Mr. Death in the Steam World

Hearing the door open, Arthur looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"You're back so soon?"

Moen sat down opposite him and recounted all the information he had gathered.

After listening, Arthur remained silent for a long time.

"In less than one night, you found the core of the ritual and also overheard a live meeting of the mastermind behind it all."

He put down his teacup and looked at Moen with a half-smile.

"Mr. Marcus, are you sure you're just a private investigator?"

"I have my own way of doing things, Mr. Arthur," Moen said calmly.

Arthur shrugged. "Fine, since you put it that way, I won't ask anymore."

He gathered the parchment on the table to one side.

"Three days, we don't have much time left."

Moen watched his retreating figure and carefully considered his words.

"What are you planning to do? Lead a raid?"

"This matter cannot be delayed." Arthur tapped his fingers lightly on the map.

"You've heard about the informants, and now nobody knows exactly how many eyes are watching the other side within the church."

"Tomorrow I will send a few trustworthy people to the west district to scout out the situation around the warehouse. Once the bishop gives his approval, we will organize a raid."

He turned back to look at Moen, his expression becoming more serious.

"Thanks to you this time, Marcus. If this matter can be resolved, the church will owe you a favor."

"No need for favors," Moen stood up. "Just settle the remaining payment."

Arthur paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Oh, you really are a very honest person."

......

After returning to the office, Moen did not go out again, but instead took care of Clara all day.

"Brother, the porridge you made is much better than the one you made the other day." Clara smiled at him as she sat on the bed. "The one you made last time was really awful."

"That's because your brother has been practicing his cooking skills day and night," Moen replied without changing his expression. "Once you recover, I'll cook you a Manchu Han Imperial Feast."

What is a Manchu Han Imperial Feast?

"Uh, it's a legendary banquet, anyway, it's really amazing."

Clara tilted her head and thought for a moment, but couldn't figure it out, so she didn't ask any further questions.

"Brother, when will I get better?"

"Soon." Moen took the bowl, reached out and patted her head. "A few more days of rest and you'll be fine."

Clara nodded obediently and closed her eyes.

Moen looked at her and sighed.

Although her condition did not worsen, it did not improve much either.

No matter how he thought about it, he could only come up with the reason of demonic power.

Perhaps Clara's spiritual medium qualities were special, or perhaps the demonic power permeating the entire city of Kansas weakened the effects of Arthur's divine magic.

In any case, the only way to solve the problem at its root is to destroy the source.

He can't just sit at home and wait.

After leaving a note for Clara, Moen set off for the church.

When he arrived, several kerosene lamps were lit in the yard, their dim light illuminating the messy footprints and several pools of dark red blood on the ground.

Several people in priestly robes were scattered around the pillars, some sitting and some leaning. Some were covering their arms, some had bandages on their foreheads, and all of them were injured.

Arthur stood in the center of the courtyard. His injuries were the most gruesome, with his skin torn and bleeding, but what was most alarming was his expression.

Moen hadn't known Arthur for long, but the priest always gave him the impression of being calm and composed.

But now, his eyes burned with a fury that Moen had never seen before.

Hearing footsteps, Arthur turned around abruptly.

"...It's you."

"I was a little worried, so I came to check on them." Moen walked up to him, glancing at the wounded soldiers in the yard. "What happened?"

Arthur squeezed out a few words, one by one.

"We've been ambushed."

"I brought a few trusted brothers, and we found the warehouse at the location you marked last night. It was empty."

"Empty?"

"Yes, it's empty. There's nothing there except for the ritual circle drawn on the ground."

Moen swore that unless the Death Note malfunctioned, what he saw at the time was definitely not an illusion.

"I knew something was wrong right away. How could a ceremony that had been prepared for so long be left unattended?"

"I told the brothers to get out immediately, but it was too late."

He pointed to the wounded priests in the courtyard.

"At least twenty people appeared from all directions. They were prepared for our divine magic and had a way to deal with every move we made."

"It's as if they knew we were coming beforehand, knew how many of us there were—they knew everything."

At this point, he suddenly took a deep breath.

"I have lost a brother."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, and the wounded priests all lowered their heads at the same time.

"His name is Thomas. He got married last year, and his wife was pregnant. She took a curse for me, but we couldn't save her."

Arthur turned his head, closed his eyes, and made the sign of the cross on his chest with his right hand.

"We fought our way back with everything we had, and on the way back I kept thinking about one thing."

"I didn't tell anyone when I set off, but I sent a secret letter to my brothers before I left."

"But the ambush was still waiting there."

He looked up and stared straight at Moen.

"Marcus, do you know what this means?"

Just then, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open, and a middle-aged man wearing a dark red priest's robe strode in.

He was not tall, but he had broad shoulders, and he walked with an imposing presence.

Several wounded priests saw him, struggled to their feet, and bowed in greeting.

"Your Majesty Bishop."

"Priest Aldridge," his voice was deep and steady, "come in with me."

Arthur bowed his head and responded.

"And you, the detective over there, come too."

Moen was somewhat taken aback.

Why did the bishop know him?

But he couldn't refuse, and the three of them went into the bishop's office together.

Arthur briefly recounted the events that had transpired.

After listening to Arthur's words, the bishop sighed:

"The fact that they can plant spies here and get your raid plans in advance means they're no small fry."

"Priest Aldridge"

"exist."

"Issue my order: at 8 p.m. tonight, all clergy, priests, and vicars registered in Kansas shall assemble at the Great Cathedral."

"No matter what they are doing or what their reasons are, they must be present. Those who are absent, regardless of their status, will be treated as apostates."

Arthur's body trembled slightly.

To be punished as apostasy—this is the most serious crime the Church can accuse, bar none.

After speaking, the bishop finally looked at Moen.

"Young man, thank you for your help."

"Priest Aldridge has already relayed your performance to me; you will also be here tonight."

Moen paused for a moment, then nodded.