The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 216

Whoosh—

A raven flapped its wings and flew in from outside the window, landing on Ciel’s shoulder. It flapped its wings, steadying itself on her shoulder.

The raven tilted its head and made a low, hoarse “coo” sound near her ear, seemingly communicating with Ciel or seeking praise.

Ciel at this moment was resting on the sofa in Tara’s hiding place. The black brim of her hat was slightly pulled down, blocking the sunlight.

The table before her was a mess, covered in bloody organs and severed limbs. Bloody and decaying flesh seemed to form the most comforting incense to help her sleep peacefully.

The raven’s visit woke Ciel. She sighed softly, took off her hat, and squinted her eyes, seeming a little unaccustomed to the feeling of warm sunlight on her body. She shifted her body slightly, sitting in the shade where there was no sunlight.

News arrived so quickly…

Ciel’s search plan was quite simple: she sent out a group of ravens to watch and track everyone who entered and exited the Stuart Art Exchange, observing their routes.

As soon as someone’s route led to Windsor Palace, the Holy See of the Church of the God of Order, or other royal palaces, or if they were lost track of, those ravens would immediately report back.

In addition, many rats were also lying in ambush around everyone Ciel was familiar with. As long as someone unusual approached them, rats would come to report.

These two types of creatures were the most inconspicuous stalkers one could find in the city.

“Did they get lost immediately after coming out of Stuart’s…?”

Ciel slowly stood up, stretched, and yawned.

It seemed the backup plan wouldn’t be needed.

Ciel turned and looked towards the living room.

At this moment, the living room was packed with dozens of figures in black robes. Ciel walked to one of the black-robed figures. The black-robed figure slowly raised their hand and lifted their hood.

A face composed of countless tightly packed rat heads with dirty blood and fur formed its face. The dense rat heads squeaked, emitting horrifying whispers that made one’s scalp crawl.

The lower half of its face was covered with dangling, dark red tendrils of flesh, looking like rat tails. They were also constantly wriggling, seemingly excited to see Ciel.

These were Ciel’s satisfactory creations from working through the night—the Observers.

They possessed human limbs and form, but their ability to sniff and perceive had been greatly enhanced. Their intelligence had also significantly improved. They were perfect “Investigators” and could directly receive any of Ciel’s instructions.

Most importantly, the aura they emitted was that of ordinary humans. They even had complete human life support systems—unless their mask was directly removed, even cautious transcendents wouldn’t immediately notice anything unusual about an Observer.

They were creations born from the fusion of “Coroner” and “Queen Bee” abilities, a perfect blend of “dead matter” and “living organisms.”

“Such good children…”

Ciel smiled and reached out. Her slender fingers gently brushed over the rat heads. Her eyes held appreciation, as if she were a sculptor admiring her proud creations.

The black raven feathers on the back of the Observer’s head, which was being caressed, fanned out like a peacock’s tail, expressing its excitement.

Each Observer would be a perfect commander, capable of directing the rat swarm and crow swarm in Ciel’s place. With them, Ciel could significantly expand her search area.

“Wait a moment.”

Ciel withdrew her hand, still smiling.

Ciel walked into the washroom. It was as if she was preparing for surgery, meticulously washing her hands. After drying her hands with a clean white cloth, she walked directly upstairs.

Outside Tara’s original room, Ciel stopped and gently knocked on the door.

“Ciel.”

Ciel announced her name at the door. She slightly leaned forward, listening to the sounds inside. After seemingly receiving a response, she slowly twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open.

The curtains in the room had all been drawn, making it exceptionally cold and dim—even though it was summer now, it was as cold as an icehouse inside.

Ciel walked to the bedside and looked at the silver-haired girl lying on the bed. Her face was gaunt, her complexion pale and bruised. Her eyes were tightly closed.

The girl lay motionless on the bed, as if suffering from a serious illness.

Ciel walked to the bedside and sat down. She reached out and held the girl’s cold, stiff right hand. Holding it tightly with both hands, she softly said:

“I’m sorry for making you wait so long…”

“Adele…”

Ciel slightly leaned forward, her eyes closed, occasionally nodding slightly.

“I know you’re afraid of the dark. They were so rough, burying you in a place like that.”

“…It is indeed my fault. I will never let you take risks again.”

“I know you did your best.”

Ciel’s dark purple pupils were unfocused. She looked like a gentle, dull girl, but the undigested potion in her system revealed a faint hint of madness in her eyes.

It was a quiet, suppressed, cold madness that didn’t show.

“Okay.”

Ciel smiled and nodded. She reached out and gently rubbed the silver hair on Adele’s head, comforting her, “I will bring her to see you. I will have her apologize to you in person…”

Rip—

Ciel’s movements had been as gentle as possible, but the slight pull on the hair caused a faint tearing sound from the silver-haired girl’s scalp—this piece of scalp, which was already decaying, was easily torn open.

Even with the most exquisite technique, it was impossible to fully restore a corpse that had already begun to rot.

A faint smell of decay dispersed the fragrance in the room. Ciel’s lips, which had been turned upwards, instantly flattened the next moment.

The icy sensation stimulated her brain, making her somewhat unfocused pupils refocus. In the struggle between the potion whispers and 【Calm Mind】, the system’s skill ultimately won.

Ciel released the hand that was holding Adele’s corpse, directly stood up, closed the door, and walked downstairs.

She stood on the stairs, looking down at the dense black figures below. She said coldly, “Find her.”

The black-robed “people” put on their black raven masks. They raised their pale, seemingly bloodless hands and placed them on their chests, as if pledging allegiance to Ciel.

The next moment, they opened the door and surged out, scattering and quickly disappearing onto the street.

The Redemption Society’s disguise was indeed effective. At least no police officers or other transcendents would provoke these “harmless” “Plague Doctors.”

After the Observers left, Ciel took a deep breath and looked up in the direction of the room. Then she stepped forward and walked towards the door.

Ciel had to find Eleanor and enlist her assistance in her investigation.

However, the current Eleanor only listened to Amy’s commands. She had to find Amy first.

…

West District, Mayfair District, St. Itherine Garden No. 174, Amy’s residence.

At this time, a girl with long black and blue hair stood outside the villa. She was talking to the maid at the door with a somewhat forced smile.

After a while, the maid who had gone in to announce her came out, leading Ciel into the villa.

Talking to living people is troublesome.

Ciel walked into the reception room. After a while, she heard footsteps gradually approaching.

“Hmm? Ave…”

Amy at the door saw Ciel’s back and spoke subconsciously, but soon, she saw the glowing blue hair color on the lower half of Ciel’s black long hair.

Who is this?

It wasn’t until Ciel turned her head to look at her that Amy, as if struck by lightning, quickly walked in and turned to close the door.

“Ci… Ciel?”

Amy quickly walked to Ciel’s side and sat down, asking hesitantly.

“Mm.”

“What’s going on? Ciel? What has been happening lately?”

After hearing Ciel’s voice, Amy blinked. Her eyes instantly turned red. She asked, “I haven’t been able to find you and Adele these past few days. Avena has also disappeared.”

“Adele’s landlord said… said she was dead. I went to your house again, but your servant also said you were dead… I wanted to find Avena, but she hasn’t been home all this time…”

The more Amy spoke, the more upset she felt. She raised her hand and roughly wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. Her eyes were red as she looked at Ciel, seemingly waiting for Ciel’s answer.

These past few days, Amy felt as if she had been left out of something. She was desperately searching for answers but couldn’t find any. She almost went to find Eleanor herself to ask Eleanor what had happened.

However, she knew that Ciel had made an agreement with her not to seek out Eleanor unless it was a critical moment. But if she truly didn’t hear from Ciel for too long, Amy wasn’t sure if she could continue to keep this agreement with Ciel.

“We are both fine, Amy. It’s just that we recently tracked down information about a high-level transcendent, and we were targeted, so we had to fake our deaths to get away.”

Ciel said, “I need your help, Amy.”

Hearing that Ciel and Adele were both fine, Amy finally completely relaxed. She asked, “Okay… how do you need me to help you?”

“Come with me to meet someone.”