The Secret Code of Monsters.

Chapter 15: Ritualist

After seeing off the mayor, the priests prepared to set off.

Enid held Roland's hand and walked towards the carriage. Behind her followed a man with his head lowered and two large boxes in his hands. Roland recognized him as the gentleman who had been scolded this morning.

Fernandez.

The priests stared at Roland with strange eyes, and kept moving between him and Enid.

But when Enid glanced over, they quickly lowered their heads and did what they were supposed to do.

For example, picking her nails, observing the silver ornament on her chest, adjusting her cuffs, and making small holes in the mud with the toes of her shoes.

The priests used five carriages for the trip, four of which were larger and could accommodate more people.

Roland and Enid took the smallest one.

Also the best.

The carriage was filled with incense, with a dark grey soft carpet underfoot, and the walls were painted with gold and black patterns intricately arranged like a maze.

A mahogany table separated the long sofas on both sides, on which were placed a small stove, candlesticks, and a wide-bellied blue teapot that was still steaming.

The blue porcelain teacup was placed on the tray.

A plate of creamy white cheese and a plate of frosted cake, with a plate of piled-up cherry tomatoes next to it.

Roland thought it was like a small walking palace.

Enid let him in first, then she got in and closed the door.

After a while, the trees outside the window began to slowly recede.

Roland held his chin with his hand, feeling a little excited and a little uneasy.

I'm leaving here.

Miss Nina.

Mrs Jones.

…………

……

The wheels rolled forward.

Two people sitting opposite each other always have something to talk about.

For example, Roland's background.

Cultists.

The Collins family.

According to the priests who visited Ms. Enid, the time when the butler Seth appeared coincided with the day when old Thales's eldest son had an accident.

The grief of losing his son made him beg the gentleman who showed extraordinary mystery in the mansion—

Little did they know that in Enid's words, these were all obvious means and not even a conspiracy.

If he hadn't killed Thales Collins' eldest son, how could he have given hope at the right time?

"Hope can't buy anything."

In Enid's somewhat indifferent comment, she didn't even blame Tyrese Collins for what he had done.

In her opinion, when most people were stupid, he was just the unluckiest one among the stupid people.

No need to comment.

hope…

Roland subconsciously touched his pocket.

"The Cradle of Flesh and Blood, or the disorderly organizations under their command... I can't even call them organizations."

Enid narrowed her eyes and put her index finger on her cheek. "That's what the cultists of the Cradle of Flesh like to do. They point to people who are on the edge of the cliff and give them a gentle push..."

When she said this, she suddenly realized that the fool she was talking about was Roland Collins's father.

And it was the first time that Roland saw a flash of regret on the face of the lady holding the golden flame.

"You don't have to feel bad about this, ma'am." He held the cup, rubbing his fingertips slowly along the rim, his eyes fixed on the corner of the table. "If it weren't for you, I think I would be the same as those servants now, right?"

“Those empty shells who only know how to smile.”

Enid looked at him.

The deep brown eyes were filled with unspeakable admiration, which melted into liquid and flowed quietly in the eyes.

"When did you realize something was wrong, Roland?" she asked.

"The next day? Or the third day?"

Roland pursed his lips and hesitated for a moment: "There is something you may not know, my sister delayed for a long time for me - Nina Collins, she, she disappeared later..."

"You have a good sister."

Roland wasn't worried that Enid would notice the 'traces' of the ritual in the room - it would be even better if she could.

It was all done by cultists.

In short, no matter what, I cannot take the initiative to hide the fact that Miss Nina existed.

"But I have to remind you." Enid put away her smile and opened the window a crack.

Some butterflies waving blue fluorescent powder flew in from the window as guests.

The trees in the distance were swaying, and the wheels were still creaking, leaving a line of ruts on the emerald green lake.

It's not bumpy at all.

It's like driving on a seamless mirror, quiet and stable.

"You've had close contact with cultists—especially your father."

Enid said, her raised eyebrows becoming sharp. "If you are involved in the case, you must go to the Supervisory Bureau to cooperate with the investigation. At the same time, to prevent contamination, you must go to the church to undergo a purification ceremony."

"Purification Ritual... and the Inspectorate?"

Like the police station in town?

"Pretty much. They're responsible for policing the 'other side.'"

"You don't have to go to the Supervisory Bureau. You need to be able to shed your golden skin to deal with those vultures." Enid obviously didn't like that organization. She frowned and said vaguely, "Someone will be in charge of this case. She will negotiate with the Supervisory Bureau when the time comes."

The pale words appeared again.

"She = Myself"

Roland ignored it.

What puzzled him was that Ms. Enid seemed to have been certain from the first time they met that he was not of the same kind as the cultists - she didn't even ask him if he had ever touched anything unclean or participated in...

Such as the evil rituals performed by the butler and old Collins.

Enid looked at Roland's anxious expression, the winter snow on her face melted, and she rarely smiled happily: "No, Roland. You can't do that."

she says.

"Because you are not even an apprentice. How can someone who has not yet entered the circle participate in the circle-up ceremony..."

Rising ring?

apprentice?

Enid uttered several words in quick succession, each pointing to the same problem.

"I don't know if you've heard that, Roland."

Enid looked at him quietly, and uttered two words that Nina seemed to have said: "'Ritualist', 'Great Road'."

At this moment, the words next to the woman's face suddenly enlarged:

"Roland Collins shouldn't have heard of it."

Roland glanced at the words and shook his head in confusion.

"Mortals call us Executors, cultists call us Burners."

"And on the other side of the world, there is a unified name for those of us who have mastered multiple rituals, enriched our flesh and blood, opened our souls, and embarked on the great road."

she says.

"The Ritualist."

The appearance of this word seemed to make the air stagnate.

Roland always felt that something was wrong.

"The evil-looking bat with a wicked smile"

Wooden table

"piano"

"fireplace"

"easel"

"fountain"

"chandelier"

He felt like an animal was licking the back of his hand with its big tongue.