Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

He still hadn’t recalled anything about his son before him.

But seeing Esther’s expectant gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to say that.

"Remembered some, very vaguely,"

Avent Jo had to say vaguely.

However, Esther seemed not to notice this and excitedly said, "That’s great! That’s wonderful! Now that you’ve returned safely, Mom would be so happy. While she was alive, she always hoped you would come back."

When he heard his son mention his wife, Avent was initially a bit uncomfortable.

Like with his son, there was no trace of his wife in his memories.

But when he heard "while she was alive," a sudden tremor shot through Avent’s heart, and a very unfamiliar emotion welled up within him.

Sadness?

Mourning?

He was somewhat unclear.

He only felt that, at this moment, he should do something.

"How did she pass away?"

Avent inquired.

"’Sanctuary’!"

"She died in an assassination meticulously planned by the ’Sanctuary’."

"Those ’Faceless’ disguised as you and assassinated Mom."

Grief covered Esther’s face, and the tears that he had just wiped away began to flow once again.

"’Sanctuary’, ’Sanctuary’..."

Avent murmured softly.

The look in his eyes grew colder, and that sharpness about him flickered in and out of existence.

How many times had he heard that name since waking up?

It caused his amnesia, turned him into a tool for slaughter, and even used his appearance to kill his wife — what despair and confusion must she have felt at her death?

It left his son to grow up fatherless and motherless, presumably enduring certain bullying...

Huff, puff.

Just thinking about this made Avent uncontrollably emotional.

He slightly narrowed his eyes, and a thought began to take root in his heart.

’Sanctuary’, huh?

If I don’t wipe you all out, my name isn’t Avent Jo.

With this thought in his heart, the look Avent gave Esther was filled with increasing guilt.

"Dad, let’s go see Mom first,"

"She has been waiting for you to come back."

"Oh, and your current appearance is somewhat inappropriate, please wait a moment."

Saying this, Esther ran into the bedroom.

Quickly, Esther came running back holding a cloak and a mask.

"Wear this, put this on."

"You have been controlled by ’Sanctuary’ for too long, too many people are familiar with your face now, although this isn’t your real appearance. But until we find a way to restore your true face, please bear with it for the time being."

"Damn ’Sanctuary’, I will make them pay,"

A resolution of appropriate hatred appeared on Esther’s face.

"Child, believe me."

"Their price will far exceed your imagination."

As Avent said this, he put on the cloak and the mask.

The mask was similar to that of the ’Night Owl Court’.

Then, Avent turned his gaze to Jason, Aras.

"Dad, these are our companions; they come from the ’Night Owl Court’. You once had the opportunity to enter there, but for the sake of mother, you chose to become the Deputy Leader of ’Hydra’. However, the previous Chief Justice still reserved the title ’Talon No. 1’ for you; and my survival to date, owes much to their care,"

Esther explained.

Immediately, Avent’s gaze softened.

"Hello, thank you for everything you’ve done for Esther."

Avent said genuinely. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"It’s what we’re supposed to do,"

Jason said flatly.

He tried his best to appear normal.

Esther was truly astonishing... Such acting and reflexes, even if thrown into Nightless City, would probably adapt quickly, right?

Jason thought to himself.

Aras stood up and said with respect:

"Hello Uncle Avent."

Her mother had told her to be polite to her elders.

Suddenly, Avent’s gaze grew even warmer.

His keen perception picked up that the girl before him sincerely regarded him as an elder. Enjoy new chapters from empire

As for the other?

Deep in thought.

But Avent didn’t mind.

In any organization, not everyone could be as kind-hearted as his own son; there had to be some darker figures. It’s a necessary part of any organization.

Quite normal, right?

The group of four left their temporary hideout and drove directly to the suburban cemetery.

The cemetery in Ang City was no different from a typical cemetery; it too had walls and a Tomb Guardian.

The latter was an elderly man.

Upon seeing Esther, he smiled.

"Esther, you’re here to visit your mom again?"

"It hasn’t even been a week."

The Tomb Guardian said.

"My father has returned, and I brought him to see my mother."

Esther answered in such a way.

"Your long-lost father?"

Upon saying this, the Tomb Guardian looked towards Avent, who wore a mask, with a gaze filled with doubt and a hint of disdain, as if he were looking at a faithless deserter who had run away and then, upon an old man’s conscience awakening, came back to acknowledge his son, hoping the son would take care of him in his old age.

Moreover, considering that half-hidden appearance, he might have gotten into some sort of trouble.

"You should thank the heavens, Esther is one of the finest young men I have ever met."

"Even though you abandoned your wife and child, Esther won’t ignore you."

"Go see your wife."

"She’s right over there."

The Tomb Guardian pointed towards a distant place, Esther led the way, and Avent followed behind.

When the two had walked away, the Tomb Guardian then muttered softly.

"Lucky guy, to have such a good son."

Jason stood still, not moving.

Aras wanted to follow, but Jason held him back.

"Let them have some time alone, for the rest of the time," Jason said.

After a pause, Aras nodded.

"Does Esther come every week?" Jason inquired, thinking of the Tomb Guardian’s words.

"Yes."

"Ever since his mother was buried here, he has brought fresh flowers every week and then, he spends half an hour there, talking to his mother."

"I’ve never seen such a good young man," the Tomb Guardian exclaimed.

Then, his gaze involuntarily drifted towards a desolate grave.

Following that, he shook his head with a sigh.

With a word of thanks, Jason walked back to the car at the entrance of the cemetery, waiting in silence,

Aras sat beside Jason, squirming.

After a moment, Aras could no longer hold back.

"Is Uncle Avent really Esther’s father?" Aras asked.

"What do you think?" Jason responded with a question of his own.

"I think he is! I can clearly feel the emotions Esther has for Uncle Avent, those are feelings that only descend from bloodline continuity—my perception should not be wrong!" Aras asserted confidently.

"Yes, your perception isn’t wrong."

"Avent is indeed Esther’s father."

Jason nodded.

Then, he looked towards the sky.

The deep blue sky was dotted with a few white clouds.

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it a sense of comfort.

It was so natural, without affectation.

Just like Esther’s performance.

No!

It was not a performance!

But rather, he truly regarded Avent as his long-lost father.

Without the slightest pretense,

with complete heartfelt sincerity.

To deceive others, one must first deceive oneself?

"What an unexpected fellow," Jason admired.

He revised his previous assessment of Esther; Esther would not only adapt quickly to Nightless City but also would thrive, becoming an elite among people.

With the extent of this guy’s shamelessness, he definitely would.

The Esther being appraised by Jason at this moment stood in front of a tombstone with a face full of sorrow.

"Mom, I’ve come to see you."

"I’ve brought dad back."

While saying this, Esther took out a bucket and cloth that he had prepared beforehand and began wiping the tombstone.

’Sizhuo’!

The tombstone was engraved with a name, along with a photograph.

The woman in the photo had an ordinary appearance, but she had a beautiful smile.

Avent gazed at his wife.

He still couldn’t remember her.

This made him feel even more guilty.

Not just the guilt of not remembering, but also because the tombstone displayed only a name, with no surname.

Clearly, this was concealed, to avoid unexpected trouble.

Whew!

Avent took a deep breath, bent down, and picked up a cloth to begin wiping the tombstone.

He said softly—

"I am back."