Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 443 Ghosts
"O Creator of the world and the one who gave it order, please hear my confession, guide my path, and protect us as we move forward on the right path. Do not be confused, do not hesitate..."

Elizabeth knelt before the altar, clasped her hands tightly to her chest, and murmured a prayer.

For Elizabeth, praying in church was the best way to calm her mind and clear her head. After each prayer, she felt refreshed, as if she had had a good rest, and full of energy.

She wouldn't feel tired even if she knelt before the altar all night.

But... right now, Elizabeth is feeling very unwell.

She had been praying for a long time, but she couldn't quickly enter a peaceful state of mind as usual. Her heart was pounding rapidly, not fast, but loud. This strange heartbeat shattered Elizabeth's meditation, making it impossible for her to calm down.

Why is it?
Elizabeth frowned, then opened her eyes. Tonight's meditation had failed. But she still needed to rest, otherwise...

Just then, Elizabeth suddenly realized that something was wrong.

The entire church hall was originally surrounded by lit candles, with firelight everywhere, and a bonfire lit by Li Wei in the center of the hall. She could still hear the crackling of burning matches not far behind her while she was praying.

But now…

Elizabeth instinctively turned around and looked behind her, then she almost froze.

Katie, who had been sleeping on the pew, was gone, as was Levi. The entire church was dimly lit, with only moonlight streaming in through the windows, illuminating the hall before them—and in front of the pew, a dense crowd of people stood. They appeared to be men and women, young and old.

Everyone clasped their hands together and bowed their heads in prayer.

what happened?

Elizabeth stared at the scene before her, feeling a chill run down her spine.

Are you dreaming?
She reached out and pinched the back of her hand hard. It hurt, and it didn't seem like she was dreaming.

"who are you?"

Elizabeth looked at the crowd before her and asked a question. This wasn't the first time she'd encountered something strange, and the absence of Levi and Kitty made it all the more odd. In Elizabeth's eyes, Sir Levi clearly wasn't the type to be taken down so easily.

With Katie involved, anyone who dares to touch her might just have the church demolished.

But now…

"…………………"

Upon hearing Elizabeth's question, the people below looked up. Seeing these people, Elizabeth's expression remained unchanged, but she subconsciously took a step back.

She knows these people.

These men, women, old people, and children were all people she knew.
Her friends, her colleagues, and her acquaintances.

However, they shouldn't be here.

Moreover, under the moonlight, these people were deathly pale, devoid of any color, looking like the dead. Their cloudy eyes stared at Elizabeth without any expression, like puppets.

"…………………"

Elizabeth took a deep breath and then closed her eyes.

"Creator of all things, grant me courage and strength, and guide me on the path and direction. I will not yield, I will not fear, and I will not give up. In your name…"

"In whose name!"

However, before Elizabeth could finish her prayer, suddenly, the people below all spoke in unison, uttering a strange, eerie, and angry voice. Elizabeth felt as if the voice had solidified into a fist and struck her chest heavily, causing her to feel a tightness in her chest and involuntarily kneel down.

Meanwhile, the sound continued.

"Your god can't save you!"

Your fate is sealed!

"Kneel before me! Shout my name! Become my servant!"

The piercing, loud sound echoed in Elizabeth's ears, like heavy hammers striking her brain. Elizabeth clenched her teeth, hugged herself tightly, and desperately tried to concentrate, continuing to silently recite the prayer.

"My faith will never waver, and all my actions are permitted by the Holy Lord..."

The earth trembled, and the entire church shook violently as if struck by an earthquake. Elizabeth could even hear the heavy thuds of the pillars falling and crashing to the ground, as well as the cries and wails of the people around her. But even so, she did not open her eyes, for Elizabeth knew that it was all an illusion, a trick of the devil.

No matter what, you must stay true to yourself and absolutely not take the bait!

"Dangdang!"

Elizabeth even felt the thick stone pillar almost brush past her and crash to the ground. But even so, she suppressed the urge to open her eyes and run away, instead kneeling down, curling into a ball, and praying softly.

"———————!"

In an instant, all sound ceased.

The earth stopped trembling, the church stopped shaking, and the screams, shouts, and roars all disappeared, leaving only deathly silence.

However, Elizabeth remained with her eyes tightly shut, muttering to herself softly. She curled up in a ball, no longer speaking. She simply tried her best to concentrate, focusing her attention on the prayer she had memorized countless times. As for anything else, Elizabeth neither cared nor concerned at this moment.

Just then, another voice rang in Elizabeth's ear. "Miss Elizabeth?"

Sir Levi?

Upon hearing the voice, Elizabeth paused, but remained silent. She couldn't determine whether the voice was real or a demon disguised as Levi. This was the terrifying aspect of demons; they could use various methods, seemingly real yet deceptive, to tempt and deceive you, and once you lost your guard, your soul would be captured…

"Miss Elizabeth, are you alright?"

Levi's voice grew closer, and even Elizabeth felt a jolt when she heard his familiar voice. She quickly focused her attention and regained her composure.

"Miss Elizabeth, why don't you speak?"

"…………"

"Miss Elizabeth, are you alright...?"

As Levi's voice rang in Elizabeth's ears again, her body tensed instantly. She could feel a pair of hands slowly reaching out and embracing her. In his arms, Elizabeth felt as if she were completely naked, pressed tightly against him.

That strong, broad chest brought a burning heat. Elizabeth felt Levi's fingers slowly sliding down her back, which made Elizabeth instinctively try to struggle, but Levi wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly in his embrace.

"Don't worry, relax, Miss Elizabeth."

Li Wei's voice came into Elizabeth's ears, carrying a scent that made one's heart itch.

"Soon, you will stop thinking about anything, and at that time, you will understand what true peace is..."

I can't speak, I can't talk to him, it's all an illusion, a demon in disguise...

Elizabeth desperately tried to ignore his words, but she could feel the burning, venomous snake coiling and circling around her…

"Ugh... um..."

Upon hearing the strange sound, Li Wei turned his head sharply and saw Elizabeth, who had been kneeling and praying before the altar, writhing in pain.

"Miss Elizabeth?"

Li Wei took a close look at Elizabeth, then quickly activated [Soul Vision], and was immediately taken aback!
Under the gaze of the soul, the "All-Knowing Eye" in the center of the church was emitting a dazzling red light, enveloping Elizabeth completely!

What is this?

Without a second thought, Li Wei hastily drew the Punisher, aimed at the All-Knowing Eye, and pulled the trigger.

"boom!!"

A gunshot rang out, and the bullet struck the All-Knowing Eye, but only created a small crater.

"Whoa!"

Upon hearing the gunshot, Katie, who was fast asleep, jumped up in fright and kept looking around.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"Miss Elizabeth is acting strangely."

Li Wei originally wanted to say a few more words to Katie, but when he saw the three or four-meter-long bench that Katie was holding up in her dazed state, his eyes lit up.

"Katie! Throw that chair at the All-Seeing Eye!"

"Huh? Oh, oh!"

Katie was still a bit dazed and hadn't quite processed what was happening. Upon hearing Levi's words, she instinctively picked up the heavy wooden bench in her hand and smashed it forcefully against the All-Knowing Eye on the wall!
"Boom!"

The heavy solid wood chair whistled past, slamming into the Eye of All Knowledge on the wall and shattering it into pieces. At the same time, Li Wei saw the red light that had reappeared from the Eye of All Knowledge suddenly stop and then disappear without a trace.

Elizabeth's body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.

Li Wei hurriedly went up and stretched out his hand to his nose.

Well, thankfully, he's alive; it's not time for an autopsy yet.

However, this is…

Looking at Elizabeth lying on the ground, Levi frowned slightly but remained silent. At that moment, Katie finally regained consciousness, rubbing her eyes as she ran to Levi's side.

"What's wrong, Mr. Levi? What's wrong with Miss Elizabeth?"

"Well, I can't really explain it, but you should take care of her for now."

"Take care of her?"

Kitty curiously peeked out and looked at Miss Elizabeth, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Hey?"

(End of this chapter)