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66.32% Exorcist in America / Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Trauma

Chương 261: Chapter 261: Trauma

It was clear that Ron bringing his wife wasn't just for a simple introduction as it appeared on the surface, but since Ron didn't speak up, York didn't pry either.

Seeing his wife, fragile like a startled deer, York had no choice but to have the more serene and gentle Eileen accompany Ron's wife, Laura.

At this moment, Eileen's presence shone through, in stark contrast to the oppressive aura of the priest. He was like a green leaf accentuating the young nun.

At least when Eileen invited Laura to tour the church, the latter's gaze wasn't as evasive but instead, she looked at Eileen hesitantly.

"Go ahead."

Ron gently encouraged his wife again, "I grew up here, everyone here is kind. There won't be any trouble. I'll join the Father in the backyard to see the renovation plans and then come find you."

Laura glanced silently at the nun before her, sensing an aura around Eileen that made her involuntarily calm, a feeling she had never experienced before, not even from her own husband.

After a moment of thought, Laura nodded softly, "Okay."

She knew why her husband came here and didn't want her presence to affect his work.

Ron smiled at his wife's willingness, surprised she could do so much, considering doctors hadn't been able to persuade Laura to step away from him even for a moment.

This visit seemed to not have been in vain.

York glanced at Eileen.

Understanding immediately, Eileen smiled and said, "Come on, Mrs. Laura, please follow me."

Taking a deep breath and psyching herself up, Laura followed hesitantly, looking back three times with each step.

Ron maintained a waving gesture until his wife disappeared with the nun, then he exhaled in relief.

"Father, my apologies for this."

"It's okay."

York shook his head, "Come with me, let's see what your plans are for the renovation."

Walking towards the backyard, York believed Ron would eventually open up.

...

"In the backyard, Ron transformed into a professional, pointing here and there with authority.

He even had paper and pen, jotting down needed materials and their approximate costs.

"We'll need about this much."

Ron said, handing the list to York.

York, always indifferent about these matters, knew Ron would offer the best service and even the highest discount, right down to cost price.

"How many days will it take?"

York glanced at the list and then asked.

"Can it be done before Halloween?"

With Halloween fast approaching, it meant Ron might need to work overtime today.

"Yes."

Ron said with pride, "Father, I'm not alone anymore, I have a team of over a dozen workers."

York smiled, returning the list to Ron.

"There's someone living in the church now, if you need anything, you can ask him."

York indicated towards John Wick, who was enjoying his leisure time in a corner of the backyard, quietly reading a book.

As the priest and as the boss, York was considerate, ensuring there was time for lunch breaks. If Eileen had no other duties or wasn't out, this "killer" had quite a lot of free time.

Ron nodded, following York's gaze to the sturdy figure of John Wick.

"Alright, Father."

With work matters settled, Ron seemed hesitant about something else.

York, patient, led Ron back to the church.

Walking along the path from the backyard to the church, Ron's hesitant, nervous voice finally broke the silence.

"Father York, may I ask you a question?"

York responded gently, "Of course, Ron. If I can provide an answer."

"Is it true that you performed an exorcism for Ms. Mosan's daughter, Sarah?"

Ms. Mosan was one of the faithful, and though York no longer needed to use injections for exorcisms.

"Yes."

York didn't hide it.

Ron was part of the devout community at the Pluto Church, just like Ms. Mosan.

"So... was Sarah really possessed by a demon?"

York stopped and turned to look at Ron, who was a head shorter, seeing a strange hope in his eyes.

"Ron, what do you want to say?"

Ron looked up at the towering figure of the priest, took a deep breath, and said earnestly.

"Yes, Father York. I want you to look at my wife, Laura. I suspect she's been possessed by a demon..."

...

Pluto Church, with its considerable age and legacy from olden times, was spacious.

York had designated an area as a Quiet Room, a place for believers to find peace.

Calling it a Quiet Room was a bit of a misnomer; it was more of a viewing room, adorned with plants, grains, and murals of landscapes and people.

The church had no shortage of ancient murals, all sourced by York from the headquarters.

Each painting was lifelike, evoking unique thoughts in every viewer, akin to a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes.

Most importantly, this room was filled with a profound holy force left by York, meant to calm the spirit.

Eileen, sensing the unease and contemplation in Laura, brought her to the Quiet Room.

There, amidst other believers who did not disturb each other, Laura stopped in front of a mural bathed in the fiery hues of a sunset, lost in thought.

Eileen, standing silently by her side, waited before gently asking.

"Mrs. Laura, are you troubled?"

Laura, still absorbed in the red hues, moved her lips but eventually shook her head softly.

"No."

Eileen didn't press further, remaining a silent companion.

They stood in front of the painting for a long while until York and Ron's arrival broke the silence.

Returning to their places.

Laura seemed to rely heavily on her husband, stepping out of her trance when Ron approached, looking better than her previously startled state.

York signaled Eileen to come out.

"Father, is something the matter?" Eileen noticed something unusual.

"What do you feel about that woman?" York asked.

"Mrs. Laura?" Eileen paused, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Yes."

York calmly stated, "Her husband suspects she's possessed by a demon."

"Demon possession?" Eileen shook her head, "Father, I don't sense any signs of demon possession in Mrs. Laura."

York smiled, "The fact she could enter the Quiet Room without any issue clearly shows it's not as simple as demon possession."

Recalling what she had witnessed, Eileen looked up at her imposing priest and said earnestly.

"Father, I think Mrs. Laura is troubled. She has a heavy burden on her heart."

"Sigh, it seems that's indeed the case..." York tapped his temple.

...

Confirmed by Eileen's insights, York began to delve into Laura's situation.

From Ron's account, York understood he hadn't encountered any paranormal activity himself; all the abnormalities were specific to Laura.

This didn't align with typical paranormal occurrences, as those close to the victim usually experience effects as well.

From this, York could almost conclude this wasn't a paranormal event or supernatural phenomenon, but a real-life case.

Ron's wife, Laura, was ill.

"Father, is Laura not possessed by a demon?" Ron's anguish became evident.

"So all this was just my imagination."

York, seated on a bench, glanced back at Laura accompanied by Eileen, seeing her as a glass bottle full of cracks

, and said thoughtfully.

"Ron, do you know Laura's past? Like if she's experienced anything particularly traumatic before."

York's tone was subtle.

"Generally speaking, cases like hers stem from significant trauma leading to their current state."

"Her past?"

Ron rubbed his face, heavily stating, "She hasn't mentioned anything. The doctors asked about her past too, to better guide and treat her,

but she refuses to speak. I respect her choice, as those are memories Laura doesn't want to revisit.

She even told me she's forgotten everything, unable to recall any details."

York, seeing Ron's heavy demeanor, sighed.

"Ron, if it's indeed a psychological and mental illness, she needs to learn to heal herself, and opening up is just the first step. If she can't even do that, then..."

The implication was clear; without taking the first step, there was no hope.

Ron instinctively looked back at his increasingly depressed wife, smiling slightly in acknowledgment.

"I understand, Father."

He whispered softly, "I'll find a way on my own."

York detected despair in his tone, obviously, Ron was out of options, especially when his wife refused to speak.

"Ron, I have another method," York sighed.

"But you need to be prepared."

Ron looked eagerly at the priest.

York said, "The process might cause your wife great pain or resentment, as it's akin to reopening an unhealed wound.

Are you willing to try?"

Ron licked his dry lips instinctively.

"Father, I've been prepared. If it can cure or alleviate Laura's condition, I'm willing to face any consequences."

"Good."

York looked at the oblivious Laura calmly.

It seemed it was time to revive the long-forgotten injection method.

Without further ado, York used a syringe gun equipped with a sedative to knock Laura unconscious in the rest room.

Then, with the prepared Ron and a baffled Eileen's help, they moved the unconscious Laura to his personal resting room.

"Father, what are you doing?"

Eileen was completely baffled, not understanding why the priest would knock someone unconscious directly.

"Treatment."

York was succinct, asking Ron to sit down and then told Eileen.

"I'll teach you another method of using your psychic abilities."

Saying so, York placed his hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Of course, this requires the aid of a magic circle."

York smiled at Eileen, as magic began to flow within him, instantly creating a deep red magic circle underfoot.

Only Eileen could see the circle emerge from the ground, its flame-like light spreading along its patterns.

"Psychic abilities are not just for interpreting information and symbols but also provide healing and psychological counseling."

York gestured towards his own shoulder, inviting Eileen to place her hand there.

Eileen, understanding, reached out to touch the priest's arm.

"We just need to connect with Laura's mental energy to experience her thoughts, memories, including her most painful moments..."

Under the glow of the magic circle, York's voice grew distant as he placed his free hand on Laura's forehead.

In an instant, the space around them shifted.

Before Eileen and a more puzzled Ron could react, they found themselves inside a car.

Outside was a vast, endless field under a fiery sunset, beautifully illuminated.

"This..."

Ron's eyes widened in disbelief.

He was sitting in the back seat of the car, next to a man holding a baby, with his wife, Laura, driving.

He felt like an observer, invisible to all.

"Father York, what is this?"

"This is Laura's memory, the unforgettable event." York reclined in his seat, watching Laura and the driver laugh and talk, calmly stating.

"It's also the source of her condition. It seems she didn't refuse to talk."

York looked out the window at the sky-like barrier, continuing.

"She chose to block out this memory. Your wife didn't lie to you; she indeed forgot the details and this segment of her memory."

Eileen glanced at Ron, now understanding the priest's method.

Ron was silent, his gaze fixed on his wife's radiant smile, a sight he hadn't seen in a long time.

"So, the burned man is..."

Ron's gaze shifted to the man holding the baby, his voice bitter.

"So that's how it is."

Eileen looked to the priest, curious about his next move, but saw him staring at the radio, eyes narrowed.

"Something wrong?"

Eileen followed York's gaze to the radio, which was broadcasting a message.

"The cleaner the water flows, the more you save, filtering out dangerous minerals..."

As the radio spoke, the man in the back seat suggested buying a water filter.

With the trio's attention, the driving Laura responded, "Are you sure?"

"Of course, the less garbage we intake, the better. It's for our child's well-being."

The man looked tenderly at his child, mentioning harmful substances in water, like "microchips?"

Laura glanced at the rearview mirror, her face showing reluctant agreement.

"Okay, we'll buy a water filter tomorrow, and some aluminum foil to block government signals, for our child's sake."

"Right, absolutely." The man agreed, touching the baby's hand.

A perfectly happy family scene, leaving Ron and Eileen speechless, only York watched the radio with an unreadable expression.

Suddenly, the radio crackled, switching channels.

"We're being hunted by other demons..."

Laura frowned, switching stations.

"This radio is broken," she said.

Then, the previously quiet baby started crying, and the radio voiced,

"Why do you think gods don't answer your prayers? Because our power is greater."

Laura's expression tightened. She heard her husband soothing the child and turned back, puzzled.

"Didn't you hear?"

"Hear what?"

The man seemed oblivious.

Then, as Laura turned forward, York remained calm, Eileen's eyes wide, and Ron's gasp filled the air, a truck crashed into them.

In an instant, Eileen barely had time to shout.

"Father!"

"It's okay."

York's voice fell, and the truck slammed into Laura's car.

The impact affected only Laura's family, with York and Eileen, and a stunned Ron, remaining unscathed.

Boom!

They watched as the truck and Laura's car collided and burst into flames.

Chaos ensued.

Passing cars stopped, and kind strangers pulled the conscious Laura from the wreckage.

But as they rescued Laura, the truck and car ignited further, engulfing the truck driver, Laura's husband, and child in flames more intense than the sunset...

York rose from his seat, looking down at Ron, who now understood his wife's condition.

"Not demon possession, but post-traumatic stress from the accident. Her hallucinations are unaddressed emotional scars..."

"No! Don't!"

Laura, seemingly awake, stared at the fiery scene, frantic to rush forward but restrained by bystanders.

"Don't!"

She couldn't see York, Eileen, or her future husband, Ron, tears streaming down his face.

___________________

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Chương 262: Chapter 262: Departure Imminent

The standards for exorcism are stringent.

The reason for needing to apply to the bishop for an exorcism permit is because the abnormal behaviors of some mental patients align closely with the logic of demonic possession.

One of the reasons for requiring an exorcism permit is to avoid misdiagnoses.

For the sake of reputation and the victims.

In both the past life and this parallel world, the church never denies science.

Contrary to what many people imagine, the church even encourages you to go to the hospital if you suspect a family member is possessed by a demon.

So, when Ron suggested he take a look, York could tell from his description that Laura was not being tormented by a demon possession but by her own memories.

Glancing at the grief-stricken Laura, York looked up at the sky, which was like a wall.

This is the root of the issue, Laura's painful memories. Because she had blocked this memory, when she saw a burned man in her hallucinations, she didn't recognize him as her deceased husband.

Regarding the night dancing undressed, he tended towards the idea that Laura was drawn to dance by the burned man due to a sense of familiarity.

It's very possible that this was a happy memory she shared with her former husband.

So, in Ron's eyes, Laura dancing alone at night seemed very strange.

"What do you plan to do, then?" York asked. "Do you want me to break down the walls she's built so she falls into pain again after regaining consciousness, or should I continue to reinforce these walls so she never remembers these painful memories again?"

Saying this, York looked at Ron and sighed, "You should already know everything. Why Laura was fine before but has become like this is because the wall of memories is on the verge of collapsing. As time passes, she begins to slowly remember these painful memories..."

Before he could finish, Ron responded.

"Father York, could you please reinforce it?"

Ron's eyes, red with tears, reflected his wife's despair.

"Since Laura chose to close off, she definitely doesn't want to remember those things again. I choose to go back to our old days."

"Okay."

York always respected the choices of his old believers. Raising his right hand, he unleashed a surging power towards the sky, like a wall.

Ron just stared at his wife, while Eileen silently looked up to see a deep red column of light shooting out from the priest, colliding with the sky and causing ripples to spread outwards.

As the energy spread, the sky wall, which seemed about to fall apart with cracks, healed as quickly as self-repair.

"Is this the priest's power?" Eileen held her breath, unsure of what to feel.

[60 points of magic power consumed]

With the sound of machinery in his ears, York snapped his fingers, "It's over, we should head back. And Ron, I suggest you forget about today's events. If possible, I strongly suggest you have a child with Laura. Even if she starts to remember, it probably won't turn out this way. I'll leave you with a saying, 'A mother's resilience is strong.'"

With York's rambling, Ron, grateful and tearful, found himself back in reality, and his wife, tears streaming down her face, had woken up, touching her face with a confused expression, then looking towards the priest and back at him.

"Ron, what's this?"

She looked so normal, nothing like before.

Seeing this, York signaled Eileen to leave, leaving the couple to their private conversation.

Eileen silently followed behind the priest, unable to resist asking, "Father York, is it over?"

York's expression became ambiguous, "Are you referring to Ron? If it's about Ron's wife, then yes, it's over, because I've sealed off the source of her pain."

Eileen's eyes showed movement, "No, Father, I'm referring to the car accident in Mrs. Laura's memories."

Hearing this, York couldn't help but smile, continuing to walk ahead, "Eileen, you've noticed the anomaly too?"

"Yes." Eileen remembered the bizarrely changed radio station and the abruptly appearing truck, "And the truck appeared so suddenly, as if it just popped up out of nowhere, I didn't even feel its presence."

"We'll look into it when we have time." York said indifferently, "Just hope it's not what I'm thinking."

Eileen curiously asked, "Father, your guess is?"

"Sacrifice."

York's last word made Eileen stop in her tracks...

...

"Thank you for your help, Father York. I will complete your renovation request before Halloween."

Ron thanked York profusely, causing his wife to look suspiciously at the imposing priest.

Despite the intense aura the priest exuded, it still brought her peace.

"It's nothing, Ron. Live well."

Holding a Bible, York took a special look at his wife Laura, who seemed to have recovered very well from Ron's expression.

But he chose to conceal the strange accident.

Normally, who would drive a truck directly at someone else's car?

"Thank you! Thank you, Father!"

As Ron thanked him profusely, York saw off him and his wife Laura, spending the afternoon time.

Until the afternoon, as the priest of Pluto Church, York met a few old believers, providing guidance, spiritual support, and blessings.

During this time, Ron appeared again with his employees, heading straight to the backyard to start the renovation work without a word.

And John Wick, having nothing else to do, helped out, enjoying the freedom.

Besides him and Eileen, John Wick and Robert were definitely the most comfortable and free.

In Pluto Church, the situation between the boss and the employees was completely reversed, making York ponder.

Of course, during this time, York also received a call from Mrs. Camille.

From her words, York learned a lot of information.

For example, Saxon and his girlfriend Amelia had woken up and were recovering quickly, planning to return to their country in three days.

They were still receiving treatment in the church.

This was somewhat good news.

Besides, York learned from the confessions of his neighbor and old believer that he had sold his house.

In his words, it was to a very beautiful blonde woman with a figure so explosive that not even a wide sweater could hide it.

"Father, do you know, she moved in with a bunch of equipment I couldn't understand."

The neighbor and believer kept talking, sharing his observations with his respected priest.

"I don't know what those things are, but they seem like cutting-edge technology,

God, she has so many things."

"Oh, is that so." York responded casually.

"That lady bought your house directly?"

What the neighbor didn't know was that York's mind had already wandered off, not really focusing on him or his words, responding purely out of instinct.

"Yeah!" 

The neighbor continued to sigh, "Seems like a wealthy person, and single too."

He just said, touching his thinning hair, "It's just a pity, I couldn't find a chance to strike up a conversation."

"That's too bad, El, you know, I've always supported you, you look like you're missing a wife to accompany you for life." York responded instinctively again, having already added today's 0.5 points to his

 personal panel's life value.

[Life from 189 to 189.5]

The regenerative ability of life value was something he coveted.

This was the ability to regenerate.

As long as the life value kept rising, he could use regeneration to heal any physical damage and even regrow limbs or lost organs.

It seemed his judgment on the attributes was generally correct.

Life value indeed always keyed into life, meaning it would evolve to possess life-preserving abilities.

"Father York!"

The neighbor's incessant voice suddenly changed, and York looked down instinctively.

Seeing the neighbor and believer, his eyes red, grasping his right hand, he said despondently.

"I won't be able to greet you every day anymore, it really saddens me!"

York felt an inexplicable chill in his heart, managing to extricate himself from the neighbor's grasp, preemptively patting his shoulder.

"It's okay, El, as long as your heart remains devout, maintaining your love for God is like greeting me every day."

However, the neighbor, possibly because he was moving to the city, was a bit off today, taking up quite a bit of his time.

Unintentionally, York realized the afternoon had passed, and evening had quietly arrived.

The sunset shone through the beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows of Pluto Church, casting its light on the pews and the statue of Jesus, creating a breathtaking scene.

York watched the disappearing neighbor and saw Eileen accepting donations from believers through the holographic image, watched Ron's team busy with renovations in the backyard, and saw John Wick and Robert helping out.

He shook his head and silently chuckled, taking his usual seat.

The sunset casting light on the statue of Jesus bathed York in a glow.

In a blink, three days had passed...

[Points successfully added]

[Life from 189.5 to 191]

With the sound in his ears, York silently rubbed his palms, feeling the vigorous cells and the unusually fast flow within.

In the nighttime room.

He sat on the bed, placing his right hand flat on the desk, grabbed the knife from the desk with his left hand, and stabbed towards his right hand.

The force controlled the knife, piercing through his palm and the desk below.

"Indeed, with the regenerative ability that comes with life value, the sensation of pain has also become lighter."

York quietly pulled out the knife, watching the wound's changes. Through non-human eyes, he could see clusters of granulation tissue rapidly connecting and then healing, causing the wound to gradually fade until it disappeared.

"When the knife was pulled out, the bleeding had already stopped, and my life value didn't drop at all. I guess I'm becoming less and less human."

York shook his head, placed the bloodied knife on the desk, and lay down on the bed, his mind focused on the holographic image in his mind.

He saw Eileen already asleep, sleeping very sweetly.

The perspective moved subconsciously within a hundred meters to the neighbor's house.

Strangely, El's house had changed owners, and things had been moved in, yet he hadn't noticed the owner.

Even through the holographic image, it was the same.

According to American customs, when new people move in, they usually express goodwill to their neighbors right away, giving gifts or inviting neighbors to dinner parties to get acquainted.

This is so that in times of need, neighbors can lend a hand.

For example, in cases of shootings or other life-threatening situations, neighbors can call the police or provide assistance first.

However, this newcomer had disappeared without a trace, not even a hair to be seen, causing the surrounding neighbors to speculate and discuss who had bought El's house with such a big gesture.

"Never mind, whoever it is, as long as they're not a bad person."

York withdrew his mind from the holographic image, consciously blocking its range and slowly closing his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already daylight.

York got up, entered the bathroom, and a few minutes later came out to the living room to enjoy Eileen's breakfast.

It was the same as before, taking out his phone to continue monitoring the group chat situation.

The video of Katy Sloth that he had been following had still not surfaced, as if it had sunk to the bottom of the sea.

"It seems it wasn't the paranormal event I imagined, that's good..."

York was carefree, since it wasn't a paranormal event, he wouldn't bother with it anymore.

After finishing Eileen's breakfast in one go, York continued his day like a working person, driving to the church to start a new day of priestly work.

During the day, he received notification from Ron that the renovation was complete.

Ron's team was very diligent, from the results of the renovation, York could tell that Ron had used the best materials and work attitude.

Also, the price Ron offered was entirely at cost, not even charging for labor, meaning he was losing his own money to pay his employees.

"Father, my work is done."

His face rarely showed a happy expression, "I'm going back to accompany Laura."

Saying this, Ron mysteriously said to him, "Father, I have a great piece of news to tell you."

York stopped flipping through the materials and looked at Ron, silently accepting Ron's method of repayment, knowing only by accepting would Ron feel more comfortable.

"Laura is pregnant." Ron's smile couldn't be contained any longer, he was unable to suppress it.

"I never thought I'd see this day!"

"Heh."

York was pleased, sincerely laughing, "Congratulations, Ron."

"Thank you!! I will never forget your help, Father York." Ron looked at the priest before him, tears in his eyes.

"I know I couldn't have all this without your help!"

York didn't mind, laughing, "Ron, it's what I should do, because it's my job, you know, I'm a true priest."

York put away the list, "Go back, go back to your wife, I'll have Sister Eileen transfer the money to your account."

Saying this, York didn't wait for Ron's response and left the spot, leaving Ron alone with a moved expression watching the broad back until it disappeared.

What he didn't know was that York truly didn't mind, suddenly stopping and tapping his forehead.

"Wait, isn't Halloween tomorrow?"

In a daze, York realized Halloween was approaching from the tangle of affairs.

"So, after Halloween, it's time to head to headquarters for the inauguration ceremony."

York could already see the bishop of Romulus' monk appearing within a hundred meters in the holographic image.

___________________

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