NOVEL NEXT Chapter 255: Abbot gathering
"Are you hiding something from us, Brother Elias?" the leader asked, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
Indeed, Elias was hiding something—but according to the rules of their brotherhood, unless the secret posed a direct threat to the monastery or interfered with their duties, he was under no obligation to speak of it.
With a calm smile, he replied, "What could I possibly be hiding? You have the gift of discernment, don't you? I'm sure you've already scanned me thoroughly. So, there's no need for suspicion."
He gestured casually to the side table. "Would you like some tea?"
The leader gave a dry chuckle. "In this unbearable heat? Don't bother. Just give us cold water."
"Alright then, give me a moment." Brother Elias rose from his chair and made his way to the kitchen.
Once he was out of sight, the five abbots exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions tense.
"He's hiding something!" one of them whispered.
"Why won't he cooperate? We're supposed to be helping each other," another added, clearly frustrated.
All eyes turned to the leader, Brother Jay, who looked more conflicted than before.
"Elias usually confides in me when something feels off… but this time, he's keeping his distance."
But Brother Jay still had faith in Elias—they had known each other for a long time.
Elias was not someone who acted without reason. Yet, he couldn't ignore the verdict handed down by the heavens.
The heaven's vision was clear, and the reward for fulfilling it was… difficult to overlook.
He was deep in thought, weighing trust against duty, when one of the other brothers broke the silence.
This particular abbot had always held some resentment toward Elias and now seized the opportunity.
"I think this situation is far more important than he's letting on," Brother Terry said, his tone laced with urgency.
"He's here. The heavens pointed us here. That can't be a coincidence. He knows more than he's saying. We have to act now—before it's too late."
A sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he looked around the group, trying to stir them into action.
Though his words sounded like concern, his expression revealed a quiet eagerness—a hunger to see things unfold according to his designs.
But the others remained silent, their eyes turning to Brother Jay for the decision.
Brother Jay met their gaze, then shifted his focus to Brother Terry, who had spoken so fervently.
He knew Terry well—his ambition always evident, carefully cloaked beneath the guise of heavenly loyalty.
Brother Terry was a fanatic, driven by visions and unwavering belief, and though he often disagreed with his approach, he couldn't deny the man's skill.
And with the recent resurgence of spiritual energy, Terry had grown stronger and even more zealous.
The promise of a heavenly reward only stoked the fire further.
Brother Jay then raised a hand to quiet the room.
"Enough. We will observe for now," he said firmly.
"If the heavens truly insist, then I will be the one to confront him. We're not here to create conflict without clarity."
He leaned back slightly, his tone measured.
"We've already received some leads. A mysterious shop has surfaced not far from here—one that doesn't align with any known records. Perhaps that's where we should begin."
The others exchanged looks and nodded in agreement, the tension in the air momentarily easing.
Just then, Brother Elias returned, carrying a tray with glasses of cold water.
The icy relief was welcome, especially as the oppressive heat outside showed no signs of letting up.
The abbots accepted the drinks with faint murmurs of thanks, each lost in their own thoughts as the mystery deepened.
But Brother Terry sneered subtly as he glanced at the other abbots.
He couldn't understand why their leader remained so accommodating, so hesitant.
If Brother Jay refused to act with urgency, then he would carry out the task himself, under the banner of the true heaven's will.
He forced a calm smile onto his face, concealing the ambition burning beneath his smile.
Silently, he vowed to investigate the area thoroughly, and if necessary, execute heaven's judgment by his own hand.
*****
A few days passed, and all the ice that once covered the land had melted, turning into pools of heated water that slowly flooded the surrounding areas.
The residents finally came to grips with the reality of a new disaster: extreme heat was here.
As the temperature soared higher each day, the fear of water scarcity settled deep in their hearts.
And with the heat threatening to evaporate the melted water, they had no choice but to act quickly.
Braving the scorching sun, many ventured out to collect the murky, lukewarm floodwater.
It was far from ideal, but it was all they had. They would just buy a purification tablet to treat the dirty water.
The other residents continued to roam the dangerous outdoors, clinging to hope that they might find something—anything—worth exchanging for essential goods.
While the world outside grew harsher, Elena, on the other hand, was busy preparing for a small Thanksgiving celebration, marking both Little Mia's birthday and her own six-month pregnancy milestone.
Well, everything was under control on their side.
The shop continued to thrive, standing strong as the only reliable source of supplies in the area.
Because of this, residents from the nearby community placed their hopes in trading there, knowing it was their best chance at getting what they needed.
As a gesture of their unwavering support, Paradise Shop offered free cold water to its most loyal customers and distributed basic supplies to help combat the extreme heat.
The shop's thoughtfulness quickly made it even more popular, drawing people from farther distances.
Soon after, Elena slipped into modest, loose-fitting clothes that accommodated her growing belly.
She moved a little faster than usual, realizing she had overslept.
Apparently, Ethan hadn't woken her on time, claiming the baby needed nap time too—and so did she.
Now, with faint voices and footsteps echoing from the living room, she knew the others had likely gathered and were already waiting.
She let out a small sigh, brushing a few strands of hair from her face, and then looked at Ethan.
"Husband, let's head down now; everyone is already waiting."
"Alright," he replied gently, offering his hand.
With Ethan's support, she carefully made her way downstairs.
As they reached the living room, they found everyone engaged in serious conversation about the worsening heat that had arrived not long ago.
Today, they chose to close the shop earlier than usual, giving everyone a rare moment to relax and enjoy the evening.
The children were present too, their laughter and cheerful voices lightening the mood and bringing a comforting sense of normalcy to the gathering.
Despite the sweltering heat outside, the atmosphere inside the space was filled with warmth.