Chapter 36: "I Happen to Know a Few Places Suitable for Her"
Night fell, and the museum was devoid of its usual cheerful atmosphere, replaced by a somber and oppressive silence.
Not only were the exhibits in the display cases silent, but even the usually boisterous Stan was listlessly slumped near the entrance, quietly observing the man behind the service desk who hadn't uttered a word since they entered.
Rango stubbed out his cigarette heavily in the ashtray, rubbing his face wearily.
He'd been smoking all night, but he still couldn't figure out how to deal with Emma.
Should he just fool himself into thinking she knew she was wrong and pretend nothing happened?
Please, this girl was a complete sociopath; the number of lives she'd taken was almost countless. Putting her in a normal school, who knows how many innocent people she'd hurt.
Thinking back to his earlier worries about her being bullied, Rango couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
So, hand her over to the police?
Putting aside the fact that he had no substantial evidence, even if the police convicted her, under New York State law, given Emma's young age, there wouldn't even be any legal proceedings.
Even if she were brought to trial, at most she would be sent to a youth detention center or a juvenile rehabilitation facility—a correctional institution with elements of imprisonment.
It wasn't that he distrusted these institutions, but he felt it was better to personally correct her himself than send her there.
The thought of even putting her down had even flashed through his mind.
Ted, observing quietly from the side, sensed his good friend Rango's inner struggle and contradiction. He couldn't help but comfort him, saying, "Don't overthink it, buddy. Emma's attitude when she apologized didn't seem fake. Let's just leave it at that for now."
"Leave it at that for now?"
Upon hearing this, Rango immediately pointed to Emma, who was fast asleep on a bench not far away, and said seriously, "Look at her. From killing her own father to targeting you, every single time, wasn't it meticulously planned? With such deep calculation, do you really believe she will genuinely admit her mistakes and repent?"
"And," he paused for a moment, his emotions becoming even more agitated, "sending her to school like this is no different from sending a wolf into a flock of sheep. If she had killed a few drug dealers or gangsters, I might have even felt proud. But she only dares to harm innocent people! How can you expect me to leave her alone?"
Ted shrugged helplessly. If it were up to him, he would simply send the girl back to the orphanage.
Judging from Rango's expression, he seemed determined to keep a close eye on her and wouldn't let Emma out to harm anyone again.
"Well, well, well~"
Just as Rango was feeling down, a hearty, slightly mocking laugh came from the stairwell.
Father Gabriel Amos, the only person in the museum allowed to come out for some fresh air, walked over with the air of a mafia don, a cigar dangling from his lips.
"I've never seen that conflicted look on old man Anderson's face before. Are you really his grandson? Or were you adopted?"
Rango waved his hand helplessly after hearing the teasing. "Father, I'm not in the mood for jokes right now. Do as you please, just don't bother me."
Father Amos's smile faded as he looked at Emma, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "Another child chosen by the devil. It's quite a headache."
Rango was stunned for a moment, then stood up abruptly, staring at him and asking, "What did you just say?"
Amos didn't immediately respond to Rango's question, but slowly approached Emma, gazing at her intently, and then said in an unquestionable tone,
"This immense malice is not something a normal person can possess. If I'm not mistaken, her mother is already dead, isn't she?"
"That's right," Rango quickly came over. "My sister died in childbirth. And what did you mean by the devil you just mentioned?"
Looking at the anxious Rango, Amos pondered for a moment before truthfully explaining,
"This is a demonic sacrificial ritual. Even if her birth mother doesn't die in childbirth, she will die unexpectedly in the coming years. And the child chosen will inevitably have one of the seven deadly sins amplified from the moment of her death—either envy or wrath."
"Moreover, in the future, she may even awaken various superhuman abilities."
"So, what is the price for all this?" Rango's voice was calm and heavy.
Amos showed a hint of surprise before replying, "The price is becoming a demon's puppet, losing your own self, and being at their mercy."
Rango paused for a moment, then turned to Ted, forcing a bitter smile:
"You see, Emma wasn't what we thought. She was supposed to be a good girl. I knew... I knew my sister's child wouldn't be a bad one."
However, this self-consolation was quickly replaced by the anger brought on by the truth. Rango's smile slowly faded, his voice suddenly turning icy:
"Then... which damn demon did this?"
"Using my sister as a sacrifice, just to cultivate a puppet?!"
Amos didn't evade the question, answering directly, "As far as I know, there was a Prince of Hell choosing a leader for his future legion, and his methods... were very similar to what Emma encountered."
"Who?!" Rango pressed.
Amos glanced at him, then slowly spoke, "He should be considered an old acquaintance of yours—the Yellow-Eyed Demon."
Upon hearing this, Rango paused, then laughed bitterly, "I knew it...it's that bastard again! He not only killed my parents, but also my sister..."
"Don't be impulsive, Rango," Amos tried to soothe him. "His power is beyond your imagination, and I think you don't need to be too hasty. That guy has many enemies in Hell; he might be killed by another demon prince one day."
"Placing my hopes for revenge on someone else?"
Rango sneered, his eyes flashing with determination: "That's not how my family operates."
The initial relief at knowing Emma wasn't born evil was now filled with hatred.
"I admire your courage, but you're still far from being able to deal with him right now."
Amos patted Rango's shoulder gently, his eyes full of concern and warning. "Acting impulsively will only put you in a more dangerous situation. Don't be reckless."
Rango's gaze swept over Amos. He understood Amos's skepticism, but Rango himself knew very well that
as long as he could keep filling the system's progress bar, even if it was a Prince of Hell, he would one day be able to personally avenge his family.
"What about Emma?" He changed the subject. "Do you have a way to seal away her amplified malice?"
Amos pondered for a moment, then shook his head regretfully.
"The ideal way, of course, would be to go to the Vatican and ask for the Pope's blessing and support. However, because of your grandfather, I think the Vatican will certainly not welcome you."
Just as Rango was feeling disappointed, the old man changed the subject again. "However, I happen to know a few other places suitable for this child."
"Believe me," the old man said with a knowing look, speaking seriously, "for Emma, being chosen by the devil isn't necessarily all bad."
(End of Chapter)
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