Mystery: The Silver Key

Chapter 44: Fabrication

Because the gunshot wounds on her body had not been treated, she was losing too much blood and was in a state of near-fainting when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching her.

He controlled his body and expression, subconsciously turning his head nervously, but due to dizziness caused by excessive blood loss, it took him several seconds to clearly see the person who came in.

It was a gentle and kind-looking old man, dressed in a white priest's robe and a soft clergy hat, with a steam backpack on his back that was completely out of place with his outfit.

The white priest's robe had a triangular emblem on the chest, inlaid with gold thread and filled with symbols such as steam, gears, and levers.

After seeing the other person's appearance clearly, a sense of relaxation appeared on his face, and his eyes narrowed as if he might faint at any moment.

Before he actually fainted, he saw the old man walk up to him, squat down, gently place his right hand on the wound on his shoulder, and soothe him in a kind and gentle voice:

"Don't worry, child, you'll be alright."

Cyril opened and closed his lips slightly before falling asleep before making a sound.

He really couldn't take it anymore. After injuring himself, he was chased for a while. After the problem was solved, in order not to arouse suspicion, he didn't treat his wounds. Now he feels like he's almost bled to death.

If he hasn't passed out yet, what he probably wants to say right now is: Stop just comforting me, give me some blood back!

.....

When she woke up again, Cyril found herself lying in a hospital bed, with several familiar figures in the room.

Beth, holding little Thomas by the hospital bedside with red-rimmed eyes, Owen, standing by the window holding a crystal pendant, seemingly lost in thought, and Carlson, a member of the Mechanical Hearts whom she had met before, guarding the door.

He shifted his body, then lay back down with a ferocious expression.

"Hiss~"

"Why do I feel like my wounds are worse?"

The noise he made immediately attracted the attention of the people in the room, and everyone gathered around.

"Uncle's awake! Uncle's awake!"

Thomas Jr. tugged at Beth's hand, and Beth instinctively tightened her grip on him, looking very nervous. It was the first time Sirion had heard this mature older sister speak with such a choked voice.

"Sirius, you're finally awake."

"Don't move yet. The doctor just stitched up your wounds. It will hurt a little, but it will be fine in a couple of days."

"Is there anything that's bothering you?"

"Are you thirsty? I'll give you some water."

As she spoke, she placed little Thomas at her feet and reached for a water glass on the nearby cabinet.

She first tested the water temperature herself before carefully bringing the cup to Sirion's lips.

Although he wasn't very thirsty, Sirion obediently drank some water. The water temperature was just right, so it must have been prepared for him all along.

After finishing his water, he smiled at Beth and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Beth opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but what came out were words of agreement and comfort:

"Yeah, it's okay, we'll be home soon."

Carlson, who was guarding the door, came up at this moment. He first glanced at Sirion with a complicated look, then turned his head to look at Beth:

"Madam, may I speak with Mr. Sir Ryan alone for a moment? This is a necessary investigation and procedure for the case."

Beth frowned in displeasure: "Couldn't you wait until he's recovered a bit more?"

Xi Ruien smiled and comforted her sister, who was a little overwhelmed with emotion: "It's okay, it's just a few words. I'm not that fragile."

He then looked at Irving and said, "I should be able to eat now, right? Could you please pack me some food? I'm feeling a bit hungry."

Irving nodded slightly: "Okay, would you like something to drink?"

Before Sirion could speak, Beth quickly interjected, "He can't eat spicy food or drink alcohol right now. Why don't you buy him a light fish and salad with some jam?"

"Okay." Owen nodded slightly, glancing at Sirion with sympathy. He knew Sirion's eating habits quite well and knew that these were foods that Sirion would never normally touch.

After everyone else in the room left, Carlson sat down on the chair by the bed without any hesitation, his light blue eyes constantly scanning Sirion.

After a moment, he suddenly chuckled, "You should have witnessed extraordinary power by now, right?"

"There were strong traces of extraordinary power left in that office, and you are the only survivor."

Cyril gave a wry smile, not refuting the other person's words, and instead said, "I thought you would ask me what happened back then first."

Carlson sat in his chair and nodded slightly: "Normally that's how it is, but given your condition, I think we should offer our condolences first."

"Furthermore, telling you about some aspects of the extraordinary field can help you avoid some unnecessary omissions when describing the situation at the time."

Cyril nodded slightly, acknowledging the other person's statement, and then asked, "Could you tell me about the current situation at the school?"

Carlson looked at Sirion with an expression that said, "You're very lucky." "Archbishop Horamik arrived just in time, scaring away the extraordinary beings who were causing trouble there, and also got you to the hospital in time."

"In this incident, a professor died, a student died, and you were seriously shot and injured."

"Who was the student who died?" Sirien asked curiously.

Carlson didn't answer, but instead asked, "Why don't you ask who the dead professor was?"

Cyril pursed his lips bitterly: "Old Phil died in front of me. Pieces of his flesh fell off, like a building that had lost its supporting pillars, soon leaving only a red-stained skeleton."

As he described it, Carlson inexplicably conjured up an image of his sanity dropping, and a chill ran down his spine.

How do you remember it so clearly?

Cyril looked at the other person and sighed helplessly, "Seeing a scene like this, unless you faint on the spot, it's hard not to remember it, right?"

Carlson shook his head. "No, I mean, how can you recount such a scene so calmly?"

Cyril's expression froze for a moment, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

In terms of performance, the "Master of Tricks" is indeed no match for the "Magician," who has the "Clown" as a prelude.

He sighed inwardly and shook his head slightly: "Perhaps I'm just naturally calm, and as a keen enthusiast of the occult, isn't maintaining composure a basic quality?"

Carlson wanted to say no, but faced with Sirion's inexplicably serious gaze, he nodded subconsciously.

His expression flickered strangely for a moment, then he quickly changed the subject: "It seems you don't need my condolences, so let's get straight to the point."

"Recount your experience at Backlund University today from beginning to end, without omitting any details."

"Hmm." Cyril nodded slightly, and after a moment's recollection, recounted her experiences of the day, omitting some details:

"I arrived at school in the afternoon, and as soon as I got to the classroom, I heard my classmates say that Professor Fils was looking for me, so I went straight to Professor Fils' office."

"Afternoon?" Carlson looked at Sirion with a puzzled expression.

The latter shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed: "I skipped class."

"It's something you're capable of doing," Carlson remarked inexplicably, then nodded at him, "Go on."

Cyril lowered his eyes, clearly the Mechanical Heart had already investigated him beforehand. He recalled whether he had given himself any clues in his daily life before continuing the previous topic:

"Professor Fils was the only one in the office at the time. He said he had prepared a gift for me. I was a little surprised and then declined. I felt that my relationship with the professor was not close enough for him to suddenly give me a gift."

Professor Fehr didn't mind my refusal; he simply presented the gift to me—a painting.

"The moment I saw that painting, I was sucked into the world inside it. Then Professor Fehrs appeared in the painting, but he quickly turned into a woman and started chasing me. That's when I got the wounds."

"I was about to die from that woman's gun when the painting suddenly shattered, and I fell out and returned to the office, just in time to see Professor Fehr turn into a skeleton."

"I tried to run, but suddenly I was enveloped in a shadow, and I couldn't see or hear anything until Professor Khoramik appeared, after which I passed out."