The servants began unloading the donations and transporting them inside.
The orphanage director stood there waiting as Victor approached him, with Antonio following closely behind.
"Good morning, Mr. Holmes. My name is Corey Hutchins, the director of this orphanage," the orphanage director greeted, inclining his head.
The man looked like someone in his late forties.
Victor acknowledged him with a slight nod.
"Good morning, Mr. Hutchins."
There was a brief pause—subtle, but noticeable.
"…And this must be your son," he said.
Antonio stepped forward.
"Antonio Holmes."
"A pleasure. I am the director here," Corey said, offering his hand.
Antonio took his hand, his grip firm but measured.
"The pleasure is mine."
Corey escorted the two of them inside.
Just as the atmosphere seemed awkward due to the long silence between the three, Corey spoke.
"The children will be grateful. It's been a while since we have received any donations," Corey said with a warm smile on his face.
Antonio turned his gaze toward the garden as Victor and Corey walked ahead.
'Even though the condition of the orphanage is bad, the children look happy playing with each other. This director is good at his job, huh.'
Victor and Corey went inside the director's office, while Antonio remained outside, having no interest in their conversation.
He leaned by the window and watched the children play.
'I used to be one of them—no, wait. I technically still am one of them.'
Antonio let out a soft chuckle as he thought it over.
'I was a little worried at first, thinking the children would not be treated as well since this world was set quite far back in time.'
A faint smile formed on his face.
'I am glad I was wrong.'
Antonio moved away from the window into the hallway, intending to look around.
The interior was modest, but orderly. The walls carried faint discoloration in places, though everything had been kept clean. A few children moved about in the distance.
Antonio walked slowly, his gaze moving from one detail to another.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing out of place.
A narrow corridor branched off to the side.
Less light reached there.
The sounds of the children faded slightly as he stepped into it.
His footsteps slowed.
The walls here were different—less maintained.
Antonio's gaze shifted again. At the end of the corridor stood a door.
It looked worn out, as if it had been neglected.
The edges had splintered slightly, and the handle sat crooked, as if it had been replaced—or forced—at some point long ago.
Antonio took a few steps closer.
He looked around to see if anyone was watching.
He slowly moved his hand toward the handle.
He gave it a slight twist.
It was unlocked.
He looked at his surroundings once more.
Not for someone, but something.
Antonio had sensed something the moment he touched the handle.
It was familiar, but not something he wished to feel.
The same feeling of being watched, just as he had felt in the Vexwood Mansion.
He didn't understand why.
But he knew that it had something to do with this door.
He opened the door slightly without another thought and peeked inside.
After seeing that everything was normal—or so it seemed—he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.
He looked around.
The place was covered in dust.
There was a bed, shelves, a desk, and a window that gave a direct view of the monastery in the distance.
Antonio noticed a cased photograph on the desk.
It was covered in dust. Antonio picked up the photograph and swiped the dust away.
Antonio took a closer look.
It seemed to be a group photograph of the orphanage.
'Children, the director, and the workers aside, who's this priest in the middle? I haven't seen him at the orphanage. He looks like an important figure if he's standing in the middle instead of the director.'
Antonio set the photograph down and opened all of the drawers.
Nothing was there, except for the last drawer.
A note lay there.
The only thing in this place that was not covered in dust.
He picked up the note to see what it was.
'An unfinished letter? Do they want to activate my PTSD or something?'
Antonio began reading.
***
August 10, 1882
To Priest Elias,
Elias, where is the money that Grey Watcher promised? It's been over a month since I completed the task of exchanging the goods in the temple. I can't wait any longer. It almost feels like he has gone back on his word. You said that he was the type of man to always keep his word. Then why have I not received my payment when the deadline was a month ago?
I also acquired the documents he had been looking for by getting on the good side of that old man. Then why hasn't he responded to me yet? If the payment is not done by next month, then consider the deal finished. And everything you have been up to will be exposed.
Priest Alaric
***
"Something about the temple's goods being exchanged? Am I reading a criminal's letter? What a find, I guess," Antonio said with an awkward smile.
Antonio took a closer look at the letter.
'This letter was supposed to be delivered months ago. Then what made him stop? Did he receive his payment just before delivering it? Then what was the point of keeping this letter? Why didn't this Priest Alaric get rid of it?'
Antonio folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket.
Just as he was about to move toward the shelves to look around, the room suddenly became cold, and it almost felt as if time had slowed down.
Antonio stopped in his tracks immediately.
Then, a familiar tingle rang around his ears.
"He was gone. Without having saved anyone but his enemy."
A whisper.
For a moment, Antonio stood there, interpreting what he had suddenly experienced in that instant.
Then, he let out a long sigh.
"I guess my old friend is back," Antonio said as he continued toward the shelf.
The temperature returned to normal. Time moved again without any problem.
But the whisper stayed lingering in his mind as he searched through the shelves, finding nothing of significance.
He then sat on the bed and thought for a moment.
'He was gone. Without saving anyone but his enemy, you say?'
'Am I supposed to solve this riddle now? It must be somehow connected to this letter and this priest.'
'But is it also connected to the case that I am currently investigating?'
'And who is this Grey Watcher? A fancy code name, but he is also supposed to be the mastermind here. The priest also mentioned some kind of document that he had acquired.'
'Dammit! If one problem wasn't enough, now I have to investigate two.'
Antonio left the room and made his way back to the director's office.
There, in front of the door, he saw Victor and Corey bidding each other goodbye.
"Oh, Antonio. You're back as well. We were just saying our goodbyes. Perfect timing," Victor said as Antonio approached.
"Ah, I see. But may I have a bit of your time, Mr. Corey? I have something to discuss with you in private," Antonio requested.
"Ah, of course," Corey responded with slight hesitation.
"Father, if I may."
"Go on. I'll be waiting here," Victor answered, his voice as indifferent as ever.
Antonio and Corey walked back inside the office.
"Take a seat, Mr. Holmes."
"It's fine. It won't take that long."
"Oh, okay. Then, what is it that you wanted to discuss with me about?"
"The last room in the right corridor—does it belong to a priest named Alaric?"
Surprised by the sudden question, Corey paused for a moment before responding.
"It does. But may I ask why you're asking about it?"
"It's nothing. I just found something related to that man in the case I am currently investigating."
Corey stood there frozen for a brief moment, as if unable to believe the words he had just heard.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I am not saying that he is a criminal. It's nothing serious."
"I understand. Then, I'll comply without any problem," Corey responded, letting out a sigh of relief.
"How long has it been since that room was abandoned?"
"It's been about a month. Priest Alaric suddenly left for the temple, saying that he would be staying there for a bit."
"How is he associated with this orphanage?"
"Well, he actually grew up here for some time before getting adopted and becoming a priest a few years later. But after working as a priest at the temple for about two to three years, he returned, saying that he would be staying here and also provide funding for this orphanage."
"Then, do you know for what business he left for the temple?"
"That, I do not know. But he said that he would return in a month."
"I see. Thanks for complying with my request, Mr. Corey. And worry not, Priest Alaric is not in any trouble, as you might presume."
"That's good to hear. I am relieved."
'At least for now,' Antonio thought as he left the office with Corey, with Victor waiting outside.
"Shall we leave now, if your little chat is over?" Victor asked sarcastically.
"Yes, yes. Of course," Antonio answered as Corey escorted them out.
'I feel a little bad… but Austin has to go another day without sleeping, I guess.'