In the afternoon of that day, the police station released news to the public that an autopsy would be conducted openly. Once it was confirmed that the autopsy results were not as the Blot Post claimed, the police station would prosecute the Blot Post and take it to court, demanding an apology to the police station through the newspaper.
As a property of Alkmaar, the police station didn't want to do anything too extreme. Apologizing and restoring reputation was already the maximum punishment.
Stanow didn't even feel like eating. He had to deal with the situation the next day as quickly as possible. However, he was confident that the information was leaked by the coroner from the police station, so there shouldn't be any problems. Now, he just had to wait for the coroner to arrive and discuss the strategy for the next day.
Soon, there was a knock at the door. Stanow hurried to open it without even putting on his shoes. Seeing the young man at the door, he immediately pulled him in.
"Have you heard the news from this afternoon?" he asked anxiously.
Donning nodded. "Yes, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Listen to me, you have to be there tomorrow and testify for me," Stanow said, pulling out two hundred Caesars. "As for the information leak, we'll continue that after tomorrow's situation is resolved."
After taking the two hundred Caesars, Donning agreed to his request. However, what he had to do wasn't to testify for this small reporter or the Blot Post.
The streets of Varna City were rather cold. A carriage was moving along the empty road. Cybertron pulled his cloak tighter. His injury had not fully healed, and the cold was making it worse.
He had used the holy light left on Elon Musk to prevent his shape-shifting witchcraft. This meant that if Musk wanted to return to his human form, he would need Cybertron to remove the holy light. Otherwise, he would remain in the form of a mouse. So, Cybertron could find Elon Musk at the agreed location.
The carriage stopped in front of a rundown apartment. This was the residence of Mozart, the wizard with the golden crow badge—one of the few places in Varna City that Cybertron knew.
Jumping down from the carriage, Cybertron walked to the southeast corner of the apartment where he had observed a hole. Bending down, he reached toward the opening and beckoned with his finger.
Soon, a mouse crawled out and spoke in a human voice. "Hurry up and turn me back into human form! You can't imagine the horrors I faced on the way to Varna City—almost violated by a female mouse. What a terrifying experience."
Cybertron removed the iron plate from Elon Musk and put it in his pocket. "When I meet with the Holy See, I'll turn you back into human form. Don't worry."
"If the Holy See finds out that I interfered with a secular lawsuit using supernatural powers, they won't let me go. The Wizard Council will expel me too. Please, for the sake of our agreement, let me go."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you're fine as a tainted witness, and I'll plead for you with the Wizard Council," Cybertron reassured him. He was still eager to get closer to the wizard with the golden crow badge, to see his witchcraft firsthand, but he needed a reason. Pleading for Musk was a perfect excuse.
Cybertron placed Musk in his chest pocket, got back on the carriage, and continued along the deserted street. Reflecting on Donning's words, he realized they weren't entirely irrelevant to his next move. The cardinal of the Holy See in Blot City had been exposed as a traitor, proving that not all members of the Holy See were loyal. He now questioned whether the Varna City members could still be trusted.
Given the ambush he had faced on the way to Varna City, Cybertron had to be cautious. He decided to make preparations ahead of time and verify the loyalty of the Holy See in Varna City before fully committing.
The bright moonlight illuminated the massive Romanesque building, making the silver-white church appear sacred. Compared to the Holy See in Blot City, this one was more luxurious. The grand arches were intricately carved, almost lifelike. The bright candlelight shone through the large windows, making the church glow with a surreal beauty.
Such a clean place might still hide filth. Those who desecrate the gods for money render a place unholy, at least in the paladin's eyes.
To avoid attracting attention, Cybertron approached the marble steps with humility and pressed his hands against the heavy door. With a little effort, the door creaked open.
The candlelight inside the Holy See was dazzling. Cybertron followed the red carpet down the aisle, arriving at the central statue of God. Kneeling, he offered his prayers. "Your loyal believer, Cybertron, humbly sends his blessings."
The stone sculpture remained silent. A priest emerged from the side and approached him with a humble posture. "Devout guardian, God sees your pious heart."
Cybertron rose, dusted himself off, and surveyed the massive church. It was nearly empty. The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed slightly, making the candle flames flicker.
"Where is the archbishop? I need to report something urgent to him in person."
The priest looked out at the silent night and hesitated. "Your rank doesn't permit you to see the archbishop. The cardinals are also resting. Whatever the issue, it will have to wait until tomorrow."
"No, I must see the archbishop tonight. It's very important," Cybertron insisted.
The priest, noticing the paladin's determined expression, nodded reluctantly. "Very well. I will relay your message to the archbishop."
The priest left, and Cybertron inspected the church. The dusty columns, the haphazardly arranged chairs for confession—this carelessness reflected poorly on the church's holiness. But he needed to confirm the archbishop's attitude before reaching any conclusions.
Soon, an elderly man in a red robe entered, accompanied by the priest. Only the archbishop was entitled to wear a robe dyed with the blood of God, confirming the identity of the man standing before him.
Archbishop Pagna approached Cybertron. Though irritated at having his sleep interrupted, he concealed his annoyance. Looking down at the paladin, he asked, "What is the matter, Paladin?"
Cybertron explained everything and presented the mouse as evidence. "This wizard can testify. I also have an iron plate as proof. The evidence is undeniable."
Initially planning to dismiss Cybertron and return to sleep, Pagna's expression changed dramatically. The gravity of the situation wiped away his sleepiness. "Are you certain this is true?" he asked, shocked.
"I swear in the name of God," Cybertron confirmed.
"This is far too serious to ignore. Follow me," Pagna said, holding the mouse and turning towards the side door.
Cybertron observed the archbishop as they left the church. Though the man seemed trustworthy, Cybertron remained cautious. He would reveal the real evidence after fully assessing the situation.
Leaving the church, they arrived at Pagna's private residence. Pagna, now much warmer and more welcoming, poured Cybertron a glass of water. They sat facing each other.
"You haven't told anyone else about this, have you?" Pagna inquired, ensuring the matter hadn't been exposed. If he could control the evidence, it would end there.
"No, you're the first to know. I trust you to bring justice to this matter," Cybertron replied.
"Of course. However, given the seriousness of this issue, I need to consult with the Holy City. Please be patient," Pagna said, pushing the glass of water toward him. "You must be thirsty. Drink this and rest."
Cybertron eyed the water before picking it up and taking a sip. Watching him drink, Pagna's face twisted into a cold smile. Rising, he spoke ominously. "Paladin, the truth will die with you. I am also involved in this, and many have benefited. Digging up the past will only hurt more people. Ending this with your death is the best outcome."
Donning had been right. The Varna Holy See was corrupt, too. Cybertron's anger boiled, but he was deep in enemy territory. He had to keep playing along for now. Closing his eyes, he pretended to collapse.
Pagna quickly wrapped Cybertron's body in cloth and, under cover of night, drove thirty miles outside the city to dispose of him in the wilderness.
Returning home, Pagna crushed the mouse and threw the iron plate and evidence into the fireplace, watching them burn. With a sense of lingering fear, he wrote a letter to warn Alkmaar to be more cautious in the future. The crow perched by the window prepared to carry the message to Blot City.