Shadow of the Beautiful World

Fate always likes to joke.

Still a very, very malicious joke.

While Merlin was recuperating from his injuries and preparing to come back, a big event happened in Hell's Kitchen.

It's not necessarily a big deal, but it's only spread among a small number of people, but Merlin found out about it through an unexpected channel.

St. Matthew's Church, the iconic view of Hell's Kitchen.

In the past, apart from taking Eric home, Merlin didn't pay too much attention here. He is not a believer, and he has no habit of going to church. Although he has a good relationship with Father Paul, that gentle priest never likes to preach to those around him. He seems to be a very Buddhist person, maybe a real of the clergy.

The priest may be very clear that faith is only the shackles of people's spiritual indulgence, and it is not necessary for life except for certain groups of people.

Since it is not necessary, why force it.

But in the few days after waking up, Merlin became a frequent visitor to the church.

It wasn't that he suddenly lost his faith, but after experiencing so many things, he had many questions in his mind, but he didn't know where to find the answers.

When he is upset, he always wants to be quiet.

At this time, St. Matthew's Church became a good choice.

The people in Hell's Kitchen are not very sincere. In fact, except for Mass Day, few people go to church for spiritual comfort.

Merlin would always come in the afternoon and go back at midnight, leaning on his cane, sitting alone in the back row of the pews in St. Matthew's Church, not giving anyone a church, just sitting there, enjoying himself A rare peaceful time in these years.

His life met a change.

Those who once trusted became full of secrets.

Those doubts, like seeds of darkness, were buried in Merlin's heart, eating away at his heart like a poisonous snake. He didn't know whether he should start an investigation, and he worried that his friends, those old secret agents who were always mysterious, had already been involved.

If life finally prepares for a cruel gladiatorial fight, how should he face it calmly?

Fury, did he notice the darkness under that light?

He must have noticed it.

But did he plan for it?

Since when did the S.H.I.E.L.D., which he regards as his home, quietly deteriorate?

Most importantly, where is the source of those spreading darkness?

Has the organization that just spread its power to the world already fallen from its core?

There seems to be no answer to these questions, unless Merlin steps in himself to try to uncover the truth that has been covered up.

But he couldn't make up his mind.

You seem to have a lot of doubts and worries, Merlin.

A gentle voice came from behind Merlin.

Father Paul, who was wearing a black robe, was holding a scripture book, and he seemed to have just returned from preaching. He walked in through the door of the church, and immediately saw Merlin sitting silently in the back seat.

Are you feeling better?

Although Merlin's body was much better than before, he couldn't hide his weak paleness. He still hadn't fully recovered. The cane in his hand and his slightly awkward sitting posture couldn't be hidden from the priest.

much better.

Merlin moved aside to make room for the priest.

Father Paul naturally sat beside Merlin, he said:

I rarely see you like this.

What?

Merlin asked.

I mean, get down and think about something that's a headache. Anxiety always makes people look vulnerable.

The priest smiled and said:

From the time I knew you to now, you are in my heart a person who acts faster than thinking.

Oh, am I so unbearable in your heart? Father.

Merlin says:

We are friends anyway, and I will be sad if you say that.

No, it's not a criticism, Merlin.

The priest shook his head, put the scriptures on his lap, and said to Merlin seriously:

Resolute action is a compliment, and a real good deed is more commendable than 10,000 prayers. I know that you have helped many people around this block. After all, I saw you help the orphanage with my own eyes. children.

You are a rare kind person, Merlin, and you have a kind heart.

This review

Merlin pursed his lips, looked at the priest, and said:

It's a bit too high, so high that I feel that you are deliberately flattering me, priest. I think you seem to need my help with some things.

Being guessed by Merlin made Father Paul a little embarrassed. He coughed a few times to hide his embarrassment. He said:

Well, your senses are still so sharp, there is indeed something, a sad thing.

The priest crossed himself, and said to Merlin:

Do you remember Jack?

Jack Murdoch?

Merlin nodded and said:

That rough boxer, I remember him, and his poor son. What's the matter? Has something happened to him?

Faced with Merlin's inquiry, the priest's expression became sad. Although there were some conflicts between him and Jack a few years ago, and he was beaten up by the rude Jack, this old man is obviously not the kind of person who holds grudges.

He said to Merlin in a low tone:

3 days ago, Jack died.

Um?

Merlin made a suspicious nasal sound, and he asked:

Why did he die suddenly? Last time I saw him, he was as strong as a cow. He was a boxer, much healthier than the average person. He was only in his 30s, right?

Jack died in the ring.

Father Paul opened the scriptures and said:

I don't know the inside story of the matter. I heard people say that Jack owed a lot of money to the local gangsters in order to support his son, pay for his son's education, and treat his son's illness. Those people threatened him to crack down In order to pay off the debt, Jack has been hiding the news. Until 3 days ago, he seems to have made some inexplicable decisions.

The priest's voice became softer:

I heard that in the game before his death, Jack suddenly bet on himself to win uncharacteristically, betting almost all his money.

And then he wins, and dies after he wins, right?

Merlin guessed the ending of this story.

As a public official who often deals with the dark areas of New York, although he is not responsible for supervising the affairs of underground gangs, he has seen a lot of similar things in places like S.H.I.E.L.D.

Faced with Merlin's guess, Father Paul nodded.

Less than 15 minutes after the fight ended, Jack died in the alley next to the ring. But the trouble is, he sent little Matt to Sister Maggie ahead of time, and there was still enough money for little Matt to finish The university even bought a huge sum of money for a house.”

Let me take a guess.

Merlin rubbed his forehead, closed his eyes and said:

Those gangsters came to the door?

Um.

Father Paul said with a dark expression:

We can't just hand over little Matt like this. It's not in line with our beliefs. But those gangsters are acting ruthlessly. I'm worried. If this drags on, the monastery and the orphanage will be in danger.

You want me to settle this matter?

Merlin took out his cell phone, he looked at Father Paul, he said:

It's okay, Father, this is also the neighborhood where I live, and I don't want to see tragic things happen like this. Don't worry, those gangsters can only scare ordinary people. I promise, they will not be troublesome soon gone.

No, Merlin.

The priest shook his head, looked at Merlin, and said:

I'm begging you to adopt little Matt.

Um?

Merlin was a little surprised now.

He looked at the priest, and said:

You should know that I've adopted Eric and I'm still the temporary guardian of another girl. And I have a job and I don't have time to take care of a 9-year-old with blind eyes. I don't hate little Matt, I actually feel sad for what happened to that kid when he did a heroic act to save others.

But in my current situation, I really can't do anything.

But Merlin, it's not just my request.

Father Paul took out a short, oily and blood-stained letter written on an old greeting card from his scriptures, and handed it to Merlin.

The handwriting on the napkin was ugly, crooked, and there were even a few mistakes. It was not written by an educated person at first glance.

Mr. Merlin:

I'm Jack, I don't know who to trust, and I've made a decision that might see me say goodbye to my Matt forever. But it doesn't matter, I realized long ago that with a Good-for-nothing father, my little Matt will be chained to a veritable hell in Hell's Kitchen for the rest of his life.

I apologize for my bad treatment of you before, and I will send little Matt back to his mother, but I know Maggie, she is a very stubborn woman. If she insists on not accepting Matt, then I just Can I ask you to help me take care of my child.

Of all the people I've come into contact with, you're the only one who's really decent, and my instincts tell me you're trustworthy. And little Matt told me, you took him to the hospital, and you've been Encouraging him, comforting him, making him feel at ease.

I know, it's a presumptuous request, but I can't find anyone else to help me. I'll pay for it, and little Matt will be rich, I just have one request, please, Mr Merlin, please Please, for me, send my son out of Hell's Kitchen to give him a bright future and make him a decent human being like you.

Don't make him as worthless as I am.

This is?

After Merlin finished reading the letter, he looked back at Father Paul, who nodded to him:

This is what the police found on Jack's body. He had anticipated his own death, and he had made all the preparations in advance.

Father Paul said:

I'm not a person who would force other people to do good deeds, Merlin. In the past few days, there have been several families wanting to adopt little Matt, but I have been hesitant. After all, this is Jack's dying request.

I take the liberty to make this request to you because of the obsession that a dead person cannot rest in peace. But if it is really inconvenient for you, I can send Matt to someone else.

Merlin didn't answer right away.

With emotion and reason, he can ignore this matter and move on with his life.

He didn't know Jack well, and he didn't like that rude man. The problem was that this man begged Merlin with his life.

He must have been desperate at the time, otherwise he wouldn't have finally decided to send his son to someone he didn't know at all.

Merlin can probably imagine the pain and reluctance of the boxer when he made a decision. He may be a bad person and a bad husband, but he is definitely a qualified father, and he would even trade death for his Son in exchange for a bright future.

This moved Merlin a little.

He looked at the crooked handwriting, and after a while, he said to the priest beside him:

I want to go and see the kid.

Okay, come with me.

The priest stood up, and he told Merlin:

We haven't told him about his father, so

I know, Father.

Merlin says:

I'm good at keeping secrets.

Father Paul led Merlin through the aisle of St. Matthew's Church, and came to the orphanage. The children were ready to rest at this time, and they were doing evening prayers under the leadership of the nun. When many of them saw Merlin, they would Calling Merlin's name.

They knew that this uncle, this uncle and Eric's brother, would often come to the orphanage to visit them with delicious food.

In the hearts of these innocent children, Merlin is a very kind big brother.

Merlin also waved to those children, and he and the priest entered the dormitory of the orphanage.

Merlin also meets Sister Maggie at the door.

The nun glanced at Merlin with some fear, and then left in a hurry.

That is not a fear of violence, but an instinctive fear and shame for those who know their secrets.

It seems that Sister Maggie has also made a difficult decision.

Maggie is not a hard person.

Father said:

She was in pain too.

I can understand.

Merlin looked at Xiao Suo's back as the nun left, and said:

For the weak, faith is the last refuge. She is a weak person, but she is not a bad person.

Regarding Merlin's profane remarks, the priest just pretended not to hear them.

He led Merlin all the way up to the edge of the dormitory on the third floor. Merlin stood at the door, and he looked into the room.

Little Matt, wearing sunglasses, was sitting on a chair by the window, and the slightly dim light in the room had no effect on him. He was holding a book written in Braille and was reading it quietly. In his hand was an old guide stick.

Merlin nodded to the priest, and he walked into the room step by step with a cane. The priest didn't stay, he didn't want to disturb the meeting between Merlin and Matt, he left soon.

Merlin gently sat on the bed next to Matt. He looked at the quiet child without making a sound.

But just after the priest left, Matt suddenly turned his head and looked precisely at where Merlin was. He said:

Mr. Merlin?

is it you?