Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 133 Miss Justice and the Asylum
Inside the study of Viscount Grelint’s mansion in Backlund, Queens.

“Hugh, Fors, this is the reward you deserve.”

Across the table, Audrey Hall, dressed in an elegant long dress, pushed the envelope toward the two extraordinary women in front of her.

Hugh Deercha, with his messy blond hair and short stature, was unconsciously drawn to the envelope. It was so bulging that it evoked certain pleasant associations.

Although it was somewhat impolite, she still opened the envelope directly and saw a thick wad of banknotes inside.

"10 pounds"

Beside her, her companion Fors Wall also came closer, her usually languid eyes now flashing with an unusual light.

"It's 800 pounds in total, you can divide it among yourselves."

Audrey smiled faintly and said, "As compensation for the danger you faced."

£800!
The two looked at each other in surprise.

Although that mission was indeed very dangerous, and I was almost caught and killed by a pirate general, it seemed worth it considering the generous reward.
"If I receive a similar request in the future, I hope you will continue to help me."

Audrey laughed.

"We'd love to!"

Hugh nodded without hesitation.

After finishing their business, the group started chatting casually, discussing knowledge related to the occult and a recent heinous murder case.

"So you also believe that this serial killer targeting women is an extraordinary individual?"

"I asked, Viscount Grelint."

“That’s right. Although the police in Silas’s paddock are of questionable quality, so many cases have already occurred. Even if they are clumsy, they should have found some clues by now. But they have come up empty-handed so far. It’s hard not to think that there are special factors involved.”

Hugh nodded and said, "Only extraordinary individuals can do this. I think the official extraordinary organization should have already taken action, and the murderer will be caught soon."

They were talking about the recent serial murders in Backlund. The killer targeted young women, and after their deaths, their bodies were disemboweled and parts of their internal organs were removed.

Which faction of people would commit such an evil act?
Audrey was also deep in thought when she suddenly noticed Fors looking at everyone with a slight frown.

Audrey, who was already a Sequence 8 "Mind Reader", almost immediately understood the meaning of Fors's expression—Fors seemed to have something to say, but hesitated, probably unsure whether what she said was right.

"Ms. Fors, do you have some suspicions?"

Audrey feigned curiosity, prompting the other person to speak.

"Um"

Fors rubbed her brown curly hair and said uncertainly, "Actually, I feel like there are two murderers in this case."

"Fors, you're saying that again."

Xiu complained, as if he had heard her say it several times already.

"Why do you say that?"

Audrey became interested.

“I read the newspaper reports. The victims were divided into two groups: one group consisted of streetwalkers, and the other group consisted of former streetwalkers. The current streetwalkers died in more gruesome ways. Their abdominal wounds were larger; according to witnesses, it looked like they had been ripped open from the inside,” Fors said slowly. “Although the methods are somewhat similar, I feel that this was actually the work of two different killers. One specifically targeted former streetwalkers, while the other targeted current streetwalkers.”

"But is it really possible for two different assassins to appear at the same time?"

Hugh shook his head in disagreement. "Is Backlund such a dangerous place?"

"I'm just guessing, just guessing!"

Fors was very unhappy with his companion's undermining and raised his voice.

They argued for a while, then quickly abandoned the topic. Audrey then led them to Viscount Grelint's study. Sure enough, Hugh, as she had suspected, borrowed the copy of *Herbalance* that she had tampered with.

There, tucked inside, was a note bearing the name of Mr. Fool, which would lead their fates to that mysterious gray fog.

While Audrey was pleased, she also took note of Fors's guess. She planned to bring this up at the Tarot meeting and ask Mr. "The Hanged Man" and "The Sun," and perhaps Mr. "The Fool" would also be interested in this information.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next day, Backlund, Joewood District, St. Elizabeth Hospital.

"Madam, I'm sorry to say that your brother's condition has not improved at all."

The attending physician held the medical record and shook his head.

Opposite him sat a young girl with deep blue eyes. Beside her was a handsome man whose features bore a striking resemblance to hers. Seeing this brother and sister, so strikingly beautiful yet tragically burdened with such misfortune, even the seasoned doctor couldn't help but sigh.

Lu Ze, his eyes unfocused, was encased in his straitjacket. His mouth was covered by a mask and secured with a leather strap. The mask was to prevent him from speaking; "blasphemous words" were too dangerous, and if the doctor heard them, he would go insane.

"My suggestion is to stay in our hospital and have someone accompany you around the clock during your treatment."

"Unfortunately, we are not prepared to use this method."

The attending physician heard the girl say, "I won't let myself leave his side."

"Alright, I'll prescribe some medicine for your brother, along with some medical orders. Please have the patient wait outside for now. I'll have a nurse watch over him."

"Brother, wait for me outside for a little while."

Lu Ze's world was filled with chaos. He vaguely heard his sister's voice, nodded, and, with the help of a nurse, went to the corridor outside the examination room and sat on a bench to wait.

It was morning, but the perpetually gloomy sky over Backlund offered no sunshine. The corridors were filled with all sorts of patients, a chaotic scene of carnage. A young nurse looked at the handsome young man with pity, wanting to strike up a conversation, but he simply lowered his eyes and ignored her completely.

The nurse's attention was entirely focused on Lu Ze, and she was completely unaware that two uninvited guests had barged in.

"Miss, this is going too far! How could the daughter of a count dare to trespass into such a dangerous place? What will I do if the master finds out?"

"Don't worry, Annie. The excuse I gave when I left was to visit 'Professor Anthony.' He just happened to be at the mental hospital doing academic research today. Nothing will happen."

Two young women spoke in hushed tones as they walked down the corridor.

This mistress and servant were Audrey and her personal maid, Anne.

Audrey soothed her maid with words, but her eyes curiously scanned the patients. As an extraordinary individual with the spectator pathway, she had always analyzed the psychology of normal people, rarely venturing into the inner world of the mentally ill. This trip was a small adventure for her, using the guise of visiting a psychology expert to explore the mental hospital.

Audrey's emerald green eyes swept over the patients behaving erratically, and suddenly she spotted a dark-haired young man sitting quietly on one side of the corridor.

(End of this chapter)