Storm of Gods

Chapter 261 Mother Goddess Academy
The second family was a merchant family. Their child went missing while attending a charity class, and their hired driver also died, causing the family to fall apart.

Faced with their second visit, the merchant couple calmly received Li Xin and Travis.

"Captain Travis, thank you. We'll cooperate with you if you need anything, as long as we can catch the killer," said Ronte. Both he and his wife were dressed very neatly and cleanly.

“Mr. Ronte, are we heading out?” Travis asked.

“Yes, you’ve come at the perfect time. We would have left a little later to volunteer at Mother Goddess Academy. Captain Travis, you and your people should come if you have the time; you can help those in need,” Ronte said, extending a sincere invitation.

Mrs. Ronte smiled gently, "Captain Travis is a big shot. If you could come, you would definitely help more people."

“I’ll go if I have time,” Travis nodded. “It’s like this, I remember that the two of you came to our Funeral Home several times recently, asking us to catch the murderer. Why haven’t you come lately? Have you given up?”

“Captain, we haven’t given up. Of course, we hope to catch the murderer, but we’ve reflected on our actions. Our hysterical shouting and commotion at the city hall and the funeral parlor only interfered with the investigation. We believe the funeral parlor will catch the murderer, just like they caught that devil Anthony. We look forward to the day when the truth comes out,” Ronte said sincerely. “If you need me, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

"How's business lately, Mr. Ronte?" Travis suddenly asked.

“My wife and I don’t intend to waste the rest of our lives making money. We’ve become like this because we neglected what’s truly important. In the future, we want to do more meaningful things, to help the poor and the injured. Our mother goddess brought us into this world not to cause harm, but to redeem. Actually, catching the murderer wasn’t about hurting him; we just wanted to tell him in person that we forgive him. What this world needs isn’t harm, but more love,” Ronte said, folding his hands over his chest. “Thank you, Mother Goddess.”

Mrs. Ronte beside her also clasped her hands together with a devout expression, saying, "Thank you, Mother Goddess."

“Thank you, Mother Goddess, and thank you both for your cooperation. If you need anything, you can find me at the Funeral Home in the Holy Zeal District,” Travis said.

"Thank you, Lord Travis."

The couple saw Travis and Li Xin off into the carriage, waving goodbye as it drove away, while Li Xin and Travis remained silent inside.

"Did you sense a strange power?" Travis asked.

“No.” Li Xin shook his head. “They are both more normal than normal people, and their physical and mental conditions are excellent.”

“Yes, you can believe it, those two men broke into The Undertaker with knives, and Mrs. Ronte even ran naked at the door,” Travis said.

Li Xin was stunned. This change was too drastic. He couldn't think of anything else besides brainwashing. "What kind of place is Mother Goddess Academy?"

“This is a charitable organization established by Marquis Witstein William in the name of Mother Earth. They raise funds from nobles and wealthy merchants, and then donate them to the Papacy, Grace Class to set up scholarships, build orphanages, and open temporary shelters to the homeless every Sunday, providing free food and lodging. They are probably doing volunteer work. They also run spiritual schools, inviting priests and even bishops to comfort the injured and help them get rid of their pain. The William family is a very prestigious family in Heldan. If it weren't for the requirement of major military achievements to be promoted to duke, he would have been Duke William long ago,” Travis said.

Li Xin nodded, but to be honest, his first reaction was that there was something wrong with this charity organization; it was an instinctive reaction from his previous life.

Every perfection is a means to cover up a greater evil, without exception.

Considering the situations of the two families mentioned earlier, he felt there was something amiss, but he couldn't just make things up. He even suspected Travis had some doubts, but let alone him, even the second prince couldn't investigate without evidence.

They went to a few more places with Travis, who was also so busy he didn't even eat. By the time they finished at the last place, it was already evening. "Shall we go back to The Undertaker for a bite?" Travis offered Li Xin a cigarette.

Li Xin nodded, put the cigarette away, but didn't smoke it.

The funeral procession's meals were also quite good, much better than the night patrol's. If it weren't for the wealthy young woman in Tianjing, given Lao Luo's personality, he would probably have had a very miserable life.

"Did all these people change their minds after going to the Mother Goddess Academy?" Li Xin asked while eating, feeling that Travis had deliberately brought him there today.

Travis nodded. The two of them ate quickly and heartily, chewing their food in large mouthfuls. "Marquis William's Mother Goddess Academy has been doing this kind of thing and has helped a lot of people. It seems perfectly normal. Helping these victims' families is also reasonable. Judging from the results, they are indeed no longer in pain."

"But judging from his motives, he essentially helped the murderer?" Li Xin said.

“To achieve this without using magic, relying solely on faith, is quite surprising. The Mother Goddess Academy has accomplished something even churches cannot,” Travis said.

"Didn't you say that priests and bishops were also going to help these people?"

"Yes, but it can only be done at the Mother Goddess Academy. Don't you find that strange?"

“The church is probably not as professional as the other side, and Mother Goddess Academy focuses more on helping victims. I saw that they all dressed very neatly and paid attention to their appearance, which shows that their mood is stable.” Li Xin said from the opposite side, “I’m afraid only faith can make them do this.”

These people all have a firm belief in the Earth Mother Goddess. It can only be done through their own faith, except for cults. If there were a cult in Heldan that could operate so openly, that would be wishful thinking. But if it is the Earth Mother Goddess, then whatever the outcome, it is correct.

Travis sighed. "I know I shouldn't be suspicious, but years of experience make me feel there's something wrong here. But as a funeral director, I can't investigate nobles, let alone organizations related to the Church. So I'd like to ask the Night Watch for help."

Li Xin knew Travis was suspicious, and he himself was suspicious too. Travis probably knew what he was thinking as well. "I will report to my superiors, but I can't guarantee what the decision will be."

“I know, I’ll try to figure something out,” Travis said. “However, the Undertaker’s main force is currently focused on waiting for the killer to strike again. If the Night Watch can follow up on this lead, it will greatly reduce the burden on my side.”

Do you think they'll make a move soon?

"That's right. Dark cuisine is addictive, and there must be a group of people who enjoy it. Once it's gone, situations like Anthony's will occur, so they will definitely take action."

"Couldn't they have made their move from other cities?" Li Xin asked.

“It probably won’t work. First of all, not everyone has the ability to make dark cuisine. Secondly, there are probably requirements for the ingredients. The murderer is probably hiding in Heldan for a special purpose. Moreover, the funeral procession’s surveillance and investigation in the surrounding cities did not find any problems,” Travis said.

Li Xin knew that the funeral procession must have done a lot of work, and he admired their work ethic.

(End of this chapter)