No clues at all!
Another dead end!
The people in the lair of the "Foggy Murderer" had not directly participated in the killing of "his" relatives.
In other words...
"Did the 'Foggy Murderer' do it all alone?"
Goethe's narrowed eyes flashed with a cold light.
He could almost imagine it: the "Foggy Murderer" arrived in Lust and, for some unknown reason, targeted the Wayne family. First, he used Dr. Hodd as a test, poisoning his grandfather. Once the murderer confirmed there was no danger, he began a killing spree.
Perhaps even...
Torture!
Based on the information obtained from Moray, Goethe had mostly concluded that the murderer enjoyed "killing for fun."
His father, mother, three uncles, three aunts, and three cousins were all likely killed by this person.
Then, after a round of planned killings, when it came time for him and "his" brother, the murderer suddenly changed his mind.
Not because he lost interest.
But because he discovered that "his" aunt had contact with the "Church of Flesh."
Or, more accurately, had been targeted by the "Church of Flesh"!
Undoubtedly, the "Church of Flesh" piqued the murderer's interest even more—if he had died according to the murderer's plan.
But he didn't.
He became Goethe.
And disrupted the murderer's plans.
This made the murderer astonished and furious.
For someone as proud as the murderer, having their original plan disrupted meant they wouldn't let it go. They almost immediately began to implement a backup plan.
But, unfortunately, Goethe disrupted that too.
The murderer even got hurt.
So, what will the murderer do now?
Lick his wounds and plot a comeback?
Or join forces with more powerful allies to deliver a fatal blow?
Without the "Church of Flesh," the murderer would undoubtedly choose the former, but with the "Church of Flesh" involved, the murderer naturally had a better option.
"This couldn't be worse!"
Goethe sighed softly.
"Foggy Murderer" + Unknown "Child of Flesh" + Uncertain "Big Shot in Lust" = Total Annihilation!
The answer appeared in Goethe's mind almost instantly.
Even with Moray and Mrs. Pence by his side, the outcome wouldn't change.
"I must speed up!"
With that thought, Goethe's gaze fell on the crossbow—
**[Repeating Crossbow (Arm Crossbow): This is a self-defense weapon crafted by a skilled artisan. Not only is it concealed, but it's also easy to reload, capable of firing three bolts in succession; however, this excellent repeating crossbow brought disaster to the artisan.]**
*(Note 1: After firing three bolts, it needs to be reloaded.)*
*(Note 2: Bolts can be reloaded repeatedly, as long as they are not damaged.)*
...
As Goethe picked up the crossbow, a string of explanations appeared before his eyes.
This repeating crossbow might not be as powerful as a handgun, but it was concealed enough.
Goethe always favored unexpected attacks.
Besides, this was the second time he'd come up empty-handed.
Though Goethe had just begun fishing, he felt that he had to take something with him to change his bad luck!
At the very least, he couldn't let the bad luck spread!
As Goethe strapped the crossbow onto his left hand, Swart straightforwardly grabbed the "record sheet" his subordinate had just written and tore out the page regarding the crossbow.
"Rewrite the record."
The sheriff ordered.
His subordinate immediately complied.
Everyone was already accustomed to such actions, including Mrs. Pence.
This time, Mrs. Pence spoke again—
"Let's go, let's find Moray."
This time, Goethe did not refuse, but before leaving, he whispered to Swart.
"Be careful!"
"I want you to stay safe!"
Goethe didn't want anything to happen to such a useful partner like Swart, if he could help it.
Similarly, Swart immediately reacted.
"Madam, please wait!"
"It's dark, and the road is slippery."
"Let me arrange a carriage for you!"
Without waiting for Mrs. Pence to refuse, he raised his hand and called over his police carriage.
Mrs. Pence thought for a moment, nodded slightly towards Swart, and boarded the carriage.
This time, although Mrs. Pence still frowned, the look of disgust on her face lessened.
Gawain followed and got on the carriage. As they passed each other, Swart mouthed the word "understood."
Swart had long understood Gawain's cautious nature, something unmatched by anyone else he had met. Even when traveling with an extraordinary individual, Gawain still sought additional backup— the coachman driving this carriage was one of Swart's subordinates, who would remember the destination clearly and then lead a fully armed team there later.
Swart did not object to this plan.
After all, there were considerable benefits involved.
Two lanterns lit up.
The coachman cracked the whip.
*Snap!*
With a crisp sound, the carriage quickly disappeared into the night.
When the carriage stopped again, they had returned to Feffery Street.
Finally, the carriage halted in front of No. 11 Feffery Street.
"Here?"
Gawain was momentarily stunned, then realized.
Given Morey's severe injuries, he would certainly need a safe place to recover. And what could be safer than a hidden location?
Naturally, a place where he is surrounded by someone he completely trusts!
Without knocking, Mrs. Pence took out a key and directly opened the door.
"This is also one of my properties," Mrs. Pence said.
It was clear that as a retired member of the Keepers of Secrets, Mrs. Pence had accumulated considerable wealth.
In the living room, Morey was sitting with his eyes closed, deep in thought.
Hearing the sound, he opened his eyes and saw Mrs. Pence and Gawain. A trace of surprise flashed across the face of this official responsible for extraordinary matters in Rust.
Then, his expression became serious.
"What happened?" Morey asked as he stood up.
He knew very well that if Mrs. Pence had brought Gawain here, something extremely important must have occurred.
"Let Gawain tell you—he experienced it firsthand," Mrs. Pence said as she stepped aside, leaving everything to Gawain.
"Earlier at 32 Little Durian Street…"
Gawain recounted his experience in detail, omitting only the book from the Church of Flesh and Blood. He also shared his suspicions, including the possible collaboration between the Misty Murderer and the Church of Flesh and Blood, and his 'report.'
Morey's already serious expression grew even more grave as he listened to Gawain's account.
When he heard about the collaboration between the Misty Murderer and the Church of Flesh and Blood, he clenched his fists.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Pence frowned deeply, pacing back and forth unconsciously.
"No, we must call for emergency support!" Mrs. Pence said, stopping in her tracks.
"Yes," Morey agreed. "I'll do it immediately."
He promptly turned and went upstairs.
About ten minutes later, Morey returned.
"The support will arrive by tomorrow noon at the earliest," Morey informed.
"Tomorrow noon?" Mrs. Pence echoed. "Just in case, I'll go set up some traps."
With that, she got up and headed outside.
Suddenly, only Gawain and Morey were left in the room.
"No one in the warehouse district," Morey said. "Someone had stayed briefly but left long ago. I can't be sure if it was him."
Gawain didn't speak immediately. He stared directly into Morey's eyes, and just as Morey was starting to feel uncomfortable, Gawain finally spoke.
"What kind of situation would force someone like the owner of the Pinecone Hotel, such a significant figure, to abandon everything and cooperate with a notorious organization?"
"Morey, I want to know the answer."
"At least, that way, if I die, I can die with some peace of mind."
"I don't want to die in confusion."
Gawain emphasized his point.
Morey let out a bitter laugh, his expression showing hesitation.
Then, seeing Gawain staring at him without blinking, this official responsible for extraordinary matters sighed.
Morey relented.
"Gawain, have you ever heard of the 'Secret Realm'?"
(End of Chapter)