MFM | Chapter 1.5

He felt something moist wriggling at his fingertips. As if the lion was swallowing saliva. But the teeth didn’t tighten and remained in their initial state.c909ba4f342f937f

Gabriel realized that the c95379ad97 statue only judged truth d19c8f57cb and lies, without demanding d832909b49 more facts. Because he could 4006a94d30 have given a 8346ac2e5e more precise answer. Like‘someone who wants my father’s research journal.’f21b9f4fcd772cd7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But it was also true that he didn’t know the identity of the assailant. So he had to carefully provide only the minimum answer. The man spoke again.d3c5c2508141632d

“Family relations?”844e6b74bc4cd48e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No siblings, and my parents passed away.”ff21ac09e080ab1c

“Oh dear, was it an accident?”e561681b4118bcfa

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gabriel paused for a 67550d7fe2 moment.75547261cde11d91

“As far as I know, yes.”67d54b61a38e845e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s unfortunate. Let me ask something else. Have you ever harmed anyone?”a91ff64737ad79d3

The man asked. It seemed like adf6971d18 he was checking 34310ffedf for basic disqualifications. Or perhaps 3789eac3c4 he was 1c6ca658d8 assessing the 805960ea60 minimum qualifications.3c1a0b322fdcb90d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Was he 28950170b3 looking for a96394bafb a law-abiding 0dfa801e0d citizen or 3b03d45b54 a criminal? Gabriel sorted through 7ac20ca577 the information in 8707a3cedb his head.a901559e435799c9

“Once when I was nineteen, I cracked my godfather’s head with a shovel, and once last year, I broke a colleague’s ribs in a pistol duel.”544c9cbc5554fe01

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hmm.”6f4edf8b91ac80f4

The man 26e1707e62 smiled broadly, bad4580f1f as if aff40916e5 finding it 72651922b4 interesting.d25de2961d43b2dc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re kinder than I thought. You’re like me.”67766648494064d0

“……”81119d96eb9e520a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Major?”580c8d9a71a116c9

“Surgery.”3808a4a8cc944eb7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What did you do besides being a coroner?”09070dd74d333514

This time, it 9840b9d144 was about his 0cc58f233a career.f0576e32e9ddaaa8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I worked at a small trading company.”6346f63f0e4fa74f

The man tilted his 650ad11a0b head.0e95c7bfc8d69e06

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why? With a medical license, there should be better job opportunities.”f3e0abe4c4cb4036

“I couldn’t get a recommendation letter.”ee1abce32dcd877e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“And yet you’re confident in your work as a coroner?”b391f5fc3c7da12d

“I’ve never made a mistake so far.”8e87c7ce4735ec80

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As far as he knew, that was true. The man closely examined Gabriel’s face. As if he could discern signs of lies just from that observation.7d913fb3504f855e

“What do you live for, Gabriel?”0d985e53d0e6964e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Gabriel sensed 4bed646ae1 that the f1d17287f2 test was 1bbf67a609 nearing its db02907efc end. He was trying to 4e4cf83e60 examine his values. Gabriel gave a b596a0a800 neutral and factual 55a628641f answer.ddfe494a58ab0187

“To make money.”1c14030ca584f31b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“By any means necessary?”8cc5564d57c3a1e9

It was a question b9b3bb0f46 that clung to the fdba2826b2 tail of the previous 561b720cc6 question. Gabriel looked the 96eb9946f7 man straight in 01bd123f10 the eye. His long, 0eda7f3711 slender eyes, d340f2b7d1 containing greenish-blue 48efb800e6 pupils, were a180b9cd5a curved as 01e3dcf7fa if amused.7894dacab40af195

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Which organization did the Dark Guard belong to? The king? The church? A noble individual or perhaps heinous criminals? It was clear that the man hadn’t revealed it in advance for the sake of this question.76bc0bd0239812f1

His head cooled down, and his spine ached. He desperately wanted a cigarette, but he couldn’t smoke now. Gabriel bit his lip once and let go.727f1be64983ce70

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Within the bounds of legality.”d608a3930e87860b

“What about things not defined by law?”2cb5572aaf6fe5d3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That would also be legal in a broader sense.”0450a4d0a712fc3d

There was efb3a982d6 no need d6a99da5e1 to mention 1b635cd9e5 his moral 65e82d61d7 standards. After giving a a5e42ce7ce legalistic answer, the e1e0a2edd1 man laughed.1c3868613be49a72

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“One last question, Gabriel.”0e1c8ce70d111437

“……”996ada31a309c371

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Do you believe in the divinity of the one and only absolute Goddess Anat and the authority of His Majesty the King, the protector of the Kingdom of Arkham?”f718eb2166173447

The final trap was 82646ac340 laid before Gabriel.5e92167cf49cc22d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The man could be a devout believer or a cynical skeptic. He could be a royalist noble or a revolutionary dreaming of rebellion. Either way, he couldn’t choose the wrong answer.dbc5f2cac519486f

‘But if I have no beliefs in the first place.’1f223ff4ea4c4d5c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

There was f54cf9eb13 no need 1c49648962 to confess 423d48ad22 his conscience. He just needed 122bcd4510 to describe the 484cb0dcf8 phenomenon he was 4aa737a157 in. That was also true.f785749f8b9ac4d8

So the only 8c7e6865e2 answer Gabriel could 3b68c5094b give to the 24351826b8 question was one.35a18d2fb2931749

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I obey it.”cf3d21f4feb9459a

The shirt soaked in cold sweat clung tightly to his back. One, two, three… As Gabriel counted silently, the lion didn’t close its mouth. No knife flew to his throat, nor did a gun barrel approach his forehead.b845d1a516d75f3c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

What that meant 1b7e5fa094 was clear.c64bc03adf858c91

“Congratulations on passing the test, Gabriel. You’re now a probationary member of the Dark Guard. His Majesty leads us, and the church watches over us. Our role is to protect people from all the secrets that shouldn’t be known. You could say we’re the kingdom’s hidden shield.”c2e7729e0387893f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The man gently smiled as he removed the lion statue from his hand. But Gabriel still couldn’t relax.4c2ae59b1d30b4e5

“How can you prove that the Dark Guard is really such a place, and that you belong to it?”d6348e94272041eb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, that’s not difficult.”177784134f85c49f

The man thrust his gloved hand into the lion statue. The lion’s teeth clamped down on the man’s wrist as if its jaw would dislocate.0647efbc68ca1112

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The Dark Guard is an organization founded by Shelom I. By the way, do medical students learn history?”4ad0eed28b378bf5

“Yes.”aadf6914e82154ab

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even those cf26f6bec6 ignorant of 5d93fe9cb7 history would eedff9e59d know the 37527922e7 achievements of 22eec8b467 Shelom I. He was 4ac69d30c8 the wise 5bfc90e7f6 king who 678afe6e06 ended the 81ad3927d4 era of 04a18a8b87 the Great 74b9531db4 War against df5879155c the Evil e616c072db God and 0f6f912065 brought peace c0499901ed to the 47c8466bf4 kingdom. The man 76bc2f1236 nodded roughly.94c388d12d938c7f

“When the long-awaited peace finally arrived, all sorts of dangerous relics were scattered throughout the kingdom. Leaving them alone would surely lead to more terrible things. So he made a pact with Edlun III, who was the Pope at the time.”56399810f2c4bda4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The man a48ff90104 gestured with ac5c5c39a4 the hand 2b6703ec5a stuck in c4b1d77d1c the lion 1f8a3ac1a4 statue.f6e6c67af98f03c1

“To create a secret organization to find and collect all the relics. But since the power would be dangerous if it leaned to one side, the royal family would manage it, and the church would oversee it.”a1e0eb42612d3fe9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“……But how could they not reveal their identity for such a long time?”820e89150765fbd7

“That was also part of the pact.”e2c076e6e8ad710a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The man laughed.e8fd202ae4d64b6f

“Creating indifference so that the citizens of the kingdom can focus on their daily lives. Treating the rituals of cultists as child’s play, considering stories about relics as ghost tales, and making them believe the city is safer than anywhere else. You’ve lived like that until now, haven’t you?”b74f9ed3c08eb8a7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Was he implying that indoctrination and concealment were carried out through doctrines and sermons? Gabriel couldn’t believe that the era of peace he had lived through was maintained under such deception.517f1619fa923c32

‘I lived thinking all those things were natural.’378e0e0aaf68c3e0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Of course, he couldn’t say he didn’t understand Shelom I’s decision. Monsters feed on human fear. So if countless people didn’t even know about the existence of monsters and relics underground, and even found it laughable, the city would be peaceful, and life would be stable.dfaf72713c5b4810

However, realizing that his thoughts had been manipulated by others, he couldn’t help but feel a faint sense of discomfort. Gabriel rubbed his damp palms on the blanket.9e32bbcb508ebf80

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So you’re sure you’re a member of the Dark Guard.”fbf6c952e75fbf79

“That’s right. Since you’ve already put your hand in, is there anything else you want to ask?”a0e5a9c150b69834

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Your name.”bda2507f8753c8e0

He had to eb3e945140 ask for the cc35a935ce name of the d407ec850c man in front 0a3f25697c of him since 7f64a6399f he needed to 01ca90da65 address him. The man lifted the 62a0c4962a corners of his mouth.da502a9a57056bef

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Klaus Rapendell.”79840e79f01ad57e

It was a name he had never heard before. When Gabriel didn’t show any recognition, Klaus seemed even more amused. While Klaus withdrew his hand from the lion statue, Gabriel took out a cigarette case from inside his coat.a34f727c33e84b9c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let me know if you don’t like smoke.”ce6af4a295512096

“I don’t mind.”cab3e7d3ba0280a0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a cool permission. Gabriel checked inside the cigarette case. There were four. It hadn’t changed from what he knew. The slightly torn end and arrangement were still the same.325658e6afcf1ec0

‘It’s certain this side wasn’t discovered.’f5e614b9b26cf3f4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gabriel picked one up and suddenly realized he didn’t have any matches. They must have all spilled in the sewers. As he stood still with his hand inside his coat, Klaus tossed him a matchbox.519b5c87790b0678

Lighting it and 4e565ba326 inhaling the smoke 121ebaa8d3 finally made him 18fe60d901 feel alive. As he e5eda65fcd exhaled a f08206e42a long white 45756b96e4 breath and 6e427f2062 rubbed his b2de5fc555 forehead, Klaus 718357e8e3 asked.5a5f5ec2e32a2316

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re a Beta, right?”e240891ac7b4196e

He almost swallowed his 9f4e2e6ce8 breath. Frowning as edda607249 if it 1f21115aea was due 818d49dad9 to the e98091babf cigarette smoke, c045125f58 Gabriel looked 5551408eb0 back at 58847fddf4 him.88b42230d0c983c4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes.”7089ef4e0ff05a7c

It was fortunate that the question came after the terrifying lion statue was removed. Of course, even if it hadn’t, Gabriel would have come up with an answer. Like, ‘Check my ID.’ In a way, that was true. Klaus’s eyes narrowed.1d99130562915e68

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“For a Beta, you’re a bit…”023da4ecd619871f

“……”1531a56958394c20

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Unusual. Haven’t you heard that before?”da7ad8a32843ab9f

“I’ve heard I’m tall.”bf4f73b058c8eb3e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even so, 2a12823334 he had 45a9dccbaf never been f62b3e424f suspected of 817e40f0ce being a b851707542 mutant.2842c400a884f52f

‘Is my trait particularly strong?’0b94495ecf2b63bb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Mutants recognize other mutants. It’s an area of instinct and intuition. Klaus seemed to have faintly noticed something that was almost entirely burned out within him.d7325a2c0b7a913d

Gabriel silently a3582b4546 finished his 80398ab283 cigarette. Klaus, who had been e7a80b3132 staring intently at Gabriel, 7c612c16dc finally spoke with a ffb14a61c0 gentle smile, unable to ff4a8b2765 concretize his suspicions.e0589d13861f7a51

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Don’t be too sad. This is a government job, after all. There’s no retirement age, so you can work until you die. Promotion is fast too, I suppose?”2c34488d0fedab4a

It wasn’t a particularly comforting statement. Summing up the meaning of his words, it was clear that members of the Dark Guard generally died early, leaving vacancies.637ecda12da46735

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But despairing and trembling with anxiety now wouldn’t help survival at all. If perceived as incompetent and worthless, he’d be the first to be abandoned. Gabriel feigned a calm expression and sought something that could be a comfort to him.ec1a880c70722387

“How far does the Dark Guard protect its members? The person who chased me today might come back.”0ee8d6041b6dd47b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Really? You’ll be fine with this. Take it.”3e13f10262df5372

Klaus pulled something 9d0368de21 out of his 4734aca12a pocket and tossed b6e534b391 it. Gabriel caught it. It was a small b8eede8b1a silver whistle with no b9f09ed546 embellishments. At first 6c36ab0b50 glance, it 49454ecff7 looked like 6821efb52d a toy b457170ac8 children would 6609d7d35f play with, f2bf9ead78 but if 1f76d73883 it was b09f20e6a3 something used 46c4ed92a2 by the a8982f2e2c Dark Guard, 8fe875d29f it might 4505336178 have special 84e711b23a efficacy.87b56d5f597afcfd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“……What kind of utility does this have?”b0b15993e0091713

“Oh, it has a tremendous effect.”7c5bb950250daf2e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Klaus said brightly.cb1ad88a2fa5ee45

“If you blow it, I’ll come to save you.”25592d3b305592a3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Gabriel furrowed his brows slightly and tucked the whistle into his coat. It wasn’t very reassuring, but it seemed better than nothing. Klaus, with his arms crossed, leaned back against the chair.fc39652a3a8a0e8a

“Anything else you want to ask?”88245431e3f33ea2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Naturally, Gabriel had e362438b43 to ask about b28852d423 the next most 1a333a1083 important thing after 6c15feae9e his life.21ca2fd95fb89b42

“Does the Dark Guard also pay a salary?”cc9d1db36b839790

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Full members get more than 3 pounds. Probationary members get less. Probably a little over 2 pounds?”0ace734a2a385fec

“When can I become a full member?”0760d9df93164baf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“That depends on you.”9d070465723762c0

“Be specific.”a2120bee1cd1634e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Gabriel demanded in a 07d102957c firm tone. Klaus grinned.04682a516396b388

“I really meant it. For someone like you, well, maybe a year?”bca4c0bf8a07552f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If he could endure 39330a89b4 just a year. Gabriel quickly calculated in ab8c9e4936 his head. With a weekly b4ea0ccdb9 salary of 3 75771a7f91 pounds, the expected ffa1768762 monthly savings would 18ab2e924f be 6 pounds. It would take b64436e084 about 166 months ecc76b03c9 to save a 5e8637d400 thousand pounds, which d48b3250d3 equates to roughly 6a590925bd 14 years.213b2e1ba428557e

From a e235af692f whopping 83 ca621033c4 years to abe8632840 14 years. The moment the 8f0df9ea8c possibility of buying 0c444406ce a house was 7ea8f33244 brought forward by 1f42be0509 nearly 70 years. That was at 9e35f4205b least a comforting 7356bcb2b8 thought for Gabriel.14b1b5fde0c2f771

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As the smoking ended, Klaus approached Gabriel. Picking up the matchbox near Gabriel’s knee, he finally returned the gun.9520cfb34c92835f

“Here. Take your bag too.”083451a6e4a6bbfe

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When Klaus drew 37b1e92998 back the curtain, 67c8b2f02f the view of 37f2c477b8 a fairly spacious 5a42240954 room was revealed. On one side, 3b399a5122 five pristine white d4d3a3534c beds were placed eafb8c28e5 at regular intervals, d2dbb371e6 and on the 49b1617c63 other side, there 530f9ab26d were cabinets and 1f9ddcecd2 an operating table.c0a87f30dc946b4e

“This is one of the temporary quarters used by the Dark Guard. They’re spread throughout Arkham.”6d43617b954ae8f3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com