EFB Chapter 19: Unprecedented, but worth a try
Chapter 19: Unprecedented, but worth a try
Even if the system didn't issue any tasks, Winston felt he should say something.
This feeling is similar to a Shandong native standing at a dinner table with a glass full of baijiu (Chinese liquor) shoved into his hand; it would be a shame not to say something in the atmosphere.
Before speaking, Winston was worried that he lacked experience and wouldn't be able to speak, or that he would stutter halfway through his speech. However, it turned out that people never know how much potential they have until they are pushed. In addition, the influence of the original owner's memories, and Winston's strong desire to speak now—a desire much stronger than the desire he had three days ago to come to the park to pick up people and establish a so-called investigator organization—made the system's task description more detailed than it had been then.
"You should have heard the rumors. A little over a week ago, someone submitted a report to Scotland Yard. The report was very vague, only mentioning that someone was planning some kind of occult 'ritual.' Logically, such a brief and thin clue with limited information should not have alarmed many people, but it still caused widespread panic after the news was leaked—I think everyone here knows why."
For a long time, although ordinary people knew that there were gods in this world, mysticism, paganism, and so on were still very far removed from life. This was the first time Margaret had heard someone say the word "ritual" openly, and she couldn't help but move uncomfortably.
She glanced at the other people in the room out of the corner of her eye. The elderly couple, Diana and Norman, looked solemn, while Martin's face had that social elite expression that seemed to be welded to his head. Were they all used to discussing these things in meetings?
"Because this isn't the first time." Winston glanced at the sunlight outside the window and said slowly, "In 1755, a fire broke out in a warehouse area in Liverpool—also known as the Fireball Cannibalism Case. Thirty-seven people were burned to death, and countless others were injured. The source of the fire was unknown, and the residue at the scene did not conform to the usual ignition conditions. The case was closed as 'cause unknown.'"
In 1841, a massacre occurred on Ratcliffe Road in East London, in which seven families disappeared, leaving behind only a large amount of silver powder of unknown origin.
"In 1869, the Birmingham estate was struck by lightning, and after the deaths of six people inside, their bones fused together to form a huge sphere, which is still on display at St. Bartholomew's Hospital."
Yes, it's the hospital where the brainwashing room is located.
Winston was shocked when he first saw this record in the archives—meaning that some unknown force in this world had turned human bones into large-sized figurines, and you locals even displayed these things in the hospital, is that right?
That's too dark!
Today he was finally able to tell this not-so-secret but little-known thing. After he finished, he was satisfied to see Margaret's face turn pale, Dina's lips twitching, and Norman scratching his messy and sparse white hair.
Only Martin remained completely still.
Negative Ratings.
Winston continued, "Murderers, heretics, and the mysterious forces behind them... They are real and have seeped into the very marrow of this city, even appearing before my eyes. That's why I'm standing here right now. I have a responsibility to prevent similar incidents from happening again."
"But the same responsibility does not lie with you. I am not going to mobilize you for grand reasons, but if we do not act before them, the next death could happen anywhere, including in the very lives you cherish."
"So, just a few days ago, I had a plan that gradually became clearer from a vague one." He smiled. "It may sound absurd, a prime minister convening only four people for a secret meeting when a crisis is imminent, but I believe this is just the beginning for all of us."
"We will establish a new institution that will not appear in the parliamentary records, will not be subject to public questioning, and will not even be officially named for the first few years of its existence. We will become a shadow, like those esoteric members, operating in the light but not seen by the light."
He scanned the crowd. "This job is destined to be dangerous. If you refuse to join or have any objections, it's not too late to raise them now."
No one spoke.
Winston was primarily concerned with the attitudes of two people: Margaret and Martin. The former had only just come of age and, strictly speaking, her brain was not fully developed, but she also had great potential—don't you see that it's often high school students who save the world?
The latter was a pure-blooded civil servant, but also labeled a fanatic. Winston had to make him believe that this matter was in Queen Victoria's best interest in order to use his influence to continue undermining the government.
Margaret's green eyes gleamed like a wolf's in the dim indoor light.
Winston could tell at a glance that this kid was having a fit of teenage angst, and there was no way he was going to back out.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Martin showed a slightly moved expression: "...You actually made this plan? You already had this idea three days ago in the hospital?"
"Yes," Winston said, "Do you think it's feasible?"
“Unprecedented,” Martin said, staring intently at him. “But it’s worth a try.”
Winston's smile widened slightly.
"Good!" He clapped his hands. "Then Martin, you will be in charge of all paperwork and communication with MI5. Just in case, don't leave any traceable evidence in the early stages."
Then, his gaze shifted to the other three.
"As for you, you are not the powerful and wealthy, and that is precisely why you can go to places they cannot go: docks, taverns, factories, slums... those corners that our respectable society today is unwilling to acknowledge as existing."
"The first task of our investigation is the recent rumors about cult activities. I received a tip that the person who reported the terrorist attack to Scotland Yard is most likely the Viscount Hammond. Due to his status, the police have not been able to get any clues out of him."
"Ah!" Margaret's heart skipped a beat, and she exclaimed instinctively, "I know him! He's the owner of the Gilded Circus!"
Everyone turned to look at them instantly. Margaret shrank back and lowered her voice: "...That's what the people in the circus said."
"I've never heard of that!" Martin said, utterly astonished. "Miss Zeller, are you sure?"
He didn't think much of Margaret, so his tone carried a hint of disdain and doubt. Margaret sensed this and said uneasily, "I'm not sure... I'm sorry."
Winston frowned, then reassured her, "It's okay if you're unsure, Margaret. What do your colleagues say about Viscount Hammond? Tell me."
When he called Margaret by her first name instead of her surname for the first time, Margaret perked up and her ears turned red.
"They say that Viscount Hammond holds book salons every now and then, and used to frequently invite circus members to the gatherings, but the last invitation was a long time ago. Everyone is spreading the word and keeping a close eye on when the book salons will be held, hoping to be the next lucky one."