“Mary, where is the Manager right now?”
At this moment, Yvette Lam’s straightforward personality came into play, rescuing Rosy from an awkward situation.
Mary Wheeler glanced at Rosy, her expression hesitant as if she wanted to say something but held back.
“It’s nothing. Miss Morton is someone involved.”
“Oh.”
Mary no longer hesitated and pointed toward the right side of the corridor. “The Manager is in Basement Level 2. He hasn’t come out since yesterday.”
“Alright.”
Yvette nodded and said briefly, “Miss Morton, please follow me.”
“Okay.”
After parting with the love-struck Miss, Rosy felt much relieved. Only heaven knows what kind of rumors she’d get if she were involved with a man.
Is this some kind of solo Sword Maiden competition?
Following Miss Yvette down the wooden stairs, the first basement floor resembled a warehouse.
She glanced quickly and saw many closed doors, each with a label detailing the classification inside.
Rosy didn’t look too closely—after all, she was still under suspicion, so it was best to say and see as little as possible.
Arriving at Basement Level 2, the space suddenly opened up.
The walls were embedded with kerosene lamps; their orange flames flickered through brown glass covers, casting faint, shifting shadows on the floor.
Near the entrance stood a table, where Marlon Reed sat reading a book by lantern light.
Hearing the noise, he looked up toward the stairs and smiled slightly when he saw his colleagues approaching.
“Yvette.”
Then, he nodded faintly, “Miss Morton.”
“Mr. Reed.”
Rosy nodded in return, acknowledging them.
“You don’t look well.”
“Your spiritual state is disordered. You need rest.”
Yvette’s brown eyes briefly flickered a pale blue.
“A little, yes. That Cursed Object the Church sent over has negative mental effects,” Marlon explained with a bitter smile.
“But it’ll be over soon. I’m going to take a couple of days off to recuperate.”
Listening, Rosy couldn’t help but think: even those with Supernatural Power can’t escape the Corporate Slave Curse.
At that moment, the door on the right suddenly opened, and a man with a Bandage wrapped around his arm stepped out.
Black hair, brown eyes, gentle features—it was Herman Hughes.
He paused when he noticed the two women, then removed his hat with his healthy hand, placing it over his chest in greeting.
“Miss Morton, Miss Lam.”
“Mr. Hughes.”
Both responded politely.
Herman smiled without much small talk and turned toward Marlon Reed.
“Mr. Reed, Mr. Mitchelson said I’m good to go.”
“As for the follow-up solution, I’ll get back to you in three days.”
Since he could leave that room, he had obviously passed Harry’s inspection. Marlon nodded without suspicion.
“I’ll escort you out now.”
“Thanks.”
With that, the two walked up the stairs. Throughout, Rosy’s ‘good partner’ didn’t spare her a single glance or hint.
Rosy smirked. He’s acting all professional, like we’re strangers.
She wasn’t about to waste energy on this blabbermouth. Once she got the antidote, parting ways would be best.
Forgive Rosy’s poor grasp of language, but she hoped she was using that phrase right.
Herman’s only role was to boost her morale—after all, their actions in the Castle in the Mirror overlapped a lot. If he passed the secondary inspection, it meant she could benefit too.
Just… she wasn’t sure if she could keep the secret of crossing worlds.
Her heart remained uneasy.
“Miss Morton, please. I’ll wait for you outside.”
Yvette smoothly took over Marlon’s duties and, along with them, the magazine he was holding.
“Alright.”
Filled with anxiety, Rosy pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The room was small and sparse—one table, two chairs, a kerosene lamp, and an oil painting hanging on a stand.
And, directly facing her with eyes closed, Harvey Mitchelson.
Pressure suddenly washed over her. Silently, Rosy told herself to relax, but her gaze involuntarily fixed on that prominently displayed, mysterious oil painting.
Decoration?
She vaguely recalled that in many films and shows, psychologists often placed eye-catching objects in their rooms, supposedly with some suggestive meaning.
While thinking this, Rosy distinctly saw the man in the painting’s eyeballs move.
Then, the color of the pupils deepened until the whites of the eyes disappeared completely, leaving two pitch-black voids.
Rosy gasped, “!!!”
What the hell?!
She instinctively grabbed her left arm, but unfortunately, there was no dagger hidden beneath the Bandage.
“Sorry, Miss Morton, didn’t mean to scare you.”
Harvey Mitchelson opened his eyes and smiled at the frightened girl before him.
“You don’t need to pay attention to that painting. Just sit down and answer a few questions. If everything checks out, you can leave.”
This Manager’s mental state was much worse than Marlon’s slack-off attitude at the door.
Rosy could clearly see the deep fatigue and exhaustion in his eyes.
“Please sit.”
Once Rosy took a seat, Harvey tapped his pen and opened his papers, beginning the questioning and notes.
“Miss Rosy, do you know the power of this painting behind me?”
“No.”
“Hm.” Harvey nodded and asked,
“Before the Castle in the Mirror, had you ever contacted Herman Hughes?”
“No contact.”
Rosy answered honestly.
“Last question.”
“Were you involved in the operation to sever Janice Herbert’s head?”
“No.”
“Thank you very much for your cooperation, Miss Morton.”
Harry never once spoke up during the questioning, indicating everything Rosy said was true. Harvey finished the interrogation.
So simple?
Rosy found it a bit unreal and quietly asked, “Can I leave now?”
“Wait a moment, Miss Morton. As someone who experienced an Extraordinary Event, you have two options.”
Harvey straightened up and continued, “The first option is to sign a Confidentiality Agreement, forbidding you from revealing this experience, and then undergo a Church check-up every six months for the next three years to monitor any physical or mental abnormalities.”
“The second option is to take the job position offered by the Church.”
Considering the noble status of the young lady before him, Harvey only briefly mentioned the latter.
Rosy’s heart skipped. She followed up on the last point.
“Job position?”
“Is it like Mr. Mitchelson’s position? … Will I also gain Supernatural Power after joining?”
It was only natural to be curious about stepping into another world.
Harvey patiently explained, “Most people choose clerical jobs, staying in contact with this circle but keeping their distance. Very few choose to step into the Extraordinary Domain.”
“Danger and bloodshed are the main themes on the Path of Mystery.”
“One small mistake, and death is the best outcome.”
“You don’t have to decide now. Take your time to think and give us your answer in three days.”
Quite considerate.
Rosy nodded. “Alright, Mr. Mitchelson.”
After Rosy left, Harvey rubbed his temples then lowered his gaze to the notes he had just taken.
Question one: Does Morton know if Hannah Carter has Supernatural Power?
No.
Question two: Before the Castle in the Mirror, did Morton have contact with the Evil God Faith?
No contact.
Question three: Was Morton involved in the Castle in the Mirror Plan?
No.
Conclusion: Rosy Morton poses no problems.
Ugh… headache. Has Harry’s ability been overused?
Harvey Mitchelson closed the records while pondering.