Do You Think the People at the Top Are Fools?

Backlund, Empress Borough.

"Clatter, clatter..."

Several pitch-black carriages rolled along the broad streets of Empress Borough, their wheels making a pleasant sound against the road.

They soon arrived at Earl Hall's villa.

"So many people..."

Through the carriage window, Leonard took in the scene outside. A large group of police had cordoned off the villa's entrance. Two groups stood at opposite ends of the road, one dressed in white and the other in dark blue, regarding each other coldly. The scrape of metal fittings and the whistle of wind sounded one after another, making the police caught between them increasingly uneasy. Still, none dared abandon their posts.

Only when the Church of Evernight's carriages stopped did the officers finally breathe a sigh of relief and hurry over to greet them.

"Deacon, we were ordered to guard the murder scene."

The officer in charge saluted Luther. "The archbishops are waiting inside. Please follow me."

"Mm," Luther replied coolly as he led the Red Gloves out of the carriage.

A casual glance revealed a fluffy shock of hair amid the Church of Steam's people. It seemed that unlucky deacon named Ikanser had come too.

They passed through the gate, skirted the fountain in the middle of the drive, and entered the main building.

Luther had been here once before, but it was the Red Gloves' first glimpse of such a lavish estate. All the way in, they marveled at Earl Hall's taste and wealth.

The master of the house was already waiting for him beneath the portico.

"We meet again, Earl Hall."

Luther greeted him first. "What a regrettable occasion. I hope our next meeting will be for a happier reason."

"Heh..."

Earl Hall smiled with impeccable grace and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "Welcome, Your Excellency Ishmael. The two