Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 93 Bystanders

Claire had never lived in Backlund.

But that woman had spent her childhood and adolescence in this city, and possessing his memories, Claire was no stranger to Backlund.

This is a city with smog so severe that it is directly proportional to its prosperity, earning it the nickname "City of All Capitals" and the nickname "City of Dust".

With Cindy's help, Claire gained a preliminary understanding of the institutions and personnel established by the church in the Backlund Diocese.

The North District and the West District are both under the jurisdiction of the Night Watchers. Each district covers an area equivalent to the city of Tingen.

The St. Samuel Church where Claire is located is located on Pestfield Street in the North District.

Similar to the Tingen Nighthawks branch.

The headquarters of the Backlund Church is divided into an above-ground part with the church as the main body, and an underground part centered on the Chanis Gate.

The head of the Backlund Diocese is "Saint" Anthony Stevenson. Saint Anthony and Her Highness Arianna are both one of the thirteen archbishops.

The senior deacon who recently rotated from the Holy Temple to Backlund was Creste Cesimus, known as the "Sword of the Goddess."

Previously, in order to conceal the fact that the sacred object, the Sword of the Goddess, was given to the "Blessed One" Claire Meazza, Creste still used the title of "Sword of the Goddess" when he was out and about.

However, after Claire Meazza sacrificed herself in Tingen and the holy relic "Sword of the Goddess" was taken away by the traitorous Bishop Ince Zangwill, Creste officially abandoned the title of "Sword of the Goddess".

There was also a newly promoted senior deacon, the fastest-rising talent in the Backlund Diocese. Alicia, the church's youngest "gatekeeper," was rumored to be in line to receive a holy relic, and the process had recently reached a crucial stage of investigation.

In addition, in the Backlund Diocese, besides the regular Nighthawks teams stationed in the area, there are also several Red Gloves teams that often rest and stay temporarily in the Backlund region.

Currently, in the Backlund Diocese, the head of the Nighthawks is Alicia, and the head of the Red Gloves is Creste Cecima.

Compared to the Tingen team of less than ten people, the Backlund Diocese was overwhelmingly superior in terms of strength, number of people, and the number of Sealed Artifacts.

"I can only say that it is worthy of being the capital of Loen."

Claire was tidying up the private office that the church had vacated for her. She was arranged here by Arianna, and only Archbishop Saint Anthony and Creste Cesimar knew about it. She was assigned special captain treatment.

A large wooden desk and a matching high-back chair, bookcases, coat racks, and sofa beds are neatly arranged, and it can basically be used as a personal lounge.

"The treatment in the Backlund Archdiocese is indeed much better than that in Tingen."

Claire thought so and placed the file box she had borrowed from the reference room on the table.

Because of Arianna's identity, Claire's authority to access information is now equivalent to that of the captain of the Red Gloves team.

But even with such high authority, Claire didn't find much information about Tai Perslan in Backlund's database.

All the information came to an abrupt end the moment Tai Perslan drank the witch's potion.

Claire looked at the information about Sharon she had found, flipped through it, and leaned back in her chair, lost in thought.

Madam Sharon, a high-ranking member of the Gnosis Society and a member of the Witch Cult, Sequence 6 "Pleasure", is the mastermind behind Jesse, Tris, Ermo, and others.

Claire was certain that she had been replaced by that woman when she first met Madam Sharon.

The real Mrs. Sharon had already died at the hands of that woman.

"At the Tarot Club, that woman once discussed the persecution suffered by female witches. Since Madam Sharon has been lurking in Tingen for many years, the woman who has also lived in Tingen for four years, and the female witch behind her, have probably also been hunted and persecuted by Madam Sharon."

"So, that woman killed Madam Sharon as revenge against the Witch Cult, and also to obtain the Sequence 6 'Pleasure' Beyonder characteristic she needed."

"Judging from the strength demonstrated in the cases of the Mechanical Heart Prisoner Hijack and the Megose Descendant, that woman has most likely taken a Sequence 6 'Pleasure' potion. It's likely that the 'Pleasure' potion she took was concocted using Madam Sharon's Beyonder characteristics." "That woman also revealed many magical items during the battle, but no trace of their trade has been found... The origins of these magical items are unknown. Sharon's ability to kill a Sequence 6 individual is likely related to these magical items."

Claire sorted through the woman's data one by one, simulating a battle with her based on the current data. It was clear that if she attacked head-on, she would most likely be defeated.

If we set up an ambush, we wouldn't even be able to find that woman now...

Claire pulled out another file from the pile of documents. It was about an informant who was an instigator of the Nighthawks.

Nadia, female, 8 years old, Sequence "Instigator," once hunted by the Witch Church, sought refuge with the church as an informant and peripheral member. Also available are some case files involving Nadia.

There was Nadia's self-defense murder case, and there was also Nadia's revenge assassination of a human trafficking gang leader.

They all involve murder, but they are not serious crimes.

"Perhaps we can find some clues from this female Beyonder of the 'Assassin' Path..." Looking at the case files, Claire rubbed her forehead and sighed, "Otherwise, we can only think of a solution from the Tarot Club."

Unfortunately, in the previous Tarot meetings, the "Queen" was very cautious in her words and actions and did not reveal any flaws.

"Tarot Society..."

Claire remembered that when she was near death and unconscious, she felt some unusual movement in the gray fog world, as if the Fool was making some attempt. Unfortunately, she was unconscious at the time and missed the opportunity to observe and perceive it.

"but……"

Thinking about this secret gathering above the gray fog and the unique authority she possessed, an idea gradually formed in Claire's mind.

Before three o'clock in the afternoon, Claire locked the office door in advance and sat at her desk, waiting for the Fool's invitation.

At three o'clock sharp, the crimson light came on as promised.

Claire felt the pull from the gray fog world on her consciousness.

This is different from the previous attitude of non-resistance.

This time Claire tried to resist the pull on her consciousness.

When the crimson light faded, Claire could see the desk in front of her clearly again and breathed a sigh of relief.

Sure enough, I can resist the invitation of a fool!
Claire calmed down.

Start the second attempt.

Silently chanting "Fu Sheng Xuan Huang Tian Zun" in her heart, Claire released her own spirituality and her consciousness began to rise.

Continuously penetrating through layers of barriers, relying on the call of the spell in her heart and the induction of the mark on the back of her hand, Claire finally "saw" the mysterious gray fog world again!

At the mottled bronze long table, familiar figures sat down at their respective seats.

Claire was the first to confirm the Queen's seat. The familiar figure sat on a high chair, looking at the Priestess's seat, her body leaning forward and trembling noticeably.

The Fool, Justice, the Hanged Man, the Sun and others are also present.

Most importantly, no one, including the Fool, can detect her observation!

"Mr. Fool, and everyone else, good afternoon." Miss Justice's voice sounded as cheerful as ever. "Mr. Fool, did Ms. Priestess take a day off today? I haven't seen her take her seat in such a long time."

(End of this chapter)