Detective Guide to the Steam World

Chapter 19 False Devout Believers

Rean had some knowledge of the Church of Life and Truth.

After all, working as a detective for a long time inevitably involves dealing with strange and unusual people.

The core doctrine of the Life and Truth sect, in short, is that the physical body is not merely a shell, but a sacred vessel containing endless vitality. All the fundamental truths and mysteries of heaven and earth are deeply hidden within the life essence of living beings themselves.

It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with it. In a sense, it's somewhat similar to the theory of evolution that Rean knows.

The sect's name seems normal, but it is not one of the four major orthodox churches.

In the words of the official authorities and the four major orthodox churches, it belongs to a cult.

The scriptures compiled by cults are naturally classified as banned books.

If ordinary people possess such forbidden books, according to the laws jointly formulated by various countries and the four major orthodox churches, they will be treated as heretics and will be burned at the stake in order to purify their defiled souls.

The church has always maintained a zero-tolerance attitude towards heretics and cults.

It's safe to say that if Rean were to hand this book over to the Twilight Church's Inquisition right now, he would see Baron Jesper and his entire family wailing at the stake the very next day.

"Rean, come and take a look at this!"

Kent's solemn voice suddenly rang out.

Rean turned his head and saw that he was also holding a book in his hand, his face full of disbelief.

"Are the books from the Life and Truth cult correct?"

"...How did you know?"

Kent paused for a moment, then, noticing the book in Rean's hand, tentatively asked, "Is that one you have too?"

"That's right."

Rean put the book back in its place, then took out another one, flipped through it, and put it back as well.

This was repeated ten times.

Unsurprisingly, all of these books were produced by the Life and Truth cult.

Looking at the banned book in his hand, which was exactly the same as the previous one and clearly printed in the same style, Rean's lips curled into a playful smile.

"It seems that Baron Jesper's identity is far more interesting than we imagined."

If someone is just an ordinary cult member, they would at most buy one copy.

But with so many banned books of the same content and printed in the same style in this study, Baron Jesper could not possibly be just an ordinary believer.

He is at least a regional bishop or missionary of the Life and Truth sect.

"Isn't Baron Jesper a devout believer in the church?"

Kent's voice was full of disbelief. "He was even baptized by a bishop, and it was even in the Fog Harbor newspaper!"

"Piety?"

Rean looked at him and asked, "How do you know he's truly devout?"

"The Fletcher family donates so much money to the church every year, isn't that pious enough?" Kent said matter-of-factly. "If it were me, I wouldn't even donate a pound... no, a shilling! Who would do such a thing if they weren't a devout believer?"

"Dear Mr. Kent, donating money does not equate to piety; it is mostly just a calculation of pros and cons."

Rean shoved the book back into his hands. "Aren't there plenty of two-faced people in the world? Don't underestimate people's true nature, Kent."

"That Cyril might be a devout believer, but Baron Jesper, ah..."

At this point, Rean chuckled softly, not finishing his sentence, but the meaning was already self-evident.

"If Jesper really is a heretic, what if he refuses to pay us the remaining balance if we continue this investigation?"

Kent looked worried and suggested, "How about... we just let it go? Let's pretend we didn't see anything, okay, Rean?"

"Don't worry, I've already entered into a contract with Jesper since I agreed to hire him. No matter what happens, he'll pay me properly."

After saying that, Rean turned around and continued to look at the books on the bookshelf.

"I've never heard of any cult member who would dutifully abide by a contract. Expecting these lunatics to have any sense of contractual obligation is like hoping to find 100 pounds on the street!"

Kent muttered something to himself, and seeing that Rean ignored him, he could only sigh helplessly.

"Fine, you're the one who makes the decision."

……

at the same time.

Inside the main building of the Sissippi Company in the McCullos port area.

Potter's expression was grim as he looked at the eight corpses lined up on the ground.

Since partnering with the Fletcher family, his company has never experienced anything so terrible!

What angered him most was that a full 20 guards who had "retired" from the army failed to capture those two men!

"A bunch of useless trash!"

The gilded cane slammed heavily onto the ground with a dull thud.

The surrounding managers were so frightened that they didn't dare to breathe, and they all lowered their heads even further, pretending to be ostriches.

As the supervisor on duty today, Edgar inwardly groaned, but had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak:

"Mr. Potter, I am very sorry for what happened, but I don't think the guards can be entirely blamed. After all, the newcomers are superhumans, and they..."

"So what if they're superhuman?"

Potter interrupted him rudely, roaring, "Use your pig brains to think! If you were superhumans who had advanced multiple times, you bunch of scum would be dead by now!"

"That bastard relies on firearms, which means he's just an un-advanced superhuman! Superhumans are still human; they can die from bullets too!"

"But the guards said they were hit several times, and that man didn't..."

"That's enough!"

Potter slammed his fist on the desk. "That's just your excuse for incompetence! If a few shots didn't kill him, couldn't you have fired a few more?"

"..."

Edgar dared not speak again, obediently lowering his head and letting his boss's saliva keep splashing onto his head.

The other party is clearly angry right now, so it's best to keep quiet.

After a full five minutes, Potter finally finished venting, took a deep breath, and said coldly:

"Clean this place up. I'll get Colonel Colin to fill the manpower gap today. But if this happens again, you'll be in the cage too!"

"Yes...yes! I assure you, this will never happen again!"

Edgar nodded quickly, then wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked cautiously, "Mr. Potter, should I arrange for someone to investigate the background of these two?"

"An investigation?" Potter glanced at him. "What are you going to do after the investigation?"

"Of course, we should send someone to kill those two! Our losses this time..."

"Mr. Edgar, have you lost your mind?"

Potter laughed angrily, "Kill them? Have you forgotten what kind of business we're in? You idiot, haven't you caused enough trouble today?!"

"Besides, if superhumans were so easy to deal with, why didn't you leave that bastard here today?"

"idiot!"

But you just said that superhumans are also human...

Edgar muttered something to himself, but outwardly didn't dare utter a sound, offering only an awkward smile.

"Mr. Potter, you are right. I did not think things through."

"You brainless idiot!"

Potter snorted and sat down behind his desk, saying calmly, "However, a simple investigation is still necessary. Find out the specific identities of these two bastards as soon as possible and see what forces they belong to."

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

Edgar bowed respectfully and was just about to turn and leave.

The door suddenly creaked open.

next moment.

A woman dressed in a green dress, with beautiful features and dressed like a noble lady, walked in.

After seeing the young lady's face clearly, Edgar and the others in the room, without even needing Potter's instructions, wisely lowered their heads and left, closing the door behind them.

"Willow, what brings you here today?"