A Visit and a Threat

Behind a towering pile of documents, Reyn gently massaged his throbbing temples. He then slumped into the sofa chair, letting out a soft sigh.

He meticulously reviewed the papers in his hand once more, only setting them aside after confirming their absolute accuracy.

‘This level of revision should be acceptable, shouldn’t it?’ he mused.

To avert an irreversible conflict, he had already strived to maintain a portion of the territory’s expenses. Yet, ultimately, he could not avoid infringing upon the interests of others.

The exploitation of the lower strata by those in power was commonplace in the Empire, and within these lands, the Rheinhebo family itself stood as the primary oppressor.

****

Thump, thump, thump!

A knock suddenly echoed from the door, followed immediately by Ark Ham’s voice: “Patriarch, I have something to report.”

Reyn lifted his head slightly, his voice deep. “Come in.”

The door slowly swung open, and Ark stepped into the study. He first bowed respectfully to Reyn before speaking in a grave tone. “Regarding Enforcement Officer Louise Christian’s relatives, the people I dispatched discovered that her parents passed away many years ago, and her elder sister died three years prior in an accident. The child left behind was adopted by her.”

Reyn tapped his finger lightly on the table. “A child?”

Ark’s expression suddenly turned quite serious as he continued. “The child’s situation is rather peculiar. While ostensibly adopted by Louise Christian, our agents, upon interacting with the child, heard him mention that his mother visits him every night.”

Reyn casually lifted the cup from his desk, remarking, “He must be referring to his adoptive mother, surely?”

Ark fell into an eerie silence for a moment before slowly speaking. “Our agents confirmed repeatedly that the mother he spoke of was the deceased Joanna Hess.”

Reyn’s arm, holding the cup, froze abruptly in mid-air. He looked up, his gaze fixed on Ark, a frown creasing his brow. “It seems the child has suffered significant psychological trauma.”

Magic existed in this world, but none could resurrect the dead. Therefore, the late Joanna Hess could absolutely not be alive.

Ark hesitated, then murmured, “Patriarch, perhaps the child isn’t lying. The mother in his perception might truly return every night.”

Reyn paused, then quickly recovered, letting out a dismissive scoff. “Are you suggesting the child has been afflicted by some heresy? How could that be? Don’t forget, Louise Christian herself is an Enforcement Officer of the Holy Church. If the child truly were afflicted, how could she possibly ignore it?”

Ark opened his mouth, about to speak, when his gaze met Reyn’s calm eyes. A sudden flash of insight struck him, and he immediately swallowed his words.

Upon reflection, could Reyn Rheinhebo truly have overlooked the possibility of heresy? No, this was merely a pretense. An Enforcement Officer potentially harboring a heretic—that was the most damning leverage imaginable.

Reyn tapped the table, his voice firm. “Prepare the carriage, and bring some sweets that a child would enjoy. I intend to visit the child.”

Ark bowed his head swiftly. “I will go prepare immediately.”

****

Outside, the autumn rain was slightly chilly, and the sky was heavily overcast. Though it was daytime, the gloom was as deep as night.

The carriage wheels rumbled over the muddy road, eventually stopping before a wooden house. Reyn, having dismounted, glanced up at the house number, “44,” before ascending the steps and pressing the doorbell.

A few minutes later, the door slowly opened, revealing a boy approximately five years old. His brown eyes curiously scrutinized Reyn.

Reyn offered a gentle smile, speaking softly. “Hello, I am Reyn Rheinhebo, the lord of this land. I’ve come today to conduct some simple community visits. May I come in?”

The boy silently retreated a few steps, his eyes fixed intently on Reyn.

Reyn maintained his composure, smiling. “Then I’ll take that as your agreement.”

He turned and gestured to Ark, signaling him to hand over the sweets he carried. After receiving the beautifully packaged treats, Reyn stepped inside and placed them on the dining table.

Reyn unwrapped the box, took out a small cake, and turned back to the boy. “Would you like some?”

The boy remained silent, which made Reyn, who had been speaking to himself, feel a touch awkward. He cast an inquiring glance at Ark. If the boy was truly this taciturn, how had Ark’s investigators managed to glean information from him?

But Ark himself was at a loss, only shaking his head slightly at Reyn to indicate his own ignorance.

Reyn rallied his spirits. He approached the boy, extending the small cake, and smiled. “It’s alright, go ahead and eat it.”

The boy did not take the cake from Reyn’s hand, his gaze still fixed on him.

Reyn began to feel a headache coming on. He decided to try a different approach. “Actually, I have something I need to discuss with your adoptive mother.”

With the boy remaining silent, Reyn felt increasingly frustrated. Just then, an angry shout suddenly erupted from outside the door: “Why are you here!”

Reyn turned his head to see Louise, her face etched with surprise and anger, rushing into the house. She shielded the boy behind her, glaring fiercely at Reyn. “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, why are you here?” she asked coldly.

Reyn’s expression was awkward. “Enforcement Officer Louise Christian, I wish to discuss the matter of Holy Church protection with you once more.”

Louise replied coldly, “What if I disagree?”

Reyn’s heart sank. ‘Was the Holy Church’s protection truly not so easily obtained?’

After a moment’s consideration, he said, “Enforcement Officer Louise Christian, how about we go upstairs and talk privately? With the child here, there are some things I find difficult to say.”

Louise’s pupils constricted sharply. This was a clear threat!

She gritted her teeth, her voice chilling. “I have nothing to say to you! Get out!”

Reyn’s head throbbed. The Holy Church’s Enforcement Officers truly were a righteous lot, but he had no other choice now. He forced himself to speak. “Your adopted son says his birth mother, your sister, comes home every night. I wonder if you knew about this?”

Louise’s expression changed dramatically. She stared intensely at Reyn, her voice low. “I don’t understand what you mean!”

Reyn sighed softly. “As the lord, my duty is to care for the residents within my territory, just as the Holy Church’s duty is to eliminate heresy.”

Reyn’s words deepened Louise’s unease. If other nobles had spoken such words, it would clearly be an attempt at bribery. But Reyn Rheinhebo was suspected of being the leader behind the Witch’s Assembly. How could such an evil heretic use such a method?

His visit today was clearly meant to threaten her!

Louise could not ascertain how much Reyn Rheinhebo truly knew. She spoke cautiously, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Reyn cleared his throat. “Enforcement Officer Louise Christian, I think it’s best not to be too explicit with certain words. It benefits no one.”

Louise retorted coldly, “No, I think you should be clearer.”

Reyn carefully chose his words. “If you permit it, I can take care of your adopted son on your behalf. Don’t misunderstand, I have no other intentions. It’s just that you are constantly busy with your duties as an Enforcement Officer, making it difficult to simultaneously manage a child’s life. Over time, this will undoubtedly affect the child’s mental well-being, won’t it?”

Louise remained deeply unsettled, still unable to confirm the extent of Reyn’s knowledge. After a prolonged silence, she finally spoke. “The Holy Church has its rules.”

Reyn smiled gently. “The Holy Church specifically deals with matters related to heresy. I don’t believe this violates any rules, does it?”

Louise’s mind was utterly thrown into chaos. Reyn’s words could not be clearer; he knew everything! The Holy Church specifically dealt with matters related to heresy, and Reyn, an alleged heretic himself, was implying that he knew of her involvement with heresy!

Louise bit her lip tightly, her body trembling slightly. As an Enforcement Officer, she knew all too well the Holy Church’s treatment of heretics. After a long silence, her voice came out weak. “One week. That’s the fastest I can manage.”