The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 215

Morning, Ansu City, St. Lawrence District, Stuart Art Exchange.

This was an exquisite and beautiful building. Although it didn’t cover a large area, the outer walls were entirely composed of large marble bas-reliefs. There were also marks and paintings left by different sculptors on them. In their disorder, there was a kind of harmonious beauty.

Through the clean glass windows, one could see the interior of this exchange. It displayed paintings and sculptures by different masters. Some were even famous works that had been preserved for hundreds of years, products of Ansu’s most prosperous artistic period.

Directly opposite the entrance, a giant, solemn icon became the backdrop for almost the entire wall.

—This was a painting depicting the faceless goddess of the Church of the Savior Goddess, the symbol of the Eye of Order, and the deities of several other churches coexisting harmoniously in a fantasy divine kingdom. This was also a great collaborative work of painters shortly after the Holy War, praying for peace.

From this collected painting, it was evident that the owner of this exchange was at least someone who didn’t want to offend any party.

A golden-haired girl with a single ponytail and slightly curly hair, holding a newspaper, quickly walked into the exchange.

The two beautiful receptionists at the front desk saw the girl and quickly stood up, bowing their heads, “Good morning, Miss Isabella.”

“Good morning.”

Isabella didn’t respond with a smile as usual. She just quickly replied and then walked directly towards the stairs, quickly heading towards an office on the second floor.

She directly opened the door of the office and looked at the man inside.

“Father.”

Isabella closed the door and quickly walked to the man before her. But soon, she saw an identical newspaper on the man’s desk.

【Night of Terror: Mysterious Dismemberment Case in Duke’s Family Cemetery】

Besides the headline, there was also an illustration depicting words formed by corpses.

Even without reading the content, just looking at the illustration could give one a chilling feeling.

“What’s wrong?”

Edward looked at Isabella. His expression didn’t seem as panicked as Isabella’s.

“This, this cemetery.”

Isabella reached out and pointed directly to the direction of the unmarked tombstone in the illustration. “This is the cemetery I went to yesterday, Ciel’s cemetery… The report didn’t say whose grave it was, it only mentioned the unmarked tombstone. There is only one unmarked tombstone in that cemetery!”

“Oh?”

Edward was slightly startled and thought for a moment.

He had some information about this girl named Ciel, but not much.

He only knew that this girl named Ciel was originally a commoner in Berren City. By chance, she met Avena and Lucy, and then, with their help, she rose quickly and became a senior consultant at Deton Group.

Besides being lucky, there was another explanation. That girl possessed some mysterious power that made her valued.

“Hmm… This matter might be a little dangerous… You were at the funeral yesterday, weren’t you? Go visit Miss Avena and ask her what to do.”

Edward said, “You were just innocently involved. You can use this connection to get closer to Miss Roswell.”

“I know, Father, but…”

There seemed to be some concerns in Isabella’s eyes. She hesitated for a long time, then nodded, “I will go visit Miss Avena now…”

After his daughter left, Edward picked up the newspaper again. After thinking for a moment, he directly picked up the newspaper and stood up, walking towards another office.

Knock knock knock—

He knocked on the door, then directly opened it.

This was a large private studio. A young painter with braided hair was holding a palette, painting an oil painting before him. The young man was painting a young woman sitting by a window, looking a little awkward.

“Pickman, did you paint this?”

Edward walked to Pickman’s side and pointed to the illustration above, asking, “It has a chilling artistic sense… It looks a lot like your work.”

Pickman looked at the painting above and frowned slightly. He said, “Uh… I haven’t contributed to newspapers, you know that, Mr. Edward.”

“It wasn’t you…”

Edward scratched the gray hair at his temples. He casually put down the newspaper in his hand and said, “Pickman, if you have any thoughts about your salary, you can tell me anytime. Your talent deserves more. Your art will be appreciated by more people sooner or later.”

“It’s already a great benefit to me that you’re willing to host a solo exhibition for me, boss,”

Pickman made his final stroke and smiled back, “I don’t paint for money.”

“Alright… You continue. I won’t bother you.”

Edward gently patted Pickman’s shoulder. “If you have any difficulties in life, just tell me anytime.”

After saying that, Edward left the room. Pickman suddenly stood up and picked up the newspaper Edward had left behind, looking at the content with a shocked expression.

Members of his Chaos Squad were constantly being arrested by people from the Royal Orchestra. He didn’t know when it would be his turn. And the captain couldn’t contact the Keyman. Pickman was already considering whether he should find an opportunity to escape.

If he ran away now, went abroad, and lived under a false identity, no one would ever find him…

But now, the bloody signature of “Keyman” depicted in the newspaper made Pickman’s intention to escape subside again.

Cannot run… Keyman will know…

They know everything… and are no longer as cautious as before…

But why… would Keyman use my technique to draw this painting? Was there a need for me in this matter?

“Mr. Pickman, are you finished?”

A weak voice came from the front. Pickman looked at the model before him and nodded, “Of course, Miss. You can go directly to the front desk to collect today’s salary… I hope to see you again tomorrow.”

“You’re welcome, Master Pickman.”

The young woman smiled faintly. The dimples on her cheeks made her slightly awkward smile exceptionally sweet.

She walked towards the door, seemingly wanting to glance at Pickman’s painting for the day on her way out, but she saw the newspaper in Pickman’s hand.

【I have come for you】

【—Keyman】

Her pupils constricted slightly, and her heart trembled.

No?

Keyman?

What does that have to do with you?

Isn’t this the trouble you caused?

Wait…

The word Keyman, in her mind, slowly began to overlap with the figure of the red-haired girl lying in the coffin…

No… it can’t be?

Did she kill her own people?