The incident at the Capim Villa stirred up enormous waves throughout Backlund. People discussed it heatedly, spreading various versions of what had happened inside.
Newspapers ran lengthy reports about the victimized girls, describing in vulgar detail the torments they had suffered.
In contrast, the high officials and wealthy merchants who had participated in the banquet and subsequently disappeared were only briefly mentioned in passing.
After nearly a week, the heat surrounding the matter gradually faded, and people began chasing after new hot topics in the newspapers.
During these few days, Silas had lived a relatively stable life, either going half-mad at home or continuing his work as an unlicensed doctor and providing free treatment.
Because MI9 and the Mandated Punishers had been secretly investigating, Backlund's underworld was forced into hibernation, with all Beyonder gatherings temporarily suspended.
It was at this time that he received a commission from Klein.
"This is a doctor from the East Borough, Mr. Kafka Anderson."
Wearing gold-rimmed glasses and sporting a full beard, Klein introduced him to the person across from them.
"Anderson, this is Mr. Mike Joseph, a reporter for the Daily Observer."
"Good morning, Mr. Reporter."
Silas, having already used flesh magic to alter his appearance to something less conspicuous, gave a brief greeting to the man across from him.
"Good morning, Mr. Anderson. Today's temperature is quite pleasant. It would be even better if there were some sunshine.
When I left this morning, I was fortunate enough to see a few minutes of sun. Regrettably, it wasn't inclined to keep us company for long."
Mike Joseph responded by discussing the weather.
He had decent features and sported a dignified short mustache. Probably due to constantly running around gathering material.
Silas stared at him indifferently, not picking up the conversation.
"..."
Mike's smile suddenly became somewhat awkward.
In Loen, it was quite appropriate for strangers to start conversations by discussing the weather, but unexpectedly, the other party wasn't responding at all.
He could only look toward Klein as if seeking help.
"Reporter Mike wants to understand the living conditions of the poor in the East Borough, so I told him that Dr. Anderson here has been living in the East Borough and is very familiar with the environment."
Klein explained.
Thanks to reports from [Justice] Audrey and [Magician] Fors, he already knew that Silas had very likely committed that major crime, so he wanted to come over and have a chat.
Coincidentally, reporter Mike, whom he'd met at the Cragg Club, wanted to learn about the East Borough. The timing overlapped, so Klein brought Mike along as well.
"Fine."
Silas thought for a moment. He'd already gone mad in the early morning hours, so he should be able to maintain clarity for a relatively long time in the morning.
"How do you plan to investigate?"
"Sherlock's suggestion was to walk around various areas of the East Borough and observe their living conditions."
Mike quickly replied with a smile.
To be honest, he didn't think the man before him was any proper doctor. The other party appeared mad and cold, looking more like a patient instead.
"He's in charge of interviews and investigation. We're responsible for ensuring his safety during the process," Klein said with a smile, further explaining, "For this, he'll pay each of us a fee of 15 pounds."
"Sounds good."
Silas, who possessed Beyonder characteristics worth over 15,700 pounds, nodded.
Klein had already mentioned this in advance in his letter. The main purpose was for the two of them to meet, while helping the reporter on the side.
They were currently on Housting Street at the edge of the East Borough. If they continued straight down this road, they could traverse the entire East Borough.
The three slowly set off, strolling along the street.
"The area ahead belongs to the Remann Gang. Over there is Zmanger Gang territory.
Their boss recently died, so quite a bit of their territory has been eroded," Silas said, pointing in various directions as they stood at a crossroads.
"Further down is the Heili Gang's sphere of influence. They mainly make money through bars and streetwalkers.
As long as you don't cause trouble, they won't come looking for it."
"You're indeed very familiar with this district."
Mike couldn't help but say.
"Oh, I work as an unlicensed doctor for the Remann Gang. I've heard them chat idly and got a general idea."
Silas said casually.
An underground doctor for a gang?!
Mike was startled and turned to look at his friend "Sherlock," only to find the other party quite calm, as if he'd known all along.
To actually have a gang's unlicensed doctor as their companion, this trip was going to be quite thrilling.
Mike muttered internally.
But soon, as the investigation deepened, the miserable living conditions of the East Borough's poor shocked him, making him completely forget about the person beside him.
"What did you want to see me about?"
Silas and Klein put some distance between themselves and Mike.
Taking advantage of Mike's distracted state as he looked worriedly at the factory with its terrible conditions, they lowered their voices, and Silas asked Klein.
"The Capim incident, that was your doing, right?"
Klein also lowered his voice.
Because letters might be intercepted, some things could only be said in person.
"Yes."
Silas said flatly. His calm demeanor caused ripples in Klein's heart.
"What exactly happened?"
He couldn't help but ask.
This matter had spread widely throughout Backlund, yet he had the opportunity to hear about the course of events directly from the person involved.
It was quite a rare experience.
So Silas began recounting that day's experience, how he had tracked all the way to Capim Villa because of his landlady's disappearance, and how he had fought enemies while in a state of madness.
However, he didn't mention the parts involving the Queen. After all, it involved important figures and the organization behind them, so for safety reasons, it was better not to speak of it.
"That's truly amazing."
After hearing Silas's experience, Klein couldn't help but exclaim. As expected of a Sequence 5 Shepherd, to face four Beyonders alone and actually kill them all.
Only...
"Over a hundred lives in that villa, did you really kill them all?"
He asked somewhat uneasily.
"That's right. I happened to be caught in madness at the time and couldn't control myself," Silas said, frowning slightly as if recalling the scene of madness from that time.
"So it was because you fell into madness that you killed so many people."
Klein said.
For some reason, he felt slightly relieved. Then he saw Silas looking at him with a strange expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Even if I hadn't gone mad, I was prepared to start killing at the time."
What Silas said made him pause.
"Why?"
Klein asked almost reflexively.
"I just felt they deserved to die, that's all."
Silas said flatly.
"..."
Klein couldn't find words.
He realized that this colleague of his had undergone quite a change during this time.
Perhaps it was different experiences that had led to such transformation.
If it were me, I probably would have only killed Capim and those Beyonders secretly protecting him.
As for the others, I would have captured them and handed them over to the Church for processing...
"By the way."
After Klein was stunned for a moment, he suddenly remembered another matter.
"Silas, you haven't sold those characteristics yet, have you?"