The fairy maid cheers for her deceased master today.

Where does he live?

Ax was certainly not someone who could be easily appeased.

He continued asking questions while glancing around.

Some people's gazes were indeed malicious. Especially Elena and Angel, both of them are lovely little devils.

However, fairies are magical and dangerous, and there are rumors of them having "alien" bloodlines. Those people did glance at them briefly, but quickly looked away.

Those who hadn't moved away pretended not to see the revolver on X's hip and raised their glasses again.

Generally speaking, it's better to avoid trouble. The other party is just looking for someone.

But the bartender, seemingly very professional, shook his head, offering no indication of where he lived.

"I need to ask him something. Don't worry," Ex explained.

The bartender pretended not to see and continued wiping the glasses.

Ax shook his head helplessly, then took out another silver coin and pushed it over.

The bartender's eyes were immediately drawn to the silver coins, and he couldn't take his eyes off them.

As if afraid that Ex would regret it, he quickly collected the silver coins and put them under the cabinet. Then he gave Ex and the others an even more amiable smile.

But if you ask me, it's better not to laugh. This guy's laugh is too creepy.

"Brick alley, red brick house, the one at the very back," the bartender said quickly, "but don't tell anyone I told you."

Sure enough, that's the truth.

"Of course. Thanks."

■

The brick alley is not far from the dock.

But as soon as they arrived at their destination, Ex frowned slightly.

The brick buildings here are even more dilapidated than the bars. The narrow alleyways are piled high with garbage and debris, emitting a foul stench. The plaster is peeling, the windows are broken, and a few stray cats rummage through the garbage for food.

X drew his revolver and walked inside, followed by the others.

Soon, the three of them stood together in front of a dilapidated wooden door.

"This is it."

"Ex said in a low voice."

He raised his hand and knocked on the door, but there was no response.

Ex increased the pressure and knocked on the door again. The door groaned under the weight.

"Who is it!" a rude voice came from inside the door, filled with fear.

"Sir Axemore. I'm looking for Billy."

There was a moment of silence inside. Then, the sound of the lock turning filled the air, and the door opened a crack. A young but haggard face appeared, with bloodshot eyes and a few bruises on its cheeks.

"You..." Billy looked at them warily, "I don't know you."

"Kathelyn Wentworth," Axe said, stating the name directly. "She asked you to meet her at the Old Sailor's Bar yesterday."

Billy's eyes flickered, a look of fear crossing his face. "I haven't seen her!" he said urgently, trying to close the door.

Ex's hand was already on the door.

At the same time, Irene snapped her fingers. Green vines filled the gap in the door, completely eliminating the possibility of it closing.

Billy was so frightened that he took a step back and shivered.

"Billy," X's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable force, "Catherine is missing. Now, only you can help us. Tell me, what happened?"

Billy looked at the gun at X's waist, then at Elena and Angel behind him, and his fear deepened.

"I...I really don't know!" His voice trembled. "During the day...I waited at the bar for an hour. Then no one showed up. So I...I went straight home!"

"You're not lying?"

X opened the door, raised his revolver, and pointed the gun at Billy.

"I don't know! I really don't know! I'm telling the truth!" His voice was choked with sobs, and he was about to kneel down.

Seeing this, Elena shook her head slightly. This little rascal is a bit timid.

Angel leaned closer and whispered, "Is he telling the truth?"

good question.

To determine whether someone is telling the truth, one would normally need to observe micro-expressions or rely on experience.

But Ax had never studied micro-expressions! He hadn't had much exposure to them before.

Fortunately... this is the Rain World. And Angel's abilities have only just evolved.

Therefore, X immediately thought of using the new ability.

"Okay, then I'll ask one more time: you really didn't see Catherine during the day?"

As he said this, X activated Angel's ability.

[(Psychology) Position Swap Activation: Ax's Thoughts and Billy's Thoughts]

The familiar failure judgment finally did not occur.

X heard Billy's inner thoughts.

It's true! More real than real gold! I'm not lying!

At the same time, Billy subconsciously uttered the math problem that X had just been thinking about: "One plus one must equal two... Huh?"

Billy looked around, feeling like the place was haunted.

"It's the truth. Then..." Ex softened his tone, "Do you know who might be working against her? Or, what case is she investigating lately?"

Billy hesitated for a moment.

Ex was already quite skilled; he immediately took out a silver coin from his pocket and waved it in front of him.

Billy stared at the silver coin as if it were a lifeline. He licked his chapped lips and finally spoke.

"The docks...the warehouse." He lowered his voice even further. "Miss Catherine has been investigating the thefts there recently. She says...there's a secret hidden there."

"What secret?"

"I don't know!" Billy said urgently. "She told me before that it wasn't an ordinary theft; the missing items were special, like... magical silverware. She said it could be used in rituals."

X and Angel exchanged a glance.

Theft...again, ceremonial silverware?

A similar case occurred three years ago?

"Is there anything else?" Ax continued to ask.

Billy shook his head. "That's all. I swear! That's all Miss Catherine said before. She also said...it's dangerous, and I shouldn't go near those warehouses."

Billy has said everything he should know.

"Thank you, Billy," Ax said. "We'll find out."

He turned and left with Elena and Angel.

Billy immediately looked around, then slammed the door shut, the sound of it locking echoing sharply in the quiet alley.

■

The carriage then continued its journey through London in the rain.

Ax went to the police station again. He asked the officer on duty, only to learn that Miss Catherine hadn't come that day.

Of course, the ability to exchange thoughts was also used to determine the truth or falsehood.

Anyway, the police themselves had no idea what had happened, and they didn't know that their minds had been switched.

However, the police officers on duty arrived in the afternoon, and the morning officers were not there. It was also really too late, so X could only take everyone home first and think about tomorrow's operation.

At least the alarm for the alien disaster from the clock tower wasn't heard. This reassured Ax a little.

Ax leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes in thought.

Elena and Angel were already asleep, leaning on his shoulder. So X stopped moving and gently smoothed their hair.

The carriage finally returned to the detective agency. Ex gently woke Elena and Angel and led them inside. The coachman, having received a large sum of money, left happily.

"Sir..." Elena's voice was heavy with unease, "Sister Catherine..."

"Don't worry," said Ex. "You guys rest first. I'll think of something else."

The advantage of the dead not needing to sleep proved true once again. Ax decided to think carefully about how to find Catherine tomorrow.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from upstairs.

Ax looked up and saw the maid Mary running downstairs in a panic.

"Sir! Miss Elena!" Mary's voice trembled with tears. "Something terrible has happened!"

Angel and Elena were now wide awake.

"What's wrong?" Ex asked calmly.

"A letter!" Mary's hands trembled as she handed over a letter. "It was...found in the yard! It's...it's for Miss Elena!"

Irene took the letter blankly, then opened it.

The letter unfolded, revealing only one line of writing, penned in fresh blood:

"Want Catherine to live? Don't call the police. How about we... play a game?"