x
The sound of a button being pressed repeatedly in the same spot. The left hand slowly moving the mouse pointer, the rare click sound filling the silence of the first late night shift. His lazy yet attentive eyes carefully scanning the folded computer monitor screen. About four empty black cans sitting on the table. Now the man moved modestly, grabbing a cup to brew the same warm liquid.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK2qXpBLbr
The initially unmotivated man received many clues that spurred him into action. Like a steam engine with a spinning generator wheel, Cake embraced an overnight work system, disregarding fatigue. Near him, there was a detailed note with accurately sorted information. It was a job that required appreciation, despite the lack of respect.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjj42Um937
The vibrating sound of a mobile alarm on the table momentarily halted him.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgXsnfqdpS
"Six o'clock, huh?" He turned off the alarm and stretched for a moment. "Not too bad."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvmqzPhEAq
Cake sipped a freshly brewed cup of black coffee. Then he moved to open the curtains of the mansion's front windows. Gazing out the window while slowly blinking, he enjoyed the sight of the dawn and the grassy fence cooling his eyes.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEVO2n0EWq
The jingling sound of keys approached.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFElsQ90gX
"Ah, you're up early, Monsieur Cake?" greeted an old man with white hair and a beard, then he unlocked the door. "You're quite different from what Mademoiselle Hestia described."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjz24G9HHL
"Not surprising, my eyes twitched a few days ago," Cake added. "But this mansion is indeed surprising, Mr. Pinchon. The rental cost is low and allowed for a short-term lease."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcyibt2CSs
A fresh breeze seemed to visit through the open teak wood door. The two of them went out for a little walk around the yard. Mr. Pinchon opened the gate, while Cake turned around to admire the mega Victorian-style mansion.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC5jGic401
A two-story rectangular building with a red brick facade. The side used for socializing had six-sided protruding walls surrounded by three windows. The attic extended from left to right, now serving as a storage area. Despite having two floors, the building had six rooms available for rent to tourists. The yard was quite spacious, though it appeared ordinary, and the garage could accommodate two cars. However, it was this simple appearance that made Cake smile with satisfaction.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2wFWSEjIT
"250 pounds per 7 days, breakfast included, and the location is at the intersection. Too good to be true."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtKbZQ8NxW
"It's called a BnB. Besides, you don't have to pay! Miss Hestia once helped me in the past."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsugzKvRKB
The old man mentioned that he used to be a farmer in Ardennes, France, with no family, but he adopted two baby girls. He raised them alone. There was no house; a grain barn with straw pillows covered in fabric was his way of resting for about 40 years.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkrhCDGQ8P
"As the new countess, she relied on wit rather than wealth. The previous count had a strong patriotic spirit, and he didn't entrust the responsibility to a fool, even if it was his bloodline. That's why Mlle. Hestia proved her intelligence, making the Ardennes and Vorges regions much more fertile and profitable. Meanwhile, people like me, who have worked for years, have risen through the ranks as gardeners, servants, or the countess's driver."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3LQWgsA8Z
Cake walked closer and held onto the grassy fence.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyV3xD8XUz
"You became the driver and were often taken around. Some trips took you to Britain. Considering your background of having two girls but not having a place to live, coincidentally finding an old building at a cheap price in Wales?"
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoWkkHClhY
"Exactly, but Mlle. Hestia thought further. Instead of making it a residence, she decided to turn it into a grand BnB. No need to hire additional staff; the twins took care of that."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5HJdQdlqH
"Solene and Gouin?"
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWPVKBHGce
A girl wearing an apron approached them.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxC5GpIe01
"Papa, it's time for breakfast," she added. "Mr. Cake, please, the porridge is ready."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sw28Pc4df
The two men said they would follow, and the girl went back inside the mansion.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrKLH4Dd24
"My hope is simple. I hope they get along and have a family after I'm gone," Mr. Pinchon said somewhat sadly.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCYeYzaryj
Cake smiled warmly and immediately embraced the old man's shoulder.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdomvToXDb1
"It's too good to be true what you're saying. I'm sure that's not it. Letting go of the girl is like getting robbed a treasure trove of precious gems. There will come a time when the girl you've raised on your own will be wed to another man, and that's when you'll pray earnestly!"
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbYlxWVBth
"Well, there's some truth to that, hehehe!" M. Pinchon's face lit up with enthusiasm.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFLD5XfTpw
They proceeded through the living room and the reception desk, where Cake's belongings and equipment were still in disarray, except for the empty tin that had disappeared.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDA2sSYrH5
Upon arriving there, Cake felt uneasy because the two girls were waiting for someone who hadn't arrived yet.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCn9b9CfGd
"Is Mlle. Madelaine not awake yet?"
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9J5rLSRsD
The two blond-haired girls exchanged glances, then shook their heads at each other. Cake quickly noticed the expressions on their faces, realizing that they had tried but failed to wake her up. They would rather give up than deal with their countess on their own.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDdwgZiw6w
Cake glanced at his watch. "Six forty-five, this can't be allowed."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbOn5Yuyk7
Cake requested a glass of water and poured it onto a handkerchief from his pocket until it was completely wet. He quietly ascended to the second floor and entered one of the rooms. The bed was disheveled, while the woman still consulted with her dreams.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ420MDiKaCT
"Too relaxed at the wrong time."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewNoY2juAF
Cake grabbed the wet handkerchief and started rubbing it on her face. He elongated her sharp nose and pulled her cheeks wide.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AFQJHrqPn
Her eyelids slowly opened, with a brief moment of blinking.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPSZhckW0e
"Cake...?" The woman's mouth lifted slowly, her tone whimpering.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhPteWiSWn
"Yes, you female cow?"
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qALu77RYW
Forcefully, Cake grabbed her hand and gently pulled her towards the bathroom sink. The woman was weak and still drowsy, so when Cake cupped her hands under the faucet and splashed water at her face repeatedly, she didn't resist.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSjMJHA7EL
"Hey, is that necessary?" Madelaine's head and part of her nightgown got wet, and she folded her hands to protect her face.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRCSIeS8A5
Cake turned off the faucet. "If you don't wake up, they'll miss breakfast, understand? Now, don't be dramatic and come down immediately!"
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlszR2YSx5
Madelaine stared at the bathroom mirror for a moment while tying her hair.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYKmKqC7t5
"Why is he always sentimental towards me?" she sighed.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwYuQT3UmW
Looking presentable enough, Madelaine came downstairs and took the empty seat next to Cake. They were surprised to see that her clothes were quite wet.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT2lXNOgUg
"Don't worry, it's part of the discipline," Cake explained to them.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYYVO5dT28
"Yes, yes, I apologize. But I worked overtime all night!" Madelaine yawned repeatedly while lifting her spoon.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J47uzQW1P
When M. Pinchon mentioned that Cake hadn't slept the whole night, Madelaine blushed and remained silent.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWkkUSKNje
The porridge session concluded, and a typical English breakfast was promptly served by the twin girls. It included sausages, peas, tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, and bread. The two girls apologized for running out of pudding and offered hot chocolate as a substitute.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqp9lwfNYe
However, Cake and Madelaine didn't mind such trivial matters. For them, the most important aspect of being on duty out of town was having sufficient accommodation. As long as the bed was comfortable and there was edible food, there was nothing else to be grateful for.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4VKqnrwcf
After finishing breakfast, Cake and Madelaine immediately showered and prepared themselves. They discussed at the rarely used reception desk. Old man Pinchon said most guests felt more comfortable negotiating while having tea in the living room.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ3hirOvBn
"Inspector Popelin has sent the results of his investigation via email. Now the data is on my phone," Madelaine said as she plugged in the cable connected to her borrowed laptop from Cake overnight.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQMbPoEY03
Within five minutes, all the files were sent. Cake promptly cross-referenced them with the notes he had taken.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaYQ6iGLF3
"It seems Inspector Popelin is more impressive when presenting data and information," Cake remarked, his eyes shifting focus between his own notes and the laptop screen.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDmHmCqUEK
"I'll include some advisory notes for the South Wales Police," added Madelaine, reading from her phone. "There are also some notes in the email to check the data first on the second and third static recordings of the Morgaine group and the third static recording of the Morvud group."
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqHF6MJ7NV
Without hesitation, Cake opened the folder. There were ten recordings that Inspector Popelin had trimmed, totaling over an hour and ten minutes in raw footage, split into two types belonging to the Morgaine sub-group and the Morvud sub-group.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYkFdadG0i
The twin girls, Gouin and Solene, brought them tea and dry pastries. Out of his curious, Cake didn't mind allowing them to watch.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwpTIuSxYt
The video played in full. The recordings were captured using night vision cameras, giving them a sepia-toned appearance. As they watched, nothing stood out to Cake and Madelaine other than the typical supernatural phenomena—moving objects, whispers of wind, EMF radar occasionally beeping, and distinct voices on the spirit box.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL40Q4BajhR
Until they reached the final part, Cake and Madelaine thought they heard faint crying and, in the very last video, a clear scream that emanated from their respective static recordings.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRllldM0Ucq
Cake and Madelaine immediately checked the other data. Within two hours, they finally managed to deduce several anomalies.
ns216.73.216.65da2
