Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 931 - 197: Church Garden Murder Case (Part 2)

"Don't you understand? This is the true purpose of the murderer! Once the seed of doubt is planted, even the strongest alliance will crumble. That way, the empire will win without a fight!"

"So what? In the end, it's you who wants to drag us into war with the empire!"

"Then let's talk about matters directly related to you."

Carlo gritted his teeth, "Do you think you'll be able to leave this city alive?"

"Carlo, are you threatening us?"

"The reason the murderer hasn't acted yet is precisely because we've gathered together at this moment!"

Carlo shouted loudly, "That means he doesn't have the capacity to confront us directly, but once you stubbornly leave the Crown of Dawn Cathedral, what might happen when you are alone?"

This statement successfully intimidated everyone.

Even the leaders of the sects who planned to escape the cathedral exchanged worried looks, because Carlo's words struck a chord.

They had thought of severing ties with the Life Divine Teachings after leaving to preserve their lives, but... what if the killer never intended to spare any of them from the start?

They glanced out the window.

It was getting dark.

The mere thought of encountering a killer breaking into their inn or being stopped by figures emerging from the roadside during their escape from the Holy City sent chills down their spines.

They regretted it.

Responding to Carlo's call and coming to the Holy City was the worst decision they had ever made.

Perhaps before the promised day of salvation that Carlo had assured them, they would meet a tragic end somewhere in the cathedral like Darrant.

"Aurora... is missing!"

Amidst the stalemate, a voice suddenly came from the crowd.

The somewhat unfamiliar name made Carlo pause for a good while before recalling the "Forest Whisperers Sect," a small sect with fewer than a hundred members, considered marginal figures who wouldn't substantially affect the situation even if absent. The Forest Whisperers believed in the existence of invisible natural spirits, especially in the souls contained within plants.

It was a sect leader who had followed the crowd in response to the call; no wonder it took so long for anyone to notice she was missing.

Just as Carlo wanted to say something, a woman clad in mithril armor with a long staff in hand hurriedly ran into the cathedral.

Many immediately recognized her; she was Judge Veronica from the Church Court, who earlier had been posting wanted notices around the city for an imposter priest involved in terrorist activities.

Veronica whispered a few words in Carlo's ear, causing his expression to change dramatically. After several deep breaths, he appropriately displayed sorrow, "My heart is heavy, but I must share this news with everyone—Lady Aurora has left us forever."

The news caused an immediate uproar among the crowd.

Led by Veronica, the group, filled with apprehension, proceeded towards the church's garden.

The unique floral scent once belonging to this place had vanished, replaced by a pungent smell of blood.

The sect leaders at the front gasped as they saw the figure suspended by vines in the distance.

The body, still swaying slightly, bore an expression of utmost terror on Aurora's face when they got closer. Her beautiful visage now had wide-open eyes and dilated pupils, as if witnessing something far beyond her comprehension at the last moment of life. Her mouth was slightly agape, as if her final scream was forever stifled in her throat by the vines.

They noticed that Aurora's verdant robe was torn into ragged strips by countless blade-like slashes, revealing skin beneath these gashes marred with deep, bone-revealing cuts, as if sliced repeatedly by countless invisible blades.

Centered around the tree trunk, dense dark red blood dots sprayed over the surrounding flowers, benches, and even part of the cathedral's stained-glass windows. The entire crime scene resembled a mad artist's blood-splattered painting, drawing the first batch of flies with its intense iron scent, now circling around the body.

Still-dripping blood indicated Aurora was killed just moments ago, perhaps while they were in the cathedral.

No one suggested leaving anymore; Aurora's death brutally shattered their last illusions.

They all knew the Forest Whisperers were merely a group working to improve the environment in the Far West, yet even Aurora met such an end.

"Veronica, please give Lady Aurora a proper burial."

Carlo spoke sorrowfully, the sudden death helping him stabilize the situation. At least the sect leaders, previously clamoring to leave, had calmed down and were willing to return to the cathedral with him, working together to discuss countermeasures.

Veronica nodded.

She stayed in the garden with other members of the law enforcement team; too much had happened today.

Her day began with that youth disguised as a priest in the confessional booth; she had visited confessing citizens who mentioned "Old Sen." The youth's insults to Pope Carlo on the parchment at the scene now seemed not just a provocation but a murder forecast.

This was certainly the most insane killer the Church Court had encountered in the Far West. She never imagined that after leaving a "murder forecast," the perpetrator didn't flee but instead boldly infiltrated the Crown of Dawn Cathedral.

Within just one day, two sect leaders fell to his hands, possibly even Bishop Solari's murder at the border was connected to him.

"Take the body down."

Veronica instructed somberly.

She carefully questioned Darrant's subordinates, noting some interesting leads from the Heartbinders.

According to them, the killer didn't sneak into Darrant's residence but boldly went upstairs after his presence was announced to meet Darrant face-to-face.

He mentioned the names Ave-Margaret and Savia.

There was no need to elaborate on Ave-Margaret—now the prime minister of the new imperial cabinet and the number one enemy of the Far West today. But Savia?

This was a completely unfamiliar name.

Yet it was this unfamiliar name that made Darrant lower his guard, inviting the killer in without any defense.

Veronica also carefully examined the crime scene, noting that Darrant's body had fallen to the floor due to his subordinates' intervention, leaving it split in two.

What stood out was the expression still lingering on Darrant's face.

Panic, yet disbelief.

This indicated that until the moment of his death, he never anticipated the assailant would kill him.

Her intuition told Veronica that Savia might be the key to everything.

With that thought, she gestured to the law enforcement team members before heading out of the garden.

...............

Late night, outside the Holy City.

Aurora slowly opened her eyes, immediately feeling the cold sand beneath her.

The Holy City was now far behind her. She abruptly sat up from the sand, terrified as she looked towards the youth standing with his back to her not far away.

She recalled seizing the opportunity to escape when no one was watching, only to encounter the youth in the garden. She almost instantly recognized him as the killer the witnesses mentioned.

Though she had told him the Forest Whisperers wouldn't participate in the war, informing the youth that they were merely individuals striving to improve the Far West's environment, even tearfully pleading for him to let her leave this troubled place, she still couldn't escape death's fate.

In an instant, it was as if countless sharp blades shredded her body.

But now... why?

Why was she now in the desert outside the Holy City?

The wounds that should have been there were gone, and she didn't feel any pain.

"Lady Aurora, thank you for your cooperation." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The murderous youth's demeanor seemed to transform completely, his tone becoming gentle and calm, inexplicably comforting Aurora's heart.

"What... happened to me?"

"You are doing well now."

The youth replied, "Now, take the Forest Whisperers home."

In a daze, Aurora saw the peculiar woman beside the youth.

She had seven eyes and a closely fitted garment that seemed to pulsate like a fleshy growth.

It appeared to be a subhuman.

She vaguely overheard their whispered conversation.

"As expected from you, Old Ba, the setup of the crime scene was impeccable."

"Don't forget, that's my main expertise."