Chapter 84: The Exorcist Detective Moonlighting as a Pastor

After several attempts to summon through the crystal ball, Director Treve finally responded.

It appeared he was at a beach, not far from which a great many stunning women played beach volleyball under the sun. Further off, a massive cruise ship floated upon the glittering sea, its thick smoke stacks suggesting it was a steamship—though whether it burned coal, diesel, or something else, was unclear.

Just as Louis widened his eyes, intent on seeing more, his view was suddenly blocked by a greasy middle-aged man. The heavy wizard’s robe he wore seemed newly donned, and the heat made him wipe sweat from his brow repeatedly. Noticing Louis and Helen peering curiously at the beach through the crystal ball, he hastened to block their view further, mumbling a few words in awkward explanation.

“Oh, those are merely the servants from Duke Wendell’s estate. Ahem, southern wizards do tend to dress more freely.”

“Director Treve, why are you dressed so strangely? Who are you talking to? Come have some cake!” A chorus of sultry voices called from the distance.

“Just working out a script, seeking inspiration—be there soon!” Treve replied hastily.

Helen nodded along, utterly oblivious, while Louis couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his eye.

Treve quickly changed the subject, and in a few words, explained their assignment. “I believe there’s a manual in the office detailing the relevant codes and rules. The two of you should read it thoroughly and write a report afterwards—leave it in the third drawer of my personal cabinet and I’ll receive it. If you have questions, ask Lord Stuart.”

And with that, Treve made to leave—the starlets were waiting, after all.

Helen called after him, “Mr. Treve, I’ve never been to a Muggle city before. Is there anything I should watch out for?”

“Ask Louis—he’s come from abroad, he knows. Louis, help Helen out.”

Treve stood, revealing a pair of garish floral shorts beneath his wizard’s robe, and a peculiar car key with a ‘man’ logo, resembling a wrench or handle.

“Mercedes-Benz?!” Louis mouthed in astonishment, but before he could get a better look, the image in the crystal ball vanished.

Louis was left speechless; Helen was already up, searching for the manual.

After a sip of tea, Louis stood and retrieved the manual—previously serving as a wedge under the table leg—from beneath a desk. Together, he and Helen leafed through it for a while, before Louis rubbed his face and summarized its main points:

1. Do not discuss matters from the outside world with wizards inside.
2. Do not discuss matters from within with Muggles outside.

Director Treve had clearly violated both these rules, or at least turned a blind eye to them, yet no one seemed to care.

3. When on official business, assume the identity of a priest, detective, or exorcist whenever possible.
4. If you encounter a genuine exorcist of the Moon Goddess, he is likely a wizard—or at least a wizard with faith.
5. If someone claims to be a wizard, do not doubt—he is almost certainly a fraud, or perhaps an exorcist with exceptional martial skills.

Upon reading this, Louis was left utterly baffled, his curiosity about the outside world only deepening.

He rummaged through the bookshelf and found a dust-laden copy of the “Holy Text of the Moon Goddess.” After reading a bit, he looked up in confusion—he had somehow learned a few rather special spells.

“Light magic? Was this left by Anthony? Adapted from the Moon Goddess’s divine arts?”

Suddenly, Helen pinched Louis and, trembling, signaled him to look at the full-length mirror behind her—what he saw was a scene of utter strangeness.

“Sir Stuart is only joking with you. Don’t worry,” Louis comforted her.

[Heh, you little brat, I’ve been waiting for this day a long time. This is no mere examination now. Don’t let me catch you slipping up…]

The “Louis” in the mirror grinned sinisterly, but Louis in the real world ignored it entirely. Instead, he picked up the old-fashioned telephone and dialed Belif’s number.

A sweet-voiced secretary answered, and after a brief exchange, promised to contact Earl Crowley. She also reminded Louis to check the third drawer in Director Treve’s cabinet—a banker had provided some funds for his upcoming mission.

“Yes… it should be the third drawer, the chairman said so. He said, ‘Louis and his colleagues are foreigners; their money differs from ours.’ Please accept it, sir—you’ll need it.”

After hanging up, Louis opened the drawer, found an envelope, and inside, a wad of banknotes—two thousand pounds.

Before he could examine it closely, Earl Crowley’s call came through.

The Earl introduced himself, then asked, “Is this the Sacred Icon Moon Goddess Church Detective Agency?”

Still baffled, Louis rifled through the business card holder on the desk, then fell silent in thought—Belif had taken this very card before.

“Yes… that’s correct, Lord Crowley, this is the place.”

“To be honest, I must apologize. I’d nearly forgotten about this matter. Please don’t take offense. I’ve heard of the Sacred Icon Seminary—our princess teaches there—but I’ve never heard of any ‘Sacred Icon Moon Goddess Detective Agency,’ nor of a detective who moonlights as a priest…”

“But no matter. I trust Mr. Belif, or rather, I am now willing to trust anyone. Whether you’re an exorcist detective or a priest detective, as long as you can help me resolve this issue, you’ll be well compensated.”

At the end, Earl Crowley described the location of his estate and admitted he didn’t know where the Sacred Icon was. However, the Bishop John and several high priests from the Moon Court, along with three renowned grand magicians from London, would all be arriving the next morning.

So, if “Mr. Conan” was too far from London, there was no need to rush—coming later would be fine. The Earl invited Louis and his companion to stay at the manor for a few days, enjoy some fox hunting, and take in the sights. If they were interested in London, his daughter would show them around.

The implication was clear—Crowley had indeed forgotten about Louis and Helen, since everyone capable of solving the problem was already on their way. He didn’t need the two of them any longer.

Still, out of respect for Belif, the Earl was courteous and promised them a warm reception should they come.

“Earl Crowley, I’ll arrive by tomorrow morning.”

“Excellent. My daughter Kate and the driver will meet you at the station—is it the eight o’clock train?”

“Yes.”

After hanging up, Louis checked the manual and confirmed that the Sacred Icon was indeed far from London, and trains in this era were slow—it would take five days to make the journey. Of course, for wizards, the train wasn’t necessary. Arriving on time would be no problem at all. For Louis, it was even easier—the station would certainly have mirrors, and Stuart could open a portal and take him and Helen directly there.

No need to miss tonight’s date.

“Louis, Louis, what should we wear for this business trip?” Helen called from the wardrobe.

Louis rose and gazed at the array of clothes, pondering. It seemed that agents used these outfits for assignments—there was everything one could imagine.

But what did the business card say?

“So this is a nun’s outfit, Louis.” His assistant, Sister Helen, held up a crescent-shaped pendant excitedly. “Is this their wand? In the name of the moon, I’ll punish you! Biubiu~”

Looking at Helen in her detective’s hat and nun’s habit, Louis picked up a pipe and fell into contemplation.

The “Stuart” in the mirror, grinning menacingly, watched as Louis clamped the pipe between his lips, equally lost in thought.

Now, he knew who Daniel Wu was.

…

Please vote for recommendations—two more chapters tonight.