Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_232
The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone, from Zakariah to the students of Hero Martial Arts School, was left speechless by Skadi’s bold request. She wanted to meet Father Cillian, sure, but now she was asking to see the Smiling Grim Reaper as well? The weight of that request was almost too much to bear.
Zakariah’s face drained of color, his lips parted as if he were about to speak but found no words. His mind raced as he glanced nervously at Nash, the only person who could possibly fulfill such a strange demand. He alone knew the truth—Nash was the Smiling Grim Reaper.
The Smiling Grim Reaper, an enigmatic figure wrapped in mystery, had once protected the warden under Stellar’s orders, and Zakariah had witnessed that first-hand. Now, with Skadi’s life hanging in the balance, he hoped against hope that Nash would step into that role, even if it was just for a fleeting moment to fulfill her final wish.
Nash, sensing the weight of the room’s collective gaze, twitched the corner of his mouth upward in frustration. “Why are you looking at me? It’s not like I know who the Smiling Grim Reaper is!” he scoffed, though his tone carried an undercurrent of exasperation. Skadi was pushing the boundaries of what was reasonable. She had stabilized, the worst of her injuries had passed, and yet here she was, making unreasonable demands.
Father Cillian? Fine. But now, the Smiling Grim Reaper too? This was too much. Nash opened his mouth to refuse, but Hera, ever the mediator, came up beside him and lowered her voice. “Nash, you’re a Golden Amulet Master. Don’t you know the Smiling Grim Reaper?”
Nash shot her a look of disbelief. “I’m a path master dedicated to eradicating demons and upholding righteousness. I’m a divine healer who saves lives and aids the wounded. How could I possibly know that Smiling Grim Reaper guy?” He rolled his eyes in mockery of the suggestion.
Hera pursed her lips in frustration, clearly not prepared to back down. “What should I do, then?”
Nash narrowed his eyes, his expression growing darker. “Stop pretending. I know Skadi’s injury better than anyone else. This is all for show,” he muttered lowly, his gaze flicking toward Skadi’s room.
The air in the room was thick with tension. Everyone was trying to come up with a solution to this absurd request. It seemed as if the situation could spiral out of control at any moment.
Then, out of nowhere, Lauren, ever the troublemaker, piped up with an idea. “Why don’t we get someone to pretend to be the Smiling Grim Reaper?”
Nash, who had been preparing to voice his objections, blinked in stunned disbelief. “Wait, what? You want to pretend?” he sputtered.
Even his own mother-in-law had joined in on the joke. Had everyone lost their minds? The Smiling Grim Reaper wasn’t just someone anyone could impersonate.
“But who do we turn to?” he asked, incredulous.
At that moment, Justin, who had been silently observing, stood up with a sly grin on his face. He flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand and announced, “Allow me.”
“I’ve seen the Smiling Grim Reaper. He’s about the same size as me. Senior Skadi will definitely not suspect anything if I were to play the Smiling Grim Reaper,” Justin said with a twinkle in his eye. His voice carried a tone of self-assurance that made everyone pause, though no one could suppress the surprise that followed.
Zakariah’s expression softened as he turned toward Justin, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “I-I also think Mr. Calcraft has almost the same figure as the Smiling Grim Reaper. Please, Mr. Calcraft. Fulfill my granddaughter’s last wish!”
The students of Hero Martial Arts School, sensing the gravity of the situation, bowed in unison. “Mr. Calcraft, please fulfill Miss Skadi’s final wish!” they implored, their voices filled with earnestness.
Justin, still keen to step in, scratched his head. “I can just do it. Why bother Mr. Calcraft?” he suggested, looking around the room.
“I’m not interested!” Nash snapped, shaking his head vehemently. He didn’t want any part of this charade. It was ridiculous to think they could simply fool Skadi with a cheap impersonation.
Everyone looked at each other in stunned disbelief, unsure of what to do next. Zakariah sighed, clearly resigned to the unfolding events. “Then, let’s leave it to Justin.”
With a firm nod, Justin immediately ran off to prepare. “I promise to complete the task. It just so happens that my cousin is a tailor. I’ll get her to make a suit for me!” he called out as he dashed off, eager to play his part.
Meanwhile, upstairs in Skadi’s chamber, Father Cillian had settled himself at the head of her bed, carefully feeding her the medicine. His movements were stiff, mechanical almost, as though he were performing a task rather than providing comfort. He had never been in a woman’s room before, and the fragrance that filled the air now made him uneasy. His virtuous heart, usually unwavering, seemed to waver slightly as he tried to maintain his composure.
Skadi, weak but determined, gazed up at him with bright eyes, her focus unbroken. She had always admired him from afar, but now, in her fragile state, she couldn’t help but ask, “Father Cillian, is your real name really Cillian?”
Cillian didn’t answer her immediately, choosing instead to feed her another spoonful of medicine. His eyes remained focused on his task, though a slight flush crept onto his cheeks. At 65 years old, he had spent a lifetime dedicated to his duties, never allowing himself to stray from his virtuous path. Yet, in this moment, with Skadi’s innocent gaze on him, even the most steadfast of hearts could feel the stirrings of a deeper emotion.
The room was still, save for the sound of the medicine spoon tapping against the bowl. Would Skadi’s request for the Smiling Grim Reaper be granted? Or would the truth remain hidden a little longer? The threads of fate were weaving a tangled web, and the outcome was still uncertain.