442 Can’t Sleep (1/2)

When Charles entered, he saw the shadows under the dim yellow light look over with unfriendly gazes. He froze in place. His bad premonition grew heavier.

”What's wrong?” Beard Guy craned his neck and squeezed past. He nodded at everyone. ”Everyone's here? Charles, don't just stand there. Mr. Constantine is busy.”

Charles managed a smile and followed Beard Guy. He saw their faces and thought the gazes were all icy.

”Sorry, I came back late. I almost couldn't find Charles.” Beard Guy patted his pocket. ”It's not my fault. It's too hard to find a place that sells cigarettes. I could only get this crude tobacco. Does anyone want it?”

Constantine seemed to be deep in thought.

”Cory, you're back just in time.” The examiner smiled and pointed at the document. ”Everyone has finished reading and we're only missing you two.”

”What's so urgent?” Cory walked over casually and shook his head. ”Everyone knows that I can't read. Just tell me instead of writing it down.”

No one responded; everyone was silent.

Constantine looked up at the blank young man behind Cory. ”Charles, where did you go?”

As if nothing had happened, Charles hid his sweaty palms and shook the bag. ”I went to buy—”

Constantine interrupted, ”Tell the truth.”

He stopped. All the unfriendly gazes moved onto him. The animosity poured into his lungs like some viscous liquid. It sloshed around, almost suffocating him. Smiling stiffly, he forced on a shocked expression. ”What's wrong with everyone? I just went to buy medicine.”

The examiner took his bag and opened it forcefully. He dumped all the medicine on the table. After examining, he murmured something to Constantine.

Constantine's expression darkened. He nodded and looked at Charles. ”Come look at this and you'll understand.”

Charles walked over stiffly and accepted the document. Forcing his trembling fingers to still, he opened it. Extreme shock and fear besieged him. He froze in place.

”Hey, what's so mysterious?” Cory came over and patted his shoulder. ”You look scared. What's wrong? What does it say?”

Charles's face was ghastly pale. After a long while, he looked up at Cory with fear and…pity.

”It says…” His voice trembled. ”You're the…mole.”

Cory froze. After a long while, he opened his mouth to speak. But the smiling examiner appeared behind him. He reached out, covered Cory's mouth, and slit his throat with ease. Fresh blood spurted out, falling onto Charles's face. It was warm and bitterly sweet. Some fragrance spread through the air. The documents were dyed red. He gaped at the name on the document. Stumbling back, he landed onto the ground with a thump.

Cory fell to his knees. He clutched his throat, struggling in pain. He looked up at Charles but he could not utter any sound. And then he collapsed. Scarlet blood flowed from his body, pooling around him. In the dust, it turned bruised purple. After too long, he stopped moving.

”Sorry. I must have scared you.” Smiling, he pulled Charles up. The young man stared at Cory in shock. After a while, he turned around. His lips trembled but he could not form any words.

”Cory had been bought out by the Sacred City a long time ago. If he didn't show some signs when he entered the prison this time, we would've never suspected him.” The examiner patted his shoulder. ”You were with him for such a long time. He didn't try to brainwash you, did he?”

Charles shook his head dumbly. He could feel the tears spilling out. Almost breaking down, he choked out, ”I-I…you aren't going to kill me?”

”Don't worry. Everyone knows you. How could someone so dumb be a spy?” The examiner chuckled. ”You might not know yet, but Constantine has already decided to make you his secretary. You must be cautious against those who want to use you. Thankfully, we discovered him early on. If Cory used you to learn some secrets, it would be troublesome.”

He paused and pointed at Cory. ”After a bit, I'll have someone check on you. You might not know but that guy is a Mind musician. It'll be bad if he planted a hint.”

Charles nodded stiffly. It finally dawned on him and he felt a chill. He finally understood why the Silent Authority was okay with him entering the Revolutionaries as a spy. His upper figure was hidden right beside him, keeping an eye on him at all times. He had used a Mind music score to control the fat illegal drug trader and remotely controlled Charles to help him find information. When needed, he would throw Charles away to save himself.

That was how it was…

Seeing his expression, Constantine sighed. He patted his shoulder lightly. ”Sorry, kid. I didn't think you would be this scared. It was my mistake.”

”N-no.” Charles managed a smile and wiped his snot with his sleeves. ”I was just scared by Cory.” After a pause, he pointed at the medicine piled on the table. ”My stuff.”

Constantine quickly smiled and placed the items in Charles's hand. ”Very good. Charles, you are a good kid.”