Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Chapter 49 Mr. Humor_2 (2/2)

“It’s not a person, it’s me!”

Mr. Gold’s answer made everyone present pause and feel confused.

“Not human, it’s me?”

Byrne fell into deep thought. What did the corpse’s answer truly signify? He felt that the two phrases weren’t coherent, and that the corpse’s answer surely had a deeper implication.

The pale green energy gradually dissipated, and the body fell to the ground, returning to stillness. The oppressive atmosphere in the air finally vanished, and everyone instantly felt much more relaxed.

Viscount Bast hummed and scoffed:

“It seems my hugely built brother-in-law has thoroughly returned to the embrace of the Lord of Salvation. So, about the so-called killer’s words ‘not human, it’s me,’ Madam Spirit Aura, what is your opinion?”

Sheriff Renzo couldn’t help but roll his eyes, not finding his brother’s constant mockery of the deceased amusing in the least.

Madam Spirit Aura, not one to manipulate a corpse into speaking for the first time with the “Deceased Inquiry Spell,” could be considered well-experienced and nodded in explanation:

“The meaning of the two phrases can be understood like this. First, the one who killed him isn’t a human but a sub-human, a foreign race, or even a mysterious creature or being.”

The trio including Byrne all nodded in agreement; they had also just come to this point.

Madam Spirit Aura paused, then continued, “As for the latter part ‘it’s me,’ I find that a bit confusing. It’s possible that he was manipulated into suicide, and perhaps that could explain his response during the inquiry.”

Byrne, pondering the mysterious knowledge he had read about in certain books, suddenly said:

“I think there’s another possibility, that the non-human killer could actually take on the appearance of Mr. Gold, which is why he felt extremely confused in the moment before his death.”

He remembered that indeed some mysterious creatures and beings could take on the form of their target before beginning their slaughter.

Bast nodded, giving Byrne a serious lookover from head to toe for the first time and smiling:

“That makes sense, a very logical deduction. I’ve been told by the steward that you were the first to find the body. Why don’t you tell me more about the situation, about your ‘date for two’ with Gold.”

Byrne recounted the events he witnessed from beginning to end, with clear logic and articulation, responding calmly.

Viscount Bast showed an appreciative smile.

“I’ve heard about you from Gold before; you are indeed an outstanding individual.”

After speaking, he walked over and patted Byrne’s shoulder, speaking up close:

“I possess an innate ability to see through a person’s true character in a short time, and you, you are a man of loyalty and integrity.”

“I believe Gold’s death has nothing to do with you. You’re off the hook for the moment, Byrne, but be sure to let your family be cautious on your way back.”

Byrne’s heart sank, and he took a deep breath, asking respectfully, “Lord Viscount, what exactly is going on?”

Bast continued, “I’ve of course experienced such matters in my decades of life. It’s an act of assassination against enemy forces. Someone has us in their sights.”

“The assassination against us might not just happen once, but may become a terrible maelstrom, incessantly dragging those on the brink into its depths, and at the end, only a multitude of corpses will remain.”

He leaned in, speaking quietly in Byrne’s ear with calmness:

“There’s no doubt Gold was my cash cow, and the Fischer family is my ‘money branch.’ Anyway, be careful; I don’t want to see my business partners dying one after the other.”

Indeed, it was an assassination against the Lion clan!

Byrne felt extremely tense and to some extent, he found those hidden unseen enemies to be even more dangerous and terrifying than the attack by the Rhea people several years ago.

“Alright, I understand. Thank you for the warning, Lord Viscount.”

Viscount Bast’s expression suddenly turned serious and he gripped Byrne’s hand for a few seconds.

“Don’t talk recklessly about this, Byrne. You are a man with great potential, take care.”