Chapter 2338: "Ceiling

Chapter 2338: Chapter 2338: "Ceiling

Shard revealed a "just as expected" expression, and Mr. Benhart leaned forward slightly to ask:

"What’s the matter? Is it related to Mrs. Jude?"

Then the Noble Lady smiled at him:

"Yes, I’ll talk about this matter. Actually, it’s nothing serious. Recently, I’ve received a few harassment letters which broadly say... to stop my current evildoings, or I would face retribution."

"Is this referring to..."

Shard deliberately paused here.

"It’s probably referring to Mrs. Jude’s little hobby."

Miss Les rubbed her left little finger with her right index and thumb, her nails painted in purple-red:

"Mrs. Jude came here to ask for my help, and I owe her a favor. You also came to me for help, so I can only let you assist her. Those letters shouldn’t be pranks; there’s something wrong with the paper. I tried to trace their origin using a relic I possess, but nothing could be seen."

"Did you bring the letters?"

Shard asked, meaning he accepted the task.

Indeed, Mrs. Jude brought the letters; actually, there were only two, both sealed in envelopes without stamps. Both the envelopes and stationary seemed normal, with no peculiar reactions.

If not for Miss Les stating that the origin couldn’t be traced, even Shard would have dismissed them as innocuous.

"We accept the task, but I have a request as well."

Mr. Benhart said, with a serious expression:

"Mrs. Jude, at least until this series of matters in Moon Bay concludes, and the Church ceases its investigation and pursuit of your kind, stop pursuing your little hobby. It’s for your own good, and for the good of all of us."

"But..."

"Viscount Benhart’s request is quite reasonable."

Miss Les interrupted Mrs. Jude. She gracefully looked at the Noble Lady beside her:

"Sometimes, exercising a bit of self-control benefits everyone. I will assist Viscount Benhart in investigating the local kindred. The Viscount and his friends will help you investigate the threatening party, while you must restrain yourself. It’s fair, isn’t it?"

She spoke with real authority.

"Recently, Viscount Benhart captured Baron Chandler, you’re aware of that."

Shard suddenly continued, and upon Miss Les nodding, he further inquired:

"At the time, Mr. Benhart and Mr. Albert leveraged personal connections and directives from the Order to mobilize local vampires willing to assist. So, Miss Les, can you persuade more people to aid us in the upcoming potential events? Dozens of vampires are enough to overwhelm the Moon Bay Police Department; gathering hundreds together will even make the Church take notice."

"Do you intend to overcome the Church?"

Miss Les joked, and Shard shook his head:

"If you wish to alter the Church’s perception of you, some action is certainly necessary. The chaos on Sunday night won’t be the last; next time, you could perform better. Isn’t this an opportunity?"

"But why do I feel that you want me and my kindred to become a force at your disposal? And speaking of it, sir, I still don’t know which faction you represent."

Observing Shard with her dark eyes, Shard thought for a moment:

"A force you dare not provoke."

The noble maiden laughed:

"If Viscount Benhart issues orders from the Order, I could probably gather dozens. But if you resolve Mrs. Jude’s matter cleanly and beautifully, I might genuinely be able to gather hundreds... You’re right, handsome sir, we need the Church’s perception of us to change, and the next city turmoil is the chance.

Helping you is also helping us; I consider it collaboration, and resolving Mrs. Jude’s issue is the first step in our cooperation."

Agreeing that there would be future visits if necessary to Miss Les and Mrs. Jude, Shard and Mr. Benhart finally left.

Once they walked side by side back to the street, Shard wiped his neck, and Mr. Benhart immediately shook his head:

"No, you can’t force her to reveal clues. The local kindreds in Moon Bay don’t follow the Order’s command much, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely fragmented. Miss Les, though young, is truly capable... Unless absolutely necessary, let’s refrain from action against her for now, or we’ll offend all the local kindreds."

Shard paused for a moment before shaking his head:

"No, I meant you unbuttoned your collar indoors earlier; shouldn’t you button it now?"

"Oh, alright, alright."

It’s still early, so they decided to discuss this troublesome issue further with Mr. Albert, returning to Spider Alley. Unfortunately, the Coroner went to the Moon Bay City Police Department, assisting with autopsies of corpses from the Sunday night fire, so temporarily absent, prompting the duo to sit in Spider Inn.

Shard was quite satisfied here; although somewhat rundown, its dilapidated, remote nature made it a fitting place for conversation.

"We’ll each take half of the threatening letters."

Shard stated:

"I have two very capable diviners by my side, including the prominent Miss Amethyst from Moon Bay City. I can find her and have them attempt to divine the origin of these letters."

Mr. Benhart shook his head from across the table:

"You take them all. Although I know some skilled in divination, like Wilson from Huntington City, they’re surely not as proficient as your acquaintances."

Mr. Wilson was a diviner Shard and his companion found in the "Blood Rose Inn" at Huntington; he allegedly prophesied the original conclusion of the Pantanal battle (Chapter 1085).

"Mr. Watson, you go seek the diviner. I’ll try investigating Mrs. Jude and Miss Les indirectly. I hadn’t previously discerned such good relations between the two; seeing Mrs. Jude earlier startled me."

"Could it be that kind of relationship?"

Shard raised an eyebrow, and Mr. Benhart shook his head immediately:

"Impossible, Miss Les prefers girls similar to you, not so mature."

"Hmm... actually you can explain it, no need to involve me too."

Mr. Benhart smiled and raised his glass to Shard:

"I truly don’t know how to repay you for helping me like this."

"Don’t say such things, we’re friends. Besides, the ’Sorrow of Blood’ is also related to what I’m investigating."

Shard sighed, looking at the empty tavern on a Tuesday morning and the innkeeper drowsily polishing glasses behind the counter:

"Since we met here, first there was the case of the nameless female corpse and the headless murder case, then the vampire beast, and recently there’s been a spree of heart attacks. Your kin were first suspected of supplying blood, and now they’re implicated in large-scale cooperation with cultists. Plus, there’s the Holy Sword that seems to have long been local but has never shown up... the vortex is growing larger."

"Even if it extends to Velindale later, I won’t be surprised."

Mr. Benhart said, seeing that Shard was hesitant to speak, he proactively said:

"Say what you want to say, there’s nothing you can’t say in front of me."

Shard hesitated, then slightly lowered his head and whispered:

"Regarding Velindale, have they given you a lot of good stuff?"

"Yes, the special materials and connections are just the start, those relics are even greater than my family’s assets. It’s just a shame the one who came specially to deliver these things wouldn’t stay; they just left the package and ran."

"Um... can I inquire about something? No, no, I don’t mean to demand repayment, I want, I want..."

Shard finally decided to be honest:

"Do you have any divine item that can directly communicate with the ’Duke’?"

"Duke?"

Mr. Benhart looked at him in confusion, then a second later, understanding dawned on him, nearly making him spit out the wine in his mouth:

"You mean..."

His trembling finger pointed to the ceiling, and Shard slowly nodded expressionlessly:

"I’m looking for Him... I mean, I have some matters to discuss with your God."

Some preparations needed to be made ahead of time. Long-Haired Luvia said Shard is no match for that deity-devouring Dragon, so aside from Miss Isabella being a trump card, Shard must make other preparations.

Even knowing Shard is usually audacious and resourceful, this time, the Vampire Viscount was still shocked:

"Please don’t tell me what you’re planning, no, just saying these words brings some crazy ideas to mind already."

He gulped down all the wine in the glass, then put it down with a heavy thunk:

"Given our relationship, I won’t beat around the bush."

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled through his nose:

"Yes, there is, but not what you’re thinking. All I have are items to pray to the deities for divine protection. Direct communication requires a large-scale priesthood or sanctuary. You’re familiar with the True God Church too, have you ever heard of a divine item that can directly communicate with the True Gods?"

Shard thought for a moment:

"That indeed, there isn’t... um... is there any possible..."

"No possibility, they would never agree to come over. If I could summon those old fellows, why do you think I’m almost investigating alone?"

Mr. Benhart seemed to know what Shard was thinking, and that was indeed what Shard was contemplating.

"I see... please think of a way, this matter is very troublesome. Let me tell you..."

Shard pointed upward:

"Not even the Church of the Five Gods can help."

Then pointed up again:

"Although I can, I can’t handle it all by myself. (Note)"

"Do you really intend to do this?"

Mr. Benhart was again astoundingly understanding of Shard’s meaning, and he didn’t ask why the ’ceiling’ of the True God Church was insufficient, instead frowning and thinking carefully for a long while:

"Your courage is truly terrifying... in fact, it’s not impossible, but it’s very dangerous."

He also pointed upward:

"If you’re successful, it would be like you’re facing directly. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"It’s worth a try, but what I’m worried about is..."

Shard pointed upward again:

"This might implicate you, since you’re the one who gave me the method."