Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 142 Investigation into Lanius

Above the eternal gray fog.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there has been a series of murders in Backlund recently. I don't know if you have heard about it."

Mr. Fool's reading time was over. After communicating the transaction information, Audrey [Justice] couldn't wait to bring up a topic.

Behind the long bronze table, the members of the Tarot Club reacted in different ways.

The serial murder case, oh yes, the one involving demon worship rituals.

Seated at the head of the table, "The Fool" Klein quickly recalled the details from the newspaper. He wondered why this matter had attracted the attention of justice; was it because it happened in Backlund, where she lived?

“I’ve heard about it while I was at sea.”

"The Hanged Man," Alger said in a deep voice. He had been at sea recently, only occasionally receiving news about the capital when he docked. "What, the murderer hasn't been caught yet?"

"No so far."

Audrey shook her head, causing the large emerald gold pendant on her earlobe to sway gently, complementing her emerald eyes.

"That's a bit strange. Surely Backlund's official Beyonders aren't this incompetent?"

Alger frowned.

[The Sun] Derrick listened to their conversation with a blank expression.

Backlund, it seems, is the capital of the kingdom called "Rune." The capital is the largest city in a city-state. According to them, a case has occurred there.
He painstakingly tried to understand it, relying on the knowledge that the members had previously shared with him.

"However, I now have some information from a clandestine source. It's about this case, but it might not be accurate."

Just then, Audrey, the "Justice," suddenly brought up a rather tempting topic.

"Do you have to pay a price to find out?"

Alger's eyes flickered as he asked.

"No need, because I can't guarantee the information is completely accurate."

After looking around, Audrey said, "There may be two killers in this serial murder case, one of whom is named Lanius."

Lanius!

The moment Klein heard the name, his mind went blank.

Isn't that the guy who was trying to create offspring of an evil god in Tingen?
He's in Backlund now?!

In that instant, Klein recalled his days in Tingen, his colleagues, and his captain.

Involuntarily, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, as if he were smiling.

Is there anything special about this name?

Alger asked, puzzled.

“He’s a wanted criminal. In official reports, he’s described as a cunning conman who nearly swindled £10,000 by pretending to start a steel company,” Audrey said. “I don’t know what happened to him, but all the women he killed had their bodies ripped apart from the inside out by twisted lumps of flesh.”

After the incident, she naturally checked the name Lu Ze had mentioned and quickly found a wanted criminal with the same name. The result showed that the wanted criminal's photo was a perfect match for the face she had seen on the meatball that day.

Several days had passed since the incident at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Due to her esteemed status, the official Extraordinary did not make things difficult for Audrey, but merely inquired about the situation. Audrey, using a potion, lied, claiming she had fainted from fright and saw nothing, easily deceiving the authorities.

However, when Audrey's adventurous outing came to the attention of her mother, the usually gentle Countess Hall was furious and immediately placed her under house arrest. She was forbidden from leaving the house for the time being and had to stay home obediently, studying etiquette, grammar, philosophy, and other subjects.

I've just learned a huge secret, and it's the perfect time to launch an investigation.
"Justice," Audrey thought regretfully. "It seems I can only ask Hugh and Fors for help."

Actually, she also wanted to take this opportunity to ask the members of the Tarot Club if they knew anything about the extraordinary individuals who were skilled at manipulating flesh and blood and could hide in the shadows. However, thinking of the man's strange and crazed state, and the promise not to reveal his information, she hesitated and ultimately remained silent. "Gentlemen," she said, "I'm bringing this up today because I want to investigate Lanius and would like some advice. Lanius is a cunning conman who is wanted by the authorities. Why did he commit a series of murders, and why did he use such methods?"

Audrey asked.

Alger crossed his arms and pondered for a while.

“I’ve heard of rituals involving demon worship that involve the murder of specific individuals. This matches Lanluus’s behavior, but I didn’t know about the fact that the deceased would have a lump of flesh inside their stomach.”

He said hesitantly.

"Knock knock."

Just then, at the very top of the bronze table, Klein gently tapped the edge of the table with his finger.

Suddenly, all three stopped talking and looked up at the tall, distant figure at the head of the table.

All that could be heard was Mr. Fool softly speaking from behind the hazy gray fog, “The True Creator.”

A true creator?!

The three of them couldn't help but change their expressions slightly.

So, Lanius's case actually involves an evil god!
"Mr. Fool, are you saying that this matter has the shadow of a true creator?"

Alger bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.

“There is the aura of a true creator on Lanluus.”

Klein chuckled in response. He wasn't lying; after all, Luzer had transferred the divinity of the evil god into that guy's belly. Speaking of which, could he really be pregnant?
The bizarre and comical image of a man becoming pregnant with the offspring of an evil god left him momentarily unsure whether he should laugh.

Everyone was silent for a while.

"If you launch an investigation into Lanius, I would like to be informed of the results in a timely manner."

Alger looked at Audrey and said seriously, "I can pay the fee."

"I know, I will."

Audrey nodded slowly, though she hesitated, wondering if she should entrust the matter to Hugh and Fors. Could they handle it?

By the way, as long as Mr. Fool is involved.
She quickly turned to face Klein.

"Mr. Fool, if things progress or if a situation arises that is beyond my control, may I pray to you?"

To Audrey's delight, the tall figure nodded slightly after a moment of silence.

"can."

Klein also wanted to know the news, but he was struggling to find a way to ask. He felt a little guilty, but he maintained his mysterious and enigmatic demeanor.

If all else fails, contact Mr. Azik.
He thought to himself.

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.

A commotion came from outside the house, waking Lu Ze from his daze.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself sitting on the living room sofa, but he didn't see his sister.

The noise outside continued; it was the girl's childish yet deliberately firm voice, a voice that sounded somewhat familiar, as if it belonged to her new landlady. Besides her voice, there were also more men shouting and cursing.

You've gotten into trouble so quickly?
Lu Ze lowered his head, used his teeth to bite open the leather straps binding his arms, then used his freed hands to untie the straitjacket and stepped out the door.

(End of this chapter)