The rain eased, and the wind gradually died down.
In the still night, only footsteps could be heard, closing in from every direction.
Bang!
With the gunshot, the army of puppets surged forward like a tide!
Their master, the black cat Nois, had returned to Falk's arms and surveyed everything with a lofty, mocking gaze.
The black cat gave a soft meow, then spoke in human language. "Why aren't you running anymore?
"Heh heh, you little worm. You should have died long ago!
"Shouldn't you be thanking us for our mercy, since you were lucky enough to escape with your life? Instead, you kept hounding us. You deserve what you're getting today!"
Lorry froze at those words, then demanded in a low voice, "What do you mean?!"
He had thought what happened at the Manor was an accident, but the black cat's words overturned that judgment. There seemed to be more to it!
Should have died long ago-lucky enough to escape with his life-kept hounding them-
Lorry linked those key phrases together.
In a flash, an incredible idea suddenly occurred to him:
This incident was connected to the case of the chief's death in the line of duty!
"Altair? Or Councilor Begat?" Two names surfaced in Lorry's mind. "One of them is your real master?"
The black cat sneered. "The dead-have no need to know so much."
"With just these puppets?" Lorry immediately retorted. "Fine. You seem to enjoy lying. I'd rather trust the results of Spirit Channeling!"
As he spoke, he raised the Curse of Knowledge again. White light flashed across the ring's face, and a spear burning with white flames rapidly formed in his hand.
"Blazing White Spear!"
The Flame Spear swept across, instantly piercing the few puppets charging at the front.
Whoosh!
The white flames blazed, instantly