NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90: No Such Person Found
Wearing a mask and a hooded cloak, Odis emerged from the basement of Unit 199 Hailin Avenue...
He first saw Xio Derecha sitting in the living room, and behind her, a young lady wearing a pale yellow dress. This young lady had long brown hair, very pretty features, but her expression carried a hint of laziness.
She was undoubtedly Miss Magician.
Seeing that 'Leader' really came out from the basement, which had no other doors, Fors suddenly recalled a plot from a novel she had read before.
The novel mentioned a very tightly sealed room that was frequently haunted. Later, after an investigation by a priest, it was discovered that the room was actually an entrance to hell.
Thinking of this, Fors smiled slightly and thought to herself: 'Mr. Leader from hell...'
Seeing him come out through the door, Xio immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Mr. Leader, to express my gratitude, I have reserved a table at the Backlund Grand Hotel and invite you to dine there."
The Backlund Grand Hotel was one of the first-class hotels in this international metropolis. Merely reserving the table had cost Xio 3 pounds, and the reserved spot was in the main hall, not even a good position like the sofa area.
Having a meal at such a hotel would cost at least 10 pounds per person!
"No need for all that," Odis said with a chuckle, "What I said yesterday was just an excuse for Danesi and the others."
Before Xio could say anything more, Odis raised his hand and continued, "If you really want to thank me, how about this... I will have a commission for you in the future. Once this matter is completed, you simply don't charge a fee. I haven't thought of the specific matter yet. Let's wait and see for now."
Xio nodded. This form of gratitude was indeed more valuable than treating him to a meal, "Alright, if you need me for anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Good." Odis shifted to another topic, "You are currently a Sequence 9, right?"
Xio answered very honestly, "Yes, I am an 'Arbiter'."
Odis commented, "For certain reasons, it is very difficult to find the potion formulas for advancement and the main materials required for promotion on this Pathway."
"That's true."
Odis asked, already knowing the answer, "Do you need me to help you find the Sequence 8 potion formula?"
"I've already found the formula, and I also have leads on the main ingredients."
Odis nodded, "If you need help, you can come to me. Consider it my investment in you."
Then he looked at the two ladies before him, "Well then, ladies, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
"I'm very sorry for making you come all this way." Said Xio.
Odis waved his hand, indicating it was no problem.
Xio and Fors watched as 'Leader' entered the basement. After also saying goodbye to the attendant, they took a carriage and left Unit 199 Hailin Avenue...
...
In the carriage, Fors said, "Based on my observation, 'Leader' is not a pervert. His help for you might genuinely be just an investment, without any other intentions. Still, don't be too disappointed. Maybe in a couple of years, you might grow a bit taller, and your chest might get a bit bigger too."
Xio gave her good friend a somewhat helpless look, "Thanks for the encouragement." Then she said, "It's just that I rarely encounter Beyonders who offer help to others. I find it a bit surprising."
"This is Backlund!" Fors said with a smile, "With so many people gathered here, there are bound to be kind people among them."
Then she changed the subject, "There's one thing I must remind you... even if you don't go to the Backlund Grand Hotel for a meal, the 3 pound reservation fee won't be refunded. To avoid wasting those 3 pounds, shouldn't we stick to the original plan and go to the Backlund Grand Hotel for lunch together?"
Xio sighed somewhat helplessly, "Alright, let's splurge just this once to celebrate and thank you for helping me find the main ingredients for advancement, and also to celebrate you obtaining the advancement formula."
...
~Unit 51 Henry Street, West Borough, Backlund~
Odis and Kain's lunch today included both fish and meat, looking quite sumptuous...
Just after finishing lunch, as Odis was about to take a short nap, Max Livermore, the captain of the Machinery Hivemind, suddenly paid a visit.
Odis invited him to the lounge in the backyard, "Is there an urgent mission?"
Usually, when Max visited during work hours, it was mostly for official business. He got straight to the point about the purpose of his visit today, "Yesterday, after receiving the intelligence you provided, we immediately dispatched two team members to investigate Unit 166 Anas Street..."
As Odis brewed tea for Max, he listened to the other's account.
Yesterday afternoon, a man around thirty years old came to the herbal shop to buy Sunflowers. Odis sensed something was off about him and observed him with Spirit Vision, discovering that the man's spirit body was entangled with some black mist.
Suspecting the man was affected by some dark magic or ritual, Odis struck up a conversation with him and learned that the man was named Bernie, and that he lived at Unit 166 Anas Street.
Subsequently, Odis drew a portrait of Bernie and sent this intelligence to the Machinery Hivemind.
However, when the Machinery Hivemind sent people to investigate Anas Street, they found no man named Bernie living in that residential building, nor any traces of dark magic or rituals being used there.
The Machinery Hivemind then checked the police station records. Although there was someone named Bernie in the surrounding area, it was a man in his seventies, whose appearance was completely different from the portrait.
This immediately alerted the Machinery Hivemind...
Max said, "We infer that someone is indeed conducting a dark ritual, but not at Unit 166 Anas Street! Bernie was likely coerced or tricked into coming to your shop to buy Sunflowers. Although these guesses cannot be proven, based on past experience, this is absolutely not a simple dark ritual case!"
Max took a sip of tea and continued, "We've been investigating until now, but found no leads. so I'd like you to think about whether you can offer any other clues..."
Odis took his pipe, filled it with tobacco, and pondered.
He slowly lit the pipe, took a few puffs, and suddenly asked, "How exactly did you determine that there were no traces of a dark ritual at Unit 166 Anas Street?"
Max replied, "Using a Sealed Artifact, along with observation through Spirit Vision."
Odis asked again, "In other words, you can only confirm that no one was conducting a dark ritual at the time of your investigation?"
"If such a ritual had been conducted, some traces would definitely remain, then we..." Max answered, but at this point, he suddenly thought of a key point.
Odis voiced that key point for him, "The Gold-rimmed Sunflowers that Bernie purchased are sufficient to erase traces of evil rituals!"
Max shot to his feet, "I'll take my men to search house by house right now. I hope the criminal hasn't fled yet."
"He definitely won't flee," Odis said with a smile, "Because fleeing at this time would surely be noticed by you."
Max walked quickly to the door, cane in hand, but suddenly turned back to ask, "You've advanced to Sequence 8, right? Do you want to participate in this operation as well?"
He mainly hoped that if further clues emerged, he could consult Odis immediately, as this herbal shop owner possessed a vast amount of intelligence on Backlund's Extraordinary world.
Clues that seemed like a dead end to the Machinery Hivemind might be analyzable by Odis based on his rich information network.
And if Max had to run back to the herbal shop to consult later, it might give the criminal time to escape.
Odis smiled and said, "Sorry, the herbal shop is very busy today."
"If the intelligence you provided helps us solve a Beyonder case, I can apply for a 60 pound bonus for you," Max said, "And if you also participate in the investigation of the case, I can at least apply for 160 pounds for you!"
He smiled and added, "You just need to sit in the carriage and answer some of my questions."
Odis immediately stood up, righteously declaring, "As a good citizen of Backlund, helping you with your cases is my duty. Let's go quickly. I can't wait to engage in a life-and-death struggle against the forces of evil!"
Although it was urgent, Odis still went to the basement to bring a weapon. The weapon he used this time was that metal crossbow.
Firstly, because the Machinery Hivemind knew he was Mr. Gale, so there was no need to hide it.
Secondly, if he saw the criminal trying to escape, Odis certainly couldn't just stand by. Firing a cold arrow from the carriage was the best means of attack...
...
The two took the Machinery Hivemind carriage to Unit 166 Anas Street. It was a six-story residential building. Although it looked somewhat dilapidated on the outside, it was considered a prosperous area due to the developed commerce nearby...
From the carriage window, clothes drying on the balconies and some kitchen utensils could be seen.
Under Max's coordination, over a dozen policemen soon arrived. Using the search for a criminal as a pretext, they began searching the building from the bottom to the top, house by house.
Max, who was now in a police uniform with an oversized revolver at his waist, followed the policemen at a leisurely pace.
Some residents were cooperative, some were very reluctant, but after seeing the search warrant, they had no choice but to let these rude policemen in.
While searching the third floor, two policemen knocked on the door of one residence for a long time with no response. Just as they were about to have the building manager use the spare key to open the door, the door was smashed open with great force, sending wood splinters flying and knocking the two policemen down.
Charging out from inside was a man whose body had swollen, making him a full size larger and bulkier than a normal person, with black hair growing all over his face and hands!
Just as the man was about to kick away the policeman at his feet, Max, who had already sensed something, fired his gun...
*Bang!*
The shot hit the enemy's head squarely, even tearing open the skull to reveal the folded brain inside.
But the man did not die. Instead, he smashed through the window and jumped down to the ground below...
~~~
{T/N: I'm looking for outstanding, completed fics to read... Any recommendations?}