https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-124-Fred-Begins-His-Investigation/12584062/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-126-Fred-Seems-to-Want-to-Fast-Forward-Again/12584064/
Chapter 125: Lanchi Was Not Afraid in the Slightest
Chapter 125: Lanchi Was Not Afraid in the Slightest
The grand hall on the foundation floor of Lichtenstein Castle fell into a brief silence.
Elegant stone corridors, ornate fireplaces, and paintings hanging on the walls were bathed in the soft morning light.
With the young man's candid admission and the plethora of information he divulged, his identity as a wealthy heir was all but confirmed.
As for the twin bodyguards standing behind him, they didn't seem inclined to speak up just yet.
Fred nodded, committing their identities to memory as "The Young Master and His Two Thugs," and then turned his attention to the three women standing at the farthest corner.
"We are from the Krexe Empire," the noble-like girl at the forefront stated, inclining her head in a polite greeting. Her demeanor exuded both elegance and humility, and her brown hair flowed like silk.
However, she didn't seem inclined to offer more information, meeting Fred's cold gaze without flinching.
A strong and steady magical aura emanated from her, indicating she was likely a traditional mage. Flanking her were a tall and stately female knight with arched eyebrows and sparkling eyes, and a petite, timid priestess in white with tearful blue eyes.
A classic battle formation of warrior, mage, and cleric.
As the trio offered no further information, Fred labeled them in his mind as the "Empire's National Women's Team" and shifted his attention to the final three.
"We are from the Northern Continent and are clergy members serving under the Holy Maiden of the Church of the Goddess of Fate," the priest, clad in an immaculate white robe with intricate gold embroidery along its edges, stepped forward and replied with a sincere bow. His eyes were gentle, filled with compassion and warmth.
Standing behind him were an executioner clad in heavy armor and a crimson cloak, and a paladin adorned in gleaming silver-white armor.
Their faces wore determined and fearless expressions, their eyes burning with unwavering conviction, as if they embodied the flame of justice.
"Do you know Lorren?" Fred asked casually.
There was an air of equality in his tone when mentioning Lorren, causing the trio to startle slightly, unsure of Fred's standing within the Ecclesiastic Academy of Ikelite.
"Of course," the priest replied. "Even on the Northern Continent, we are well aware of the deeds of the Great Priest Lorren." He signaled for his companions to demonstrate their divine arts, and from the displays of their clerical magic, Fred could believe that their claimed identities were likely authentic.
However, it didn't rule out the possibility of infiltrators from the Church of Resurrection within the Church of the Goddess of Fate.
For now, he labeled this trio as the "Holy Maiden's Sidekicks."
With that, Fred had a basic understanding of everyone's backgrounds, though he was certain that at least two of the nine were hiding their true identities.
As for their specific identities and occupations, aside from those who chose to openly share, the rest would convey their information to him privately through writing later on.
"Do you two have anything to add?" Fred took a step back, moving closer to Lanchi and Huberian.
Huberian, due to the unique nature of her identity, merely conveyed through her eyes for Fred and Lanchi to turn around, and then she surreptitiously used her fingers to sketch the words "actress" in the air, indicating her profession.
"...Understood," Fred and Lanchi replied, now even more convinced that there might be others among the challengers with similar identities to Huberian's. Her true identity wouldn't be of much help to the detective, and revealing it could prove both suspicious and dangerous.
Thus, Fred's task of deduction became even more challenging.
Even if he were to interrogate each person individually, the traitor could easily fabricate a watertight identity.
As long as the traitor possessed sufficient intelligence, deducing their true identity based on the information provided would be nearly impossible—this was the very mechanism of the Shadow World.
After Shirley Anne finished communicating with them, Lanchi once again turned his gaze towards the hall.
He took a step forward with ease and raised his palm to address the group.
"Hello everyone, I'd like to say a few words."
"My identity is that of a lawyer, well-versed in the laws of the Honing Empire. Today, the Honing Empire has embraced the worship of the Vampire Progenitor, and any act of treason against the Vampire rule will be met with capital punishment. Similarly, humans wishing to enter any city must undergo strict identity registration."
"Regarding the information provided by the geographer, I have something to add. The national defense barrier of the Honing Empire is now under the control of the vampires, and it has an air superiority effect. Non-vampires are unable to use any flight magic or tools, and I believe this will be mutually corroborated shortly."
Lanchi's words were like a pebble dropped into a lake, creating ripples that prompted deep contemplation among everyone in the hall.
Yet another individual revealing their identity, and in such a forthright manner.
Moreover, the boy's emerald green eyes shone with sincerity and candor, and his words carried a calming strength that seemed to dispel doubts and unease.
This unadulterated gentle demeanor made it difficult to suspect him of any ill intentions.
Or perhaps...
What if someone like him turned out to be the true villain? That would be an unimaginable horror story.
Lanchi sighed helplessly as he continued:
"If I'm not mistaken, there's some very bad news. The only bridge leading to the city-state has likely been destroyed, and we are now trapped on this cliff, enclosed by the edges of the national defense barrier and the terrain."
"So, the requirement of the Shadow World is that we must correctly deduce and capture the betrayer. If we mistakenly kill the betrayer, there's no escape from the Vampire Count, is there?"
Fred smiled and directed a playful question at Lanchi.
As these words landed, the expressions of the others became somewhat awkward.
Their faces displayed a range of emotions, from astonishment to deep thought and gravity, their eyes shifting constantly like a ever-changing painting.
In this confined space, everyone seemed to become more acute and sensitive, almost as if they could collectively sense the tension and unease in the air intensifying.
Just the mention of the terrain being blocked and the Vampire Count was enough to make all the challengers pale.
Even in the present world, they knew that vampires were terrifying beings that same-level creatures could not hope to oppose.
Vampires inherently possessed authority and immortality, and throughout history, human strongmen who fought them only ended up wasting their precious high-level combat power.
Even theoretically, when the sun rose during the day and weakened the vampires, there was absolutely no possibility of surviving an entire night against them.
Not to mention racial suppression, the challengers, who were around the fifth tier, and the Vampire Count were not even on the same power level. Any one of them would have their heads taken off in an instant, becoming nothing more than playthings for the Vampire Count to torture and toy with.
"Naturally, there's no escape."
Lanchi replied calmly to Fred, his demeanor as serene as a still pond.
Even in the face of such danger, he remained unperturbed.
Huberian glanced at Lanchi and felt a little more relieved.
As long as Lanchi maintained this state, she had nothing to fear.
(End of Chapter)
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