Recently Old Neil had indeed said that he was somewhat tired, wanted to request leave, and had even talked about his retirement issues.
But such a senior Nighthawk approaching retirement age, who had already transferred to clerical work, no longer involved in frontline operations, had taken the potion for dozens of years, and completely didn't consider advancing again...
How could he lose control? Was this some kind of mistake somewhere? Angel wanted to blurt out, but seeing Dunn's expression, still didn't ask this question aloud.
The captain and Old Neil had spent more time together, at this moment he must be feeling even more uncomfortable...
"What happened? Is the one lying on the ground Old Neil?"
Daly behind her stepped forward, inquiring in a low voice. The alchemy room's lighting was dim, she could only barely make out that old man's body outline.
"It was discovered by Lord Cesima," Dunn answered, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Just now when we were upstairs, Old Neil was receiving examination and questioning, afterward needed to press his hand on the sacred relic to make an oath..."
"Because there was no need to take potions for advancement, I didn't conduct the general test, but the sacred relic still discovered he had signs of being contaminated."
Crested took over the conversation and continued explaining.
"I used the 'Dream Entry' ability to control him, but during the process of further investigation, triggered some kind of restriction, causing him to suddenly lose control and break free from the dreamscape I created."
Based on the two people's description, as well as the scene of complete chaos, Angel restored the scene at that time in her mind.
The out-of-control Old Neil's face grew four additional eyes, located respectively on his forehead and cheeks. Those cold, lashless eyes stared intently at Crested, afterward his skin cracked everywhere, flowing out large amounts of fresh blood, in the blood there even appeared fine long hair.
Before the mutated state Old Neil could launch an attack or flee the scene, Crested made a decisive decision, took out the bone sword from the metal box, using the sacred relic's power to make Old Neil fall into slumber.
"I originally wanted to directly resolve the incident, but perhaps need to first ask Dunn Smith's opinion, after all this is his team member, on his territory."
Above Crested's pulled-down collar, thin and resolute lips parted, revealing a forced smile. Having a Nighthawk lose control in front of him, presumably this senior deacon's mood was also not very good.
"Resolve the incident... means directly kill Old Neil?"
Angel pursed her lips and asked.
"There may be many ways to avoid losing control, but once crossing that line, there's only one way to resolve it."
One-handedly holding the sword, sword tip propped on the ground, Crested turned his head to look at Angel and answered.
"Your captain just asked a similar question, inquiring whether it's possible to resolve the loss of control without harming his life."
"Currently under the sacred relic's suppression, this out-of-control Nighthawk can still maintain a 'relatively decent form', but soon, his flesh will collapse, becoming the bizarre monster you can only see in nightmares." Crested's voice became low and deep, as if coming from far away. "He might be able to retain partial consciousness, partial memory, might even recognize all of you, but believe me, he's no longer the companion you knew."
Relatively decent form...
Looking at Old Neil lying in the pool of blood, Angel clenched her fists.
Although she often went to the armory to collect ammunition, reporting consumed materials with Old Neil, she actually didn't know much about this oldest Nighthawk of the Tingen team, most of it was learned from other team members' mouths.
However, in the few contacts, this humorous old man had left a deep impression on Angel.
Looking at senior deacon Crested's attitude, he should be planning to directly "resolve the incident" after the captain nodded...
She looked toward Dunn Smith, the latter had his back to the light, his expression hidden in shadow, dim and unclear.
"I can try to perform spirit channeling, perhaps can find clues, have a chance..."
Daly stepped forward several steps, approaching Dunn, speaking softly.
"His contamination comes from the 'Hidden Sage', I don't recommend you do this, this can't save him, and will drag you in as well."
Crested shook his head, refusing Daly's suggestion.
The deity worshipped by the Moses Ascetic Order, this organization that controls most of the potion formulas of the "Seer" pathway, the "Hidden Sage".
Angel recalled the content she heard in the "Tarot Club" sharing about hidden organizations and ancient beliefs.
This organization's members used ascetic practices to resist losing control, dissolving the potion's residual effects, and strictly kept secrets, adhering to morals and precepts, was a very respected organization, maintaining good relationships with all major churches.
Unfortunately they had already fallen into an evil organization, and the reason was that the deity they believed in, the "Hidden Sage" had become an evil god.
"Seer"...
Thinking of Old Neil's potion sequence, Angel guessed his loss of control was very likely caused by the "Moses Ascetic Order", unfortunately this was of no help in currently resolving the problem.
And Daly... as a mid-sequence powerhouse, she should clearly know what risks spirit channeling an Extraordinary contaminated by an evil god and caused to lose control would have, but still was willing to risk performing spirit channeling...
She probably also didn't want to see the captain agonize over Old Neil's disposal.
"Daly, you shouldn't attempt..."
Dunn's hoarse voice came, he raised his head, his expression appearing somewhat pale under the "sacred relic's" emitted light.
He took a deep breath and said: "Lord Cesima, please continue maintaining the sacred relic's effect, let me personally take action."
Crested's dark green eyes moved, his gaze somewhat flickering, nodding in response: "He will pass away like a human."
"Thank you."
Dunn slowly moved his steps, stepping over the stone slab-paved alchemy room floor, stepping over the nearly congealed blood mixed with long hair, in the echoing footsteps resounding in the room, came to Old Neil's side.
This silent Nighthawk captain took off his windbreaker, half-crouching and bending down, covering the clothing over the other's naked body, saying something in a low voice.
Then stretched out both hands and broke Old Neil's neck.
...
Taking heavy steps, Angel returned from the basement to the second floor.
The bright sunlight outside the corridor now seemed somewhat glaring.
Captain Dunn was going through the underground passage to the church to seek the priest's help, preparing Old Neil's remains, Lady Daly was accompanying him; Crested still guarded the alchemy room, probably needed to recover the deceased's Extraordinary characteristics...
They asked me to notify the other team members, but...
Angel passed through the corridor, lightly stepping to the partition, hearing low exchanges from the Nighthawks on the other side.
Their words had become restrained and depressed, no longer the loud clamor from before she left.
"Why is it me, why didn't Crested call other people down just now? This way it wouldn't be me witnessing Old Neil's death, not me delivering this news."
She suddenly had this absurd and ridiculous thought in her heart.
Shocked by the appearance of such dark thoughts, Angel took a deep breath, deliberately making heavy footstep sounds, stepping out from the partition.
The reception hall suddenly became quiet, pairs of eyes looked toward her with confusion and speculation.
"What happened below? Was Old Neil's false reimbursement behavior discovered by the senior deacon?"
Leonard squeezed out a smile and asked, then let out several dry laughs.
No one responded.
"No... Old Neil, Old Neil he..."
As soon as Angel opened her mouth, she discovered her voice had become as low and hoarse as Dunn's.
A moment later, the sound of coffee cups breaking came from the second floor of Blackthorn Security Company.
Along with suppressed exclamations.