Backlund, on the edge of the Queen's District, inside Viscount Lavran's residence.
Wearing "Red Gloves" and dressed in a black windbreaker, Soest was leading his team members in carefully inspecting the scene.
As the mobile force of the Church of Evernight, at nearly midnight, they were undoubtedly full of energy.
"Captain, there's a blood pool in the basement used for sacrifices. After excavation, we also found a large number of bones… It can be confirmed that Viscount Lavran's household had been conducting long-term sacrifices to an evil god." Cindy, with wine-red long hair, approached and reported to Soest.
Soest released the spirit sealed in his teeth to investigate, then nodded lightly.
"So many bones, yet not a single wraith or resentful spirit remains. It seems the souls of the deceased were all sacrificed to the Primordial Moon."
Cindy asked in surprise,
"Wasn't it said that someone summoned the power of the True Creator?"
"Could it be that this viscount's family worshipped two evil gods separately? Did they turn on each other?" Another Red Glove, Bob, who was examining the runes inscribed on the perimeter by the Secret Saint, casually added.
"We can't rule out that possibility." Soest answered professionally. "But Viscount Bryan already clearly reported that Viscount Lavran's family members were believers of the Primordial Moon, while the viscount's newly recruited bodyguard and secretary were the masterminds behind this 'evil god descent' incident. They sacrificed those Primordial Moon believers in exchange for the power of the True Creator.
"And the one Viscount Ebner repelled was actually that bodyguard who had obtained the power. His true identity is suspected to be the Secret Saint of the Aurora Order."
"Can we just take Viscount Bryan's word as truth? How can we be sure he's telling the truth? According to the information I saw, before the incident he was having a rendezvous in the garden with that Miss Lavran. Who can guarantee he wouldn't give testimony favorable to Viscount Lavran because of that?
"Viscount Lavran's former mistress had problems. His wife, son, and daughter-in-law had problems. His housekeeper and servants had problems. His bodyguard and secretary had problems!
"And yet he himself is a devout believer of the Goddess… Does that make sense?"
Cindy didn't trust the testimony of nobles at all and directly suggested, "We should bring that Viscount Beldan back for strict interrogation!"
At that moment, however, a voice filled with tranquility and serenity sounded, "Viscount Bryan's words are trustworthy."
Hearing this, the Red Gloves quickly turned to look. They saw Archbishop Saint Anthony, wearing a black robe with red patterns, walking over. He glanced at Cindy and said with a smile, "You may not know this, but that viscount was personally taken away by Her Highness Arianna.
"He is someone favored by the Goddess."
Upon hearing this, not only Cindy but even Captain Soest stood dumbfounded. After quite a while, he nodded and said, "If that's the case, then it proves that Viscount Lavran and the recently come-of-age Miss Angie are indeed innocent…"
Saint Anthony first nodded slightly, then shook his head.
"They are merely unrelated to this matter. That does not necessarily mean they have no problems at all.
"Therefore, the investigation into Viscount Lavran and that young lady must continue."
"Yes, Your Grace Archbishop." Soest and the other Red Gloves responded in unison.
Saint Anthony nodded, then asked, "What about the guests who attended the ball?"
"The preliminary investigation has concluded. On the surface, there are no issues… And they were not harmed. They simply instinctively fell into fear when the power of the True Creator descended.
"After Viscount Ebner Bryan defeated the Secret Saint and returned to the ball, they all felt their courage restored…
"I suspect the viscount may have used an extraordinary ability similar to a 'Courage Aura.'"
Soest paused here and glanced at his subordinates, signaling them to add anything further.
Sensing the captain's gaze, Cindy thought for a moment and said, "There's nothing else significant, but most of the ladies hope to return home as soon as possible… You understand. Under the pressure of an evil god, ordinary people inevitably have certain physiological reactions… So they hope to go home to change clothes and freshen up."
Bob added from the side, "However, we haven't yet confirmed the list of guests who left midway or those who received invitations but did not attend. We suspect that among those who left early, there may be accomplices of the evil god believers, so we cannot release them for now."
"Very good. Continue investigating along those lines… In any case, we must determine as soon as possible the purpose behind this incident created by those evil god believers!" After instructing and encouraging the Red Gloves, Saint Anthony departed.
However, after an entire night of investigation, although Soest's team discovered quite a few anomalies, they failed to find any further leads and could only return to Saint Samuel Cathedral.
At this time, Cindy couldn't help but sigh, "If Leonard were here, that would be great. His mind is quick—he always notices what we overlook… Unfortunately, he's still studying at the Cathedral of Serenity…"
…
Monday morning, inside the luxurious villa of the Earl Hall family.
"A bomb threat case occurred last night in the Queen's District and was successfully resolved by the former 'Hero Detective,' now 'Viscount Beldan'…" Audrey, who had finished breakfast, casually flipped through the Backlund Morning Post and was immediately drawn to that familiar name.
Hearing his daughter's quiet murmur, Earl Hall shook his head and sighed.
"That should have been a Beyonder incident. I only just received the news myself. I didn't expect the newspaper to have already reported it… Their information network is truly efficient."
"You only just found out? But the newspaper even included pictures. Although they were blurred, some unseemly moments of a few ladies were still revealed." Audrey frowned.
"Pictures? What pictures?" The earl took the newspaper and glanced at it, immediately showing an angry expression. "How could such photos be published? Has the Backlund Morning Post fallen so low as to compete with tabloids?"
As the largest shareholder of the Backlund Morning Post, Earl Hall could not help but be furious.
Audrey did not pay much attention to this matter. She simply assumed it was a minor issue resolved by Mr. Tower. After chatting casually with her father, mother, and brother for a while, she returned to her room with the golden retriever Susie.
The girl and the dog had perfect tacit understanding. Without verbal communication, the latter stood guard by the door, while Audrey locked it from the inside, sat at her desk, and began memorizing the Roselle diary pages she had obtained from the Psychology Alchemists, preparing to submit them at the Tarot Club meeting in the afternoon.
…
At three in the afternoon, as beams of deep crimson light rose, twelve figures appeared within the ancient palace above the gray fog.
As usual, Justice Audrey led everyone in standing and saluting. Looking toward the figure shrouded in mist at the head of the long bronze table, she cheerfully said,
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"
(End of Chapter)