Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon-Chapter 215 - 214 Investigative Quartet

Chapter 215: Chapter 214: Investigative Quartet

Chapter 215 -214: Investigative Quartet

“What do you think?” the detective looked toward Colonel Ryan.

The latter was the leader of this operation and was also highly esteemed by the royal family. Both his identity and status were the highest among the team.

However, Ryan seemed somewhat surprised and after pondering for a while he asked in return, “Did you just mention someone named Shandela?”

“Yes, according to the personnel records, she should be Earl Li Qiang’s defense officer and also the commander of the Magnificent Castle military forces. Don’t you know her?”

“I suppose you could say that. When it comes down to it, she would be considered my junior.” Ryan said with a hint of pride, “Of course, there were so many people at the military academy, I can’t remember everyone—back then she was a standout among the newcomers, and some compared her to me, saying she would be the next grandmaster level warrior.”

Farrelan could already detect the implications in his words.

A promising newcomer who did not stay with the royal military but instead was sent to the remote New World to serve as a lord’s strong-arm, holding the title of defense officer. In stark contrast to Ryan Kray, who was now a colonel, it was almost as if one was in heaven and the other in hell.

Of course, working for a lord was not without its prospects for promotion.

The larger a city grew, the more its city guard had to be expanded. If one could lead a military force of two or three thousand, one would not be overlooked anywhere. If the lord was generous and the territory rich, striking out on one’s own could be even better than staying in the military.

But now, with no lord left in Magnificent Castle, this situation was undoubtedly the worst-case scenario for Shandela.

“How could that person compare to you?” Sir Durin didn’t hide his disdain, “A defense officer who fought for the lord, and when the lord died, she still scrounged to survive, even getting entangled with that whatever cult…”

“Paradise Sect,” Farrelan reminded.

“Right, getting mixed up with the Paradise Sect, and even passing judgment on nobles. What gives her the right! In my opinion, she has already seriously violated the laws of the Kingdom. There would be no problem in arresting her and sentencing her to hanging!”

“The premise is that this suddenly emerged Paradise Organization is an actual heretical cult,” Ryan shook his head. “Based on my understanding of her, I do not think Shandela is someone who would join a heretical cult. As for the death of the lord, I suspect there’s more to the story. Miss Priestess, do you have any insight into this sect?”

“No,” came Katrina’s brief reply.

“…” Everyone waited a moment, but her further explanation never came.

This caused a bit of dissatisfaction from the colonel. “I seem to recall people mentioning that there has been a rise in Evil God worshipers on the Old Continent recently. Is it possible the Paradise is one of them?”

“The likelihood is not high.”

“Can’t you just elaborate on your reasoning?”

Katrina glanced at him, “You’ve already said it yourself, Miss Sandeila wouldn’t work for a cult. So why would you still suspect that Paradise might be one?”

The atmosphere on the scene grew slightly awkward for a moment.

Farrelan quickly stepped in to smooth things over, “I also believe that the Paradise Sect is probably not a cult. Although many wealthy individuals have fled this place, order within the city still exists. At least from what I saw in the tavern, Magnificent Castle has not completely collapsed. A heretical cult wouldn’t be able to achieve that.”

“Ahem… you make a fair point,” Ryan also took the opportunity to back down, “So, are they just criminals claiming to be eliminating a cult?”

“That’s more likely, especially with such exaggerated rumors as mines floating in the air and divinities striking down. After all, we have just arrived here; it’s better not to rush to conclusions. It’s better to gather some solid evidence over the next few days before reporting back,” agreed the detective with a nod.

“I’ll pay a visit to Shandela tomorrow,” the colonel decided, “Having an acquaintance surely makes gathering information faster than wandering around by ourselves.”

“But won’t she recognize you? What if she wants to harm you…”

“She won’t,” said Ryan confidently, “I was very popular at the military academy and loved by the juniors, even if Shandela and I have taken different paths, she wouldn’t betray me. Besides, we represent the royal house, and as long as we’re not dealing with completely unreasonable cult members, others will be willing to talk.”

Farrelan scratched his head.

He could understand where the other’s confidence came from, with his golden hair, sculpted features, deep eyes, and the amiable personality—not to mention his hearty smile, which would make him extremely popular in any military academy.

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It was said that he was valued by the royal family, and it had something to do with a certain princess…

But there was no denying that the latter half of the colonel’s statement was correct, that even the most vicious criminals would think twice about crossing the royal family. Moreover, given that his strength had already surpassed the Grandmaster Level threshold, it would take a good dozen or so experts to subdue him.

With this thought, Farrelan agreed, “Alright, let’s do that. What about you guys, do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

He was naturally asking the other two people in the room.

“I need to visit the local Mechanical Sect’s church,” Katrina replied, her answer as brief as usual.

Sir Durin sighed, “I’ll just stay on the ship. Given the unclear situation here, I don’t want to get slaughtered by the rioters.”

Among the four people on the investigative team, only he was likely to stay at Magnificent Castle for an extended period – the higher-ups sending an earl over made their intentions quite clear. If Li Qiang Ola was indeed gone for good, then it was highly probable that he would become the new lord of Magnificent Castle. However, the official investiture ceremony and procedures would take half a year, so he was here to familiarize himself with the local customs in the meantime.

“If that’s the case, we’ll go our separate ways in the morning and meet back at the Seagull by evening. If anyone hasn’t returned by nightfall, we’ll have the escort fleet come over and show their colors to search for them. Colonel Ryan, is that okay with you?” Farrelan asked the colonel lastly.

“I think it’s a good plan, let’s go ahead with that!” the latter responded.

…

The next day, Farrelan first headed to the eastern part of the city.

He had to confirm whether they were really executing nobles here.

When he reached the east gate, the detective couldn’t help but inhale sharply – there were indeed about a dozen people hanging from the gallows on the edge of the fields, and their rotting stench could be smelled from afar. They were even clothed, though melded to their decaying bodies, yet their outfits’ silhouettes made it clear these were formalwear, which ordinary convicts would never wear to their executions.

This was a serious taboo.

The affairs at Magnificent Castle were likely not going to be easy to resolve.

Farrelan paced slowly to the base of the gallows and suddenly noticed a sign placed before each of the deceased, detailing the crimes they had committed.

“Shagete Feimi, Earl, one of the initiators of a serial murder case. Financed and colluded with the Causal Sect to cause turmoil, guilty of taboos, murder, illegal imprisonment, among eleven charges, sentenced to hanging.”

“Malif, the director of Gaotian Mining Company’s mining site, a devoted Causal Sect follower. Convicted of nine charges including murder, rape, and abuse of miners, sentenced to hanging.”

“Duaeri, a scholar employed by Gaotian Mining Company…”

They really were using the pretext of fighting cultists to carry out vigilante executions… The detective took out a “Memory Recorder,” a secret divine artifact from his backpack, and recorded the scene before him to serve as evidence later.

Yet, he couldn’t understand why the conversations from last night’s tavern visit lingered in his mind.

People drinking and bragging was the same in any city, nothing unusual there, yet he couldn’t shake the impression it had made on him.

Especially when they mentioned the big explosion and the divinities’ rescue, their expressions weren’t the usual arrogance or mystique of braggarts but rather a mix of reverence and adoration.

Farrelan couldn’t help but look towards the northeast.

The Gaotian Company’s mines were in that direction… Perhaps he should go and see for himself?