Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 137 Former Teammates
When the Fool announced that "investigating Lanevus" would be his simple initiation mission, the Queen glanced at him with an imperceptible swiftness.

Claire, who was watching from the sidelines, recalled the images of two former Nighthawk colleagues.

The younger one gradually faded away due to his death.

Only the figure of a young man with a poetic temperament, black hair and green eyes was left.

Fool, Leonard Mitchell.

At this moment, Claire basically confirmed what she had suspected all along.

"I'm truly amazed that the casual Leonard can pull off such an enigmatic role as The Fool..."

"But Leonard always inadvertently reveals his protagonist-like attitude. Perhaps it's this sense of middle school stamina that allows him to play the role of the Fool so perfectly, fooling even a lunatic like Tessa and a meticulous person like the Hanged Man."

Claire felt deeply for her former teammate.

"However, Leonard still doesn't know that the 'Queen' once played Sharon, and doesn't know that the 'Queen' was also a witness and 'victim' of the Battle of Tingen."

"This time, Leonard used Lanevus as a new member's initiation task at the Tarot Club. I'm afraid this will arouse the Queen's suspicion..."

"Once Leonard finishes his training at the temple and has sufficient authority to retrieve the true identity of 'Sacrificial Sharon', he will definitely be troubled by the cover he revealed today."

"I'm really curious. Will these two, after exposing each other's identities, be able to continue their drama so peacefully at the Tarot Club? And as the Fool, does Leonard have any means of restraining the 'Queen'?"

The thought of adding fuel to the fire with a subtle sense of evilness was unconsciously emerging in her mind, and Claire became more determined not to show up at the Tarot Club for the time being.

Finally, as the Fool declared, "This gathering ends here," the figures in each seat bowed and dispersed.

But this time the Fool's figure did not shatter and disappear.

Claire continued to watch in confusion.

Then she saw a figure appear at the bottom of the long bronze table, sitting between the "Queen" and the "Priestess".

Newbie?

Claire was surprised and looked over carefully.

The figure was wearing a black tuxedo and a half-high silk hat. Although shrouded in gray mist, he clearly had a dull and wooden look.

Claire watched the figure dissipate and reunite, the repetitive process like she was being experimented on. She also saw the Fool sitting at the head of the table sighing with disappointment time and time again.

"Is this the Fool trying to create a secondary account?" Claire suddenly realized.

"That's right. If The Fool is really Leonard, then many of the things he wants to ask about won't be easy for The Fool to say... We can't always rely on Miss Audrey to be our mouthpiece, so a suitable alt is crucial."

"But judging by this, even with the authority of the Fool, creating an alt in the Gray Mist World would be difficult... Leonard is on the Sleepless Path, and this path, in my knowledge, doesn't have Beyonder abilities like Stands or Clones among the low- and mid-sequence ones."

"Unless The Fool has some special authority in the Gray Mist World, or perhaps relies on magical items to accomplish this?"

While Claire was thinking about these things, she was also considering the possibility of creating a small account to join the Tarot Club.

"The Fool's attempt to create a secondary account is risk-free and can be attempted freely... But even if I find such a magical item, if my main body is pulled into the gray fog world during the attempt, the loss will outweigh the gain."

"It would be better to try to win over new people who might join the Tarot Club. That way, even if we're exposed, we'll have more room to maneuver with the Galadilla identity as a cover."

After many failures, the Fool pressed his forehead and stopped trying to create a trumpet. The Fool seemed to be relieving his headache as his figure slowly disappeared from the bronze bench.

Claire noticed the Fool's last move:

"If it's Leonard, his spiritual power must not be very high. After I voluntarily entered the gray fog world, my spiritual power continued to be consumed by staying there, and it seems the same is true for The Fool."

Claire withdrew her gaze, got up, and continued to work on various investigation tasks.

The coming night, which would allow others to sleep peacefully, would be the beginning of a busy day for Claire.

……

Her blonde hair fell softly on her shoulders. Amid the salesperson's praise, Claire casually glanced through the transparent window at the middle-aged gentleman who was shopping with his wife not far away.

The man's face was resolute and gentle, with traces of time leaving faint wrinkles between his brows. He was dressed neatly and elegantly, which was in line with the identity of a nobleman, especially a conservative nobleman.

Viscount Press, according to his official identity, is a loyal and honorable nobleman with a good reputation in the upper class. He is also a tycoon who is quite experienced in business investment.

At the same time, he is also the mastermind behind the events in Omlet Town...

For ordinary people, this may be a truth that they will never be able to touch in their lifetime.

But with Claire's current abilities and status, the process of investigating Viscount Press was not difficult. In just a few days, she confirmed from all the relevant people and intelligence in Omlet Town that all of Omlet's arrangements and arrangements were carried out under the instructions of Viscount Press.

However, investigations targeting nobles require restraint and application. Not only can extraordinary means not be used, but MI9 must also be contacted in advance.

This is the Orthodox Church's respect for the Loen nobles.

Because in this world, the nobles are still the backbone of maintaining social stability, and the Orthodox Churches are more focused on maintaining the stability of the kingdom's society than competing with the nobles for power in the secular world.

It is precisely for this reason that in the Kingdom of Loen, the Church of Evernight, the Church of Storms, and the Mechanicus chose to seek collaborators or spokespeople from among the aristocracy, rather than allowing the church's clergy to interfere in Loen's political power.

When all the clues pointed to Viscount Press, there wasn't much more Claire could do to investigate.

If it was official business, Claire could choose to contact and cooperate with MI9 to continue the investigation.

But tracking down the town of Omlet involved the true identity of "Ty Perslan". Claire was unwilling to let others interfere. She even concealed the matter from the church, and naturally would not report anything related to Omlet to MI9.

But this does not mean that the investigation cannot continue.

Claire disguised herself and, using emotional disputes as an excuse, hired several private detectives to track Viscount Press's daily life.

Claire didn't think that Viscount Press was the real mastermind, so she wanted to use a private detective to find the person behind Viscount Press or to confirm Viscount Press's motives.

As long as the remuneration is in place, private detectives can become a particularly reliable group in follow-up investigations.

……

On the outskirts of Queens, at the racecourse designated as Count Gross's private hunting grounds, Claire, dressed in the double-breasted black garb of a clergyman, discussed the interpretation and understanding of church texts with Count Gross, a believer in the Goddess of Night. In a distant corner, Audrey, wearing a waist-hugging women's riding coat, removed her protective helmet, her long hair flowing, looking exceptionally dashing.

She was wearing white trousers and knee-high black boots, leading a bay mare, and chatting and laughing with Viscount Glint, while her golden retriever Susie squatted obediently at her feet.

The short and handsome attendant and the beautiful and lazy maid beside Grelint were actually Hugh Dilcha and Fors in disguise.

"Couldn't these two just swap disguises? A short attendant and a lazy maid—it's a bit suspicious no matter how you look at it… Although Quinn looks like a knight, his height is too conspicuous…"

After finishing her conversation with Earl Gross, Claire calmly walked towards Audrey, holding the church text in her arms, but in her heart she was criticizing Xio and Fors's disguise.

When Claire approached, Grellint, who was chatting with Audrey, took a half step back, giving Xio and Fors space to approach Audrey.

Claire walked over and stood in front of Xio and Fors.

At the same time, Xio, who was standing on tiptoe unconsciously, withdrew his envious gaze towards Audrey's long legs.

Not only did Claire see what Quinn thought was a covert action, even Audrey herself noticed it. The two looked at each other, but did not expose Quinn's behavior, which could easily lead to misunderstanding.

But no matter how slow-witted Xio was, she also noticed the awkwardness of the atmosphere. She coughed lightly and asked Audrey, "Dear Miss Audrey, what brings you here?"

Audrey held the gloves and smiled reservedly and elegantly, "This is a simple commission."

At Audrey's signal, the petite Hugh took out a stack of papers from Susie's leather bag.

As Quinn unfolded the paper, he adjusted the angle so that Claire and Fors could also see the contents.

This is a wanted poster with a picture and a text description.

Xio's eyes widened. Familiar with all sorts of wanted criminals, she whispered, "Laneverus! A 100-pound fraudster!"

Fors helplessly held her forehead and reminded him, "Hugh, the name is written on the wanted poster. What are you yelling about..."

Xio explained in a low voice, "I actually saw this wanted poster somewhere else before. Because of the amount of money, I specifically noted down the features of the portrait."

Audrey spoke up, "I need you to catch this scammer."

After Xio and Fors exchanged a tacit glance, Xio looked up at Audrey and asked, "Ms. Audrey, how much is the commission this time?"

Audrey, who was always straightforward, was visibly stunned at this moment.

Claire almost couldn't control her expression and almost laughed out loud - it seemed that Miss Audrey hadn't considered paying them this time, because in Audrey's mind, this was a test for Xio and the others to join the club!
Audrey hesitated, not having prepared a price, and offered a reward equal to the amount on the wanted poster: "...100 pounds?"

After hearing Audrey's offer, Xio and Fors agreed in unison. If they could capture Lanevus, they would not only receive Miss Audrey's £100 reward, but also the official bounty.

The amount of money that was already attractive to Hugh was now doubly attractive!

200 pounds! For two people with empty wallets, it was a considerable income!

Having calmed down from his excitement, Xio raised a crucial question: "But this swindler who disappeared in Tingen could have appeared anywhere in the Kingdom of Loen. We can't just go out and look for a needle in a haystack elsewhere..."

"I received news that he's in Backlund," Audrey confirmed confidently. As she spoke, she glanced at Claire, seemingly trying to show off her well-informed intelligence.

Xio and Fors exchanged a glance, feeling reassured, and decided to immediately begin their investigation upon their return.

Viscount Greylint saw Xio's hint and took Xio and Fors to wander to other places, preparing to take Xio and Fors away from this noble hunting ground.

After the three of them left, Claire's eyes darkened. "As expected of Miss Audrey, you were able to obtain such confidential information without anyone noticing."

Audrey gave a smug smile, "If Ms. Galadilla can capture this man, she will also receive my 100 gold pounds reward."

Claire sighed and said, "But I want your intelligence source even more. You were able to bypass all my defenses... How did you do it?"

Audrey smiled playfully when she heard Claire say this. She handed over a card and said, "The answer is on this card. But, Galadilla, do you really dare to open it?"

Claire showed a hesitant expression, but ultimately did not take the card Audrey handed over. She said in a deep voice, "Ms. Audrey, you can't be so lucky every time to evade my pursuit."

As if she had anticipated Claire's reaction, Audrey took the card back without a care in the world. Instead, she gave Claire a warning: "Ms. Galadilla, those who chase secrets will eventually be swallowed up by them."

Upon hearing this, Claire pursed her lips and remained silent for a moment, but after a moment, she looked at Audrey with a compassionate expression.

Claire held the canon in her hand, drew a crimson crescent shape on her chest, and said, "Miss Audrey, the goddess protects you."

From a distance, the scene is so beautiful that it looks like a devout priest is praying for the beautiful girl.

……

St. Samuel's Church.

Due to the complexity of each case, the Night Watchmen's headquarters in the basement of the church seemed very deserted recently. However, today, many Night Watchmen gathered here.

Because Alicia is back.

Alicia's return was a shot in the arm for the busy Nighthawks, especially since it was rumored that Alicia had passed the special examination of the temple and successfully obtained the approval of the holy relic.

Alicia's return had no effect on Claire.

However, the two Red Glove members who arrived in Backlund from the temple at the same time as Alicia attracted the attention of Claire's team.

Because those two were Dunn Smith and Leonard Mitchell, former members of the Tingen Nighthawks.

Dai Li was flustered when she got the news, and she couldn't help but apply another thick layer of makeup on her already weird face.

Even so, Daly didn't dare to go see Dunn Smith alone, so she took Galadilla with her to greet the two Red Gloves members sent by the Holy Temple.

"Leonard, I never thought I'd see you wearing red gloves one day. I thought you'd just be hanging around in the Sequence 8 for the rest of your life."

Claire was standing nearby, watching Daly greet the green-eyed young man wearing blood-red gloves in a frivolous tone from a distance.

A man in a butler's uniform, who was a little further away, turned around when he heard Daly's voice.

Gray eyes are deep.

(End of this chapter)