Operation Red Book

"No! No! No! Ah——"

The bronze sword broke away from the knight's right hand and quickly pierced into the headless knight's chest.

The powerful thrust pushed the headless knight from the undead horse back into the fountain. The orange-red flames disappeared in an instant, and white steam rose from the fountain's pool.

The undead horse circled several times on the spot, stomping its hooves hard on the ground below, and submerged itself under the shattered land before Moriarty arrived.

"No! Edward! Edward! My child!"

Mrs. Emerson hugged Edward's body and cried heartbreakingly.

Joshua limped over with the help of Holmes, breathing heavily, his heart filled with shock and confusion after surviving a disaster.

“Brother Andrew!”

Dorian came out from nowhere, knelt on the ground and picked up Andrew's upper body.

Andrew fell into a coma, with two large holes burned on his chest and traces of blood hanging from the corners of his mouth.

"Mother! What's going on? Ah...Brother Edward?" Dorian handed Andrew to the servants on the side and turned to rush towards Mrs. Emerson and Edward.

A large number of guests poured out of the mansion, and the servants and nobles were noisy and soon gathered around the crying Mrs. Emerson.

"Ma'am, what's going on?"

"Madam, madam, this is..."

"Lieutenant Edward? Lieutenant Edward is dead?"

"Ah - why are there so many heads in the pool!"

"vomit--"

"There are so many corpses on the ground. They...they all have no heads!"

"vomit--"

"Please be patient! Please be patient!"

"Madam! You have to give us an explanation!"

Joshua and Moriarty were held aside by Holmes. Joshua looked at the crowded crowd and suddenly felt dizzy. He could not help but dry-heaving a few times.

It was so tiring and disgusting. There were so many people, a strong smell of blood, the smell of powder everywhere, scolding everywhere, crying, women's screams, men's body odor... It was so uncomfortable.

Holmes pulled Joshua's head over and let him rest on his shoulder.

Joshua looked up and saw that Moriarty had already been pulled into Holmes' arms. He was now closing his eyes and being gently patted on the back by Holmes.

Joshua closed his eyes and leaned back for a while, trying to think about the trivial things in his mind, hoping to put the noise of the crowd behind him.

"How should we end this now? Should we tell the SCO to solve it? But with so many dead, the Grim Reaper is not enough to take souls away. Who is the Grim Reaper in this area? Can we see him with our naked eyes? Ivy told me about the contents of the red book before..."

"Huh? Classmate Ivy? And Mrs. Hudson!" Joshua suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart.

He straightened up hastily and glanced at Ivy and Mrs. Hudson in the crowded crowd.

"No, no, still no..." Joshua muttered to himself, "It should be easy to find, Ivy..."

Gradually, the noise of the crowd died down a little. Mrs. Emerson, supported by Dorian, came towards Holmes, wiping her tears.

"Mr. Holmes, Mr. Moriarty, Mr. Williams, I'm sorry you got hurt. Please contact the relevant organizations."

Mrs. Emerson bowed to the three of them and spoke in a heavy nasal voice.

Joshua suddenly felt disgusted. He looked at the nobles and lords, who all looked as if they had nothing to do with the matter. Especially Mrs. Emerson, who only found SCO after her son died and the impact spread.

Joshua opened his mouth but did not express his annoyance. He just frowned and looked sullen.

"Hmph! Is it useful, dear Duchess?"

Holmes pressed Moriarty, who was about to get up, back into his arms and spoke sarcastically.

"So many people have died and you are still hesitating, afraid that the matter will be exposed and impeached by the parliament. But now you only know to find the relevant organizations after your good son died? You, the Duchess, are really a match for your damn husband."

Joshua's mind went blank. What Mr. Holmes said was a little inappropriate and extreme, but it was right after all.

As if comforted, he and Moriarty leaned against Holmes, squinting their eyes and remaining silent.

"His Excellency Duke Lucas Emerson?"

"What does it have to do with His Excellency the Duke?"

"My carefully prepared dress and makeup are all ruined... and this is the Duke's Palace! What a place!"

Joshua no longer felt a headache when he heard the noisy and questioning voices.

He couldn't even wait to see how Mrs. Emerson would react, whether to explain what had happened or... continue to defend the family's honor.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to have such a bad party. But now, I have an announcement to make.

Duke Lucas Emerson and I—Rachel Emerson is the one who killed everybody.”

"what?"

"Ma'am, what are you talking about?"

"what's the situation?"