Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 143 Traitor

Archives!

Green and Vera exchanged a glance. There were the parish's annual records, event logs, some personnel files (including his own), and detailed catalogs and character reports of some low-risk sealed items.

Is the enemy destroying evidence, or searching for something else?

"The archives were ransacked, but the perpetrators were professional and there was no large-scale damage. It will take time to inventory and compare the specific documents that are missing. The sealed storage area remains untouched and is well-secured."

Clarisse spoke quickly, demonstrating her strong professionalism. Despite her shock, her information gathering and processing remained efficient. "—Okay, I understand. Immediately activate Level 2 alert at the base, completely seal off the area, and prohibit any unauthorized personnel from entering or leaving. Notify Oberhafen Cathedral and report in detail to the Archbishop. At the same time, in my name, send a preliminary emergency briefing to the Night Watch Command. I'll return as soon as I've finished here."

She hung up the phone, but her hand remained on the receiver, as if she needed that support.

Clarice turned to face Green and Vera, her eyes showing a serious expression.

"We're in big trouble."

She took a deep breath and added, "The St. George Hospice was attacked ten minutes ago by a premeditated and organized extraordinary individual. Their objective was clear: the archives. They successfully breached our defenses. This is neither accidental nor a typical extraordinary crime."

She walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and cautiously scanned the quiet street outside before quickly closing it again.

"Attacks on bases are no longer scheming plots hidden in the shadows."

Clarice walked back, her voice heavy. "This is an open provocation and a declaration of war. It means that our enemies, or the forces behind them, are confident enough to believe they can withstand the Church's wrath, or—their plans have reached a point where they have to risk exposing part of their strength to obtain crucial information or create chaos."

Green felt his throat go dry: "What—what are they looking for? Does it concern me?"

"It's impossible to be sure, but there are files in the archives, complete reports of those extraordinary events."

Clarice looked at him. "More importantly, the timing of this attack was too coincidental."

C

Yes, the timing is indeed too coincidental.

The chill in Green's heart grew stronger and stronger.

From the lingering repercussions of Viscount Linus's dinner party, to the mysterious death of old Bob, to the tragedy at his aunt's house, and Emily's disappearance...

Sula has been implanted with an "anchor point," and now the church's headquarters has been attacked—one thing after another, linked together, giving them no chance to catch their breath or conduct an in-depth investigation.

The enemy seemed to be able to predict their every move, precisely disrupting their rhythm and creating new chaos.

It's like they've figured out what this group of people will do next.

He glanced at Clarice instinctively. If even their stronghold could be breached so easily, the enemy's understanding of the church's internal workings was probably far greater than he had imagined.

Has the Night's Watch been infiltrated as well?

The terrible question almost slipped out, but Green held it back.

In the absence of evidence, such questioning is not only unhelpful, but may also lead to unnecessary suspicion and confusion.

But the doubt in his eyes did not escape Clarice's notice.

Clarisse paused for a moment, not directly answering Green's unspoken question, but instead said in a deep voice, "No organization can guarantee absolute purity, especially when facing enemies skilled at manipulating minds and shadows. Suspicion is a necessary precaution, but unfounded suspicion will undermine our own defenses."

She walked to the center of the room, the light sweeping across Green and Vera: "Now, we face multiple crises. Miss Sura's anchor point," the defensive vulnerabilities exposed by the attack on the base, and the enemy's clearly accelerating pace of action. We cannot be led by the nose."

She quickly came up with a plan: "Vera, you stay here and guard Sura. Green and I need to return to the base immediately."

Vera nodded immediately, without asking any further questions, and simply said to be careful.

"Please make sure Sula's safety is guaranteed. Thank you," Green said solemnly.

After saying this, the two quickly left Clarice's mansion and returned to the Night's Watch encampment by carriage.

The carriage sped through the streets of Oberhafen in the early morning, its wheels rolling over the cobblestones.

Green sat opposite Clarice, watching the street scene rushing past through the crack in the car window.

The city is awakening; smoke rises from the chimneys of bakeries, and newsboys run across street corners carrying bundles of newspapers—everything seems ordinary.

But beneath this calm surface, undercurrents are surging.

"What do you think they found?" Green broke the silence.

Clarice didn't answer immediately. She placed her hands on her knees, staring straight ahead, but Green could tell her thoughts were racing.

"The materials in the archives are divided into several categories."

She finally spoke, her voice low, "First, personnel files, including current and deceased Night Watchmen, peripheral informants, and key individuals of interest. Second, incident files, recording all confirmed or suspected extraordinary events in Oberhafen and the surrounding area over the past fifty years. Third, a catalog of sealed items and characteristic reports, although only copies of low-risk items, they still contain important information. Fourth, copies of correspondence with other parishes, headquarters, and secular institutions."

She paused for a moment: "If it's for some other purpose—"

She didn't finish her sentence, but Green understood what she meant.

"A mole." Green still uttered that word.

Clarice did not deny it: "The base has comprehensive security measures and precautions. The archives are a key area, and without internal authorization or detailed intelligence, it would be impossible to break through so precisely and quickly. The other side not only knew the location of the archives, but also knew how to bypass or disable the security."

Whom do you suspect?

"It is too early to suspect any specific person."

Clarice said, "But the scope can be narrowed. There aren't many people with access to the archives, including myself, the vice commander, and..."

Two senior deacons, an archivist, and — a special envoy from headquarters.

Green noticed a subtle change in her tone when she said "headquarters envoy".

"Have any people from headquarters come recently?"

"A week ago, a Sequence 5 Inquisitor arrived from headquarters, ostensibly to conduct an annual inspection and personnel assessment."

Clarice said, "He has access to most of the non-classified files."

"You suspect him?"

I doubt everyone.

""

Clarice's voice was icy. "Until the truth comes out, everyone in the base is a suspect. Including myself."

""

The carriage turned into a narrow alleyway, a path leading to the back gate of St. George's Hospice.

The sanatorium's tall stone walls came into view, covered in ivy, and looked peaceful and serene, unlike a place that had just been attacked.