If that’s really the case, it means that in the past ten years, there have actually been six cases of self-immolation in Silver City!

　　Spread out, it’s actually not that many—once every two years. Silver City is huge, and these cases weren’t even handled by the same division, but scattered around. A single division might only get one such case in ten years, so who would pay attention?

　　Henry Thompson nodded. “There was another case in 1729, and it happened right at the Silver City Old Academy. And... the person involved was my classmate, from the dorm next door! Part of the reason I left the Old Academy was because of this. I witnessed everything, developed a fear of the place, and my classmate’s self-immolation was so bizarre that I wanted to know why it happened!”

　　Henry Thompson’s expression was grave. “That’s why I came to the Inspectorate. Part of the reason is exactly this. Outsiders can’t access these files, but I can! I went through and organized all the self-immolation cases from the past ten years, and I found... maybe these weren’t just accidents!”

　　Jack Smith quickly flipped through the files in his hand. After a while, he looked at Henry Thompson and said in a deep voice, “Tell me your thoughts.”

　　“In ten years, there have been six cases—no, to be precise, nine years. There hasn’t been a case like this yet this year.”

　　Henry Thompson said seriously, “Chief, because of my classmate’s case, I’ve paid close attention. It’s already July, and if these self-immolation cases aren’t just coincidences, then it’s been almost a year since the last one! The interval between cases is getting shorter and shorter. If these aren’t accidents, then it’s very likely that a similar case will happen soon.”

　　“Not an accident?”

　　Jack Smith kept flipping through the files. He was an old inspector, only transferred to the confidential office when he got a bit older.

　　If Henry Thompson hadn’t organized and consolidated these cases, probably no one would have noticed.

　　However, when all six self-immolation cases are put together, anyone can vaguely sense that something’s off.

　　Jack Smith let out a light breath. “Based on what we have, there’s no way to confirm this was premeditated, but... too many coincidences might not be coincidences at all!”

　　Jack Smith was still very sharp, and quickly said, “I’ll communicate this to other departments, especially the law enforcement team. The confidential office doesn’t directly participate in solving cases, but with these repeated self-immolations, this probably needs more attention. If another one happens soon...”

　　At this, Jack Smith’s expression changed slightly. “Then it would mean your judgment is correct, and maybe it really isn’t just a simple accident!”

　　He looked at Henry Thompson, and his serious face suddenly relaxed into a smile. “Of course, there’s no need to be too nervous! Even if it’s really a murder case, there have been worse. But you, Henry Thompson... you’ve done well!”

　　Jack Smith’s seriousness didn’t last long.

　　Even if it’s not confirmed, even if it is murder, it’s really not a big deal. He’s seen and heard too much—six deaths in ten years really isn’t much.

　　He was more gratified by Henry Thompson’s dedication and sense of responsibility toward the case. Of course, he also more or less understood why Henry Thompson dropped out.

　　A classmate?

　　A good friend, probably!

　　Otherwise, Henry Thompson wouldn’t have needed to drop out.

　　……

　　Across from him, Henry Thompson didn’t say much more.

　　A murder case?

　　If it were really just murder, why would he drop out, why would he flee the Old Academy?

　　He witnessed everything with his own eyes. If it had just been a simple murder, that would have been better.

　　What exactly was that red blood shadow?

　　Self-immolation?

　　No, it was being burned to death by the blood shadow. But at the time, the other classmates who also witnessed the self-immolation—none of them saw the blood shadow!

　　Were they lying?

　　No, there was no need.

　　Henry Thompson knew that only he had seen it. The others hadn’t noticed the blood shadow at all—or rather, they couldn’t see it.

　　And recently, he’d felt it again. He’d even vaguely seen that blood shadow again last night.

　　Maybe... it wasn’t just one!

　　“If no one pays attention, so be it. But once the Inspectorate notices and confirms it’s not an accident, and if they can’t handle it, it will definitely be reported to the Night Watchers.”

　　If no one cares, these cases will just be closed as accidents, the files gathering dust in the confidential office.

　　But if someone does take notice, the Inspectorate is actually quite responsible.

　　“Night Watchers!”

　　Henry Thompson silently repeated in his heart. Across from him, Jack Smith stood up and said, “I’ll go discuss this with the law enforcement team. Later, Henry Thompson, you might need to coordinate and provide some help, since you compiled this case...”

　　Henry Thompson quickly nodded, feeling a bit relieved inside.

　　Good, he’d heard exactly what he wanted to hear.

　　He’d done all this to get involved—not directly, but as the one who discovered the anomaly. This way, if the Night Watchers got involved, Henry Thompson would likely get a chance to interact with them.

　　Of course, interacting doesn’t mean joining. Even if he really could join... Henry Thompson might not dare!

　　Over the past year, he’d read too many files.

　　Some things are clear between the lines. For example, seeing the red shadow—it seems he’s not the only one who can see it. Henry Thompson had checked some records; there were such cases in Silver City.

　　However, those people either died or disappeared—none survived!