Miss Justice and the Asylum

Inside the study of Viscount Glaint's mansion in Backlund, Empress Borough.

"Hugh, Fors, this is your due reward."

Across the table, Audrey Hall, dressed in an elegant long dress, pushed the envelope toward the two extraordinary women in front of her.

With his messy blond hair and short stature, Xio Derecha's gaze was Consciousness drawn to the envelope. It was so bulging that it evoked certain pleasant associations.

Although it was somewhat impolite, she still opened the envelope directly and saw a thick wad of banknotes inside.

"10 pounds..."

Beside her, her companion Fors Woll also came closer, her usually languid eyes now gleaming with an unusual light.

"It's 800 pounds in total. You can divide it among yourselves."

Audrey smiled faintly and said, "As compensation for the danger you faced."

£800!

The two stared at each other in surprise.

Although that mission was indeed very dangerous, and I was almost caught and killed by a Pirate Admiral... considering the generous reward... it seems like it was worth it?

"I hope you can continue to help me if I need similar assistance in the future."

Audrey laughed.

"We'd love to!"

Hugh nodded without hesitation.

After finishing their business, the group started chatting casually, discussing knowledge related to the occult and a recent heinous murder case.

"So you also believe that this Serial Killer targeting women is an extraordinary individual?"

"I asked, Viscount Glaint."

"That's right. Although the police at Sivellaus Yard are of questionable quality, with so many cases already, even the most inept officers should have found some clues by now—but they've come up empty-handed so far. It's hard not to think there's something special going on."

Hugh nodded. "Only an Extraordinary could do this. I think the official Extraordinary organization has already taken action, and the murderer will be caught soon."

They were talking about the recent Serial Murder Case in Backlund. The killer targeted young women, who were disemboweled after death and had parts of their internal organs removed.

Such an evil act—which Sequence could it belong to?

Audrey was also deep in thought when she suddenly noticed Fors looking at everyone with a slight frown.

Audrey, already Sequence 8 "Telepathist," almost immediately understood the meaning behind Fors's expression— Fors seemed to have something to say, but hesitated, probably unsure if what she was saying was correct.

"Ms. Fors, do you have some suspicions?"

Audrey feigned curiosity, trying to get the other person to speak.

"Um"

Fors ruffled her brown curly hair and said uncertainly, "Actually, I feel like there are two murderers in this case."

"Fors, you're saying that again."

Xiu complained, as if he had heard her say it several times already.

Why do you say that?

Audrey became interested.

"I read the newspaper description; the deceased were divided into two groups: one group consisted of streetwalkers, and the other group had previously worked as streetwalkers."

The active-duty streetwalkers died in more gruesome ways... their abdominal wounds were larger, according to eyewitness accounts.

It was as if it had been ripped open from the inside.

Fors said slowly, "Although the methods are somewhat similar, I feel that these are actually two different murderers. One specifically targets former streetwalkers, while the other targets current streetwalkers."

"But is it really possible for two different assassins to appear at the same time?"

Hugh shook his head in disagreement, "Is Backlund such a dangerous place?"

"I'm just guessing, just guessing!"

Fors was very unhappy with his companion's undermining and raised his voice.

They argued for a while, then quickly abandoned the topic. Audrey then led them to Viscount Glaint's study. Sure enough, Hugh, as she had suspected, borrowed the Noble Heraldry * that she had tampered with.

Tucked inside was a note bearing the Honorific Name "The Fool," which would lead their Fate to that Above the Gray Fog.

While Audrey was delighted, she also took note of Fors's guess. She planned to bring this up at the Tarot Club and ask Mr. "The Hanged Man" and "The Sun," and perhaps Mr. "The Fool" would also be interested in this information.

The next day, Backlund, Cherwood Borough, St. Elizabeth Mental Hospital.

"Madam, I'm sorry, your brother's condition has not improved at all."

The attending physician held the medical record and shook his head.

Opposite him sat a young girl with deep blue eyes. Beside her was a handsome man whose features were remarkably similar to hers. Seeing this pair of strikingly beautiful siblings, yet tragically burdened with such misfortunes, even the doctor, who had seen it all before, couldn't help but sigh.

Luther, his eyes unfocused, was encased in his straitjacket. His mouth was covered by a mask and tied with a leather strap. The mask was to prevent him from speaking; "Blasphemous Words" were too dangerous, and if the doctor heard them, he would go crazy.

"My suggestion is to stay in our hospital and have someone accompany you around the clock during your treatment..."

"I'm sorry, we are not prepared to use this method."

The attending physician heard the girl say, "I won't let myself leave his side."

"... Alright, I'll prescribe some medicine for your brother, along with some medical prescriptions. Please have the patient wait outside for now... I'll have a nurse watch over him."

"Brother, wait for me outside for a little while."

Luther's world was filled with chaos. He vaguely heard his sister's voice, nodded, and, with the help of a nurse, went to the corridor outside the examination room and sat on a bench to wait.

It was morning, but the gloomy sky over Backlund hadn't let in a single ray of sunshine. The corridors were filled with all sorts of patients, like a chaotic dance of demons. A young nurse looked at the handsome young man with pity. She wanted to talk to him, but he just lowered his eyes and ignored her completely.

The nurse's attention was entirely focused on Luther, and she was completely unaware that two uninvited guests had barged in.

"Miss, this is going too far! How could the daughter of an Earl dare to trespass into such a dangerous place? What will I do if the master finds out..."

"Don't worry, Annie. The excuse I gave when I left was to visit 'Professor Anthony.' He just happened to be at the mental hospital doing academic research today. Nothing will happen."

Two young women spoke in hushed tones as they walked down the corridor.

This mistress and servant were Audrey and her personal maid, Annie.

Audrey Soothing her maid with words, but her eyes curiously scanned the patients. As an extraordinary individual with the Spectator Pathway, she had always analyzed the psychology of normal people, but rarely had she come into contact with the Mind World of the mentally ill. This trip was a small adventure for her, using the guise of visiting a psychology expert to explore the mental hospital.

Audrey Green Eyes swept over the patients behaving erratically, and suddenly she spotted a dark-haired young man sitting quietly on one side of the corridor.