European Theater: Spiders, Inquisitors, and Vampire Hunters (V)

Bzzzz—

The scanning sound from the handheld Augur Array constantly rang in everyone's ears.

Yet before the charred corpse of a resident Inquisitor who seemed to have suffered immense pain and torment,

even Peter, usually so talkative, did not make a sound.

At this moment, he was using lengths of Tough Silk stuck between the metal walls and ceiling.

Like an acrobat, he surveyed and scanned the scene of death.

Before long, Frank's grim expression deepened as he combined the complex readings from the handheld Augur Array with his own careful observations of the scene.

He gave Cyclops Scott and the others waiting outside the door a brief analysis.

For now, Inquisitor "Jack o' Lantern" Mad Jack was confirmed to have died from intense high-temperature flames.

However, the energy spectrum detected by the handheld Augur Array showed that the flames had originated from his own fire tricks.

Yet even Peter, the most inexperienced rookie present,

would not readily believe that an Inquisitor with such unwavering will had simply committed suicide.

"Do you think this looks like infighting caused by an uneven division of spoils? Or was it simply silencing someone?"

Frank took a deep breath and suddenly asked Cyclops Scott and the others before him.

"It can't be that simple. We just discovered signs that weapons and equipment produced by the Mobile Hive City had been leaked to Heretic factions, and now the only suspect, the resident Inquisitor, is dead. That is far too suspicious."

"Lord Inquisitor, can we determine how long ago he died?"

Cyclops Scott raised a hand and rubbed his chin.

He shook his head as he questioned Frank.

"Judging by the handheld Augur Array and my personal experience with corpses, he has been dead for at least twenty-four hours. In other words, Mad Jack was already