Hazzle, hidden behind the Hyde persona, entered the carriage, cloaked and concealed as the hazy clouds obscured the sun. The town looked even more desolate than she remembered. The people seemed neither chaotic nor sane, a strange mix of emptiness and lingering unease. Beside her sat Bingo, her new companion. Remembering a past event, Hazzle asked, "Bingo, I wanted to know how you blocked that punch from Milky?" Bingo looked surprised. "You saw that weird wall thing?" Hazzle nodded.

Bingo sighed. "Long story short: it was a life-or-death situation when I first got it. I'll explain more when we reach the next town, alright? It's too early in the ride." His tone turned slightly cold, his eyes shifting to look out the window. "We're still in good old Gramleton..."

Moments passed. The passage was long yet a flash—dense fields, the faint whoosh of waves. Bingo looked out as the fields gave way to a small but lively forest. Leaves fell, birds chirped, a refreshing sight compared to Gramleton. He then turned back. "So, any other questions, SGF?"

Hazzle, startled from a daze, asked, "SGF? Could you please tell me what you meant by the... 'G' part? Something about it felt wrong." Bingo scoffed. "It means 'happy.' What's wrong with that? Heck, I could repeat it with a melody." He sang, "Gay, Gay, Joy, Joy, Gay~" before stopping. "It sounded better in my head. Heard it at a carnival once..." The silence was broken only by the galloping horse. Bingo's tone, calculative and cold, though slightly faltering, said, "I apologize, Hyde, for my earlier actions. It was my fault..." Hazzle reassured him, "No, no, it's fine. It was just a little song. I just felt a bit off about it. I've heard 'gay' used for something else, I think, but I can't explain it."

Bingo said, "Oh, so it's like an insult or even a slur?" Hazzle answered, "Somewhere in between? I trust my instincts, but I sometimes misinterpret things." Hazzle sighed and then asked, "So, how is 'Mr. Prosecutor' doing?" Bingo replied, "Well, Milk..." He snickered. "Sorry, Milky Moc..." He burst out laughing, causing Hazzle concern. "Hey, are you okay? Come on, focus; it's just a name." Bingo reassured her, wiping away a tear, a smile plastered on his face. "Oh, it's not just that—or at least, not entirely."

Bingo breathed in and out. "I know I told you about the name thing, but the funny part is that such a stoic, rage-filled guy has a name that's either a cute pet name or—excuse my crudeness—refers to a male..." he carefully chose his words, "...worker in a brothel, yeah." He sighed. "I mean, his name could be compared to 'Cream' for a vampire or a simple letter for some ungodly creation made by men. You get my point, Doctor?"

Hazzle chuckled softly. "I see what you mean. Though I was just asking how he's doing recently, since he and his subordinate are in danger, even with Gramleton fading. Some people haven't gotten the news." Bingo's tone returned to its calculative edge. "Unfortunately, I don't have that information yet. Presumably, I'll get it in a few weeks, at the end of the month. Even if I did, it's likely locked until I finish this service."

The carriage stopped, the horse neighing as it slowed. Outside was a small forest with a rundown chapel. There were no religious symbols, only the layout confirmed its purpose. Smoke puffed from the chimney, the only sign of life. The coachman announced, "We're here." Bingo and Hazzle got out, a mix of confusion and awe on their faces. Hazzle turned to Bingo. "Is this really the place? We're in the middle of nowhere..."

Bingo reached into his pocket, opened his journal, checked a briefing, closed it, and turned back with a smile. "This is the location. You can leave!" he told the coachman. The coachman tipped his hat. "Pleasure doing business with you two." The carriage departed, dust settling as Bingo waved. "Ciao!" Then he turned to Hazzle. "It's just that..." He turned to the chapel, the front door emitting a strange, almost liminal presence. His tone returned to cold and calculating, his smile gone as they walked closer. "I didn't expect this, especially with a law enforcer." Bingo knocked on the door.

His smile returned as the door creaked open. Hazzle noticed something. "Eggshells?" she asked. It was a strange sight. Bingo reassured her, "Don't worry about that. It's a material used in places like this. Though I wonder who built it..." Before Bingo could continue, the door opened fully. The Judge stood tall, his shadow making him seem even larger than Hazzle. "Good morning!" Bingo immediately turned to the Judge. "So, did you hear the news about—" The Judge sighed deeply and spoke directly, his voice gruff, though slightly weakened, clearly still the same Judge. "Yes, I know you're my guardian."

Bingo responded, recalling the official violation, "So, Mr. Wyaden, you committed an offense—one that could potentially worsen the case or even lead to a fatal outcome. As a merciful warning, since the offense stemmed purely from your beliefs, and as a senior law figure, the Lawmen are giving you service as your punishment." Bingo elaborated on the violation. "Oddly enough, this is your fourth violation. One more, and you'll be forced to retire."

Judge Wyaden rolled his eyes and grudgingly said, "These Lawmen should know the incident should be taken with a grain of salt." He muttered, "The last three shouldn't even count against me..." A deep breath and a sigh shifted his bitter mood. "Come in. It might make this service quicker..." Despite its small size, the chapel echoed their footsteps. Its interior had been converted into a library, replacing the pews. It was filled with old closed or unsolved cases. A few books sat near the altar, which had been transformed into an observation table covered with written work, case files, and candles. Shimmering sunrays provided the only light.

Judge Wyaden noticed a familiar face—or rather, mask. "Excuse me, Mr.—" Bingo began, but Judge Wyaden interjected, "Mr. Bingo, apologies, but..." He pointed at Hyde. "Explain why Mr. Hyde, the defendant, is with you." Bingo replied, "Well, Judge Wyaden, he's here to observe the service." He whispered, "Given his friend Kate's passing in a shipwreck, it's safe to say he's here for personal reasons." Judge Wyaden sighed. "I see." Hazzle, filled with a somber yet nostalgic feeling about the place, murmured in her genuine voice, "One hundred years of experience... yet nothing could prepare me for something... reminiscent of centuries ago."

Hazzle shook her head, and Hyde, in a light masculine tone, asked Judge Wyaden, "Excuse me, but I was wondering if this building was used before, or not used at all, because..." His tone faltered. "This place reminds me of somewhere from my childhood... where bones and corpses were found like it was a biohazard!" The Judge responded, "A family once owned this religious place." Bingo's smile faded as he looked down, relaxing his posture. The Judge continued, "They were cursed with constant sickness. It was later discovered to be mold." Wyaden pointed upward. "There was a prominent white mold; you could tell it was a cursed place from afar. But like all things supernatural, it doesn't make sense from any perspective. This entire place I've lived in was the first time after..." He noticed the two, his eyes shifting.

"Mr. Bingo, it seems you have inner turmoil." Hazzle's eyes widened, while Bingo looked baffled. "Wait, what?" Wyaden replied, "Relaxed posture, faded smile, a pang of reminiscent regret—it confirms you still have conflict." Bingo was speechless, a single bead of sweat forming. "I knew before the case that you tend to shift your traits at will. It seems the rumors about your talent are true. But I've seen better. And what triggered this conflict?"

Bingo respectfully replied, "Family." Wyaden sighed. "In that case, even with the limited information I have, you're still in conflict with your family, especially your father, correct?" A silent confirmation was given to the Judge. "Don't worry about it further; that's all I needed. As for your partner, he's fine. Besides aiding Kate, he's not a concern. Though he also seems conflicted, it's most likely about Kate."

Hazzle was speechless, impressed by the Judge's astute observation. A momentary, dreadful skip of her heartbeat made her realize the extent of this law enforcer's experience and underestimated skill. Despite his potentially shady past and morally questionable beliefs, Wyaden demonstrated that he wasn't a judge simply by chance, as Milky had been.

Hazzle, under the mask, felt beads of sweat forming. One wrong word, one ancient sound, and she could be exposed. This judge could be her undoing. She steadied herself, the sweating subsiding as she focused on maintaining her persona, knowing any slip could change everything.

The Judge began, "Before we proceed, I need to confess something. Having revealed so much already, it's only fair I share my burden." He took a deep breath. "Kate could have been freed, yet..." Hazzle watched him, his calm demeanor shifting to distress. Her vision seemed to blur at the edges. "...This might sound terrible..." Bingo noticed Hazzle's ragged breathing as she stumbled, sinking to her knees as if struck.

Bingo subtly tried to signal the Judge to stop but continued, "...I was the source of Kate's initial 'newborn' rumor..." Wyaden massaged his forehead. Hazzle, on the verge of breaking, a chaotic mix of musk, minute details, and the imagined roar of some prehistoric beast threatening to erupt within her, forced herself back to her feet, utterly bewildered, her senses snapping back into focus. "Wait... that's your confession? I expected something worse." Wyaden sighed.

"No, but it caused Milky..." Bingo snickered, earning a sharp glance from Wyaden. "...to spiral, which led to the incident that injured Kate. I had to get it off my chest. I was drunk because..." The Judge sighed again. "My wife died," Hazzle responded, a pang of genuine regret in her voice. "Oh... I apologize for... my earlier words." Judge Wyaden said, "I have a vendetta against a 'group', a gang you will say near Britain. They took and killed my wife, and I need help gathering evidence."

The duo looked at the Judge. Bingo, intrigued, readily agreed with a smile. "Sure, that's what my service entails—checking on you. Though, given the circumstances, I need to keep a low profile." Hazzle countered, a note of concern in her voice, "I wasn't prepared for..." Bingo reassured her, "Come on, SGF, it's a change of pace, almost like..." Hazzle interrupted, "Kate... Sure, why not? She'd take one last dirty job..." Bingo's smile faltered slightly but quickly returned. "That's the spirit!" Wyaden then said, "Now then, let us begin."

TO BE CONTINUED