Chapter 146

Chapter 146 “Ashes”

Heidi didn’t notice anything unusual in her father’s tone.

“Yes,” she nodded calmly, “me and Vanna went to Mr. Duncan’s antique shop today. I managed to have a nice chat with him and performed hypnotherapy for Nina. We returned right afterward.”

The doctor hesitated briefly at the end, wondering whether to tell her father about the fire she had heard from Nina and Vanna’s strange reaction over it. However, after recalling her friend’s abnormally serious expression in the car, the lady halted this idea.

There may be dangerous hidden forces involved behind this incident, and it may be so serious that if she speaks of it, it may attract prying eyes. Although her father was the same as herself – he was also a follower of truth who serves the god of wisdom – they’re both more of a scholar than a true transcendent fighter. It’s not good for a person of learning to deal with those dangerous things directly.

Morris still had a gentle and calm expression on his face when he nodded slightly. Then speaking casually like it’s not intended: “So you stayed over there for quite a while... did you lose track of time by chatting with Mr. Duncan? See, did I not say he’s a person thirsty for knowledge?”

“Oh... that’s not it,” Heidi’s face suddenly grew a shade of blushed red, “it’s just that... I wasted a little time when I hypnotized Nina.”

“When hypnotizing Nina?” Morris heard his student’s name and timely raised an eyebrow, “Did it not go well? Is her mental state that terrible? Was it affected by the previous fire at the museum?”

Heidi couldn’t help but roll her eyes when she heard her father’s long series of questions: “You really care about that student of yours... Don’t worry, she’s doing well. That girl was just a little anxious, and after my counseling, she’s completely fine and won’t be affected during the final exams. The delay I’m referring to is about... something else.”

Morris now sounded curious: “Oh?”

“Aha, maybe I’m a little too tired lately,” Heidi dryly laughed with more embarrassment. “I fell asleep as well when hypnotizing her and slept until the evening...”

“You fell into a deep sleep yourself while hypnotizing Nina?” Morris’s expression finally changed slightly, but he quickly regained control as per his protocol, “It’s not like you.”

“Everyone can be negligent at times, not to mention I have been deprived of a proper vacation in a long while.” Heidi waved her hand impatiently, “Aiya don’t ask, I’m already an adult. You and Mother are always like this when I come back late. I’m not a kid anymore you know. There’s no need to always act so worried...”

Morris kept staring at his daughter for several seconds more before breaking out his usual polite laugh of a scholar: “Of course, of course, I won’t keep asking like this the next time. Come, dinner is already waiting for you in the kitchen. Hurry and go warm it up. I still have to go see your mother.”

“Okay,” Heidi nodded and scurried for the kitchen, only to swing her head around before the hall corner, “by the way, are you planning to visit the antique shop later?”

The last sentence brought an uncomfortable silence to the ash on the bed.

Morris shook his head: “I understand, my love. There may be a little risk involved with my decision, but this is our daughter. I have to go. Don’t worry, I will pray for divination in advance. In fact, I had already visited that antique shop before and met the owner. The man is diligent, and his niece is a studious child and one of my students at school. There was no malicious evil hovering in there....”

“So, if the risk factor was in the shop today when Heidi visited, then the owner of that shop could also be threatened. My students live there. As a teacher and servant to the God of Wisdom, I must.”

Morris stated in a wistful voice that was so full of emotions that it hurt. Then the pair listened to each other’s suggestions and various ideas on what to do.

“No, we can’t alarm the cathedral about this matter... While they may be more effective, their overly aggressive style could also hurt my student. The priority of suppressing heresy and eradicating evil is too high for the guardians of the Church, and...”

Speaking of this, Morriston let out a soft sigh before continuing: “And, I really don’t want to attract the attention of the cathedral, after all... I am a heretical accomplice who has been shaken in my belief.”

His voice fell into a depressing low, those eyes never leaving the mass of ash that was his wife, who died eleven years ago in the fire.

In response, the human-shaped ash slowly rose upward and reached out, forming a tentacle-like form that’s supposed to be an arm to gently brush the old gent’s face.

“I know... I know...” Morris lowered his head and spoke in a confessing manner, “I am a man whose faith has wavered. I’m a coward who refuses to fully fall into degeneration... Lahem gave me the eyes to see through delusions, but I closed them on my own will to make an unrealistic wish come true. I wanted to keep you in this world, but couldn’t fully deceive myself... instead, I forced you and I into this shameful situation...”

He raised his head and gently gripped the fluttering wisp of ash, only to have his fingers bypass the dust.

“I wish I knew nothing like Heidi. This way, I could at least see you again, touch you again.... I haven’t been able to see how you look for eleven years now~”

This time, only a soft rubbing of particles came from the ash, the version of the woman weeping.

“I understand, I understand... All this will eventually end; after all, every show has an ending at some point. No matter what it is that responded to my wish, it will eventually come collect its price. I am ready for that. When it comes, I will ensure my clean disappearance from this world. Even if it’s a shadow of subspace, I won’t allow it to invade reality through this wish....”

Morris raised his head and stared at the silhouette of ash in the dim light.

“But until that day comes, just stay with me for a while longer....”