CH-111

111 Granting a Perfect Wish

Shu Li confirmed three things with the steward.

First, whether there were any unusual marks on the body's chest, shoulders, and back.

A person who dies from hanging typically does not show signs of struggle or resistance that would cause mechanical injury.

Of course, the Viscount could claim that the vampire inside his mother prevented Dowager Sakelaine from hanging herself peacefully, leading to signs of a struggle even in a suicide.

Furthermore, the central contradiction of this case was that the death occurred so quickly, leaving minimal signs of struggle.

However, once an autopsy was performed, the marks left by the murderer would be impossible to hide.

Sure enough, the steward confirmed that a maid had noticed bruising on the Dowager's shoulders, though it was uncertain if the marks were recent.

Second, Shu Li asked if Edmond kept snakes.

This suspicion stemmed from the claim that the mother had been suspected of being a vampire.

Under what circumstances would someone suddenly suck blood?

Shu Li's first thought was a snakebite, requiring the venomous blood to be sucked from the wound.

The maid had also mentioned finding two puncture marks on the child, which aligned with the single row of teeth found in most venomous snakes. Non-venomous snakes, in contrast, have more teeth distributed throughout their mouths to enhance grip and hold onto prey.

But if a venomous snake was indeed present, Dowager Sakelaine could have simply warned the servants to be more careful, rather than bearing the stigma of being a vampire.

The fact that she chose to do so suggested she had a personal motive to protect someone else.

The most likely person she would protect was Viscount Edmond, the man everyone viewed as flawless – handsome, capable, devoted to his family, respectful of the women in his household, and a rising new magnate managing the entire manor.

However, if people discovered he had a fondness for keeping venomous snakes or other dangerous creatures, his image would be ruined.

For a single-parent family, a son's success is often seen as the mother's success.

The son is the mother's finest creation, and any flaw is unacceptable.

Third, if points one and two were true, then a third point followed.

Shu Li asked: "Is it often said that Edmond's son looks exactly like him when he was young?"

Why ask this?

Because based on the reasoning above, one could deduce that Edmond actually disliked both his mother and his son.

In fact, their family exhibited a classic case of "symbiotic strangulation."

Symbiotic strangulation originally describes a biological phenomenon.

The most common example is the strangler fig, whose seeds lodge in a host tree, feeding on it, eventually growing to replace it, creating a "tree within a tree" structure.

Later, this term came to describe a pathological family dynamic – symbiosis leading to strangulation.

In such a relationship, one "self" must be sacrificed for the symbiosis to exist.

Children and parents initially exist in a symbiotic state where the child's "self" is suppressed due to a lack of opportunity for expression. But as the child grows, their self-awareness clashes with the parent's self-awareness. The parent's lack of boundaries and controlling nature causes the child distress.

Usually, families initially navigate this through compromise and concession.

Successful balance leads to harmony.

Failed balance leads to strangulation.

Thus, some children choose to sever ties as soon as they become independent, while others take the more extreme path of patricide or matricide, driven by a desperate need to survive.

In his relationship with Dowager Sakelaine, Edmond had long been in a position of sacrificing his "self."

According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, personality comprises the "Id," "Ego," and "Superego."

When the "Ego," which mediates with external reality, is chronically dysfunctional, one is left only with the morally guided "Superego" and the pleasure-seeking, unrestrained "Id."

When he killed his mother, it signaled that his "Superego" had also begun to fail, or had already been failing for some time.

His life, therefore, became a life out of control.

Driven solely by his own desires and impulses, he was capable of any extreme act.

Indeed, many notorious serial killers in criminal history began with matricide or had profoundly distorted relationships with their mothers.

Connecting this to the novel's detail that "Caska had no older brother," Shu Li concluded that this case, unlike previous subtle and unresolved ones, was no longer containable.

If the truth remained hidden, this "Id," having learned to kill without leaving a trace, would continue living among people under the guise of the "perfect Viscount."

And that was the true danger.

Therefore, Shu Li had to confront Beverly directly.

If she confessed, yet still chose to stay with her husband, Shu Li would leave her to her fate. He would arrange another suitable home for the child, aligning with the novel's setting of "Caska having no brother."

But as they were all adults, Shu Li would rely on the law to bring about justice.

However, it was a pity about the child. Before leaving the Savoy diocese, that child had often come to see him.

Thus,

"From what I see, your husband is possessed by a demon. If left unchecked, he will go on to kill everyone in this manor."

This statement was akin to telling a heartbroken girl, "Your boyfriend is a drain on your fortune." Many people immediately snap out of it upon hearing such words.

"You share his bed. Have you truly not noticed how strange he has become?"

"You saw it, didn't you..."

In that moment, the resolve in her eyes wavered.

Shu Li's words were not just a warning, but a profound shock to her soul.

At the same time, Beverly's son, having narrowly escaped death, was nestled in Shu Li's arms.

Though Shu Li spoke gently and seemed to consider her feelings, he was effectively holding her child as a hostage.

If she remained deluded, thinking love could reform a demon, Shu Li would not hesitate to be ruthless.

"...I did see it." Beverly couldn't help but cover her face with her hands. "Since last night, I haven't been able to sleep..."

Shu Li watched her quietly.

"But Edmond is still Kalan's father! What can I do?"

"You don't need to do anything."

Shu Li continued to watch her calmly.

Beverly saw the light in his eyes, a light that seemed to illuminate her very soul.

The young man before her said softly: "Tell me, do you want your husband, or do you want your child?"

She paused for a moment, then replied in a low voice: "Right now, I am a mother."

That statement said everything.

*

The exorcism ritual was held in the manor's prayer room.

Dowager Sakelaine's body had been prepared by loyal servants, laid upon a stone platform surrounded by candles.

The clergy chanted prayers in low voices, their movements pious yet guarded.

They couldn't ignore the young man standing just outside the candlelight, Shu Li.

It was said he possessed foresight. Upon arriving at the manor, he had predicted Sakelaine's misfortune, and just that morning, he had saved young Master Kalan's life.

Rumors also claimed he was blessed by the Lord from birth. Though only fourteen – an age barely qualifying him for the second year of seminary – his understanding of church governance rivaled that of a bishop. He even knew the precise materials and sequence required for an exorcism.

They had never encountered such a legendary figure.

And this person merely observed from the sidelines.

This made every cleric present feel both uneasy and yet unable to ignore him.

Just as the exorcism ritual was nearing its end, Shu Li spoke from his corner. "I hear a voice."

Everyone instinctively looked towards him.

"The Dowager has something she wishes to say before departing," Shu Li explained further.

Someone cautiously glanced back at the Dowager's body, shrinking back involuntarily. "How can a dead person speak?"

Shu Li remained calm; this was part of the plan. "Thus, we must borrow the voice of the living."

He looked towards Viscountess Beverly. "I heard you are a distant relative of the Aderik family and possess innate spiritual sensitivity. Would you be willing to assist?"

Viscountess Beverly glanced cautiously at Viscount Edmond. "You would also like to hear Mother's final words, wouldn't you?"

Edmond frowned. Noticing the others watching him, he said: "Go ahead. I, too, wish to know what Mother has to say... to me, to all of us."

Thus, Shu Li guided Beverly to sit. Then, from his seemingly empty hand, he suddenly produced a simple, unadorned silver ring.

The conjuring trick drew everyone's attention.

With a casual glance at the onlookers, Shu Li raised his hand before Beverly. The silver ring floated in mid-air, and under his guidance, began to swing back and forth like a pendulum.

As he manipulated the ring, he spoke in a slow, deep tone: "Madam Beverly, please relax. Lean back against the chair."

Beverly complied, her back against the chair, her gaze fixed on the ring as Shu Li instructed. "Relax... just focus on the ring... listen to my voice... you will feel sleepier and sleepier."

It wasn't a matter of seconds, but it certainly didn't take much time.

Those around watched with rapt attention, not finding the minutes long. What surprised them was how Shu Li's words seemed to make time itself feel thicker, more viscous.

The floating ring became a key, unlocking a door to another reality.

"When I count to three, you will enter a deeper state of relaxation..."

"One."

"Two."

"Three—"

"You now stand before the door of dreams."

As he finished speaking, Beverly's head slowly drooped.

At the same moment, a "thud" was heard as one of the seated clergy members suddenly slumped in his chair, unconscious.

This startled those nearby. Gasps erupted, and someone rushed to check on him.

Shu Li glanced briefly at the man, then raised a hand to signal the others not to disturb him, continuing the hypnotic induction.

Some people were simply highly susceptible to psychological suggestion.

He refocused and continued guiding.

"Madam Beverly, you are now... Edmond's 'mother' – Dowager Sakelaine. What words do you have for Viscount Edmond?"

Edmond stared fixedly at the ring, unconsciously swallowing. His hands clenched into fists, his gaze locked on Viscountess Beverly.

Images of the murder he had committed the previous night flooded his mind.

Pretending to be his mother, to denounce him as the murderer?

How ridiculous!

Edmond sneered inwardly, his gaze sharpening into daggers aimed at Beverly and Shu Li.

He didn't believe in such laughable theatrics.

In truth, he had sensed Beverly's unease the night before, but he hadn't expected her to collude with a stranger to betray him.

Just then, Viscountess Beverly suddenly slapped herself hard across the face. "It's all my fault!"

Everyone gasped.

The force of the slap instantly reddened and swelled Beverly's cheek; the force she used was unimaginable. Her long nails even scratched her face.

But this was only the beginning.

Beverly began slapping herself repeatedly, as if possessed. "Edmond, it's all my fault! I failed to raise you properly! I drove you to commit such a terrible act! It's me! It's me! It's me!!!"

The clergy rushed to restrain Beverly's arms, but her strength was astonishing, and they couldn't stop her.

Shu Li looked towards Edmond, whose face had gone pale. "Edmond, your mother is speaking to you."

The scene was sickeningly familiar.

Edmond's eyes were on the verge of collapse, his body trembling as if the bones had been ripped from him. "I... I understand! Enough! Stop it!! Stop hitting yourself!!!"

Shu Li looked calmly towards Beverly. "Your child says he understands."

Beverly slowly lowered her hands, revealing a gentle yet chillingly eerie smile.

"Edmond, it's good that you understand. Mother did everything for you."

Those words struck Edmond like a thunderbolt, sending chills down his spine. "No, you latched onto me, you're eating my flesh, gnawing my bones, sucking my blood! I can't live like this! You won't let me breathe..."

Before he could finish, even in the silence, Edmond continued to scream in terror.

"Shut up! I told you to shut up!!"

With that, he lunged towards the platform, reaching for Beverly's throat.

Shu Li immediately stepped in front of him.

The height difference was stark; it was clear Shu Li would be no match for Edmond in a physical fight.

Outside the prayer room window, the two young men, Kyle and Phillips, who had been watching the drama unfold, instinctively shifted their feet, ready to move.

But Shu Li didn't confront him head-on. Instead, he sidestepped Edmond, his other hand swiftly covering Edmond's eyes. "Edmond, I am your mother. It's time for you to sleep now."

"Fall—!"

At his command, as if his soul had been wrenched away, Edmond's entire body went limp, and he collapsed heavily to the floor.

The onlookers were stunned, staring at Shu Li with a mixture of shock and suspicion.

Shu Li slowly withdrew his hand.

The one he had truly intended to hypnotize, from the very beginning, was Edmond.

The swinging of the ring wasn't just for Beverly's guidance – it had focused everyone's attention, creating a field of psychological suggestion. That was why someone else had fainted as well.

Layer by layer, he had used the figure of the 'mother' to relentlessly hammer at Edmond's defenses.

Shu Li spoke softly towards Edmond: "Edmond, tell us what you did yesterday."

And so, the truth of the matricide was laid bare.

The case itself wasn't complex; the difficulty lay in people's unwavering belief in Edmond's flawless image.

Only by tearing off that mask with his own hands could others be awakened.

The Viscount was ultimately taken away by the church clergy. A man possessed by such a demon could only have his soul purified by fire.

*

At their parting, Shu Li boarded the carriage arranged by Viscountess Beverly.

The future now rested on the shoulders of this young, widowed mother, but Shu Li had already outlined a path and a plan for her.

However, Viscountess Beverly, holding her child, said to Shu Li: "I am deeply grateful for all you have done for us. Before you leave, may I request one final, perfect blessing for Kalan?"

Besides Viscountess Beverly, other clergy who had witnessed the miracle had also come to see him off.

They looked at Shu Li with earnest expectation.

A light flickered in the young man's eyes.

He gazed calmly at the child in Viscountess Beverly's arms, his voice clear and strong.

"Then I wish him a life free from financial worries."

May he always have money.

Shu Li offered this simple wish.

Viscountess Beverly: "..."

The area fell into a stunned silence. At a time like this, shouldn't one bestow blessings of health, courage, or wisdom?

Why so worldly?

Before anyone could react, Shu Li's voice rang out again.

"And likewise, if you still have faith in me, then for all the clergy present here, please listen carefully—"

Shu Li took a deep breath.

He hadn't forgotten to seize this opportunity. Looking at the assembled clergy, unsure if his words would carry weight, he still proclaimed them aloud. "In fifteen years, a great plague will sweep across the entire Duchy of Sermon. I hope that by then, there will still be true servants of God among the clergy, willing to stand firm in the sanctuaries and be a beacon of hope for the suffering."

"Please persevere to the end. It may take a year, perhaps two. But we will do everything in our power to reach you."

At that moment, a single clap rang out, crisp and resolute. It was as if it ignited a ceremonial spark. Others quickly joined in. Soon, applause surged like a tide, warm and solemn.

The initial confusion gave way to a dignified, resonant echo.

In that instant, the young man seemed bathed in radiance, standing at the center of the crowd.

"Thank you in advance for your selfless dedication."

"May you become the final lighthouses, illuminating Sermon's darkest night."

Among the crowd, someone murmured in a hushed tone: "It's as if a god has descended."

This whisper sent shivers down spines, yet it only intensified the fervent gazes fixed upon the young man.

Since he was part of the successor group, he must be a future monarch chosen by the divine.

Or perhaps, he was the very embodiment of a deity serving the temple, sent specifically to guide the court through its confusion.

They looked at him as if they were looking at light itself.