If he had stayed longer as originally planned, or hadn't sought information from Hen in time.
If he had returned a few months later, he might truly have been met with nothing but a cold tomb.
These thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning.
But to Marta and the maids, Karl merely paused for a moment after hearing the news.
Karl didn't ask any more questions; his gaze quickly shifted from Marta and the others, as if searching for a direction.
In reality, a subtle glimmer, imperceptible to ordinary people, flashed in his eyes; he was using his clairvoyance ability.
His sight easily penetrated the walls and corridors ahead, swiftly sweeping across the entire manor area, and he immediately pinpointed the garden's location.
In the garden, two people sat on a bench, one figure appearing exceptionally thin and withered, while Hans and Dalton stood beside them.
He turned his head and quickly instructed Marta: "This is Dales, a friend from my village."
"Based on the currently vacant positions within the manor, arrange a suitable job for him, one that fits his abilities."
"Yes, Young Master, I understand," Marta immediately nodded in agreement.
Although she was the head maid, primarily responsible for managing the domestic maids.
By the rules, she had no authority to arrange work for male servants like Dales; that was Butler Hans's jurisdiction.
But at this moment, Young Master Karl had personally given the order, granting her temporary authority, and she naturally had to execute it strictly.
She turned to Dales, who was somewhat at a loss upon hearing the news of the Baron's serious illness, but whose hope was rekindled by Karl's words.
She said in a calm tone: "Dales, please follow me."
Upon hearing this, Dales quickly bowed deeply to Karl again, profusely thanking him: "Thank you! Lord Karl, thank you!"
Then, he carefully followed Marta towards the side corridor.
Karl no longer delayed, not even taking the normal indoor passage, but instead quickly walked along the flagstone path towards the rear garden.
His heart was filled with worry for Raymond's condition; he couldn't delay any longer, he had to resolve it quickly.
Karl soon arrived at the back of the manor, and at a glance, he saw Raymond leaning on a bench, eyes tightly closed, his face as pale as a linen shirt.
His breathing was faint, his chest barely rising and falling, and Butler Hans stood silently behind the chair.
Hans's face showed an unshakeable worry, while beside him, Jack was conversing in a low voice with Dalton, both of them looking somewhat grim.
Dalton's peripheral vision first caught sight of Karl, and he suddenly turned his head, his face breaking into a joyful surprise.
He excitedly blurted out: "Young Master! You're back?!"
This shout broke the garden's tranquility. Hans's eyes lit up, and he was about to speak a greeting, but Dalton beat him to it.
Jack also immediately looked over, a relieved smile appearing on his face.
Karl's brow relaxed slightly, and he nodded subtly to Dalton and Jack.
Raymond on the bench was startled awake by the sound, and he laboriously opened his heavy eyelids.
When he saw Karl standing before him, genuine joy erupted in his dim eyes.
His cracked lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
Then an uncontrollable, violent cough erupted, making his entire body tremble violently, as if he would gasp for air the next second.
"Cough cough—cough—cough"
He still wanted to stand up on his own strength to welcome the returning Karl.
But his weak body simply wouldn't obey, and he stumbled forward as soon as he stood up.
Karl rushed forward and steadily supported him.
Raymond leaned on Karl's sturdy arm, gasping for breath for quite a while.
He slowly said in an extremely weak, almost breathy voice: "Child—you—you're back—I—I thought I wouldn't live to see you."
Karl was silent for a moment, looking at Raymond in this state, his heart aching, but his tone was very firm: "I'm sorry—Raymond, I'll take you for treatment now."
Raymond, however, shook his head weakly, a bitter, resigned smile on his face.
He said dejectedly: "Don't—don't waste time and money—child, my illness is incurable."
"It's good that you're back—just in time to hand everything over to you."
These pessimistic and despairing words were like a thorn in Karl's heart.
His previously relaxed brow immediately furrowed again, and an indescribable anger mixed with heartache surged within him.
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Raymond's collar, pulling his weak body close to his face.
Karl's actions seemed rough, but under the coverage of his Bio-field.
This seemingly forceful pull did not cause any harm to Raymond's body.
Karl stared into Raymond's cloudy eyes, his voice filled with suppressed anger.
"If Mother knew you were like this now, so self-abandoning, giving up without even trying—"
"Even if you died because of it and went to the legendary underworld, she would never acknowledge you!"
"Karl!"
"Young Master!"
Seeing this sudden, rough action, Hans, Jack, and Dalton were all stunned.
They looked at each other, unsure whether to step forward to stop him or to wait and see.
Then, Raymond, whose collar was clutched by Karl, after hearing Elisa's name and Karl's sharp accusation.
His body trembled violently. He remembered the girl with the bright smile and resilient personality from before.
He remembered his promise to live well and protect their child, and endless shame surged into his heart.
Raymond closed his eyes in pain and lowered his head.
Seeing Raymond remain silent and not argue, Karl freed his other hand and waved it towards the empty space beside him.
With a "rumble," not a loud bang, but a deep, air-shaking hum, it exploded.
A shimmering orange portal, its interior slowly rotating like a hot vortex, appeared out of thin air in the garden.
Powerful energy fluctuations and suction disturbed the surrounding air, stirring up fallen leaves on the ground.
This sudden, unimaginable scene completely stunned Hans, Jack, and Dalton.
The three stared dumbfounded at the orange glowing vortex. Was this—the work of a Warlock?!
Karl ignored their shock and offered no explanation.
He turned to Dalton, who was the quickest to react, his tone brooking no argument: "Dalton, you come with me!"
"Hans, Jack, you two stay in the manor and keep things running. I'm taking Raymond for treatment!"
No sooner had he spoken than Karl, supporting the barely stable Raymond, stepped into the portal, and their figures were instantly swallowed by the vortex.
Dalton looked at the still-rotating, unknown portal.
Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter. Seeing Raymond remain silent and not argue, Karl freed his other hand and waved it towards the empty space beside him.
With a "rumble," not a loud bang, but a deep, air-shaking hum, it exploded.
A shimmering orange portal, its interior slowly rotating like a hot vortex, appeared out of thin air in the garden.
Powerful energy fluctuations and suction disturbed the surrounding air, stirring up fallen leaves on the ground.
This sudden, unimaginable scene completely stunned Hans, Jack, and Dalton.
The three stared dumbfounded at the orange glowing vortex. Was this—the work of a Warlock?!
Karl ignored their shock and offered no explanation.
He turned to Dalton, who was the quickest to react, his tone brooking no argument: "Dalton, you come with me!"
"Hans, Jack, you two stay in the manor and keep things running. I'm taking Raymond for treatment!"
No sooner had he spoken than Karl, supporting the barely stable Raymond, stepped into the portal, and their figures were instantly swallowed by the vortex.
Dalton looked at the still-rotating, unknown portal.
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