May 13, 1399, 9:10 p.m.
The silver moon had already risen, shining in radiant contrast with the red moon.
Three galloping carriages burst out from the dense smoke and mist of the gray fog zone, merging into the thinning traffic of Rhine Avenue.
The team from the Hall of Order had already set out, their destination: the Randall residence on Effen Lane in the Iris District.
Lynch sat opposite Officer Angel inside the police carriage, the red ring box resting in his hand. As he stroked the surface of the ring, a faint prickle of scorching heat met his fingertips.
【Listening deeply to the memory of mystery will inflict a psychic shock on your mind, Awakened.】
Will it be severe?
【Your willpower is strong; this memory will not cause any irreversible harm.】
I understand. Then let's do it.
It was not reckless daring on Lynch's part; he simply had no choice.
Lynch knew full well that for now, he was nothing more than an ordinary person with zero resistance against mystery, save for the voice in his head. Though he had accepted the lady officer's invitation, he disliked leaving his fate in the hands of others.
From Granville's notes, he inferred that this item was a mystery relic an ordinary person could use—a lifeline to clutch while drowning in his current predicament.
With a weapon in hand, even if it turned out to be a useless mystery relic, he would at least have some peace of mind.
Thus, upon hearing that the price was not severe, he immediately chose to accept.
Gritting his teeth, he held his breath.
In the next moment, countless chaotic lights and shadows surfaced in his mind, accompanied by an intensely eerie, rustling whisper echoing by his ears.
It felt as if countless twisted fragments of light and shadow were overlapping, surging into his brain all at once.
Instantly, his mind was flooded with raging flames, burning human figures, terrified shrieks, and despairing roars.
Dread immediately seized his heart. In just a single second, the shirt on his back was drenched in sweat.
The fear grew heavier and heavier. Fortunately, the female voice soon rang out once more, its gentle, soothing tone easily dispersing the terror that had gripped his heart.
【The Passion of the Blazing Lady: Burns the soul, transforms into flame. Containment method: No wearer.】
Lynch offered a stiff smile to Officer Natalie across from him, breathing a quiet sigh of relief in his heart. Putting it on burns the soul? And then I'll become engulfed in flames like that person in the vision?
【Yes, Awakened.】
Will the person who wears it die?
【If worn for an extended period, yes.】
Thanks.
Lynch drew his finger back. Looking up, he found Officer Angel narrowing her eyes as she stared at him.
“Really wanted to test if your inspiration is acute? How did it go?”
Lynch merely smiled.
“I admit your will to survive and analytical ability are admirable, but acute inspiration is decided at birth. You can't possibly tell me you have it too. The proportion of such people isn't even one in ten thousand. If you don't have it, you don't. Feeling nothing is completely normal.”
“I was just curious since this is my first time seeing a mystery relic. Can you tell what this thing is?”
The lady officer glared at him and said sullenly, “My inspiration is very low; I can't tell either.”
Lynch nodded, extending the open ring box toward her, which she took from his hands.
The instant she touched it, the lady officer paused abruptly. She shot him a fierce glare, but took the ring box anyway.
Hm? What's the matter? Wait, a ring? To a lady? What am I doing?
Lynch felt his face grow slightly warm. Clearing his throat with two dry coughs, he said, “Is—Isn't this a dangerous mystery relic? Shouldn't the police confiscate it?”
The lady officer let out a fierce, cold snort. After examining it closely, she snapped the lid shut and tossed it back to him.
“It's a fear-grade mystery relic, and in a contained state. The danger is extremely low, so civilian possession isn't prohibited, but if it loses control, you bear the consequences yourself.”
“So?”
“You hold on to it for now; we'll decide after the incident concludes.” The lady officer sighed, averting her gaze as she explained, “Though I don't know what effects it has, the fact that Granville carried it on his person and was prepared to use it means storing it and using it temporarily won't pose a fatal threat to the bearer. So keep it for now. Later, if you encounter life-threatening danger, consider whether to put it on—it might just give you a chance to save your life. Besides, Mr. Levive, have you considered something?”
“Hm?”
“What if the incident ends and you actually survive?” the lady officer said in a somewhat gloating tone. “Your six pounds certainly won't come back, you won't get your commission either, and I won't just watch you loot money from the Randall residence. How are you going to live on three and a half shillings?”
Lynch opened his mouth, suddenly feeling that this world was truly full of grim malice.
“Civilian commoners are allowed to possess this item. Afterward, if we confirm it has nothing to do with the incident, I'll introduce you to a shop that deals in mystery relics. You can sell it, take the money, and live a good life far away from the world of mystery. That would be the happiest ending for you.”
“There are shops like that?”
“Yes, but you need an introduction from someone in the world of mystery; they don't open those services to ordinary people otherwise. Remember to go to that specific shop—I don't want any mystery relics falling into the hands of someone with an evil heart.”
“I understand.” Having finally obtained a shred of self-preservation capability, Lynch gripped the ring box tightly. “I'll keep it safe. But, fear grade? Contained state?”
Officer Natalie pondered for a moment before lowering her voice: “In Lande, not just mystery relics, but all mystery follows a unified standard. Based on hazard, destructive power, duration, and the impact of public awareness, they are divided into five grades: fear grade, destruction grade, disaster grade, annihilation grade, and manifestation grade. Some countries also classify them from E through A. This information is never publicized, but ordinary civilians aren't forbidden from learning of it.
“Fear grade mostly refers to mystery that won't lose control even if ordinary people find out about it, circulating among the public as scary stories. Even if it loses control, it will only cause panic within a small area, resulting in the death of a few involved individuals at most. When such mystery is in a contained state, even ordinary people generally face no mortal peril by holding it. The aura of this ring indicates it's fear grade.
“For destruction grade, the spread of information must be contained as much as possible to prevent ordinary people from learning about it. If it loses control, it will disrupt the order of ordinary people's lives. If an ordinary person has prolonged contact with such a mystery relic in its contained state, they are very likely to fall into permanent madness within three to five years. If used, there is a very high probability of dying on the spot.
“Disaster-grade mystery requires strictly controlled information, generally considered accessible only to Soul Severers and specialized individuals. Once out of control, it inflicts harm equivalent to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. If an ordinary person has prolonged contact with it, even in a contained state, within six months they will be tainted by filth and succumb to madness. For mystery at this grade and above, the seven great nations and the Churches of the Twelve Major Gods have dedicated institutions specifically to contain them, and they are not permitted to leak out lightly. We, the Watchers in the Wheatfield, are Lande's specialized agency.”
Compared to these descriptions, his own ordeal seemed downright gentle. The thought that walking natural disasters like these might be lurking around him made Lynch's skin crawl. Yet he couldn't resist wanting to hear more, asking involuntarily, “What about annihilation grade and manifestation grade?”
The lady officer shook her head. “Even the grading details for the remaining two are forbidden from being disclosed to ordinary people, and ordinary people couldn't possibly encounter them—otherwise, it would mean catastrophe.”
“Alright, but you mentioned a contained state earlier?”
“Yes. A contained state is a mystery relic's safest condition, where its impact on reality remains within controllable bounds. Once used or if its containment conditions are breached, it enters an active state. Both its effects and side effects begin to manifest, and the degree of contamination it inflicts on reality spikes sharply. If you cease using it and restore the containment conditions at that point, you can immediately appease the mystery relic and return it to a contained state without leading to irreversible consequences. Otherwise, it will slide toward an uncontrolled state.”
Lynch somewhat understood what the containment method for The Passion of the Blazing Lady meant. Putting it on triggered the active state to take effect, and taking it off restored the contained state—surprisingly safe.
“That is the most dangerous situation. An uncontrolled mystery relic frantically radiates corrupting power while expanding its effects outward to the maximum. Once it reaches that state, normal methods can no longer appease it; one must listen to its memories and enter the world of its memories to suppress it.”
“How do you suppress it?”
“Every mystery relic is different; you can only fumble your way through its memories.” Officer Natalie sighed and added, “Or, if one's inspiration is acute enough, they can interpret its information within the memories to determine the exact method of suppression. That's why such people can vastly enhance the survival rate of us hunters. Unfortunately... Anyway, that statue is likely some fear-grade or destruction-grade mystery relic. What happened to you today was caused by someone activating it and establishing a connection targeting you victims. Find it, then figure out a way to terminate its active state. Once its effect ceases, there's a chance you will return to normal.”
“It shouldn't be an uncontrolled mystery relic, right?”
“Let's hope not; that would be the worst-case scenario.” The lady officer's expression darkened. Gazing at the twin moons outside the window, she said faintly, “However, as long as we find it, even if it is an uncontrolled mystery relic, I will suppress it—within the remaining two and a half hours.”
Lynch pursed his lips and lowered his head. “Thank you.”
“This is the respect you deserve, and it is my duty.”
As they spoke, the forest of chimneys and colossal factory buildings outside the window gradually dwindled, and the pungent burnt odor in the air began to freshen.
Lynch knew he had left behind the heavily polluted gray fog zone, clipped a corner of the Valley District, and officially entered the Iris District where the wealthy gathered.
Through the carriage window, the architecture outside grew increasingly exquisite and picturesque, accompanied by lush vegetation and verdant greenery.
Right at the end of the road ahead, a two-story, exquisite Western-style mansion stood beneath the dual-colored moonlight.
The magnificent Victorian-style building was brightly illuminated, serene and peaceful.
Yet gazing at it from afar, Lynch felt an indescribable sense of oppression emanating from the mansion.
Like the suffocating gloom preceding an impending storm.
“Is this the Randall residence?”
Officer Natalie's voice broke his gaze.
“Yes, I came here once before.”
Lynch nodded, feeling his heart beat extraordinarily fast. He checked his pocket watch: a fifty-minute carriage ride.
10:00 p.m. Two hours left on the countdown.
Officer Natalie waved her hand, and more than a dozen police officers moved in to surround the mansion.
“Let's move as well.”
“Right.”
Lynch nodded firmly, gripped his cane tightly, and took a deep breath.
He strode forward.
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