Lies!

Two carriages slowly made their way toward Baker Street.

On the way, Olivia learned the identity of the first suspect.

He was a merchant named Ossie Emerson.

The Holy Kelidos Empire was divided into provinces, with thirty in total across the vast empire. Ossie Emerson hailed from Cohen City in the coastal Novilia Province.

He frequently traveled between Cohen City and Kaliron, trading various goods between the two locations and profiting from the price difference. On the surface, he seemed like a very ordinary merchant.

However, his residence was extremely close to the Soltu Statue Gallery. Furthermore, shortly before the incident at the gallery, he had visited the premises and violated the gallery's rules.

The gallery had many rules, one of which prohibited visitors from crossing the barrier lines to touch the statues. Ossie had done exactly that, touching both of the general statues.

Because of this, he had become one of the suspects. It was highly likely that he had used the opportunity to place the Seed of Awakening into one of the statues.

Upon approaching Ossie's residence, the two carriages came to a halt, and the group disembarked.

Gray instructed his team, "Surround the target's residence and set up a barrier first to prevent any accidents. Remember, do not make a sound."

"Understood."

Three fathers and one full nun immediately moved into action.

Since they were setting up a relatively large-scale barrier, the four of them had to work together to ensure the ritual could be completed quickly.

Gray then turned around and smiled. "The rest of you don't need to be so serious. The chances of the very first suspect we visit being the correct target are too slim. We can afford to relax a little."

Olivia frowned at his words. "I thought so too, but since you've said that, Mr. Gray, we need to be completely serious now."

"Why do you say that?" Gray asked, looking puzzled.

"It's a theory. The more you think something won't happen, the more likely it is to occur." Olivia found it difficult to explain the concept of 'raising a flag,' but she personally became much more alert.

"It never hurts to be serious, no matter who we're facing," Ronan agreed with a nod.

Gray chuckled. "Then let's go pay our target a visit. Hmm... not everyone needs to go inside; some should stay out here for backup. Ronan, Sister Olivia, you two come in with me."

Neither Olivia nor Ronan had any objections.

The house before them was only a single story, but the exterior walls were clean and intact, and it featured a courtyard. It clearly belonged to a wealthy family.

Shortly after they rang the doorbell, a man stepped out.

He was a middle-aged man who looked somewhat refined, with fair skin, a tall and slender build, and sharp facial features.

He wore an off-white linen shirt paired with a black vest, black trousers, and deerskin boots. He looked very well-off.

Seeing the clergy members, Ossie looked confused. "May I help you?"

Gray looked the man over and said, "We are looking for Ossie Emerson to ask a few questions."

"I am Ossie. I'm not sure what this is about, but please, come inside." Ossie stepped forward and opened the gate, his manner polite.

His behavior was perfectly normal for someone facing members of the church.

The three followed Ossie into the house's main hall.

Olivia stepped onto the beige carpet, her eyes scanning the room.

The fireplace was not in use, the wall clock ticked away, the coffee table was neatly organized, and the sofa was genuine leather...

Everything looked very ordinary.

The group took their seats, and Ossie went to the kitchen to wash some fruit, bringing it out on a platter and placing it on the coffee table.

No one touched the fruit.

As the lead of the operation, Gray stroked his small mustache and asked, "Mr. Emerson, as far as I know, you are quite a wealthy merchant. Why does it seem like you live here alone? Where are your servants? Not a single valet or maid?"

Ossie smiled. "I'm used to being alone, so I haven't hired any servants. I don't feel it's necessary; I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"You aren't short on money. To not hire servants for that reason alone is quite strange," Gray said, shaking his head.

Ossie explained with a smile, "I'm not sure if you're aware of the nature of my business? I have to travel frequently between Kaliron and Cohen City. This means I spend very little time resting at home; most of my time is spent on the road. Therefore, having valets or maids is indeed unnecessary. While traveling, the chamber of commerce's staff assists me; they fulfill the role of servants."

It was a very reasonable explanation.

However, Olivia felt that if a heretical transcendent wanted to hide their identity, they wouldn't hire servants in order to keep their secrets. They would ensure their public identity had a logical reason for not needing them.

Gray and Ronan were thinking the same thing.

Gray smiled slightly. "Putting the matter of servants aside, Mr. Emerson, are you married?"

"No." Ossie shook his head. "Surely you don't think it's strange that I'm unmarried as well? I know I'm getting older, but matters of the heart cannot be forced."

Olivia interjected, "Is it because there was once someone in your heart, but your love went unrequited, causing you to delay?"

Ossie glanced at Olivia. "You are a truly clever nun."

It was an affirmation.

Olivia asked again, "The lady you loved—where is she now?"

A trace of pain flickered in Ossie's eyes. "She has her own family now. She has a husband who loves her and a lovely child. That was a scene I imagined countless times, but... but now, it has nothing to do with me."

He lowered his head and covered his face with his hands, seemingly lost in a painful memory.

"I'm sorry. I asked an inappropriate question," Olivia apologized at the right moment.

But in reality, her internal alarm was blaring.

Because she sensed no pain energy.

On the surface, he looked as though he had fallen into agony because of her words, yet she couldn't sense even a single shred of pain energy from him!

It was all fake. It was all a lie!

There was something wrong with this man!

Olivia desperately wanted to tell Ronan and Gray, 'Stop asking and just take him down,' but noticing that the barrier outside hadn't been completed yet, she had to restrain herself.

Unaware that Olivia had already identified the man's problem through her own methods, Gray began asking other questions.

Shortly after, the transcendents present felt a sensation—they were now inside a barrier.

The barrier ritual was complete!