CH-080

80 No time, it ends here. Judgment!

"Let's go to the kitchen."

Shu Li made the decision without hesitation.

Following this process, they would surely be able to return to Savoy Pastoral District on time. Shu Li was unwilling to waste the food of Sidan City, so he chose not to take that spoonful.

Father Simeon quickly gathered the dishes and followed Shu Li's footsteps.

This abrupt change in attitude made it seem as if Father Simeon had deliberately retched just for the meal Shu Li had prepared.

But Father Simeon had always been an ascetic; he certainly wouldn't have desires for food and drink, nor would he be picky because the food was simple.

Father Leyton, curious, followed Shu Li and the others to the kitchen area.

Normally, Father Leyton rarely went to the kitchen.

First, it was not within his duties; it was usually the responsibility of the nuns.

Second, he himself had no habit of seeking out delicacies. Given his upbringing, people eat only because they need to survive and live.

Third, compared to other dioceses, asceticism was more prevalent in Sidan Church, including in diet. In terms of food, one should purify desires and maintain a lack of cravings. Because the pleasure of eating does not last long and will soon bring pain. This not only harms oneself but is also a form of moral degradation.

Therefore, an excellent priest should not appear in the kitchen, but rather at the altar.

Ordinarily, he would not casually associate with priests from Carson City, but today Father Leyton felt he had done many things he normally wouldn't do, almost as if guided by some unseen force.

Asking for help, getting close to the clergy from the Carson suburbs, coming and going with them, even following them into the kitchen, and finding them somewhat interesting.

Just two days ago, he wouldn't have dared to imagine such a thing.

One can hardly even empathize with oneself from two days prior.

Shu Li walked ahead of them, naturally starting to think about what he could make right now to fill their stomachs.

He still had wheat flour, and there were spring onions in the car.

Spring onions were also a common ingredient in medieval Europe. In winter, their great advantage was that they were a cold-hardy crop. Although in this weather, they certainly couldn't stay outdoors, they could grow indoors in the sun, or through kitchen hydroponics.

He could make scallion oil noodles, but making the noodles was a bit of a hassle.

He would make scallion oil pancakes, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Shu Li settled on the menu.

The stove in this Sidan City kitchen felt as familiar to Shu Li as coming home.

But this time, as he took a cast iron pot from the shelf and placed it on the stove, he was drawn by a mark on the edge of the stove.

It was a deep red imprint, sunken into the fine cracks and crevices of the stone.

Someone had clearly tried to clean it; the surface was wiped shiny, but the color seemed to have taken root in the stone's gaps, stubbornly remaining.

Shu Li remembered that when he used the kitchen this morning, this mark hadn't been there.

That dark red residue looked like a stain from wine left to accumulate over time, but it could also be long-dried blood. The color had sunk into the stone's gaps, already merging with the stone stove itself.

He instinctively leaned down to look closer, but his attention was caught by a faintly shimmering fragment on the floor joint at the stove's base.

The fragment was extremely small, yet exceptionally sharp.

It could be from a broken glass container, perhaps a corner of some enamel ornament, or a sharp piece left from a shattered glazed pottery. Its material was hard to identify, but its sharpness was fully exposed.

He didn't smell any other strange odors, as he hadn't planned on suddenly sniffing unknown dark stains.

Seeing him suddenly stop and fall silent, Leyton asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Shu Li straightened up, his tone calm: "The stove seems dirty, and there's something on the floor, like something was broken earlier and left some fragments behind."

Leyton glanced over following his words, seemingly unconcerned: "Maybe it was mulled wine, that's normal. We have stains on our desks too that won't come off. Because the cup was very hot and accidentally knocked over."

Shu Li didn't respond, but his gaze lingered on the glimmering fragment for a moment.

At times like this, even when only minor details change, it always seems to prick at Shu Li's nerves.

He moved to the open trash bin specifically for kitchen scraps. There was no trash sorting here—everything was mixed together.

It looked just the same as when Shu Li had left this morning, with no sign of the so-called fragments.

"If someone broke an ordinary cup or pottery item, why would they need to hide the fragments?"

Shu Li couldn't help muttering to himself, then said to Leyton, "Many disturbing things have been happening at Sidan Church recently. I'm worried that some people (with dark psychology) might be stirred up to follow along and do things they shouldn't."

In social psychology, this phenomenon is known as the "ripple effect." When people are not promptly corrected or punished, they develop a "if they can do it, so can I" mentality, thus imitating the same behavior.

In the field of crime, there is a related common concept—"copycat criminals." This type of imitation often represents the most dangerous form of "ripple" diffusion.

"Could you please ask who used the kitchen afterwards?"

Leyton was slightly startled, then nodded: "Alright, I'll go ask."

"Thank you, I appreciate your trouble." Then he added, "Just ask casually, it's fine if you don't find out."

Leyton waved his hand, his tone relaxed: "Don't mention it, it's just a small matter."

When he returned, an enticing aroma was already wafting from the kitchen. Shu Li had just finished laying out the last batch of unleavened scallion oil pancakes, the steam rising gracefully, mingling the scents of scallion, wheat, and oil.

As soon as Leyton stepped into the kitchen, he couldn't help but swallow involuntarily: "...What is that wonderful smell?"

Before he finished speaking, he saw the pancake with its golden, crispy crust, steaming hot. The aroma, a blend of wheat and scallion, hit him like warm winter sunshine, making his heart sway. He had never seen such food, let alone imagine its taste.

He still remembered he had a report to make, "I found out—"

But before he could finish, his gaze was fixed, unable to look away.

The pancake was too big, too fragrant, too tempting.

Looking at it, he felt as if he were seeing an angel draped in holy light approaching.

In a daze, he couldn't help but ask himself inwardly.

—What is this?

—Why have I never seen it before?

—Or... am I just too hungry?

Even worse, Father Simeon and Deacon Raymond were already eating happily, their chewing sounds like some strange temptation.

Leyton hesitated, then just looked at Shu Li and spoke softly, "Can I... have a little first?"

As soon as he said this, his heart filled with the sound of prayer.

Lord God, forgive me.

It is not that I crave the food, but hunger has robbed me of my reason.

After I finish this bite, I will still be the faithful servant of the rules I was yesterday.

But Leyton did not know—perhaps no one had ever told him:

Succumb once, and you are already doomed to fall.

Food, like a beautiful woman, deceives, tempts, and makes one lose judgment repeatedly, sinking deeper.

When that first crispy bite exploded between his teeth, the scallion, wheat, oil, and steam intertwining into a dizzying deliciousness, Leyton almost blurted out: "This is so good! I've never eaten anything this delicious in my life."

Seeing how hungry he was, Shu Li didn't rush to talk to him.

But just then, the little fox Naxi poked its head out from the doorway of the kitchen. It was like a pile of white snow sprouting lively, magical fluff, growing eyes and a tail in the wind, radiating gentle warmth.

"You're back?" Shu Li greeted Naxi.

While cooking, Shu Li had asked Raymond where Naxi had gone.

Raymond said that during the exam period, he took Naxi for a walk, but after Naxi visited the altar and saw Sister Rita, it followed her and forgot to come back.

"Naxi knows the way back in the mountains; a little church won't make it lose its way."

But Shu Li wasn't reassured. Before, in the Savoy Pastoral District, he had been too lax with Naxi. Now in an unfamiliar place, if he raised Naxi the same way as before—being caught as a pet would be a minor issue, but being mistaken for a fur blanket would be disastrous.

But unexpectedly, soon after the scallion pancakes were ready, little Naxi appeared.

Shu Li thought the little fox had come because of the smell and was about to give Naxi some pancake, but instead, Naxi bit his pant leg and tugged him outward insistently.

"You want me to go outside?" Shu Li asked, looking down.

The little fox let go, took two steps outside, and immediately looked back at Shu Li. Seeing him not move, it started circling around his legs, forcing him to set aside everything and play with it.

Leyton wanted to stop them, but Father Simeon offered him another piece of scallion pancake, "Only the last piece left, do you want it or not?"

Leyton's voice of protest weakened, and he watched Shu Li follow the little fox out of the kitchen, then continued eating.

The little fox led him through the church's stone corridor to the altar.

The sermon hall was silent due to the death that had occurred that morning.

The air was thick with a fermenting rusty smell, like a silent blade pressed against his throat. Shu Li instinctively held his breath.

But the little fox's steps didn't stop; instead, it walked faster and faster, heading straight for the front row of the congregation seats.

Shu Li followed, and the sight before him made him jolt—

Sister Rita was curled up on a bench, a black-red leech clinging to her exposed arm, blood flowing continuously. Purplish veins floated to the skin's surface like the tentacles of death. She was limp and weak, like a marionette with its strings cut.

Shu Li didn't hesitate. He immediately felt her neck—

There was still a faint breath!

He quickly removed the leech, tossed it into an empty box nearby, then took off his own scarf to stop the bleeding. He bent down, lifted her in his arms, and rushed quickly towards the medical room.

Sister Rita hovered on the edge of the void, when she suddenly glimpsed the figure of a young man.

In that moment, a faint light outlined his form, as if holy light had suddenly appeared.

She was stunned.

That glimpse, like the echo of a bell in the depths of her soul, called her back from the abyss of blood and darkness.

But the brighter the light, the heavier the regret and sin in her heart.

She knew that none of this... should have come to this.

In the instant she closed her eyes again, tears silently fell, mixing with pain and regret, tracing hot lines on her pale face.

Her voice was hoarse, like a whisper: "It was I who killed... Bishop Whitemore."

A moment of silence.

When she opened her eyes again, the regret that had emerged in the light had receded, replaced by an ashen, dead stillness.

Her pupils darkened, her expression so cold it was almost ruthless, even her breathing became intermittent.

"...Why save me?"

"You have no idea, but you don't have long to live either."

"I am already possessed by a demon... I wish every one of you would just die!"

Her voice was sharp, as if warning Shu Li not to waste his efforts.

But after her words fell, she suddenly fell silent, her gaze frozen, as if realizing something.

Her fingertips trembled, her face turned pale. A deep revulsion surfaced in her expression—not directed at others, but at herself.

"...I truly... have gone mad..."

There was no warmth in her eyes, only cold avoidance.

Let me die!

Her laughter was broken, low, yet like the sound of wind before falling into an abyss, sending chills down the spine.

From her pocket, bright red holly berries tumbled out, one by one. They were her children's favorite things, stunningly beautiful even in winter. Now, they looked like drops of bloody tears splattering on the snow.

Naxi, following at Shu Li's feet, didn't know what holly signified, but gathered them up as if they were treasures.

Suddenly, a low whisper came from above her head. The young man said: "The Book of Daniel says, 'When the white throne is cast down, the Ancient of Days takes his seat upon it.'"

Shu Li's gaze and voice were calm, yet they fell like a heavy hammer: "Sister Rita, you and I both know what this means."

Rita's heart tightened sharply, even her breath stopped.

"The meaning of these words is—the Judge descends at any moment."

"It cannot be predicted, nor prevented."

"It will not wait for your repentance, nor give you a chance to explain."

Shu Li strode forward, heading towards the medical room, "When the Judge says, 'No time, it ends here. Begin the judgment,' at that moment, no one can escape."

His gaze was sharp like a blade: "Sister Rita, your sins are many. If you do not atone in this life, do you still dream of reuniting with your children in heaven?"

As his voice fell, he uttered three words, like a command, like a revelation.

"Live on."