Chapter 466 - 195: Oh? You’re Awake.

Everyone who received the news was abuzz with discussion.

"The Ghost Soul School... Are they going to war with the Dawn Church?"

"Obviously not. This was just the personal action of a single Wizard. How could it lead to a war?"

"Still, this must be the Dawn Church’s most devastating loss in recent years, right?"

"This doesn’t count. The Holy Professionals who died in Caster City State last time—that was the highest death toll in years!"

"I think the main thing we should be paying attention to is whether the Ghost Soul School has teamed up with the Black Pearl. If that’s true, it would have a huge impact on the entire Cordo Sea Region."

"That can’t be, right? As far as I know, the ’Sea Emperor’ is recuperating from an injury and couldn’t possibly make a move... Oh, but it might be a strategy cooked up by that Jack First Officer..."

"He’s injured? When did that happen...?"

Of course, the followers of the Dawn Church, who had previously been unfamiliar with Wei’en and Ales, were now filled with hatred for the two, wishing they could be captured and executed by hanging.

"This is blasphemy against the Dawn! We strongly demand the church dispatch Holy Professionals to crusade against the heretics!"

"Damn them! I hope the great Dawn will send down divine punishment and execute those two heretics directly..."

"Yes, and while we’re at it, we should go see the Judgement Saintess. I really hope I can join her Judgment Legion."

"Is that really the important part?"

Meanwhile, the quietest place was perhaps Caster City State, the pearl of the West Coast of the Eastern Continent.

When many people saw the news, they silently looked toward the Dumitru District, sighed, and then returned to the work of rebuilding Caster City State.

To quote an old man who had survived that terrifying night, "What else can be said? Whether it’s Wei’en or Ales, they’re both members of the Secret Investigation Department, and the Department is now protected by the Council. One of its ministers is even a descendant of the Governor. If we say too much, we’re liable to get arrested."

This wasn’t just one person’s opinion, but the heartfelt sentiment of most residents of the city-state.

At least, that was how it was for the time being.

Although the City-State Council and the Storm Church had revealed the reasons behind that night’s incident, most people stubbornly believed that if it hadn’t been for those two from the Secret Investigation Department, the city-state wouldn’t have been so devastated.

The reason was simple—that night, no one from the Noble Committee showed up.

This gave the city-state’s upper echelons a major headache, but there was nothing they could do... They could only hope that time would erase everything.

"Minister! Minister Lisi! There’s news!"

BANG!

Lisi looked at the office door that had been violently thrown open and angrily put down a file. "Ariana, if you barge in without knocking like this again, I’ll punish you with guard duty in the Detention Area!"

"Ah, no," Ariana said, holding up a newspaper breathlessly while leaning against the doorframe. "Minister, you have to see this paper. There’s... there’s news..."

As he spoke, he hurriedly placed the newspaper on the desk. "This just came from the Storm Church. They said they found the location of Wei’en and Director Ales, and sent people..."

"Hm?"

Hearing this, Lisi quickly picked up the newspaper and began to read.

The first thing that caught her eye were the two photos on the front page, which took up two-thirds of the entire paper.

’It really is him...’

Lisi looked at the figure in the photo, confirming it was Investigator Wei’en, who had left not long ago.

Then she glanced at the content below, a slight smile appearing on her face.

"Good kid, you really did it!"

"I knew he’d cause a stir wherever he went. Killing Henrik from the Black Pearl, killing a Judgment Knight from the Dawn Church... HAHAHA... Not bad!"

"Last time, I said there was no way that bastard Marco was strong enough to kill Henrik. It really wasn’t him!"

Ariana smiled too. "Yeah, the Dawn Church took a huge hit this time. Not only did Wei’en kill a Judgment Knight, but Director Ales killed one too. They’re absolutely furious."

"You should have seen the Holy Professional from the Storm Church who just came by. He was grinning from ear to ear..."

"Get out."

"Huh?"

"Is the investigation for the Basil District case finished?"

Ariana gave a sheepish laugh. "No..."

"So, are you expecting me to go with you?" Lisi glared at him. "Wei’en can kill Great Knights now. As his senior, I don’t expect you to surpass him, but you can’t fall too far behind, can you?"

"Besides, Caster City State is in a state of chaos right now. All Investigators must be diligent and responsible, not just do whatever they want like before..."

"I used to lead the Investigators on missions, but now I can only rely on you... And you?"

"I know, it’s just... Wei’en... what kind of monster is he? I..."

"What did you say?"

"No, nothing. I mean, I’ll get out right now."

"Hmph. Remember, if your First Division doesn’t have at least five surviving Investigators by the end of the year, you’ll be merged with the Second Division next year!"

"Understood! I’ll get right on it!"

Ariana turned and left. ’Damn it, if we merge with the Second Division, I’ll lose so much face!’

CLICK.

The door closed.

The stern expression on Lisi’s face slowly faded. Her gaze fell on Wei’en’s photo, and she sighed.

"Finally, some news."

And it was good news, at that.

’With Wei’en’s current strength, being able to kill a Great Knight, he should have some ability to protect himself now.’

Looking at the photograph, a flicker of melancholy crossed Lisi’s eyes. She found a pair of scissors and carefully cut Wei’en’s picture out of the newspaper.

Then, she took a thick photo album from her drawer, placed the picture on the last page, gently closed it, and put it back in the drawer.

’Wei’en, Tina, and Marco... I hope you’re all doing well!’

At this thought, Lisi clenched her fists. ’I have to work harder too! Hmph, when we meet again, I’ll definitely beat the three of you to a pulp!!’

...

...

「Theater Space, Lounge Area.」

The door to Clelia’s room opened from the inside, and a figure peeked its head out, looking around.

The figure had waist-length golden hair, a gentle face, and bright, questioning eyes—it was none other than the Dawn Church’s newly appointed Candidacy Saintess, Pavla Sepulda.

"Where is this place?"

Pavla walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind her as she surveyed her surroundings.

’A few neatly arranged doors, a place that looks like a stage... with a dining table and kitchenware on it?’

’And down below... that must be the audience seating, but why are there two doors in the aisle?’

"So, this... is a theater?"

Pavla didn’t miss a single detail, but the more she observed, the more confused she became.

’Why doesn’t this place feel like a prison? The style is more like an opera house from before the Fifth Era.’

She clearly remembered that before she lost consciousness, that Mutated Mage had worked with other heretics to block the projection of the Great Dawn’s gaze.

’After that, I should have been killed or imprisoned by that Mutated Mage named Wei’en Loft.’

’Could it be that some kind person rescued me?’

With this in mind, Pavla began walking toward the center of the theater, calling out softly, "Is... is anyone there?"

"Is anyone here?"

Gradually, as no one responded, she grew bolder.

"Did you save me? I am Pavla Sepulda, a follower of the Dawn Church. May I ask..."

"Who are you?"

Just then, a cold voice rang out, like the grating sound of rocks rubbing together. It startled Pavla, who warily looked toward the source of the sound.

"Who’s there?"

Pavla looked at the figure standing in a doorway on the other side of the room. It had pale skin, several wounds that looked like they’d been stitched with thread, and mechanical parts on its eye and arm.

"Undead? A Mechanical Transformer?"

Shawa stood at the entrance to the workshop, the equally expressionless Tina beside her. The two had just finished a round of studying and were about to look for Wei’en to ask for the next Scroll of the Gonzalez language when they saw a strange figure standing by the dining table, calling out.

"Who are you? A member of the Queen’s Guard?"

"The Queen’s Guard?" A flicker of confusion crossed Pavla’s face. "Are you talking about the queen of the Bernstein Kingdom?"

Miss Zombie and the white-haired girl exchanged a look. It was obvious neither of them knew anything about a Bernstein Kingdom.

"Tina, who is she?"

"I don’t know. Probably one of that woman’s people."

"’That woman?’" Pavla paused, realizing they were talking about her. She took the initiative to introduce herself, "I am a Priest of the Dawn Church. My name is Pavla Sepulda. Might I ask if you were the ones who saved me?"

"The Dawn Church?"

Shawa froze. Her mechanical eye constricted slightly. She suddenly remembered seeing Clelia bring someone into the space earlier. ’Is this her?’

"That’s right," Pavla nodded quickly, a kind and gentle smile on her face. "I’m not a bad person. I just want to figure out where I am..."

CREAK.

Just then, the soft sound of a door opening was heard.

Pavla looked toward the source of the sound. The smile on her face froze, and her eyes widened in shock. "The Mutated Mage?!"

"Oh? So you’re awake, Miss Pavla, Candidacy Saintess of the Authority of Kindness..."