Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 100 Official Results

As Green walked out of the gates of St. George's Hospice, it was already dusk.

He stood on the street, still holding the book "The Night Church Text (Night Watch Internal Supplement)" in his hands.

Green felt a chill run down his spine as he recalled the obscure scriptures and strict precepts, as well as the exam that Rick had mentioned.

He walked across two streets, then flagged down a horse-drawn carriage on the street, gave the address 27 Rue de la Riviera, and climbed into the carriage.

The carriage was filled with the smells of leather, old wood, and a faint scent of horses.

The sound of wheels rolling over the stone pavement, accompanied by the occasional shouts of the driver.

Green leaned back in the not-so-comfortable chair, closed his eyes, and sorted out and digested the information from the day.

From the oppressive breakfast at home in the early morning, to the conversation with Henry in the port authority's underground warehouse, to the invitation brought by Irwin and the negotiations about the brooch.

Then came Anaïs's choices and promotions, and finally, the Night's Watch outhouse beneath St. George's Hospice, a place filled with both surprises and solemnity.

In a single day, his identity changed from a port authority employee and Hayes' nephew to a trainee night watchman in the Church of the Night, the holder of a dangerous brooch that may be related to the silent god "Fool," and... a "living treasure" who needs to support a large family and is eagerly seeking promotion.

"A living treasure..." Green murmured, repeating himself.

This isn't a pleasant label; everyone wants treasure, not to become treasure themselves.

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the thick, black religious text on his lap.

"At least this time the exam isn't about calculus or Marxism-Leninism..." he thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, casually flipping open his textbook.

The carriage swayed slightly as the horse-drawn carriage moved, and the gas streetlights outside the window began to light up one by one, casting a dim yellow glow in the winter twilight.

Using this light, Green browsed the pages of the book.

The content was more...systematic than he had expected.

It includes not only prayers and precepts, but also theological interpretations of core concepts such as 'secrecy,' 'peace,' and 'eternal sleep.'

The latter half of the book also includes cautionary descriptions of the known major evil gods and hidden beings, as well as specific details of the Night's Watch's code of conduct.

When to report, how to deal with sealed objects, procedures to follow when facing different levels of anomalous events, and even methods for spiritual calming after battle and simple purification rituals.

These additions are clearly intended for the Night's Watch.

"This is more like a... 'Extraordinary Civil Servant's Handbook' and 'Survival Guide for High-Risk Professions'."

Green silently commented.

Rick is right, these things do need to be memorized, not only for the exam, but also to save your life.

As the carriage passed near the central market, the aroma of food and the cries of vendors wafted in through the gaps in the carriage.

Green looked up from his reverie and gazed out the window.

As dusk fell, the market was nearing its closing time, and the stall owners were busy tidying up their goods, but many people were still making their final purchases.

Under the dim light of the gas lamp, the colors of the vegetables and fruits appeared somewhat dull, but compared to the potentially depleted stock at home, these were still a necessary supplement.

Green thought of Aunt Sylvia's condition, Emily's tightly closed door, and Sula's possibly empty stomach after school.

Mrs. Lefevere might be able to prepare simple meals, but without enough ingredients, it wouldn't work.

"Stop the carriage," he knocked on the side of the carriage and shouted to the driver.

The carriage stopped at the edge of the market.

Green got off the carriage carrying his Bible and canvas bag, and said to the driver, "Wait a moment, I'll be there soon."

He walked briskly toward several fruit and vegetable stalls that had not yet closed.

It was late, and the best-quality goods had already sold out. What remained looked somewhat droopy, but the prices were relatively cheap.

"Apples... half a pound, the firm ones. Potatoes and onions, one pound each, and some carrots too."

Green skillfully selected items while keeping an eye on the prices. He remembered the stalls his Aunt Sylvia used to frequent and the approximate prices.

"Sir, these apples were just delivered from the orchard to the east this morning. Look at the color..." a stall owner said, trying to sell them.

"It was delivered this morning and has been sitting here all day; the surface is all wrinkled."

Green picked one up, looked at it, then put it down. "It's two pence cheaper, so I'll take half a pound."

The stall owner muttered a few words, but seeing that it was getting late, he gave in.

Green bought some tea, sugar, and his aunt's favorite white bread from a familiar grocery store and bakery. They probably didn't have much of these things left at home.

He returned to the carriage with a simple shopping basket and carefully placed the items under the seat. The whole process took only seven or eight minutes and cost 1 soule and 5 pence.

Although he now theoretically has two incomes, the 3 pounds 5 sulph from the port authority plus the 4 pounds from the night watchman, his weekly salary can be as high as 7 pounds 5 sulph, and it will be even higher after the night watchman becomes a full-fledged member.

After deducting necessary expenses each week, there might be a considerable amount left over, but future expenses will be substantial. Emily may need to hire a special caregiver, Aunt Sylvia may need psychological counseling, Sula's tuition fees may apply, and there are the potentially huge costs associated with his own promotion...

Saving every penny is a habit ingrained in my bones.

"Perhaps I should have Mrs. Lefever stay at my home for the time being..." Green silently added another necessary expense to his mind.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Gate 27.

After paying the fare, Green, carrying his Bible and canvas bag in one hand and the food he had just bought in the other, knocked on the door.

The door opened quickly, and Mrs. Lefever hurriedly took the things from his hands.

Green went inside and briefly inquired about what had happened that afternoon.

"The police came this afternoon."

As Mrs. Lefever put the food into the kitchen, she reported in a low voice, "Two gentlemen have arrived. They were in uniform, very serious, but spoke quite politely."

"They...they brought Mr. Hayes's...well, some paperwork, as well as a letter of condolence and...a notice of compensation jointly issued by the City Hall and the Port Authority."

She paused, her voice lower, "When Mrs. Hayes signed, her hand was shaking so badly she could barely hold the pen... Her tears... seemed to have dried up completely. She just stared straight at the paper for a long time before signing her name. I felt... sigh."

Green's heart sank.

The official process has finally arrived; this document is both a declaration and an end.

"How is she now?" Green asked.

"After signing the document, she sat in the living room for a long time. Later, when Miss Sula came home from school, she took Miss Sula to the back garden, where they have been sitting ever since."

"I brought her hot tea twice, but she barely touched it. She didn't say anything, just stared at the withered branches in the garden... However, compared to how lost she looked this morning, she seems... a little better now, at least her eyes aren't so empty."

Mrs. Lefever carefully chose her words, "Miss Sula was very sensible, staying with her the whole time and speaking softly, although the lady didn't respond much."

Green nodded; it was good news that he was recovering a little. Time might be the only medicine that could work right now.

"Where's Emily?" Green asked, referring to the one who worried him more.

Mrs. Lefevere's face showed a complicated expression. "Miss Emily... came out once this afternoon. She was wearing a plain house dress and her hair was combed, but her face was frighteningly pale. She didn't look at anyone, she didn't look at anyone, and went straight to the back garden and sat down in the chair next to Mrs. Hayes."

"Did she...talk to her aunt?"

"no."

Mrs. Lefevere shook her head. "She just sat there, like Mrs. Hayes, looking at the garden. She sat there for about an hour and a half, and then, as it was getting dark, she went back to her room by herself. I tried to ask her if she wanted something to eat, but she shook her head and didn't say anything."

"But...it's strange, she didn't cry, her face was completely expressionless, just...cold, which gave people the creeps."

Green remained silent.

No crying, no talking, just coldness... This is more unsettling than wailing.

Is this the ultimate repression, or the beginning of some kind of... transformation? Is the influence of the Witch Path subtly changing the way she expresses her emotions?

"I see."

Green took a deep breath. "Is dinner ready?"

"There's vegetable soup simmering on the stove, and the bread is warmed up too. I'll go set the table now."

"Okay, thank you for your help. I'll go check the back garden."

Green put down his Bible and canvas bag, took off his coat, and walked toward the glass door leading to the back garden.

Winter nights come early, and the garden was already dark. Only the light from inside the house barely illuminated the area near the porch.

Aunt Sylvia, wrapped in a thick shawl, sat in a wicker chair, her figure appearing particularly thin in the twilight.

Sula sat next to her on a small stool, talking quietly about school, her voice unusually clear in the quiet garden.

Sylvia did not respond, but stared blankly at the bare rose bush in front of her, as if the flowers that Victor had personally pruned last summer were still blooming there.

Green gently pushed open the door and went out.

"Brother." Sula saw him and immediately stood up, whispering.

Sylvia slowly turned her head as well. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her gaze was tired and blank. When she saw Green, a faint light seemed to gather in them.

"aunt."

Green walked over to her, knelt down, and took her cold hand. "It's cold outside, come inside. It's time for dinner."

Sylvia's hand trembled slightly in his palm, her lips moved, but no sound came out. She simply nodded, letting Green help her up.

Sula sensibly took Sylvia's other arm.

The three walked silently back into the warm house.

Mrs. Lefevere went upstairs to call Emily down for dinner, but she was met with silence again.

As she went downstairs, she shook her head helplessly.

Suddenly, Sylvia spoke up, her voice unusually hoarse: "Could you please send one up to her?"