The Deceitful One

Chapter 24 Scapegoat

?Friday, 2nd July 1580.

After consuming special medicinal potions, all of Bryan's injuries had more or less healed. On this day, Detective Watson entered the infirmary and brought with him a new set of clothes for Bryan.

He looked at Bryan who looked much better than before and smiled gently, "Are you ready to leave?"

Over the last two days, Detective Watson had visited him daily and given Bryan psychological counseling. After all, he had gone through a great ordeal. Now Bryan felt much better both physically and mentally.

Although some mental scars would still remain. But with time, they would gradually fade away as Bryan came to terms with it. As for his physical injuries, it had to be said, the special medicinal potions were really magical.

Injuries that would make an ordinary person crippled, were healed in a matter of days. This strengthened Bryan's yearning to become a Transcendent even more.

Not only because of the magical world that awaited him but also because of the strength that came with becoming a Transcendent.

Bryan didn't want to feel that helpless ever again. He wanted to become stronger in order to protect himself at the very least. With newfound determination, Bryan looked at Detective Watson and said, "Yes, teacher!"

Seeing the firm look in Bryan's eyes, Detective Watson nodded in approval, "Good. Change your clothes and meet me behind the Church." He then dropped the bag containing Bryan's clothes on the bed and left the infirmary.

Bryan unhurriedly changed into his black pants and white shirt. He put on his tailored suit jacket and then wore his black shoes. After doing all that, he exited the infirmary.

Outside the infirmary, a young lady in her 20s, with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing white priest robes with grey patterns saw Bryan come out of the infirmary and smiled, "Bryan, How do you feel?"

"Priest Livia! I feel much better. Thank you very much for taking care of me these past couple of days." Bryan bowed and thanked her sincerely.

Priest Livia was a healer and a Rank 1 Transcendent. She was a priest of the Church of Wisdom and had been the one who had been tending to Bryan's injuries.

Priest Livia nodded and replied, "Good. I better not see you in the infirmary again." With that said she turned around and left, too bored to make conversation.

Bryan could only smile and shake his head. After thanking her once more, he climbed the stairs and walked towards the back exit of the Church. Detective Watson's carriage was already waiting for him in the back alley.

He got inside the carriage and sat opposite Detective Watson. After the carriage started moving, Bryan looked him in the eye and rhetorically asked, "You must have already figured out who was behind it, right teacher?"

Detective Watson didn't say anything but just smiled.

Bryan added, "Teacher, I do not wish for you to get involved in this matter. This is something that I brought upon myself. I don't want to burden you with my troubles. I will take care of it."

Detective Watson smiled and spoke gently, "I knew you would say something like that." Then he added, "By the way, the police have already imprisoned the person named Pyke who ordered your assassination. But we both know he's just a scapegoat."

"Jack Brown." Bryan spoke through gritted teeth. He had only played a prank on him. But in retaliation, Jack wanted to kill him. Bryan was absolutely furious.

Detective Watson nodded, "That's right. Deal with him as you see fit. But Bryan, you must always remember this: When dealing with enemies, you must cut off all their roots, or else they will only cause endless trouble in the future."

Bryan was taken aback by Detective Watson's implied meaning. But then he nodded firmly and replied, "I understand, teacher!"

The carriage rode towards Detective Watson's villa on Augustus Street. Bryan would live with him for a couple of more days until he had fully recovered. After that, he would move back to his apartment on Robinson Street.

…

Brown Manor, in the suburbs of Damascus.

Inside a room on the third floor, Jack stood nervously behind a man who was currently drinking a glass of bourbon while looking at the horse track outside, through the floor-to-ceiling window.

The man looked very similar to Jack, except he had a more mature face and a thick beard. His name was Jim Brown, a wealthy businessman who owned a few coal mines near Damascus.

"Have you realized your mistake?" asked Jim with a gloomy voice, without turning back.

"F-father I should have sent another person with Johnny to make sure Bryan died." Jack stuttered while anxiously staring at the floor.

Jim turned around and threw the glass he was holding at Jack. He flew into a rage and screamed at the top of his lungs, "You useless fucking trash! You messed with someone you shouldn't have!

Do you have any fucking idea who that kid's teacher is!? He's a famous detective in Nadir and has close ties with the Church of Wisdom."

Jack who was hit by the glass was bleeding from his forehead. He held his forehead with his hand as blood seeped in through the gaps of his fingers and fell on the floor. He didn't dare to look at his father.

Jim, feeling no remorse for his actions, walked out of the room as he said, "Now you can only pray that Johnny didn't mention your name before he died. I wish you would have been the one to die instead of your mother that night."

Jack's mother had died during childbirth. Ever since then, his father had always blamed him for the death of his mother. This led to the father and son being estranged. Jack had always hated his father for blaming him for no reason and treating him so cruelly.

He stood there silently in the room as his eyes turned cold. He thought in his heart, 'Father, I've had enough of you. You must die! As for Bryan..just you wait. Sooner or later, I'll kill you and your teacher.'