After seeing the question from the Magic Mirror Arrodes, Ikanser Bernard, captain-general of the Machinery Hivemind, answered, "On the bottom."
Deacon Zed and the other Machinery Hivemind member were already used to this, especially the latter. Since the Magic Mirror required at least two spectators, he had witnessed questions even more private than this one.
The two pretended they had seen nothing and began discussing the case.
Of course, they had noticed that the two billowing masses of gray fog should have represented two individuals.
Yet they could not make out any features at all. Presumably, the pair had protection from a higher-level power.
The three figures whose appearances were clearer had most likely been killed in yesterday's battle. Judging by the Southern Continent features of two of them, this confirmed their earlier conjecture: this was probably an internal conflict within the Rose School.
They could also investigate further based on the appearances of those three people and perhaps uncover new leads.
Next, they reasoned that the Zombie and Werewolf who had fought in this alley were the lowest-level participants, so they should be the easiest sources of new leads.
Although there had been quite a few eyewitnesses last night, it was difficult to continue the investigation with nothing but a wolf's face and a face resembling a skull.
So Ikanser questioned the Magic Mirror again. "Your Excellency Arrodes, where can we find the Zombie and Werewolf who fought here?"
The mirror flashed, revealing an image of rats scurrying through a sewer. Several hard fingernails lay there.
Then the scene shifted, showing a forest beneath a night sky with a full moon.
Finally, another blood-colored question appeared on the silver mirror. "Now it's my turn to ask: when engaging in that activity, do you prefer being penetrated while lying facedown on the bottom, or while lying faceup?"
Zed and the Machinery Hivemind member saw shock on each other's faces. What did I just see? Wasn't the last question perfectly fine? How did this one get so explosive?
Ikanser's hand trembled slightly as he held the Magic Mirror. Only after a long while did he manage to answer with forced composure, "I choose punishment."
Crack!
A bolt of lightning descended from the sky, making Ikanser's brown hair stand on end again.
Ikanser exhaled a puff of black smoke, but even the physical pain could not ease the damage to his soul.
To alleviate the awkward atmosphere, Deacon Zed hurriedly said, "The first scene should show where that Zombie ended up. Although the victor disposed of the body, his fingernails were so hard that some remained.
"As for the second scene, it should concern that Werewolf. The image was rather vague, and the Werewolf himself didn't appear at all.
"But it did remind us that during a full moon, a Werewolf has to leave Backlund and transform in a forest outside the city.
"And the only large forests are to the west of Backlund. We could use 3-156 and see whether we can capture that Werewolf."
The Machinery Hivemind member opposite him struggled to pull his gaze away from the Magic Mirror. "Ah, yes, exactly!"
Ikanser gave a bitter smile. Why did I choose to take charge of this Sealed Artifact back then?
That afternoon, in the Factory District.
Carter brought his boss, Raphael, to a spacious abandoned factory building.
Several Mafia members had already given the place a quick cleaning.
Raphael was very satisfied. He sent Carter and the others back, then, after making sure no one was around, took out some chalk and drew a series of footprints.
The positions of these footprints marked the practice steps for the Nine Wolf Shadow Steps in the Wolf Fang Art.
There were two sets of footwork in total. One moved forward; the other alternated between left and right turns, eventually completing a circle and returning to the starting point.
Clearly, the former was meant for fleeing or pursuit, while the latter was for close combat.
Raphael tried them briefly and discovered that some steps covered too much distance. He could only perform them after transforming into a Werewolf.
So he transformed and began practicing the footwork.
Looking at the footprints on the ground, it seemed that the steps were merely a little longer than usual. Only after actually practicing did Raphael realize that each step he took brought him somewhere an enemy would never expect.
He could not help marveling. Even if I fight a Zombie in the future, I won't be at a disadvantage! If only I'd learned this footwork sooner!
Had he learned it earlier, he would not have been in such a sorry state last night.
Because his transformation time was limited, Raphael transformed for nine minutes at a time, then rested for twenty minutes before transforming again to practice.
Only when he felt signs that his spirituality was running dry did he erase the footprints and take a cab back.
Over the next few days, Raphael worked diligently, constantly practicing the Nine Wolf Shadow Steps and Wolf Fang Claw, while leaving Mafia affairs to Carter and several capable subordinates.
On top of that, he also practiced the Demon Source Scripture at night.
Raphael could clearly feel that his body had become much more agile.
As for the Demon Source Scripture, he would need to practice it for a while before he could feel its effects.
A light rain began falling over Backlund.
It was already late autumn, and the drizzle brought a damp chill to Backlund.
The good news, however, was that the rain cleared away Backlund's fog, making the city seem much clearer all at once.
After nightfall, the light rain continued.
On top of a three-story house, Raphael hid behind a chimney, his face covered and his hood up.
Tonight, he intended to hunt the Beyonder he suspected was an Unwinged Angel.
Raphael had bought his Criminal potion formula from this Beyonder.
Ever since then, Raphael had quietly kept an eye on this Beyonder whenever he attended the gatherings.
Although everyone had to wear hoods at the gatherings, Raphael could still recognize his target at a glance, because that cold aura was so distinctive.
Others might not have been able to sense that aura, but it was the exact opposite of a Lunatic's slightly crazed air, so Raphael could pick it out.
Before each gathering, the organizer would publish an encrypted message in the newspaper.
There was another gathering tonight, so Raphael had prepared for the hunt.
A short while earlier, Raphael had noticed that his target was attending this gathering.
But he had not acted then, because that was when his target would be most vigilant. Besides, the organizer would not stand by and let an attendee be attacked.
Raphael waited quietly in the cold drizzle. Patience with one's target was a basic requirement for a Criminal.
At last, the gathering ended, and attendees began leaving at a brisk pace.
Raphael's target appeared as well, but he still did not attack immediately. Instead, after confirming which route his target was taking, he followed quietly across the rooftops.
In an alley occupied by only a few vagrants, Raphael lunged at his target with a vicious grin.
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