All under the fire's command continued treating the wounds with props while walking steadily toward the four paintings, head held high, studying them carefully before offering their suggestion: "Among the four paintings, the first three depict combat scenes. The last one is a mystery case. Personally, I recommend choosing the mystery case, as Guan Ya is a scout and excels in logical reasoning—besides Brother Hongji, we already have sufficient intelligence among our team. If we opt for combat-themed paintings, based on the recent astrological feedback and the status of the Pan God's Labyrinth, we're likely to suffer casualties." Indeed, although the true combat strength of the single-line knight exceeds level seven and I have many backup options, given the strength of the Pan God's Labyrinth, it would be difficult to guarantee no casualties if we choose combat scenarios. Zhang Yuanqing thought for just two seconds and then agreed with Tian Xia Gui Huo's suggestion, nodding: "Alright! We'll go with the castle mystery case." The core members of the team are primarily lawful, orderly professionals from the second region, who do not inherently resist the chaotic, evil professions from the first region. Skills such as Guanyi's Insight and Steel Will can counter the illusions, mental attacks, and psychic manipulation of shamans. The wooden spirit items and pills carried by the team can alleviate the toxic effects of the witch-guerrilla practitioners, while the close-combat prowess of fire mages and swordsmen can effectively counter the influence of spirit-possessed creatures. However, the chaotic nature of the drunkard's affliction and the distorted condition of the master of the fatal poison—both from the first region—cannot be effectively countered or managed by Guanyi and her colleagues, often resulting in casualties. In contrast, the atmosphere of the Castle Mystery case is sunlit and gentle, and Guanyi, as a scout, is particularly skilled in investigation and deductive reasoning. The Pan God's Labyrinth is the key asset of the First Region. Since the First Region has no scouts, the Ancient Castle Case typically presents a challenging difficulty. However, this time, the exploration team includes a scout from the Second Region—making the survival rate for choosing the Ancient Castle Case the highest. Zhai Cai, Sun Miao Miao, and the others quickly weighed the pros and cons and nodded in agreement. Only Red Chicken Brother looked deeply frustrated: "Fighting isn't more straightforward than thinking? Don't let me fool you—I'm only level five. When I'm at my peak and fight with all my might, even level six characters would have to retreat!" "We're here to discover treasures, not to risk our lives!" Zhao Chenghuang said coldly. Zhai Cai completely ignored Red Chicken Brother's objections and stepped forward toward the painting of the Ancient Castle Case. "I'll handle the route—follow me." He paused before the fourth painting, waiting a few seconds. Seeing no response, he gently extended his hand and touched the painting. At the very moment his hands touched the scroll, he shimmered into a beam of white light and was drawn into the painting. The next instant, within the garden of the scroll, a figure in a black fur coat appeared. Zhang Yuanqing waited a few seconds, observing that everything within the painting remained normal, and then said, "Enter now. According to the rules, the scroll's storyline will only activate when six or more people enter." He walked toward the ancient castle mystery, reached out, and touched it, vanishing in a beam of white light. Others followed suit, touching the scroll and entering the world within. Team members gradually stepped into the painting. At the same time, Zhang Yuanqing heard a notification: 【Ping! Welcome to the world of the scroll – The Castle Mystery!】 【Solve the mystery within the designated time (three hours). Otherwise, the people who have died in the case will truly pass away and will never be revived.】 【You are a magician from the East. No one knows your true name, only that you go by the surname Dong. You are skilled in divination through writing on the tablet, and you are a close friend of the castle's owner, Yae Lans. Recently, you received a letter from her: "She has returned. My family is about to perish. Please help me!" (This information is publicly available).】 【Yae Lans, the castle's owner, has passed away. Identify the murderer.】 After listening to the notification, Zhang Yuanqing immediately turned to his teammates and said: " I've been assigned a role—what about you?" He promptly shared his character details with them. Zhai Cai replied, "My role is that of a family physician, named Daniel. There's no additional information." Sun Miaomiao said, "My character is Sindy Lances, the daughter of Lady Yae Lances, the castle's owner. That's all." Zhao Chenghuang said, "Lun, the castle's gardener. No additional information." Tianxia Guihuo said, "David, Miaomiao's, no—Sindy Lances' family teacher. Again, no extra details." Hong Ji Ge said, "Monroe, a servant at the castle, of giant-footed creature descent, known for his unattractive appearance and immense strength, working hard as a laborer—handling linens, bedding, etc. What exactly is a giant-footed creature? Can I be assigned a more respectable role?" Zhai Cai chuckled, "The giant-footed creature is a monster that appeared in medieval Europe, with a rather unattractive appearance, covered in body hair, notable for its large footprints, often found in forests and farms. It feeds primarily on humans, being particularly fierce and fond of opening up human chests to devour their organs." "But remarkably kind to human women—they often don't devour them but instead capture and use them as tools for mating and reproduction. Most women eventually get eaten by the giant creatures after failing to conceive, while a smaller number give birth to mixed-human and giant offspring. According to the Vatican's hypothesis, the giants are essentially the failed offspring of human beings, with human origins, which enables them to produce offspring with human women. This information is well documented in the Vatican's archives. My teacher once compiled these facts into a series of fantastical tales to encourage me to study diligently—those were the stories I most looked forward to during my youth." Red Chicken Brother muttered another complaint about "the bedding," expressing his frustration with his own role. While everyone else was immersed in Zhai Cai's educational presentation, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly asked, "Where is Guan Ya? Hasn't she arrived yet?" His teammates turned around and looked around, only then realizing that Guan Ya was missing. The world of Tian Xiang frowned slightly, "She must have entered...” Though he hadn't paid special attention to Guan Ya, he trusted his teammates' configuration—under these circumstances, it was impossible for anyone to stand out and remain outside. Zhang Yuanqing suddenly changed his expression: "Oh no!" Without explanation, he strode toward the castle. The others followed closely behind. Inside the castle, everything was quiet—no one was present. The furniture and furnishings were simple and modest, reflecting a medieval style. In this era, they might be considered "grand and splendid," yet to these few, a rural household from a less affluent background seemed far more opulent. "The castle is empty," Tian Xiang quickly surveyed the room and made his judgment. "The key figures in this mystery must be among us." After entering the castle, Zhang Yuanqing paused, and behind him, Zhai Cai spoke firmly, "The third room on the left side of the second floor!" That room was the one in the painting where a mature and beautiful woman stood by the window. Zhang Yuanqing strode briskly up the stone stairs to the second floor and pushed open the door of the third room on the left side of the corridor. A strong scent of blood filled the air. By the square window, a female corpse lay there, dressed in the long gown of a medieval noblewoman—her sleeves long and narrow, with lace trim at the neckline and sleeves. Her abdomen had been sliced open, blood streaming profusely, and her internal organs appeared missing. Her features were delicate and fair, typical of Eastern women, yet distinctly three-dimensional and refined, like those of Western Europeans. It was Guan Ya! At the same time, the group heard the prompt again: 【Ping! You have successfully identified the deceased. Now you may nominate a suspect. To nominate: each person must simultaneously call out the suspect's name.】 Zhang Yuanqing, Hong Ji Ge, and Tian Xia Gui Huo all exclaimed, "Damn!" in unison, while the single-charge knight added, "Fuck!" Zhao Chenghuang briefly drew his lips, but remained silent. Clearly, Guan Ya's role was that of the castle's owner—Yi Lan. The scout most skilled in deduction and observation arrived as a corpse—this was what shattered Zhang Yuanqing and the others' composure. Sun Miaomiao's eyes filled with dark, viscous energy as she activated her Spirit-Devouring technique. A few seconds later, she withdrew the skill and said, "With no spirit essence, she's not Guan Ya. She must be a tool figure manifested by the scroll. The true Guan Ya is somewhere unknown." "Guan Ya is likely also within the scroll, but her current condition remains unclear—unimportant, really. What matters is that she has died. If we can't identify the murderer, the body lying on the ground will become her." Zhang Yuanqing spoke softly. While they were conversing, Tian Xia Guihuo and Zhai Cai had already knelt beside Ya·Lans' body, beginning their examination. A few minutes later, Zhai Cai said, "The deceased suffered two fatal injuries. One at the chest—cut by a sharp blade that penetrated the heart. The wound suggests a broad, wide-bladed sword. The second injury was to the abdomen, where her spleen, kidneys, and liver were entirely consumed." "I believe the latter is actually the cause of her death," Zhang Yuanqing said as he pushed past him to examine the body, adding, "Why?" Before Zhai Cai could explain, Tian Xia Gui stepped in to say, "The blood in her chest is notably low—suggesting she was stabbed through the heart after death. Additionally, I'd like to add that the color of the blood is off; it appears as though it's been diluted by water." Zhang Yuanqing had finished his examination and nodded in agreement with Tian Xia Gui's assessment. Sun Miao Miao asked, "The cause of death is a gash in the abdomen with the internal organs being devoured—so who among us did this?" Everyone turned to Red Chicken Brother. "What are you looking at me for?" Red Chicken Brother asked, completely puzzled. Zhao Chenghuang said calmly, "As a descendant of the Giant Footed Creature, the Giant Footed Creature particularly enjoys human internal organs." Only then did Red Chicken Brother realize, and he suddenly clapped his hands, laughing heartily, "Case solved! Case solved!" The murderer is me. The evidence is simple—just let everyone say my name together. Hold on a moment, I’m trying to recall my name… Oh, Monroe, that’s it—Monroe. Everyone remained silent, watching him. "What now?" asked Brother Red Chicken, puzzled. "Do you really think it will be that simple?" smiled Zhai Cai. "The astrological reading indicated a crisis of life and death for all of us. You're the murderer, and yet you've solved the case—where's the crisis?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "There are still several points that remain unclear on the body. For instance, the fatal wound to the chest. Also, the room appears unusually neat—there's no sign of struggle or combat. Even if the castle's owner were an ordinary person, encountering a beast that devours its victims, one would expect to see signs of resistance, attempts to flee. "Yet the scene is remarkably clean—there's no blood on the walls, the bed, or the window frames, and no traces of limbs struggling on the floor. I believe the castle's owner, Lady Lans, was either unconscious or under control when she was finally consumed. "Of course, even with that, Monroe is still the killer. Perhaps he is—the most unlikely suspect is precisely the killer. But to conclude that Monroe is guilty now is too hasty. "We only have one chance; if we're wrong, Guan Ya will be dead. "My suggestion is that everyone go through the chateau thoroughly. Maybe we'll find something new."