Because of the sound, Archibald cautiously looked towards its source. In the dim candlelight, he saw a tall man, dressed in a priestly robe like him, standing there, scrutinizing him.
For some reason, as soon as he saw the man, Archibald felt like he was facing a ferocious beast poised to pounce, and his entire body instantly tensed.
"Is that Father… Father York?"
"Hmm, wait for me." York nodded in confirmation, then returned to the lounge to get his equipment.
Archibald was stunned, watching the rumored Father disappear from his sight. He could only stand still and observe the church.
"There's a feeling I can't quite put into words…"
Observing the dilapidated church, Archibald scratched his head. Compared to the churches he had seen, this one could only be described as ancient. He couldn't understand why the rumored Father York wouldn't go to a better place.
As his thoughts drifted further, Archibald suddenly sat up straight, looking at the Father who emerged from a backpack he was carrying, his posture remarkably rigid.
"Father York! Hello, my name is Archibald Walter…"
"Let's go."
Interrupting his introduction, York walked past the probationary Father, carrying his backpack with a nonchalant expression.
"To the place of your examination."
"Oh…" Archibald nodded blankly. When he saw Father York instantly walk several meters away, he quickly followed him… 8:41 PM.
A sedan left the flow of traffic, departing the city limits and speeding towards the outskirts.
York, sitting in the passenger seat, looked with disinterest at the probationary Father in the driver's seat, noticing the young fledgling's eager expression.
Their states were completely opposite.
"What is your relationship with Father Gabriel?"
"Uh…"
Hearing the question, Archibald immediately replied obediently.
"Father Gabriel is my godfather."
Indeed, even in this parallel world with supernatural events, everything ultimately relies on human relationships. As the saying goes, society isn't about fighting and killing, but about human interactions.
The role of godfather is a very intimate one. From an Eastern perspective, a godfather and godson are essentially like adoptive father and son, meaning Gabriel is this young man's protector.
Thinking of this, York looked at Archibald and said calmly.
"Have you been trained in exorcism-related knowledge?"
Archibald nodded. "My godfather taught me a little."
Hearing this, York said calmly.
"When we arrive, you can act freely. I will be watching from the side."
Archibald slightly tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He knew what this examination meant. He took a deep breath and nodded seriously.
"Understood, Father York."
"…"
The conversation ended, and not long after, the sedan Archibald was driving arrived at a farm.
A group of people was already waiting at the farm. As soon as they saw the sedan approaching, they all came forward to greet it.
It was Archibald's first time taking charge, and he subconsciously looked at the Father in the passenger seat.
York scanned the farm, shrouded in darkness, then looked at the approaching people, and said casually.
"If unnecessary, I won't intervene. You can also pretend I don't exist and try to handle it alone."
After speaking, York, carrying his backpack, opened the passenger door and got out of the car on his own.
Seeing this, Archibald could only rub his face, cheering himself on. With Father York here, there was nothing to fear.
"Father Archibald, you've finally arrived…"
The first to greet him was an old man with white hair, his weathered face etched with deep lines, a testament to a life of hard labor.
Looking behind the old man, there were middle-aged faces and young faces, but no old faces. Based on the age distribution, this was clearly a large family of over a dozen people.
York kept the first piece of information he received to himself and called out.
"Archibald!!!"
"Here!"
Archibald, who had just gotten out of the car, quickly walked over and said to the somewhat bewildered old man.
"Mr. Mark, I am Father Archibald, the one who called you. Can you take us to see the person involved?"
However, the old man did not respond. Instead, he looked at York, who appeared more mature and was taller, then at the youthful-looking Archibald. His brows furrowed, and his attitude became hesitant.
Noticing this, York could only speak up.
"A minute of delay means a minute of danger. The situation will become more severe with time, and by then, trying to save it…"
The old man suddenly snapped out of it, no longer hesitant, and turned to lead the way.
"Please follow me!"
"…"
The large group of people turned around again in a dense crowd. York and Archibald followed behind.
Thinking of something, York looked at the probationary Father, who seemed a bit embarrassed.
"If you are met with suspicion, you can try to use this method to dispel their wariness. Compared to us, the victim's family is more anxious."
Archibald thought about it seriously, then nodded and said.
"I understand, Father York, thank you for your guidance."
York's face showed no expression.
"Exorcism requires brains. Some demons are inherently suspicious and cunning, so we must learn to be even more cunning than them, otherwise…"
Archibald's eyes showed curiosity, and he pressed, "Father York, otherwise what?"
York glanced at him.
"Demons don't die. Only you will."
Archibald's pupils suddenly contracted, and he unconsciously became nervous.
"…"
The group moved from outside to inside the house, but at York's instruction, apart from the old man, the father, all other family members remained outside to prevent the demon from desperate measures and possessing others.
At this point, York and Archibald also began to hear the roars from the room, sounds like someone choked on phlegm.
"Roar!!!!"
"Ugh ah ah ah!!!!"
"Let me out!!!!"
"…"
Listening to the beast-like roars, York looked at Archibald, gestured to him, and then retreated behind him.
This was the probationary Father's domain; as the person responsible for grading, he couldn't steal the show.
Archibald also seemed to notice this. Having just calmed down, he took a deep breath and looked at the old man, who was somewhat timid and scared by the roaring.
"Mr. Mark, when did you start to think your son was possessed by a demon?"
When Archibald suddenly asked the old man this question, York, hiding behind him, silently nodded and gave Archibald a point.
This was the style of traditional exorcism: unaffected by external factors like the current roaring, one must confirm the fact of demonic possession; otherwise, it could all be categorized as mental illness.
Methodical. This was also why The Warrens would only apply for an exorcism permit after collecting sufficient evidence.
Although he didn't need to go to such lengths, it was beneficial for Fathers without cheats, as it greatly reduced the probability of misjudgment.
"Father, Marlon, he, one day he spoke French with a French tourist who came here." The old man's face was filled with lingering fear.
"I saw it with my own eyes. If I hadn't known Marlon couldn't speak French, I might have been fooled. And he's become increasingly irritable, smashing things every day…"
Archibald looked at the room with the tightly closed door and continued to ask.
"He spoke very fluently?"
The old man nodded. "Very fluently. I saw them talking and laughing."
"Had he spoken French before?"
"No!" The old man sensed Archibald's doubt, and he said definitively.
"Father, I can't be sure about other things, but I can confirm that Marlon does not speak French!"
Confirming there were clear signs of possession, Archibald subconsciously looked behind him.
York looked at the tightly closed door and said calmly.
"Let's go in and see."