"Mr. Neil, please explain what these are?" A Punisher pointed at the parchments covered in strange runes on Old Neil's desk, and the glass bottles filled with dark red liquid in the cabinet.
"Old Neil…" Looking at the evidence, Frey's heart was a mix of emotions. He wanted to speak up for Old Neil but didn't know how to begin.
"This must be the core of the ritual, right?" Another Punisher took out an exquisite urn from the room.
"No! Give her back to me."
Old Neil lunged forward like a madman, snatching the urn back from the Punisher's hand.
He then clutched it tightly to his chest, collapsing directly onto the ground.
The chance to meet her again was right before his eyes, yet…
Everything happened too fast, and he broke down.
"Please, let me go."
"I've always adhered to the 'Seer's' maxim; I've never harmed anyone."
"The blood in those bottles is all my own."
"The ritual was just a little short, really."
He sobbed.
"I really miss her too much; I just want to see her one more time."
"Just one time is enough."
Seeing this, everyone present lowered their heads and remained silent.
…
After some time, Klein, Leonard, Xijia, and others who heard the news rushed over.
"Frey, how is Old Neil?"
Klein looked at Acting Captain Frey, his expression anxious.
Frey didn't answer, only shaking his head slightly.
When they saw Old Neil kneeling on the ground, clutching the urn, they were also stunned.
"This… is this a misunderstanding?"
"Doesn't Old Neil usually like to tinker with strange rituals?"
"This might just be an accident."
Frey looked at Klein, who was full of worry, and showed a conflicted expression. The Punisher's captain had just told him something, but seeing Klein's appearance, he couldn't bring himself to speak.
There was already one tragedy, and he didn't want another.
The Nighthawks team members tacitly protected Old Neil in the middle, separating him from the surrounding Punishers.
Looking at his teammates around him, Old Neil stopped sobbing and spoke, seemingly broken and ashamed.
"They're right. I, I really planned to…"
He didn't continue, but Klein and the others understood his meaning.
Seeing Old Neil admit it, the surrounding Punishers gradually closed in.
Leonard and Frey were the first to stand in front of them.
Klein protected Old Neil, almost leaning against him.
Xijia and Luo Yao also moved closer.
The air was thick with tension.
Acting Captain Frey stepped forward.
"Our people, we will handle them ourselves."
Both emotionally and logically, he couldn't hand his comrade over to the Punishers.
"And that matter…" He turned his head slightly, glancing at Klein out of the corner of his eye, and continued.
"We will also investigate it thoroughly."
Perhaps they were moved by the Nighthawks' scene of protecting their comrade.
Or perhaps, it was indeed against the rules for an inter-church body to handle members of another team.
The Punishers, usually known for their short temper, actually backed down.
In fact, if not for a tip-off that coincidentally reached the police station in their jurisdiction, they wouldn't have meddled.
Under normal circumstances, encountering such a matter should first involve notifying the Nighthawks to conduct an internal investigation. Their actions today were actually somewhat overstepping.
The Punishers' team captain reined in his temper and looked at Frey.
"I hope so!"
Then he turned to his teammates:
"We're pulling out."
…
In the underground dungeon of Blackthorn Security Company.
Old Neil was behind the iron bars, biting his cheek, tears slowly tracing the furrows of his age.
Leonard Mitchell leaned back in his chair, his legs together, a rare display of stillness. His eyes were hollow, devoid of emotion.
Klein had his back to everyone, not wanting anyone to see his expression.
Xijia, beside him, was also silent.
Luo Yao was still on her way back.
Apart from the clerical staff still awaiting news and Ke Enli, who was injured and bedridden, almost all official members were present.
"That's how it is. I heard the Hidden Sage's ravings…" Old Neil, behind the iron bars, recounted his experiences of the past few days in detail.
He had obtained information about a resurrection ritual from the Hidden Sage's ravings, and due to his longing for his deceased fiancée, he set aside his duties as a Nighthawk, attempting to try that dangerous ritual.
"But I really didn't harm anyone…"
"Hidden Sage?" Klein raised his head slightly; the term piqued his interest.
Old Neil seemed to still be repenting:
"I know that as a Nighthawk, to do such a thing…"
After a few seconds, he lowered his head and said in a low voice:
"I am willing to accept all punishment."
…
"I didn't expect so much to happen so soon after the Captain left." Frey clenched his fists. Too much had happened in the past two days, leaving him with a deep sense of powerlessness.
The basement door opened, and Luo Yao walked in.
She was responsible for staying at Old Neil's house to inventory the black magic materials. Now, it seemed her task was complete.
She nodded to the others as a greeting. Clearly, the current situation also left her speechless.
As the current backbone, Acting Captain Frey stood up. He first let out a soft sigh, then looked at his disheartened companions around him, gritted his teeth, and spoke.
"The Punishers already know about this. We can't hide it, nor should we."
"I will write a report on Old Neil's experience and truthfully submit it."
After a moment of silence, Frey continued.
"Everyone, don't be too nervous."
"Old Neil hasn't acted yet; his ritual is still in the preparatory stage."
"He himself hasn't completely lost control."
"He only did this because of the influence of that evil god called the 'Hidden Sage'."
He turned his head again to look at Old Neil, at this oldest Nighthawk, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"I believe Old Neil's faith in the Goddess remains devout."
"And I believe the Holy Cathedral will make a just ruling."
He tried to force a smile, looking at his companions around him.
"So, rest assured, everyone.
Old Neil will be fine."
"Everyone, please return to your respective posts. The Nighthawks' work cannot be neglected."
Everyone remained silent, which was a tacit agreement. There really was no better option at the moment.
…
"Klein, Leonard, you two stay for a moment."
Just as everyone was gradually dispersing, Frey kept Klein and Leonard behind.
He didn't explain but led the two to another interrogation room.
He first went to Leonard's side and whispered something into his ear.
Listening to Frey's words, Leonard's pupils widened slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"What's wrong?" Klein, who had been left aside, felt a bad premonition as the atmosphere became somewhat off.
"Actually… besides Old Neil, there was another report."
"Klein, you…" Frey hesitated. He didn't want to lose another comrade.
Leonard, beside him, stepped forward and asked on Frey's behalf.
"Klein, do you… worship an evil god?"
"Huh?"