Chapter 96: Escape

Chapter 96: Escape

They stopped and looked towards the source of the bloody smell. In the living room ahead, a woman lay on the floor.

The woman's face was full of pain, suggesting she had suffered cruel torture before her death. Alice looked at her abdomen and, as expected, through the large wound, she could see that the internal organs were missing.

At the same time, they all heard a "huh huh huh" sound.

The 12th case!

That demon dog!

Alice instantly realized what had happened. Unlike Klein, who was on edge, Alice remained relatively calm. She lifted her head and scanned the bright yellow decor of the living room, finally focusing on the blood-red carpet.

The carpet was stained with the woman's blood, slowly spreading. The demon dog, which Alice had encountered before, was crouching nearby, its mouth half-open, with fresh flesh and blood still on its teeth.

The demon dog's pupils reflected their figures. Alice saw the demon dog arch its back, its fur standing on end, and it growled menacingly: "Huh!"

Before they could react, the demon dog growled and retreated, voluntarily clearing the path for them.

Klein looked at Alice in shock, recalling the scene she had described where she scared the demon dog away. He suddenly fell into deep thought.

Alice, observing the fierce yet yielding demon dog, also fell silent.

Does this dog remember what happened last time?

With a blank expression, Alice pulled Klein along, leaving along the path the demon dog had cleared, under its wary gaze.

The escape route was smooth. After parting ways with Klein, Alice happily took a public carriage home.

And then, she ran into Evelyn, who was just opening the door.

"Good evening, Briel." After a moment of awkwardness, Evelyn closed the door and smiled at Alice.

"...Good evening." Alice frowned slightly, looking at Evelyn's evasive and flustered eyes.

"Haha, why are you back so late? What were you doing out?" Evelyn stammered.

"...How about this," Alice paused, deciding to help Evelyn out of the awkward situation, "I won't ask what you're going to do next, and you don't ask why I'm back so late."

As soon as she finished speaking, Alice saw Evelyn visibly relax, then, as if to cover something up, said, "What are you talking about? I just couldn't sleep and came out for some fresh air. I'll be back in a few minutes..."

Watching Evelyn, Alice started to wonder if she looked this clumsy when she lied.

Under Alice's gaze, Evelyn became increasingly flustered. Alice sighed and said, "It's not safe outside at night. Come back early."

Without waiting for Evelyn's response, she headed to her own home next door.

Why not ask Evelyn what she's going out for? Ha, it's obvious. It must be related to the Night Watchers.

After returning home, Alice lit a lamp and sat on the sofa in the living room, ready to report her safety to Klein. Suddenly, she stiffened, staring at the pea vine hanging down in front of her.

How could there be a pea vine hanging from the ceiling? Alice slowly looked up, seeing more pea vines falling, turning the entire living room into a green forest.

Bernadette appeared in front of her, following the pea vines.

"Who stole the bookmark?" Bernadette asked, her eyes devoid of emotion.

"...Why do you think I know?" Alice tried to struggle.

"I arrived here before you," Bernadette answered softly but emotionlessly.

Alice then asked, "Why don't you suspect that I disguised myself and stole the bookmark..."

Bernadette looked at Alice calmly and disdainfully.

Feeling despised, Alice widened her eyes and gritted her teeth, changing the question: "Why do you want to find him?"

"To be precise," Bernadette said softly, "I want to understand the followers of the 'Fool.'"

Alice quickly understood Bernadette's intention.

By observing the state of the followers, one could infer the state and character of the deity. Bernadette hoped to confirm the state and character of the 'Fool' through his followers.

So, what next? After confirming, what does she plan to do? Pray? Or send someone to infiltrate the non-existent church...

Alice suppressed her rising smile, but Bernadette already showed a suspicious expression.

Damn, she was too unguarded in front of Bernadette... No, it's mainly because Bernadette never showed any malice towards her... Uh, did she see through her character and did it on purpose?

Alice, reining in her thoughts, suggested to Bernadette, "We can't confirm Mr. Fool's state alone... I think you should inquire within the circle of Beyonders."

That way, she'll find out that no one has heard of such an evil god... Haha.

Unaware of Alice's inner sarcasm, Bernadette looked at her and asked, "So, you don't intend to tell, do you?"

Alice blinked innocently and asked seriously, "Why didn't you just grab us on the street but waited here for me?"

"..." Bernadette looked at Alice, speechless.

"I can't tell you," Alice shrugged, her eyes flashing, changing the topic, "But, we encountered the demon dog on the way back—the culprit of the Backlund serial murders."

Bernadette raised an eyebrow.

"It has completed its 12th murder," Alice said softly, "If it's not caught soon, it might complete the ritual and advance to Sequence 5 anytime."

Seeing that Alice had no intention of revealing the other person's identity, Bernadette paused and asked, "Did he ever believe in the 'Fool'?"

"Absolutely not," Alice firmly denied, "At least not the 'Fool' I know."

"Alright," Bernadette replied in an emotionless voice, "The bookmark contains the 'Card of Blasphemy'... was it also written in his diary?"

Alice nodded.

"What else was written in the diary?" Bernadette asked.

"Unless you hand over the diary in the exhibition hall to me, or rather, to us," Alice replied.

Bernadette stared at Alice for a moment, then the surrounding pea vines, along with her, disappeared as if nothing had happened.