Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Benevolence

Late at night, in a small, dark ward, Dorothy, dressed in black, sat on the edge of the bed, teaching Anna, who had a dull and wooden expression, her lesson, which involved praying to a deity.

Dorothy repeated each sentence, and Anna followed suit. Due to Anna’s poor mental state, she often paused or made mistakes. It took Dorothy quite some time to guide Anna through the prayer.

…

“Endless as this world is;

“Inexhaustible fates converge here;

“Gates and keys to boundless truth;

“Great Akka, recorder of all things.”

…

Under Dorothy’s guidance, Anna began to pray in a dazed state, praying to a deity she knew nothing about, and even praying to Dorothy herself. In the dark, cramped space, a childlike, ethereal voice echoed.

Sitting beside Anna, Dorothy heard the prayer up close and received a system prompt. She immediately linked with Anna through her prayer.

Then, Dorothy acted swiftly, converting the remaining “Lamb Song” poison in Anna’s mind into spirituality. In an instant, all the poison in Anna’s mind was cleared away.

Sitting on the bed, Anna’s dull eyes gradually became clear and spirited. After blinking several times, she showed a hint of confusion.

“Huh… What’s happening to me… This is so strange…”

Muttering to herself, Anna curiously looked around until she saw Dorothy, who was smiling at her.

“Teacher Meyshos… Why are you here? Ah, no, you just came in to teach me, to teach me how to pray…” Anna covered her head and said, slightly confused. Clearly, her memory was somewhat muddled during the period when she was affected by the poison.

“How do you feel now, Anna?”

Looking at Anna, Dorothy asked. After shaking her head slightly, Anna replied.

“I feel… well… a bit dizzy, but much better than before. At least… at least I can distinguish what things are…”

As she spoke, Anna turned to look at Dorothy with a puzzled expression.

“Teacher Meyshos, did you do this? Did you save me and help me regain clarity?”

“No, it wasn’t me… It was the being you prayed to just now. I only taught you how to pray. The grace that saved you came from that being,” Dorothy said, looking at the puzzled Anna. Hearing this, Anna started to recall her prayer in a daze.

“Prayer? Yes, Teacher Meyshos suddenly appeared here and said she would give me lessons, teach me how to pray. I learned for a long time before I could pray, and the one I prayed to wasn’t the Holy Mother… nor the Holy Son or Holy Father… but… named A…”

“Shh…” Just as Anna was about to say something, Dorothy made a shushing gesture.

“Remember, never mention anything about that being in front of anyone else. This is the rule you must follow to maintain your salvation…” Dorothy warned Anna, who was slightly taken aback and nodded.

“Well… yes, Anna understands. Then, Teacher Meyshos, could you also ask that being to save the other children! They, like me, were adopted by Viscount Field and have all become strange. The doctors and nuns here said their conditions are not good either. Could you ask that being to save them too…”

Blinking her eyes, Anna pleaded with Dorothy, still clearly remembering the strange behavior of the orphanage children during that night ceremony. During her time in the hospital, she vaguely remembered the conversation between the doctor and the nun. She realized that she was not the only one facing difficulties.

Although Anna was still unclear about the current situation and didn’t understand what the unfamiliar deity name meant, or how it differed from the Holy Mother she usually worshipped, or why it was related to Dorothy, she knew that if this unknown deity could save her, it should be able to save others as well.

Facing Anna’s plea, Dorothy sighed and said.

“I’m sorry, Anna. The differences among deities are significant. That being is not the all-loving Holy Mother. He does not indiscriminately bestow grace upon mortals. He does not want his name to spread widely at this time. Granting your prayer and bestowing grace upon you is already the limit of what I can do.”

With a hint of apology, Dorothy told Anna. Unlike Anna, the condition of the other children was not purely due to poison damage; there was also severe drug erosion. She could handle the poison but couldn’t deal with the rest.

Hearing Dorothy’s response, Anna couldn’t help but lower her head in disappointment.

“I see… Thank you very much, Teacher Meyshos, for granting me such a precious grace from the deity through your prayer…” Although disappointed, Anna thanked Dorothy. Seeing this, Dorothy smiled slightly and continued.

“However, there is a chance for salvation without the deity’s grace. And this opportunity lies within you, Anna.”

“I…”

Hearing Dorothy’s words, Anna’s expression showed confusion.

…

The moon set and the sun rose. Daytime arrived once again. The chaos of the night passed, and Goodwill Hospital welcomed another day. Doctors and nuns moved through the corridors, busy with their work. Apart from a little disturbance caused by stray cats and dogs last night, everything was as usual.

In front of the hospital, James, a middle-aged man with a mustache and a few gray hairs, stood in formal attire. His gaze was fixed on the distant horizon, occasionally checking his watch, seemingly waiting for someone.

Soon after, a carriage approached from afar, stopping in front of the hospital. James. The coachman got off the carriage, opened the door, and a man descended.

This man was around forty to fifty years old, dressed in a suit, wearing a top hat. His limbs were short and stout, his belly bulging. With fat cheeks and a cigar in his mouth, he wore a look of flattery when he saw James.

“Oh… Mr. James, you’re here so early. It was my fault for making you wait. Please accept my apologies.”

Looking at James, the man took the cigar out of his mouth, bowed, and said with a smile, full of flattery. James smiled and said.

“There’s no need for apologies, Baron Harude. I arrived early myself. You were right on time.”

“Hahaha… This is because you invited me, Mr. James. How could I be late? To be honest, I have a good quality: I never arrive late for gatherings. Even if I come to Igewent, it’s the same,” the man named Harude continued to laugh and speak to James, who responded with a chuckle.

“Hehe, I think you misunderstood. I brought you here not for a gathering, but to show you something.”