The events trace back to a few years ago.
Back then, Sefina was still active on the western continent under the identity of “Holmes.” Her silver-white hair and ice-blue eyes had become a rather controversial symbol in the detective circle of the Sarkax Royal Capital.
Some appreciated her sharp insight and efficient case-solving abilities, while others harbored doubts about her unclear background and occasionally overly aggressive methods.
But regardless, when the Security Bureau encountered difficult unsolved cases, they still considered hiring this unconventional detective as a consultant.
It was a drizzly afternoon. The rain slanted against the glass windows of the detective agency, forming winding trails of water on the windowsill. The room was dim, with only a magic crystal lamp on the desk emitting a steady white glow.
Sefina was currently sitting in the high-backed chair behind the counter, focused on flipping through a thick, ancient text that recorded various curse magics and their methods of dispelling.
‘Why read this kind of book? Ask the magic crest on her lower abdomen!’
Just then, light footsteps came from outside the porch, approaching and finally stopping at the agency’s door. Sefina looked up. Through the blurry rain on the glass door, she saw a figure holding a plain oil-paper umbrella.
The umbrella tilted slightly, blocking the upper half of the person, revealing only the hem of a pure white long skirt and a pair of women’s short boots stained with a little mud.
The person closed the umbrella, set it in the copper umbrella stand by the door, and turned around. Sefina’s gaze fell on her, instantly recognizing her identity.
She was a young woman, with a delicate and gentle face. Her lake-blue eyes were clear and calm, though at this moment they seemed to hold a trace of anxiety beneath the surface.
Sefina put down the text, leaned back slightly, and calmly fixed her ice-blue eyes on the guest. In her usual cool and steady voice, she spoke:
“Holy Maiden, what business do you have with me?”
There was little surprise in her tone, nor the awe or fervor ordinary people showed toward clergy. She seemed simply to be receiving an ordinary client.
The Holy Maiden before her gently bit her lip. She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she first turned cautiously to survey the interior of the agency, then listened intently for sounds outside. The rain pattered steadily, and the street was empty.
Confirming there was no one else around, she turned back to face Sefina, took a few steps forward, and stopped about three steps away from the counter.
The Holy Maiden’s blue eyes met Sefina’s, her voice very low but clear and steady:
“Miss Holmes, you… have you been cooperating with the Security Bureau in investigating the recent missing persons cases?”
“Missing persons cases?”
Sefina’s brow twitched slightly.
She had indeed been entrusted by the Security Bureau to assist in investigating several bizarre disappearances that had occurred in the capital city and surrounding towns over the past two months.
The missing individuals varied in age, gender, and occupation, seeming unrelated. Valuable clues were rarely left at the scenes, and the investigation had hit a dead end.
“I am indeed investigating, but currently the clues are insufficient. The missing individuals don’t seem to have much in common. I’m waiting for further evidence from the Security Bureau.”
Sefina paused slightly, leaning forward, and tapped the smooth wooden surface of the counter with her fingertip.
“Holy Maiden, your visit… do you have some clues?”
The Holy Maiden nodded, clasping her hands nervously in front of her. She glanced again at the closed door in confirmation, then took a deep breath and spoke in an even more cautious tone:
“This case… might… might be related to the Church…”
“The Church?”
Sefina’s ice-blue eyes widened slightly, a hint of undisguised surprise in her voice. She had done some basic research on the Holy Light Church before.
This religious organization, which had widespread influence on the western continent, resembled certain religions she knew from her previous life.
It believed in a deity and preached benevolence. The Pope was an elder around sixty years old, deeply loved by the people. The Church’s cathedral in the capital was grand and solemn, with an endless stream of believers coming to pray daily. The clergy generally presented a gentle image.
Missing persons… could it be related to such a Church?
Sefina quickly weighed the matter in her mind, maintaining a skeptical attitude, and pressed on:
“Holy Maiden, have you discovered some strange phenomenon?”
Liana nodded again. Her face seemed to have paled, and a flicker of panic passed through the depths of her blue eyes. She stepped half a step closer, lowering her voice to nearly a whisper:
“The clergy are… are cannibalizing people…”
“Last night, deep in the church, I inadvertently… witnessed…”
“Cannibalism?!”
Sefina’s pupils instantly contracted, her body instinctively tensing up, almost unable to control her volume. Liana immediately raised a finger to her lips, making a hasty shushing gesture. Her eyes held a plea and tension as she quickly explained:
“It was late last night. I got up to go to the washroom at the end of the corridor and accidentally took a wrong turn, going down a corridor I don’t usually use. I heard some strange sounds coming from behind a slightly ajar door. I… caught a glimpse…”
The Holy Maiden’s voice trembled slightly, her fingers unconsciously gripping the sleeve of her holy robe.
“At the time, I even thought I was dreaming or hallucinating. But after I retreated and stayed in the shadows for a long time, when I calmed down and thought back… it was indeed real.”
“I saw… blood, and… limbs. Though it was just a glimpse, there’s no mistake.”
The Holy Maiden raised her head, meeting Sefina’s eyes. Those blue eyes were now filled with struggle and fear, but also a hint of determination.
“I didn’t dare speak to anyone about it… afraid I’d be taken for a madwoman, or… arouse suspicion from certain entities in the Church. After all, this matter is too unbelievable.”
“But I can’t pretend I didn’t see it. I thought for a long time, and I believe that perhaps only you, Miss Holmes, have the ability and might be willing to investigate this.”
Sefina fell into a brief silence. Cannibalism? Beings disguised as humans, feeding on humans? In this world, she had never heard of such existences in official records or folklore.
Magical beasts might attack humans, but to be lurking in such an organized manner within the core religious institution of human society, engaging in such secretive and horrifying behavior… it was truly unbelievable.
But on the other hand, the Holy Maiden before her didn’t seem to be faking it. The fear and struggle in her eyes, and the urgency of seeking help, all seemed genuine.
Moreover, what reason would she have to fabricate such an absurd and dangerous lie to defame the Church she belonged to? If discovered, she would be ruined, and might even face even more terrible consequences.
Everything pointed to a hair-raising possibility. Sefina slowly exhaled, her ice-blue eyes returning to a calm scrutiny. She looked at the Holy Maiden and finally nodded.
“Alright, I understand.”
Sefina’s voice returned to its usual clarity and steadiness.
“I’ll find an opportunity to investigate this. In the coming days, please maintain your usual demeanor, act as if you know nothing, and be careful for your own safety.”
The Holy Maiden visibly sighed in relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly, a faint smile of relief appearing on her face.
“I’m counting on you, Miss Holmes.”
She said solemnly, then gave Sefina a slight nod, turned, and walked to the door, picking up the plain oil-paper umbrella again.
She pushed open the glass door, opened the umbrella, and stepped into the increasingly heavy rain. Her white figure quickly disappeared around the gray street corner.
Sefina stood behind the counter, watching her go, her ice-blue eyes deep and somber. She didn’t know that this would be the beginning of tragedy and escape. Many mysteries and crises would entangle her from this point on.
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