Chapter 64: Red Cross

“What just happened…?” Yuki asked, confused as she stared at the spot where the figure had just dissipated.

“Why ask? Can’t you see that it just got… whatever happened to it! The point is, we have a clue now,” Ryu replied, turning around and dismissing his blade.

“What clue?”

“The red cross that appeared on its chest and arm… we both know that the holy priest uses a white cross, not red.”

“Oh…”

Together, the two of them walked towards the large door.

As Ryu got closer, it suddenly blew open, one door breaking down entirely.

Yuki turned her gaze to Ryu, surprised by his use of such force with his technique.

Reaching the car, Ryu stretched out his hands, asking Yuki for the car key.

“Hmm?”

“The car key?”

“Uh, okay…” She handed it over to him reluctantly. Instantly, he got into the sports car and waited for her to join him on the passenger side.

The moment she closed the door, the car took off as Ryu started the engine, leaving black skid marks on the ground.

Vroom~

He pressed the accelerator harder, increasing the car’s speed to 190 km/h. Yuki held onto the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt abruptly with amusement as Ryu drove ferociously.

“Who knew you could drive? And so madly! Where are we even going?” she asked animatedly, but Ryu didn’t reply.

…

A few minutes later, they arrived in front of a gallery.

Its pale grey stone was subtly carved with floral patterns. Dark mahogany windows, framed in ironwork, offered glimpses of the art inside. A sweeping mahogany staircase led to an oak door at the top of the two-level building, and there was one oak door on the ground floor, while mature trees shaded the manicured lawn surrounding the building.

A sign above the entrance displayed the gallery’s name and logo, indicating the owner.

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| **Artistry Gallery** |

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| Established 2013 |

| Curated by: Madame Yuta |

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| www.artistrygallery.com |

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“Uh, why are we at the second-ranked psycho’s place?”

“Well, it’s only psychos who can locate other psychos…” Ryu said, with one hand in his pocket. “And Madame is a very good one to use; she might have quit, but she still has her talents.”

Madame Yuta, the one and only, was an exorcist with over 270 soul counts and ranked as a Master Exorcist just four months after becoming one.

Two years later, she quit being an exorcist to pursue her dream of becoming a painter and owning a gallery.

Fortunately, due to her already high earnings from being an ex-exorcist, she became successfully popular worldwide, generating an income of over 1 billion Yen per year. She always claimed to be at her gallery for 19 hours a day. Yes, not a complete 24 hours; she loves taking her rest!

The two of them carefully walked towards the first-level oak door, only to hear an announcement from the PA system outside.

“The two human rats outside my gallery, what exactly do you want? Shouldn’t you be playing in the playground? I think that’s what adults your age do.”

The playground she meant was clubs and other places of lavish life and time-wasting that youths frequent.

They continued to the oak door, turning the knob and entering.

Inside, the first floor was spacious, with high ceilings and a minimalist design. The walls were adorned with various paintings, each showcasing different styles and colours.

In one large corner of the expansive gallery, various colourfully chaotic paintings, referred to as art, were hung, admired by visitors. I mean, beautiful works of art appreciated by enigmatic individuals.

Madame Yuta was painting on a large white canvas, seated on a stool beside her.

She held her brushes and was focused on her work, with a cigarette pack and holder nearby, one cigarette currently lit.

A female assistant stood beside her, holding a tablet and watching her paint. The voice board for the PA system was on the white-tiled ground beside her, and the gallery was empty of people.

Dull white lighting fixtures were mounted on the high ceiling, and a slow blue song played from the ceiling speakers.

“…What do you want? 200 Million Yen to leave?”

“…What do you want? 200 million yen to leave?”

Yuki cleared her throat and ran to Madame Yuta’s side, picking up a new cigarette and lighting it with the expensive lighter she kept in her bag.

As she took a drag, the smoke curled elegantly from her lips, creating a delicate haze around her. She savoured the rich flavour, inhaling deeply before exhaling slowly, allowing the smoke to drift away.

“That’s quite a good deal if you ask me. But that’s not so important now; I can always come back for the money if you want…”

Madame Yuta gave her a sidelong glance before turning her head back to her painting.

Ryu stepped closer, arms crossed. “I don’t suppose you know, but the Holy Priest has been kidnapped. Quite unbelievable to me until now.”

She simply replied, still focused on her artwork, “Hmm… interesting. And may I ask who the honour falls upon in this great ordeal?”

“We don’t know yet, but we have a clue. Do you know anything about a ’Red cross’?”

The moment Ryu asked that question, she paused in her painting and took a drag from her cigarette, letting the smoke linger momentarily before releasing it in a slow, deliberate breath, as if contemplating its significance.

“A red cross… then I shan’t be surprised at him getting kidnapped so easily…”

“I’m not certain about it, but I know it has to do with a horseman from hell.”

Ryu and Yuki paused, confused for a split second before asking for clarification.

“A horseman? What does that have to do with this?”

She smiled knowingly. “A horseman is no ordinary being. They’re dark entities, often seen as harbingers of chaos and destruction. Traditionally, they ride forth on their spectral steeds, spreading fear and despair wherever they go. These horsemen are said to possess immense power, capable of manipulating reality.”

She laughed lightly.

“They’re the only ones capable of such deeds, and of course, they’re demons, so yes, they pose a threat to Exorcists. Though, I don’t think any of you can kill a horseman, can you?”

…

BY DOOMCELESTIAL

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep