In Duke Negan's mansion in Queen's District of Backlund, a grand ball was going on.
It is divided into two parts. One is the dancing hall. It is located on the ground floor and is paved with gorgeous stone slabs carved with complicated patterns. There is an excellent band belonging to the Duke in the corner. Going up the stairs of the hall is the second floor.
, a corridor that surrounds a circle.
The guests held wine glasses and stood in front of the railing, overlooking the dance below, similar to watching a fencing event from the stands. From time to time, a gentleman would come up to the lady or lady and invite them to dance. If allowed, both parties would hold hands and walk down.
Take the stairs and enter the hall.
On the other side of the corridor not close to the hall, there are doors one after another, and the back is basically a guest lounge. But behind the opposite door is a corridor with different plaster statues on both sides, all of which belong to Nepal.
The ancestors of the root family.
All the way to the end, you can see another part of the ball. This is also a hall, with long tables and a variety of food and wine. Another band belonging to the Duke played melodious music for the guests.
And relaxing music.
In this hall, guests gather together in small groups, sitting or standing to exchange various things. Those who want to escape the hustle and bustle for a short time enter the balconies attached to the hall and overlook the scenery and sky in the garden.
red moon.
Audrey Hall, who had skipped the opening dance, was originally standing on the second floor of the ball hall, looking at the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the roof in a daze, looking at the candles on it, but she found that many people were ready to move and wanted to.
After coming to invite her to dance, she left here tactfully and stepped onto the corridor leading to the "restaurant".
It's really boring, but I can't help but participate... Hey, can't they just let me quietly observe there? I have to say, some people's expressions are really rich when dancing, which always reminds me of those courting animals... Ao Dai
Li looked down at her toes and walked one step at a time in boredom.
At this moment, she saw a figure approaching from the corner of her eye. She quickly slowed down her steps, straightened her back, and instantly transformed into the elegant and quiet Miss Hall.
"Hello, Baron Gramiel." Audrey greeted with a perfect smile and etiquette.
Opposite him, Baron Gramiel, who had sparse eyebrows and light blue eyes, smiled and saluted:
"Hello, Miss Hall, you are the brightest and most dazzling jewel of this ball."
After exchanging a few words, Baron Gramiel walked to the ball hall, while Audrey continued to approach the "restaurant". After walking a few steps, she suddenly frowned, her green eyes full of doubts. As a woman who had completely digested
Having become the "audience" of the potion, her sensitivity to details is unparalleled by other extraordinary beings.
Baron Gramir's appearance was more confident today, and the perfume on his body changed from the base note to the middle note. This was completely different from his previous performance at banquets.
Suddenly, she thought of a possibility, and her bright green eyes froze:
"It's not Chillinges pretending to be, is it?"
"'Creeping Hunger' has the ability to change people into different appearances."
Audrey, who had already sensed that something was wrong with Baron Gramir, chose to inform Count Hall of her discovery. However, she was still worried. Her father, mother and brother were all at the dance, and she had to do something.
…
Tingen, Daffodil Street.
Klein was lying on the bed rubbing his temples. Next to him was the whereabouts report of Mrs. Sharon submitted by the gang leader he hired, but he regretted doing so.
This is said to be an investigation report, which is obviously an insult to those professional private investigators. None of the gang leader's subordinates know the words, so they all rely on pictures and symbols, and then their semi-literate boss who has only attended Sunday school for one year
The arrangement and explanation made Klein’s head throb, and it took him a long time to finish reading.
However, he had no choice. He still had to investigate the situation related to Lanerwus. Although the fighting practice was shortened a lot because of the "Joker" potion, he still had to go. There were still some red chimney houses that had not been inspected.
.
This made it impossible for him to devote any energy to investigating Mrs. Sharon's whereabouts. Moreover, according to the above investigation report, she rarely went out recently, but instead of having guests, most of them were men who had an affair with her.
It seems that Senator Maynard dying in Mrs. Sharon's bed cannot dissuade those men from having the courage to fight. Maybe some people even think that comforting Mrs. Sharon at this stage will win her heart?
Klein was increasingly grateful to Mrs. Maynard's father. Congressman Martin Nozick had returned to Backlund and was unable to put pressure on the Tingen Police Station. Although the "arbitrator" was left behind, there was no promise
With Zeke's support, a Sequence 9 Beyonder would be much easier for the Tingen Police Department to deal with.
As for Mrs. Maynard, although she has a strong and decisive style, she has only concluded a contract with Blackthorn Security Company. Even if nothing useful is found in the investigation, she does not need to worry about being pressured.
After all, it was the Blackthorn Security Company that took over the mission, not the "Nighthawks" team.
A buzzing whisper suddenly sounded in his ears, and his head was dizzy for a few seconds.
Someone is praying to me, is it "justice" or "emperor"?
After confirming that he had locked the door, Klein took four steps backward and arrived above the gray fog. After listening to the "Justice" prayer, he sat on the top of the long bronze table and supported his chin.
"Miss Justice discovered Qilingos? The observation skills of the 'audience' are really terrible!"
After praising "Justice", Klein remembered that Mr. "Emperor" at Monday's Tarot meeting thought that Qilingers would take action this week because of the search, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Mr. Emperor has a very accurate grasp of Chillinges' psychology."
After skillfully transferring the "Justice" prayer scene to the "Emperor" and "The Hanged Man" according to his last experience, Klein crossed his fingers and leaned on the high-backed chair. The "Hanged Man" was now also in Backlund.
, plus Mr. "Emperor", there should be no problem in catching or killing Qilingos.
It’s just a pity that “Vice Admiral Hurricane” has a bounty!
After Mr. Azik replied to his letter last time, Klein went out of his way to check Qilingos’ bounty. There was 10,000 gold pounds in Backlund alone. Plus the magical item “Creep Hunger” in his hand, the young man
It costs tens of thousands of pounds, so that’s twenty thousand pounds!
"Creeping Hunger"? "Shepherd"?
Klein sat upright. In Mr. Azik's last reply, he mentioned that he seemed to have encountered a "shepherd" at one time in his life, but he could not recall it. Write to Mr. Azik and see if he can
The opportunity gave him the opportunity to obtain the "Creeping Hunger". Thinking of this, he immediately left the mysterious space above the gray fog and returned to his bedroom.
Klein originally thought that he would take the risk that Mr. Azik would return to Tingen after he got the mask from Mr. "Emperor", but it failed. Mr. Azik did not return to Tingen, but instead
The mask was presented to the "Emperor", which raised more doubts.
I hope "Creeping Hunger" can make Mr. Azik return early!
Although the man behind the scenes has been quiet recently, who knows if he is planning some bigger conspiracy!
…
Backlund, Jowood District, Holy Wind Cathedral.
In a simple and plain room, "The Hanged Man" Alger Wilson was studying the investigation reports of the past few days, trying to find clues about "Hurricane Lieutenant General" Chillinges.
Diagonally above his right hand, there is a stack of paper filled with twisted "symbols".
Just when Alger leaned back and stretched out his hand to rub his eyes, he suddenly found that his eyes had become illusory, showing a thick gray-white mist.
In the depths of this endless mist, there is a high-backed chair that seems to have been there forever. There is a vague figure sitting on the high-backed chair.
Mr. "The Fool" Alger had just come up with this idea when he saw a vague figure wearing a palace dress in the hazy gray mist.
She maintained her praying posture and kept saying:
"I met someone suspected of being Qilingos at the ball held by Duke Negan."
"He disguised himself as Baron Gramir, for an unknown purpose."
"I discovered from some details that today's Baron Gramir is different from before. This reminds me of the extraordinary ability of Qilingos' magical item to change one's appearance."
Alger was startled at first, then showed an expression of surprise, put his hand on his chest, lowered his head and said:
"Praise you, Mr. Fool"
Before he finished speaking, everything he heard and saw disappeared, as if it had never appeared.
Mr. "Emperor"'s method was successful? Alger couldn't restrain his joy. He originally thought that this would only make Qilingers aware of it in advance and choose to give up.
Glancing at the desk where Russell's diary and investigation report were placed, Alger's pupils narrowed and he once again felt the power of The Fool:
This is the Cathedral of the Holy Wind, the former headquarters of the Church of Storms. Although this happened more than a thousand years ago, it does not prevent believers from still treating it as one of the holy places. However, Mr. "Fool" remains silent.
"Come", give a response.
After more than ten seconds of silence, Alger picked up his belongings and turned around to go out. He was going to find one of the cardinals of the Church of Storms, the Archbishop of Backlund Diocese, "Singer of God" Ai Sisneck
For Alger Wilson, killing "Hurricane Lieutenant General" Chillingas with his own hands is the best development, but if this is not possible, it is acceptable to confirm the death of the other party.
When he learned that Cardinal Snake had gone for a walk along the Tasok River, Zillinges almost felt like he was going to vomit blood and die on the spot, but he had no choice but to walk along the Tasok River with several "substitutes"
Go and find His Excellency the "Singer of God".
…
At the junction of Queens and Hillstown, Rawls, who was wearing a tuxedo, looked at the gray fog disappearing in front of his eyes and looked into the distance, where was the residence of Duke Negan.
Since Alicia said she could be at his disposal, Rawls has not considered letting her catch Qilingos, who failed in the assassination, in advance and get the "Creeping Hunger". After all, the "Shepherd" has the "Herding"
"It is definitely the strongest ability among demigods. Klein's transformation from "gou" to "reckless" would definitely not be so smooth without "creeping hunger".
Gehrman Sparrow can become a "crazy adventurer" and achieve one Sequence 5 per week and kill on the spot. Apart from Source Castle, it is "Creeping Hunger" who has the greatest contribution.
But now Rawls's idea has come to nothing. Without Alicia, he won't have any advantage even when facing "Vice Admiral Hurricane" alone, let alone fighting for a kill from Mr. Azik.
Therefore, Klein's message is of no use to Rawls.
Carrying the newly bought cane, Rawls left here. He didn't want to be discovered by the "Singer of God" who was passing by shortly. What if he arrived early! Although this possibility is very small.
…
Passing through the woods and crossing the artificial lake, Qilinges was favored by the wind and escaped his pursuers. He looked around, intending to pretend to escape by diving into the Tasok River along the channel, then turned around and ran into Baker
Rand's economic center, Hillston District.
At this moment, his eyes suddenly flashed, and he saw that the various colors in the darkness became extremely rich. Then Qilinges found that he had stopped and was floating in the air. At his feet was the rising black water.
Underneath, there are pale-skinned palms grasping outwards.
A huge humanoid skeleton suddenly appeared before his eyes. This monster was four meters tall, with dark flames burning in its eye sockets, and the white bones were illusive and hazy.
Qilingos stared at the enemy with emotionless eyes, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth. At the same time, the glove on his left hand burst into brilliant light, becoming as if it were made of pure gold.
He leaned back and opened his arms, as if embracing the sun. A pure, blazing light suddenly fell from the sky, enveloping the huge skeleton, and the pale palms under the dark water evaporated one by one.
This is the extraordinary ability of the "Priest of Light". "Holy Light" is far more powerful than "Summoning Holy Light" and is the nemesis of the undead.
The brilliant light beam dissipated, and the dark flames in the eye sockets of the huge skeleton were extinguished in an instant, then became transparent and dissipated in the air inch by inch.
Then his expression suddenly froze, and he saw another huge skeleton appearing to his left, nearly four meters tall, with black flames burning in its eye sockets, exactly the same as the monster just now.
Immediately afterwards, the same skeletal monsters appeared one after another around Qilingos, one, two, three... more than a hundred. Hundreds of pairs of eyes burning with dark flames simultaneously cast their sights on
achieved the goal.
And below, the dark water surface was getting higher and higher, almost touching the soles of Qilingos' feet. One after another, pale, illusory palms grew out again, waving upwards constantly, trying to grab the life-saving hand.
straw.
…
Alger watched Qilingos' face floating in the water rotting rapidly, so rotten that yellow-green pus leaked out, and so rotten that his flesh and blood fell off piece by piece.
"Papa papa"!
Only white bones were left on Qilinges' face, and his two empty eyes were detached from the hollows and smashed on the ground by the lake in no particular order. With a cracking sound, Qilinges completely fell apart, and his clothes were spread on top to block it.
It covered the rotting pieces of meat and white bones, blocking the flashing brilliance.
In less than twenty seconds, Qilingos, one of the seven pirate generals, died mysteriously in front of Alger.
Alger's surprise turned from surprise to fear. Before he could think about it, the magnetic voice of Ace Snake, the "Singer of God" floating in the air, sounded.
"Have you also told other people about the information? Does anyone else know the information itself?"
Alger suddenly regained his composure, looked at Qilingos's body, and explained in a prepared manner:
"I just received the information and reported it to you, the Archbishop. However, those who relayed it have not opened the letter. I can confirm this."
As Alger spoke, he also mentally guessed who killed "Hurricane Lieutenant General" Qilingos:
There is no need for the person to instruct Qilinges, and as a lone wolf, Qilinges will never reveal his whereabouts. It is also impossible for other forces. Miss "Justice" discovered the problem on the spot and used it to Mr. "Fool"
The information is conveyed through prayer, and apart from us, there is no other organization that can receive the information at the same time.
And the "Emperor" is also affiliated with the Loen government, so there is no need to do such a thing, and it is unlikely that a demigod can be mobilized to do such a thing.
Only Mr. Fool's favored ones can make people feel that things are weird and lack purpose.
…
In Duke Negan's mansion, in a private small study.
The fat and tall Duke Negan sat in a high-backed chair behind the table, smoking a cigar and looking at Al Snake, the "Singer of God" and the Kingdom's Prime Minister Agushed Negan and others opposite him.
Behind him is his only son, Philip Negan, who is equally tall but not obese.
"Judging from the intelligence that has been fed back one after another, it is currently impossible to confirm which high-sequence powerhouse did this." Agushid had just returned from the king.
Archbishop Snake nodded:
"We have also confirmed with extraordinary means that they are not the well-known high-sequence powerhouses or those from the Spiritual Religion Group. There are enough reasons to believe that it is a mysterious powerhouse that we don't know about. Of course, we cannot rule it out.
It’s possible that he used a dangerous sealed item.”
Duke Negan held a cigar and said:
"Perhaps it's not just a high-sequence strongman, but there is probably a secret organization behind him. A secret organization that we don't know enough about, otherwise we wouldn't be able to ambush Qilingos so accurately. Well, maybe at the dance tonight
A participant is one of their members."
His brother, Prime Minister Agushed, said solemnly:
"No matter what the possibility is, we must be careful. We must find out the identity of that high-sequence strongman as soon as possible, find out what his purpose is in coming to Backlund, and find out whether he is simply chasing Zilinger.
Si, and why did you want to kill Qilingos?"
"Singer of God" Ace Snake nodded and talked about what he had discussed with Anthony, Horamik and Selt yesterday.
Duke Negan took a long puff on his cigar and exhaled the thick smoke, making his face hidden in the smoke and elusive.
His younger brother Agushid looked ugly. One high-sequence strongman was enough to disrupt the entire Backlund. Another one came. Did he mistake Backlund for West Balam?
Philip, standing behind Duke Negan, with fine forehead lines piled up, said to Cardinal Snake:
"Is it possible that these two high-sequence powerhouses are the same person? Although she is a 'Law Mage', she possesses a sealed artifact of the 'Gate' pathway and has been wandering around Backlund. Is it possible?
Maybe she has another sealed artifact?"
Cardinal Snake shook his head slowly and replied without emotion in his silver eyes:
"Impossible, Horamik and Anthony had already fought against the demigod in the morning, but they just let her escape. And as long as she leaves the spirit world, Horamik can lock her."
"You didn't win her even if you joined forces?"
Agushid's brows furrowed. This was not a good thing. Neither of the two demigods stayed. This not only proved that the demigod was not only powerful, but also highly mobile.
"According to Horamik, in addition to the 'Gate' path suspected to be the 'Mystic Mage' sealed artifact, the demigod also possessed two sealed artifacts, both of which reached the level of a demigod. Although she escaped, she was attacked by Hora in front of her.
Mick's artillery hit, it's impossible to recover in a short time."
Ace Snake stood up and said:
"I will contact the Church of Night and the Church of Steam to investigate together."
"His Majesty the King will also ask the military and intelligence agencies to cooperate." Prime Minister Agushed promised.
When only the Negan family was left in the study, Philip walked to the desk and sat in Ace Snake's seat. He looked at Duke Negan who was still smoking a cigar. He was about to say something, but...
Interrupted by Aguhid.
"Philip, just let us old guys come, and you can concentrate on taking care of Hillston's affairs. Be careful of Humphrey, he is not that simple, and he is your boss now."
The stern-faced Philip glanced at his uncle, then turned his attention to his father, Duke Negan, and nodded after a long silence.
After seeing Philip nodding, Agushid breathed a sigh of relief and changed the topic:
"I remember, wasn't that Rawls helping you? Why did he go to East Chester County again?"
"He is the boss of Adrian's office, not my secretary or assistant." Philip's expression was indifferent and his tone was quite tough.
Agushid did not continue to speak, glanced at Duke Negan in the smoke, sighed, turned around and left the private study.
In the room, the two father and son sat at a desk, silent for a long time.
In the end, Duke Negan, as a father, spoke first:
"You don't have enough respect for your uncle." Although the words were critical, there was no critical tone.
Even when facing his own father, Philip has a tough enough attitude:
"I respect my uncle very much, but his identity just now was the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, not Agushed Nigen."
"Not even the Prime Minister can make the heir of the Negan family bow his head."
Duke Negan stood up from behind the desk with a cigar in his mouth. The curls of blue-white smoke rose up along his fat face, casting a layer of gloom on his face.
His eyes were fixed on his son, who was the future heir of the Negan family and needed to inherit the glory of the Negan family.
Philip did not stand up, and his eyes met Duke Negan's gaze:
"Then why don't you let me continue to pursue the case of Auston Leavitt?"
"This is different. The land aristocracy supporting the Conservative Party is becoming increasingly rare. At this stage, if the Negan family and the Leavitt family fall out, it will only benefit the new party."
Phillip stood up suddenly, and the stool fell to the ground with a crash. He was a few centimeters taller than Duke Negan. He looked at his father, and his tone was no longer so calm:
"What about 11 years ago? We had a huge advantage 11 years ago, why didn't we crucify the Levitt family!"
"Eleven years ago? The Battle of Konotto!" Duke Negan looked at the ceiling, deliberately avoiding Philip's sight. "At that time, the relationship between the kingdom and Fusac was tense, and it was not suitable to take action. Later, didn't I also transfer Auston to the sea?
Kicked out of the navy?"
"It seems we can't reach an agreement again? I'm leaving first."
Philip did not continue to argue with his father, but turned to leave. When he held the door handle, Duke Negan's words came:
"You still have to listen to Agushid's words. Humphrey will definitely take action."
Phillip paused, did not answer, opened the door and left the study.
Duke Negan sighed. For followers of the Storm Lord, family is always the most difficult thing to deal with.
…
Backlund North District, in a hotel.
Azik, who has a bronze complexion and a mole next to his ear, sat under the gas lamp and stared at a glove placed in front of him.
This glove is very thin and light, as if it is made of human skin. It seems that as long as it is filled with flesh and blood, it can turn into a hand.
Azik looked at it for a long time, suddenly showed a painful and twisted expression, and whispered to himself:
"I seem to have cooperated with them... It seems that the mask was lost after that... He gave me my name?"
The pain made Azik hold his head, and he felt as if someone had split him in half with a giant axe. He let out a low roar and rolled on the bed.
Suddenly, the gas lights went out and the whole house fell into complete darkness.
The low roar also disappeared, as if the house had fallen into an abyss of eternal sleep.
…
An apartment somewhere in Jowood District.
Forsi did not lie on the sofa as usual, but paced anxiously back and forth in the living room. It was already ten o'clock in the evening, and Xio had not come back at this time, which made her a little worried.
After the police and extraordinary people from the church came to the door yesterday, Forsi told Xio the news and her guess. Xio planned to go to the masked man from MI9 today to report some information and inquire about the gas explosion in the bridge area.
things.
"Click" the door lock was opened.
Forsi hurried to the door and saw that Xio had returned safely. After relaxing, he yawned and walked to the sofa area in the living room. He lay down on the double sofa and let the sofa surround him.
Kexiu's words made Forsi get up from the sofa.
"Zilingus is dead?"
Xio nodded and sat on her single sofa, looking a little depressed.
After becoming interested, Forsi got up from the sofa, ran to Xio and squeezed into the same sofa with her. Because of Xio's petite figure, the two of them could barely squeeze into a single sofa.
"How did he die? Was he killed by the church or someone from MI9?"
"None of them." Xio struggled to squirm between the sofa and Forsi, "The masked man said he was killed by an unfamiliar high-sequence extraordinary person, but tomorrow there will be news that he was killed by an unknown high-sequence extraordinary person.
Killed by Duke Negan’s guards.”
"Duke Negan? Why do you say this to the outside world?" Forsi couldn't restrain his curiosity.
"Because Qilingos failed to assassinate Duke Negan at the dance tonight, and was killed by the high-sequence extraordinary during his escape." Xio became more and more dispirited and waved his hand feebly, "So we
The mission failed, and the chance to earn a bounty for nothing was gone.”
Although they accepted Audrey's mission, they have made no progress so far. Now that Qilingos is dead, the mission is naturally cancelled.
Forsi stood up and waved vigorously:
"What's this? Isn't it just a few hundred pounds?" After saying that, Forsi also realized how much money he had missed, and his waving arms had no strength.
Xio looked at Forsi, who was a little frustrated. She went to take bounty missions every day mainly to repay Forsi's money. Although the two of them lived and ate together and did not distinguish each other, it was because of this relationship that they became more
This needs to be paid attention to.
What's more, Forsi has now obtained the formula of "Master of Magic", but has never found the materials. But it would be a pity if he suddenly met it but had no money.
"MI9 doesn't know much about Alicia. The masked man said that the three major churches were responsible for this matter, and that the mission for the Bridge Area incident was also canceled internally."
Xio told everything she had learned from the masked man, and Forsi was a little stunned. She turned around and looked at Xio sitting on the sofa, her light blue eyes widening:
"Why was it cancelled? Shouldn't this kind of thing exist until the task is caught?"
Fors knew about the bounty missions that Xio had done. The missions would only be canceled unless the missions were completed or there was something wrong with the issuer. But now that Alicia has not been caught, it is even less likely that there will be problems with MI9.
, then how could it be cancelled?
"Who knows?" Xio shook her head. She was not very clear about the reason. "Now I have taken on a new task, and I may need your help."
Forsi didn't think too much and asked with interest:
"What mission?"
"Serial murder case!"
"Is that the serial murder case that has occurred in five cases, all of the victims were women, and all the internal organs were removed?" Forsi's face showed interest, but also a hint of fear.
This case attracted a lot of attention from the beginning, especially after three consecutive cases. It has become an indispensable topic for Backlund to chat. It has even appeared in more pages in newspapers than Hillston Police Reform and
Report on air pollution investigation.
"Well, according to the inference of MI9, this may have been done by an extraordinary person, and it is more likely to come from the Blood Worship Cult."
Although he has not officially joined MI9, he has already enjoyed the relevant benefits. Xio can obtain information about many secret organizations from MI9, such as the Blood Worship Cult this time.
If you have a certain understanding of the "witches" of the Gnostic Society before encountering them, they may not be so embarrassed. Of course, you still have to run away.