Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 21: Under the Night

If the carvings on this chair had been some unknown symbol Levi did not recognize, then he could have accepted it.

After all, based on Levi’s experience, that was exactly how it went in movies, novels, and games—resurrecting some hidden, long-forgotten evil god that had disappeared from the world, wasn’t that the usual plot?

But the carvings on this chair turned out to be the All-Seeing Eye as well?

There was no way Levi could mistake that thing, since it was carved on every church door across the city. One more didn’t make a difference.

After this, Levi found nothing else, so he had no choice but to leave the Pink Lady with Katie.

Of course, before leaving, Levi once again approached the brawny doorman and asked about the origins of the Pink Lady.

The doorman told him that the building had been abandoned for a long time until Madam Clattie came and converted it into the Pink Lady.

This confirmed Levi’s suspicions.

It was clear that Madam Clattie had not chosen to open the Pink Lady here by coincidence.

Just looking at that mysterious underground chapel proved that she had discovered that hidden underground space first, and only then chosen this location.

Unfortunately, Levi had no idea what that small chapel represented, nor why Madam Clattie chose this place.

For now, he could only guess that the chapel was closely related to her conspiracy.

Otherwise, Madam Clattie would never have gone through the trouble of building the Pink Lady on top of it.

Therefore, it could be seen that her choice of location was very likely because of that underground chapel.

As for the reason—at the moment, it was still unclear.

In the end, Levi decided………to go back and read books.

After parting with Katie, Levi returned to the clock tower and once again opened his history book.

This time, he focused on the records of the Age of Gold.

Because Levi still remembered the phantom he had seen earlier.

He didn’t know what it was, but considering everything was connected to religion, then investigating myths and legends first was obviously the fastest way.

While rereading and carefully examining the records of the Age of Gold, Levi discovered some interesting things.

According to the text, during the Age of Gold, there were countless gods, each ruling over different powers—such as sky, earth, day, night, storm, waves, and so on.

And none of these gods acknowledged the others.

Each wanted to prove that they were the strongest and the true ruler of the world.

Thus, the gods waged a divine war.

Among them was one god.

He had no great power, nor outstanding wisdom, but he possessed a merciful heart.

When he saw innocent living beings destroyed after being dragged into the divine war, he was filled with sorrow.

So he made a choice.

He would protect this world and safeguard all the countless beings within it!

Thus, he resolutely joined the divine war.

Although he was neither strong nor intelligent, he had courage!

He first challenged the God of Fire, and while the opponent was arrogant, he exploited his weakness and destroyed him.

Then he challenged the God of Water………

In short, after a long process of reckless battles, unstoppable charges, and cunning schemes, he finally defeated the other gods and won the divine war.

Afterward, he made a wish, hoping that all living beings ravaged by the war would be resurrected, and that the land ruined by the greed of the gods would be reborn!

Immediately, the god’s flesh and blood transformed into rivers and fertile soil.

His bones became mountain ranges.

His eyes turned into the sun and the moon………

In the end, in this world made of the god’s blood and flesh, life was revived once again.

The age of gods ended, and the age of heroes began.

This was also why the Holy Lord Church ultimately chose to recognize Emperor Arthur.

Because he had unified the chaotic continent, and his feat mirrored the god who sacrificed himself to save the world—the All-Seeing God.

So they declared Emperor Arthur to be the envoy of God, the Hero King who would guide mankind into the future!

At first, Levi really did treat this as nothing but a fairy tale.

The reason was simple.

If all this had truly happened, then how could mortals know about it, let alone record it?

The book clearly stated that at the end of the divine war, the entire world was on the verge of destruction.

All life had perished.

So who could have written it all down?

Only the All-Seeing God himself.

But hadn’t he dissolved his body completely, transforming into the world?

So, either someone had communed with the God of Creation and learned everything from his memory, then recorded it.

Or someone had taken too many drugs and wrote down their hallucinations as if they were real.

Or the God of Creation hadn’t actually died, and wrote it himself just to brag: “See, I’m this powerful, this mighty.”

It was like an urban legend—neither provable nor disprovable.

Like those stories: “I have a friend who provoked an evil spirit and was killed.”

They always described them in vivid detail, even including how the friend was tempted by a female ghost at home alone.

But how would you know?

Were you that friend? Or were you the evil spirit?

Still, after the bizarre incident he had just experienced, Levi decided not to dwell on how these myths were recorded.

Instead, he would treat them as real, and try to find clues from them.

And indeed, he found one.

That was the duel between the god who served as the “protagonist” of the Age of Gold and a goddess.

“That goddess had hair dark as night.

Her cloak covered the heavens and brought endless night.

Her eyes radiated bright moonlight, illuminating the world under the dark veil.

Between the strands of her hair twinkled specks of light, like stars.

She was———the Goddess of Night!”

Reading this passage in the book, Levi frowned, closed his eyes, and carefully recalled that vision.

To be honest, because it had happened so suddenly, Levi hadn’t seen clearly.

The only thing that had left a deep impression on him was that the figure seemed to be wrapped entirely in a black cloak, with eyes glowing brightly, gazing down at him like an emperor.

As for whether there had been starlight glimmering in her hair………Levi had no impression at all.

Of course, that might just have been artistic embellishment.

After all, the book said her eyes were as pure as the full moon, but to Levi, they had only looked like two glowing LED bulbs.

Surely the goddess didn’t have dandruff, with the so-called stars in her hair actually being………

Hmm, not polite, better not think that.

Unfortunately, the book did not explain in detail how the God of Creation defeated the Goddess of Night.

It only stated: “After a fierce battle, the great God of Creation defeated the Goddess of Night and seized her authority.”

Well, that left plenty of room for imagination.

If it had been in Levi’s entertainment-obsessed era, just that one sentence could have spawned an entire “defeat flashback” episode.

With Levi’s “rich experience,” he could easily come up with countless theories—like the Goddess of Night stealing the Creator’s authority to resurrect the defeated gods.

But the problem was, none of that mattered.

Any speculation required evidence, and currently Levi had no solid evidence to support his theories.

Perhaps he could start with property records and investigate how Madam Clattie had purchased the place.

But real estate transactions in the Lower City were notoriously chaotic.

For all he knew, that location might not even be registered in the official difference engine………

By midnight, Levi still had no good ideas.

He could only set the investigation aside for now and go to bed.

Tomorrow would be another day!

“DONG———DONG———DONG———！”

The harsh toll of a bell rang out.

What the hell, couldn’t they let people sleep?

Levi opened his eyes groggily, ready to complain, but then suddenly realized something was wrong.

The bell of the clock tower had been broken long ago.

Where was this bell sound coming from?

At that thought, Levi’s body trembled, and he hurriedly opened his eyes wide.

When he saw the scene before him, he was dumbfounded.

He was standing on a dim, foggy street.

In the distance, he could only see the endless night, a crimson moon, and the clock tower illuminated under its glow.

This was so similar to when he had just crossed over that Levi even wondered if he had time-traveled again.

“What on earth is……………”

Levi blinked, looked down at his clothes, and was utterly confused.

What was going on?

He looked around.

The entire street was empty except for himself.

But what unnerved Levi was the windows—though he couldn’t see clearly, he could make out silhouettes of people standing behind them, watching him.

This was deeply unsettling, and Levi had no idea what it meant.

“KYAAAA—————！”

Suddenly, a sharp scream tore through the night sky.

Hearing it, Levi’s expression hardened, and he immediately ran toward the sound.

Even though he had no idea what was happening, hearing someone scream in terror, he could not just stand by.

As Levi crossed the street and reached the nearby corner, he saw a young girl running out, panting, her face full of fear.

And behind her floated a strange monster-like man!

Yes, a monster!

The figure was wrapped entirely in a black cloak, wearing a black top hat and a pale mask.

Blood had been painted on the mask, forming a clown-like smile.

At the same time, he raised both hands, clutching sharp daggers, and glided through the air like a bat, swooping down at the girl.

He also let out an eerie, high-pitched laugh.

“Hahaha! Scream! Run! No one will come to save you!

I will cut you open and turn you into a pitiful corpse!”

“…………………”

What the hell was this?

Staring at the bat-like floating monster, Levi was stunned, not knowing how to react.

Were criminals in this world all this flamboyant?

Was this guy mentally stable?

Either way, he could not just stand by and watch the girl be killed by this deranged freak.

Levi immediately raised his pistol and aimed at the enemy.

At that moment, time slowed down!

Eye of the Reaper!

“BANG BANG BANG BANG!!”

Levi fired four shots.

Two bullets hit the daggers in the monster’s hands, while the other two struck his head and chest.

In an instant, the daggers shattered.

The mask and body were also struck, but to Levi’s surprise, there was no blood or flesh.

Instead, both mask and body seemed to be made of a puppet, shattered into fragments by his bullets!

“CRACK—————！”

The next moment, the monster burst apart like a broken mirror, disintegrating into fragments that vanished into the air.

“………………………”

This was way too supernatural!

What the hell was that?

Levi stared at the spot where the monster had disappeared, completely bewildered.

The previous monsters at least followed physical logic somewhat.

But this one wasn’t even trying anymore!

At that moment, Levi felt a weight in his arms.

Looking down, he saw the young girl had thrown herself against him, trembling and sobbing.

“Miss, it’s all right. That thing has already been destroyed by me.”

Levi spoke softly to reassure her.

Hearing his voice, the girl gradually calmed down.

Then she lifted her head, looking up at Levi with grateful eyes.

“Really? Mr. Levi? That monster has truly been destroyed?”

“Of course. I can assure you, you are safe now.”

Levi smiled slightly as he answered.

“Thank you, Mr. Levi.”

Hearing his reply, the girl seemed to relax.

She leaned against Levi’s chest again and closed her eyes.

“I knew it. You would definitely come to save me……….”

“………………………？”

Wait, miss, who are you?

Levi was completely baffled.

The girl was cute, yes, but he had no idea who she was!

And what was with that “I knew you would save me”?

“Miss……………”

Just as Levi was about to ask who she was, his expression changed.

Because he realized—the girl who had just been in his arms had vanished!

Almost simultaneously, a blinding light pierced the darkness, dyeing everything in his vision pure white……………

“Mm……………”

Levi opened his eyes.

Morning sunlight streamed through the giant stained glass window, shining on him.

He sat up, stretched, and yawned.

Then he recalled everything that had just happened, his expression growing complicated.

So, had that all been a dream?

What kind of dream was that?!