me? But that doesn’t seem right."
"I appreciate your intentions, but I disapprove of your methods. Gareth must have told you about turning the case over to me, yet you went ahead on your own. Don’t you trust my capabilities?"
"Because the current law won’t give him the punishment he deserves."
"What the law can’t give, I, Ralph, can intensify. I was planning to use your evidence to extort a pretty sum from him, bleeding him dry. Now what? He’s been frightened and turned into a victim, garnering public sympathy. He hasn’t lost anything; on the contrary, he might gain others’ empathy. I know your actions feel gratifying, but feeling good inside won’t solve any problems."
"You need to grow up, Lyle."
"I understand."
"Have more trust in your elders. I’m certainly more cunning than you, you naïve youngster."
"Mm."
Ralph put the hat back on his head, as his nephew returned to his usual unremarkable self.
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"I’m off to inspect the scene now, if you need to go out later tonight, remember to lock the door."
"Need to go out again?"
Ralph walked into the night.
"I stood outside the door for an hour, until a beam of white light brought you back, researching those things; be careful."
....
The following day.
In front of Mr. Gareth’s desk, three figures stood before him.
He adjusted his monocle and looked at the investigation report in his hand.
"Ralph, is this your investigation record?"
"Yes, sir. To assemble this detailed report, I stayed at the Sherley estate all night, gathering information with the pool of vomit and a few servants who seemed to have late-stage communication barriers."
Ralph’s report, which Lyle happened to have read, was beautifully worded and elaborately descriptive, capturing the scene with meticulous detail, using two full paragraphs just to describe the steak on the dinner plate. It seemed like a professional report but was more akin to a detective novel because it could give the reader a misconceived perception, confusing their senses — it was like a bottle of strong alcohol for the eyes and mind.
Gareth nodded, glanced at Lyle, "Very impressive, such a literary work... the case must be something those gentlemen are eager to see. What is your conclusion, Ralph?"
"After my professional investigation, Mr. Bran Sherley may suffer from mild delusional disorder and requires church therapy."
"That’s truly sad news, especially as it involves a sponsor of our security office. I was going to mourn him for a quarter of an hour, but the citizens of Cassandra wait for our help."
"So, Ralph, your case work is finished. Now, I’d like to introduce you to our new team member, Ms. Karen Pembai. As a member of the Dawnlight Congregation, she has excellent practical experience. She has been assigned to your team, so please take good care of her, Ralph."
This was probably the most Mr. Gareth had ever used Ralph’s first name.
Karen, donned in a fresh sheriff’s outfit, had her blond hair coiled up behind her, and she wore a service cap that was probably the smallest size, giving her a renewing look and quite a pleasant appearance.
It was her standard chest-thumping salute.
"Officer Ralph, Karen Pembai reporting for duty. If it’s possible, I’d like my duties to overlap significantly with Mr. Lyle’s."
Ralph’s originally indifferent eyes brightened a bit, a look that Lyle had never seen before, as if he had glimpsed a hope for life.
Ralph forced out a grimace that was uglier than crying, his lips twitched as he spoke.
"Welcome, Karen. If you don’t mind, you can call me Ralph. No need for formalities. I prefer to maintain a familial relationship with my subordinates."
Had the world come to an end?
Lyle watched in astonishment. He watched Ralph struggle to keep his smile.
Shortly after, the three began their patrol duties. While getting ready, Lyle was pulled aside.
Facing a very serious Ralph.
"Nephew."
"Hmm?"
"I’ve done all I can for you. Whether you succeed or not is up to you."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? It means you might be able to settle down soon. Karen is a good girl. You’re twenty now, and I think you’re well-matched."
"What are you thinking? I just met her for the first time last night!" Lyle had never expected Ralph to turn into this sort of person.
"What am I thinking! The moment I saw her, it was as if I saw the face of my grandnephew. Lyle, you’re the sole heir of the Butler family! You are responsible for continuing the lineage!"
"Don’t make it sound like it’s all my responsibility! You’re still in the prime of your life."
"I don’t care! Within five years, I want to be cradling the future of the Butler bloodline! So you, young man, better start making an effort now."
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