'…I Don't Know Why You're Asking Me That.'
"…I don't know why you're asking me that."
My guess had been spot on. The Knight Order had summoned me because they suspected one of us might be a spy for the Satanists or the Voodoo Cult. So I figured all I had to do was prove I wasn't the spy.
But Mun Yo-seop's question caught me off guard. He was asking who I thought the spy might be.
I pondered why Mun Yo-seop would ask something like that. If he truly wanted my cooperation in the investigation, he wouldn't phrase it this way. He was probing for clues in my reaction.
Because he suspected me.
Suspected? I hadn't left any evidence that could expose my identity to him. Was it just a hunch? If so, the key was figuring out how he suspected me.
Did he think I was a Voodoo spy, or a Satanist one?
Mun Yo-seop had met Kim Jin-seo and lied to her, claiming one of my relatives was a Satanist, trying to use her against me. If he suspected me of being a Satanist spy, he wouldn't have resorted to that kind of deception.
And if he thought I was a Voodoo spy, he wouldn't be asking questions like this now. He'd have tried to slyly draw out some "fact only Voodoo members would know" and grill me on it.
Or maybe the opposite. He might be asking precisely because he suspects I'm a Voodoo spy…
"You helped me out once before. I hold your insight and information-gathering skills in high regard. I'd like your assistance."
Mun Yo-seop said with a smile. I peered into that smile. It was impossible to read what he was thinking.
I shook my head.
"Sorry, but I don't think I can help this time. I don't know much myself."
"'Don't know much' implies you know something. Could you share even a little? We're desperate for any scrap of info."
He's really trying to pry my mouth open. Mun Yo-seop is such a pain in the ass, as always.
"…Did you have a similar interview with Han Su-ryeon?"
"Sorry, I can't discuss that—it's policy."
"Then I have nothing to say either."
Mun Yo-seop nodded slowly.
"I see. Han Su-ryeon and Seong Ha-yeon came before you."
"Then you've probably already heard. An old man with a cane struck Han Su-ryeon's head as he left the museum—like it was a prank."
"I see. So you're suggesting Han Su-ryeon might be connected to the Voodoo Cult?"
"…It's possible, but I can't say for sure. The Voodoo side might have done it deliberately to make us suspect her."
I took as neutral a stance as possible. What I really wanted was to say, "Han Su-ryeon seems like a Voodoo member," and redirect his suspicion. But that would be as good as admitting I'm Voodoo.
Mun Yo-seop nodded at my words, his eyes still fixed on me.
"Worth considering. Got it. Oh, and that old man… you said he had a cane."
"Yes."
"What do you make of him?"
Mun Yo-seop tossed another question. I pretended to think it over, keeping my mouth shut. Pondering my answer here wouldn't look suspicious. Blurting out "That old man must be the Voodoo leader" too quickly would seem more off. It might look like I was dodging with a vague response.
"…A lot of people think he was the Voodoo leader, but I see it differently."
"Oh? Interesting."
"The Crossroads appeared after Captain Han Dae-ho sent that viburnum splinter for rescue. But Voodoo normally operates in Korea. No way the leader in Korea hears the call and shows up in Saudi."
"So the old man was someone the Voodoo planted in Saudi ahead of time?"
"Possible, but… that would mean Voodoo knew the Satanists would attack the museum. Which opens the possibility they teamed up for a false flag."
"True. But Satanists and Voodoo don't get along, so that's unlikely."
"Then it was probably just coincidence that the Voodoo leader—or someone of that rank—was there. He came to Saudi for some purpose, and got pulled into the fight when the Satanists showed up."
"Coincidence, huh. So the old man who appeared probably isn't the leader?"
"Yes. One of the Romanica followers with the viburnum splinter was the leader, and the old man was a hallucination he conjured… That's my take for now."
I couldn't hold back here. Mun Yo-seop had probably thought of this much already. Dodging the "Voodoo leader among the Romanica" angle would only deepen his suspicion of me.
"Any guess on the leader's 'purpose'?"
The Retrograde Staff, Poteau Mitan. But I couldn't say that outright. Time to give a vague answer to dodge suspicion.
"…Maybe someone at the museum Voodoo couldn't afford to lose. That explains why the leader stepped in to take out the intruder."
I continued.
"And there's another reason I don't think the old man was the leader."
"Go on."
"The age doesn't match. The current leader is late teens to mid-twenties, from what we know. So the old man almost certainly isn't him."
"Hallucination via spell… Yeah, that tracks. Age doesn't fit, like you said."
Mun Yo-seop nodded, muttering.
"We've learned quite a bit investigating Voodoo these past few years. Like how the leader isn't an old man, contrary to rumors. So, what do you think now?"
"…"
This bastard.
Now he's outright testing me. No pretense in that "What do you think now?" He's openly showing he suspects me, watching my reaction.
"My view hasn't changed. Besides… I can't verify if Inquisitor Mun Yo-seop's claim about the leader being an old man is even true."
"You can't verify it? Meaning you don't trust my word?"
"…That's right."
"Why?"
"Knowing the leader's age means you've ID'd him. The Vatican should issue a warrant. Since they haven't, I assume the inquisitor is lying."
"…I see."
Mun Yo-seop nodded. As the Voodoo leader, admitting I don't trust him would be suicidal. I might not fully shake the suspicion, but it won't grow.
He tapped the desk twice with his finger, then spoke.
"I've taken too much of your time. Sorry—must have an appointment. No plans this weekend?"
"Ah… A friend from out of town is visiting, so we're hanging out nearby."
Mun Yo-seop might tail me after. Better mention Ha Su-yeong preemptively. Bringing her to the Knight Order instead of the cafe was a close call. I'm under suspicion, so anyone with me gets it too. A few questions and he might peg her as Voodoo.
Mun Yo-seop nodded.
"Got it. See you next time. You're free to go."
"Understood. I'll be in touch."
I bowed and left the office.
Outside the Knight Order, I took a deep breath of fresh air. Tension had knotted my shoulders. Stretching made an odd crack from my body.
I glanced toward the Eastern Paladin Order, then headed to the cafe where Ha Su-yeong waited.
Mun Yo-seop. He suspects me more than I thought. Probing that openly means he's at least convinced I have something to hide.
Kang Ji-a's background check said he has a daughter. If I could use her to rein him in, perfect. If not…
Worst case, I'd have to eliminate him.
*
"…That's all I know."
After Do Seon-woo left, Kim Jin-seo entered. She answered questions diligently, but nothing new compared to Seong Ha-yeon, Han Su-ryeon, and Do Seon-woo.
Mun Yo-seop eyed her steadily, glanced at the paladin beside him, and spoke.
"Looks like you delivered what I told you to give Do Seon-woo. Thanks."
"…Yes, as instructed."
Kim Jin-seo looked uncomfortable, eyes dropping as she nodded.
Mun Yo-seop smiled, satisfied.
"Good. You're free to go."
"…"
Kim Jin-seo stood, bowed silently, and left. Her expression was sour.
After the interview, Mun Yo-seop stepped out for a smoke with the paladin.
Exhaling smoke, Mun Yo-seop asked, "What do you think? Any of those kids seem like Voodoo or Satanist spies?"
"…Hard to say."
The paladin exhaled smoke and continued.
"So far, no. But Do Seon-woo…"
"You think he's a bit off too?"
"…Not 'off'—just smart. Good grades, right?"
"Pretty good. Some fluctuations, but solid for Florence."
Mun Yo-seop recalled Do Seon-woo's grades from his investigation. Top of diagnostic exam at入学, but around 60th in written tests. Still excellent.
"…You were pretty aggressive with him earlier."
The paladin said, exhaling.
Mun Yo-seop scratched his eye with his pinky.
"That obvious?"
"Do you suspect him?"
"Curious more than suspicious. He seems to hide a lot. Don't know what yet."
"I think he's just quick on the uptake. Kids like that don't show their hand."
"No, it's not that simple."
Mun Yo-seop shook his head. First, Do Seon-woo had helped him before. When he warned to "check for suspicious figures in Central," Mun Yo-seop investigated skeptically—and thwarted a Satanist attack without losses, capturing Ji Hye-seong.
He'd tried using Kim Jin-seo to probe Do Seon-woo's "something." Ordering her to secretly attach a mini holy relic tracker to his phone was part of that. It allowed location tracking and call/text monitoring.
He'd tested her with "Looks like you delivered it." She said yes. But no device on Do Seon-woo's phone.
She'd lied. To cover for him.
"Not simple? How should we see it?"
"Complicated."
Two possibilities. Kim Jin-seo attached it secretly, but Do Seon-woo noticed and removed it. Or she gave it to him instead.
Either way, suspicious. First case: excessive paranoia. The device mimics holy relics perfectly—undetectable visually or by metal detectors. You'd only spot it if you suspected your inner circle.
Would a normal student be that vigilant?
"Very complicated. Gotta consider all angles."
Second case: Kim Jin-seo's trust in him is too deep. Mun Yo-seop even lied about a Satanist relative. Yet she handed it over—maybe even told him it was from Mun Yo-seop. To evade suspicion, Do Seon-woo should've attached it immediately.
But he hasn't. Not just discomfort—takes time to create a "safe to be monitored" scenario.
He's delaying until it's perfect.
"Maybe he's just sharper than most—like you say. 80% chance."
"The other 20%?"
"Something extraordinary. Dangerous."
Mun Yo-seop stubbed his cigarette.
"If so… probably tied to Voodoo."
"Why Voodoo?"
"The leader saved those eight: the Seven Holy Mark holders and Han Dae-ho. So either one of them is the leader, or someone important to him. At least one has Voodoo ties."
"Meaning Do Seon-woo is…"
"That's my hunch."
Exactly how tied, unclear. Odds of direct Voodoo link low—more likely manipulated, or just normal. Voluntary cult helper? 5% max.
But not zero. Worth probing. Uncovering his secret could crack other cases. That's why Mun Yo-seop fixated.
"…Problem is, it's just a hunch."
Do Seon-woo gave no openings. Answers neither screamed Voodoo nor Satanist. But reading Mun Yo-seop's intent too perfectly reignited doubt.
Too perfect. So suspicion lacked hard evidence—just instinct.
"One solid crack, one flaw… and I'd have certainty."
Find that decisive gap.
(To be continued next time)