Chapter 149 "Hidden Sage"
Neil did say recently that he was tired, wanted to take a leave of absence, and even talked about his retirement.
But this senior Night Watchman, nearing retirement age, who had already transitioned to civilian duties and no longer participated in frontline operations, who had taken potions for decades and had no intention of ever considering another promotion...
How could it get out of control?
Is there something wrong here?
Angel wanted to blurt out the question, but seeing Dunn's look, he didn't ask it.
The captain has been with Old Neil for a longer time, so he must be feeling even worse at this time...
"What's going on? Is that Old Neil lying on the ground?"
Dai Li came forward behind her and asked in a low voice. The light in the alchemy room was dim, and she could only barely see the outline of the old man's body.
"It was discovered by Lord Cesimus," Dunn replied, his voice a little hoarse. "Just now, when we were up there, Old Neil was undergoing an examination and questioning. Afterwards, he would need to place his hand on the holy relic and take an oath..."
"Since he doesn't need to take potions to advance, I didn't conduct the usual tests, but the relic still found signs of contamination."
Krestey took over and continued to explain.
"I used my ability to 'enter dreams' to control him, but during further investigation, some restriction was triggered, causing him to suddenly lose control and break free from the dream I created."
Based on the two people's descriptions and the messy scene, Angel reconstructed the scene in his mind.
Old Neil lost control and grew four extra eyes on his face, one on his forehead and one on his cheek. Those cold, eyelash-less eyes stared at Krestey, and then his skin broke everywhere, bleeding profusely, with even fine, long hairs emerging from the blood.
Without waiting for the mutated Old Neil to attack or escape from the scene, Creste acted decisively, took out the bone sword from the metal box, and used the power of the holy relic to put Old Neil into a deep sleep.
"I wanted to address the incident directly, but perhaps I need to ask Dunn Smith's opinion first. After all, this is his team and his territory."
Above Krestel's pulled-down collar, his thin, resolute lips stretched into a forced smile. With a Nighthawk losing control in front of him, the senior deacon must have been feeling rather down.
"Solving the incident...does that mean just killing Old Neil?"
Angel asked, pursing his lips.
“There may be many ways to avoid losing control, but once you cross that line, there is only one solution.”
Holding the sword in one hand with the tip of the sword resting on the ground, Creste turned his head to look at Angel and answered.
"Your captain just asked a similar question, asking if the loss of control could be resolved without endangering his life."
"Currently, under the suppression of the holy relic, this out-of-control Nighthawk can maintain a 'relatively decent form,' but soon, his body will collapse, transforming into the monstrous monster you only see in nightmares." Krestel's voice grew deep, as if coming from far away. "He may retain some consciousness, some memories, and even recognize all of you, but believe me, he is no longer the companion you knew."
Relatively decent form...
Looking at old Neil lying in a pool of blood, Angel clenched his fists.
Although she often went to the armory to collect ammunition and reported consumables to Old Neil, she didn't know much about the oldest night watchman in the Tingen team. Most of what she knew came from other team members.
However, in just a few interactions, this witty and humorous old man left a deep impression on Angel.
Judging from Senior Deacon Krestey's attitude, he should be able to "resolve the incident" directly after the captain nods...
She looked at Dunn Smith, who had his back to the light, his face hidden in the shadows, obscure and unclear.
"I can try to communicate with the spirit world, maybe I can find some clues. There's a chance..."
Daly took a few steps forward, approached Dunn, and spoke softly.
"His contamination comes from the Hidden Sage. I don't recommend you do this. It won't save him, and it will get you into trouble."
Krestey shook his head and rejected Daly's proposal.
The Hidden Sage is the deity worshipped by the Morse Ascetic Order, an organization that controls most of the potion formulas of the "Peering into Mysteries" path.
Angel recalled what he had heard in the Tarot Club's presentations on secret societies and ancient beliefs.
The members of this organization use penance to fight against loss of control, neutralize the effects of the remaining potions, strictly keep secrets, adhere to morality and precepts. It is a very respected organization and has good relations with all major churches.
Unfortunately, they have degenerated into an evil organization, and the reason is that the god they believe in, the "Hidden Sage", has become an evil god.
"The Secret Peeper"...
Thinking of Old Neil's potion sequence, Angel guessed that his loss of control was most likely caused by the "Moss Ascetic Order", but unfortunately this was of no help in solving the problem at the moment.
As for Dai Li… As a Mid-Sequence expert, she should be aware of the risks of channeling with a Beyonder who has been corrupted by the Evil God and lost control, yet she is still willing to take the risk...
She probably also didn't want to see the captain struggling with how to deal with Old Neil.
"Daly, you shouldn't have tried..."
Dunn's hoarse voice came, he raised his head, his face looked a little pale under the light emitted by the "holy object".
He took a deep breath and said:
"Sir Cecima, please continue to maintain the effect of the holy relic. I will do it myself."
Crestai's dark green eyes moved, his gaze flickered, and he nodded in response:
"He will pass away like a man."
"Thanks."
Dunn moved slowly, stepping across the flagstone floor of the alchemy room, stepping on the almost solidified blood mixed with hair, and came to Old Neil's side amid the sound of his footsteps echoing in the room.
The silent Nighthawks captain took off his windbreaker, half-knelt down, covered the other's naked body with the clothes, and whispered something.
Then he stretched out his hands and broke Old Neil's neck.
…
With heavy steps, Angel returned to the second floor from the basement.
The bright sunlight outside the corridor seemed a little dazzling at this time.
Captain Dunn was going to the church through the underground passage to seek the priest's help and collect Old Neil's body. Ms. Daly was accompanying him. Krestel was still guarding the alchemy room, perhaps needing to recover the deceased's Beyonder characteristics...
They asked me to inform the other team members, but...
Angel walked through the corridor and tiptoed to the partition, where he heard the Night Watchmen talking in low voices on the other side.
Their conversation had become restrained and subdued, no longer the loud noises they had been before she left.
"Why me? Why didn't Crestai tell the others to go down? Then I wouldn't be the one to witness Old Neil's death, and I wouldn't be the one to announce the news."
Such a ridiculous idea suddenly popped up in her mind.
Shocked by the emergence of such a dark thought, Angel took a deep breath, deliberately made heavy footsteps, and stepped out of the partition.
The reception hall suddenly became quiet, and pairs of eyes looked at her with confusion and speculation.
"What happened down there? Did the senior deacon discover Old Neil's false expense claims?"
Leonard asked, forcing a smile before letting out a few dry laughs.
No one responded.
"No... Old Neil, Old Neil..."
As soon as Angel opened his mouth, he found that his voice had become as deep and hoarse as Dunn's.
A moment later, the sound of a coffee cup breaking was heard on the second floor of Blackthorn Security Company.
And suppressed exclamations.
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