Chapter 743: Chapter 14 The Theater Mystery (Part 1)_4

“From this, you can conjecture: the two uses of Impermanence Skill were for different reasons.”

“I’m thinking, I’m thinking…”

Gongsun Ce muttered anxiously in his mind, when he heard a loud pop in reality. Kerky Hyde had started chewing bubblegum at some point and was now popping a big bubble.

“Could you please take this murder case seriously!” Gongsun Ce exclaimed exasperatedly, “And you! What’s your superpower? Do you have an alibi?”

“I’ve been in the opera the whole time, haven’t I? I didn’t leave until that scene was over, following right behind you.”

Kerky licked the remnants of bubblegum from her lips, as if struck by a thought, and added with a mischievous grin.

“I’m a Spiritual Image Mage, from the Manifestation Realm. I’m good at invisibility and illusion tricks. So if you’re saying I did it, it’s not entirely impossible.”

Damn, another Manifestation Mage. Isn’t Manifestation a Fourth Rank, reserved for high-level individuals from various countries? How come every performer in your Kingdom is from the Manifestation?

Gongsun Ce frowned and asked in his mind: (Could Situ Yi have killed someone to silence them?)

(The probability is low, a Creator Realm Mage has too many methods to erase information. Moreover, there is no record of Kerky Hyde or Situ Yi using their powers in the last hour.)

“Come on, buddy, relax.” Kerky said cheerfully, reaching for his shoulder, which Gongsun Ce disdainfully shrugged off, “Hey, you’ve got a real nasty temper! But guess what, the captain just told me he plans to handle this by the book.”

“What do you mean ‘by the book’?”

“It means, for murder cases we need to involve the police. Look over there~!”

Kerky jerked her chin upward, and not far away a man dressed as a police officer was approaching. He had a regular appearance, a black steel helmet on his head, and was wearing a thick police uniform. Kerky added, “For fairness, the captain didn’t even disclose any identities. This is a local police officer, in charge of supernatural cases, completely uninformed of any insider details, and guaranteed to be neutral.”

“No, please!” Philis suddenly became panicked, “Please, Miss! Don’t let the police come over!!”

“Why are you so defensive?” Buck asked suspiciously.

Gongsun Ce patted the kid’s head, saying gruffly, “The police won’t kill you, okay? Show some backbone!”

Philis crumpled behind Gongsun Ce, a look of despair in his eyes, “You don’t understand… you don’t get it!!”

Gongsun Ce sneered and walked forward to talk to the officer, “Hello. From the Knight Order… a guest, Gongsun Ce.”

“Supernatural Crime Department, Officer McDonald,” the officer shook his hand, “Miss Kerky has briefed me on the situation. Please cooperate with the police investigation.”

“Of course.”

Gongsun Ce wasn’t too anxious; he relayed all the information he had to Officer McDonald. The officer listened attentively, occasionally taking notes, which was quite reassuring.

“Thank you, we’ll need you all to come to the station later for a detailed statement.”

Officer McDonald stepped into the tent, walked over to the body, and pulled out a mirror from his pocket.

“Let’s see the exact time of death first.”

The view in the mirror was blurry, but after a few seconds, a blood-red color spread across it, eventually forming a line of digits:

11:19.

“Isn’t that convenient?” Gongsun Ce marveled.

“The autopsy mirror is convenient and reliable, sir,” Officer McDonald said proudly, “Since the mass production of these Heart Phase Weapons, handling supernatural crimes has become much easier. This instantly tells us the victim died today at 11:19.”

“Wait, that thing must be broken, dead at 19 minutes past?!”

Gongsun Ce suddenly felt something was amiss. Douglas had met with Philis at 20 minutes past and had used Impermanence Skill at 21 minutes past; how could he have died at 19 minutes past?!

Officer McDonald also sensed something was off. After pondering for a moment, it dawned on him, and he showed an extremely confident smile.

“Gentlemen, this is a very straightforward case! I understand the origin of all these complications now, I’ve seen plenty like it.”

With these words, he walked briskly towards Philis. The little boy collapsed in utter despair, and McDonald grabbed his arm, snapping shiny handcuffs onto his wrists.

Officer McDonald hoisted the boy up effortlessly, as if picking up a chicken. He stood tall and proud, his words brimming with scorn for evil.

“This is surely a superpower case; it’s all been his doing. There is no doubt, this boy is a damned Superpower User!”