Luo Wenkai didn’t bother arguing further. He left one cryptic remark before allowing himself to be escorted into the depths of the dungeon.

As his figure disappeared into the shadows of the cold, damp prison, Vera exhaled quietly, the tension in her chest finally easing. Despite his divine abilities being sealed, the man’s words lingered in her mind like a demon’s whisper, threatening to ensnare her if she wasn’t careful.

"He claimed he was here to exorcise demons while freeloading off my family…"

The first light of dawn was breaking as Vera walked toward the dining hall, her thoughts circling back to his final statement. She couldn’t shake the sense of unease it left behind.

The dungeon reeked of decay and dampness, its chilling air heavy with the stench of mold and rot. Water dripped from the ceiling, echoing through the stone corridors. Luo Wenkai leaned against the wall with a nonchalant air, humming a lighthearted tune, his eyes gleaming with a faint trace of mischief.

Above, in the warmth of the Laurens estate’s dining hall, servants bustled about, setting the table with precision. The clinking of silverware and the aroma of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air. Yet, as Vera sat at the long, lavishly decorated table, she found herself unable to enjoy the feast before her. The juxtaposition of the cold dungeon and the warm dining hall haunted her thoughts, souring her appetite.

She picked up her utensils absentmindedly and noticed a maid setting a place for Luo Wenkai. Without thinking, she spoke up.

“No need to set his place today,” Vera said curtly.

The maid paused, her expression falling. “Oh? Has Sir Luo Wenkai already left?”

Another maid chimed in, her voice tinged with disappointment. “What a shame. I didn’t even get the chance to thank him properly.”

“Yes, I had prepared a gift for him too…”

Vera blinked in surprise. “You all seem rather fond of him?”

The maids exchanged shy glances, their cheeks flushed. One, more outspoken than the others, admitted, “He may be a bit unpolished, but he’s rather handsome. Most importantly, he drove away the demon and avenged my father.”

Another maid nodded solemnly. “Yes… my brother and mother’s souls can finally rest in peace.”

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Vera stiffened, her fork clattering against the plate. In her relentless focus on exposing Luo Wenkai’s supposed schemes, she had overlooked the larger picture.

Before his arrival, the Laurens estate had been plagued by a series of mysterious murders. Rumors of demonic activity had spread like wildfire, leaving the townsfolk gripped by fear. Luo Wenkai had appeared during this chaos, donning the mantle of a Holy Knight, and stayed under the pretense of exorcising demons.

But now, with his exorcisms revealed as orchestrated charades, a chilling question arose: Who committed the murders before he arrived?

Vera’s hands trembled as her thoughts spiraled.

“Since his arrival, the killings have stopped. So, either he’s the murderer, staging everything to profit off his deception… or the real killer has been hiding in plain sight, perhaps within the estate itself.”

Her breath hitched as a troubling suspicion surfaced. “Do we still have any of Teacher Havel’s unwashed clothes? Or maybe his bedding?”

The maids exchanged puzzled looks. “I think so… but why?”

“Bring them to me immediately!” Vera ordered, her voice tight with urgency.

Confused but obedient, the maids scurried toward the laundry room. Left alone at the table, Vera gripped her fork so tightly her knuckles turned white.

“This isn’t about doubting him,” she whispered to herself. “I just need to prove Teacher’s innocence…”

Meanwhile, Luo Wenkai reclined on the dungeon’s straw mattress, humming a jaunty tune.

“Iron bars and chains, oh what a shame, locked up inside, dreaming of escape…”

“Stop it. You’re butchering my ears.”

The familiar voice of Lilith, the diminutive demon, cut through the gloom. She phased her head through the cell wall, smirking at him. “Well, well, look who’s finally behind bars. What’s the plan, Mister Holy Knight? Want me to break you out? Just beg me a little—start with ‘Oh, great Lady Lilith.’”

Luo Wenkai rolled his eyes. “Break out? Why would I want to leave? Look at this luxury: a private, exclusive single-cell suite. Rustic straw bedding, handcrafted iron bars with a vintage finish. It’s a five-star experience.”

Lilith floated through the wall entirely, perching on his shoulder. “Sure, sure, keep up the act. But seriously, what’s your play this time? You could’ve fought your way out easily, but you let them catch you. Why?”

Luo Wenkai’s grin faded, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “At first, I thought this was another one of those mages who’d traded their humanity for forbidden knowledge. But this feels… different. Bigger.”

Lilith tilted her head. “Then what’s the motive behind all those killings?”

Luo Wenkai shrugged, stretching out lazily. “Why bother solving the puzzle yourself? Better to wait for the quizmaster to reveal the answer.”

“Ugh, boring!” Lilith pouted. “Alright, genius, what’s next?”

He smirked, pointing at her with a casual flick of his finger. “How about this? A remnant of the Tower of Truth has surfaced. Go notify the nearest Inquisition branch. Let them handle it.”

Lilith’s playful grin widened. “Oh, now that sounds exciting.” With that, she phased through the wall, vanishing into the night.

Luo Wenkai leaned back against the wall, resuming his tune. “Iron bars and chains, oh what a shame…”

The faint sound of footsteps echoed through the dungeon halls, but Luo Wenkai paid them no mind. His gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, a knowing smirk playing at his lips.