Simon could understand how people like Pandas defined magic.
For most people in the world who had never truly come into contact with magic or deeply understood it, they often held such views.
Magic was not mysterious and unfathomable; it also followed certain rules.
However, the kind of magic Pandas described—capable of reading memories and probing the mind—did indeed exist.
Alexia, logically speaking, should also possess this ability.
Therefore, Pandas’ wariness was not without reason.
To know or not to know were indeed two entirely different concepts.
Simon spoke in a deep voice.
“I don’t agree with your view on family. Even if the lie is told out of kindness, it is still a lie. But I must also admit, Pandas, you truly love her.”
If it were him, he would have told the other person everything he had done, without expecting understanding.
If the other person was unwilling to take the risk with him, he would consider letting go and granting the other person freedom.
Rather than trapping the other in a fabricated dream of lies of his own making.
Pandas took a silent drag of his cigarette, a trace of sadness flashing in his eyes.
“Based on what you just said, you must have the other half of Madam Pandas’ remains, right?”
Simon asked Pandas.
“Yes, what about it?”
Pandas retorted to Simon.
Simon emphasized once again.
“Madam Pandas’ head is indeed in our possession, but I must reiterate—Madam Pandas was not killed by me!”
“Someone was lurking in the secret passage you left, ambushed her, and tainted her head with the filth of an evil god, offering it to Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Her Majesty was greatly enraged by this, and ordered me to capture the criminal who desecrated Madam Pandas, and to retrieve the other half of her remains, so that the lady might rest in peace.”
Pandas’ movements suddenly froze.
He stared blankly at Simon.
“What did you just say?”
“Madam was also tainted by an evil god’s filth?!”
Simon nodded in confirmation.
“The filth has now been purified, but the murderer of Madam Pandas is still unknown. Therefore, I hope we can share information. I will tell you everything I know, and you must also tell me what you have found.”
After speaking, Simon’s gaze grew even deeper.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t done anything these days or found any clues.”
To hunt down the true murderer of Madam Pandas, Simon needed the help of the Church of Light.
He would also keep his contact with Pandas a secret from Her Majesty the Empress.
There were many things that only Pandas himself might know.
Just like the existence of that secret passage—it was obviously built by Pandas in secret, and only he knew its specific purpose.
Simon only knew there was a passage leading from Pandas’ study to the outside, but he didn’t know what other secrets it might conceal.
Perhaps the secret of Madam Pandas’ murder was hidden within.
Seeing this, Pandas no longer held back and answered frankly.
“That passage wasn’t an escape route, but a way for me to go out. So it’s not very secret, and a few people know about it.”
“You should be well aware, Captain of the Knights, how many Sentinels are watching my manor from outside. If I leave through the front door, I can’t accomplish anything.”
“But to say that any of them would kill Madam—I absolutely don’t believe it. They are even less likely to be cultists.”
‘Better safe than sorry.’
Simon said.
‘The human heart is difficult to fathom. Moreover, cultists are often extremely adept at disguising themselves. It’s hard to identify them by words and actions alone.’
He had dealt with cultists before, and knew very well the twisted deeds those people would commit in the name of sacrificing to evil gods.
Pandas nodded.
“I will investigate this matter further. For now, let me share some other information with you.”
“After that, I went to survey the East City Gate again, and there I found several strands of silver hair.”
“Silver hair?”
Simon’s brows furrowed.
This characteristic was not rare in the Empire, but it was not common either.
Many elderly people and certain magic scholars possessed silver hair.
“My people analyzed it and found it belonged to a child—more precisely, a little girl.”
Pandas shook his head, his expression growing grave.
“The hair contained a strong magical energy, indicating the owner was an extraordinary mage.”
“Moreover, the strand of hair had properties that interfered with detection, making it impossible to track the owner through magic.”
These descriptions immediately brought a certain person to Simon’s mind.
The Fifth Seat of the Witch Council—the Witch of Fate.
But that only made him more confused!
The Witch of Fate was so precious—why would she come to the Empire herself? Wasn’t she afraid of something happening?!
After all, the Witch of Fate was not skilled in combat; her abilities lay in predicting and intervening in fate.
Like Jiuyuejiu, she was a rare talent in the world, capable of creating immense value simply by being alive, and would not be easily allowed to take dangerous risks.
Not to mention appearing in the Empire under such perilous circumstances.
From what he knew of the Council’s Chief, the other party protected the Witch of Fate extremely strictly.
The Witch of Fate was not someone who enjoyed playing around, either.
She listened well to the Chief, and usually never appeared in front of others.
“All signs point to one group—witches!”
Pandas’ tone carried uncontrollable anger.
“Only these aberrations possess such exceptional magical talent, able to predict the escape route of my wife and ambush her.”
“Likewise, only they could come into contact with those evil things! Who else could manage it?”
Simon was not swayed by Pandas’ emotions; he was contemplating the possibility of a witch ambushing Madam Pandas.
Just as he was about to speak, a woman’s laughter suddenly echoed around them.
Simon turned and drew his sword, slashing at the black female wraiths that had appeared nearby.
The blade touched them, purifying and erasing them as easily as slicing through tofu.
The two attendants beside Pandas, seeing Simon dispatch the enemies so easily, also drew their swords and attempted to attack.
But their swords passed straight through, inflicting no damage.
It was in this moment of carelessness that the wraiths seized their throats.
If not for Simon’s swift intervention, they might have been strangled by the wraiths.
After swiftly dealing with the suddenly appearing wraiths, Simon sensed something was wrong.
The next moment, Pandas shoved him forcefully from behind.
“Simon, go back! Check on Belinda!”
“Their target isn’t us! They’re only here to delay us!”
Pandas, who hadn’t participated in the fight, immediately realized the problem.
With Simon present, these wraiths couldn’t inflict real harm.
But why had they appeared?
Clearly, it was to draw their attention.
Without hesitation, Simon pulled down the imperial banner and leapt upward.