Hearing Raphael's words, Eva was somewhat surprised.
"Level 3?
I've faced a Level 3 Demon before and got seriously injured… How strong is it?"
Eva seemed to recall something, a lingering fear in her eyes.
"Its intelligence matches that of humans. Its combat power is limited by the contractor's influence, but it is still formidable.
All Ghost-class Demons are born from corpses.
Level 1 Wronged Souls are born from obsessions;
Level 2 Vengeful Spirits are born from hatred;
These are not uncommon, but Level 3 is different."
He pulled out a chair and sat at the table.
"A Level 3 Evil Spirit is born from death in extreme circumstances, such as execution by fire, or death from torture.
Its driving force is extreme emotion. Its birth must trigger a large-scale magical resonance to manifest from the corpse.
Their movements are unpredictable, but they crave slaughter.
They do not have a clear target and are embodiments of extreme emotion."
He drew a circle on the edge of the map and shaded it in from the inside out.
"When possessed, they slowly consume the host's soul, leaving the body hollow.
The person appears alive, but their mind is effectively gone."
After speaking, Raphael stood and marked three points on the map.
"There were three survivors from last night's incident: Sofia Laura, Jessica Rebeca, and Elena Silva.
Elena's family is the most prominent. Her mother, Maria Silva, is an Arbitrator in the 22nd District and resides at White Dove Manor.
What I need your help with is intelligence gathering regarding this, and to help me forge an AE Association certification medal.
I need to infiltrate near the survivors as a professional to observe closely."
Raphael opened a drawer and took out a small cloth bag.
Eva's eyes followed Raphael's movements, her heart skipping a beat.
In the drawer, the silver-white bone knife reflected a strange glow under the moonlight.
"That is… the Scapegoat's Knife?
But why is it here?"
Eva murmured in a voice only she could hear, her eyes burning with uncontrollable desire, and even her cat ears perked up.
"Here."
Eva looked at the small cloth bag and at the face of her old friend, suppressing any unusual expression.
She controlled the chaotic emotions inside and took the bag.
Eva took a deep breath, opened it, and raised an eyebrow.
"Wronged Soul cores… looks like there are nearly twenty of them."
Raphael looked thoughtfully at the drawer and explained:
"In the past few months, hauntings have been everywhere, and I took quite a few commissions."
Eva adjusted her emotions, revealing her optimistic smile again, and shook the bag.
"Thanks, this can fetch a good price. I'll buy you a drink later.
Then it's settled. Happy cooperation."
With that, she nimbly leapt out of the window, jumping between the trees along the street.
In an instant, she vanished into the night.
…
A few days later, inside White Dove Manor.
Raphael changed into formal attire, looking very presentable, wearing the AE medal forged by Eva on his chest.
He strolled along the paths of the manor, following the steps of the butler.
A concealed earpiece transmitted Eva's voice.
"According to my investigation, Jessica Rebeca's situation is basically confirmed.
Unlike Elena, she doesn't have a big house.
The structure of her apartment building made it easy for me to gather intelligence.
After that accident, Jessica developed severe autism and has been blaming herself.
She feels it was her failure to persuade her friends that led to Paulanna's death."
Strange noises came from the background on the other end.
"Her parents could only let her take a leave from school.
They couldn't care for her themselves due to work.
Neighbors said her condition was bad, but there were no traces of Evil Spirit possession."
The more Raphael listened, the stranger it seemed.
Seeing the butler introducing the garden, he took the opportunity to lean in and whisper.
"What's that noise over there? I can even hear medical equipment beeping."
"Hee hee, guess."
Eva's voice was playful.
"Don't worry about it. As long as the intel is useful.
As for Sofia Laura, she has some issues. Soon after the accident, she was hospitalized with severe schizophrenia.
Every time she speaks, she hears replies in her ear, as if another person lives inside her head."
A few questioning sounds came through the earpiece, seemingly calling a doctor, and Eva answered perfunctorily.
Raphael frowned. What exactly was Eva up to?
"In short, she is now in an isolated ward, her mental state is very poor.
She both refuses food and self-harms, almost completely breaking down.
Life signs are barely maintained with sedatives and nutrient fluids, and handcuffs are even used to administer her medicine."
As Eva spoke, her voice suddenly stopped, followed by rapid footsteps.
"Hey, good morning colleagues, I have to go first.
What?
Oh, nothing, there's a nurse inside.
Sorry, I have an urgent matter… uh, I can't say, just leaving first."
A series of hurried footsteps, accompanied by noisy chatter.
"Eva? Hey, Eva?"
Raphael was somewhat speechless.
Guided by the butler, he walked toward the main building. Just before entering, the butler stopped.
"Sir, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, please hand over your briefcase for inspection. Don't worry, nothing will be lost."
Raphael nodded, keeping only the silver revolver, and handed the briefcase to the butler for inspection.
At that moment, Eva's laughter came through the earpiece.
"Ah ha, mission perfectly accomplished. Bye-bye."
Beep—the call was disconnected.
On the other end, North Area, Green Cross Hospital.
"What?!
You mean a female doctor claiming to be Joseph already came to examine the patient and prescribed medication?"
In the corridor, the real Dr. Joseph, a middle-aged balding man, looked confusedly at the patient's family.
"Yes… that female doctor, after examining my daughter's condition, gave very professional advice.
The nurse adjusted according to her instructions, and my daughter really fell asleep."
Sofia's father also answered, confused.
At this time, another on-duty doctor approached.
"Hey, Joseph, just now a female doctor with the same name as you came by.
She was beautiful. Is she your sister? Can I get her contact?"
Joseph had a bad premonition.
He quickly entered the ward and saw Sofia's hands raised above her head, handcuffed to the foot of the bed, with a newly purchased bottle of sleeping pills beside her.
"…"
He didn't know what to say.
…
Guided by the butler, Raphael met the lady of the house, Maria.
After self-introduction the previous night, Maria Silva led this professional Exorcist toward the dining room.
"Mr. Alanster, since that accident, my daughter has been depressed daily and unwilling to see others.
I know she was psychologically hurt.
I didn't ask her to return to school immediately, but I am afraid she will become afraid of social interaction."
He nodded: "Madam, you can call me Raphael.
Regarding your daughter, I think she needs exorcism help.
Due to the nature of Demons, can you tell me your daughter's habits?"
Maria thought for a moment.
Having once held a position in court, she was not surprised by the existence of Demons.
"I apologize for making you see this, sir. Although I want to be close to my daughter, I am busy with work.
Although she has been at home these past days, we have had very little communication."
Maria recalled.
"She likes sweets, has since childhood, and likes to take photos of pretty desserts.
The butler said she likes all kinds of sweet drinks, hates bitter coffee, enjoys social media and making friends.
After this accident, she still wanted to send small gifts to her friends, but their parents refused. I can understand that."
She thought for a moment, shook her head.
"…That's all.
One more thing: recently, the manor's servants often mentioned a haunted event.
I hope you can investigate it, in the stables."
At the door, Maria told Raphael to wait while she entered first.
After a few minutes, the butler signaled Raphael, who handed over the briefcase and waited at the doorway.
Elena yawned and came downstairs, sitting at the dining table, looking at the abundant breakfast prepared by the chef.
These were all things she liked to eat, but now she had no appetite.
Her mother, Maria, looked at her daughter with concern.
"Elena, I've found you an Exorcist.
He will protect you and investigate the strange events around you. You can feel more at ease for a while."
She clapped her hands, and the butler brought in a man.
He wore the AE medal, had blue eyes, black hair, a scar on his brow, and dressed neatly and impeccably.
"Exorcist?
…Thank you, Mom. Although I don't think it's necessary, thank you for your concern—"
Elena's words abruptly stopped as she looked at the approaching man, her pupils contracting.
"Miss Elena, allow me to introduce myself.
Raphael Alanster, professional Exorcist.