Chapter 1312: Chapter 1312

"In that case, let's just follow the scent and see where it leads," Magic Miss proposed, her eyes fixed on the tabletop scene as if lost in thought.

"No, there's one more thing to do," Jenkins said, turning to Skylark Miss—Hathaway—who sat across from him.

"Use your Writer character. Make a Mysticism check on this perfume."

"It's no use," Hathaway replied calmly. "The Viscountess already passed her check. It's not a ritual item."

"Try again. Your Great Writer's mysticism might be different from the Viscountess's. I think it could be useful."

"He's not my writer. I'm just an admirer of his..." Hathaway muttered in her defense before rolling the dice. Naturally, she passed. In fact, since the game began, most of her rolls had been successful, with a success rate far higher than the other four players.

"Before everyone leaves, the young writer inspects the shattered perfume bottle one last time, then carefully analyzes the scent lingering in the air. He suddenly recalls a recent experience—he's smelled this aroma before, on a member of the 'Perfume Appreciation Committee.' Though there are slight differences, it must be from the same product line."

Before Corpse Gentleman had even finished speaking, a smile spread across Jenkins's face. He was now certain that the story Corpse Gentleman was narrating was still largely being manipulated by the "Story within a Story," rather than being his own invention. Otherwise, there was no reason for him to know that Jenkins had encountered people from the Perfume Appreciation Committee.

His sudden thought about the people who manufactured perfumes, spices, and tobacco had been triggered by the keywords "high-end perfume" and "east coast of the continent."

Everyone understood what he was alluding to. The Orthodox Churches' investigation into the peculiar tobacco had been made public, and practically every Enchanter knew this organization was involved in its production.

"It seems we're not the only ones in this hospital. There are others here, too," Mr. White Cat concluded. The group then resumed their search, following the fragrance.

The scent led to the staircase and all the way up to the rooftop. The wooden carvings of the five people and one cat followed the trail upward, eventually reaching the roof, only to find the body of someone who had recently died.

According to the sailor's examination, the cause of death was asphyxiation. But with no obvious ligature marks or signs of strangulation, the group speculated that it was the work of a spirit.

"Be careful. The evil spirit might be nearby," Hathaway warned the others, but a careful search of the area revealed no trace of it.

There was a letter on the body. As Corpse Gentleman described it, the paper was a page torn carelessly from a notebook, and the writing was scattered and hurried.

"What does it say?" Jenkins asked.

"You find a letter and attempt to read it. The moment you open it, a strange fragrance washes over you. Please roll for Luck, Willpower, and Agility."

Corpse Gentleman announced. Then, with a stroke of bad luck, the merchant's daughter failed all her rolls and fell unconscious. Mr. Hood, who was playing this character, looked helpless. He himself was one of the higher-level players, but the fact that the merchant's daughter was just an ordinary person was a real handicap.

Jenkins was just as troubled, because the moment after the merchant's daughter collapsed, Corpse Gentleman announced that Briny was now possessed by the evil spirit.

"Writer Williamette uses 'Prayer'! He's now standing next to the noble maiden, Miss Mikhail!" Hathaway declared almost instantly.

"While the adventurers were distracted, the evil spirit successfully took control of the noble maiden. Seeing the writer approaching her while loudly praising his god, the possessed girl sprints toward the edge of the roof."

"The sailor tries to stop her."

"You're too far away. You can't make that move."

"The Viscountess tries to stop her."

"Please roll for Agility... Sorry, you failed."

"The merchant's daughter... right, she's unconscious, I know."

On the table, the wooden carving representing Briny had reached the edge of the building. Jenkins looked anxiously at Hathaway. He knew his own character had a way to solve this, but Hathaway didn't seem to have found a solution on her character sheet.

"Can I still control the noble maiden?" Jenkins could only ask, stalling for time as his heart raced with anxiety.

"She's possessed. You can't control this character."

"But that's not right," he immediately challenged. "According to my character card, the noble maiden can't be possessed."

"Please explain why."

"Because..." Jenkins was just bluffing to buy more time and give Hathaway a chance to think. Now, pressed by Corpse Gentleman, he had a sudden flash of inspiration. "She's carrying a powerful protective charm! (Chapter 1280) This charm can dispel curses, exorcise evil spirits, and accelerate natural healing. What's more, it was a gift from a very important friend. Even though she's just an ordinary person and doesn't know the charm's power, there's no way she would have left it at home."

Jenkins insisted. This wasn't a lie—Briny really did have such a charm on her, it just wasn't noted on the character card.

"The effects of that charm... why does that sound so familiar?" Magic Miss muttered to herself. Of course it sounded familiar—she was the one who sold it to Hathaway, who then gave it to Briny. Chapters fırst released on NoveI[F]ire.net

The red-haired girl was now staring intently at Jenkins. Only someone very close to Briny would know about that charm; no one else should. In that moment, Hathaway began to suspect that Candle Mr was one of Briny's personal maids.

"A charm..." Corpse Gentleman mused. Then, the players watched as the wooden carving of the noble maiden flashed with a bright light. A white metal statue representing the evil spirit appeared beside her, indicating that the possession was over.

"Please... update your character card. That charm was a one-time-use item. It's gone now," Corpse Gentleman said. Jenkins nodded, took a new silver metal plate from a hidden compartment that rose from the table, and announced:

"Expelled from her body by the charm's power, the evil spirit is temporarily immobilized. The noble maiden runs to the writer."

"The writer uses his extraordinary ability, 'Breath of Healing'," Hathaway followed up immediately. The writer's wooden carving was seen shielding Briny's, as a green light showered over her.

"The evil spirit has recovered. It attacks the noble maiden again," Corpse Gentleman interjected, not giving anyone else a chance to take their turn.