"It sounds similar to what happened to Charlie, the only difference is that those were females, and Charlie was male..." Suspected to be Susanna. Matisse's strange creatures are not gender-specific, or is there another strange creature that is similar but male
"The latter possibility is more likely, because the three victims in the town of Ornet were all female, and there were no males..."
Well, there is one difference between those three women and Charlie. They had no partners, either openly or secretly, but Charlie became Mrs. Alice's lover not long after he prayed to Susanna Mathis... If it weren't for this incident, would Charlie have ended up dying of weakness caused by overindulgence like the three victims
"Mrs. Alice became the victim in his place, or is this just the beginning?" Lumian associated a lot with what the man with painted face shared and made some guesses.
He now only hopes that the authorities will take this case seriously and not bring Susanna to justice.
Matisse was completely wiped out.
As for whether the authorities would suspect that there were Beyonders among Charlie’s friends because of the letter for help, Lumian was not too worried. When he wrote the letter, he deliberately vaguely described Charlie’s personal information and situation, and even made a small mistake in some inconspicuous details. In this way, the writer of the letter looked more like someone who had a deep hatred for Susanna Mathis, had been tracking her for a long time, and wanted to use Charlie’s case to get the authorities to help him take revenge. Therefore, he was more concerned about Susanna Mathis’s problem and lacked sufficient understanding of Charlie.
After the party participants exchanged ideas about the strange incidents in the town of Ornet for a while, Mr. K's waiter picked up an object covered with a black cloth.
Another waiter introduced, "This is a painting from a friend of a participant. He was also an extraordinary person, and died strangely two months ago. He painted this painting before his death."
At this time, the waiter holding the painting tore off the black cloth covering the surface and displayed the posthumous work of the extraordinary man.
At this time, there was an oil painting, on which various bright and strong colors were used to paint a bizarre and illusory scene: there were green weeds growing to the sky, a golden sun hidden in the well, a bloody river pouring down from the sky, black figures gathered together as if dancing, and clouds made up of white skulls.
After just looking at the painting for a few seconds, Lumian felt dizzy.
According to the letters and diaries left by the owner of the painting, this painting is likely to contain some kind of truth, pointing to the truth of the nature of the world and the source of mysticism.
"This may also hold the real reason for his strange death. If any participant wants to study it, the price is negotiable."
You still want to sell this kind of thing for money? I don’t even want it if you give it to me! Lumian muttered to himself and looked away.
Lumian is only interested in tangible Beyonder properties, potion formulas, magical items, Beyonder weapons, or occult knowledge that has practical value.
Obviously, most of the party participants did not want to spend money on such an ominous painting that concealed some unknown secret. In the end, Mr. K's waiter put it away and covered it with the black cloth again.
At a quarter past ten, Mr. K announced the end of the party and everyone left in groups.
As he walked out, Lumian clearly felt that the convener was looking at him with a kind of scrutiny.
"Will he send someone to follow me and investigate me?" Lumian suddenly had this thought. He not only didn't care about it, but even looked forward to it.
Now, apart from occasionally summoning messengers, there is nothing unusual about him and he can withstand any investigation!
As long as he could control himself and not contact the magician, Lumian believed that Mr. K would soon be able to get a report that was almost true.
Charles is indeed a wild extraordinary person who lacks the necessary common sense in many things. He is suspected to be from Cordu Village and is tracking the whereabouts of Ji Xiaomu, Bene and others. He himself is also wanted.
In that case, if Lumian continues to demonstrate his abilities and radical attitude, it won't be long before he receives an invitation from Mr. K to become his subordinate and a member of the organization behind him.
Sometimes, inadvertently exposing your own weaknesses and true situation is an effective way to gain the trust of others.
In this way, Lumian and Osta found a hidden corner in the house at 19 Scheer Street, changed their disguises, and returned to the Honest Market area.
As he walked towards the chaotic street, Lumian frowned slightly in confusion.
He didn't realize who was following him.
"Is it that Mr. K has not yet planned to investigate me, or is it that the person following me is very skilled and has unique abilities that we didn't notice at all?" Lumian changed his mind and put the matter behind him.
Anyway, he is not afraid of investigation, unless Mr. K is in cahoots with the Sting Gang.
After entering the Golden Rooster Hotel, Lumian saw that it was still early, so he walked through the clean lobby and turned into the bar in the basement.
Before he had time to take in the situation here, he heard Charlie's full-throated voice: "Can you believe it? Three hours ago I was at the police headquarters, accused of murder, and three hours later, I was here drinking and singing with you!"
Ladies and gentlemen, what an incredible experience I have had, I bet there is no one here who can compare to me...
"The trainee waiter once again jumped onto the small round table with a beer bottle in his hand and began to give a speech to the drinkers around him."
His short light brown hair was messy, as if it hadn't been trimmed for several days, and there were obvious stubble around his mouth.
"So soon?" Lumian thought Charlie would not be released for another two or three days.
He immediately turned his head and said to Lumian: This drink is on me.
Of course, at least I don’t have to worry about being hanged. I don’t want to get little attention when I’m alive and then be watched by thousands of people when I’m dying.
The citizens of Trier have a hobby of watching the execution of death row prisoners.
Whenever someone was sent to the gallows or the execution ground, the streets and alleys were crowded with people.
In the classical era before Emperor Roselle, there was even a custom based on this hobby: if anyone among the citizens watching the death row prisoner on his way from prison to the gallows was willing to marry him, he would be sentenced to a commutation, a lighter sentence, or even acquitted.
"Nothing wrong?" Lumian asked further.
Charlie took a sip of beer, looked around, and lowered his voice, "I can't tell you the specific process. I signed a notarized commitment letter. You don't know, oh, how magical it is."
He wanted to add, "We'll be together then," but thinking of the courage and ability that Charles had shown, he silently gave up the idea.
Lumian took a sip of the absinthe pushed by the bartender and motioned Charlie to sit in an empty corner.
After confirming that the environment was noisy and no one was listening, he asked, "Has the Susanna Mathisde issue been resolved?"
"I don't know." Charlie shook his head. "They did a lot of things, but I can't tell you."
"Did they promise to provide protection for a period of time?" Lumian asked thoughtfully.
Charlie replied awkwardly: "I can't tell you."
Lumian smiled, "It seems so."
If there is no promise of protection, then there is no corresponding discourse, not bound by a confidentiality pledge: “Ugh.”
Charlie didn't expect Charles to guess so accurately.
Lumian then asked, "Did they tell you anything? Tell me what you can."
Charlie thought about it and said, "They told me that if I have that dream again, don't panic and go to the nearest church after dawn, the Church of the Eternal Sun. Don't you know that? I am now a true believer in the Eternal Sun!"
Lumian raised his right hand expressionlessly and drew a triangle on his chest.
Charlie was silent for a moment.
After drinking with Charlie, Lumian returned to room 207 and continued to study Aurore's witchcraft notes.
He washed up as required before midnight, lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!
Lumian was awakened by a violent knock on the door.
Who is it? He frowned, held the Fallen Mercury in his backhand, walked to the door and carefully opened it.
Charlie is outside the door.
He was still wearing his linen shirt, black trousers and laceless shoes, and his face was pale and full of fear.