Chapter 118: Roland's Determination

After making preparations, Silas began to search for Markok's lingering soul using his priestly abilities.

But soon, Silas found that he couldn't find Markok's soul.

"What's going on!?" Silas looked puzzled.

Markok, who had died by suicide without any mystical influence, his soul shouldn't have dissipated so quickly.

"What's wrong?" Father Hank asked, seeing Silas's expression.

Silas opened his eyes. "I cannot perceive Markok's soul."

Hearing this, Harden immediately shook his head. "Impossible. Souls don't dissipate that quickly."

Father Hank frowned. "I can guarantee that no one else has touched the body before us. None of our medical staff possess mystical knowledge."

They immediately reached a stalemate.

After a dozen seconds of silence, Gael said calmly, "Young people are ultimately still too naive. Can't you see something so obvious?"

Silas asked, neither warmly nor coldly, "What does Father Gael mean?"

Gael explained with a hint of pride on his face, "A brief examination will reveal that the residual spiritual energy in Markok's body has completely disappeared, yet there are no remaining emotions. This is not a normal phenomenon. Even if a suicide victim has no resentment, they should have strong regret and attachment. Since there is nothing here, there is only one possibility."

Gael raised his chin slightly. "His soul has achieved self-sublimation and obtained salvation."

"Self-sublimation? So that's how it is. At the moment of suicide, he felt he had achieved completeness and peace, his mind was clear, and he had no attachments. Through suicide, he completed his own salvation," Silas said with understanding.

Recently, Silas had diligently studied many books and knowledge related to priests, including explanations and descriptions of self-sublimation.

Father Hank, having been exposed to it, also knew a little. He looked down at Markok's body. "This is the only reasonable explanation."

Although the others felt it was strange, they couldn't think of any other explanation.

The matter had come to this point, and it was considered a definite answer to this event.

Although there was an answer, the subsequent mysteries became increasingly confusing.

He helped Roland out of the morgue.

"Since you know her, take her to your place to rest for a while. Send her out when her emotions stabilize," Father Harden instructed.

Silas nodded and led Roland towards the Purple Moon Chapel.

On the way.

"Markok was a very proud person who cared a lot about his reputation, and he was a devout believer of the Radiant Church. In the doctrines of the Radiant Church, suicide is absolutely not allowed and is considered the most cowardly act. His death was definitely not suicide," Roland said in a low voice, clenching her fists.

Silas was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He thought for a moment and asked, "Is Markok's father still alive?"

Roland shook her head. "His father passed away three years ago."

Silas frowned and asked, "Then what did he mean by being sorry to his father at that time? Did his father have high expectations for him before he died?"

Roland thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "The father he mentioned might be his godfather. His godfather was very good to him, and both he and his godfather were people who cared greatly about their reputation."

"Who is his godfather?" Silas asked hurriedly.

"Mayor Arnold," Roland said a very shocking name.

Hearing this name, Silas's heart skipped a beat, because he suddenly remembered what Jeros had mentioned before: the incident where a ghoul became the Imperial Minister of Finance.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. Mayor Arnold is a very good person. He is amiable and kind, a benevolent elder," Roland said.

Silas nodded imperceptibly. "Go to my place and rest for a while first. I'll send you out later."

Roland shook her head and refused, her eyes shining with a divine light. "I am not that fragile. I know that if the Church is responsible, I am not qualified to inquire. But I must thoroughly investigate the cause of Markok's death. This matter must be clarified!"

Looking at Roland's appearance, Silas didn't stop her either. He quietly sent her out of the church, and they parted ways.

Watching Roland's departing figure, Silas thought to himself, "This matter seems to be getting clearer and clearer, but it's better to keep a low profile for now and silently accumulate strength. I hope my growth can keep up with their plans."

After sending Roland off, Silas met Father Anthony, who had just returned, on his way back.

"How is the situation at the clinic?" Silas asked.

Father Anthony sighed. "It's truly tragic. A total of twelve bodies were found. All their bones were gnawed clean and turned into rotting flesh. After checking against recent missing persons reports, they all matched."

Silas nodded, then opened his mouth, about to share the information he had heard from the souls.

However, the moment he opened his mouth, he held back.

"Even if the man in black is gone, his forces still exist here. Mayor Arnold is now highly suspicious. Perhaps there are also that person's minions within the Church. After all, the Church's screening process has some loopholes. There should be quite a few turncoats like me."

Thinking of this, he could only temporarily keep this secret. Otherwise, if he rashly spoke out, it might attract the attention of people he couldn't contend with.

"What's wrong?" Father Anthony asked curiously, seeing Silas's hesitant appearance.

"Oh! I wanted to ask if there were any mystical relics from this incident. Then I thought this matter wasn't something I should inquire about, so I swallowed it back," Silas's lying skills were becoming more and more proficient.

Anthony said with understanding, "Don't underestimate yourself. Your authority is not small. You are qualified to know about this matter."

"There are mystical relics, but I didn't see them. Mr. Logan found them. It seems to be a large eyeball, about the size of a human head. Its mystical nature is not high; it can only affect apprentices and ordinary people, causing them to fall into terrifying illusions."

Mystical relics were remnants from some special mystical incidents. These remnants could be anything: eyeballs, wooden combs, clothes, even soil or stones.

They were either mystical materials, could be made into mystical armaments, or were ready-made Secret Treasures.

A more typical example was the green skull burning with flames from the previous sacrifice. According to the standards for measuring Secret Treasures, that was at least a Level Five Secret Treasure, second only to the Hymn of the Great Devouring Wyrm in the hands of the man in black.

Anthony continued to explain, "According to the appraisal, this is a semi-mystical armament. After processing, it can become an illusion-type mystical armament, probably around Level Two. It's already considered a pretty good harvest."

Silas, thinking of the large eyeball from last night, understood and thought to himself, "The battle here is not entirely without hope. At least some materials and equipment can be obtained."

"What's wrong, young man? Are you interested in mystical items?" Anthony asked with a smile.

Silas didn't deny it and nodded. "Yes, I've recently read some books about mystical items and have gained a lot. So I've developed a strong interest."

Mysticism included too many aspects: professions, spells, formations, talismans, mystical armaments, Secret Treasures, materials, and so on.

Although all aspects adhered to a division from Level One to Level Ten, the complexity and depth within them far exceeded the imagination of ordinary people.