Excitement
In another house in the West Borough, when the cries of "Murder!" and "Help!" rang out, the ex-policeman Shoko, now a "Instigator," instinctively moved to open the window and slip into stealth to investigate. However, a scholarly and elegant woman stopped him with an outstretched hand.
"Miss Lina…" Shoko looked at her in confusion.
"Do you really think you're the 'vigilante' of Backlund now? Even that so-called superhero 'Iron Man' doesn't dare stay in one city for too long. Do you think you're stronger than him?
"If you keep this up, you'll either be captured by the authorities or killed by some Beyonder!" Lina said sharply, her tone exasperated.
Superhero "Iron Man" was a hot topic in the Kingdom of Loen lately. Roaming from city to city, his appearances were always marked by a fierce crackdown on evil. Though the newspapers seemed reluctant to cover his exploits, word-of-mouth from those he had saved had earned him quite a reputation.
"But… someone's in danger…" Shoko protested weakly.
"Use your brain! If someone's screams can be heard so far, they clearly have some degree of power. Shouting 'help' isn't about desperation—it's to attract the authorities' attention and make their pursuer hesitate, giving them a chance to escape!"
While berating Shoko in frustration, Lina sighed inwardly. Why is it that none of the Beyonders I mentor turn out normal?
The first one was a clown, arrogant and delusional, even daring to make a move on me. I had to kill him and sell his characteristic.
The next, Alex, was a disgrace to the "Seer" pathway. After joining Edsac, he could barely perform divinations, let alone master ritual magic…
And then there's Shoko… decent character, knows gratitude, and tries to avoid harm while playing his role. But such a personality is entirely unsuitable for the "Witch" pathway… He should be singing praises to the sun instead!
Sighing aloud this time, Lina turned her gaze to Shoko, who appeared enlightened after her analysis. She warned him again, "Stay here for the next few days. Don't go anywhere. I've temporarily blocked the 'suggestion' in your subconscious through a ritual, but if you encounter that manipulator again, the 'suggestion' will likely reactivate immediately."
"I understand… Thank you, Miss Lina," Shoko said, bowing his head in embarrassment.
"Forget it. I was the one who brought you onto this no-return path," Lina waved dismissively. Her expression then shifted, her voice turning cold. "And… I should thank you for informing me about what's happening with Edsac."
"It's my duty. Besides, His Highness is a good man who shouldn't be exploited by the 'Witch,'" Shoko replied earnestly.
"It's not that simple…" Lina shook her head. Coming from a noble courtly family, she understood how well-protected a prince would be. Even with Edsac's personal arrangements, private moments were rare.
But now, a "Witch" had openly moved into Edsac's estate. The power behind this must be immense, and their schemes equally ambitious.
Could the royal family's collaboration with the Witch Sect have deepened? Is the Witch Sect now demanding more than the sacrifice of a minor noble prince, extending to the King's own son to prove their sincerity?
Combining her own experiences with this development, Lina arrived at a chilling suspicion but couldn't yet think of an effective solution. Her only option was to try and meet with Edsac to see if he had been influenced.
Even as a Sequence 6 "Pleasure Witch," I still feel powerless… It all comes down to strength.
Looking at the silent Shoko, Lina suddenly realized why she was willing to help him.
It wasn't just his decent character—it was because he reminded her of herself. Both were chasing elusive, laughable ideals while struggling to gain the strength to see them through.
---
Near King's Avenue in the West Borough, Xio had hurried to a blood-soaked room after hearing the shouts during her patrol. Though she hadn't found the culprit or witnesses, this time, the "Demon" hadn't had a chance to dispose of the body.
On the carpet soaked with bright red blood lay the corpse of a woman whose internal organs had been hollowed out.
A few minutes later, the Night Watchers responsible for the West Borough arrived.
Having met during the "Iron Man" incident, they were somewhat familiar with Xio. Without wasting words, she directly said, "I've done some emergency work. Her spirit hasn't fully dissipated yet."
"Good job!" said Miss Daly, a professional spirit medium and now a "Spirit Guide." Without delay, she began setting up a séance ritual under the protection of her teammates.
Watching Daly, who seemed to fall into a trance, Xio felt as though the woman's mental state had improved significantly since their last meeting. She seemed brighter, less burdened by repression and madness.
After some time, Daly opened her eyes and addressed the team leader, Captain Soster, "I've gathered enough clues. If we can request the use of '1-049,' I believe we can pinpoint its location."
"It"? So that's how it is. Excellent! Soster, a middle-aged man in a red glove, nodded enthusiastically. "I'll submit the request immediately."
"We should thank the man who shouted for help. Without him, the 'Demon' wouldn't have fled so hastily—like a man caught cheating with someone's wife when the husband comes home unexpectedly," Daly said with a chuckle.
Soster seemed to consider her words and remarked, "It seems you're doing well now."
"I've simply come to terms with certain things," Daly replied, shaking her head.
"That's good to hear," Soster said, glancing at Xio but refraining from asking further. Instead, he told her, "I'll send an official commendation from MI9 to acknowledge your contributions to this case."
This was precisely what Xio had been waiting for. Hearing this, she nodded in satisfaction and promptly took her leave.
Stepping out of the house of death, Xio looked up at the crimson moon hanging in the sky and thought to herself:
The voice shouting for help sounded familiar…
However, after racking her brain for a while, she couldn't place it and ultimately gave up.
---
Meanwhile, Klein, on his way home by carriage, found himself once again face-to-face with the high-ranking lady he had encountered at the museum. Gazing out of the carriage window, he saw the legs clad in black boots dangling from a seat of pea vines.
Feigning both fear and honesty, Klein swallowed hard and began explaining his situation:
"I'm a private detective… investigating the recent serial murders.
"I possess a magical item called the 'Universal Key,' which can open doors and walls, but it causes disorientation.
"While using it, I accidentally stumbled into the crime scene. Not being a match for the culprit, I could only run away while shouting for help."
Fortunately, because he had stashed the stolen bookmark in the Gray Fog, the lady didn't recognize him. She merely gave him a gentle warning to use the key sparingly before withdrawing the pea vines and allowing him to leave.
Once home, Klein didn't dare immediately study the bookmark in the Gray Fog. Instead, before going to bed, he muttered wryly:
"Tonight was… certainly exciting."
---
Meanwhile, back in the Dream Labyrinth Tower, on the fifth floor, in the Governor's Mansion bedroom, Ebner found himself in an equally thrilling situation. Watching a man and a woman on the bed getting closer and closer, he thought to himself:
This is getting way too exciting…
(End of Chapter)