The church where the body was discovered stood on the outskirts of Orlando City. Liang Lin and Liang Di walked along the path, their shoes caked with damp soil and stray blades of grass.

This location was far too remote. Weeds thrived wildly in every direction, stretching endlessly, casting a deep sense of desolation. The deeper they went, the colder and eerier the air grew. Liang Lin even began to doubt—had they gotten the address wrong?

“There it is.”

Following Liang Di’s pointed finger, Liang Lin spotted the ancient church. Lush green grass carpeted the grounds, encircled by towering trees that lent the sacred site solemn grandeur. Though parts of the walls were crumbling, its beauty lay in that mysterious, dignified aura—the soaring spire, the imposing facade—commanding quiet reverence.

It was weekend. Believers filled the church for worship. Stepping inside, the desolation of the surroundings seemed to fade.

Liang Lin had never believed in such things, but Liang Di gently pulled her into a pew. The congregation knelt in devotion, reciting scripture alongside the priest at the altar.

“We’ll wait,” Liang Di whispered. “After they finish, we’ll ask the priest.”

“Fine.”

Once the service ended and believers dispersed in small groups, the sisters approached the priest. He was young—early thirties, with thick curly brown hair.

“Excuse me…”

Liang Di raised a hand, stopping Liang Lin. “Father,” she began softly, “things haven’t been… peaceful lately. Everyone’s uneasy.”

The priest nodded. “The Lord will protect us,” he said gently, making the sign of the cross.

“We’ve heard whispers…” Liang Di continued carefully. “About… girls’ bodies found in the forest. Drained of blood. Only tiny puncture wounds. No major injuries.”

The priest stiffened, irritation flashing across his face. He turned sharply to a nearby nun. “Laura, were you spreading rumors again? I told you—you were exhausted, shaken after seeing the body. Your nerves played tricks on you.”

Sister Laura flustered, waving her hands. “It wasn’t me, Father! After you spoke to me, I haven’t told a soul!”

But Laura’s account matched the knight order’s investigation—and the sketch. If anyone was lying… it was the priest.

Liang Lin shot him a suspicious glance. Liang Di stepped smoothly in front of her. “Father… what truly happened? My sister and I… we’ve been alone since childhood. Just the two of us. With so many girls vanishing… I’m terrified the next one might be my sister…” Her voice trembled. A soft sob escaped.

Liang Lin: “?”

*This woman really knows how to act. Wait—did she just curse me?*

“Oh… orphaned?” the priest drawled. “What pitiful children.”

Something in his tone felt… off.

Before Liang Lin could dwell on it, he added, “It’s not as dramatic as rumors say. Some girls simply got lost and returned home. Others… fell victim to malicious people. Not ‘blood-drained’ monsters.”

“Oh… I see. Thank you, Father.”

Liang Di tugged Liang Lin out of the church.

“Hey! That priest was obviously hiding something! What’s wrong with you? Since when did you turn dumb? You used to be sharp!”

“He couldn’t speak freely inside. Wait here. We’ll talk to the nun when she comes out.”

So the sisters crouched pitifully in the bushes. Mosquitoes buzzed relentlessly. Liang Lin’s patience frayed—she nearly stormed in to drag the nun out herself.

“Why all this hassle? Just reveal our identities! All fear comes from insufficient firepower! I told you—my swordsmanship is solid. If anyone tries anything…”

“Shh!” Liang Di clamped a hand over her mouth, brows knotted. “Stop. She’s coming out.”

The nun carried a basin—likely to dump water.

*Now!*

Liang Lin shot forward. Under the nun’s stunned gaze, she clamped a hand over her mouth, hoisted her up, and dashed back to Liang Di in a blur.

Liang Di: “…”

Silence hung thick between them.

“You…” Liang Di gritted her teeth, pointing at the nun—now unconscious in Liang Lin’s arms, eyes rolled back. “Why couldn’t you just *call* her over? Did it have to be a kidnapping?!”

“Huh? Was that the way?”

“…What do *you* think?”

“Ugh…”

“Wake her first. She’s out cold.”

“Tch.” Liang Lin ruffled her long hair, stubbornly avoiding blame. “So fragile…”

*Anyone would faint after seeing a blood-drained corpse.*

“Ugh…”

The nun stirred on the grass, blinking awake. Seeing Liang Lin and Liang Di sitting innocently beside her, she scrambled up, trembling as she squeezed between them. “M-Miss! Just now! A monster—it moved so fast! Snatched me! Are… are you hostages too?!”

The “monster”—Liang Lin—whistled innocently, eyes darting away.

“You’re Laura, right?” Liang Di smiled gently. “You fainted from exhaustion. No monster. No kidnapping. We found you on the ground and brought you here.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course. If a monster took you, how would you be awake and safe now?”

Relieved, Laura patted her chest. “Phew… I thought I’d end up like *that woman*.”

Liang Di caught the phrase. “That woman… You were the one who saw the body in the woods?”

Laura nodded hesitantly. “I was upset… took a walk… saw a woman with deathly pale skin. But… I must’ve misremembered. If Father says so… he must be right…”