Chapter 140 - 140 Painting

140 Painting

The situation bears a resemblance to Charlies case, but with a crucial difference: these victims are all women, while Charlie is a man

Could it be that the strange ent.i.ty believed to be Susanna Mattise isnt constrained by gender? Or is there another, male counterpart to the creature?

The latter seems more probable, given that all three victims in Aunett were female and no males had been targeted.

Yes, there are distinctions between the three women and Charlie. None of them had a partner, either openly or secretly, and Charlie had become Madame Alices lover not long after invoking Susanna Mattise. If that hadnt happened, would he have met the same fate as the three victims, drained of life by overindulgence?

Had Madame Alice been a sacrificial subst.i.tute? Or had that been merely the beginning?

Lumian pieced together a theory based on the information provided by the man with the painted face.

He hoped the authorities would take this case seriously and not rest until Susanna Mattise had been utterly vanquished.

As for whether the authorities would suspect Beyonders hiding among Charlies friends due to the letter, Lumian wasnt too concerned. He had intentionally obscured Charlies information and circ.u.mstances in the letter, even inserting a small mistake in a seemingly insignificant detail. The writer appeared to harbor a deep grudge against Susanna Mattise, having tracked her for an extended period, and sought to use Charlies situation to enlist the help of the authorities for revenge. As a result, the focus was more on Susanna Mattises issue, with a limited understanding of Charlie.

After the a.s.sembled partic.i.p.ants discussed the strange case in Aunett, Mr. Ks attendant unveiled an object shrouded in a black cloth.

Another attendant introduced, This is a painting from a friend of one of our partic.i.p.ants.

He was a fellow Beyonder who met an untimely and bizarre end two months ago. Before his death, he created this painting.

With a swift motion, the attendant removed the black cloth, revealing the deceased Beyonders final masterpiece.

The oil painting was a riot of vivid colors, weaving a surreal and mesmerizing scene.

Towering green weeds reached for the heavens, a golden sun lay hidden in a well, a blood-red river cascaded from the sky, a shadowy figure danced, and white skulls coalesced into clouds

Merely glancing at the painting left Lumian feeling disoriented.

The attendant who had introduced the painting elaborated, This artwork bears a potent psychic imprint. It affects the minds of all who view it, inducing confusion and vertigo to varying degrees. Prolonged exposure could even result in mental illness.

According to the letters and diary entries left by the paintings creator, it may hold clues to the essence of reality and the origins of mysticism.

This could also be the key to understanding the true nature of his strange demise.

Any partic.i.p.ant interested in studying the painting can negotiate a price.

You want to sell something like this for money? I wouldnt take it even if you offered it for free! Lumian grumbled internally, tearing his gaze away.

He wanted nothing to do with anything that concealed the truth, essence, or origin of the world. As Aurore had once said, one shouldnt look at or study things one shouldnt see or understand.

It was apparent that most of the gatherings partic.i.p.ants were reluctant to spend money on such a foreboding painting shrouded in mystery. Ultimately, Mr. Ks attendant put it away, once again veiling it with the black cloth.

Following that, the gathering transitioned into an open discussion stage. Attendees engaged in casual conversation about rumors and legends, careful to hide any details of their true ident.i.ties.

At 10:15, Mr. K declared the gathering over, and the partic.i.p.ants dispersed in groups.

As he departed, Lumian detected the organizer sizing him up, scrutinizing his every move.

Will he send someone to follow and investigate me? Lumian couldnt help but wonder.

Rather than being concerned, he was eager for it to happen.

Aside from occasionally summoning a messenger, his behavior was unremarkable. He could withstand any scrutiny!

As long as he refrained from contacting Madam Magician, Lumian believed Mr. K would soon receive an almost entirely truthful reportCiel, a wild Beyonder lacking common sense in many areas, was suspected to hail from Cordu and sought Guillaume Bnet and his a.s.sociates. He was also a wanted man.

In this scenario, if Lumian demonstrated his skills and extreme att.i.tude, it wouldnt be long before he received an invitation from Mr. K to join his ranks and become a part of the organization behind him.

Sometimes, inadvertently revealing ones vulnerabilities and true circ.u.mstances was an effective means of gaining trust.

With that, Lumian and Osta found a concealed corner at 19 Rue Scheer, where they removed their disguises before returning to Le March du Quartier du Gentleman.

As he made his way towards Rue Anarchie, Lumians brow furrowed in confusion.

He hadnt noticed anyone tailing him.

Is it because Mr. K has no plans to investigate me, or had the person shadowing me been so skilled and uniquely gifted that I had failed to detect their presence? Lumian pondered the possibilities but ultimately pushed them to the back of his mind.

In any case, he wouldnt fear an investigation, unless Mr. K was in league with the Poison Spur Mob.

Upon entering Auberge du Coq Dor, Lumian noted that he was still early. He crossed the now pristine lobby and descended into the bas.e.m.e.nt bar.

Before he could take in the scene, Charlies exuberant voice reached his ears.

Can you believe it? Just three hours ago, I was at police headquarters, accused of murder. Now, here I am, drinking and singing with all of you!

Ladies and gentlemen, Ive had an incredible experience like no other. I bet none of you can top it

The apprentice attendant leaped onto a small round table, beer bottle in hand, and addressed the surrounding patrons.

His short brown hair was disheveled, as if it hadnt been tended to in days, and stubble was evident around his mouth.

Already? Lumian had antic.i.p.ated it would take Charlie another two or three days to be released.

Spotting Lumian from the table, Charlie waved his short arm and called out to the crowd, Ill share that even stranger encounter with you all later!

Donning a linen s.h.i.+rt and black pants, he hopped off the table and jogged to the bar counter, beer bottle in hand. He took a seat beside Lumian and said to the ponytailed bartender, Pavard Neeson, A gla.s.s of absinthe! Thank you.

Turning to Lumian, he said, This ones on me.

Lumian accepted the offer with a calm smile.

Youre looking pretty good.

Of course. At least I dont have to worry about being hanged. Id hate for thousands to gather around me as I die, considering how n.o.body cares about me when Im alive, Charlie said, relief evident on his face.

Triers citizens reveled in witnessing the execution of death row inmates.

Whenever someone faced the gallows or a firing squad, the streets would overflow with onlookers.

In the cla.s.sical era before Emperor Roselle, there even existed a custom centered around this fascination: En route from the prison to the gallows, if any bystander agreed to marry the condemned, their sentence would be commuted, reduced, or even entirely absolved.

Are you completely fine? Lumian inquired further.

Charlie took a swig of beer and scanned the room. Lowering his voice, he said, I cant divulge the specifics. I signed a pledge, a notarized pledge. You cant imagine how powerful that is

Charlie caught himself and continued, The only downside is that Ive lost my job again. That blasted foreman thinks Ive tarnished the hotels image. No matter. Ill p.a.w.n the diamond necklace tomorrow. The officers have already returned it to me. That money will tide me over for quite some time. I can treat the caf waiters on Rue des Blouses Blanches to drinks. Ill surely find a better job!

He wanted to add, Lets go together when the time comes, but recalling Ciels nerve and capabilities, he quietly discarded the idea.

Lumian sipped the absinthe the bartender had slid his way and gestured for Charlie to join him in an empty corner.

Once certain that the noise around them was sufficient to drown out their conversation and that no one was eavesdropping, Lumian asked, Has the situation with Susanna Matisse been resolved?

I dont know. Charlie shook his head. They did a lot of things, but I cant tell you.

Did they promise to provide protection for a period of time? Lumian asked thoughtfully.

Charlie replied awkwardly, I cant tell you.

Lumian grinned, retorting, Seems like there is.

If they hadnt promised protection, the corresponding words wouldnt exist and wouldnt be restricted by the confidentiality pledge.

Uh Charlie hadnt expected Ciel to guess so accurately.

Lumian inquired, Did they tell you anything? Share what you can.

Charlie pondered for a moment and said, They told me not to panic if I had that dream again. Im to head to the nearest cathedral after dawn. You dont know about the Eternal Blazing Suns cathedral, do you? Im now a true believer of the Eternal Blazing Sun!

Lumian expressionlessly raised his right hand and traced a triangle on his chest.

Charlie fell silent.

After drinking with Charlie, Lumian returned to Room 207 and continued studying Aurores grimoire.

He washed up before midnight, lay on the bed, and drifted off to sleep.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lumian was jolted awake by an insistent knocking on the door.

Who could it be? Frowning, he gripped Fallen Mercury and cautiously approached the door, cracking it open.

Charlie stood outside.

Still clad in a linen s.h.i.+rt, black pants, and strapless leather shoes, his face was ashen and fear-stricken.

Upon seeing Lumian, he appeared to regain his composure. Nearly losing control of his voice, he stammered in terror, I dreamed of that woman again!