Chapter 39: Respect the Merciful World

“Shade Hamilton, detective.”

Shade also took the initiative to introduce himself during the handshake.

“Bill has already told me about you. Being able to join us is as much your good fortune as it is ours,” the old man said cheerfully. At that moment, Shade noticed a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket on the coffee table; it was likely prepared by Dr. Schneider, as Priest Augustus's financial situation seemed to be only slightly better than Shade's.

Priest Lat Augustus was a Second-Circle Warlock within this group, having become a correspondence warlock three years ago.

He was not a local raised in Tobesque, but rather came from a small town in the southern part of the Delarion Kingdom. Influenced by his family, the old priest had believed in the True God, [Mr. Dawn], since his youth. After passing the examinations at the Tobesque Dawn Theological Seminary in his youth, he joined the Dawn Church of Tobesque City at the age of twenty-three. Since then, he had remained unmarried, dedicating his entire life to the service of the church.

Although for thirty full years, Priest Augustus had not advanced beyond his status as a priest due to various reasons, no one doubted his piety. The old priest held considerable prestige within his local parish and was deeply trusted by the clergy and believers alike. Even the Archbishop of a major diocese like the Tobesque Diocese would consult him on certain important matters.

Due to the awkward relationship between correspondence warlocks and the True God's churches, Shade would frequently need to hide his identity in front of the clergy in the future. Priest Augustus, possessing connections within the church, was the best person to settle any ecclesiastical matters.

Although his talent as a warlock was not particularly exceptional due to his advanced age, he was an indispensable member of this five-person group.

As a token of mutual trust, Priest Augustus and Shade showed each other their life rings. The priest was also an unusual case, though not possessing three rings like Miss Louisa; he had only one core spiritual rune: [Glimmer].

Both Priest Augustus's identity and his core rune aligned perfectly with the requirements of the "Theology Department" of St. Byrons Comprehensive Academy. However, the priest had not joined the theology department; he was currently a member of the Chemistry Department, proficient in the cultivation, harvesting, and concoction of medicinal herbs.

In this five-person group, Shade had now met one more person. Of the remaining two who had yet to arrive, the writer Miss Dorothy Louisa from the Folklore Department would likely take some time, while the other Third-Circle Warlock, Luvia Anat, could not make it today as she was temporarily away from Tobesque on some business.

“Miss Anat is actually different from us. Strictly speaking, she is a warlock belonging to the [Prophecy Association]. Anat sent a letter asking us to convey her regards to you. She probably won't be back until next month, but it's really not many days away—just next week,” the doctor continued his introduction, gesturing that since the handshake was over, Shade could find a seat.

“Since she is also part of our group, isn't that lady a correspondence student of St. Byrons?” Shade asked in confusion, choosing to sit opposite Dr. Schneider.

Although Priest Augustus had a church background, he was receiving adult education from the academy, making him a correspondence student of St. Byrons. Miss Anat, however, was entirely different.

“No, she is also considered a correspondence student of the academy, but under the Astronomy Department, specializing in the arts of divination. As for why she holds a dual identity, are you familiar with 'joint training'?”

The doctor asked. Shade, who had only been puzzled when he first heard about her, was now truly surprised, once again confirming that the organization he had joined was indeed a school.

“She belongs to the [Prophecy Association] herself, but she receives training from both sides. In fact, St. Byrons Comprehensive Academy has such joint-training students with many friendly organizations—including the Zaraswen Academy and the Xerxes Higher Medical College, though not the church. You will learn this in time.

But do not form any preconceived notions about Anat because of her status; just treat her as an ordinary companion. Would you like some tea? I had some excellent black tea at your place last time, so I had my servant buy some,” the doctor asked.

Shade thought for a moment and said, “Alright, thank you. So, in reality, Miss Luvia Anat is just like us?”

“There are still differences.”

As Priest Augustus spoke, he fiddled with his old tobacco pipe. He would, of course, not smoke inside the clinic; it was merely a habitual gesture. “In addition to gaining knowledge from the academy, the [Prophecy Association] can also provide conveniences for Miss Anat. She is highly esteemed by the warlocks of the [Prophecy Association]. Therefore, relatively speaking...”

The priest glanced at the doctor, who shook his head nonchalantly, signaling the grey-haired old priest to continue.

“Although she is only at the Third Circle—only one circle higher than me in the group—in a non-direct confrontation, even the doctor is not certain he could defeat her. Of course, this is also due to the fact that Schneider and Louisa's abilities are not suited for direct combat.”

Priest Augustus believed that although warlocks possessed power, the profession was meant for researching the world and exploring one's inner self, not for fighting and killing. In the old man's view, warlocks were more like scholars than mercenaries.

His thoughts were very similar to the doctor's. After becoming a correspondence warlock, one should not indulge their inner desires simply because they had gained power, but should instead be more humble and cautious.

In other words, the two were tactfully reminding Shade to be careful in his actions and to avoid getting involved in things that were not his business. The correct way of life for a correspondence warlock was to study patiently, engrave spiritual runes to accumulate essence, read the notes of predecessors, and learn more about thaumaturgy and incantations.

Shade therefore suspected that the doctor had already told Priest Augustus about his encounter the day before yesterday. Priest Augustus was worried that Shade, having suddenly gained power through the remnants of an Old God, might crave more power through similar adventures, which was why he spoke this way.

Priest Augustus was a very good man.

“Speaking of which, I am actually quite curious about something.”

Since the topic of warlocks and fighting had been raised, Shade inquired, “Since warlocks themselves gather elements, and even possess spiritual runes engraved because of those elements, if one kills a warlock, can they obtain the other's power? For example, their spiritual runes, their dissipated elements, or perhaps their elements turning into artifacts or something similar?”

“Oh, that is a terrifying thought.”

The grey-haired old priest shook his head, clutching the holy symbol on his chest and closing his eyes in prayer. The doctor shook his head gravely, his blue eyes scrutinizing Shade.

“Shade, I do not know where you obtained such a terrifying idea. But if you kill a warlock who has nothing to do with you, all you will gain is their corpse and a sense of guilt that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

From Delarion to Carsonric, from the Old Continent to the New Continent, from steam-industrial cities like ours to dim, rural graveyards—warlocks can appear almost anywhere. But remember, this is an age of civilization, not a dark forest where the strong prey on the weak. If someone attacks you, you may fight back, but do not kill for pure profit. That will only make it easier for you to lose control.”

Shade also realized that what he had said was somewhat inappropriate; it was merely a curiosity born from the fantasy stories he had read in the past. The outsider had no desire to gain power through killing; he was simply worried that others might do so.

“I apologize. I was actually just curious. Yes, such a world would be terrifying—as if people could live by eating one another.”

Clutching his holy symbol, Priest Augustus looked at Shade. His gaze was not as stern as the doctor's; the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes conveyed a sense of gentleness.

“Even though our world is so eerie and terrifying, teeming with countless evil creatures, with relics of past eras found everywhere, with dangerous and mysterious knowledge constantly challenging the limits of a normal person's sanity, with evil gods walking the earth peering into the mortal realm, and with abyssal beasts hidden beneath the oceans of the New and Old Continents—we are still glad for the existence of this world. Come, gentlemen, a toast to this merciful world.”

The old priest was moved by his own words and proactively raised his teacup. The doctor nodded with relief and raised his cup, while Shade wore a smile. No matter how terrible his circumstances had been since arriving here, it was as if the world was compensating him by sending him such wonderful friends.

“To this merciful world,” the three of them said in unison. The outsider's smile at this moment came from the heart.

Just then, the door was pushed open. The blonde writer, who had burst in without knocking, did not hear the preceding conversation. As soon as she opened the door, she saw three men holding their teacups high: one with a divine expression, one with a serious face, and one with a smile.

Miss Louisa looked at the men with some hesitation, wondering if she should step back out.

“What were you... just doing?”