Chapter 2767 - 1874: Something Fishy (Honestly, It Feels Just So-So)

Chapter 2767: Chapter 1874: Something Fishy (Honestly, It Feels Just So-So)

When Duanmu Huai and the others returned to the principal’s office, Xue Ranqian Sha also came back with the students, saying that the broadcasting room was locked, but after they opened it, they found it empty with only a recording playing inside...

The students couldn’t believe this, but Duanmu Huai knew that Cunning Deception was indeed capable of something like this.

Therefore, after confirming they couldn’t leave the school, the next thing to do was to find the principal’s murderer.

It was uncertain whether it was luck or misfortune, but because of Hope Peak’s lax management, there were barely any students attending school, and all the teachers were at meetings, absent from the teaching building.

As to who the murderer was, everyone had their thoughts.

"It must be the person who played the broadcast!"

"But that person said it wasn’t him."

"If he said so, then it’s so. Have you seen any criminal admit they’re the murderer?"

"It can’t be that the killer is among us, right?"

"How can it be? We’ve been playing games in the classroom, hardly anyone left, right, class monitor?"

"Ah, um."

Upon hearing the inquiry, Nanami Chitose nodded dumbly.

"Moreover, we don’t have any motive to kill the principal, we’re not even the reserve course students."

"That’s true... it seems reasonable."

"Then who killed the principal?"

"That direction is good, maybe it was a reserve course student sneaking into the teaching building, then killed the principal, probably planning to escape, but now trapped with us because the building is locked down!"

"Eh? So we’re trapped with a killer?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere immediately grew tense, for nobody had thought of such a thing. Moreover, in such a large teaching building, if there really was a murderer wanting to hide, it would not be easy to find them.

Soon, the students began investigating the case spontaneously, while Duanmu Huai continued his usual aloofness, handing the work of reassuring them to Xue Ranqian Sha, while he stood aside, contemplating how to break the stalemate — although Duanmu Huai didn’t trust the conditions he heard, indeed, perhaps there was a murderer, but by Duanmu Huai, what of it? The Tribunal is not bound by worldly moral codes, the principal is dead, so be it, the issue is whether the murderer might also be killed, then endlessly repeat the cycle?

Speaking of which, Duanmu Huai’s actual target is not the murderer, but Cunning Deception... Duanmu Huai is confident that the enemy must have transformed into the appearance of someone among this group. Of course, if possible, Duanmu Huai would also consider simply killing all these students. That’s a sacrifice for the betterment of Humans, they should feel honored.

However, considering this might be the enemy’s scheme, Duanmu Huai must think more carefully.

Anyway, there’s still time. If the situation remains unchanged like this, it’s not too late to take action.

In the meantime, other people continued their own tasks.

Ann didn’t join in the excitement. She’s a Princess and investigating cases isn’t her forte. A qualified leader should delegate these tasks to suitable persons, so Sonia did the same, whispering with her outside. Sonia was a bit anxious about the unknown murderer, while Ann was comforting her — after all, unlike Sonia, Ann is a top-tier Magic talent, whereas the former is a girl unable to even bind a chicken.

Even if a terrifying murderer appeared, Ann was confident she could take them down.

"... Miss Ann, I want to go to the restroom..."

"I’ll go with you."

Sonia was visibly uncomfortable with the corpse, so Ann accompanied her to the restroom. Then Sonia entered the bathroom while Ann remained vigilant, looking around — and soon saw the restroom door open, followed by Hei Chuan Chi Yin entering.

"Chi Yin? What brings you here?"

Seeing Hei Chuan Chi Yin, Ann was surprised, for they had previously agreed to act as unfamiliar normal people.

"Ah, I just feel a bit unwell, wanted to wash my face..."

Hei Chuan Chi Yin spoke while turning on the Water Dragon, the sound of flowing water echoed as she took out her phone, placing it before Ann.

[I find Miss Mary acting strangely, I suspect she’s not herself]

"Miss Ann?"

"Ah, I’m... I’m here with Sonia."

Ann paused when she saw the message on the phone, but as a Princess, she quickly regained composure, answering Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s inquiry in a normal tone. Meanwhile, Ann’s fingers lightly traced in the air, revealing a line of text.

[What’s up? How did you find out Miss Mary is acting strangely?]

"I see, is Miss Sonia unwell too?"

[Her acting is off]

While performing, Hei Chuan Chi Yin recited the lines and sent a message to Ann.

[What do you mean by acting off?]

Ann was somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, after all, we didn’t expect to see the principal’s... sigh..."

[Her actions, expressions, and habits differ from Miss Mary. I’m an actor; I know how to mimic someone. If you want to perform mimicry of a person, you need to imitate multiple aspects such as their tone, temperament, actions, and habits.]

Perhaps realizing that this explanation was unclear, Hei Chuan Chi Yin paused for a moment, then giggled and waved to Ann.

"Ah, Ann, Chi Yin, you came to the restroom too?"

"???"

Even though it was Hei Chuan Chi Yin speaking, at that moment, Ann felt like she was facing that energetic "super high school level photographer" Shizuki.

However, Hei Chuan Chi Yin did not pay any attention to Ann and continued her solo act.

"Little Quan, you came to the restroom too?"

"Mm, I washed my face. After all, this came so suddenly..."

"How about Xiyuan Temple?"

"Mm, she’s over there... Uh, she seems unwilling to come in; sorry for bothering you."

"It’s alright."

As she spoke, Hei Chuan Chi Yin walked a few steps, then opened the restroom door, and closed it again. Then, she looked at Ann once more. This time, before Hei Chuan Chi Yin could speak, Ann immediately understood her meaning. Clearly, in the previous scene, apart from appearance and hairstyle, Hei Chuan Chi Yin was almost identical to Shizuki, even the voice was quite similar.

Although Mr. Knight had mentioned that Miss Chi Yin was a genius actor, had she already reached this level?

To be honest, if this was some sort of magic, Ann could accept it.

But reaching this level solely with acting skills is a bit terrifying...

Hmm? Wait, so as long as Miss Chi Yin is willing, she can perfectly impersonate any one of us?

Thinking of this, Anton’s eyes lit up.

[Can you impersonate Greiya, Miss Chi Yin?]

"..........."

[Now I believe you’re indeed Miss Ann.]

Hei Chuan Chi Yin silently sighed. Although Ann’s question was random, as someone who could summon a god through profiling, Hei Chuan Chi Yin was well-familiar with Ann’s train of thought.

You’re eating replacement meals, right? Excuse my refusal.

[Should we inform Mr. Knight about this?]

[I don’t think he’d believe it. In any case, be careful.]

Hei Chuan Chi Yin hadn’t immediately informed Duanmu Huai for the same reason: after numerous instances of summoning through profiling, Hei Chuan Chi Yin knew Duanmu Huai was quite wary of this Evil God. Moreover, just because someone seems unlike Mary doesn’t necessarily mean they’re an Evil God. And thinking more about it, perhaps the person intentionally revealed this flaw to lure them in.

Moreover, Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s caution wasn’t unfounded, as the four of them were individually teleported to different areas after leaving the resting space. When Hei Chuan Chi Yin opened her eyes, she was standing at the dormitory entrance; Ann seemed to be elsewhere. This means they went to the classroom afterwards, just like everyone else.

It’s imaginable that under these circumstances, things could easily go awry.

However, one thing Hei Chuan Chi Yin couldn’t understand was why the person targeted Miss Mary. Given pure strength, she was the weakest of the three—and summoning a god through profiling took time, unlike switching personalities with a blink.

This isn’t some computer program.

The reason for seeking out Ann was that Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s combat power without summoning was the lowest among the three... at least it’s some kind of insurance.

As for the possibility of Ann being impersonated by the opponent, Hei Chuan Chi Yin didn’t think too much about it. Her expertise was acting, not intelligence battles. If Hei Chuan Chi Yin understood Cunning Deception, she might be able to glean some clues by mimicking the opponent’s thought process, but unfortunately, researching an Evil God is clearly inconsistent with Tribunal regulations, and Hei Chuan Chi Yin knew Duanmu Huai would certainly oppose it.

So she could only adopt this approach.

The two of them chatted for a while longer, and then Sonia also emerged from the restroom, greeted them, and asked about Shizuki—apparently unaware that the "Shizuki" earlier was entirely Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s solo act.

Afterwards, the trio left the restroom, and on the way back to the classroom, Ann quietly sent a message to Hei Chuan Chi Yin.

[When did you realize Miss Mary was odd?]

"..........."

[From the moment we met in this world.]

"..........."

[Is Miss Mary okay right now?]

[She should be... safe, I suppose...]

Hei Chuan Chi Yin couldn’t be certain about this; at least for now, she could only hope that the other party was safe and sound.