Shadows of London: 2-2 The Great Epidemic

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With Mr. Erskine's visit, Caroline realizes she must act immediately...

Info

Style: Event Logs: Dover, the Merry Monarch Recommended: Carmilla Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Pursue the Scarlet Rose

Pursue the Scarlet Rose

Dialogue Choices

Should I investigate the Baroness and try to discover the truth about my mother, and risk exposing Vincent and Doctor Grey's true identities?

• Agree with Priscilla to investigate the Baroness
  • Unlock Shadows of London: 2-3 Bed of Withered Leaves
• Agree with Roger to pursue other clues
  • Unlock Shadows of London: 2-4 Resolve and Motives

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Anna: Good morning, Miss Rayes.

• The next day, Anna helps me get dressed and ready as usual. As she pulls back the curtains, she greets me with her familiar smile.
• You: Good morning, Anna. Has my aunt already gone downstairs?

• I lower my voice, feeling somewhat anxious.
• During dinner last night, my aunt hardly spoke to me. And then, without giving me any chance to speak, she immediately went upstairs.
• Although no one will change my mind about staying in London, I hope to at least explain my reasons clearly to my aunt...
• Anna: Madam Petit has already gone downstairs. Mr. Erskine came to visit early this morning, and I think he will stay for breakfast.

• You: Mr. Erskine? He's still in London?

• I remember with some curiosity that he was among the first to plan to leave when the epidemic broke out.
• Anna: Yes, he's still around, and he often comes to visit Madam Petit. Will you be wearing this outfit today?

• Anna takes out a dress from the wardrobe.
• I nod absently, still thinking about how to explain things to my aunt.

• Bernard Erskine: I really have no idea what you're thinking, Violet.

• As I approach the dining room, I hear Mr. Erskine's slightly irritated voice coming from inside.
• He speaks quickly and urgently, clearly filled with anger, but making an effort to control it.
• I pause with my hand on the door, feeling awkward.
• Bernard Erskine: The situation in London is getting worse and worse. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell just by looking at the port of Dover.

• Bernard Erskine: The French are not stupid. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Calais started closing the borders off to England.

• Bernard Erskine: What we need now is to act quickly, my dear. Every day we delay only puts us in greater danger!

• Madam Petit: I know all of this, Bernard. I'm not stopping you from leaving either.

• Madam Petit: You've missed out on a lot of opportunities, but it's not too late to set off now.

• Bernard Erskine: Violet, what do you mean? Who do you think I'm staying in this godforsaken place for?!

• The dining room is silent. After a long time, Aunt Petit finally speaks again, her voice low with weary resignation.
• Madam Petit: I'm really sorry, Bernard. But I have to be responsible for Caroline.

• Madam Petit: She's the only unmarried young lady in the Rayes family, and I can't just leave her to her own devices.

• Bernard Erskine: Do you know that you're not at all like your usual self when it comes to dealing with that child?

• Bernard Erskine: Caroline is not a fool. She has her own reasons for deciding to stay. Can't you trust her for once?

• Madam Petit: She's too young and immature. She doesn't know what dangers she'll face if she stays—

• Bernard Erskine: What about the dangers I'll face if I stay for you?

• After Mr. Erskine's uncontrollable outburst, a long silence descends upon the dining room. A few minutes later, I hear hurried footsteps approaching the door.
• I quickly step back, but I'm unable to dodge Mr. Erskine's look in time.

• He wasn't expecting to find me eavesdropping. Although he looks startled, he doesn't try to hide his expression at all.
• Beneath that furious and ferocious expression is a hint of wounded pride.
• After a brief pause, he decides to ignore my presence and simply leaves.

• You: Aunt Petit?

• I tiptoe into the dining room and call out to her softly.
• Aunt Petit rests her elbows on the dining table, bows her head, and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and quickly wipes the corners of her eyes before turning around.
• Madam Petit: Caroline, you're finally awake. Have some breakfast. I have something to do this morning, so I'll be heading out.

• You: I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but just now, Mr. Erskine—

• Madam Petit: Since you've decided not to return to Canterville Manor, I'll need to make alternative arrangements for your travel.

• You: Aunt, are you really not going to leave London with Mr. Erskine? He's so worried about you...

• Aunt Petit finally turns her gaze towards me, her eyes filled with undeniable determination.
• Madam Petit: And leave you, a young lady, alone in London during these turbulent times? No, my dear, absolutely not.

• Madam Petit: You could agree to come with us to France...

• You: I've decided to stay in London because there are things I want to do. I won't leave until I'm done.

• Aunt Petit doesn't ask what I'm referring to. She just furrows her brow, looking at me with a hint of concern.
• Madam Petit: Everyone has things they want to do. And everyone has things they ought to do.

• Madam Petit: As your aunt, my duty is to prepare all possible escape routes for you, even if you insist that you don't need them.

• I deliberately take my time eating my breakfast. Aunt Petit has an appointment with someone, so, unable to wait for me to finish, she leaves.
• As soon as the carriage driven by Jack disappears from the front gate, I immediately set down my cup and return to my own bedroom to retrieve the note that Priscilla gave me yesterday.
• You: (Aunt Petit, just like you said, I have things I ought to do.)

• I tightly grip the note. On the back is the address of the hotel where Mr. Roger Evans is staying.

• Priscilla Barnet: It's so late, Caroline! I thought you would arrive earlier!

• Priscilla pulls me into the room with a pout, and I can't help but glance at the clock.
• You: Priscilla, don't you think you arrived too early?

• It's just past breakfast time, and there's still some time before lunch. Coming to visit a bachelor so early in the morning—
• Priscilla Barnet: Please, you're not going to say something like "it's not proper" like your aunt, are you?

• Priscilla changes the topic disdainfully, but I notice that her ears have gone slightly red.
• Interesting. I can't help but turn towards the third person in the room.
• Roger Evans: Alright, alright, ladies, could you please sit down so we can resume our conversation?

• Roger Evans: Although this hotel charges outrageously for its rooms, the tea is fairly good.

• You: Mr. Evans, I...

• Roger Evans: Call me Roger.

• You: Uh...

• Such a straightforward request leaves me speechless for a moment.
• While I don't regard my aunt's etiquette teachings as law, I'm still somewhat embarrassed when someone skips over social conventions so cavalierly.
• Roger Evans: When Priscilla was telling me about you, she said you were a lady who wasn't hung up on formalities.

• Roger Evans: At the train station, you really showed your kindness and courage by being decisive in critical moments.

• Roger Evans: However, if I may be frank, you've now reverted to being "a London lady" and started to fuss over unnecessary rules.

• You: ...

• Roger Evans: Maybe I'm talking too much. I've come to London to get to the bottom of some strange things going on here, and I need your help.

• Roger Evans: Social etiquette doesn't help me figure any of these things out, so I've decided to abandon it. What do you think of that, Miss Rayes?

• He fixes his gaze on me, exerting immense pressure that makes it difficult for me to even breathe.
• Priscilla Barnet: Alright, Roger, that's enough of interrogating Caroline.

• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline, just ignore our dear Detective Roger Evans. He gets carried away with his work sometimes.

• Priscilla gently pats my shoulder. I take a deep breath, finally calming down.
• You: I understand, Roger. In fact, I agree with your perspective.

• You: However, before we officially begin taking action, I have a question that I would like to ask you.

• You: Where did you learn the melody you were whistling at the train station yesterday?

• Priscilla Barnet: Whistling?

• Priscilla appears bewildered, looking at Roger with confusion and uncertainty.
• Roger Evans: Oh... This melody?

• He begins whistling again, and the familiar melody rings in my ears once more.
• You: Yes, this melody. Where did you hear it?

• He averts his gaze, ponders for a moment, and then carefully begins to speak.
• Roger Evans: This is a very common lullaby. "Red roses in a heap, gentle moonbeams..."

• Roger Evans: Why do you ask about it?

• You: When I was a child, my parents sang this lullaby to me.

• You: You say it's common, but none of my relatives' children has heard it before. I thought you might have known my mother...

• Roger leans back on the sofa, crosses his arms, and raises an eyebrow.
• Roger Evans: This lullaby is from a long time ago. You'd probably hear it more in the countryside.

• Roger Evans: This song is not very popular in London.

• You: Why?

• Roger Evans: This song is actually about the Great Plague of London.

• Priscilla gasps softly beside me, her expression darkening.
• Roger Evans: During the reign of the Merry Monarch, London was hit by an epidemic that caused the death of one hundred thousand people.

• Roger Evans: The red roses in the lullaby refer to the red circular rash that appeared on the bodies of the infected.

• Roger Evans: When children see someone with such a rash on their body, they know that person is doomed.

• You: Oh my goodness...

• Roger Evans: Death hung over the city for a year, until a fire ended the plague.

• Roger Evans: The fire completely ravaged London in just four days, and strangely enough, the epidemic then vanished without a trace.

• Roger Evans: The dilapidated houses of old London were completely cleared out, and the unfortunate souls who perished due to illness vanished into the inferno.

• Roger Evans: Construction began on the London we find ourselves in now, and the city's urban renewal efforts allowed the economy to take off.

• Roger Evans: You could say it was a happy ending for everyone involved.

• Roger ends the conversation with a smile tinged with irony. Priscilla glares at him angrily.
• Priscilla Barnet: Making light of this kind of thing doesn't make you look any nobler, Roger. Our current situation is not so different from that of those people two centuries ago.

• Priscilla Barnet: I'd rather not count on London burning again.

• Roger Evans: Well said. You know, whenever an epidemic breaks out, it's a good time to collect all sorts of strange rumors because people start looking for someone to blame.

• Roger Evans: One moment it's "cats are the devil's messengers," then it's "witches are behind this," and next it'll be "vampires are causing trouble."

• My heart tightens, and I instinctively look towards Priscilla.
• Priscilla Barnet: I already told you in my letter, Roger, there really are vampires in London!

• Priscilla Barnet: And there's some connection there to the Scarlet Rose Club, which was recently banned.

• Roger Evans: The reason why the club was banned had nothing to do with vampires, Priscilla. At least, that's what the newspapers said.

• Roger Evans: If you're going to insist that this was the work of vampires, you'll need to provide more reliable evidence.

• Roger Evans: I'm a detective, not a writer of gothic novels.

• Priscilla looks like she's about to say, "I've seen them with my own eyes." I quickly cut in.
• You: London does have a lot of rumors about vampires, Roger, and they're not unfounded.

• You: Currently, the Eastern District is plagued by a mysterious epidemic that causes skin ulcers and bloodshot eyes. The infected even bite other people.

• You: It's hard not to associate this with vampires.

• Roger Evans: What a vivid description, Caroline. Have you seen this with your own eyes?

• A dark shadow reaching out to me on a rainy night suddenly appears in my mind.
• Roger Evans: Oh, so you have.

• You: (He really is quite the detective... His powers of observation are razor-sharp.)

• I quickly lower my gaze and take a sip of tea, feeling a bit guilty, afraid that this detective whom I have only met twice will see through my secrets.
• The Baroness' death, Vincent's true identity, Doctor Grey's revolver... A jumble of information floods into my mind uncontrollably.
• You: (I myself am half-human and half-vampire...)

• This fact is so shocking that it weighs heavily on my mind, making it difficult for me to breathe.
• At least for now, I cannot tell anyone these secrets.
• Priscilla Barnet: Can't we get to the point? Roger, I've seen a vampire with my own eyes, and Caroline has too!

• You: (Priscilla!)

• Priscilla Barnet: We used to go to the Scarlet Rose Club together, where we met the Baroness, who was a vampire!

• Priscilla Barnet: We saw her with our own eyes, drinking human blood! Is that the kind of reliable evidence you want?

• Roger looks thoughtfully at the agitated Priscilla, then shifts his gaze towards me.
• Roger Evans: Priscilla said you saw a vampire... Is that true, Caroline?

• You: What she said is true. However, I would like to add a few more points.

• You: We did indeed witness the Baroness consuming human blood, and we saw that ordinary firearms couldn't kill her.

• You: But the Baroness was still killed, and there is no direct evidence to suggest that she was connected to the epidemic.

• You: As you said earlier, Roger, whenever an epidemic breaks out, people are looking for someone to blame.

• You: It's probably better not to jump to conclusions just yet.

• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline, do you know what you're saying?

• Priscilla Barnet: You're like a lawyer in a courtroom, urging us to not unjustly wrong vampires.

• You: That's not what I meant.

• Priscilla purses her lips.
• Priscilla Barnet: The Baroness is a vampire, no doubt about it. Even though she's dead, she must still have allies.

• Priscilla Barnet: If nothing else, the "High God" that the club worships is very suspicious. I suspect—

• Priscilla Barnet: I suspect this "High God" is the leader of the vampires in London!

• You: The leader...

• Priscilla Barnet: I've read that vampires have a strong respect for territory, and every city's vampires obey a supreme leader known as the Elder.

• My heart tightens into a knot. The Baroness's smug whispers seem to echo in my ears.
• Priscilla Barnet: I think the Baroness was just one of the Elder's followers. Even though she's failed, there are still other vampires who can act.

• Priscilla Barnet: So, our goal is to uncover the true identity of the Baroness, and expose the vampire clan she belongs to.

• Priscilla Barnet: As long as we uncover the Elder's true identity and eliminate the vampires in London, the epidemic will naturally be resolved.

• Priscilla Barnet: Any objections?

• I'm quite surprised that she could put all this together without knowing the complete truth about what happened in the cemetery.
• Roger raises his hand languidly.
• Roger Evans: Just a minute, Priscilla. I see it a little differently.

• Roger Evans: How can you be sure that this epidemic is caused by vampires?

• Roger Evans: Caroline just said that there is no evidence to suggest a direct connection between the Baroness and the epidemic.

• Roger Evans: Apart from vampires, are there no other clues related to the epidemic that we could follow?

• Priscilla Barnet: No, the Baroness is the only clue we have.

• Priscilla Barnet: If the epidemic really has nothing to do with vampires and it's just a simple infectious disease, then as ordinary people, we can't do anything about it.

• Priscilla Barnet: But if it's part of a greater conspiracy, we have a chance to stop it! What do you think, Caroline?

• Priscilla suddenly turns her head towards me, but I don't respond immediately. I sip on my tea and fall into deep contemplation.
• You: (The Baroness and Vincent both hinted that the epidemic has nothing to do with the Blood Clan. Even if the Baroness lied, Vincent wouldn't deceive me.)

• You: (If we investigate the Baroness as Priscilla is suggesting, what if we accidentally expose Vincent's identity as a vampire and Doctor Grey's identity as a vampire hunter?)

• You: (However, investigating the Baroness could also lead me to learn more about my mother.)

• You: (The Elder's true identity, my mother's past, my future... Everything is connected to the vampire clan.)

• Should I investigate the Baroness and try to discover the truth about my mother, and risk exposing Vincent and Doctor Grey's true identities?

Agree with Priscilla to investigate the Baroness

• You: I agree with Priscilla.

• You: We are not the only ones investigating the source of the epidemic. Now that it's threatening the Western District, Scotland Yard will no longer stand idly by.

• You: If it's just an ordinary infectious disease, the government and the medical community will handle it. If there are humans causing trouble, the police will uncover the culprits.

• You: However, Scotland Yard definitely won't focus on investigating the Blood Clan. What happened after the ritual in the cemetery is irrefutable evidence of that.

• You: Therefore, it is indeed the most appropriate thing for us to investigate is exactly what Scotland Yard isn't investigating—the Baroness.

• Priscilla Barnet: It's really strange when you think about it. That night at the cemetery, the police were there, and they saw that vampires exist...

• Priscilla Barnet: Why didn't the investigation results that were released in the news mention a single word about it?

• Priscilla Barnet: Are the police just going to ignore these dangerous creatures of darkness that are causing so much harm in London?

• You: I think it's to...

• Roger Evans: To maintain "law and order."

• I recall Doctor Grey saying those exact words to me. Surprised, I turn to look at Roger.
• Roger Evans: The Baroness you're talking about is definitely not the first vampire to wreak havoc in London, and she won't be the last either.

• Roger Evans: Vampires rely on fresh human blood to survive, which means they are destined to coexist with humans forever.

• Roger Evans: Humans are not stupid. How could they possibly be unaware of the strange creatures lurking around them? It's just a matter of each party taking what they need.

• Roger Evans: For the people in power, it's simply not worth expending energy to exterminate the vampires.

• Roger Evans: If vampires want blood, just turn them loose on those poor wretches from the slums and let them drink their fill. As long as they don't drink the blood of the nobility, why should the nobility care?

• Roger smiles faintly, but his words are even more cruelly clear than what Doctor Grey said to me before.
• You: (But Jesse is dead... Edward said his body showed signs of being attacked by a vampire.)

• You: (And the Baroness actively recruited young nobles to join the Scarlet Rose Club. Why?)

• As I look up, I see Roger staring at me with those enigmatic eyes again. All I can do is force a smile.
• Luckily, Priscilla slams her fists on the table, and the tension breaks between Roger and me breaks as we turn to look at her again.
• Priscilla Barnet: Isn't our objective very clear? Starting with Madam A's social circle, we need to investigate her background and personal relationships.

• Priscilla Barnet: From there, we track down and eliminate all the vampires in London!

• At this point, Roger and I both nod in agreement.

• For the next hour, we discuss how to start the investigation and how to distribute the work...
• ...and we agree to meet again tomorrow morning.
• Seeing that it's approaching the time Aunt Petit is due home, I hurriedly say goodbye, planning to rush back and pretend that nothing happened.
• As soon as I close the door, I hear Priscilla muttering softly.
• Priscilla Barnet: Why do you always stare at Caroline so? She hasn't done anything to you.

• My heart suddenly beats wildly. After a few seconds, I hear Roger answer lightly.
• Roger Evans: Well, she is a remarkable lady, Priscilla... and much more analytical than you.

Agree with Roger to pursue other clues

• You: I think Roger has a point.

• You: If we focus solely on investigating the Baroness, we might end up going down the wrong path.

• You: It may be better to investigate the epidemic directly.

• Priscilla Barnet: As I said just now, there are no other clues! What's more, the epidemic has spread to the Western District, and the Eastern District has almost fallen. How can we investigate anything?

• You: No, Priscilla, we missed a known clue.

• I pick my teacup, make a praying gesture towards Priscilla, and then drink the remaining tea in the cup.
• After a moment of confusion, she reacts.
• Priscilla Barnet: You mean... the prayer water!

• You: Yes, the prayer water that Scotland Yard discovered in the club. At the time, Scotland Yard believed it could be the source of the epidemic.

• You: Even setting aside whether the prayer water has anything to do with the epidemic, we've already experienced its aftereffects.

• Priscilla nods. She had been taking the "prayer water" for a longer time than me, and she seemed to be even more frightened.
• You: The Baroness claimed that those who drank the prayer water would not fall ill, and in fact, during that period, no one in the club was infected.

• You: Thus, the Baroness' words became even more convincing.

• You: So, does the prayer water really have the power to prevent or treat epidemics? And what about its aftereffects?

• You: I think this is worth investigating.

• Priscilla Barnet: Hmm, but... how could ordinary people without medical knowledge like us learn more about the prayer water?

• You: I remember Scotland Yard handed over some of the prayer water to medical professionals for further research.

• You: As long as we can get a friend in the medical field to help, we'll be able to learn something.

• Priscilla Barnet: I don't have that kind of friend.

• As she speaks, she glances at Roger, who stands calmly by her side.
• Priscilla Barnet: This is the only kind of friend I have.

• Roger shrugs at me, and I can't help but laugh.
• You: Don't worry, I happen to have a friend in the medical field. I'll pay him a visit tomorrow. I believe he'll be able to help.

• Priscilla has yet to answer when Roger begins applauding.
• Roger Evans: Brava! Brava! It seems like you've got this handled.

• Roger Evans: You're both intelligent and well-connected ladies. I suppose I'll just do my best to be your bodyguard.

• You: Then you'll escort us to my doctor friend's clinic early tomorrow morning?

• Roger Evans: I'm at your service, Miss Rayes.

• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline, what's the name of your doctor friend?

• You: Ah, that's right, Priscilla, you probably haven't met him... He's Doctor Edward Grey.

• You: He and Jesse—he and the Lindvall family are very close. He often attended their balls, which is how I got to know him.

• I am suddenly filled with sadness when I remember Jesse.
• Priscilla Barnet: Oh, that Doctor Grey. I haven't actually met him, but I've heard his name.

• Priscilla Barnet: The Lindvall family... just recently...

• Priscilla Barnet: ...

• As if sensing my dejection, she pats my shoulder awkwardly.
• I smile slightly back at her.
• You: (I hope she won't look at me like I'm a widow or something...)

• I awkwardly turned my face away, avoiding Priscilla's sympathetic look...
• ...only to meet Roger's gaze instead.
• The corners of his lips are turned up slightly, and his brow is relaxed, as if he's regarding me with perfect friendliness.
• But if I'm not mistaken, there isn't a trace of a smile in his eyes, and his gaze is enigmatic.