Saint?Just a bad woman

"The Wraith... Some of my investigative friends who work in Long Night have mentioned similar cases to me. What is your basis? Such a deliberately publicized killing method does not look like the handiwork of the Wraith."

"Miss Williams, have you ever heard of the Sea Wraith?"

Santa Karina's tone of voice suddenly changed into the one used by urban ghost story narrators, and it was like the host of an urban midnight radio station. The column she was responsible for was thriller and horror. When the time came, she would use bizarre and weird ghost stories to add a bit of chill to the night. , taking away the drowsiness of the audience.

Virginie nodded.

"I have heard that the Long Night usually calls them 'water ghosts'. The Sea Wraith is a concept proposed by a witch working in the Long Night. It is very difficult to pronounce in Victorian, so it has not been popularized. The official continues to use the term water ghost. That’s all I know, Chang Ye’s case files and investigation materials are all confidential, and I don’t have access authority.”

They walked through the door of the viewing gallery and walked up a row of gorgeous spiral stairs.

Brass-colored handrails, smooth black stone slabs are used to pave the stair platform, and the metal guardrails have complex hollow carving designs, which are not ordinary crude things.

When it came time to climb the stairs, Virginie's steps seemed even slower.Every step up was accompanied by a slight gasp.

"Go on...don't worry, I won't fall."

In this case, Santa Carolina simply ignored her gasp and took back the little bit of humanitarian spirit that was insignificant in the eyes of the other party.

"Sea ghosts are resentful souls trapped in the ocean. They had unfulfilled wishes or unexpressed hatred during their lifetime. They died in the ocean or on the coast and became earth-bound spirits in the sea. This type of earth-bound spirits has many powers. Strong power, the source of this power is the ocean. Although the times are moving forward and humans have conquered land and islands, they have never been able to conquer the sky and ocean."

When she reached the staircase platform, Santa Karina stopped climbing and waited for Virginie to catch up with her.

The designer of the Avlov is a person who loves art. Reliefs, oil paintings, sculptures and other works of art can always be seen in public places in the cabin.

The thick and hard brass-colored metal wall should be heavy, rough, hard and unshakable. With these works of different styles and full of humanistic colors, this wall has become a small art exhibition corner, diluting the impact of the industrial era. The feeling of coldness brought about by people.

A sketch oil painting hanging in the middle became an excellent example for discussing the topic of sea wraiths. There were also corresponding real-life characters in Victoria. That case was also the earliest sea wraith murder case that Victorians came into contact with.

The case was so old that it was almost buried in the dust of time. Only a few people knew from the information left at that time that such a shocking case had occurred before Victoria's most prosperous era. Others were completely unaware.

The medieval era, which has a huge sense of separation from today's steam-mechanical industrial age, is condensed into a narrow wooden frame.

Santa Karina pointed to the oil painting on the wall, "Do you know Ophelia?"

"A girl who drowned in the Thames is a common character in many literary and dramatic works. The protagonist of the painting you are referring to is Ophelia. What is so special about this fake and imitation painting?"

Whether it is the painting skills or the frame, it is far from the real thing collected in the Victoria Capital Museum.

"The topic we explore is not the workmanship of the painting, but the truth behind the painting."

The girl, fixed in the frame by the paint, "gazing" at the person outside the frame with her clear and moving light blue eyes, looks innocent and touching, like a carefree deer running in the forest.

"The real Ophelia was born in the year 231 of the Victoria calendar. She was the apple of the eye of the military minister at that time. She was innocent and ignorant of the world, and was a symbol of purity and innocence. Generally speaking, such a girl would become the object of others to covet or take advantage of. "

Moving slowly, Virginie finally came to the landing of the stairwell, took out a silver pocket watch, and opened the cover.

"You wasted 5 minutes and 41 seconds in front of this picture. Although Ophelia's story is not a household name, I have not been reduced to a state of ignorance. Miss Linna, your words are suspected of showing off knowledge. "

"I'm sorry, I happen to despise people who show off their knowledge. You should put away your prejudice against ordinary people, my eldest lady. Also, please don't interrupt my story again."

Virginie's attitude made Santa Karina unhappy, and she thought of a famous line - Can you really do whatever you want with money?

But in Victoria, you can really do whatever you want if you have money.In fact, no matter where and when you have money, you can do whatever you want.

The evil capitalists should be hung on mechanical street lights.

Then, Virginie silently made a "please speak" gesture. Her arrogant expression was not restrained at all, and she must be very unconvinced in her heart. She felt that the noble's face was hurt by a commoner who did not know the heights of the world.

"Let's put aside the background of the painting Ophelia and go directly to the theme. Ophelia, whose emotions were played with, was not understood by her father and brothers. Her mother died young, and she had no one to talk to her sadness. , drowned in the Thames River on a dark and stormy night, and became the first sea ghost recorded in history."

Regarding the oil painting "Ophelia" and the case that occurred that year, Santa Karina knew it very well, as if she was an eyewitness to that case.

She knows a lot of things and is simply extremely knowledgeable. With her vast knowledge base, Santa Karina doesn’t have to worry about being short of words or showing embarrassment when someone is being made difficult for her.

"The first thing Ophelia has to do when she becomes a sea ghost is to take revenge on the people who failed or hurt her. The reason why a ghost is a ghost depends largely on the treatment she received during her lifetime. If she is treated well If you live a happy life, you will not continue to wander in the human world. You should have gone to the underworld long ago and taken the ferry on the River Styx to enter the next reincarnation."

"Um...then what?"

Virginie leaned against the banister and listened patiently to her new theory.The scope of occult science is infinite, and it is definitely not a field that ordinary people can get involved in. A poorly dressed tourist can talk about it, and it might as well be tasted as a pre-dinner dessert.

"The first is the lover who betrayed the innocent girl Ophelia and committed the crime of betrayal and abandonment. His name is too long ago and cannot be found. The name recorded in "Victorian Town Tales" is Lyles. This name As his name suggests, the young man named Lyles is a real liar. His last lover's body is still cold, but he can't wait to turn his attention to his next lover - the daughter of the Chancellor of the Finance."

The eyes of the oil painting behind seemed to move, and the eyelids blinked slightly, giving a secret glance. Then the light blue eyes stretched out scarlet viscous liquid, making the paint on the painting a mess.

When Virginie looked at it again, she found that the painting had not changed at all.This must be the unique illusion of people who listen to urban ghost stories.

She needs a cigarette made of sage to stabilize her mind, dispel her boredom, and gain short-term happiness and absolute peace.When he reached for the metal box in his pocket, he popped open the lid and found that it was empty.

The inventory I brought with me was exhausted, and it was troublesome to go back to the waiting area to get it.It is certainly a good idea to ask the crew to help with it. Virginie doesn't like strangers entering her room. Unless she takes it herself, there is no solution.

Forget it, you won't die even if you don't rely on external objects to relieve the pain once in a while.

When Santa Karina's voice reaches the ears, there is a kind of magic that makes people involuntarily attracted, just like... the witch whispers in the ear, with a charming whisper.

Legend has it that witches all have black hair, and black is a symbol of ominousness in some places.The woman in front of me who talks so much about the occult might actually be a witch who hides in the city, even though she has white hair.

"The chancellor's daughter was equally innocent and ignorant, and had much better luck than Ophelia. Even though she and Lyles entered the palace of marriage and entered the largest church in Nyakal, the capital at that time, under the witness of the priest and everyone. . Focus on it, the church is just across the Thames River.

The groom, who appeared in his best attire, was in a strange state that day.The walking posture is like a lifeless machine, and there is a lag with every step.Under the gaze of hundreds of people, he came to a knight with a silver gun, pulled out the sword from the knight's waist, and walked under the stained glass dome with the same stuck-like posture, bathing in the sunlight that was refracted into more than a dozen colors. , cut off his own head with a sharp sword, stuck it on the sword like a skewer, knelt down with his legs on the ground, and ended his life of sin. "

The scene has a strong sense of immediacy. The content of the picture comes from a corner of the brain. The corresponding picture emerges automatically with the movements of the powerful tongue, and the picture is transformed into the form of language to achieve the purpose of communication.

"Is it similar to the murder scene we saw?"

"It's a bit like it. Ophelia has been dead for 504 years. Is it possible to climb on this ship and kill a mounted policeman who has no grudge against her? Miss Linna."

Virginie grabbed her cane and continued to climb the stairs with difficulty.

"The story is good. It is suitable for publishing suspense and horror literary works. It may sell well. There is still one hour until lunch time. You'd better go see George Philemon's wife now. It's rude to interrupt others' lunch. Especially a widow who just lost her husband.”

The "wonderful" story time came to an abrupt end, and there was still a part of Santa Karina that had not yet been analyzed.

The eldest lady didn't have the patience to listen to her too many words. Could it be that she wanted to make a ready-made outline in front of her?

It's boring to partner with such a person, and I won't have a chance next time anyway.She must bear it for the sake of the fact that the other party is indeed a beauty.

Forbearance!

Putting aside the theory about the copycat, the killer of George Fremont was either a copycat or a sea wraith, or a sea wraith with the identity of a copycat.

After many twists and turns, we passed through several long corridors with the same design style, like a maze.Virginie memorized the route, like a silent guiding machine, guiding people according to fixed procedures.

The wife of the deceased, Mrs. Fremont, and her daughter lived in Room 1919 in Area B of the first-class cabin. The conditions were worse than those in Area A where Santa Carolina lived. The room was not so spacious and the facilities were of average luxury. It was suitable for people who were reluctant to buy Area A. tickets, but I don’t want to wrong someone who lives in economy class.

Virginie put down her cane and knocked three times.

"Who?"

The tired voice of a young woman came from the door.

"Police officer, I have something to consult."

I heard that the person coming was a police officer, and then there was the rustle of slippers on the carpet.The door was only opened a crack, and the door chain was hung. Behind it was a pair of alert golden eyes.The person who opened the door was a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old, with thin cheeks and a delicate appearance. There were a few freckles and bruises on her face. There was a piece of gauze on her forehead, and there were a few wisps of bright red hidden in the gaps between the white gauze.

"Please let me see your ID."

The girl looks like a frightened rabbit. All her calmness and composure are masks to ensure her own safety, and her emotions are not well hidden.

Santa Karina had no documents, and it was impossible to create a fake one out of thin air.Virginie was relatively calm. She actually took out a police card with a black cover and a golden griffon pattern from her pocket. A card with a black and white photo was stuffed inside. The card had been treated for anti-counterfeiting.

"The person next to me is a temporary assistant and has no ID. We will only ask about some matters related to the case and will not interfere too much in other aspects, so please don't worry."

While the girl was still hesitating, a woman lying on the bed sat up and said in a hoarse voice:

"Let them in."

The door chain was removed, Virginie limped into the room first, and then Santa Karina stepped forward with her legs that were numb from standing.Just now, I stood for too long in the oil painting display area, causing blood circulation in my legs to stop.

The room in Area B has an ordinary gray fabric sofa.They had no other place to sit, so they occupied the left and right sides of the sofa.

As soon as her body hit the couch, Santa Karina knew what to do.

"I won't beat around the bush, madam. Please let me see your husband's belongings."

249. Demon Eye True Knowledge Eye

The woman was leaning against the pillow, wearing a simple lavender nightgown. Her face was haggard, and her long golden hair had not yet been combed neatly, and was as messy as someone who had just gotten out of bed.

She was Eleanor Philemon, the wife of the deceased George Philemon, a full-time housewife in her early 40s. Perhaps she was overworked in daily life and had a mountain of unsatisfactory things, which made her appear older than her peers. Old, more than 50 by visual inspection.

Although it is a little offensive to say this, Mrs. Philemon is not good-looking. She cannot even be called a "milf, but her charm is still there". She is completely worse than ordinary.

The cheeks are long, the cheekbones are slightly convex, and the dazzling silver can be faintly seen in the middle of the golden hair. The skin on the face has long lost collagen and has become loose, producing many wrinkles.

The deceased himself, on the contrary, looked handsome in his youth.

The genes of the two people combined produced a neutralizing reaction, and the daughter they gave birth to was above average in appearance.

There is a certain connection between the observation of the client's appearance and the case. Santa Carolina accidentally caught a glimpse of the skin of a small section of Mrs. Philemon's arm hidden under the quilt. It was pale and had serious bruises.

If you accidentally fall or hit a hard object, the injured part should be the joint, not the forearm.The same color can be seen on the shoulders under the dress, a large patch of eye-catching purple.

George Fremont had a bad habit of drinking. A person who drank too much could easily lose his mind and beat those around him excessively.The girl who opened the door was their daughter. The injuries on her face also showed that the domestic violence had really happened and was on this ship.

Mrs. Philemon looked at her daughter and said in a weak voice: "Betty, go get your father's belongings and let the two police officers take a look."

"Ok."

Betty Fremont walked to the corner of the room and dragged a half-worn suitcase next to the sofa.This suitcase is similar to the one in Santa Karina, with more storage space and room for more luggage.

The girl turned the roller mechanical lock and opened the box.The items inside were very ordinary. They were all common belongings worn by middle-aged men - pocket watches, metal-rimmed glasses, wallets, and some clothing.

"Mind if I pick it up?"

"Of course not, it's up to you."

Mrs. Philemon's expression was calm, her eyes were red and swollen, and her eyeballs were bloodshot. She seemed to be crying a lot.

Santa Karina took the glasses and put them on her face.

The moment she took the newspaper from the crew, she discovered something more interesting than the headlines on the front page.After restoring the strength of the tenth level, the Demonic Eye of True Knowledge is awakened again. When touching an object, the eyes can immersely see what has happened around the object in the recent period.

A slightly fat middle-aged gentleman was reading a newspaper at the round wooden table. The waitress carrying coffee was hit by two naughty children running in the corridor, and accidentally spilled the coffee on the newspaper and the guests.

The waiter looked nervous. Fortunately, the middle-aged gentleman was a tolerant and kind-hearted person. He did not blame the waiter for her mistake. Instead, he handed her his handkerchief to wipe the coffee stains on her body and asked her if she was burned by the hot coffee and if she needed to go there. See the doctor in the ship's infirmary.

After the waiter watched the gentleman leave, the newspaper soaked in coffee was put back to its original place, and the effective screen ended.

The ability to touch an object and retrace its experience over time is nothing short of miraculous.Santa Karina didn't know what surprises were waiting for her next, so she would take advantage of them first and complete this detective game to pass the time.

The deceased's glasses are equivalent to another pair of eyes at the crime scene. Wearing them is like watching a 3D movie in an immersive manner. The effect is even more realistic than the movie, seamlessly cutting into the perspective of the deceased.

The background is the room in Area B of the first class cabin. George Philemon does not live in the same room with his wife and daughter, but lives alone in room B1920 next door.It was probably shortly after midnight when someone knocked on the door of the room. He was just about to go to bed and walked to the door.

"Who...what's the matter so late?"

The middle-aged man's tone was impatient and a little drunk.

The soft voice of a young woman came from outside the door.

"Sir, I live next door to you. I'm a little scared to be alone at night. Can you chat with me? It only takes 10 minutes. I promise to leave your room when the 10 minutes are up."

It is often a classic scam to find young women who are up in the middle of the night. Some people just have evil intentions and think they can take advantage of the opportunity to achieve some inelegant purposes in the darkness of the night.

As soon as he heard that it was a young woman speaking, and her voice was so pleasant, George Philemon immediately dropped his guard and took off the door chain.

The door is the last line of defense to block danger. The person standing outside is not a young and beautiful woman, but the steam knight armor placed at the door of the first-class lounge.

"This... what is it?"

George Fremont drank too much and was in a daze, rubbing his eyes.What was standing in front of him was indeed a pair of light steam knight armor. The armor held a sword in its hand and pressed on him step by step.

One person and one armor faced each other in the room. A thick water wall rose at the door, blocking the indoor and outdoor areas and making it airtight.George Philemon shouted hard, but found that he could not squeeze out a syllable, as if he was an aphonic patient.

The armor took heavy steps, and its movements were somewhat mechanical.

After all, George Philemon was a man who had seen the world and had dealt with dangers alone. He also carried a gun when traveling. He rolled on the ground to avoid a sword, then took out the gun from under the pillow and shot at the armor.

Six gunshots were fired, and the bullets all hit the armor, leaving only a few scratches on the armor.The imitation armor is made of the same material as the real Steam Knight armor. Items made of D43 steel are almost indestructible, and it is difficult to crack them with ordinary attack methods.

Unable to punish the armor and unable to call for help, George Philemon thought of escaping through the window.Outside is a corridor leading to the upper deck. As long as he runs to an open area, the slow-moving armor cannot catch up with him.

The idea is good, but the reality is often crueler.The water wall that sealed the door also sealed the window. He could not touch the hope of life. Several hands extended from the crystal clear water wall and entangled George's hands and legs. He was completely suppressed by the mysterious power.

His cheeks became twisted and hideous under the feeling of fear, and his throat was still unable to make a sound.Human beings are as small as ants in the face of indescribable power.

"I said that desire will be the trigger for your own destruction."

Armor raised his sword again.

"I hope you can sincerely repent in the underworld. The great god of the underworld, Vastar, may forgive your sins and allow you to suffer less on the way across the River Styx to the gate of life."

The heavy sword was swung cleanly, followed by the sound of blood splattering, and the scene was interrupted.

Santa Karina gasped and took off her glasses.