Chapter 112

Evidence

In the morning of Igewent, a light mist permeated the air, with the outlines of distant buildings faintly visible through the fog. Despite the foggy weather, Gregor’s mood was not affected as he briskly walked down the street, humming a tune and weaving through the crowd.

Arriving at the entrance of the Cedar Shirt Building, he walked straight to the front desk where an old woman was deeply engrossed in writing something. He greeted her.

“Good morning, Ms. Ada.”

“Oh… Good morning, Gregor. As usual, you’re walking over…” Ada looked up, forcing a smile. She seemed more haggard than before, clearly still affected by previous events.

“Yes, exercise always does good,” Gregor said while adjusting his collar. Ada smiled and replied, “Young people are so vibrant. Although you’ve been busy these days, you seem to be in a good mood.”

“Hehe… although I’m busy lately, it’s almost over. Just nothing else to deliver…”

“Good morning, madam. This is a bouquet of flowers from the Colorful Butterfly Flower Shop, delivered by a customer. Please keep it safe.”

At that moment, a worker in work clothes brought a bouquet of fresh flowers to the counter and placed it in front of Gregor and Ada with a smile.

Looking at the bright flowers on the table, Gregor’s expression froze, mirroring the fog outside. Ada smiled and shook her head at the scene.

…

Underground, at the An Yin Bureau in Igewent.

In the bureau chief’s office, another bouquet of flowers was placed on the desk. Gregor, Turner, Elena, and James were present, all looking gravely at the flowers.

“Here we go again… Let’s see what message they’ve sent this time.”

As he spoke, James walked to the desk and pulled out an envelope from beside a rose, opened it, and took out the letter inside to read it. Then, James frowned.

“Mr. James, what does it say?” Gregor asked, observing James’ reaction. After a moment of silence, James replied, “It’s lyrics.”

“Lyrics?”

Hearing James, Gregor and the others felt bewildered. James then slapped the letter on the table, and the three of them leaned in to look. Elena read the lyrics aloud:

“Sheep… Sheep… We are lambs… Lovely lambs… Pity our growth…”

“Huh… It seems like a children’s song,” Gregor said, puzzled. Turner immediately spoke up loudly, “Why did they suddenly send us a children’s song? Are they treating us like kids?”

“This isn’t just any children’s song…”

James continued, and everyone turned to him in surprise. He then slowly explained, “This is a children’s song sung by the children of the Orphanage of Mercy during the annual charity event. It’s a fixed performance item. Supposedly, it was written by Viscount Field. I’ve heard it a few times.”

“Viscount Field wrote a children’s song for the charity event? How… why would they send such a thing? What are they trying to convey?”

Turner was even more confused. He couldn’t understand the significance. The organization calling itself the Rosy Cross wanted to express what with this song?

Just as everyone was puzzled by this new riddle, James, who had been closely examining the letter, suddenly looked startled, as if he had discovered something.

He then picked up the letter again, separating another sheet of paper lightly stuck to its back, and unfolded it to reveal something densely drawn on it.

“There’s another page? What is this?”

Seeing this, Turner and the other two leaned in to take a look. On the second page was a complex circular magical array, with coins and a triangular symbol at its center.

“This… is a magical array? One with the meaning of ‘Stone’?!”

“This is a suppression array for poison recognition, usually used for reading the secret transmission of the ‘Cup’…” James said seriously, holding the paper. Then, as if he suddenly realized something, he placed the letter with the “Stone” array aside and spread the letter with the lyrics in front of everyone.

Then, the four extraordinary beings present simultaneously felt a subtle disturbance in their minds, a faint impulse to eat something, especially Turner, who unconsciously licked his upper lip.

“This…”

The other three, except James, quickly averted their gazes. Elena rubbed her temples and said, “This is… poison recognition? The children’s song is a secret transmission? A ‘Cup’ secret transmission? But initially, the poison recognition was suppressed by the ‘Stone’ array?”

“Why does this have poison recognition? And it describes the ‘Cup’ poison,” Turner stepped back, saying. He was also an extraordinary being of the ‘Cup’ and thus more sensitive to poison recognition.

Meanwhile, Gregor, after some thought, seemed to realize something and exclaimed to James, who was still holding the letter, “Mr. James, you mentioned earlier… the children’s song is a fixed program every year, provided by Viscount Field to the Orphanage of Mercy… but…”

After a moment of hesitation, Gregor finally spoke.

“But why is Viscount Field’s children’s song a ‘Cup’ secret transmission?”

As soon as Gregor finished speaking, the entire office fell into a deathly silence. Everyone looked grim and silent.

At that moment, everyone’s heart was heavy, as if they didn’t want to believe the speculation forming in their minds. But there was no choice; the facts were right before them.

Even if the truth was cruel, it had to be accepted…

Finally, after taking a long breath, James slowly spoke.

“Gregor, Turner, gather the team…”

“Yes!”

…

At noon, in the southeast outskirts of Igewent, within a small forest, lay the Orphanage of Mercy.

At that moment, the Orphanage of Mercy was immersed in joy, with colorful ribbons and flowers adorning everywhere. Children played and celebrated on the grass under the nuns’ organization, sharing new clothes, books, and toys donated by this year’s charity event.

Above the door hall, Anna, a blonde girl with two pigtails, wore her best dress and held a suitcase.

Before her stood Dorothy in a simple white dress.

“Teacher Meshtos, I never expected you to come and see me off today! It’s wonderful!”

Anna said with a sunny smile, and Dorothy responded with a slight smile, “Of course, little Anna. You’re my best student. How could I not come? Remember to listen well and study hard.”

“Mm! I will definitely listen to Viscount Field’s words and study diligently!”

“Good. I trust you, Anna. By the way, to celebrate your good day today, I have a gift for you. Don’t move, let me put it on.” As she spoke, Dorothy took out a gray handkerchief and from it, a yellow flower hair accessory. She then placed it on Anna’s head. Anna touched it and replied happily, “Thank you, teacher! I think it looks great!”

At that moment, an old nun appeared at the door, waving and calling out, “Anna! Viscount Field has arrived. It’s time to leave.”

“I know, Sister Delide. Goodbye, Teacher Meshtos!”

“Alright… goodbye.”

Waving, Dorothy watched as Anna quickly ran toward the door with her luggage, then left the orphanage with the old nun holding her hand.

Outside the gate, Anna said her final goodbyes to her friends and the nuns, tears streaming down her eyes. There, a luxurious carriage drawn by three horses was waiting. Viscount Field stood smiling in front of the carriage, with his butler, carrying a cane, standing silently behind him.

“Viscount Field, I’m here.”

Approaching Viscount Field, Anna, wiping away her tears, said nervously. Field smiled and said, “Hehe, from now on, call me father. Alright, let’s get in the carriage…”

Just as Field prepared to lead Anna onto the carriage, a sudden sound of galloping horses echoed from afar. Everyone turned to look and saw several black carriages pulled by pairs of horses rushing towards them and stopping nearby. From these black carriages, many black-clothed people in dark uniforms, armed with guns and wearing masks, swiftly moved, surrounding Field’s carriage and the people in front of it. The nuns and children at the orphanage entrance were stunned, and Anna froze in place.