Chapter 2337: New Clues

Chapter 2337: Chapter 2337: New Clues

Seeing Iluna about to leave, Shard, along with Miss Aphrola, escorted her downstairs. As they descended the stairs, Iluna spoke:

"The corrupt corpses and rotten mermen that appeared on Sunday night are actually unrelated to the ’Crimson Sect’ and the ’Drowning Cult.’ They are likely controlled by Circle Sorcerers from the Pirate Crew. The Church believes that the Ocean Gods still oppose the Evil God ’Dragon Devourer,’ so they won’t assist the cultists of the dragon-devouring sect.

As for the city gangs and pirates causing disturbances in the city that night, that’s left to the local police to handle. It’s highly likely that ordinary people were tempted by promises of treasure, Elixir of Immortality, and similar things by the Circle Sorcerers."

"But at least most people now believe the news of Moon Bay’s impending destruction."

Miss Aphrola commented:

"I heard from Bella that even the city council is developing contingency plans for the impending destruction."

"What kind of plan could they have?"

Shard asked in confusion, to which the witch replied with a smile:

"Of course, it’s about packing up and making sure the young ones in the family move out before the true destruction arrives. Although Moon Bay is large, it is not as vast as the entire Casenli. The local industries and ancestral homes can’t be relocated, but at least it won’t cause the bloodline to end."

Iluna soon left the estate, and after Shard left Mia at the manor to keep company with Little Liana, he headed to Spider Alley himself.

Although he hadn’t arranged to meet Mr. Benhart in advance that day, when he arrived at the morgue that morning, Mr. Benhart was there.

He was discussing new clan-related information with Mr. Coroner Albert, and upon seeing Shard, he shared the news:

"Some from our clan have already been taken by the Church for investigation. Everyone is very worried and reluctant to easily contact the same clan anymore. Ptolemy and I originally planned to split up this morning to visit the clan and inquire about leads, but the visitation letters we sent out only received two replies."

"It’s understandable; nobody knows if the clan they’re visiting is already under the Church’s watch."

As usual, the only coroner here was Mr. Albert. He still wore that brown cloak, but wasn’t wearing gloves.

"There is good news too, gentlemen. I’ve arranged for someone to investigate the banking matters. They’ve promised to inform me about the news by the end of this week. I hope to find the accounts used by the ’Dragon Feast Cult.’

"This could be considered the only good news at the moment."

Mr. Benhart looked more troubled:

"I am also in contact with the Order, hoping to get more assistance. But given the current situation, the likelihood of the Order sending someone to help seems smaller now. Mr. Watson, do you have time to accompany me for a visit? Only Ptolemy and I just aren’t enough. I want to visit Miss Angrui Laise to see if she can offer any help.

Last time at the banquet, she was with Her Highness Margaret, and we didn’t get a chance to talk with her thoroughly. We should take this opportunity to inquire about the situation."

Miss Angrui Laise was originally suspect number four, but she has now been mostly cleared of suspicion. She is almost certain to be the next Earl Les and is quite renowned among the vampires here, considered one of the leaders of Moon Bay’s Vampire Kind.

The only downside of this noble lady is her mingling with the girls and licentiousness, something that Shard shares a bit... Shard shook his head and dismissed the thought.

"No problem, I’ll go with you."

However, the coroner called out to Shard again:

"Mr. Watson, hold on a moment. The data on the recent number of corpses with heart attacks you asked me to gather has new results. Yes, the numbers are abnormally high, and most were previously healthy individuals who suddenly died of heart attacks."

He really wrote an investigation report and handed it to Shard:

"From my experience, I can basically confirm that someone has the means to induce heart attacks."

"A curse?"

Mr. Benhart asked curiously:

"I do know several arcane techniques and rituals that can easily cause someone’s heart to stop suddenly."

"No traces of elements found so far."

The coroner answered cautiously, while Shard looked at the documents he was holding. For some reason, he thought of the target that "Desire" wanted him to find.

Miss Angrui Laise was at the Lais Family’s estate. After she received Mr. Benhart’s visitation letter, he arranged to visit with Shard on Tuesday.

Logically speaking, two unfamiliar men visiting an unmarried maiden might seem odd, but due to Miss Laise’s reputation, people wouldn’t imagine anything strange.

The maid led the two men to the reception room at the Earl’s Estate, where Miss Laise would meet them. But upon opening the door, in addition to the noble lady, there was someone else present.

"Mrs. Jude?"

Mr. Benhart hesitated and stopped in his tracks. The noble lady, sitting on the sofa and fanning herself, was the widow of the wealthy merchant who ran the orphanage.

The last time the three of them met in the alley behind the auction house, things turned quite unpleasant. And Mrs. Jude was evidently aware that Shard and Mr. Benhart would appear, as she didn’t seem surprised at all:

"Good morning, gentlemen. Why do you look at me as if you’ve seen an Evil Spirit?"

"Miss Les, what do you mean by this?"

Mr. Benhart frowned and asked the noble lady, who answered naturally:

"Viscount, I didn’t know you and your friend before, so naturally, I had to ask around about you in advance. Please sit down and talk, isn’t there something you wanted to ask me?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Shard patted Mr. Benhart on the shoulder from behind, and only then did he continue to walk forward.

This was a very formal reception room in the Earl’s Estate. Because the lights were on, it appeared bright and welcoming despite the darkening sky outside. Once seated, Mr. Benhart quickly got to the point without much small talk:

"I won’t repeat what’s happened in the city, Miss Les. I now represent the Order in Velindale, seeking assistance in the investigation. There are three things: First, do you know which local clans might be suspicious of collaborating with the cultists? Second, do you know anything about the ’Sorrow of Blood’? Third, I need your assistance."

Mr. Benhart’s expression was serious, and his tone was formal, while the vampire noble lady of roughly the same age as Shard’s body smiled and said:

"Viscount, like you, I want to know who’s collaborating with the cultists. Remember, you’re not a local, but I am; all my family is local. I hate those trying to destroy my hometown more than you do."

Thus, the Vampire Viscount sat up slightly straighter.

"As for the ’Sorrow of Blood’, I obviously don’t know where that sword is."

Shard picked up his teacup, intending to drink some tea, then heard the next sentence:

"But I have the clue you’re looking for."

"What?"

He looked up sharply, and Miss Les smiled at him:

"Handsome sir, if you were a woman, that would be perfect, then I could directly hand the clue over to you. Look at Viscount Benhart’s expression, do you not believe me?"

The gentleman mentioned remained expressionless, so Shard tried to smooth things over:

"It’s not about believing or not believing. Are you asking us to do something in exchange for the information, or do you have specific demands? But no matter what, at least prove you do indeed have information about the sword."

Luviya said the sword’s owner caused her to temporarily be unable to perform divination using the special coin, so it’s safe to assume the candidate wielding the ’Sorrow of Blood’ ranks extremely high.

"A reasonable request; you’re better at communicating with ladies than the Viscount."

Miss Les remarked, glanced at Mrs. Jude sitting on the side sofa, then got up and briefly left the room.

She returned about two or three minutes later, handing them a stack of photographs in an envelope:

"Take a look."

The two leaned together to look; the black-and-white photos inside the envelope all showed injuries on a human body. Although black-and-white photos lacked color, Shard could still discern the strangeness of those wounds.

They looked somewhat like wounds caused by his "Red Moon" power corroding flesh, but aside from corrosion, the skin around the wounds was covered with numerous tiny holes.

Even without trypophobia, Shard felt very uncomfortable.

There were a total of 23 photos, but it seemed all were taken from the same individual.

Miss Les explained:

"About six years ago, I remember it was the winter of 1848, nearing the Year-End Festival. At the time, I was still young; the one who bestowed me this noble lineage, ’Mother’..."

This wasn’t referring to her actual mother but rather her bloodline source. Shard recalled Mr. Benhart mentioning that it was Miss Les’s aunt, from whom Miss Les voluntarily sought the ability for immortal beauty. Don’t be fooled by her current appearance being close to her real age; that’s because advanced vampires can control their appearance.

Indeed, their true form would be shriveled from dehydration.

"’Mother’ took me to meet a distant relative, who was severely injured; if ’Mother’ hadn’t saved him, he would’ve almost died in Trash Alley. But even so, due to being gravely injured, he still passed away half a month later.

The photos you see are of the wounds he had at the time. Afterwards, ’Mother’ told me those were caused by the ’Sorrow of Blood’; her ’Mother’ once described the sword’s power to her."

Miss Les’s words made Shard and Mr. Benhart exchange a glance:

"Did the man say anything before he died? Did he mention who attacked him?"

The noble lady snapped her fingers, of course, not a ladylike gesture:

"Right on the mark, that’s the chip I’m putting on the table.

Viscount, I’m willing to help you investigate the local clans assisting the cultists. I’ve got some prestige among the local clans, much more useful than a coroner like Albert. But I don’t believe the ’Sorrow of Blood’ is related to clans betraying to cultists.

Hence, if you want information about the Holy Sword—help me with something."