Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 113 Unexpected News

At the gathering, after exchanging news about extraordinary items, Viscount Glint took out several carefully folded newspapers and said to the crowd, "Everyone, have you recently noticed any suspected murders involving extraordinary items?"

Audrey frowned and said, "Glarint, are you referring to the vicious case of the brutal murder of a woman?"

Viscount Glint unfolded a copy of the Backlund Daily and pointed to a spot in the corner of the news page. "Audrey, you've noticed it too. It's this case."

Claire had excellent eyesight and could see from a distance the words on the newspaper that Gralint had spread out on the table in front of Audrey:

"...The victim was a woman who was wearing a colorful long dress before she disappeared. When she was found, her abdomen had been brutally cut open and all her internal organs removed!"

"Such cruel and inhumane methods are a provocation to the bottom line of human cognition!"

Xio, on the other side, frowned as he finished reading the report. He asked, "Viscount Greylint, why do you think this case involves a Beyonder? Dark incidents like this happen all the time in Backlund's underground world, and the perpetrators are all psychopaths."

Hugh lurks in the underground world of Backlund as a bounty hunter. He is a well-known underground "arbitrator" in the East District. He also knows many gang members and low-level vagrants. His understanding of the darkness of the underground world is much deeper than that of Greylint and others.

After hearing what Hugh said, Grellant said:
"Miss Xiu, I understand what you mean. While trying to integrate into various occult circles, I've also come across some brutal incidents and heard even more terrifying rumors... But this act of completely eviscerating someone reminds me of the bloody rituals in legends..."

"And... this is not an isolated case."

Grellant showed another copy of the Daily Observer and pointed to a particularly eye-catching page.
"Look..."

This time, even the lazy Fors moved and looked at the report in the newspaper:

"...This is the second victim discovered so far. The tragic fate of the victim found on August 26th is similar! A young woman had her internal organs disemboweled!"

"The deceased was a laundry worker who was neglected by society, but Sivella Square should not ignore every lost life! Sivella Square must devote more police resources to this case! Our society should also pay more attention to it!"

"Reporter, Mike Joseph."

"Sivelas Field" refers to the Backlund Police Department headquarters on Sivelas Street on the edge of Queens.

Sitting next to the table covered with newspapers, Xio compared the two papers, looking at the dates on the reports, and muttered, "Two similar cases. The first victim was found on August 26th, and the second victim was found on September 5th. There was a gap of ten days between them... Could this be a serial murder case?"

Grellant added, "As far as I know, Sivellas Field has begun mobilizing additional police forces. Of course, we can't rule out the possibility of a copycat crime, but the police are feeling particularly stressed because they haven't yet found any clues to the murderer."

Hearing what Greylint said, Audrey subconsciously looked at Claire in confusion.

Claire shook her head. She hadn't noticed these two cases within the church. She asked, "Where are the victims from, or where were they killed?"

Grallant searched the newspaper and found a detailed description. He pointed and said, "The case on August 26th was in the East District. The case yesterday, in the early morning of September 5th, was in the North District. Ms. Galadilla, is there anything wrong with these locations?"

Claire said calmly, "If it's the same murderer, perhaps we can find some clues from the place where the body was dumped."

Claire's words made Grelint's eyes light up. "Wait for me to find a map of Backlund."

But in reality, Claire just wanted to know which church jurisdiction the two cases were in.

The one in August, in the East District, should go to Heart of Steel.

As for the case on September 5th, if there were any signs of something extraordinary, it would be handed over to the Church of Evernight. However, cases within this jurisdiction are generally handled by the Nighthawks. As Grallint approached with a map of Backlund, Audrey spoke to Claire and the others:

"Ladies, if you can find any clues to this case, I'm willing to personally add a hundred... no, I'm willing to add three hundred pounds to the reward. The murderer's despicable method of committing the crime is truly outrageous."

Xio nodded solemnly and replied, "I will keep an eye on this matter, not just for Miss Audrey's reward. If both cases are indeed committed by the same person, then he must be a scum who only dares to harm the vulnerable! I will do my part."

Fors agreed with Xio's statement with a somewhat helpless look on his face.

Although the two were good friends who lived and ate together, it was obvious that Xio was more proactive and willing to get involved in various incidents, while Fors seemed much more casual and unwilling to get into trouble.

Seeing Audrey's gaze on her, Claire said, "I'll do some research as well."

The investigation Claire mentioned was naturally to see if there was any relevant case information from the church, which was also what Audrey wanted her to do.

At this time, Grellant spread out the Backlund map on the table, but he and Xio studied the map for a while and did not find any clues.

Audrey sighed, "If it were so easy to find clues, the police wouldn't have such a headache."

Grelint scratched his head helplessly.

The atmosphere fell silent.

Grellant continued, "There's one more thing that's really concerning me... Audrey, weren't you asking about the Meazza family's recent situation? Recently, I heard that Jessica from the Meazza family is being pursued by Beth."

Aunt Jessica?
Claire's heart was filled with ripples.

Ever since faking her death and changing her identity, Claire has been deliberately avoiding any news about the Meazza family. She doesn't want to see Jessica sad...

I didn't expect to hear news about Jessica at a gathering involving extraordinary people today.

I never thought that Aunt Jessica's name would be associated with "Beth".

Since this matter involved the nobles, Xio and Fors looked bewildered.

Audrey frowned. "Beth? Greylint, you were previously suspecting that this was Beth, a Beyonder?"

Grelint replied:
"Yes, you must have heard that there are always women from noble families who are keen to get close to Beth. Especially those women who are close to Beth are radiant and seem to become younger. So I suspect that Beth has extraordinary methods to make people look younger and more beautiful."

Audrey also said: "Beth once sent a visiting card to my mother, but she declined. My mother once said that Beth's behavior was not right and specifically emphasized to me not to contact her."

Grellant smiled and said, "Audrey, you don't have to worry. You are not within Beth's scope... Beth is only interested in women older than her."

As he spoke, Grelint restrained his smile and sighed:

"Actually, Beth had pursued Jessica Meazza before, but just like your mother, Lady Caitlin, Jessica clearly rejected her. However, Jessica has been grieving over the death of a younger family member recently, and it seems Beth took advantage of her situation."

(End of this chapter)