Chapter Forty-Four: The Sinister Case

Mulan was certainly not a sorcerer, and at present, this appointment was theoretically not dangerous at all—a reasonable position to earn a living, clearly a favor from Queen Nisheliel, and executed without any impropriety. With Mulan’s own credentials, even if he weren’t affiliated with the Black Castle, he would be well suited to this role.

Now, Mulan was still in the learning phase within the Black Castle. Perhaps the Castle would provide for his board and lodging, but it would not grant him extra pay. At least, Mulan need not worry about money for the time being, a relief he accepted after observing Hendel, and so he agreed to take on this personal assistant.

Indeed, Hendel was now fully subordinate to Mulan, his salary composed of two parts: a base wage issued by the imperial government, and a work stipend paid by Mulan himself. Had Mulan not been free from financial concerns, he might have found an excuse to refuse Hendel.

Of course, the lack of danger was only theoretical. Judging by the aura of a few officers encountered on their way in today, they had run into some trouble, and such trouble could be genuinely perilous for unknowing civilians—a reminder was warranted.

By now the office had been set in order. Seated at his desk, Mulan tried propping his feet on the corner and found it rather comfortable. Hendel, stationed by the door, appeared even more excited than Mulan, inspecting every item on the desk.

“Hendel.”

“Here!”

Mulan glanced at the suddenly solemn Hendel.

“No need to be nervous. Relax a little. Do you remember those officers I asked you to watch when we came in?”

“I think I can recognize them.”

“Good. Go tell the inspector I’d like those officers to come to my office—now.”

“Right away!”

Energetic as ever, Hendel received the order and briskly left for the inspector’s office, soon accompanied by the inspector himself as they searched the precinct for the individuals noted earlier.

About ten minutes later, all those still present at the precinct were brought to the office at the end of the third floor. After some internal struggle, the inspector decided to join them.

Inside Mulan’s office, four officers and one detective stood in a row, all exceptionally tense, their gazes darting frequently toward the inspector.

They had only just heard rumors that a legendary sorcerer might be visiting the precinct, and now they’d been summoned here.

Standing behind his desk, one hand on the edge and the other pressing down upon the Book of Abundance, Mulan gazed seriously at the five officers before him.

Their anxiety had reached a threshold, and the inspector could no longer restrain himself.

“Sir Jonst, what exactly is your purpose in calling them here?”

Mulan turned his gaze to the inspector.

“Inspector Dawson, are you sure you want to listen in? There may be some danger involved.”

“They’re all my longtime subordinates. I’d like to hear what they’ve done.”

Seeing all the chosen individuals present, Dawson realized Sir Jonst hadn’t summoned them at random—they belonged to the same team, so clearly something had happened.

Before the officers could protest, Mulan spoke up in their defense.

“Done something? No, no, they haven’t committed any crime. It’s simply that I noticed they might be in a precarious situation, so I brought them here to warn them.”

With that, everyone breathed a sigh of relief—it wasn’t trouble after all.

“You seem much more at ease now?”

Mulan smiled, settling into his chair as he considered how best to phrase his words. As he pondered, he opened the Book of Abundance, and in a voice devoid of emotion, he spoke evenly:

“You should all know that I come from Black Castle, and have witnessed things ordinary people cannot comprehend and deeply fear…”

He read the book, then slowly lifted his gaze from the page to rest upon the five officers. The mental focus and amplification gained from reading the Book of Abundance allowed Mulan to see more clearly: the five carried a somber aura, like a faint mist veiling them, occasionally dissipating a little.

Additionally, Mulan noticed subtle fluctuations in their spirits—tension and fear radiating like a chill from their bodies, as his words continued.

“It’s more frightening than you can imagine.”

Noticing their unease, Mulan maintained his serious tone.

“Have the cases you’ve recently investigated—or the matters you’ve handled—presented circumstances that fall outside normal bounds? And are you still digging into them? Officers, believe me: these things have already begun to affect you. If you persist, your safety will become increasingly compromised.”

In summary, these individuals were ordinary people beginning to approach the world beyond, still at a relatively safe distance, but the effects were becoming apparent.

“Have you been having nightmares lately?”

Mulan’s voice rose slightly, and goosebumps sprang up on the five officers.

“Sir Sorcerer, we’ve all been plagued by nightmares!”

“But that matter…” “Sir, what should we do?”

All five spoke at once, so Mulan promptly raised a hand to halt their clamor.

“I’m no sorcerer. Please mind your words—I’m your colleague, a special officer.”

‘Special Officer,’ Mulan added mentally.

“So what should we do? Last night, I dreamed of a terrifying shadow peering in through my window. I woke several times and always looked out.”

The detective could not help but speak up again.

“Tell me what you’ve encountered.”

The officers glanced at the detective, who nodded and began recounting their story.

“That day, we received a report from the Print District of malicious assaults—people being injured or even bitten without cause. We went to investigate and kept watch, discovering that a patient in one household exhibited frightening symptoms…”

A classic tale of the supernatural inviting misfortune—Mulan understood at once.

“So, Sir—um, Mr. Jonst, what should we do?”

The detective asked anxiously, and Mulan smiled.

“I’ll take charge of this case. You are not to pursue it further, nor are you to research anything about monsters or ghosts on your own.”

He emerged from behind the desk, grabbing his cane from the corner, and with a gentle sweep across the five, drew their faint aura of gloom into the cane.

“Mr. Jonst, what did you just do?”

Still somewhat nervous, the officers waited as Mulan smiled.

“It’s over now. I wish you a peaceful night’s rest. You may go.”

The officers exchanged glances, then looked at the inspector.

“Sir Jonst says it’s settled—did you not hear? Well, I won’t linger either. I’ll take my leave.”

The inspector slipped away first, and the officers hurried after.

Without Mulan’s instructions, they hadn’t continued to meddle with that household, though they did suspect it was more than just illness and had researched monsters.

But Mulan would not ignore it. For ordinary police, it was a nuisance; for him, it was a legitimate case. He believed Queen Nisheliel would not want him to idle away his days, and Mulan himself was not that sort.

“Sir Jonst, shall we head out?”

“Yes, let’s take a look.”

Mulan took up his cane, slipping the book into his coat pocket, and together with Hendel left the office, exiting the precinct under the respectful gazes of the staff. They already knew the address of the household in question, but as soon as Mulan stepped outside, he walked in the opposite direction.

Hendel asked no questions, merely followed in silence, until they crossed four or five blocks and arrived at the grand Digo Royal Cathedral.

“Dong—dong—dong…”

The bells tolled ten in the morning, imparting a sense of sanctity to the surrounding district.

“Sir Jonst, aren’t we going straight to the household?”

“No rush. We’re here to find a friend—exorcisms should be left to professionals.”

As he spoke, Mulan gazed up at the cathedral. It was far more majestic than any in Valentine, radiating a sense of holiness by its mere presence, drawing the eyes of all passersby. The clergy within were numerous.

Owen had informed Mulan that Priest Erwin was recovering here—though the rest was only two days, after which Erwin would be cultivated as a promising and gifted cleric.

The cathedral’s main hall, flanked by rows of pews, boasted a broad central aisle, and its vast area and soaring ceilings astonished Mulan—he doubted even the royal palace had a hall to match it.

At the heart stood the statue of the Sacred Light, backed by towering stained glass that shimmered gold. On either side, immense copper pipes—part of the organ—added to the grandeur and sanctity, Mulan’s most immediate impression. He was certain that, at important events, the cultivated sense of holiness would be even more overwhelming.

Mulan was not here to pray or merely to visit. As a member of Black Castle with royal and police connections, he quickly found someone to contact Erwin. Hearing his friend was at the cathedral, Erwin was delighted and hurried to the hall, where he spotted Mulan standing with Hendel.

“Mulan! You really came to Digo?”

Erwin’s smile was radiant. He reached out to shake hands, but Mulan greeted him with a bear hug.

“How are you? I heard you’ve been affected?”

“I’m long recovered. That crisis made me realize that in confronting evil, I need not only devotion to God but also greater strength. For that, I…”

“It’s good you’re well. Just in time to help me—a bit of extra training for you!”

Though interrupted, Erwin showed no displeasure.

“What’s the matter?”

“Seems to be a case of possession—let’s see when we get there. If you’re able, let’s go now. By the way, this is Hendel, my assistant. Hendel, this is Priest Erwin.”

At last, Hendel stepped forward properly and bowed slightly to Erwin.

“Priest Erwin, I am also a devout follower of the faith!”

Erwin offered a gentle smile and nodded.

“Hello, Mr. Hendel. May the Sacred Light protect you!”

Mulan smirked at their display.

“All right, enough pleasantries. If you’re available, let’s head over now. Do we need holy water?”

Erwin lifted the book in his hand.

“For mere possession, the Book of the Sanctuary will suffice. Don’t underestimate these few days—I’ve made progress!”