Chapter 150 - 149: Jasmine’s Diary

Chapter 150: Chapter 149: Jasmine’s Diary

Hesia watched her, a little lost in her own world, and found it rather amusing.

Thinking that he was still far from 200 Decryption Points, Hesia decided to strike while the iron was hot. "You seem to really like this kind of adventure, exploring abandoned manors?"

"Mhm," Zoya hummed softly, her gaze drifting to the spire of a distant building. "I read a novel where the main characters explored a forgotten ancient castle together and uncovered a long-buried secret."

Her voice held a hint of almost imperceptible longing.

"Aren’t you afraid of all the terrifying elements? Like the Undead, Curses, and such."

[Moon-eyed Elf...+4]

[Moon-eyed Elf...+3]

[Moon-eyed Elf...+3]

...

Hesia took the opportunity to guide the conversation, chatting about everything from the structure of old castles to the legends of monsters, from the protagonist’s Wisdom to courage in desperate situations.

Zoya gradually started talking more, and Hesia, while calmly responding, watched with satisfaction as his Decryption Points rose rapidly.

Soon, they arrived back in Shadow Split Town.

Bruce suddenly stopped, his nostrils flaring. "WOOF! Hesia, Zoya, I smell a stranger."

Hesia and Zoya immediately stopped, alert, and hid themselves behind some sparse bushes.

"It’s that guy from the other night, the one wearing the shiny white tin plate."

"Loris?"

When Clara had said the quest was taken by someone else, Hesia had vaguely guessed it might be him.

After all, this quest had been ignored for so long. The only recent event connected to the manor was his own mysteriously vanished skeleton, and this Holy Professional from the Saint Sun Church just so happened to be investigating that very matter.

The other party’s goal couldn’t possibly be the meager reward of 20 Silver Scale.

"Bruce, use Stealth and go see what’s happening. I’ll stay in contact with you using [Communication Skill]."

"WOOF! Got it!" Bruce’s figure blurred and then blended into the surroundings.

Hesia then turned to Zoya. "Zoya, could you please get into position near the manor to provide support? That way you can react quickly if anything happens."

The Elf Maiden nodded, and with a few ghostly movements, she vanished among the crumbling walls and ruins.

After waiting in the shadows of the ruins for a few minutes, Bruce’s voice sounded in Hesia’s mind:

"Hesia, that Loris guy is all alone. Looks like he just got here. He’s been pacing back and forth in front of the main gate like a man who can’t find his bone."

Hesia remembered the homeless man saying the main gate had been blocked long ago.

He and his group had also entered through a hidden gap.

"Then just ignore him. Circle around to the back entrance we used to leave the other day. Go to that room and see if you can find the homeless man."

"WOOF!"

After relaying the new objective to Zoya as well, Hesia also headed for the hidden back entrance.

...

"Hesia, he’s not in the room. I’m going to try and find his scent," Bruce quickly sent a new message.

"Okay, remember to stay in Invisibility."

Hesia responded while quickening his pace.

Just as the inconspicuous small door came into his view, a suppressed voice suddenly called out from a nearby patch of waist-high thorns.

"Lord Adventurer! Over here! Please, come over here!"

Hesia paused and looked toward the voice. He saw the ragged homeless man leaning out from behind a tangle of thorns, waving at him nervously.

He was covered in grass and dirt, and his expression was agitated. It seemed he had been waiting for Hesia for a long time.

Hesia took a few steps forward and asked bluntly, "You were waiting for me? Buton?"

The homeless man’s body clearly stiffened when he heard the name.

"It seems... my lord, you already know who I am. That’s right, I’m the one... who posted the quest."

"Please... please follow me to my house. It’s not safe here," he said urgently. "I have something... that you will definitely be interested in. That is, if you, my lord, are still willing to investigate this matter."

As he spoke, he turned and started walking toward the town. "My own house."

After relaying this new development to Bruce and Zoya, Hesia followed him.

...

The "house" Buton mentioned was actually just a relatively intact building among the ruins.

There was almost no proper furniture inside, only a "bed" made of a pile of hay and a "table" built from flat stones.

He fumbled around in a corner for a long time before finally, carefully, bringing out an object wrapped in layer after layer of oilcloth.

Beneath the oilcloth was a booklet with a worn leather cover and curled corners.

"This... I found this in the manor," Buton’s voice was hoarse. As he handed the booklet to Hesia, his eyes held a complex mixture of hope and anxiety. "I can’t read, but I had some folks in town who can take a look. They all said... said it’s just nonsense, the delusions of a crazy girl. You... you should take a look first."

Hesia took the booklet.

There were no words on the cover. He opened it to the first page.

A somewhat childish handwriting met his eyes.

April 11th

It’s been a week since I came to Shadow Split Manor, but I still often feel like this is all a dream.

The Baron and Baroness treat me extremely well, and the manor is even grander than I imagined.

I love the garden filled with white jasmine flowers the most. The Baroness smiled and said the flowers share my name, and that they were planted especially for me.

I have my own room, with a desk so big I can spread out a whole sheet of drawing paper.

The tutor the Baroness recommended is coming next week. He’s said to be a young and brilliant painter.

Holy Father above, thank you for granting me this new life.

I hope... I can be worthy of all this.

May 8th

Teacher Vio Bell finally came today!

He’s completely different from the stuffy old teacher I imagined.

So young, and he speaks so charmingly.

He looked at my previous doodles and, unlike other adults who just give empty praise, he sincerely said I have an uncarved Spirituality.

Oh my gosh, I was so happy I could have jumped for joy! When the lesson was over, I was even a little sad to see it end.

Father seemed very busy today. He only glanced at me from a distance during dinner and nodded.

His gaze... I couldn’t understand it. Does he think the expense of a private tutor is too much for me? I shouldn’t overthink it.

June 30th

Teacher Bell said my technique is improving quickly, but my mind isn’t focused enough, and I have too many distracting thoughts when I paint.

He said that the highest realm of art requires extreme focus and tranquility.

After the lesson, he gave me a gift—a Hand Mirror.

He said, "Jasmine, whenever you feel uneasy or troubled, look at yourself in the mirror, follow my guidance to breathe and meditate. It will help you Stabilize the Heart and Spirit and touch the truest emotions deep inside you."

This mirror is so magical. When I practice with it, I really do feel like everything around me has quieted down.

July 20th

My teacher found a very talented little girl in town named Tammy. After getting the Baroness’s permission, he sometimes brings her to the manor to sit in on our lessons.

Tammy is like a lively little deer, curious about everything.

With her around, the atmosphere in the studio is much more cheerful.

She whispered to me that she thinks the Baron "looks a little scary, his eyes are so gloomy."

I told her not to talk nonsense... but actually, I feel the same way. Father has been looking at me more often lately. Every time I feel his gaze, I can’t help but get nervous. Teacher Bell noticed my anxiety and stayed behind a little longer after class to have me use the mirror to calm my mind.

He said I need to learn to be brave.

August 2nd

The Baroness looked at my recent practice pieces today. She said my paintings reminded her of her own long-lost youth.

August 21st

No... I wasn’t just being paranoid.

This afternoon, I was practicing in the studio, and he came in.

He dismissed the servants, saying he wanted to ’personally guide’ my painting.

He stood behind me, so close I could smell the heavy scent of cigars and alcohol on him.

He put his hand on my shoulder. He said the line of my neck was like an ’elegant swan’.

I was so scared I knocked over my paints. Only then did he snort coldly and walk away.

My hands are still shaking.

September 5th

A nightmare.

I locked the door, but it was no use. He has all the keys.

He came in. Reeking of alcohol. He said I was his ’most perfect masterpiece’, and he wanted to ’personally apply the finishing touches’.

I fought back, but he was so strong.