The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

George understood.

The viscount's cane was likely special equipment related to his "achievements" as a venerable lawgiver.

Looking at the [Pure White Cube], the "Achievements" effect is very powerful—it resets the cooldown of the [Rationality] card with a simple click, which came at just the right time.

However, now is not a good time. It would be best to go back and think about the specific uses later.

Having completed their mission, the two returned along the same route, arriving at the side gate of the mansion late at night.

Carson, the butler, seemed to have been waiting inside the door, and took the empty wooden box that the old man had handed back.

"There was a slight mishap, Mr. Carson, but thanks to the Viscount, the mission was accomplished."

The old man said nothing more, then picked up his lantern, led his horse and hunting dog, and silently disappeared into the night.

"Young Master, you've worked hard. The Master asked you to get some rest."

Carson whispered to George, then bowed and left.

George returned to his bedroom and, instead of ringing the bell to summon Elliot, changed his clothes himself.

He felt a little tired from running around all night, but his mind was unusually clear because of his previous experiences.

He didn't go to sleep immediately, but sat in the armchair by the firelight of the fireplace, pondering the uses of the newly acquired cards in his mind's game table.

The next morning, when George went downstairs for breakfast, the butler was standing solemnly at the entrance of the dining room.

Upon seeing George, he stepped forward, his tone carrying a hint of relief:

"Young Master, the blood has subsided this morning, and the water quality of the lake shore and wells has completely returned to normal by early morning."

George nodded, not surprised.

The atmosphere at the dinner table seemed to lighten up considerably afterward.

After the meal, George was planning to invite Bates for a walk, just like last time, to exchange information.

The two had just reached the entrance hall and hadn't even had time to call for their horses to be prepared when they heard a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps outside the door.

A young servant came running up, panting heavily, his face pale and his forehead covered in sweat.

He disregarded etiquette and nearly bumped into Carson's butler, who was walking from the other side.

"Mr. Carson! Something terrible has happened!"

The servant shouted breathlessly, his voice filled with panic.

Carson frowned and said in a deep voice, "Calm down, don't be rude to the young master! What happened?"

The servant gasped for breath, pointed towards the lakeshore outside the door, and said incoherently:

"Frogs! So many...so many frogs! Everywhere! On the shore, on the grass...they're everywhere! They're crawling out of the lake!"

George and Carson, the butler, exchanged a glance; without a word, they both understood that something was amiss.

"We should inform Father immediately," George said right away.

"Of course, young master, the master should be in his study right now." The butler nodded slightly, his expression solemn.

George bid farewell to Bates, and the butler instructed his servant, "Go and inform old Hammer to take good care of the ship."

The two men left the still-astonished servant behind and quickly crossed the hallway into the main house.

Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, drowning out the faint sounds of daily life coming from inside the house in the distance.

The study door was ajar.

Carson knocked twice and then pushed the door open, revealing Viscount Edward sitting behind his desk.

Several documents lay open in front of him, but he did not review them; instead, he stared blankly at the flickering flames in the fireplace.

Thomas stood quietly to one side.

"Father," George began.

The Viscount raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping across George's face before landing on Carson.

"What is it?"

Carson stepped forward and succinctly and clearly repeated the servant's report.

"...A large number of frogs were found gathering on the lake shore and nearby grasslands. They were reported to have come from the lake and their numbers were unusually large."

After listening, the Viscount remained silent for a moment, the only sound in the study being the soft crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace.

"Are Mother and Albert entertaining Arthur?" he suddenly asked.

"Yes, sir, in the morning room," Carson replied.

"Go and tell them there's a minor problem on the lakeshore that I need to handle. Ask them to keep the guests, as well as Sybil and Frederick, in check. Don't bother anyone else for now." The Viscount's instructions were clear and swift.

"Carson, keep an eye on things inside the house, especially the servants' quarters. Don't let them spread unnecessary panic."

"Understood, sir." Carson bowed and turned to leave without hesitation.

The viscount immediately rang the summons bell, and a male servant quickly appeared at the door.

"Have someone prepare the carriage and wait for me in front of the stable. Be quick," the Viscount commanded in an unquestionable tone.

The male servant accepted the order and hurriedly left.

The Viscount rang another bell before turning his gaze back to George, whose deep-set eyes seemed to gleam with a light different from the fireplace flames.

"As you probably guessed, this is no ordinary situation. The bloody water before, the swarms of frogs now... the disaster hasn't gone away, it's just changed its appearance."

He stood up, supporting himself on the table. His movements seemed a little more agile than in the previous days, but his face was still shockingly pale in the dim light of the study.

"This time I will take you to face it, and teach you how a true superhuman should deal with such filth."

George wanted to ask for details, but the Viscount did not give him the chance.

Just as the Viscount stood up, the study door opened, and Thomas entered carrying a large box.

With a wave of his hand, the box opened automatically, and the cloak that George had seen before flew out of the box and draped itself over the viscount.

He noticed that the lining of the cloak appeared to be embroidered with intricate gold patterns.

The viscount stretched out his hand, and a hidden compartment in the study wall opened, from which a cane flew into his palm.

The staff appeared to be made of a mixture of some dark metal and ivory-like material, with a large amber inlay at the top, making it the same staff that was suspected of being inlaid with the "Pure White Cube".

"Change into your hunting attire and meet me at the stable in ten minutes." After saying this, the Viscount flew directly out of the study, and Thomas quickly followed.

George immediately returned to his room.

Elliott was tidying up his clothes inside when he saw George return in a hurry, and immediately went to greet him.

"Something's happened, young master?"

"Only a limited number of people know about this right now, so don't spread it around." George quickly took off his coat and gestured for Elliott to fetch his hunting attire.

"A large number of frogs have appeared by the lake; there's something wrong. Father needs to handle it personally. Go find Lieutenant Bates, tell him the situation, and tell him to be careful."

"Yes, sir." Elliott's expression turned serious, and he immediately helped George change his clothes.

Just as George was fastening the last button of his hunting jacket, he suddenly felt an extremely subtle fluctuation, as if a change in air density had occurred, brush against his skin.

An indescribable sense of oppression spread instantly, then quickly subsided, so fast it was almost like an illusion.

He paused for a moment and looked at Elliott, who seemed completely oblivious.

Without time to investigate further, George grabbed a pair of leather gloves, strode out the door, and headed straight for the stables.

A light, two-wheeled open carriage was already parked there, the two horses looking somewhat restless and snorting incessantly.

Thomas sat in the driver's seat, holding the reins, his expression serious.

Viscount Edward was already seated in the back of the carriage, his attire standing out conspicuously in the gloomy light.

He put on the crown again, and underneath he wore a scarlet robe.

George noticed that he had several large rings on his hands and a beautiful pendant box around his neck.

It didn't look like they were going to fight; it looked more like they were going to attend a king's coronation.