“Lilian?”
When Emilia’s voice fell, the courtyard suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Ileil had no reaction to this name; she just cast a calm gaze at the nun: “Is that the name of the victim girl?”
“Yes, Miss Ileil.” Emilia sighed lightly, “But strangely, during his last confession, Carl was unusually calm. He said… he had finally ‘found a way to liberation’.”
Prinshitt frowned: “Liberation? Did he turn himself in?”
“I initially thought Mr. Carl had gone to turn himself in, but that’s not the case… I asked the security team, and Carl never came.” Emilia shook her head, “Given Mr. Carl’s special nature, I think everyone can focus on pursuing his whereabouts.”
A cold wind swept through the grape arbor in the courtyard, causing faint ripples on the surface of the tea cups.
Kaze held his forehead, trying hard to recall: “Wait… Lady Emilia. I feel like I’ve heard the name ‘Lilian’ somewhere.” He rubbed his temples and turned his gaze to Alyssa beside him:
“Isn’t this the name Gro mentioned before?”
“I have no impression.” The female mage said expressionlessly.
“What about you, Ileil?”
“Do you think I talk to Gro that often?”
Ileil gave Kaze a blank look, replying coldly.
“Fine—then we’ll have to ask Gro later. Anyway, I remember during one drinking session, Gro muttered a name similar to this.”
Kaze shrugged helplessly, seeming to have to put this question aside for now.
“Lady Emilia… Could you please tell us in detail about Carl’s last confession?”
Prinshitt leaned forward, her ruby-like eyes flashing with inquisitive light:
“What exactly did he say at the time? Did he mention any special places?”
Sister Emilia’s fingers lightly tapped the edge of the tea cup, her brows slightly furrowed: “Please wait, let me think carefully… Mr. Carl’s state that day was very special.” She paused, as if recalling the scene, “After all, I didn’t record these specific details.”
“After Carl finished talking about the murdered girl, he said he saw ‘light’ in the abandoned barn. And it wasn’t ordinary candlelight or sunlight, but a kind that could ‘cleanse sins’.”
“Is that so?” Ileil looked toward the portrait of the Dawn Goddess on the wall: “Doesn’t sound as good as the Dawn Goddess.”
Alyssa snorted, her fingertips lightly touching the potion bottle at her waist: “Light that purifies sins? Probably some kind of cult ritual. I’d say this is the work of those Mor believers!”
“What else did Carl say?” Prinshitt pursued.
Emilia opened the record book, her fingertip stopping at a spot with smudged ink: “I did note this detail. He said… that light told him, ‘Death is not the end’.” The nun raised her head, a trace of unease flashing in her blue eyes, “”
The courtyard fell into a brief silence, these baffling clues making everyone look troubled.
Lily’s cat ears trembled in fear, her tail tightly wrapped around her waist: “I-I think Mr. Carl might be in trouble…”
Ileil stood up, looking like she couldn’t sit still anymore: “Lady Emilia, do you know the specific location of that abandoned barn? I think we must go investigate.”
“I’m sorry… I don’t know that.”
Emilia the nun gently closed the record book, her well-defined fingers lingering for a moment on the faded leather cover.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the grapevines, outlining her slender figure.
“In that case, you should know what work he’s doing now, right? In such a big Renn Town, there must be people who know this Carl.”
Ileil asked. She seemed experienced in finding people.
“Uh… I do know that, Miss Ileil.” She raised her head, apology in her gray-blue eyes, “But he mentioned in confession that he had washed his hands of it and now does simple escort work at the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Adventurers’ Guild?” Prinshitt set down her tea cup, saying helplessly: “It seems things have circled back to the starting point.”
“Yes, Your Highness Prinshitt.” Emilia nodded, “He said after committing the crime, he started ‘making a living legitimately’. Old John at the Adventurers’ Guild who handles member registrations should know his address.”
Ileil said thoughtfully: “Would the guild people casually reveal a member’s address?”
“Generally not.” The nun showed a gentle smile, “But if it’s Your Highness the princess asking personally… I think things might turn around.”
Alyssa sneered, the potion bottles at her waist clinking: “I find this Carl guy quite amusing—saying he wants to confess his sins while becoming an adventurer. I figure that’s not exactly a proper job either?”
“Shut up, Alyssa. At least it’s better than continuing as a robber.” Kaze scratched the stubble on his chin and turned to Prinshitt, “Your Highness, should we go to the guild now? I have good relations with a few old buddies there.”
“I think so.” The princess agreed.
Lily timidly raised an opposing voice: “I-I think we should tell Lord Dorias first…”
“You little girl. Do you need that saint to handle everything?”
Alyssa pressed down on the cat-eared priestess’s small head: “Listen to Her Highness the princess—she should be the one in charge now.”
The female mage glanced at Prinshitt with interest and smiled: “Right? Your Highness.”
Prinshitt stood up, the gold threads on her skirt hem sparkling in the sunlight.
She didn’t respond to Alyssa’s words but cast her gaze at Lily: “No need to trouble Mentor; we’ll go to the guild first. If this Carl is really related to the disappearance cases, we must hurry.”
She turned her eyes to Emilia, who wore a smile: “Lady Emilia, could you tell us the specific location of the guild?”
“It’s in the stone building on the east side of the market square, with crossed sword and staff emblems at the door.” Emilia also stood up, “If it’s inconvenient for everyone, I can seal an introduction letter…”
“No need.” Ileil refused straightforwardly:
“With Her Highness Prinshitt here, it’s enough.”
……
When they decided on their next direction and walked out of the church courtyard, the noon sun had already stretched the bell tower’s shadow very long.
Ileil walked at the end, suddenly stopping and looking back.
Sister Emilia stood in the light and shadow cast by the church’s stained glass windows, her black hair dyed dark red.
She stood there like a statue, quietly watching them leave.
“What’s up, Ileil.” Kaze noticed her hesitation. “What are you thinking; do you have any ideas?”
“Not sure yet.” Ileil shook her head and quickly caught up with the group, “I just feel that nun named Emilia is a bit off.”