Mark recounted his ordeal unhurriedly. Through Raphael's operations, he had received substantial compensation, but he had already lost the will to live.
At this point in his story, tears glistened in Mark's eyes, "...Just as I was preparing to end my life, Mr. Carter came, bringing a message from Mr. Collins."
He choked up again, saying, "Mr. Collins told me that since he helped me get my compensation, at some point in the future, he'll need me to help him with something in return."
This somewhat surprised Audrey, because it was clearly Raphael's words that had saved Mark.
At that time, Mark must have felt he still had an unfulfilled obligation, preventing him from taking his own life immediately.
Based on Audrey's knowledge of psychology and her experience as a 'Psychiatrist', in most cases, if a suicidal person doesn't go through with it initially due to certain circumstances, after some time passes, it becomes difficult for them to muster the courage again. Many psychological issues could resolve themselves over time, and they would no longer wish to die.
From her observation, although Mark was willing to take the blame for Raphael, he no longer exhibited suicidal tendencies.
Audrey's surprise stemmed from not expecting Raphael to be so thoughtful. Not only did he help Mark obtain compensation, he also devised such a method to save the man's life.
Audrey thought to herself: 'This aligns with Miss Hermit's analysis. Raphael's actions may seem somewhat insane, but they are wise, and he has his own boundaries...'
Mark then spoke of how, with the help of one of Raphael's subordinates, he used the compensation to purchase his current property and gradually regained hope in life.
"Mark..." Just then, a somewhat magnetic voice interrupted Mark's account. Raphael pushed the door open and said, "Go and rest."
Mark immediately stood up and said, "Yes, sir."
As he spoke, he took his crutch and left quickly...
Raphael sat in the chair Mark had just vacated. Looking at Audrey, he remarked, "Miss Hall seems very interested in Mark's story."
"I wouldn't say interested," Audrey said earnestly, "Just making conversation."
Her impression of the 'Lunatic' had improved considerably.
Raphael crossed his legs, took a cigarette from his metal case, and lit it, saying, "Since Miss Hall is in such good spirits, let's have another chat."
Watching the cigarette in Raphael's hand, Audrey couldn't help but frown. In her view, smoking without a lady's permission was very ungentlemanly.
But then she remembered the man before her was no gentleman, so she didn't dwell on such details.
She cleared her throat, then said, "Actually, I happen to have some questions related to Mark's account and would like to discuss them with you."
Raphael gestured for her to continue.
Audrey asked, "Are situations like Mark's common in Backlund? I mean, cases where injury compensation is intentionally delayed."
"Yes," Raphael nodded, "Or rather, it's a cost-saving tactic widely employed by factory owners. Although the Loen Constitution has clear provisions for injury compensation, if the injured person dies or disappears before the compensation process concludes, the factory owner doesn't have to pay anything, only a nominal fine to the city hall."
He spat a bit of loose tobacco to the side and continued, "And given Backlund's current living conditions, ordinary people basically have no savings. Without compensation, they'll go bankrupt within a month at most. With an injury, surviving two or three months in Backlund is the limit."
As he spoke, Raphael glanced at the cigarette in his hand. This was another thing that bothered him after transmigrating... cigarettes didn't have filters.
And since he wasn't used to cigarette holders, when bits of tobacco entered his mouth, he could only spit them out immediately.
After hearing his explanation, Audrey nodded and asked another question, "Then why didn't Mark seek help from the Church?"
"Because Mark was just an ordinary believer," Raphael said, leaning back in his chair, "The Church's priests and bishops are very kind to you, striving to fulfill any request you have. That's because your father, Earl Hall, donates a large sum to the Church every year and is a highly respected noble."
He looked at Audrey, asking, "Did you expect those priests and bishops to be equally kind to an ordinary believer and equally willing to meet their needs? Oh, right, the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery does advocate for workers' rights. But Mark wasn't a devout follower of that Church, so they wouldn't provide help either."
Raphael took a drag of his cigarette and suddenly laughed.
Audrey frowned slightly, "What's so amusing?"
"I just suddenly recalled Walder... hmm, the factory owner who delayed Mark's compensation," a flicker of madness passed through Raphael's eyes. "That fellow's screams were quite melodious. I couldn't bear to saw his leg off too quickly, so I did it bit by bit..."
Audrey seemed to suddenly understand something. She interrupted Raphael's description, "After everything was settled, why did you send someone to tell Mark to live on?"
"Live on? Of course he has to live. He owes me a debt, of course he has to repay it. Do I look like a philanthropist to you? Or..." Here, Raphael seemed to suddenly realize something, "You don't think I'm one of those people who appear vicious but are actually kind-hearted inside, do you? Hah, let me tell you, you'd better not insult me like that!"
After a second or two, Audrey seemed to react, speaking flatly, "I'm tired. I need to rest."
She thought to herself: 'It seems I was overthinking it...'
With that, Audrey signaled Susie with her eyes to keep watch, then lay down on the bed to rest.
However, with her Sequence 5 spirituality, she would immediately awaken at the first sign of danger around her...
...
Early the next morning, Audrey woke to see sunlight already filling the room. Raphael was standing to one side of the window, watching the street below.
Then, Audrey felt a sudden mix of amusement and exasperation. Her golden retriever, Susie, who was supposed to be standing guard, had fallen asleep on the floor at some point.
Just then, she heard voices from downstairs as Carter rushed in, "Boss!"
She saw a trace of panic in his eyes.
"No need for alarm," Raphael said, still looking out the window, a smile flashing across his face, "The police are just conducting routine checks. And their checks mean they haven't found any leads about the kidnappers at all!"
That's why they could only conduct broad sweeps.
If they had truly found their hideout, there wouldn't be just one or two policemen making inquiries.
A flicker of madness crossed Raphael's eyes as he said to Audrey, "Put on your hat. We're going to the living room to play cards."
Then he said to Mark, "You go deal with the police."
Inexperienced in handling authorities, Mark took a deep breath, trying to appear calm.
Carter was taken aback: 'Not hiding is one thing, but we're actually going to the living room?'
Raphael had Audrey sit with her back to the door, with him and Carter on either side. He took out a deck of Minor Arcana cards and said to Audrey, "You're free to call out to the police for help, but I guarantee you'll be killing them, because I'll silence them immediately."
Audrey opened her mouth slightly. This threat was effective on her. If Raphael had used her own safety as leverage, she wouldn't have taken it as seriously...