This is a confrontation where failure is not an option; the result of failure is more despairing than death itself. To be eroded by a disease generated by divine authority, to spend one's final month in madness, and to ultimately die a meaningless death.
On one side are tens of thousands of lives that might be saved, and on the other is his own safety. How to choose is actually quite clear to Lynch.
Lynch does not mind saving the innocent within his capabilities, nor does he mind dying generously for those he cares about, and he certainly does not mind risking his life to fulfill his responsibilities and make up for his own mistakes.
But for those who have nothing to do with him, he is not willing to risk his life to save them.
Nightingale, this saint, is indeed worthy of respect and has moved Lynch, but he has no interest in following her example. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the rules of the present world, and having embarked on the path of immortality, he must get used to them.
But there is another matter that concerns him.
‘Neighbor, if the confrontation fails, can my will resist the erosion of the disease?’
【Regrettably, what you would suffer then is the disease's physical damage, not the erosion of your soul by mysterious filth. Your special will would play no role.】
‘Certain death?’
【The probability of death is extremely high.】
‘Sigh, I destroyed the avatar of Mordiggian with the Black Spider of the Shadow Alliance guiding things from behind the scenes, along with the shadow of that unknown Lord behind him. We still do not know their true purpose, and I am very worried that this is also part of their plan. To avoid being caught off guard when the time comes, it is necessary to make some preparations in advance, don’t you think?’
【I will stay by your side and witness your every choice.】
So she just won't offer any advice. Lynch fell silent, feeling a bit gloomy in his heart.
【To obtain something, one must always pay a price, Lynch.】 Lady Luna’s voice remained gentle, but Lynch could detect the seriousness within it. 【This is not to make things difficult for you, but this is your own journey. If you want to continue walking according to your own will, then you cannot avoid paying the price and making every decision alone during the journey.】
‘Tsk, that’s true. It is indeed a very fair price; I was just being greedy.’ Lynch smiled in his consciousness. ‘Then, regarding my choice this time, even knowing that the investment and return are not equal, I still intend to take a risk.’
【You do not need to explain to me, Lynch. I have said that this is your journey.】
‘But you are watching, Goddess. This is not just my journey; this is our journey. Even if it is just so you can see better scenery, I have to explain it to you, hehe.’
【Heh…】 The laughter was as soft as water. 【You said a sentence just now, do you remember? To Sol’s priest.】
‘My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror; all that I do is holy?’
【Therefore, do not worry, I am with you.】
Tsk… I like that answer.
Both within his consciousness and externally, Lynch smiled and said to Lady Nightingale, who had a hint of expectation in her gaze: “Since you are prepared to declare war on the disease once again, I am naturally willing to stand on your side and contribute to protecting the innocent.”
“I believe I have already made the danger very clear, child. Regarding the compensation…”
“But as a Soul Severer, one already lives with distortion and death every day. Rather than worrying about whether there is a little more or less trouble, it is better to follow one’s heart and do what one believes is right.” Lynch waved his hand dismissively. “As for the compensation, I have actually already received it.”
“Ah?” The old woman was a bit surprised.
Clink. Lynch flipped the one-penny coin he had snatched back earlier.
“Isn’t this it? You already paid the moment we met.” Lynch patted the old woman’s arm, his eyes behind the mask flickering with amusement. “Although I care about money, I am not so greedy as to prey on medical funds. I truly wouldn't dare do such a thing; it would weigh on my conscience. Besides, I have already received my reward. Hehe, it is clear that the Church of Suffering’s funds are not abundant; aside from donations, most come from contributions within the church, right? You have a young lady who prefers not to reveal her name who has already donated quite a lot to me on your behalf, and she might donate even more in the future. If I were to squeeze any more from your medical funds, I fear my head would be blown off by a shotgun next time.”
The old woman froze for a moment, then patted Lynch’s arm and said softly: “It is I who underestimated you, child. Thank you for your contribution; you are a good person.”
“???”
You old lady are quite wicked. How can you suddenly start cursing when things were going so well?
Hmph, you provide the people, the money, and the technology to help me achieve my goal, and in the end, you thank me. You are the good people; your entire church is full of good people.
“But I must also respect my own profession and efforts, Lady Nightingale. I cannot help for no reason, so I have one request. I hope you can guide the Church of Suffering to develop a treatment drug as quickly as possible. You mentioned a development period of at least half a month; it would be best not to exceed that, as the illness waits for no one, and every extra person saved is one more. Moreover, I want free use and priority access to the developed drug.”
“That is acceptable. I can make that decision myself; I will allocate church resources to develop the treatment drug with all our might.”
That is good. The sooner it is finished, the more at ease I will be.
“Then, private detective Lynch Levive, at your service.” Lynch bowed with his hand over his chest. “What do you need me to do?”
“First, I need your blood. Come with me.”
The old woman nodded to the two white-robed figures who had been watching for a long time. The two had already detached the iron bed from the floor and pushed the gagged patient out of the cell together.
They did not take the main hall’s lift, fearing it would frighten passersby. The group detoured to the side and took a small service lift directly to the top floor. Along the way, the noise of the air valves venting and the clashing of metal gears made the patient increasingly agitated, her violent struggles causing the leather straps to shake constantly, which made Lynch’s heart tremble.
“In mystery, blood is a very special existence.”
Whether it was his imagination or not, Lynch felt that Lady Nightingale’s attitude had changed, becoming much more relaxed and casual than before, yet her explanation was increasingly patient:
“It represents not only oneself but also one’s lineage. It is not only defined by the body but also defined by the soul. In other words, a drop of blood may not be able to fully express your body and soul, but it is highly symbolic and can reflect all your states, including physical changes and soul abnormalities.”
As they spoke, the group reached the top floor and entered a special room.
The pure white room was empty, and in the center of the ceiling hung the Ouroboros holy emblem, which radiated a faint holy aura that made one feel awe.
On one side of the room, a holy image hung high on the wall. In the painting was a woman in white robes, wearing an Ouroboros headband, holding a double-headed snake scepter, and facing away from the painting, leaving only a back view standing in the wind.
The Lord of Suffering and Pain, Fiona.
Upon entering the room, Lynch bowed to the portrait and watched as the two white-robed figures pushed the iron bed under the image and secured it. Then, they took out a syringe and drew a large tube of black, thick blood from the patient.
“The power of blood is sometimes more like a resonance; it will not change just because it leaves the body. Even after it is drawn from the body, it conceptually maintains its integrity with the original owner. In other words, a tube of blood sometimes represents the entire person in the sense of mystery.”
As she spoke, the old woman took the syringe, tapped it, and observed it against the gaslight for a moment before setting it aside and picking up an empty one to signal Lynch. Looking at the syringe, which was as thick as an infant’s arm, Lynch inwardly curled his lip and sighed as he extended his arm.
Diana, you just wait. Just for this tube of blood, I am going to your house to eat three days’ worth of free meals.
“But the trouble lies in its resonance. When we make the state of fresh blood change in the concept of mystery, through its integrity and resonance, this change will be instantly reflected back to the original owner. This has given birth to many attacks and curses carried out through blood; they are often strange and bizarre, difficult to guard against, and very dangerous.”
Nightingale pulled out the syringe while speaking; it was already filled with Lynch’s dark red blood. Satisfied, she put down the syringe and signaled for her two assistants to begin preparations. Then, looking at Lynch, she said solemnly:
“We will use the integrity of the blood to exert influence on this disease and use your will to distort the concept of this disease so that the drugs of the present world can take effect. But the power of the evil god will also be reflected back to you through the resonance of the blood, bringing huge risks.”
“Once the ritual begins, it cannot be terminated. When the ritual ends, either it succeeds, or there will be one more patient.”
“Mr. Lynch Levive, one last confirmation: are… are you ready?”
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