Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 96 Devil's Oil Painting
"Beth Lyonesse."

Claire used the inspector identity certificate that the Nighthawks had issued her to retrieve Beth's personal information from the West District Police Station.

The portrait left in the police station looked similar to the woman in Nadia's dream. The information said that she was the daughter of a manor owner who owned a large piece of land in the southern continent.

At only twenty-one years old, he already had more wealth than he could spend.

Claire initially suspected that this woman was the witch who guided Nadia to become a Beyonder, but her age didn't match.

A bit young.

However, it is not ruled out that this woman is a genius like Daly.

"Wait until I dream tonight and see."

Claire left the police station, boarded a horse-drawn carriage, and strolled onto Williams Street, which was bustling with daylight. It was actually quieter during the day than at night.

Occasionally a richly decorated carriage would pass by on the road.

Most of them do not have family crests, and they are the vehicles of wealthy businessmen who have insufficient wealth.

Going deeper, you will find the residential area of ​​wealthy businessmen.

Beth lives nearby.

The houses here all cover a large area. When passing by, Claire happened to see many workers busy renovating a house.

This scene reminded her of Aunt Jessica, who had completely renovated the place where she lived in the same way when she first arrived in Tingen.

Just as Claire paused to reminisce, a luxurious carriage slowly drove past her.

Then, in front, with the coachman's skillful driving skills, the carriage turned around and returned.

Stopped in front of Claire.

"Hello, beautiful lady."

A petite-looking woman leaned her upper body out of the carriage window, leaning against it and greeting Claire.

This face... turned out to be Beth. Claire wore a faint smile and looked at the petite woman with a look of confusion. "Is there something wrong?"

"Ma'am, where are you going? You can take my car. I can give you a ride."

Claire neither refused nor agreed, "Thank you. Are you hitting on me?"

Beth covered her mouth with her hands and giggled. "I'm just admiring your beauty. I can't help myself. Can you tell me your name?"

Claire smiled but said nothing.

Beth was not discouraged and politely introduced herself. "My name is Beth. I'm a silk merchant who lives here."

Claire looked at Beth who was staring at her, and smiled, "Galadia."

"Ms. Galadilla. Can you get in my car now?"

Claire did not refuse Beth's invitation again.

Once you get on the carriage, you'll find it's even more refined, with gorgeous seats, elegant curtains, and soft velvet that's filled with a faint fragrance.

It can be seen that Beth is a person who knows how to enjoy life.

"Is there anywhere you want to go?" Beth asked Claire.

Claire said nonchalantly, "Just taking a walk. I'm just out here to collect inspiration."

Beth asked curiously, "Inspiration?"

Claire took out a pen and the notepad she used to fool the police officers at the police station.

Opening a brand new one, Claire skillfully drew on it.

Soon, a palm-sized portrait took shape on the note paper.

The portrait showed a beautiful woman, leaning against the car window with her arms resting on her head. Her hair was soft and curly, falling like fine silk threads over her shoulders. A casual smile graced her delicate face, and her lazy eyes were like a pool of spring water.

Beth giggled at the painting. "What a beautiful picture." Claire looked out the window at the slowly receding street scene. "Where is this going?"

Beth fondly pinched the note with her drawing on it. "I originally wanted to go to the dance hall, but now I have a better place I want to go. That place will definitely inspire you."

As she spoke, Beth knocked on the carriage with regular tapping sounds.

The skilled coachman seemed to have received an order and began to speed up the carriage.

Beth thought such words would arouse Claire's curiosity.

But seeing that Claire remained indifferent, she smiled playfully and said, "You're not curious, nor are you afraid?"

Claire glanced at Beth and said, "I'm a little curious, but not scared."

Beth paused and asked, "Ms. Galadilla, did you come to Backlund recently?"

Claire asked with a faint smile, "Why do you ask?"

"I've never seen you before in Backlund."

"Can you recognize everyone in Backlund?"

"No, but I can recognize all beautiful women."

Claire smiled, "You like women?"

"Of course," Beth confirmed. "And I can see that you're just like me."

Claire remained noncommittal. "Then do you know Audrey Hall?"

Beth smiled and said, "I've met her several times. That lady's charm is worthy of the nobles' praise. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in women younger than me."

When the carriage stopped, Claire discovered that the place Beth had brought her to was a gallery.

Entering the gallery, you will find a spacious and bright space with some comfortable sofas and chairs in the middle and paintings hanging on the walls.

Sunlight streamed down the gallery walls, casting a golden halo on each painting. Inside the gallery, a few visitors remained silent in unison.

Claire frowned unconsciously as she looked at these paintings of similar styles. These paintings were all oil paintings of beauties.

Moreover, the women in each oil painting seem to be given life, as if there were living people standing in the painting.

Some are cold and mysterious, some are noble and pure, and some are elegant and confident.

"These all seem to be painted by the same person." Claire whispered as she looked at Beth, who was smiling.

Beth smiled proudly. "Yes, Galadilla. These are all my works."

Claire looked at the paintings in front of her and said, "I feel vitality from these paintings. Vibrant vitality."

Beth looked at Claire with more satisfaction and surprise. "Galadia, I like you more and more. I even want to invite you to create together..."

"Work together?" Claire raised an eyebrow and looked at Beth. "How do we work together? Should I draw you into the painting?"

Beth covered her mouth with her hands and laughed softly, "I won't force any beauty on this matter. Every woman who accepted my invitation and came to my mansion to let me paint her did so willingly."

Beth's low voice was full of temptation: "You know, when I paint them in oil paintings, they themselves will become more beautiful and charming."

Claire sighed and said, "The ladies in these paintings are still alive? I thought you used their lives to complete these paintings..."

"That's an unpleasant joke." Beth's light blue eyes were full of water. "But I'll take it as a compliment to my painting."

Then Claire carefully visited each of the paintings of beauties, memorizing all of these portraits in her mind.

When Claire asked to leave, Beth didn't stop her. She just invited Claire to visit anytime. "If possible, I'd prefer you come to 13 Williams Street. You're always welcome in my mansion."

Declining Beth's offer of a ride, Claire hired a horse-drawn carriage and returned to the West District Police Station.

She planned to check whether the women in those paintings really existed and were still alive...

(End of this chapter)