Leonard had been hinting to Dunn that the witch was actually a man who'd transformed, but unfortunately, Dunn didn't catch his meaning.
He only thought the suspect had a sister in the Psychology Alchemists, which left Leonard feeling quite helpless.
While their conversation continued to go in circles, Silas picked up the wanted poster and studied the shy, round-faced man's features.
Below the portrait were details of his crimes:
"Tris, suspected Beyonder, preliminarily assessed as Sequence 8 'Instigator,' possibility of Psychology Alchemists affiliation not ruled out, perpetrator of the Clover massacre... He landed at Port Enmat and, according to eyewitness testimony, has arrived in Tingen.
Current whereabouts unknown..."
The Clover massacre was a vicious incident that had occurred some time before Silas transmigrated.
A sea vessel named the Clover had first been attacked by pirates, after which violent internal conflict erupted among the crew.
Some passengers on board, driven by primitive desires, descended into chaos and madness, killing and destroying indiscriminately.
Post-incident analysis suggested the conflict's root cause was likely the passenger Tris, who had used Beyonder's abilities to instigate people to commit evil acts.
Combined with the potion name "Instigator," Silas guessed that Tris's purpose in manufacturing the Clover massacre was to "act," thereby digesting his potion faster.
To digest a potion, he didn't hesitate to kill so many people? Or was it that this potion required harming others as a prerequisite for acting?
How cruel.
Silas thought to himself.
The Secrets Suppliant pathway was so insane. Perhaps he would face similar circumstances in the future.
What choice would he make then?
While he was lost in thought, Leonard had already explained things clearly on the other side.
He suspected Tris had drunk the potion and transformed from male to female. This magical yet reasonable guess shocked both Klein and Dunn.
"No wonder divination yielded no results at the time. He's fundamentally changed." Klein said.
"Perhaps I can use this new lead for divination."
"No need for divination just yet. We've narrowed it down to the last area. We can confirm the location this afternoon."
Dunn shook his head. "Everyone, get ready. We're heading out immediately."
They were about to find the witch?
Silas immediately looked up. "Captain, can you take me along?"
The three men who'd been gathering their things all looked over.
"The opponent is very likely a Sequence 7 powerhouse. Your sequence is too low. If we didn't need Klein to confirm the location, I wouldn't even bring him."
Dunn's iron-gray eyes were deep and calm as he flatly refused Silas.
But I desperately need the witch's heart.
Silas smiled and said, "Captain, don't forget that back in Port Enmat, I fought against a Sequence 5! Plus, I still have that thing you entrusted me to keep. Self-preservation definitely won't be a problem."
He patted the inner pocket at his chest, reminding Dunn he was carrying the "Clockwork Clown."
Seeing Dunn still hesitating, he added, "Besides, I'm well-versed in ritual magic. I might be able to help you during the investigation."
Dunn thought for a moment and asked, "Did you rest enough this morning?"
"Absolutely no problem."
Silas answered.
With the conversation at this point, Dunn had no more reasons to refuse.
The four put on their windbreakers and hats, left the company, and boarded a carriage heading toward the last uninvestigated area.
Tingen City, West Borough.
It was evening. The sun tilted west, shining on the Tussock River. The waves' brilliance looked like golden glittering scales, dancing restlessly on the water's surface.
Unfortunately, the river's smell was somewhat fishy and foul, and the streets along it were muddy, ruining people's interest in viewing the beautiful scenery.
"Everyone, pay attention. The target is a gray-blue two-story building with a garden."
The Nighthawks each leaned against their respective carriage windows, discreetly peering out, searching for a house matching the description.
Silas sat on the carriage's soft cushions. The cabin swayed, the warm afternoon breeze brushing his face, and drowsiness began to creep over him again.
No, can't fall asleep.
Quick, think about something else. Wake up.
Come to think of it, what does Ma'am M want to collect life force for?
If it's for curse rituals, that's one thing, but if she's using it to heal her injuries, could I tamper with it somehow...
"Come here."
Just then, a woman's voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Who's that?
Silas jolted awake, no longer drowsy. He raised his head somewhat strangely.
The carriage held only men, and people on the street outside were some distance from the vehicle. It was impossible for them to produce such a clear voice.
"Come here."
That voice sounded again, its tone full of allure and provocation, with a barely perceptible coldness, like smooth, icy snake scales brushing past his ear.
Silas didn't speak.
He looked left and right at his colleagues, discovering the others were still focused on searching for the target house.
From the looks of it, only he had heard this voice.
Is it because of the "Listener" characteristic, making me hear things I shouldn't again...?
Silas had experience seeing things he shouldn't, so he didn't panic. Instead, he relaxed and suppressed his hearing.
But the voice didn't disappear.
Instead, it grew louder and louder. The woman making the sound whispered softly, reaching extremes of seduction.
The voice echoed in Silas's mind, and his head began to ache.
Only then did he finally understand the problem.
No, it's not that I failed to suppress my hearing. It's that our carriage is approaching the source of the sound!
Did that witch create this?
Silas took a deep breath, controlling his senses with all his might, trying to minimize the voice's impact.
"Found it. This is the place."
Just then, he heard Klein's confirming voice.
Looking out the carriage window, a gray-blue two-story building came into view.
It had a dilapidated garden with withered grass and trees.
Only a few rose bushes by the wall were blooming bright red, though they did nothing to improve the overall atmosphere.
Through his eyes, Silas saw something semi-transparent slowly moving in the shadows on the first floor, like several invisible giant serpents.
"Keep moving forward."
Having confirmed the house, Dunn instructed the coachman, Cesare, not to stop but to maintain a steady pace.
The carriage continued for several more streets until the house was out of sight, then quietly stopped.
"Don't rush over just yet. Wait until nightfall, when we can better utilize our abilities. Before then, we'll monitor from outside."
Dunn said.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Silas thought to himself that he should have told Cecilia before leaving, so she wouldn't worry.
No, wait, Ma'am M can share his vision.
She'll probably remind his sister... While enduring the seductive female voice in his mind, Silas smiled bitterly.
He really didn't want that crazy woman influencing Cecilia.
Time passed minute by minute. Since it was already evening, darkness quickly fell.
Beside the carriage, the Tussock River flowed quietly through the darkness.
"Alright, begin the operation. Klein, you don't need to fight. Just experience the atmosphere of the battle scene. Leonard and Silas, follow me."
"Yes."
Everyone followed Dunn's arrangement.
Tonight was a new moon, so the crimson moonlight wasn't very noticeable.
Klein remained a dozen meters away, tensely watching as the three quietly approached the house.
A battle was now inevitable.