Secrets Buried in Dust

Sky practically half-dragged Xia Lin through the night-dark streets of Nirose.

"I really shot myself in the foot—" Xia Lin said helplessly. He had only wanted an excuse to lure this inquisitor away, but instead, he had piqued her interest.

"Does your Inquisition even keep records of ordinary murder cases?" Dragged along by her, Xia Lin could only jog to keep up.

"Ordinary murders fall under City Hall and the guard's jurisdiction." Sky kept her eyes forward without slowing down. "But you said it involved nobles and might involve evil forces. As long as there is a possibility, the Inquisition has the right to retain a copy of the records."

They soon arrived in a solemn district.

The headquarters of the Imperial Tribunal looked even more terrifying in the darkness.

The towering spires pierced the night sky. Braziers embedded at their tips burned with pale flames that never went out, slicing the surrounding darkness into twisted shapes.

Most unsettling of all were the enormous glass windows. During the day, they looked holy and dignified, but at night, they resembled countless blood-red eyes coldly watching passersby.

"This place of yours..." Xia Lin quipped. "Anyone who didn't know better would think it was some dark lord's fortress, built specifically to scare children."

"Master Raiser Ironfist." Sky answered seriously. "He believed that the buildings of institutions of justice should themselves possess a deterrent effect. Those harboring ill intent should feel fear before stepping inside and thus abandon their thoughts of wrongdoing. According to statistics, since the Inquisition moved into this building, the crime rate in the surrounding three districts has dropped by 37%."

"...All right." Xia Lin rolled his eyes. "I take back what I said. That master's design philosophy really is effective."

The two of them headed toward the main entrance.

She