Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

-

"Sophie, Watson, where are you planning to go?"

"St. Sophia Cathedral".

Charlotte will leave the painting in the port area for later; she must fulfill her promise to the little peacock.

She was a person who valued promises. Vaughn Gerald's extraordinary abilities were still unknown, but the way those goods were transferred gave the girl some clues.

Just like the magician described before, his abilities may be more inclined towards special methods such as penetration and opening doors, and it would be extremely difficult to kill such a person with just a revolver.

Premeditated recklessness can be called courage, while reckless advance without knowing the consequences is nothing but suicide.

Wise people make good use of the power they have. As Ms. Mossant once said, the Church of Orthodox God has a duty to deal with such cases of wild extraordinary individuals. Therefore, what Charlotte needs to do is very simple, nothing more than two words—report.

She gently twirled the bell in her hair, letting its crisp sound echo in her ears, and even now, Sophie had not let go of their clasped fingers.

Because she was uneasy, afraid that if she let go, Watson would abandon the serial case like the old detective, letting the murderer go free.

In this silence, we arrived at the Hagia Sophia.

Chapter 55 The Goddess's Sword (Second Update)

The Church of Hagia Sophia, the headquarters of the Church of the Primordial Goddess in Tingen.

There was no need to explain further to the old detective; the phrase "Goddess above" that he had recited in the past was enough to explain the reason. As a believer, there was nothing unusual about participating in Mass and praying in his spare time.

Leading the little peacock inside, the cathedral is a typical pointed building, with an elegant pale gold color all over. The front facade is a bell tower that soars into the clouds, and from the side, you can see straight lines and magnificent wedge-shaped arches.

Walking along the corridor and through the stairs into the main prayer hall, along the way, rays of light shone through the stained windows, the cool colors light and thin, the warm colors gentle and warm, like a heart that embraces all things.

The faint scent of incense and candles filled the air. The open main hall no longer had windows, but behind the altar, along the wall opposite the main door, a dozen small round holes led outwards, allowing the brilliant and pure sunlight to shine in, condensed and warm.

It's as if a lost soul has found their way, stumbling forward bathed in the last remaining light—so sublime, so hopeful, so sacred.

Even Charlotte, who had never believed in gods, couldn't help but nod slightly before turning her gaze away.

"May the goddess dispel your sorrows and wipe away the burden from your brow."

Perhaps hearing the approaching footsteps, the preaching pastor placed his hand on his chest and gently offered comfort to Sofby, whose eyelashes were furrowed.

"By the goddess above."

Following suit, Charlotte quietly found a secluded spot, put down her felt hat, clasped her hands together, and pressed them against her drooping forehead.

My first sincere prayer in my life. If there really is a goddess, she would surely be moved by such a devout believer who has converted to the true faith.

Without rushing to state her purpose, the young woman lowered her eyes and listened silently to the believers' murmurs and prayers in the dim candlelight. The doctrines they followed were also a way to understand the church.

"They were poorly clothed and starving, and were all alone and helpless in the dark night."

"They were stung by the cold wind and soaked by the heavy rain, and because they could not find any light, they huddled together."

"They are bound by suffering, bowed down to calamity, driven to self-destruction, but a mother will not abandon them, just as she would any of her children..."

The echoes overlapped, the sound lingered in her ears, and Charlotte couldn't help but feel a warm embrace around her, like an infant instinctively clinging to its mother.

However, with just a blink of her eyes, she let go of that feeling and quietly observed the conversation between the believers and the pastor.

"I heard that Ms. Silva came to Tingen today on the instructions of the Archbishop."

"The Blooming Flowers Art Exhibition is about to open, and with this 'Goddess's Sword' by our side, there shouldn't be any major trouble."

Sylva, the Goddess's Sword?

Not knowing the hierarchy within the church, and because it was only Thursday and the time for distributing relief food had long passed, there weren't many people coming to pray. When Charlotte looked up, the church's foyer was left with only the head pastor and the departing believers.

“Child, judging from your expression, you seem to have something to ask for. If you are willing to tell me, I would be happy to help you.”

As I closed the prayer book, the pastor's voice, which seemed to come closer from the altar, reached my ears.

Charlotte wanted to get up, but their clasped fingers made separation seem difficult. Looking at the little peacock's lowered face, Charlotte was stunned for a long time, then smiled and leaned forward so that their foreheads touched.

"Sophie, will this make you feel more at ease?"

Body heat was transferred, and even those moist, thin lips were so close, just waiting for a gentle push to bring them together.

I will not leave until our agreement is fulfilled.

Having received such a promise, Sofby finally loosened her grip, her eyes glistening with tears.

In her view, the murderer was right under her nose, yet the old detective remained unmoved and silent, and even Watson was indifferent and did not ask a single question.

She didn't understand, she didn't comprehend. It clearly brought her hope, yet it was ruthlessly extinguished. How could one not feel sorrow and grief?

If it weren't for that slender hand that pulled me out of the mud never letting go, my emotions and hopes would have nearly collapsed, bringing tears to my eyes.

"Sir, I encountered the killer of that series of disappearances in the port area. He was very strange... I don't know if this is the right way to describe it, but I saw him pass through the wall and disappear into an empty space."

Twisting the hem of her clothes, Charlotte's voice trembled slightly, occasionally stumbling, just like any frightened, fragile girl.

“The unease in my heart keeps me from sleeping. I wonder if I am being possessed by evil spirits, which is why I am seeing hallucinations. So, I come here to sincerely pray for the protection of the goddess.”

She carefully chose her words, revealing the truth in a mix of fact and fiction. She saw the pastor frown and remain silent for a long time before responding.

"Child, don't worry, the goddess will protect you."

Clearly, this is a perfunctory response to avoid revealing the truth.

Seeing this, Charlotte no longer concealed herself, but simply took the bell from her hair and gently shook it. The crisp sound immediately spread throughout the spacious front hall, as if bringing a cold and gloomy breeze.

“Ms. Mozanne Ludwig instructed me to come to the church to inform me of the specific situation.”

Upon hearing this, the pastor's expression changed repeatedly, from astonishment to reverence.

"...Go to the right of the confessional door, and at the end, there is a hidden door. Someone inside the chapel will contact you."

As he spoke, he pulled a rope in the room, causing someone somewhere to hear the muffled sound of a large bell vibrating.

The girl re-tied the bell, bowed slightly to express her gratitude, and then walked in the direction the other had indicated.

Having connections makes things so convenient, Ms. Mosang. Please forgive me for temporarily borrowing your name for the sake of Little Peacock.

Reaching the end, she found a hidden door in the wall to the side and opened it silently.

Looking around, the hall was not large and was clearly a place where important people prayed privately. It was carpeted and had a simple altar and a statue of a goddess in the center. It was private and quiet, with only two people around.

"About wild extraordinary beings?"

The speaker was a man in a priest's robe. Unlike the simple believers, his robe was adorned with intricate patterns, highlighting his noble status.

"He is the murderer in the case of the missing girl. He is at the Teddam dock in the port area. His full name is Vaughan Gerald."

Where did you get this information?

With a slight tilt of her head, revealing the bell at the end of her braid, Charlotte stated her position with neither humility nor arrogance.

"Ms. Mozanne Ludwig asked me to petition the members of the church."

It was not a lie; the beautiful woman had clearly stated that she would inform the church about this matter, and now she was simply repeating it through the young girl's words.

“She wasn’t lying, and there was no spirituality about her; she was just an ordinary person.”

No longer the man from before, accompanied by a muffled thud of a sharp object scraping against something, a beautiful woman with flowing white hair slowly emerged from the darkness.

His clean judge's robes cinched his figure, and his dark boots added a touch of austere elegance. His upright posture, dignified demeanor, and solemn aura naturally emanated from him.

Her cheeks were not plump, but her brow bones were deep, her eyes were cold, her lips were thin, and her eyebrows were arched. Her whole person exuded a sharp aura, like a blade drawn from its sheath.

“I have heard the truth about this matter. The evil hand has been extended, so let us cut off its four arms, rectify its words and deeds, and settle the matter today.”

The cool, clear female voice chanting in the small room seemed to lower the temperature of the entire chapel by a few degrees.

“Lady Silva, we shouldn’t provoke the Earl—”

Just as the man in the bishop's robe was about to retort, the white-haired beauty pressed down with both hands, causing the sword placed against her chest to slam into the ground with a heavy thud.

“You have overstepped your bounds, Father Felton.”

Sylva addressed him only by his title of priest, showing him no respect whatsoever.

"We worship goddesses and uphold justice against evil, not worship power or indulge in pleasure."

It was a powerful and forceful legal argument.

What a serene and beautiful sight! This is Sylva, the goddess sword that others have been calling her.

This was the first time Charlotte had ever met a woman with such an aura. Just by looking at her words and actions, she knew that this woman was terrifyingly strong and must be a high-ranking member of the Sequence.

Today's conclusion is clear. Ah, I've encountered my own accusation as soon as I arrived in Tingen. I can imagine that if it were only that indecisive bishop, my report would probably have been fruitless.

Is this yet another coincidence, or has my prayer been effective, and the goddess is indeed showing me favor?

Fine, as long as things go according to her wishes and she can be at peace with her escape, then it doesn't matter if she pretends to believe on the surface.

Anyway, it doesn’t cost any money, just have some faith.

“I didn’t mean that. This case involves too many aspects and is located in an area where three churches meet. We—”

"Silence! Do you want to incite panic and create chaos before the Feast of Holy Templar?"

Without giving the other party a chance to speak, Silva stared indifferently at the man, the longsword on her body already extending into thorns.

"Since you have no intention of handling this, then I, as the sword wielder, will take care of it myself."

“Priest Felton, remember this—”

"By the Goddess above, all, regardless of rank, are judged equally by the law!"

Chapter Fifty-Six: Gunshots Ring Out, People Die (Third Update)

"Let's go, Sofby."

Charlotte approached her little peacock again, spreading her five fingers and placing them in front of the young lady as an invitation.

"Where to...?"

Looking at the girl with some confusion, Sufby's eyes were already moist.

"The port area is just like any other day."

Charlotte took out her handkerchief, intending to wipe away the little peacock's tears, but saw the girl open her eyes wide and shove her fingers away.

As if her defenses had been pierced by these last words, Sufby bit her lower lip and retorted loudly.

"Enough, Josephine, you don't need to, you don't need to lie to me anymore!"

Even though things are already like this, why is Watson still thinking about doing those meaningless things! What's the use of using words to depict the suffering of those people!

The pent-up grievances surged into substance. Why turn a blind eye to the murderer? Why bring this up at such an inopportune time?

It's clear that you yourself are unimportant, right?

The more I thought about it, the more turbulent my emotions became.

First, her eyes started to redden.

Then her eyes became moist, covering her bright, vermilion pupils with a shimmering film of water, adding a touch of hazy color to the twilight.

There was a voice inside me that wanted to burst out, choking back tears.

Friends? There are no friends at all; it's always just wishful thinking.

"I know, I know everything. That girl Samuel, she's been... she's been..."

Not wanting Watson to see her vulnerable and helpless state again, and to raise her thorns again, she endured it, enduring it by pursing her lips.

If you can't hold it in, bite it. If biting it hurts and you still can't stop the flood of emotions, then cover it with your hand, cover it up in a sorry state.

"So it doesn't matter whether the murderer is caught or not. I shouldn't have had any hope in the first place, and I shouldn't have put the responsibility on your shoulders."

Two clear tears finally rolled down the little peacock's face. She looked at Charlotte sadly, but didn't utter a single word of blame.

"I was too weak to face the facts. I was too useless to even protect my closest sister."

It's just self-blame, just self-attack.

"A vase like me is simply—"

Before she could utter the next word, a warm touch covered her lips, silencing her.

They are slender knuckles.

"I hate being so self-conscious and timid, Sophie. How can I possibly comfort you?"