The Warden of The Witches

Chapter 231:

Chapter 231: Motive for Murder

A few minutes later, the Supervising Inquisitor responsible for taking Kyle's statement emerged from down the corridor and approached Rebecca to report. "Questioning is complete. We're arranging for him to collect his bounty now."

"Did you ask about his movements over the past few days? Specifically... during those key time points?" Rebecca inquired.

"Key time points?" Aiden overheard and asked instinctively.

"The two Viscounts arrested earlier both mentioned that the person supervising them would visit periodically to check on their activities. We recorded those times and locations," Rebecca answered.

"Got it." Aiden understood.

By cross-referencing the statements from the three captured vampires, the only information the Inquisition had on the "supervisor's" movements were the times and places they allegedly visited the three to check on their progress. Confirming Kyle's whereabouts during those specific times could potentially verify if he was the supervisor.

Aiden paid close attention to this. The Blood Moon Cult was acting in concert with the Bountiful Mother Cult; the vampire who appeared at the abandoned mine pit was likely from the Blood Moon Cult—perhaps even the very supervisor manipulating the other vampires from behind the scenes.

If that supervisor had witnessed the Witches' Coven counterattacking the Black Goat Cult during their surveillance of the Bountiful Mother Cult, they might naturally have spotted his involvement. Even if they hadn't seen it firsthand, they might have overheard it in the conversations between the Arch witches. After all, Priscilla, possessing the priest's body at the time, had brought a fake corpse created by his own Spawn. Any casual remark by the witches at the scene could have exposed him.

"He provided a verifiable alibi for one time point," the Junior Inquisitor said, glancing at Aiden. "On the afternoon of the eleventh, he claims he went to Rose Iron Prison, supposedly to visit his sister, Ophelia Kaodo, but was refused entry on the spot."

Rebecca immediately looked to Aiden for confirmation.

"That did happen. The person on duty at the reception desk mentioned it to me. He showed his credentials there; there's no mistake," Aiden recalled after a moment's thought.

"The time?"

"Around 3:15 PM, approximately."

Aiden remembered the time because Isabella had mentioned that "Alice Liddell" had also visited at precisely that time.

"If I remember correctly, didn't the 'supervisor' visit suspect number two in the Upper District around four-something that afternoon?" Rebecca tried to recall. "If he left the prison immediately and rushed over, he might still have made it."

"But Kyle Kaodo claims he was still lingering near the prison at four o'clock and even interacted with a female prison guard. He says he tried to get that guard to help him pull some strings but was rejected," the Junior Inquisitor added.

"That would be Veronica. She told me about that too," Aiden confirmed.

"Furthermore, around 4:10 PM, he encountered someone leaving through the prison's side gate, described as... 'a guest of the prison leadership,' named Alice Liddell. A very beautiful girl who looked under twenty. And he also said..." The Junior Inquisitor glanced at Aiden and abruptly paused.

Aiden was slightly taken aback; he hadn't known Kyle had ever met Abigail.

"Said what else?" Rebecca pressed.

"He also said... er..." The Junior Inquisitor gave a slightly helpless smile, looked at Aiden, and continued, "He said that visitor seemed to have some kind of special relationship with you, Captain."

The corner of Aiden's eye twitched.

This vampire is a real piece of work, he thought. Is he getting back at me here for making him cooperate with the Inquisition's questioning?

"Could you explain that, Senior?" Rebecca looked over again.

"Do I have to?"

Aiden really didn't want to elaborate on Abigail. His dealings with her involved considerable secrecy. Kyle meeting Veronica and Abigail occurred close together; truthfully, Veronica's testimony alone was sufficient to prove Kyle wasn't the "supervisor."

But Rebecca wore an insistent look. "Please clarify, Senior."

The Junior Inquisitor beside them had a subtle, amused expression, as if watching a show unfold.

Seeing Rebecca pressing the issue, Aiden sighed and replied, "That person... was actually Abigail."

As soon as he said it, both Rebecca and the Junior Inquisitor's eyes widened simultaneously.

"Abigail? The 'Apex Witch'?" the Junior Inquisitor asked incredulously.

Aiden nodded.

"The Bountiful Mother Cult incident is over, yet you still have dealings with the Witches' Coven?" Rebecca asked, wide-eyed.

"I just..." Aiden thought for a moment, finding a reason. "...have some business dealings with them, that's all."

"What kind of business?" Rebecca asked. "It's not related to black magic, is it?"

"Relax, it's legal," Aiden shrugged. "Our prison is planning to use their technology to produce feminine hygiene products."

Rebecca and the Junior Inquisitor were both dumbfounded.

"Speaking of which, since the guy inside isn't the supervisor, it means there's likely still a high-ranking blood-kin hiding in this city," Aiden steered the conversation back. "To make an Earl that afraid, their title must be Duke or higher, wouldn't you say?"

A vampire Prince or Duke, potentially possessing the power of a Class S fugitive, lurking in the city and suspected in multiple murders—this was a major incident.

"Indeed... We'll have to report this to the Director as soon as he arrives tomorrow. Now we have another location to stake out. Manpower is getting stretched thin," Rebecca sighed.

It seemed the Inquisition was already staking out the hideouts of the first two captured vampires, waiting to catch the "supervisor" during one of their visits. Now, with Nosferatu capture, the number of stakeout locations would increase. Considering the target's lineage might reach Prince level, capturing them at a stakeout would require at least one Supervising Inquisitor leading the team to maximize the chances.

"So, Senior... what are your plans this time?" Rebecca looked at him tentatively.

Last time, Aiden had taken the initiative and decisively helped the Inquisition resolve the dangerous Bountiful Mother Cult situation. Rebecca wasn't sure if he would get involved this time.

"We'll see. I still have my prison duties to handle. This time, I only came along because that vampire inside dragged me into reporting the crime," Aiden spread his hands.

Tracking and apprehending criminals was the Inquisition's responsibility; he still had his own primary job to attend to.

However, if this new Blood Moon Cult truly investigated and targeted him... he would have no choice but to find a way to eliminate them. After all, they were highly likely the real culprits behind the murders in the city.

Still, if these murders and disappearances were indeed the work of the Blood Moon Cult, what exactly was their motive for killing?