The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

Kelly's bright blue eyes remained fixed on George's face, as if trying to carve something more out of his gentle smile.

Just as she seemed about to delve deeper, Arthur, who was standing next to her, suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"Excellent, Miss Moore! This insatiable curiosity, this profound acumen, reminds me of the detectives that only appear in Chandler's stories."

Uncle Arthur swirled the teacup in his hand, his eyes full of admiration.

"If you were in the New World, you might really become a famous female detective!"

Upon hearing this, Kelly raised an eyebrow slightly, turned to him with a smile, but her tone carried a hint of defiance.

"Mr. Delapor, why does it have to be the 'New World'? Doesn't our kingdom have a place for female detectives?"

"Oh, dear lady, you should know the customs of the kingdom better than I do," Arthur shrugged.

"Society's expectations of women's careers are probably still mostly limited to social settings and the home. If a woman were to imagine herself as that famous—oh, what was her name again?—whatever it was, a woman chasing crime would likely attract a lot of 'unconventional' attention."

Seeing her uncle playfully making "rabbit ears" by his head, Kelly snorted, seemingly unimpressed by this "traditional saying."

But she did not continue to argue.

The atmosphere in the garden eased with this interjection, shifting from a slightly tense, tentative exchange to a more relaxed chat.

After a few casual words, the old lady smiled and steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Miss Moore, would you like to come and explore the depths of this garden? This mansion features a Brownian-style garden, which might offer a different kind of scenery compared to current trends."

"It would be my pleasure, Madam." Kelly immediately rose, her skirt swaying with the movement, then looked at George, "Would Mr. George be willing to act as a guide?"

"Of course I'd be happy to help." George nodded gracefully.

"Then I'll join in the fun too." Seeing the old lady turn to the other two people present, Lieutenant Bates also stood up, with a polite smile on his face.

Uncle Arthur waved his hand: "Go ahead and explore. I've already seen the garden. Go see my poor cousin Edward, and while you're at it, check on Inspector Moore. Have a good time."

So, led by the old lady, the group slowly walked along the path toward the garden.

A stream meanders out, sunlight filters through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the water, and the air is filled with the dryness characteristic of late autumn vegetation.

Before my eyes unfolded a naturally beautiful landscape, with undulating grassy slopes stretching to the shore of the decaying lake, where a few oak and beech trees stood sparsely.

The autumn sun shines through the gaps in the golden-ochre leaves, casting flowing dappled light on the velvety grass, as if quietly unfolding a landscape scroll from Turner's paintings between heaven and earth.

However, this tranquility was soon broken by a sudden, unusual noise.

George paused, his brow furrowing instantly.

At first, he thought the few faint buzzing sounds were tinnitus caused by emotional changes, but he soon realized that the low-frequency vibrations were not natural.

He keenly sensed a change in the airflow, as if something ominous was brewing...

"Watch out!" he whispered, almost reflexively pulling the old lady towards him.

Almost simultaneously, beneath the previously smooth lawn, countless tiny black shadows suddenly exploded and rose into the air like smoke—

It is some kind of tiny flying insect.

They quickly coalesced into a dense, almost opaque cloud of insects, pressing down on the four of them with a piercing buzz.

"Watch out!" came Lieutenant Bates' voice from behind the group.

George's fingertips had already reached for the flute in his pocket.

He quickly activated his spirituality, attempting to draw upon the power of the "Song of Glass Island".

But as soon as he pulled it out, Kelly next to him reacted even faster.

This seemingly refined young lady moved with surprising efficiency.

She suddenly leaned forward and snapped a thin branch with green leaves off a bush next to her.

With his right hand, he swiftly pulled on the exquisite silver chain around his neck, causing a thumb-sized ruby ​​pendant to fall into his palm.

She rubbed the ruby ​​quickly and forcefully against the broken end of the green branch a few times.

The gemstone unexpectedly emitted a scorching glow under this operation, and the sap of the branches and leaves was instantly ignited, releasing a strange spicy aroma.

Kelly swiftly and powerfully sprayed the flaming branches and gems towards the swarm of insects.

"call!"

A ball of orange-red fire instantly rose high.

The moment it came into contact with the insect cloud, a sizzling sound, like oil being thrown into a boiling pot, burst forth.

The insect cloud suddenly burst into flames, and the entire gray cloud abruptly turned into a large cloud of acrid dust in mid-air, which fell down in a flurry.

"Oh my god!"

Lady Violet was startled by the supernatural fire and the sudden disappearance of the insect cloud, and took a half step back, but accidentally stepped on something.

Just as she staggered and was about to fall to the ground, Lieutenant Bates stepped forward and steadily supported the old lady's arm.

"Be careful, madam," Bates said in a steady and firm voice.

The old lady's face turned pale, and she gripped Bates' arm tightly to keep her balance.

"It seems we'd better go back inside."

Kelly tucked the pendant back into her collar, gently patted the ash off her skirt, and a serious expression appeared on her face.

The four quickly retraced their steps back to the mansion.

As they approached the porch, Kelly muttered something under her breath, her voice audible to George behind her.

"Damn skirts, they're such a burden at times like this... Pants are much more convenient."

George's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Back in the spacious, cool living room, after everyone had calmed down a bit, Kelly turned to George.

This time, instead of using an interrogative tone, he displayed a more professional and sharp attitude.

"Let's get to know each other again," she said, slightly raising her chin, her blue eyes sharp as blades. "Carrie Moore, Operations Specialist, Counterinsurgency Bureau."

George paused for a moment, then quickly adjusted his expression, nodded, and said solemnly, "Commissioner Moore, my apologies."

He was quickly calculating in his mind, and just as he was about to ask something, the side door on the other side of the living room was pushed open.

Inspector Douglas and Uncle Albert walked in together.

The smile on the inspector's face had completely vanished, replaced by a solemn seriousness.

But when he saw the old lady sitting on the sofa, his expression changed again, and he quickly walked over to her.

His tone softened considerably: "Madam, are you alright? I just saw the commotion in the garden..."

"It's nothing, Inspector Moore. I was just a little frightened. Please forgive my rudeness." The pale-faced old lady waved her hand, trying to calm her breathing.

Douglas nodded, his gaze sweeping over George, Kelly, and Bates before finally settling on George.

He took a deep breath and turned to Albert, saying, "Albert, could you please look after the old lady? George, Mr. Bates, and I have some things to discuss privately."

Uncle Albert nodded. "Of course, Douglas. I'll take good care of Mother."

At Douglas's prompting, George and Bates followed him out of the living room.

Walking through the corridor, George naturally led the inspector to the familiar temporary alchemy room on the third floor.