Chapter 143 Painting "It sounds similar to what happened to Charlie, the only difference is that those were women and Charlie was a man... "The strange creature that looks like Suzanne Matisse doesn't pick gender, or is there another strange creature that is similar but male? "The latter possibility is more likely, because the three victims in the town of Ornet were all women, not men... "Well, there is one difference between those three women and Charlie. They didn't have partners, either openly or secretly. Not long after Charlie prayed to Susanna Mathis, he became Mrs. Alice's lover... If it hadn't happened, would Charlie have died suddenly from weakness caused by overindulgence like the three victims? "Mrs. Alice has become the victim in his place, or is this just the beginning?" Lumian associated a lot with what the man with painted face shared and made some guesses. He now only hopes that the authorities will take this case seriously and not end the matter until Susanna Mathis is completely exterminated. As for whether the authorities would suspect that there were Beyonders among Charlie's friends because of the letter for help, Lumian was not too worried. When he wrote the letter, he deliberately blurred Charlie's information and situation, and even made a small mistake in some inconspicuous details. In this way, the writer looked more like someone who had a deep hatred for Susanna Mathis, had been tracking her for a long time, and wanted to use Charlie's affairs to get the authorities to help him take revenge. Therefore, he was more concerned about Susanna Mathis's problem and lacked sufficient understanding of Charlie. After the party participants had been discussing the strange cases in the town of Ornet for a while, Mr. K's waiter picked up something covered with a black cloth. Another waiter introduced: “This is a painting from a friend of one of the participants.

"He himself was also an extraordinary person. He died strangely two months ago, and he painted this picture before his death." At this time, the waiter holding the painting tore off the black cloth covering the surface and displayed the posthumous work of the extraordinary man. This is an oil painting, which uses a variety of bright and strong colors to paint a bizarre and hallucinatory scene: There were green weeds growing to the sky, a golden sun hidden in a well, a blood-red river pouring down from the sky, black figures gathered together to dance, and clouds made of white skulls... After just looking at the painting for a few seconds, Lumian felt dizzy. The other waiter who had just introduced the other continued: “This painting carries a strong spiritual imprint, which will cause every viewer to suffer mental impact, with varying degrees of confusion and dizziness, and even possible mental illness if viewed for a long time. “According to the letters and diaries left by the owner of the painting, this painting is likely to contain some kind of truth, pointing to the truth of the nature of the world and the source of mysticism. “This may also hide the real reason for his strange death. “If any participant wants to do the research, the price is negotiable.” You still want to sell this kind of thing for money? I don’t even want it if you give it to me! Lumian muttered to himself and looked away. He didn't want to touch anything that contained the truth, essence, and source. According to Aurore, one should not look at what he shouldn't look at, and should not study what he shouldn't study. Lumian is only interested in tangible extraordinary properties, potion formulas, magical items, extraordinary weapons, or occult knowledge that has practical value. Obviously, most of the party participants did not want to spend money on such an ominous painting that concealed some unknown secret. In the end, Mr. K's waiter took it away and covered it with the black cloth again. After that, the party entered a stage of free communication. Everyone chatted about rumors and legends casually, but tried their best not to reveal information related to their true identities. At a quarter past ten, Mr. K announced the end of the party and everyone left in groups. As he walked out, Lumian clearly felt that the convener was looking at him with a kind of scrutiny. "Will he send someone to follow me and investigate me?" Lumian suddenly had this thought. Not only did he not care about it, he was even looking forward to it. Now, apart from occasionally summoning messengers, there is nothing unusual about him and he can withstand any investigation! As long as he controlled himself and didn't contact the "magician", Lumian believed that Mr. K would soon be able to get a nearly true report:

Charles is indeed a wild Beyonder who lacks the necessary common sense in many things. He is suspected to be from Cordu Village and is currently tracking the whereabouts of Guillaume Bené and others. He himself is also wanted. In that case, if Lumian shows his abilities and radical attitude, it won't be long before he receives an invitation from Mr. K to become his subordinate and a member of the organization behind him. Sometimes, "inadvertently" exposing your own weaknesses and true situation is an effective way to gain the trust of others. In this way, Lumian and Osta found a hidden corner in the house at 19 Scheer Street, changed their disguises, and returned to the Honest Market area. As he walked towards the chaotic street, Lumian frowned slightly in confusion. He didn't realize who was following him. "Is it that Mr. K has not yet planned to investigate me, or is it that the person following me is very skilled and has unique abilities, so I didn't notice it at all?" Lumian changed his mind and put the matter behind him. Anyway, he is not afraid of investigation, unless Mr. K is in cahoots with the Sting Gang. After entering the Golden Rooster Hotel, Lumian saw that it was still early, so he walked through the clean lobby and turned into the bar in the basement. Before he had time to look around the place, he heard Charlie's full-bodied voice: “Can you believe this? Three hours ago I was at the police headquarters, accused of murder, and three hours later I’m here drinking and singing with you! "Ladies and gentlemen, I have just experienced another incredible thing. I bet no one here can be like me..." The trainee waiter once again jumped onto the small round table with a beer bottle in his hand and began to give a "speech" to the drinkers around him. His short light brown hair was messy, as if it hadn't been trimmed for several days, and there were obvious stubbles around his mouth. "So soon?" Lumian thought Charlie would take another two or three days to be released. Charlie, who was sitting at the small round table, glanced at Lumian, waved his short arms, and said loudly to the people around him: "I'll share with you later the encounter that was stranger than the story!" Wearing a linen shirt and black trousers, he jumped off the table, holding a beer bottle, and trotted to the bar. He sat next to Lumian and said to the bartender Pavard Nissen with a ponytail: "A glass of absinthe! Thank you." He immediately turned his head and said to Lumian: "This drink is on me." Lumian accepted it calmly and said with a smile: "You're in pretty good shape." "Of course, at least I don't have to worry about being hanged. I don't want to get no attention when I'm alive and be watched by thousands of people when I'm dying." Charlie said with a look of relief. The citizens of Trier have a hobby of watching the execution of death row prisoners. Whenever someone was sent to the gallows or the execution ground, the streets and alleys were crowded with people. In the classical era before Emperor Roselle, there was even a custom based on this hobby: When a death row prisoner is walking from prison to the gallows, if any of the onlookers is willing to marry him, he will be sentenced to a reduced sentence or even acquitted. “Nothing wrong?” Lumian asked further. Charlie took a sip of beer, looked around, and said in a low voice: "I can't tell you the specific process. I signed a notarized letter of commitment. You don't know how magical it is..." Charlie shut up in time and said: "The only bad thing is that I'm unemployed again. I've lost my job. That damn supervisor thinks I've affected the hotel's image. It doesn't matter. I'll go pawn that diamond necklace tomorrow. The police officers have already returned it to me. With that money, I can hold on for a long time. I can go to the cafe on White Coat Street and treat those waiters to drinks. I'm sure I'll find a better job!" He wanted to add, "We'll be together then," but thinking of the courage and ability that Charles had shown, he silently gave up the idea. Lumian took a sip of the absinthe pushed by the bartender and motioned Charlie to sit in an empty corner.

After confirming that the environment was noisy and no one was listening, he asked: "Has Suzanne Mathis's problem been solved?" "I don't know." Charlie shook his head. "They did a lot of things, but I can't tell you." "Did they promise to provide protection for a period of time?" Lumian asked thoughtfully. Charlie replied awkwardly: "I can't tell you." Lumian smiled: "It seems so." If there is no promise of protection, then there will be no corresponding discourse and it will not be restricted by a confidentiality commitment. "Uh..." Charlie didn't expect Charles to guess so accurately. Lumian asked: "Did they tell you anything? Tell me what you can tell." Charlie thought about it and said: "They told me that if I have that dream again, don't panic and go to the nearest church after dawn, the church of 'Eternal Blazing Sun'. Don't you know? I am now a true believer of 'Eternal Blazing Sun'!" Lumian raised his right hand expressionlessly and drew a triangle on his chest. "..." Charlie was silent for a moment. After drinking with Charlie, Lumian returned to room 207 and continued to study Aurore's witchcraft notes. He washed up as required before midnight, lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang! Lumian was awakened by a violent knock on the door. Who is it? He frowned, held the "Fallen Mercury" in his backhand, walked to the door, and carefully opened the wooden door. Charlie is outside the door. He was still wearing his linen shirt, black trousers, and laceless shoes, and his face was pale and full of fear. After seeing Lumian, he seemed to have found his backbone, and said in panic, almost unable to control his voice: "I dreamed about that woman again!" PS: I recommend a book, "The Immortal Son-in-law Riding the Dragon", Toad's classical fantasy novel is worth looking forward to. (End of this chapter)