Chapter 41: Karl Carnot

As the seat of a family that has flourished for decades, the Kano estate is grand, and even its interior decor reflects a great deal of painstaking effort. Beyond the Italian architectural style, the most prevalent influence is British—a preference perhaps tied to the inclinations of this land, given the deep historical ties between America and Britain.

However, the Kano family possesses a dark undercurrent. Servants are few; the most common sight is that of burly men clutching firearms. Louis walked through the halls until they reached a grand chamber, where Gold and Khorne were left behind, barred from proceeding further.

Soon, Louis reached the central room. Upon entering, he was struck by its vastness.

"Louis?"

The speaker was an elegant old man with graying hair, a face mapped with wrinkles, and gold-rimmed spectacles. Beside him sat a middle-aged woman and a monster that was busy eating popcorn—the very same peculiar creature Louis had seen previously at Andre’s place.

Carl wore a faint smile as he opened his arms to embrace Louis. "Good boy, you've finally returned."

"Grandfather."

A short while later, sitting before the fireplace, Carl recounted the events of the past few days. The Mexican drug cartel had been repelled, though the possibility of a retaliatory strike remained. As for those who had harmed Louis...

"We shall go and deal with them personally in a moment," Carl stated, seemingly unconcerned about whether Louis could grasp the implications of his words.

"Do you have any thoughts about your future?"

Louis shook his head.

"Good. I know you have feelings for that foster family, so you may stay with them for now. But you must return when you graduate from university. The future of this family requires you."

"Very well, Grandfather."

To enjoy the benefits, one must naturally pay the price; it was only fair. Besides, by the time he grew up, his own strength would surely have undergone a transformation. Perhaps that would be precisely when he would need the family's full support—a situation with everything to gain and nothing to lose.

His grandfather chatted with him for a long time, moving from trivialities to recent gunfights, the conversation shifting from childish matters toward more mature topics. Carl’s tone grew increasingly solemn, as if he no longer viewed Louis as a child. Louis acted as if he hadn't noticed, responding to every question with composure.

Just then, the door opened again.

Max, a man with a thick, bushy beard, walked in. "Hi, little Louis."

He habitually scooped Louis up into his arms. Louis’s mouth twitched. "Come, let your uncle see how you're holding up!"

Max’s palm, as large as a palm-leaf fan, kneaded Louis’s arm. "Ho! Not bad. It's been over a year, and little Louis’s body is much stronger. Seems you’ve been working out."

Louis, feeling like a ragdoll, could only cast a look of appeal toward his grandfather. Carl coughed twice, and Max immediately stopped.

"Father?"

"Max, are those people ready?"

Max hesitated. "Father, little Louis is still so young. Could we..."

Carl shook his head. "Max, you must understand, there are some in this world born to be extraordinary."

"Very well, Father. Everything is ready."

"Alright, little Louis, you may return to your room. It has been kept clean for you."

Louis exited, and the heavy doors closed. Carl turned his gaze to the middle-aged woman who had remained silent. "Elise, what do you think?"

This was Elise, a psychic who held a quiet reputation among those in the know.

Elise shook her head. "Your grandson is fine. There are no signs of him being possessed by evil spirits or demons."

Carl’s hand, which had been trembling slightly, finally steadied. As an old man who had truly encountered supernatural incidents, he was deeply worried about his grandson’s potential possession. His fear had spiked after his men investigated the estate of the witch named Amelia; the residue there was bizarre, and the witch had likely lived for a very long time. Connecting this to the legends of witch-possession, combined with Louis’s recent peculiar behavior—such as the dog and the deity he worshipped known as the Kitchen God—he couldn't help but worry, which was why he had summoned Elise.

Now, that concern could finally be laid to rest.

"It seems it must be from his mother’s side..."

He knew exactly where Louis’s mother came from. On that ancient land, all manner of mysterious forces were endless. Perhaps Louis’s bloodline held something unique.

This was a good thing. Despite living in a civilized society, they—the old men who had fought their way through the wars—knew the truth better than anyone: the times never truly change; those who hold power are the ones in charge. Having a powerful figure with mastery over the mysterious within the future Kano family would only provide more security for whatever they chose to do.

A faint smile touched the corner of Carl’s mouth.

"To be able to counter-kill a witch and escape, and then return so mature and rational—it seems this kidnapping was not without its benefits."

Even so, he had no intention of letting those scoundrels go. A murderous intent flashed in Carl’s eyes.

The monster on the floor seemed to sense this; it immediately dropped its popcorn and leaped before Carl, its sharp, spine-like tail swaying gently as if awaiting orders. Carl stroked the creature’s bald, skull-like head and smiled. "That’s enough, Bob. Keep eating; you don’t need to handle those people."

"Squeak!"

The monster named Bob returned to its popcorn and even cracked open a bottle of soda.

Elise spoke up suddenly, "Mr. Kano, I must remind you, the origin of this creature is unknown, and monsters are typically cruel and terrifying. You..."

"Ms. Elise, it is getting late; you should return. Of course, your fee has already been transferred."

"...Very well."

Watching Elise depart, Carl seemed to recall something and added, "Ms. Elise, my grandson may also have some talent in your line of work. I hope you will be willing to help him in the future."

Elise looked at the old man—seemingly gentle but actually domineering—and sighed helplessly. "Fine, as long as you are willing to trust a fraud like me."

Carl smiled.

After Elise left, Carl coughed several times. Feeling the weight of his own aging, he sighed. In truth, there was one question regarding himself that he hadn't asked Elise.

He opened a heavily locked drawer, gazed at the Monkey's Paw within with a look of horror, and quickly shut it. He then opened the drawer below, which contained a scroll of incantations labeled "Sin-Eater."

"Hell... sin... they all exist..."

His expression grew increasingly conflicted, but a moment later—*Bang!*—the drawer was slammed shut.

The old man coughed and headed toward the door. It was time to pass judgment on those damned drug addicts.

Behind him, Bob grabbed a handful of popcorn and hurried to follow.