Chapter 124: Lily—"The Last Supper"
Time, like grains of sand, slipped away unnoticed.
A few days before Christmas, John and Sarah, after countless reminders, finally embarked on their long-awaited romantic Christmas getaway, leaving their "complicated" household entirely in Edward's hands.
Before leaving, Sarah specifically took Edward's hand and earnestly said, "You're the only boy left at home—you need to take good care of your sisters, especially Emma and Esther. Keep a close eye on them."
Edward nodded solemnly at the time, but inwardly he was screaming, 'I'm the one who needs the most supervision here.'
On Christmas Day, morning sunlight streamed through the curtains into the room.
Edward opened his eyes but didn't get up immediately. Instead, he pulled out his phone and started sending Christmas greetings.
To Frank: "Merry Christmas, buddy. Go meet some girls."
To Maria: "Merry Christmas. How've you been? Alan hasn't been giving you trouble, has she?"
To Jennifer: "Merry Christmas. Don't go too wild, and stay safe."
After sending them all one by one, he stretched and sat up from bed. Today was destined to be eventful.
Around noon, he drove the family car to pick up Carrie from her house.
The girl wore a white puffer jacket and red scarf. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold winter air. When she saw Edward, she showed a shy yet happy smile.
"Thank you, Edward."
"No problem at all, we agreed on this," Edward helped her put a small overnight bag into the trunk. "Let's go—the three little ones at home are waiting."
Carrie's arrival added genuine warmth and innocent charm to the home. She wasn't like Emma, who observed everything coldly, nor like Esther, who secretly complained about everything, and certainly not like Lily, who... wasn't human. She'd laugh at one of Lily's silly faces, be momentarily stunned by Emma's occasionally age-inappropriate vocabulary, and even watch soap operas on TV with Esther with genuine interest.
Watching the harmonious (on the surface) scene in the living room, Edward finally felt a temporary sense of relief.
Night fell, and lights began to glow.
The town was wrapped in Christmas atmosphere—every house lit up with colorful lights, and the air filled with the scent of roasted turkey and desserts.
Edward returned to his bedroom alone and closed the door.
He took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious.
In the closet, the blue trench coat he'd won in a basic pull hung quietly. He took it out and put it on. The coat's cut was surprisingly perfect—its vintage style, far from looking dated, accentuated his tall frame and unique presence.
He walked to the mirror, raised his right hand, and silently commanded.
"Perfect Hair!"
An invisible force acted on his hair. His originally somewhat casual style instantly slicked back, becoming distinctly separated, each strand radiating power and untamed coolness.
Edward looked at himself in the mirror with satisfaction. Though this ability had zero combat power, its effect on enhancing one's aura was outstanding.
Then, with a thought, his two most trusted companions—Ebony and Ivory—materialized in his hands. He skillfully secured the holsters to the inside of the coat's lower back, the gun grips protruding just enough for easy drawing.
Finally, the Master Sword.
Accompanied by a soft hum, the demon-slaying holy blade imbued with divine power appeared. He gripped the hilt, and warm power flowed into his arm.
He didn't use a scabbard but instead placed the blade directly against his back.
The powerful control granted by Mana LV4 allowed him to easily make the sword adhere to the coat on his back like a magnet—both stable and convenient to draw.
After finishing all this, he looked at the mirror again.
The young man in the reflection—dressed in a long blue trench coat, carrying an ancient holy sword on his back, with twin pistols at his waist, and impeccably styled hair—radiated a peculiar charm somewhere between human and supernatural.
"I need more power..."
He subconsciously muttered, then shivered.
"Nope, nope, bad luck. Not saying that."
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the bedroom door.
Knock, knock.
"Come in," Edward adjusted his collar and turned around.
The door opened, and Carrie poked her head in, holding a plate.
When she saw Edward's outfit, she froze, her face instantly turning crimson.
So... so cool!
The blue trench coat, the perfect hair, and... that sword on his back that looked straight out of a movie! Carrie's heart skipped a beat—she felt like she was seeing a hero who'd stepped out of a comic book.
Edward noticed her stunned expression and tried to make his voice sound natural. "Carrie? What's up?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing!" Carrie snapped back to reality, somewhat flustered, holding up the plate. "It's just... I baked apple pie, and I wanted to ask if you wanted... some?"
On the plate, a golden-brown apple pie was still steaming, releasing an alluring sweet aroma.
"Absolutely," Edward smiled, stepping forward to take the plate. "Thanks, it smells amazing."
He forked a small piece into his mouth—the fruity aroma of apple and the distinctive flavor of cinnamon burst across his palate, sweet but not cloying, with a perfectly crispy texture.
"It's delicious," he praised sincerely.
Carrie, flattered, blushed even deeper, lowering her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm glad you like it..."
The two walked out of the room together and into the kitchen.
Around the dining table, Emma, Esther, and Lily—the three little girls—each held a plate, daintily eating the apple pie Carrie had baked, their movements as elegant as three little princesses.
However, when they saw Edward walk in behind Carrie, their elegant movements instantly froze.
Three girls, three completely different reactions.
The air seemed to freeze for a second.
Lily still had a spoonful of pie in her mouth, and her expression instantly changed from enjoyment to terror. She looked at Edward's outfit, the holy sword on his back, the weapon outlines at his waist, and fear stemming from her demonic instincts surged through her.
Her heart sank, and a soul-shaking thought popped into her mind: "No way! Just for eating pie, I'm getting sent back to Hell? This is way too dramatic! Is this... the Last Supper?"
Emma, sitting next to her, tilted her head, calmly scrutinizing Edward.
She was thinking: "Cosplay? A new game?"
And Esther, as the one with the oldest actual age, reacted most calmly. She merely glanced twice at the sword hilt on Edward's back and the stylish coat, then lowered her head and continued eating her pie in small bites.
Her heart was completely unfazed—she even felt like giving a thumbs-up: "Pretty badass."
The three girls each had their own thoughts, and Edward was oblivious to it all. He naturally walked to the table, picked up a slice of apple pie that Carrie handed him, and forked a small piece into his mouth.
"Mmm, tastes great. Your skills are getting better, Carrie," he praised sincerely.
"R-really?" Carrie's face immediately broke into a happy smile at the compliment.
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