The Great Ethan Lee

Chapter 42

Unexpectedly, Samuel ignored Freya. As Freya and Ray watched with horrified expressions, Samuel bowed before Ethan. "I'm sorry I'm late, Master."

The night wind blew, adding more terror to the Peterson's crisis.

Freya didn’t know what was going on. Her eyes were filled with endless panic as she looked at Samuel. "Samuel, are you mistaken? You're the Parish Leader."

To her, the Parish Leader represented the faith of millions in the North American Diocese; he was sacred and inviolable. How could Ethan count as anything before him?

Samuel stood up and faced Freya, his expression blank. "I am the Master's third disciple. Without his guidance and teachings, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Freya's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, utterly hopeless. 'Our greatest backer is actually Ethan's disciple?'

The sound of a wheelchair moving was clear. Freya instinctively looked up to see Samuel pushing Ethan's wheelchair towards her.

Samuel's calm voice echoed in her ears, "The Lord warns us. Walk with the wise and become wise. Associate with fools and become a fool. Calamity chases sinners, and your judgment has come. If you hadn't spoiled Eason from a young age, he wouldn't have become so arrogant and committed such grave mistakes, bringing disaster upon himself and your family."

Ethan said coldly, "You think of yourselves as high and mighty, but you toy with the lives of ordinary people at will. You disregard life, harboring no goodwill in your hearts. Eason's actions are a result of your indulgence, and you will pay the price."

Freya hurriedly grabbed Ethan's pant leg, pleading, "I was wrong! I truly was wrong! Please, for Samuel's sake, spare me this once! Samuel, please, beg for mercy on my behalf."

But Samuel's face remained indifferent. "People like you, who are unrepentant scum, deserve to go to hell."

Freya was stunned. Tears of regret streamed endlessly down her face. A gust of night wind blew past, and Ethan's voice, like the Grim Reaper, sounded in her ear, "In your next life, remember to be a good person. Raise the coffin and start the funeral."

When the sun shone again the next day, the people of Constant State were surprised to find that the military had forcibly taken over Saint York City, sealing it off completely.

The Peterson family seemed to have vanished, never appearing again.

Countless rumors spread among the civilians.

The Governor suddenly disappeared, and the Federal Government was collectively silent.

***

In a scenic cemetery in Greenhill City, Sophia bowed deeply, looking at the tombstone with endless sorrow. "Goodbye, Dad."

Seeing her haggard appearance, Ethan's eyes were filled with deep pain. "Sophia, are you really sure about this?"

Holding July, Sophia nodded firmly despite her reluctance. "Dad is gone, there's nothing left here for me. His last wish was for us to live a simple, happy life, and I want July to get a better education. Let's go to Crownspire, okay, Ethan?"

Ethan hugged her frail body, saying affectionately, "Alright, I promise you. I taught in Crownspire for ten years, so I have a small apartment there. Let's set off today. Kindergarten enrollment starts soon; we'll take July tomorrow. From now on, we'll live a simple, happy life just like Dad wanted."

Sophia squeezed out a smile, "Alright, we'll both work hard to find good jobs and give July the best life possible."

***

Ethan and Sophia decorated their small apartment in Crownspire and immediately found the best kindergarten nearby for July. But when the three of them arrived at the kindergarten entrance, Ethan was shocked by what he saw.

Was this really the kindergarten’s enrollment site?