Rosa's expression softened as she took a seat across from Ms. Ming. "I'm sorry for what happened to your husband. No one should have to endure that kind of loss," she said, folding her hands neatly in her lap. She let the words linger, giving the grieving widow a chance to breathe before continuing, "As for Heng Sizhui, you don't need to fear him any longer. He won't be coming back."
"He crossed paths with some dangerous people. Before we could apprehend him, he was killed." Rosa said calmly, noticing their surprised reactions
As her words set in Ms. Ming's hand flew to her mouth, a feeling of nausea rose in her stomach. From the day he had defiled her body, she had prayed he would simply disappear from their lives, yet she wasn't prepared to hear news of his death.
The corner of Li Ming's mouth twitched in an indiscernible manner as he only blinked, caught between relief and disbelief.
"The investigation isn't over. If anything, it's only begun."
"His employers remain at large, which is why we're here," Rosa said, leaning forward as her gaze shifted toward Li Ming. "We need to know, did you ever see Sizhui meeting with anyone? Anyone suspicious. A name… A face. Did you see or hear anything at all?"
The boy stiffened under her scrutiny, his fingers curling tightly. He swallowed hard, his eyes darting toward Diana before returning reluctantly to Rosa.
"I… I don't know. He never introduced me to anyone. The only times we spoke outside were when he came by the Wisteria bar, trying to get free drinks. Sometimes he… he talked about teaching me self-defense, but that was it. I never saw him with anyone else, but he did mention a pharmacy called Xiangcao once, it's located in District three, so I didn't dare go there, though."
Ms. Ming's lips parted as her eyes narrowed towards her son. "Li Ming--" She began speaking sternly to scold him, but was quickly interrupted.
"Then what about this? Do you recognize it?" Diana asked.
She slipped a hand into her coat pocket and pulled out the old key. Her gaze settled firmly on the boy; however, Rosa closed her eyes in silence, weighing his words.
Li Ming's eyes darted to the key. He stared for a long moment before shaking his head quickly. "No… I've never seen that before."
Diana's shoulders eased down, though her expression soured. She let out a quiet sigh. "Figures," she muttered, the disappointment clear in her tone. She tucked the key back into her pocket before turning to walk to the door.
Rosa opened her eyes and smiled, reaching under her coat, she removed her badge, placing it gently down on the coffee table. "That's enough for now. We appreciate your honesty. If you ever find yourselves in danger, this will protect you. All you have to do is recite a chant aloud or in your head." Her eyes shifted between mother and son as she breathed out a whisper.
"Blessings bestowed of The Scarlet Visionary."
"The mysterious Herrscher within the forest boundaries."
"The Specter of Winters, who wields sentience." Her voice settled into silence, the weight of her words hanging in the air.
"Remember. Even a single line is enough if you have the badge nearby as a medium to focus on." Insisting, she rose from her seat and headed to the hallway.
Walking towards the door, Rosa suddenly felt a pull on her coat tail.
"Is something the matter?" she asked, turning around. She found Ms Ming nervously standing behind her.
"I don't believe he's dead," she mumbled. Her voice shook, but her eyes held firm. "Men like Sizhui… they don't die so easily. Please… be careful."
Rosa regarded her for a few seconds. She had survived too many missions not to trust her skills, but she couldn't entirely dismiss Mei's fear. The notion of the dead walking again no longer carried novelty for experienced Specters; it was instead a truth etched into their very bones. She had witnessed it many times, souls too stubborn, too grief-stricken, too consumed by desire to surrender their hold on the world of the living. Strong wills twisted into Revenants by longing had a way of clawing back through the veil.
Smiling, she asked softly in Huaren, ["May I have your first name, ma'am?"]
Caught off guard, Ms. Ming let go, unsure how to react. "Huh?...Oh! It's Mei, in Huaren it's written as [Mèi] meaning plum blossom," she said[" Forgive my manners, officer, I was just a bit surprised."]
["Thank you for worrying about us, Mei. We'll be fine."]
After bidding farewell to the mother and son duo, Diana and Rosa quieted their footsteps to avoid the attention of the neighbors before they stepped out in the yard with the afternoon sun hanging high overhead, its heat carried on the still air.
Diana's expression relaxed as she slowed her steps. Taking a final glance at the house, she snapped her fingers, casting a 'heat object' spell on the overgrown vegetation and scattered trash.
Instantly, they curled into ash, vanishing in a clean wave of flameless incineration.
Satisfied, she slid her hands into her coat pockets, briskly walking up to Rosa, striding ahead down the street. "Are we heading straight to that pharmacy Li Ming mentioned, or should we stop by the motel and settle in for the night?"
Rosa's stride didn't falter, but her gaze lingered on the road ahead, weighing the options in silence before answering," It's already around 3 o'clock, we'll rest for the night and head there tomorrow."
Inside, Li Ming lingered by the window, his fingers brushing lightly against the curtain as he witnessed her actions. Through the wavering glass, he watched Rosa and Diana retreat down the street, their silhouettes swallowed slowly by the haze of the afternoon sun.
A crooked smirk crept across his face.
'The Visionary of Ya'arseele… the rumors said she had a soft spot for children. Always bending towards the weak.' His gaze hardened, the amusement in his eyes giving way to something colder."Let's hope her little servants enjoy the surprise waiting for them".
"Li Ming," his mother's voice called out, strained and weary. "Help me with this, please."
He let the smirk linger a moment longer, then smoothed it away as if it had never been there."Coming, Mother," he answered, his tone calm and obedient, before turning from the window.
****
Their departure was somewhat seamless as Agnes galloped through the forest. As the carriage sped along, grass seed and insects splattered against the wheels and Agnes's hoofs, leaving yellowish green smears. After taking in the scenery for a while, Damon witnessed wild deer and boars occasionally darting out of the underbrush. Looking back, he could still faintly see the blurry outline of the Orphanage.
The carriage rumbled on the vast wilderness for roughly two hours before the road widened, hemmed in by stone markers reaching signs of a town wall. They continued along the main path, veering towards the town's gates, rattling over cobbled stone as the landscape shifted into narrow streets and clustered houses.
The townspeople seemed to be thriving, though the day was ending. Shopkeepers pulled in their stands, shuttering stalls with practiced motions. Children scurried after parents who hurried them along, baskets balanced in their hands. Their clothing caught Damon's attention, and he leaned forward, taking in a better look at the street. The men and women wore long-sleeved tunics and flowing sashes, layered with dark waistcoats or pressed jackets. It was an odd but seamless blend of Huaren tradition and the Snobor dress suits he usually saw at home.
As the carriage rolled deeper into the town square, Damon noticed something stranger. A handful of people paused in their work and turned to face the road, bowing slightly as the carriage passed. His brows knitted.'...They recognize us ?'
Vincent, who had been watching him from the opposite seat, smirked. "This town is called Yuanstadt," he explained. "They're familiar with us. Mother sends donations here every month. Helps keep the schools and soup kitchens open."
Damon blinked, glancing again at the bowing figures, unsure if the weight in his chest was pride or unease.
At that moment, the sharp metallic cry of a train whistle echoed across the streets. The high-pitched sound pierced the air three times. Vincent's head shot up as he heard the sound, sliding open the carriage window, he leaned halfway out. "Ben!" he called to the driver, his voice bright with urgency. "Head toward the train station."
Damon frowned. "There's a train station here? Are we taking a train ?"
Henry echoed him, squinting at Vincent in confusion.
Vincent grinned, almost boyish in his excitement. "Change of plans. We're taking the train to Augustine City." Reaching into his coat, he pulled out two golden badges and handed one to each of them. " Here, keep these close. You guys are officially special investigators now. Don't lose them."
As he grabbed it, Damon stared at the golden badge, wondering how the signature was crafted. "This looks expensive…"
'Who would've thought that I'd be made an investigator at the age of thirteen?'
The carriage pressed on, wheels clattering until they reached the bustle of the station. Steam hissed from iron pipes, and the whistle blared again as porters hurried with stacks of luggage.
Stepping out, Damon and Henry froze for a moment watching the train enter the station with a high-pitched squeal of metal wheels braking against the tracks. Strangely, Damon could actually feel spiritual energy radiating off the train as it neared.
Vincent quickly caught Damon's arm before he could linger, dragging him towards the platform. He gave a brief goodbye to Ben, who tipped his hat before turning the carriage around.
"I can walk by myself," Damon groaned, tugging against Vincent's grip.
Watching him struggle, Henry shook his head as he silently trailed after them.
They entered the train looking for an empty compartment. Surprisingly, it was easy to find seats after the conductor saw their badges, and seven minutes later, the train gave another strident whistle.
Its journey towards Augustine had begun.