《The Lady Detective of Two Paths》 Chapter 1: Lady Nityas Detective Office Year 1456 of the Fifth Era, 15th of September. The Divine Construct, North Continent. Lanstier Empire, Silver Wheel Province, Schwerdt Town. The scorching summer sun had departed from the Lanstier Empires sky, leaving behind the cool days of autumn, the prevailing theme across the North Continent. Travelers on the road discreetly donned thicker clothes, each one bundled up like a winter hamster C because this coolness was unusual, clearly still early autumn, yet the air temperature was already chillingly like winter. This years weather had been exceptionally strange. Even with every farmer diligently working, and affordable alchemical fertilizers generously nourishing the land and harvest, the crops growth was lackluster. It was safe to say that the harvest this year wouldnt be good. For a small frontier town like this, this year could almost be considered a disaster. Even though the harvest season hadnt arrived yet, and the final death sentence had not been pronounced, a suffocating atmosphere of oppression had already enveloped the town. The people on the streets wore expressions of gloom, causing the sunlight and the towns relatively new buildings, constructed only a decade ago, to also become somber. A passerby with hurried footsteps glanced up at the sky for a moment, his breath forming a puff of white mist in the air. He saw the gentle sunlight falling from the horizon, casting a touch of warmth on him. But this warmth didn''t manage to dispel the current eerie low temperature, and he immediately recoiled with a shiver, burying his head and quickening his pace towards another building in the street. It was a building of about two stories, its lack of ornamentation and the plain brick walls being its most defining feature. The gaps between the bricks exposed different shades under the sunlight, making the entire building appear in only two shades of white and black. These unique characteristics suggested that it was similar to other new buildings in the town C constructed after the Arorne Black Sun event, a time when the Lanstier Empire widely promoted new architecture. He stood at the entrance, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He saw the house number: Hedel Street, 15. There was also a small plaque on the door. He leaned in slightly, straining to discern the writing on it. Lady Nitya''s Detective Office. He read it out, letter by letter. When his eyes landed on the character Nitya, he carefully examined them for a long time, finally confirming their accuracy with a sigh of relief before looking further below. "Also conveniently undertakes fortune telling, escorting, tracking and other commissions. If you''ve lost a cat or a dog, you can come to me. Can go through the Adventurer''s Guild. Personally adhere to strict confidentiality. Prices are reasonable, no cheating young or old." He stared at the words for a long time, confirming that they had nothing to do with him, then knocked once and patiently waited. After a few minutes, the door shuddered slightly, then slowly creaked open. Behind the door, a hallway lined with dozens of framed photographs, large and small, interspersed with pearl-studded lamps, came into view. The ornate decorations and expensive ornaments made him think of a nobles residence, not a detectives office in a small frontier town. He stopped in surprise, momentarily speechless, and looked around. He couldn''t see anyone who had opened the door, which added to his apprehension about this detectives office. A two-story building right on the street, perhaps even with a basement, was undoubtedly expensive and, in fact, could be a lifelong goal for ordinary people. However, such a residence could only attract ordinary people. More prosperous merchants would choose a luxurious residence on Vimos Street in the north of town. Those grand, opulent rooms, constructed with arched structures, high ceilings, and elaborate eaves, exuded an aristocratic aura, making them the first choice for the wealthy. As for noble residences... Schwerdt Town was a frontier town. No noble would deign to come here and experience the frigid winds of the Loki Mountains. Theoretically, the Lady Nitya who lived here and worked as a detective wouldnt be wealthy, at least not as rich as those factory-owning masters. However, this hallway shattered the judgments he had made based on common sense and experience. Even if the paintings on both sides of the hallway were all imitations, those dazzling pearls were still worth a considerable amount. Just one of them could buy a house on Vimos Street. And the door opening on its own meant the owner was either a magician themselves, or had hired a magician to inscribe a magic spell on the door. Considering the noble status and reluctance of most magicians to serve ordinary people, regardless of which it was, this person shouldnt be here. A magician on the run from the law a secret underground organization member a heretic who mocks the fourteen archangels a demon in disguise He flashed through a string of possibilities in a moment, his mind spiraling further and further into frightening hypotheticals. He hesitated for a long time, but ultimately bit his lip and stepped inside. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Regardless of what strange and bizarre identities Lady Nitya held, or how different her tastes were from ordinary people, it had nothing to do with him. He was only here to commission a task, and from this perspective, the greater her ability, the better for him! Even if the commissions price was his life and soul, it wouldnt matter! With a "nothing left to lose" attitude, he passed through the hallway, which for some reason, felt like the docks where he used to work. A faint sound of waves seemed to echo from the oil paintings lining the walls, swirling around his ears. The familiar sound brought him back to his old dock, the smell of grime and oil lingering faintly in his nostrils. To the upper class, the docks were romantic. Sailors, all in unison, sang songs of praise, riding the waves on the ocean''s sonata, braving treacherous waters with courage and faith. They charted unknown routes, pursued the truth of life, spread civilization, and brought back wealth They were the symbol of spirit and courage of those who lived on the Divine Construct, heroes who seemed to have stepped out of a painting. But all he could remember now were those noisy seagulls, their incessant cacophony grating on his nerves, each one resembling him, a dirty, grime-covered, sweat-soaked laborer, working on the filthy docks, selling his strength for a meager wage, facing the ominous red waters of the treacherous strait that swallowed dozens of unlucky souls every year A cold sensation spread across his face, jolting him back to the present. He realized that he hadnt actually taken a step forward, hadnt returned to his workplace. He had simply stood there, frozen in place, after entering the doorway. That cold sensation, however, came from behind him again, urging him to lift his feet and walk forward. He took only a few dozen steps to traverse the hallway, and then turned into the reception hall. The person he was looking for was quietly waiting for him here. She sat in an armchair that was slightly too large for her frame, a white fur rug draped across her legs. In her hand, she held a thick, heavy book, seemingly engrossed in reading. Her head was lowered, but he could still see half of her face. A young woman, perhaps seventeen or eighteen years old, with a kind of beauty that made everyone who saw her involuntarily slow their breath. Her delicate and refined features evoked images of winter snow, as if the Primal God of Creation had intentionally gifted the world with a treasure. Her skin had no trace of blood, a pale almost translucent white, almost revealing her veins and arteries. She wore a pure white nightgown, tightly enveloping her body and limbs. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded over her shoulders, reflecting the warm glow of the fireplace, momentarily blending into the rich brown hues of the surrounding warmth. The thick book in her lap was open, the firelight illuminating the writing, compelling her to remain still, focused on reading The visitor instinctively held his breath. But the young woman had already heard his approach. The book closed with a thud, snapping the visitor out of his daze. The soft feeling under his feet startled him. He looked down and realized it was a rug covering the entire reception area. This prompted him to open his mouth and ask But before he could open his mouth, the young womans clear voice cut him off. It was a beautiful voice, a match for her appearance, and unlike her frail, sickly exterior, her voice possessed the vitality of a girl her age. It''s a pleasure to meet you. I am Nitya. You can just call me that. Her gaze scanned the visitor from head to toe, then she raised a corner of her lips, Also, no need to take off your shoes. A A. The visitor, slightly tense and uncomfortable, sat across from her under her instruction, where a chair identical to the one she was sitting on awaited him. He sat down, his heart pounding, unnaturally twisting and turning his body, feeling the warmth of the precious fireplace, a welcome comfort in this strange weather. So, what brings you here? The young woman asked this, looking back at him, her pale blue eyes dancing with the flames reflecting from the fireplace. The visitor nervously rubbed his hands together, then said, I came from Nymph Fu. Mr. James Vinylon recommended you to me. He said you are a trustworthy detective, able to solve any problem I may face It seems youve travelled a long way to reach this small town. I appreciate your trust and that of the gentleman, but able to solve any problem is a bit of an exaggeration. Nitya smiled, then recalled James Vinylon in her mind, successfully locating a man with a series of misfortunes: his wife had gone beyond the limit, his children were not his own, his business partner had fled, his bodyguard betrayed him, his identity was stolen This gentleman had given her a lot of work and generously donated a hefty sum of money for her services, the equivalent of seven commissions. Nityas smile deepened, then she said Wait and stood up, walking into the kitchen to brew two cups of red tea, placing them on a small table between the two of them. A moment later, she sat back down, lifted her teacup and took a sip, then asked, So, what is your commission? I want to find my son! The gentlemans emotions surged at the mention of his commission, his body even trembled a few times before he fumbled a crumpled drawing from his chest and handed it to Nitya. She took it, a simple sketch. She glanced at the boy, compared him to the commissioner in front of her, noted the distinct resemblance, sighed with relief, and then asked: Name, clothing, last known location? My name is Sam, no surname. My son was wearing brown clothes that day. His name is Reigns. Sam, the dockworker, hastily answered. An educated old gentleman gave him that name. He said my son had the blessing of the God of Wisdom, that he could become a scholar Seeing him go off on a tangent, the young woman gently reminded him, Please focus. When did you last see him? Where was he last seen? Sam painfully recalled. It was about a month and a half ago. Nymph Fu was celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Arorne Black Sun event, and there was a lot of work and good pay. I had a lot to do, so I came home late. When I got back, my wife and son were gone I went crazy, searching the whole city. I finally found my wife, passed out on the side of the road. She didn''t know what happened. Later I searched around Nymph Fu for a few days, and finally heard from someone that Reigns had been seen around Schwerdt Town Nitya listened quietly to his disjointed account, piecing together the gist of the events. A month and a half ago, Sams wife and son were kidnapped by someone. His wife was somehow abandoned halfway, and only his son, Reigns, was taken. He had nowhere to turn, so he placed his hopes on this detective recommended to him Honestly, this case was a real headache, with almost no clues to go on. I understand the basics. Ill find him. Nityas voice was emotionless and monotonous. If the target is deceased, Ill try to find the body. Sam pressed his lips together, nodded, and said nothing. But the young woman''s next words made his heart almost skip a beat. So, lets talk about the fee. Chapter 2: The Unwelcome Visitor The man who had commissioned the search for his son had left. Nitya rubbed her face, which had become slightly stiff from maintaining a smile. She watched as he rose, turned, and pushed the door open to leave. Then, with a sigh, she took a stack of white paper from under the table and pulled out a sheet to write on. This was a habit of hers, one that helped her organize her thoughts. The commissioners identity is a dockworker. This is a job with a lot of financial strain Of course, this is relative to other professions, like lawyers and company employees, which have a lot more financial security. Hes from Nymph Fu, working in this city which is a major transportation hub for the continent. His wages wouldnt be low. Enough to support his family and send his son to school The commission fee is set at five Lanstier silver coins. He has paid one in advance. Theres no deadline set. He just wants me to report back on the progress every week. Hes staying at an inn under the Adventurers Guild, so I can find him easily Hmm, he must have temporarily quit his job in Nymph Fu. After all, it takes a week to walk from Schwerdt Town to Nymph Fu. Even with a carriage, it takes two or three days. If the commission is completed and he returns to Nymph Fu directly, I can either reduce the frequency of reports or charge an additional fee to cover his travel expenses. If he stays here, itll be a loss of wages but also add an extra expense for lodging. In the end, both options have their pros and cons. Hes desperate for news of his son, but deep down, he seems to have given up hope No wonder. After all, its been a month and a half since the incident. He must have searched high and low in Nymph Fu, but obviously got nowhere. Coming to me now, its just a last resort, a Hail Mary, really Hmm Kidnapping Whats the point of kidnapping a dockworkers son? It cant be extortion; the amount of money gained wouldnt be worth the risk A feud with Sam? The Nymph Fu local authorities arent just eating dry bread, they must have investigated all the suspects. Those authorities, though inept, arent just sitting around doing nothing. Such a simple case would have been solved in a day Human trafficking is a possibility. Both the North and South continents prohibit human trafficking and slavery, but there are still nobles who enjoy the feeling of having absolute control over someones life Wait, this Reigns kid isnt particularly handsome, and seems to have some kind of innate deficiency Nityas pen moved across the paper, making simple deductions. But she quickly stopped, because with such meager clues, it was impossible to draw any conclusions. Even if Holmes himself were reborn, he wouldn''t be able to do it. She rose from her chair and looked around the first floor. A large living room with a fireplace, a decent-sized dining room, a kitchen, a guest room, and a bathroom. And on the second floor, three bedrooms, a living room, and a study. Besides those, there was an unused basement. Since she bought the house six months ago, she hadnt used it even once. This was all her possessions in this world. Like many in such stories, she wasnt a native of this world. About two years ago, she was still a seasoned employee in a multinational corporation, having accumulated considerable wealth over the years. She planned to use her savings to travel the world, so she submitted her resignation to the company. Everything went smoothly, and she was in the process of handing over her work. But then, on her flight back home, the plane suddenly lost control, spiraling out of control and taking her and over 100 lives to the heavens. When she woke up again, she found herself in the wilderness of this world. She used the wilderness survival knowledge she gleaned from her previous life to escape the jungle, making her way to Schwerdt Town and registering as an adventurer. After a year of hard work and dedication, she finally gained some local recognition, using her savings and help from friends to buy this house. Then, she began working as a private detective, accepting commissions from the guild based on her mood. She was initially confused and overwhelmed, but after two years of living in this world, she gradually adjusted. With her life settled, she began to appreciate the beauty of this world and planned to fulfill a lifelong dream she had back in her previous lifeto travel the world. This world, called The Divine Construct, was also a planet, but otherwise, it had nothing to do with her previous world. The entire planet only had one continent, slightly larger than the continents in her previous life, growing exponentially in size. The continent was separated into north and south by a treacherous strait, with a small island floating off the east of the South Continent. The rest was all ocean. At first, she thought this was a world of swords and magic. After all, she was an adventurer in the Adventurer''s Guild, and the locals frequently used words like wizard and priest in their conversations. The surrounding architecture, though neat and orderly, wasnt as dirty and backward as the Middle Ages, but it could be explained as a difference in technological development. Until she saw a newspaper in someones hand elsewhere, then later heard about something called a magic train. From a general perspective, her assumptions about this world being one of swords and magic werent too far off. At least, thirty years ago, the Divine Construct wasnt like this. Though as a whole it was still a bit more advanced than the Middle Ages, it was still in a primitive stage. Kingdoms, magic, and knights were still the worlds mainstays. It was still the otherworldly world she imagined C with winds, travelers, poets, swords and magic, dragons and knights. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Until, thirty years ago, the Mittal Empire on the South Continent welcomed an Empress. Orantes Ormshines This empress invented magical machinery, a kind of steam engine, except it was powered by magic. She used this as the basis for creating many practical, even groundbreaking inventions that were ahead of their time. After her ascension, she reformed the rules of the entire empire, using an iron fist to dismantle many powerful interest groups, revoked many aristocratic privileges, and established a central government directly under the emperor to replace the original lords, big and small. In addition, she reformed the military system, established universities, started construction of factories, and implemented a series of measures to raise literacy rates As a result, the heavy winds of epic tales vanished, replaced by the cold steel and the earth-shattering magic machines. Under her rule, the imperial power grew at an incredible rate. Ten years ago, she annexed the neighboring Tophis kingdom, almost unifying the entire South Continent. Also during her reign, industrial magic developed rapidly. The initial magical equipment was quickly upgraded, and many new inventions based on these magical devices appeared in the world. Things like newspapers, magical trains, and even police departments that were approaching the concept of modern policing The entire world was propelled forward, quickly entering a new era. She was currently in the North Continent, part of the Lanstier Empire. Though this nation had also chosen a series of measures to close the gap after witnessing the rapid development of its southern neighbor, it was clearly still in a catch-up phase. Its capital and major cities had gained a degree of modernization, with tracks and trains being built between them. But frontier towns like Schwerdt Town still retained the flavor of the swords and magic era Which allowed her to misjudge the progress of civilization in this world. ... While pondering, Nitya casually picked up the newspaper on the table. As a detective, she subscribed to a lot of newspapers, but as mentioned before, Schwerdt Town was a frontier town, so the arrival of these new inventions was bound to be delayed. Often, by the time the newest issue was published, the old one would be delivered to her hands. But luckily, Schwerdt Town was remote and had limited contact with the outside world. So, the newspaper still served a purpose, albeit in a time-sensitive manner, not completely turning into mere paper or something more entertaining than informative. She picked up this particular issue, the Nymph Fu Weekly. Nityas gaze flitted across the newspaper. She first glanced over the price lists, comparing them to past ones before noticing any abnormal fluctuations. She then moved on to other sections, pausing briefly at the news and gossip sections, reading about the strange and unusual events happening in the bigger cities, looking for any hidden clues. This was all intelligence. A Mittal scholar was stabbed to death. Thats the second vicious attack this month Scholar, thats unlikely to be related to this case. Hmm, I hope this doesnt affect the international relations between Lanstier and Mittal. I dont have much faith in my heads durability The police department is urging people to reduce their outings at night I hope that helps. But there are many professions that require people to go out at night. So, the effectiveness of this appeal isnt great. Continued missing persons cases. The victims are mostly women and children Nityas gaze lingered here, scrutinizing this article, then she stood up and rummaged through the stack of newspapers, finally finding related content in another publication. It was an issue of the Molan Weekly, dated a month ago. Molan was a city near Nymph Fu, the largest in Silver Wheel Province, and had its own newspaper. She flipped through the issue until she found a related article about the missing persons cases. Heretical dealings. The Molan city guard has cracked a major missing persons case. Over a hundred people disappeared from there, mostly women and children. When they were found, most were already dead, victims of a bloody sacrificial ritual by a cult Could the missing person case in Nymph Fu also be the work of a cult? The two locations are relatively close. Could it be the same cult operating in both places? This cults name Gathering of the Lost? I dont recognize it If they are responsible, this could be a bit dangerous. I should just do the basic detective work If there are leads, I can submit a report to the police department. Nitya quickly made her decision. Cults are dangerous. So, cant I avoid them? She tidied up the newspapers spread out across the table, then hurried back upstairs. She gathered the fortune-telling materials she had prepared from her bedroom and study, then drew a circle with a hexagram and square pattern in the middle on the living room floor. This was a divination ritual for seeking answers from the gods. She decided to directly divine the whereabouts of the child named Reigns. In a world with magic and divination, why bother with logic? You can get answers without leaving the house. Why go out and meet people? Magic in this world is something everyone knows about, and so are magicians. Its perfectly reasonable for her, as a transmigrator, to become a superhuman after living here for two years. This world, a long time ago, had a very crude division of superhumans, categorized simply as warriors and mages. They were further divided into lower, middle, and upper tiers, a rough and unsophisticated classification. So, as time went on, these categories were refined, giving rise to professions like knights, astrologers, and clerics. With the arrival of the magic-driven era led by Mittal, these superhuman professions were further refined, and now there are nearly a thousand different ones, from the highest to the lowest. She chose the profession Ritual Magician, a profession focused on divination and rituals, giving her a slight boost in physical attributes. Apart from that, she only gained the right to perform divination rituals Extremely impersonal, because the specifics of divination are up to the individual. The profession itself doesnt come with any instructions. She took out the materials one by one and laid them out, placing a piece of paper depicting the world, a jar of nighttime dew, and a clump of damp clay on the three corners of the square. A ray of sunlight shone in through the window, landing on the final corner. These represented the four Primal Gods who created the world. Then, she used her wet fingertip to inscribe the names of each god onto the hexagram, and then stood solemnly in the center of the ritual circle A knock, knock, knock echoed through the door, interrupting her actions. Another visitor? Nitya paused for a moment, but the divination hadn''t begun yet, so there was no harm in stopping now. She stepped out of the ritual circle, her footsteps light as she walked up the stairs, making no sound at all. A cold sensation swept through her neck, followed by a whisper so subtle that ordinary people couldn''t hear it. Nitya tilted her head, listening intently. Then she walked upstairs and took a vial of crushed herbs from her bedroom, pouring them into the fireplace. A few seconds later, a faint herbal scent filled the room. Nitya sat down in her armchair, assuming a reading posture. Something akin to a sixth sense wrapped around the person outside, informing her of his shape. A grown man, with a newspaper tucked under his arm, wearing a coat. The distinct smell of grime and blood were the most noticeable features of the coat. An unwelcome visitor Nitya muttered, flipping open a book. Chapter 3: Thanks for your newspaper. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Chapter 4: Report to the police first The mans body leaned back against the chair, his hands clasped on the armrest, his eyes half-closed, his posture remarkably serene. If you ignored the dagger embedded in his chest, he looked like a model sitting for a portrait painter, posing in the most appropriate way, conveying his calm, experienced demeanor. Nitya gazed at his corpse, her head throbbing. Her old client, James Vinylon, had returned to Nymph Fu, only to find his family massacred. He himself had vanished, apparently stealing a valuable book. The person who had been robbed seemed to take the matter very seriously, even hiring a superhuman to find him Based on the fact that the man didnt seem to treat money as money at all, the reward he offered had to be much higher than usual. Thirty White Staves was no small sum. According to purchasing power conversion, it was roughly equivalent to $30,000 in her previous life If she didnt truly have no clue about Jamess whereabouts, and if this mans attitude werent so bad, making her feel like shed never actually get paid for completing the commission, she wouldnt have been able to resist the temptation. Her only connection to James was the commission she accepted from him a month ago. How could he have tracked her down? Was she just unlucky? Or was James truly heading towards Schwerdt Town? Nitya frowned in thought, feeling she should be a little more cautious from now on. After all, this corpse was the first one to find her, but it might not be the last. Speaking of, superhumans dont seem to have bodily functions after they die That was a plus. Saved her from having to deal with the unpleasant task of cleaning the seat. Nitya placed the book shed been reading for months, still unfinished, on the table, then stood up and went upstairs. She stood in the middle of the divination ritual circle. Hmm, the dew hadnt evaporated yet, and the sunlight wasnt blocked by clouds. Everything was normal. Nitya nodded in satisfaction, then clasped her hands together in front of her chest and chanted reverently. Creators and guardians of the world, origin and extension of all things, Gods of the winding halls of the Starry Realms I, through my spirit, my heart, swear that my body has never been tainted, my soul never burdened by oaths, remaining pure and immaculate as a lamb. Hear my call She paused, then continued. I want to know, will the life I have taken bring me danger? As her words faded, a quiet darkness engulfed her vision. The things of the real world remained only as hazy shapes. The darkness was boundless, stretching infinitely in every direction. All she could see were four towering spires, each piercing the heavens and rising abruptly from the ground, as if they were the four pillars supporting the world, radiating a magnificent and awe-inspiring glow. Surrounding these four great spires were ten smaller, pointed towers, forming a circle around them. Each of the smaller towers had a different appearance, but they all had a crown-like, silver structure at the top, similar to thorns. The silver thorns intertwined, interwoven, interlocked, forming ten crowns at the peaks of the ten towers. The vision lasted only a moment. As Nityas eyes focused on this scene, one of the ten smaller towers displayed its power, blinding radiance replacing the darkness, pulling her back into reality. Nitya, a little dazed, held her head and repeated the answer she had received. There is a possibility of danger This brought her some peace of mind. Even though she had dealt with the immediate danger, she still felt a little uneasy deep down C she was afraid that someone might come knocking on her door late one night. She was very confident in her combat skills. In her own territory, prepared for battle, she had no fear. But if it came to assassination, a sudden ambush If you dare attack me, Ill show you Im not afraid of death. Because her profession, Ritual Magician, was quite an extreme one. If you think of the world as an incredibly complex video game, becoming a superhuman is like adding points to your various stats. Close-combat professions focus on adding to their strength and agility, while magical professions emphasize things like intelligence and magic power. And as superhumans become stronger, the types of attributes they can grow become increasingly numerous, from things like muscle density to affinity for a particular element, all of which can be increased to their liking This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Because of the diversity of attributes, the types of professions that develop are also quite varied. However, this doesnt mean that magic, skills, and other aspects of this world have specific professional requirements. Because the profession system is created by humanity, a way of designating specific point-distribution templates, its an artificial construct. But magic is a more fundamental, more intuitive application of the world''s rules, a blessing from the gods. Besides the individual casters knowledge, it requires specific attributes. Take the forbidden spell, Infernal Sea, as an example. Its a spell that can only be used by the upper tier profession, Elemental Lord, because this profession has a magic power reserve and an affinity for elements that far surpass other professions. But if a warrior were blessed by the God of Wisdom, using divine power to max out his magic power harmony, and studied magic diligently, receiving certification as an upper tier mage, then he could also cast Infernal Sea. The same applies to spells like Luminescence, Frostbite, and Fireball, which are lower-level spells. So, although professions emphasize certain attributes, people still allocate some effort to raising other attributes, aiming for more comprehensive abilities. A warrior will add a point to Magic Power Harmony because theyll need Luminescence when digging. Mages also know to raise a point in Strength, because theres always that moment when their magic power runs out and they need to swing their staff But Ritual Magician is different. It completely ignores physical attributes, focusing solely on spirit and magical reserve! Nitya had been a Ritual Magician for over a year now, and a friend had commented that she had decent talent and was ready to advance to the next level. Ordinary spellcasters, by now, wouldnt have become superhumans yet, but at least theyd have an athletes level of physical fitness. But she was still as physically weak as an eighteen-year-old girl. Soft, frail, with limbs lacking strength. The original body owner also had some innate physical ailments. She wasnt just pale, looking like she was sick, but her physical strength was also weaker than ordinary people. If a superhuman who could punch through a wall came sneaking up on her, it really would be if you dare attack me, Ill show you Im not afraid to die Therefore, after getting a response from the gods, Nitya finally relaxed. She tidied up the materials scattered on the floor, then wiped away the ritual circle she had used. It wasnt that she had forgotten about helping Sam find his son, but she could only perform one divination of this caliber per day. Lower-level methods of divination were good for finding lost items, but the accuracy for finding people wasnt very high. She didnt want to be perfunctory with the client. Sam was in no hurry, anyway. Tomorrow would do. Lady Nitya, slightly obsessive-compulsive, cleaned up the second floor, sorting and storing the materials. Then she went downstairs and stood in front of the corpse again. She furrowed her brow in thought, then leaned down and searched the corpse. Almost forgot to take my spoils! After all, the hallucinogenic herbs she used were top-shelf. A tiny amount, the size of a fingernail, could put an ordinary person in a trance for a week. She had used the entire vial to be sure At least she had to recoup her losses! But after searching high and low, she only found a few silver coins, some miscellaneous items with unclear uses, a few red-colored banknotes depicting skyscrapers, and some other insignificant items, worth less than coins. The dagger was hers to begin with, so it didnt count as loot. Nitya fell into contemplation. So, the thirty White Staves hed mentioned were just a bluff, no actual banknotes? She counted the loose change in her hands C different currencies Six Red Tower bills, four silver coins, and enough copper coins to make up half a silver coin. Roughly equivalent to half her vial of herbs. Damn, what a loss. Nitya didn''t give up, carefully searching the body again. But no matter how much she turned the coat inside and out, no matter how carefully she looked for a false bottom, money wouldnt magically appear out of thin air. She unsurprisingly found nothing. Come on, in this kind of situation, even if you dont have money, you should at least carry some documentation to prove your identity. You came here empty-handed? Nitya complained, venting her sorrow at losing a tidy sum of money, then finally made a decision. She put the money and miscellaneous items back where she had found them, then changed into an outfit suitable for going out. A deerstalker hat, Holmes style, which could enhance her non-existent intelligence; a brown coat, a bit too large for her, which would conceal her figure and add some non-existent intimidation; no skirt, but gray pants that would be easier for movement, which would add some... well, at least they were more agile than a skirt. Overall, she didn''t look like a young, innocent girl, but a handsome young man. After all, her chest wasn''t well, you know She dressed quickly, then pushed open the door, colliding with the cold wind outside. .... The Schwerdt Town police station stood on a crossroads in the eastern part of town. It was a three-story building, black and white, towering in the cold wind. At the entrance, a guard in a black uniform stood watch against the frigid air. His gaze swept across the streets, chilled by the strange low temperature, his clothes drawn tighter around him. This goddamn weather he muttered. Its freezing even at noon. Itll be even colder at night. And this isnt even winter yet He wondered how many unfortunate souls would freeze to death tonight. He mumbled, rubbed his eyes, and looked up again. He saw a figure approaching, their strides long and quick. This made him momentarily alert, and as the figure came closer, he recognized them. The most famous detective in the town, the adventurer who had been making headlines these past two years. He unconsciously spoke. Selene That was Nityas real name. Oh, now I go by Nitya. Selene stepped closer, then, under the guards confused gaze, smoothed her face, adopting an expression of delicate fragility, even squeezing out a few tears. It was quite convincing. If she wasnt right there, performing this act in front of him, the guard would have definitely thought she was a weak girl in danger. Under the guards bewildered stare, she spoke. I need to report a crime! Chapter 5: The Inspector Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Chapter 6: The Inspector’s “Interrogation” The corpses lifeless eyes stared blankly at Duquesne, the flesh around its throat wriggled for a moment, then a raspy, deep voice emanated from its mouth: . Yes. Duquesne heard the definite answer, but then furrowed his brow. He felt as if the corpse had initially intended to give a different answer, but had changed its mind at the last moment to Yes. This made him cautious, and he secretly increased his magical output. The black metallic glow on his right hand intensified, and the corpse trembled again under the amplified radiance. The two trainees, witnessing this unusual display, looked at each other, as if they wanted to ask a question or take some action. But Duquesne hadnt given any orders, and they were afraid of interrupting his interrogation with reckless actions. So, they could only continue to stand guard. Did you attack the owner of this house? Duquesne repeated his previous question. Tell the truth. His words seemed to carry a kind of coercive power. The corpses head struggled against this power, as if it wanted to escape the grip of his hand, but it was ultimately unsuccessful, only able to force out a few words between its teeth. Yes, I did. The voice was still deep and raspy, but the pronunciation was clear and distinct, standard Lanstier. Duquesne nodded slightly, a cold sweat seemingly trickling down his forehead. He brushed it away with his left hand, then continued asking. Who are you? I am a private detective from Nymph Fu Who sent you? A gentleman in red robes like an ancient noble. The corpse spoke in a fragmented way. Whats his name? Tell the truth. I I dont know. The corpses teeth seemed to tremble slightly. What was your objective? Find James Vinylon or the book he stole Why did you attack this house? The gentleman gave me a lot of information I found out that James Vinylon had contact with her before he disappeared There would be clues in her home at least The corpse choked out these pieces of information, its body starting to tremble abnormally, its flesh twitching, as if it were about to explode from the pressure. Seeing this, Duquesne had no choice but to finish quickly. He pondered As the words faded, Duquesnes right hand released its grip on the mans head. The corpse, which had been slightly suspended by Duquesnes force, settled back into the chair, its arms drooping, its head leaning back against the backrest, silent and still. Duquesne, somewhat repulsed, pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands. Then he saw the curious expressions on the two trainees and explained, It seems there was some kind of external force interfering, so I increased the intensity a bit. External force? Was it the guy in the red robes he mentioned? The taller trainee asked hesitantly. Maybe, dont worry about it. Duquesne refused to elaborate. He still had some doubts in his mind. When he interrogated with his usual intensity, the answers he received were always certain. The fact that there was an external force influencing the answers he got, leading him to increase the intensity and try to manipulate the outcome, but still receive certain answers This unlikely situation presented two possibilities. The first was that his regular interrogation had already overcome the external force. This might have been some kind of item planted in the deceaseds mind beforehand, extremely weak, automatically deactivated by a second-tier superhuman like him. The second was that the force influencing the answers had been present the entire time, meaning all the answers he had heard were distorted and unreliable. Duquesne sent the two trainees to inspect other areas of the room, then pondered for a while, ultimately dismissing the second possibility. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Remotely influencing his Inspector interrogation? The other party would have to be at least fourth tier, and definitely a spellcaster specializing in spirit power According to his knowledge, there were only a dozen or so such professions, and most of them were concentrated in the Allinge Tribal Nation on the South Continent. The probability of one suddenly appearing in the North Continent was extremely low. The first possibility was much more likely. Looking at it this way, this sweet-talking Lady Nitya was a victim in this incident. If the lost secret chronicle would attract more followers, he wouldnt mind offering some protection. While he was deep in thought, he didnt notice the deceased mans head trembling slightly. A faint, almost imperceptible, blue light escaped from his ear, floated in the air for a moment, then sunk into the teacup on the table. The tea in the cup instantly became clouded with a white mist. The two trainees quickly inspected the rest of the house and found no other clues. So, Duquesne waved his hand. Case closed. The murder in the house. The victim killed the perpetrator. Simple as that! The investigation methods in this frontier town were very straightforward. ... Selene sat in her cell, bored, and idly doodled on the wall with her fingers. Her fingers traced a series of pale purple curves C her mana. The curves connected, forming four majestic spires, surrounded by ten smaller, thorn-crowned towers. This was the image she had seen every time she used her divination ritual, seeking answers from the gods. After two years on the Divine Construct, she knew what it represented. The four spires symbolized the four Primal Gods who created the world. The ten crown-topped towers represented the ten gods who maintained the order and survival of the world She drew these symbols, really, with no specific meaning. She wasnt praying that the inspector wouldnt discover her lies, nor was she worshiping them. She was just bored. Speaking of, which god answers me every time I hope its the God of Wisdom. Maybe next time theyll throw in an extra point of intelligence Or the War God. Maybe hell bestow a point of Strength. Then Ill be able to wrestle a bear She muttered to herself, then suddenly heard the sound of chains and locks clanking from the neighboring cell, as if a prisoner was moving about. Selene immediately became interested, quietly moving closer to the wall to listen in. A second later, she was startled by a strange sound from the neighboring cell. Roar Ugh It sounded like some kind of wild beast growling, with a terrifying wildness and intimidation. It also sounded like the last breath of a dying man, filled with regret and resentment. The two completely different and conflicting sounds blended together, creating a strange sound that could make anyones scalp tingle. She unconsciously took a few steps back, putting some distance between herself and the wall that separated her cell from the neighboring one. After half a minute, she realized that she wasnt fighting in some dangerous ruins or an uninhabited wilderness, but in a police station cell. She relaxed slightly. At the same time, the guards outside also heard the sounds coming from inside. The familiar middle-aged guard walked over, nodded at Selene, more as a form of reassurance than anything else, then went further back, towards the cell where the noise was coming from. Selene could only see his brow wrinkle, his throat twitch, as if he had seen something extremely unpleasant. Whats going on? She asked, trying to gauge the situation. The sound from the cell next door was really unsettling. . Nothing, really. The middle-aged guard spoke as if he were trying to suppress a feeling of disgust. His voice was unnatural. Its a very well-known thief. You must have heard of him. Mob. Selene thought for a moment, then said in surprise, He disappeared a month ago. So, you guys caught him? Well, even though Ive always disliked him, a petty thief who steals things and beats up his homeowner, a real expert in gambling, drinking, and whoring, the way ya''ll torturing him is a little What are you thinking? The guards initial tension was dispelled by her words. His voice became resigned. We havent tortured him at all. He paused, as if considering whether or not to say what came next. But finally, he came back, sat cross-legged at the entrance to Selenes cell, and began to recount Mobs story. He was missing for a few days at first. We werent really bothered to go looking for him. You know, the police department is always short-staffed But then, one evening, a resident reported to the patrol guards that there were strange noises coming from the nearby sewers. They asked us to go check it out. You know, sewers are a real breeding ground for all kinds of things. Dead bodies, excrement, sewage, mutated beasts, all mixed together. The Divine Glory Churchs priests have to come and purify them every week. If something happens there, it could be a small plague, or worse, a mass resurrection of the dead. So, when the guards who received the report told the station about the situation, they immediately took a large group to investigate the sewers. It was a big deal. Even the Carline priest was alerted. But in the end, they didnt find anything, concluding that everything was normal. The middle-aged guard said, making a face towards the neighboring cell. Except for him. He was found a few days after the cleanup by the Carline priest, who was purifying the sewage. He gave Mob some basic aid, then transferred him to us It was very strange. His entire body was rotting, then started growing pus-filled, mushy flesh. His skin looked like it had been melted by fire, like wax. His whole body was limp, like a pile of mud. Its hard to say if he even has bones left For your mental health, its best not to see him. Selene nodded wisely. Didnt you try any kind of treatment? Just watch him die? If even the Divine Glory Churchs priests couldnt do anything, what could we do? The middle-aged guard sighed, stood up, and walked away. Lets just hope hes strong enough to survive. Im not going to miss a guy like him. Selene sneered. I think so too, but youd best not say that out loud. The middle-aged guard turned away from her, and then there was a sound of conversation. Within a few minutes, he came back, opening her cell door under her bewildered stare, and said, Youve been bailed out. You dont have to spend the night here. Huh? Selene unconsciously asked, Who? An acquaintance of yours. Louise Antinoa, Miss Louise. Chapter 7: Elf and Astrology The attack case is considered closed. The inspector has announced his verdict. The middle-aged guard led the way, explaining the inspectors instructions. But this case has some long-range implications. Well need to contact the authorities in Nymph and coordinate actions. You might be needed to assist, so you should try to stay in town for the time being. I wasnt planning on going anywhere anyway. Selene stuffed both hands into her coat pockets. I have a few more surveillance commissions I need to complete, but the clients havent shown up yet. The middle-aged guards expression turned a little bit amused. You, a superhuman, spending your days doing this kind of work You think I want to? Selene rolled her eyes, a little bit. I cant afford anything but my adventurers badge to prove my identity. I cant work for your police department and eat on the governments dime. I cant join the Magic Association and become a verified mage. There arent any nobles in this remote area who would hire me as a tutor Superhuman need to eat too. Pathetic. The middle-aged guard said without any sympathy, then opened a door and walked in with Selene. The room was bright and clean, with the Lanstier Empires black-gold flag and the emblem of the God of Order hanging on the wall. The mainstream religion on the North Continent was the Primal God, Lord of Glory, but some people also worshipped other gods. The police, for example, were devoted to the God of Order, whose role is to maintain order. Hanging the emblem of the God of Order in the police station reminded the guards of their duty. Additionally, though the guards were not clerics of the God of Order or superhuman spellcasters who had embarked on the path of a cleric, they had received the God of Orders favor for maintaining order themselves. Hanging his emblem would bring blessings from the god, slightly increasing their stamina and focus. Several guards in black uniforms sat at their desks, handling their tasks. The case involving superhumans and secret chronicles was the biggest thing to happen in this remote town in two years, and the guards in the police station were all taking it very seriously, handling it with an air of vengeful justice. It was as if they were trying to make up for their usual slacking off. Selene squeezed in behind the tall, imposing middle-aged guard. At a glance, she saw Louise Antinoa sitting in a chair. She was a woman who made one think of the sky, the lake, and verdant mountains. Her pale gray gown was understated and restrained, her long, silver-white hair unadorned, flowing simply down her shoulders. Two years ago, when she had emerged from the wilderness, covered in grime after surviving, it was Louise, then a receptionist for the Adventurers Guild, who had taken her in, letting her stay at her house, which saved her from a fate of living in the streets of the town. Later, due to her work as an adventurer, she received commissions every day, and naturally, she needed to build relationships. Over time, they got to know each other and became friends, one of the few she had in this world. Louise? Selene was a little hesitant, unsure. What, dont you recognize me? Louise tilted her head in disbelief. Has your memory deteriorated to the level of a goldfish? You poor thing. Luckily, I have a unique secret method for treating senility. Out of friendship, Ill only charge you one hundred gold coins It really is you? Hearing the familiar words, Selene was finally sure of the person in front of her. She noticed Louises distinctly different features C a pair of pointy, elven ears, and she still felt a little bit confused. Didnt you say you were going back home to see your parents, that you wouldnt be back for a while? Im back. Louise was a little confused. So, for long-lived races like you elves, a while is like a few decades, right? Selene stroked her chin. Like saying youll go see a meteor shower sometime, but in reality, the meteor shower is a few decades away Ive already thought about where you should come to find me next time. The cemetery in the east of town would be good. If you cant find me, I can always capture some kids and raise them. When they grow up, I can have them show you the way If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Louise twitched at the corner of her mouth, but she knew that Selene was a little off, so she didnt bother arguing with her. She simply stood up. Everythings settled, I guess you dont have any money on you. So, Ill take care of the bail. You just follow me. Like you said, lets go. Selene turned and greeted the guards she knew, then followed Louise out of the police station. After a long day, the sky had become dark. She looked up, and the dazzling stars filled her vision, their light traversing a vast distance, illuminating the way for night travelers. She looked up at this familiar yet alien night sky, sighed, and then lowered her head, gazing at the deserted street, lit only by the fluorescent lamps. After all, no matter how long she stared, the moon from her previous life would never follow her to this world. This was a moonless night sky, a moonless world. A damp, cold wind hit her face, making Selene shiver. She hastily pulled her clothes closer. But Louise, in her dress, felt nothing. Her race and profession bestowed upon her a strong constitution, capable of making her ten times stronger than Selene, giving her a stronger ability to adapt to her surroundings. For her, it was merely a pleasant coolness. She mentally calculated the time, then turned to Selene. Are you going home? Theres a dead body in my house. Im a little scared. Selene answered cryptically. Hmm Louise pondered for a moment, recalling her experience with her friend six months ago. Wasnt there a spirit in that house? How have you been getting along with it recently? Its very well-behaved. It cant talk, but it seems to understand me. Selene also remembered the moving light in her house. It has some kind of innate advantage in the spiritual realm and has helped me out a lot. Like figuring out if someone at the door had malicious intent. I was able to prepare myself and kill that guy because of it Louise, having learned the situation from the guards, nodded, reminding her. Remember to always be on guard. On the Divine Construct, when all living beings die, their souls return to the divine realms. Even high-level superhumans are no exception. Only those corrupted spirit entities, demons, and phantoms can remain on the mortal plane as spirits. Even if its not one of those, the fact that a human spirit is lingering in the mortal world means its not simple Im sure you know what Im talking about, I wont say more. Selene nodded, changing the subject. Are you going back to the Guild to work as a receptionist? Too tiring, and the pay is too low. Louise said decisively. Im thinking about opening a fortune-telling shop Im not trying to steal your business. Nobody comes to me for fortune-telling. Selene pondered for a moment. Truth be told, there arent many people in town who are interested in fortune-telling. The poor cant afford it, and the rich look down on it. I dont think your business will be too good. Louise glanced at her companion, who spent every penny as soon as she earned it, and said sympathetically, Im not trying to make a living by snooping on cheating lovers. I just want to find something to do. She paused, then brought the conversation back to its original topic. Where are you staying tonight? Go to your place Selene said unconsciously, then remembered that Louise had always rented a room. She hadnt renewed the lease when she left two months ago. At this time of night, she probably wouldnt be able to find a suitable place to stay. So, she changed her mind. Lets just go to an inn and wait for the night. Were superhumans. We can handle a little all-nighter. Alright. Louise was always easygoing. So, the two walked on in silence. Selenes gaze swept across the buildings illuminated by the streetlights, watching them stand tall on the earth, bathed in starlight, orderly, like a formation. Suddenly, she turned, her eyes catching a glimpse of a figure rushing through a narrow alley. It was a small figure, dashing across the street between buildings, more running than walking, then turning a corner and disappearing from her sight. Louise saw the figure as well. Probably a drunkard or someones kid. What about it? Just curious because he saw us and then ran away, thats all. Selene replied casually. The small, childlike figure reminded her of something. Speaking of which, I remember youre an Astromancer, right? Louise nodded slightly, confirming. Astromancer is a very unique superhuman profession. Like Selenes Ritual Magician, its a highly specialized profession in a particular area. Ritual Magician specializes in spirit power and magical reserves in order to cast more rituals and spells. Astromancer is different. Its a profession that exists solely for a particular divination technique. All its growth is geared towards being able to better practice that one divination technique. That is astrology. Originating from the elves, it has a history spanning over ten thousand years. It is the most advanced and the most powerful divination technique. It doesnt make requests or pray to anyone. It simply looks at the stars. It can even, for a high enough price, peek into the secrets of the gods Louise, as an Astromancer, would definitely be better at astrology than Selenes divination rituals. Now she remembered that she still had a missing person commission to deal with. Selene recounted her commission to Louise, pausing for a moment, looking at Louises expression before saying, "So, thats it. I want to find the kid, Ron. You arent going to charge me, are you? Louise was amused by her cautious question. She waved her hand, indicating that she didnt need money, and nodded in agreement. Selene instantly relaxed, thinking to herself, Five silver coins for two superhumans to help. Sam is lucky. Chatting as they walked, they arrived at their destination. An inn called the Silver Rose. Chapter 8: Rainy Night, Withered Blooms and Silver Roses The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 9: The Church Patrol The autumn rain came quickly and left just as quickly. The drizzle that had begun around ten oclock at night gradually subsided by midnight, leaving only a few scattered drops by dawn, pattering on the taverns roof, trickling down the eaves, and splashing into tiny bubbles. Though Selene had boldly declared that she would definitely find the living Reigns, she wasnt actually very confident. The crime scene was a seven-day journey from Nymph Fu. The only lead connected Schwerdt Town to that large city, but the two towns were separated by more than just ancient trails. There were also large forests and mountains, lakes There were countless places for a perpetrator to hide. If she was a superhuman who had reached the peak in this field, beyond the sixth tier, a superhuman mage who had transcended human limits, she could probably just wave her staff and pull out the criminals name, location, family details, and eighteen generations of ancestors. But here, with just two first-tier mages, several hours of effort would only reduce the search area to Schwerdt Town and its surroundings At least theres a target. Selene bit her lip. Ill go investigate if there are any unfamiliar faces in town. The population here isnt that big, so it shouldnt be too hard to draw a conclusion. Actually, I think thats not very efficient. Louise, having used astrology multiple times, looked exhausted. Do you have any guesses about the identity of the perpetrator? Yes. Do you know about the incident in Molan a month ago? The city guards and police department there destroyed a cult. Those vile cultists were desperate for women and children, using them as sacrifices in their bloody rituals. Selene tapped the table with her right hand, making a rhythmic tapping sound. You suspect this was also the work of cultists? Louise frowned, a little confused. Then you should tell the police department. They should send the Arbiters to investigate Selene took a sip of her nearly-empty cider, stating her conjecture. Sam definitely reported the crime to the police department in Nymph Fu. But he still came to me Either Im wrong, and this isnt related to a cult. Its just some common thugs. So, the police department didnt allocate much effort. Or maybe theres something going on in Nymph Fu, and their police department is too busy to handle anything else She remembered book thief Mr. James Vinylon. She had accepted Jamess commission a month ago and spent about half a month completing it. She spent another half a month delivering him to Nymph Fu and then returning home. Calculating the timeline, it was on the same day James returned home that his family was murdered, he went missing, and he was miraculously linked to a chronicle Chronicles werent particularly rare in this world, because the term chronicle was a very broad concept. A magic apprentices notebook could be called a chronicle. The sacred texts of major churches could also be classified as chronicles. For someone hire superhumans specifically to find a chronicle, it couldnt be the former. It had to record some kind of practical superhuman knowledge And the fact that hed mentioned it recorded secret history Inspector Duquesne hadnt been able to determine the red-robed mans identity, which meant the person pulling the strings knew the Inspectors abilities well and had taken precautions. He was probably also a superhuman, possibly even part of.... Selene pondered, and a conclusion gradually formed in her mind. Something big must have happened in Nymph Fu, preventing the police department there from worrying about a minor missing persons case. Louise nodded in agreement, not really caring about Nymph Fu or their police department. She just thought the whole thing was a bit dangerous and strange. Dont you know how to divine too? That ritual you use to petition I just used it yesterday to confirm my own safety. I cant use it again until tonight. Selene explained. And even though this ritual has a high hit rate, the success rate is low. If Im asking about something related to myself, its relatively simple. But if Im asking about someone else, then Ill probably only get a correct answer once in ten tries. The last time I got a result, it was There is a possibility of danger. But honestly, such a clear answer is pretty rare. Most of the time, I only get short, complete answers, or sometimes just a broken fragment of a phrase I still dont trust your rituals. Using such simple offerings and a ritual circle to communicate with the gods, it just doesnt feel right. Louise frowned, finishing off her sweet wine in one gulp. I will do one more divination, but not with astrology.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. She stood up and went to find the bartender, asking for a clean towel and a glass of water. She used the towel to wipe the table in front of them, dipped her finger in the water on the table, and drew some strange patterns. Then, she casually pulled out a white cloth from her hip. This is a simple divination based on my own intuition. The results are hard to say for sure, but it should at least give you some leads. She explained briefly, then took off Selenes deerstalker hat and tied the cloth around Selene''s eyes. Do you remember the position and shape of those patterns? Selene, momentarily blinded by the white, thought for a moment, then shook her head. I have a vague impression. A damp chill touched her forehead. Louise seemed to draw a cross on her forehead with her wet forefinger, then clasped her right hand, placing it on the table. Maintain this height, let your hand move naturally, dont try to control it. Now, imagine this scene in your mind C your hand is you. Youre unconsciously going somewhere. You open your eyes, confused, and see a place hidden within yourself Youre walking through this bizarre scene You wake up from the dream, you see Selene imagined the scene, not controlling her right hand. After about a minute, Louise removed the cloth covering her eyes. Your hand deviated very slightly. This means youre not very involved in this matter right now Louise pondered for a moment, her gaze flitting across the table. The results are Return to the Place, Foul Mob, Mountain Range, in that order. This symbolizes the beginning, process, and outcome. Return to the place Theoretically, I should start investigating somewhere related to death? The cemetery? Maybe. Selene picked up the hat from the table and put it on, then adjusted her clothes and stood up from the chair. Louise looked at her in surprise. Youre going to investigate now? I was thinking of waiting until sunrise, but I was hired, and Im getting paid. Selene twirled her hat, adjusting it to a comfortable angle, then headed toward the door, casually wiping away the sound-dampening spell she had drawn in front of her. Ill pay you back the reward and the bail money later. Consider it a tip. Okay. Stay safe Selene. As her words faded, Selene pushed open the door and stepped out into the street, where puddles of water and the cold temperature awaited her. Someone seemed to hear something that caught their attention, their gaze peering through silver-rimmed glasses, looking over. He could only see a white-haired, blue-eyed elf. The slightly disheveled mage thought for a moment and approached. ... It was still night. Except for the areas illuminated by the street lamps, the buildings were all hidden in darkness, resembling a crouching mountain range from afar. The cider she drank and the boost in spirit from her profession kept her alert. She didnt immediately go to the cemetery in the east of town, but first hurried out of the town, into the forest to replenish her spellcasting materials. Clay, dew, bark She performed basic enchantments on each item, imbuing them with her mana, then sorted and stored them in her carrying tubes. She then put the tubes into a special double-layered compartment on her right hip, ensuring they could be easily accessed at any time. Then she went back to her house and searched briefly for her little ghost, but came up empty. So, she went upstairs and retrieved the dagger she kept handy and a few vials of prepared potions. The dagger was tucked close to her thigh, the potions properly stored on her left hip. Before leaving, she flipped the sign on the door, changing it from Lady Nityas Detective Office to Closed Today. Lady Nitya, well-prepared, then set off on foot toward the cemetery in the east of town. The faint streetlights and the slanted starlight allowed her to barely see the road. As she approached her destination, the buildings on both sides of the road became increasingly sparse, trees gradually dominating the field of vision. Eventually, only two buildings with flickering lights remained, a small church belonging to the Divine Glory Church and a small church belonging to the Church of Bountiful. These two churches worshipped the Primal Gods, The Lord of Glory and Mother Earth. The priests in the churches were also relatively adept at dealing with undead creatures, ghosts, and other negative beings. Therefore, in this world, where things like undead resurrection occurred, a large area around the cemetery remained uninhabited, with only the churchs Church Patrol responsible for monitoring and protecting the cemetery. They were dispatched from the main cathedral in the town, and their duty was rotated. Someone in the Church of Bountifuls Church Patrol seemed to notice her. A female cleric in a long, white, green robe pushed open the cathedral door, looking at the citizen who was out at this late hour, heading toward the cemetery, with an unmasked, scrutinizing gaze. Selene, feeling a headache coming on, walked over to explain to her, simultaneously showing her adventurers badge as proof of identity. Only then did the woman nod in approval, allowing her to enter the cemetery. She was allowed to roam the cemetery, accompanied by the keeper. Even in the remote towns Church Patrol, the priests were meticulous in upholding the organizational rules. Besides their own faith, the necessity of these rules had been proven by numerous incidents in history. The most recent incident was seven years ago, in the northern stronghold of Lanstier Empire, the Frostwood Castle. A large-scale undead resurrection occurred due to poor management of the cemetery there. The dead from decades past rose as skeletons and spirits, forming a massive undead army under the command of a general, marching through the city. If it hadnt been for a Divine Glory Churchs Saintess who was present at the time, there would have been hundreds of thousands of casualties. Since then, the major churches and the empire had become even more strict about cemetery management regulations. The keeper, who had received the signal from the church, quickly ran over. He was a thin, old man in a black robe. His cloudy eyes stared at Selene for a long time, then he gestured for her to follow him. One old and one young, they entered the forest of tombstones in the darkness. Chapter 10: The Graveyard Keeper If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 11: The Flipping Glasses Conspiracy If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Chapter 12: A New Day You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Chapter 13: Sunrise If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 14: Thel If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Chapter 15:《 Transmutation Tantra 》 Selene didnt react, continuing to listen intently to the cacophony of sounds in the tavern. She unconsciously dismissed the little girls voice. Mister? Why would she call me that? Im not dressed as a middle-aged man. Mister, buy some flowers Seeing that Selene didnt react, the little girl, lacking any real confidence, repeated herself, but this time in a very soft voice. . Are you talking to me? Selene finally reacted, realizing the dirty little girl next to her was talking to her, offering her flowers. The little girl nodded shyly. Say brother. Selene snorted. Her unfriendly tone made the little girl shrink back, a little frightened, and she took a half step back, bowing her head. Sorry Ill go now Wait. Selene reached out and touched her head. When her hand touched the girl''s hair, the girl instinctively shivered, as if electrocuted, and moved back slightly. But it seemed that Selenes hand movement was slow enough, and she didnt have any wrinkles or scars, her fingers were soft and young enough, that the girl ultimately didnt dodge. Her hair wasnt sleek and smooth. The strands were dry, knotted, and clumped together. It was covered in dirt and grease. It was clear she hadnt washed her hair in a while. Selene saw her thin frame, which was visible even under her meager clothing and daily wear. Whats your name? . Ellen. My name is Ellen. The girl said softly. Then Miss Ellen, sell me a bouquet of flowers. Selene''s right hand flipped out a few coins, worth about one-sixth of a gold coin, and put them in Ellens pouch that was hanging in front of her chest. She winked at her. Little miss, what kind of flower are they? My mother planted them. Theyre white roses Ellen said in a low voice, offering Selene a white rose with mud still clinging to the stem. The white petals had dewdrops falling from them. Selene took the white rose and looked herself over, but couldnt find a suitable place to put it. She had no choice but to hold it in her hand. Then she was about to leave. Wait. Ellen grabbed her coat again and rummaged in her own small bag. Wait a minute, mister brother I need to give you change. Her nimble fingers searched diligently in her bag and flipped out a few bills that were folded, but still neatly arranged. She counted them carefully several times and gave them to Selene. They were a few brown bills with swords crossed on them, roughly half the value of the coins Selene had given her. Then she saw that Selene was a little confused as to why she had South Continent money, so she explained in a soft voice, Last night, a brother who was a little taller than you, bought a lot of flowers You cant just assume Im short, you know. Selene smiled and nodded at her. She put the brown bills in her pouch and walked out of the tavern. Ellen watched her leave, her fingers rolling back and forth in the pouch on her chest. Her expression seemed a little conflicted. Finally, she touched her left side, went to a more well-dressed patron in the tavern, hesitated for a moment, and went up to him to sell the white roses she was carrying. ... Selene observed the street for a while, but couldnt find anyone who looked suspicious at first glance. But that was to be expected. After spending a long time with no results, she went to find a cheap restaurant and filled her belly with her remaining money. Then she headed directly to the Adventurer Guild.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. This time, she was going out not only to search for the attacker, but also to complete the mission that Duquesne had assigned to herhelping to find some adventurers willing to obey the stations arrangements and be temporary observers, to make up for the lack of manpower at the station. The Adventurer Guild was the most conspicuous building on Thel Street. It occupied a huge area, a full circle larger than the station, and was about the same size as three taverns. The entrance had an extremely wide, carved stone door with an eagle and a dragon. Three carriages could fit through side by side. Behind the door was a wide, expansive area for accommodating carriages. And behind the guild, there was a stable large enough to hold a dozen horses, with people specially assigned to taking care of the horses that were entrusted to them there It was truly grandiose and luxurious. Selene walked through the familiar stone door and plaza and entered the first floor of the Adventurer Guild. The building was about five stories high. The first floor was for receiving assignments, settling commissions, providing adventurers with a place to rest and dine. It was the most trafficked area of the guild. The second floor was the workspace of the guild staff, a place for the staff and visiting guests to work and socialize. The third to fifth floors housed the inn, providing accommodations for temporary guests. The rooms were clean, and the service was excellent. There were no flaws, except that the price was several times higher than the taverns on the street. It was the first choice for traveling merchants who arrived. The Adventurer Guild originally had no kind of side business, but since the station appeared in the world, most of its functions had been replaced by the station, which was more trustworthy, more efficient, and more professional. Most of the adventurers had lost their livelihoods, so they simply changed careers and became observers. They got to eat a stable government-issued meal, and those adventurers who had a little extra money changed careers and became private detectives. This led to a steep decline in the income of the Adventurer Guild. It then led to many of the higher-ups going to find other places to eat, such as the military or the Magic Society. The wheels of time keep rolling on, crushing the once enormous Adventurer Guild, which was almost able to stand up to small nations, to a state of near-death. To survive, they wisely chose to develop side businesses and change their positioning. The inn on the third to fifth floor was evidence of this. Selene scanned the crowd on the first floor, then went directly to the area that served adventurers and people who needed commissions. It was an area a bit larger than the Silver rose Tavern, bordered by individual rooms, but the central area was a long table where adventurers and those who wanted to commission assignments sat, either drinking or eating. People in white and green uniforms, the servers working for the guild, walked among them. Selene passed through the dining room, found room number 016, and pushed the door open without knocking. Inside the room was a large, round table and four beds. There was a separate bathroom. Now, only a large, muscular man with bulging muscles was lying on a bed, holding a small book in his hand, his eyes focused on it, and he was smiling maliciously. Selene tilted her head slightly, looking at the contents of the bookthe intertwining limbs, the spreading flesh, the bizarre gasping explained by the text. In about a minute, she could see the man beginning to stitch a living creature together. She walked up to the man, who hadnt even noticed that she had entered the room, and kicked him directly, knocking him onto the other side of the bed. He got up, grumbling curses under his breath. As he looked up to see who had entered, he was taken aback. He blurted out in a friendly, affectionate greeting But then he saw her light blue eyes, which were devoid of any emotion. And then he saw the soft, gentle face that came with the removal of her disguise, with its breathtaking beauty and a sense of overwhelming presence. What were you about to say? Keep going. Selene laughed coldly. . Boss, youre back! The big man threw the small book in his hand aside and expressed his excitement. Me and the other have been waiting for you night and day. Weve been worshipping you every day, putting money in front of your painting. We even talked about putting a little courage in your writing Did you spend all the money you made as a private detective? What are you going to do this time? Go to the ruins or rob the caravan? Im ready to give my life for you, to rob for you, to block the arrows and dodge bullets for you Get out. Selene cut off this former associate, then steered the conversation back on track. I havent spent all my money yet. This time, Im just taking on a mission from Duquesne. I need to find a few obedient guys to work for him over there. No problem. All the old guys have been without work lately. Theyre all free. The big man readily agreed, but then furrowed his brow and said softly, Right, boss, do you know about the Festival of Transmutation? No, whats that? Yesterday, someone posted an assignment to find a book called the Festival of Transmutation, or maybe called the Transmutation Tantra. The big man explained. The fee was really high, and a few of the old guys wanted to take it, but I didnt think it was reliable, so I told them to wait and see what happens for a few days Dont you know? Selene shook her head and gave him instructions. You and the others who are going to work at the station go directly there and tell them that Nitya sent you. They wont give you a hard time Also, tell me more about that mission. I need to know the details, and who commissioned it. No problem. The big man agreed, pushed open the door, then called Selene over and pointed to a man sitting in the dining room, Thats the one who posted the assignment. Selene followed his finger and saw a middle-aged man wearing a patched-up coat. He was eating and drinking enthusiastically. He was gobbling down the soup-soaked bread and the tender pieces of stew as if he were a starving ghost, and his belly was visibly bulging. It looked incredibly strange. She narrowed her eyes. Chapter 16: Seek If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Chapter 17: The Watcher and the Watched Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 18: "Lust" and "Fury" You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Chapter 19: The Binding Contract Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Chapter 20: The Guiding Doe This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Chapter 21: The Sacrifice If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 22: I Invoke the Envoy of Offerings and Sacrifice Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Chapter 23: The Sacrificial Offerings Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 24: Negotiation The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Chapter 25: I am the Monarch, you are the Knight Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Chapter 26: Greed Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Chapter 27: Very good If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 28: This is Grace You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Chapter 29: Mission accomplished A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Chapter 30: Their Identities The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Chapter 31: Never Before Seen Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. elene looked over and saw a young man in a black robe, a mage, emerging from the rain. He was still wearing the same familiar mages robe she had seen last night. His black scarf was still wrapped around his neck. His damp hair was clinging to his face. Chapter 32: The rain is more than just rain Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Chapter 33: Love... a Lifes Negotiation Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 34: Nightfall ... If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 35: I express my condolences If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 36: Paid Employment Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Chapter 37: Cemetery Anomaly Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 38: Mithril Stolen story; please report. Chapter 39: Fallen VI - The Broken Seven Rings The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 40: The Fallen City and the Lurking Serpent Stolen story; please report. Chapter 41: Crown IX – The Lurking Serpent Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 42: Accepting the Mission A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Chapter 43: Settling In Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Chapter 44: The Merry Drinking Club This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Chapter 45: Bill You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Chapter 46: Invite A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Chapter 47: Conjugated Self Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 48: Exchange If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 49: Goodbye The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 50: Go back If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 51: A Dream World? Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 52: Transaction Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 53: Morning This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Chapter 54: Green Land Street If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 55: "Grandmaster" The guard and Ariane stayed on the first floor. Courtney led the two upstairs. Compared to the first floor, the living area clearly had more signs of life. Randomly placed items, footprints on the floor, tools left out in dangerous positions, withered flowers in vases, scattered dried leaves In comparison, the first floor was so clean and tidy that it looked like it had just been cleaned. Selene narrowed her eyes, staring at Courtney, who was walking in front of her. She saw Courtney lead them past her own room and stop in front of a closed door. Her voice was low. This room this is where he died Shes really persistent with this murder conclusion Why? Why would she go against the police? Though Duquesne wasnt the type to hold grudges, it was still awkward Whats the basis for their conclusion? Selene smiled at Courtney, making her pause for a moment. Thank you for your cooperation. Would you mind letting us take a look? Dont worry. We wont touch anything. This was obviously nonsense. If Courtney didnt want them to look, she wouldnt have brought them here Perhaps it was because of Selenes captivating appearance. It took Courtney a moment to reply. Fine Richter twitched the corner of his mouth, seeing Courtney blushwerent you very composed downstairs?! He opened the door and said with a smile, Miss Courtney, please wait outside. What? Wait, why are you opening the door? Courtney reacted and protested, Im the owner of this house. Richters expression became serious. He pondered for a moment. We suspect this case involves a superhuman. Some of our investigative methods arent suitable for ordinary people It might be dangerous. Im sure Jose wouldnt want you to risk your lives. There have been cases like this in the Divine Construct. For example, in Haranduvi, there was a serial murder case. The city guard, the predecessor of the Haranduvi police department, used methods like astrology and ritual magic to obtain information in front of the victims families. They eventually found the perpetrator But in the process, one after another, the victims family members died. It wasnt until right before the execution that the perpetrator revealed the reasonit was a kind of curse transmitted through information. It was so subtle that the superhumans in the city guard hadnt even noticed it. But it quietly weakened the bodies and minds of ordinary people, causing them to wither and die.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Richter spoke seriously and solemnly. Perhaps it was his sincere tone and persuasive argument that convinced Courtney, or perhaps it was the respectful way he referred to her as family, but she finally nodded hesitantly, agreeing to wait outside. Such eloquence! This isnt the kind of guy who gets fixated on a pen pal! Selene clicked her tongue. Richter nodded slightly at Courtney, as if they had reached a shared understanding, a strange sense of mission and solemnity. Then he closed the door. Click. The sound of the lock echoed. Selene frowned and glanced around the large room, not immediately starting her investigation, but asking, What did you notice? Richters behavior, from his request to examine the scene to his insistence on keeping Courtney outside, clearly had a purpose. Selene guessed that he had probably discovered something he didnt want to share with outsiders What was it? Richter looked at the circle marked chair on the floor, recalling the description in the police reportthe artist, Jose, had died sitting peacefully in his chair, a satisfied and serene expression on his face. The cause of death was a large dose of hallucinogens. A suicide note was found on his lap He pondered for a moment, then said, I know Jose, or rather, I know a painter named Jose Jesus Farias. I know. You just said that, Selene nodded and leaned against the wall. Is he famous? At least, in the South Continent. He specializes in religious and portrait paintings. His skill is extraordinary. Hes not only famous in Mittal, but also very popular in the Allinge Tribal Nation and among the elveshes a devout believer, not of any specific deity, but incredibly respectful of all fourteen deities. You might not have a good understanding of what this means, so let me give you an example. He once said he wanted to paint The War Gods Feast. Before he even started, King Moros of the Allinge Tribal Nation paid him thirty thousand White Staves for the painting Selene took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and looked around with reverence and regret, as if muttering something incomprehensible, like Bless me, master and I only ask for a fraction of your skill. Richter paused, as if recalling something. His brow furrowed. You must be wondering why such a person would come to a place like this. Selene, who had been praying, nodded seriously. Its simple. He was expelled from Mittal three years ago for the crime of heresy, Richter said in a low voice. Disrespecting the fourteen deities, believing in a Evil god, performing heretical rituals They found evidence in his house, but he didnt try to defend himself, calmly accepting his exile. I didnt expect him to be here until I saw the station managers file Selenes eyes widened slightly. She had PTSD from the word Evil god and instinctively wanted to leave, but then remembered that shed also signed a deal with a Evil god, so it wasnt like she could judge. If thats true, this is going to be troublesome He might not have committed suicide, Selene said hesitantly. Its more than that, Richter shook his head, sighing, Do you know why his paintings are so valuable? Because of his extraordinary skills? Though it is a little strange that he was able to sell them for so much while he was still alive Because hes a superhuman, a Grandmaster, Richter said, emphasizing each word. His paintings arent just beautiful. Theyre alive. The people in his paintings can talk, move, walk out of the frame. The scenery in his paintings is so real that you can enter them just by touching the frame. Reaching this level is one of the conditions for becoming a Grandmaster. Not being restricted by materials, not limited to static states. To be able to freely express the scenes and scenery in ones mind. And Jose is one of the best. He can even overwrite reality with his paintings Chapter 56: The Grandmasters Work The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chapter 57: Scene in a Box This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Chapter 58: Jose This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Chapter 59: Escape Clause Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 60: The One True Thing in This Fake World (1) Come here. Jose looked at the lines Richter had drawn as practice. The curves were practically flawless, lacking any inspiration but technically perfect. His expression was a mix of joy and loneliness. Is this really your first time learning to paint? He couldnt help but ask. Richter nodded expressionlessly. He wasnt actually painting, but using his powerful memory and control as a Sage to perfectly replicate the lines Jose had drawn as examples, while eliminating any unnecessary trembling or deviations. The Sage profession, which leaned towards absolute rationality, was almost completely incompatible with Joses emotional Painter profession. He could understand and appreciate Joses intentions and the beauty of art, but he couldnt truly grasp the feeling But copy-pasting is also a form of creation, right? Richter felt a little guilty. Well there are geniuses in this world, Jose sighed, carefully picking up the practice sheets, using a large piece of paper to cover them, and placing them on top of the other papers. This simple preservation method wasnt suitable for real paintings, but it was perfect for these simple black and white sketches. Richters gaze darted around. Selene and Louise were exchanging information outside. No, it should be Louise unilaterally gathering information She arrived a day earlier than us. I dont know how much time has passed for her, and I dont know how much longer we have to stay This Jose is a little unfamiliar, different from the one I know, but thats normal. I met him five years later. Its normal for his personality and habits to have changed He has a face. Unlike the others in the box. Thats special. Is he the real Jose? Richter decided to test him. So Brother Jose, he asked, his face showing a mix of puzzlement and curiosity, subtle enough that it wouldnt be obvious, yet clear enough for Jose to notice, I heard that painters use a kind of spell called Preservation He was confident Jose would understand what he meant. Sure enough, Jose chuckled wryly. Im not that kind of superhuman. Im just a conduit. You know? The kind that can only do simple little tricks. Thats not even real magic. Its just for entertaining children Ah, I dont mean you He patiently explained the meaning of the word conduit to Richter, his voice clearly showing a lack of confidence. But Richter felt a chill down his spine. Hed noticed the anomaly, but hid his emotions well. He whispered a few clumsy words of encouragement to Jose, like a real child. Brother Jose, your paintings are very good! Ive seen many famous painters, and theyre not as good as youreally! So, youll definitely become a mage who can use magic! Keep up the good work! Jose didnt know what to say to these encouraging words. He knew his own situation. He knew that although he was talented, and with enough effort, he might be able to reach the superhuman level before he died but in this world, talent alone wasnt enough. It wasnt just about being exceptional. Not everyone could achieve their dreams. Hed known this since childhood. But this kind of talk didnt make sense coming from a ten-year-old boy, and he didnt want to accept this obviously impossible blessing, so he just chuckled awkwardly, not responding. He even subtly shifted his body. Richter remembered that the Grandmaster, whod ascended to superhuman in just five short years, would occasionally make these small gestures. It was very naive. He continued his rambling praise, his toes curling so hard they practically pierced the floor of the carriage. He stopped at precisely the right moment, just as Joses emotions were fluctuating, just before Jose was about to use some action to stop him.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Seeing the relieved Jose, Richter sighed softly. The term conduit, though a familiar concept for every educated superhuman in 1456, ten years later, in the world outside the box, didnt actually exist in the current year, 1446. The equivalent term was apprentice, and because of the heavy shadow cast by this word from the previous era, the Empress herself had ordered it to be abolished It was a magnificent, grand, in a sense, great decree, because that decree was like an arrow, a magical artillery shell, completely shattering the last vestiges of the previous era. In this world, words and information held power. The true names of the gods, Unknown level magical artifacts, the scriptures of the major churches, and the title of apprentice. The former were derived from gods and inhuman beings. The latter, from humanity itself. Hearing or seeing the former caused mental shock and strange influences. The latter didnt. This was the unique characteristic of the word apprentice. But this didnt mean it was completely safe. Its influence extended throughout the Divine Construct, all of humanity, and all superhumans. It influenced the number of superhumans and the conditions for their emergence on a macro level, fixing the number of superhumans at one in ten thousand. It was said that this was a restriction set by the predecessors of the early Fourth Era, facing death. Through restrictions, through twisted rules, they ultimately survived Countless pieces of information flashed through his mind. Richter quickly regained his composure, a naive smile appearing on his face. He asked curiously, Brother, can you tell me about your past? His left hand, behind his back, silently drew a complex pattern on his clothes and poured a bit of magic into it. His voice and movements carried a subtle suggestive quality. Well, those random illusion spells he learned from his apprentices were pretty useful. He thought to himself. Joses gaze wavered slightly. He saw Richter sitting upright, curiosity in his eyes, as if about to say something. He immediately snapped back to reality, smiling. Youve told your story. Now its my turn Before he could finish his sentence, Richter felt the carriage lurch violently, as if it had suddenly moved to the ground and was now being pulled downwards by gravity. He quickly grabbed onto something nearby. He was about to see if Jose needed help when he noticed that Joses entire body had turned black and white, frozen in place, his posture unchanged as if he were fixed to the carriage. Crash! The carriage slammed into the ground, instantly shattering into pieces. The scattered parts flew in all directions, then, as if held by some invisible force, reassembled themselves. Jose, who had been black and white, instantly returned to normal, excitedly exclaiming, So, its this time! What time? Richter frowned and opened the carriage door, a vague understanding of the situation forming in his mindtime had moved forward again. The last time, it was from noon to dusk. This time A brilliant, starry night sky greeted him. The carriages were arranged in a circle in a flat area, a huge bonfire, five or six meters high, burning in the center. The strangely colored people in the caravan sat cross-legged around the fire, sharing wine and rations. Some took out dried meat. Some held freshly caught fish. They laughed and celebrated another days journey, looking forward to the next sunrise. Richter found Louise and Selene among them It was hard to say whether they were brave or foolish. They were now completely integrated into the group. Selene was holding two pieces of bread, smearing one with butter and the other with gravy, eating heartily. Louise wasnt as shameless, but she had blended in perfectly, bargaining with a merchant who had all kinds of alcohol, trying to get some low-alcohol sweet wine. Night had fallen. Richter turned his head and gave Jose a meaningful look. When theyd said they wanted to find Jose, time had moved forward to dusk. When hed said he wanted to hear Joses story, time had jumped to a bonfire gathering at nightfall Even if he wasnt the real Jose, he was definitely the key to this world in the box. Everyones having fun. Brother, lets go join them, Richter said, pulling Jose out of the carriage. Selene and Louise, seeing him, clearly sighed with relief. It was as if they had only been wandering around to find him No, there was definitely also a part of them that wanted free food and drinks. The four of them found a spot by the bonfire, settling down on a fallen log that Louise had conjured. Ah, Miss Selene, Miss Louise, Jose awkwardly greeted them, subtly shifting his position, moving slightly away from the two girl. Richter glanced at him and sat down in the empty seat between them, making Jose relax again. Brother, you havent finished your story yet, Richter urged. Ah, is that so? Sorry, I dont have a good memory, Jose scanned his surroundings, noticing that everyone seemed to be drinking and chatting in small groups. He felt a little more at ease. He pondered for a moment, saw the other three exchange glances, then look at him with curious expressions. Their synchronized movements made him instinctively shudder. Ahem theres not much to say. Im just an ordinary person, Jose said after a moment of thought, Dont blame me if its not very interesting. The three nodded in unison. Well It was about twenty-eight years ago. I was born in a very remote village. There were only a few hundred permanent residents. Although it was near the capital, it didnt have any strategic importance or valuable resources, Jose spoke softly. The sky there was gray. The river was pale green. Everything was covered in a hazy layer of dust. It probably didnt look like a good place. Even passing merchants rarely went there. Throughout the year, only government officials would come to do some investigations and they wouldnt stay long. That place was very remote. Very, very remote. Chapter 61: The One True Thing in This Fake World (2) Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 62: The One True Thing in This Fake World (3) Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Chapter 63: The One True Thing in This Fake World (Final) The world around her shattered, the fragments reassembled into a different scene. In the blink of an eye, Selene found herself in a tent, a soft rug on the floor, a lantern at her feet. She was alone in the tent. Selene searched the ground, then examined the lantern, finding nothing unusual. She hesitated, deciding not to lift the tent flap. Although she was curious about the outside world, it was better not to seek death unnecessarily. Common sense dictated that night represented the unknown and danger, and fire and light represented safety. So, should she sleep now? Selene looked at the rug and the blankets. Based on the pattern of the changes that had occurred before, they needed Jose to fall asleep to move forward. But if thats true, it should be daytime, since Jose had fallen asleep several minutes ago So, the condition might be that everyone needs to fall asleep? Or perhaps, the three outsiders? If they took turns resting, could they gain more time to rest, organize information? Selene sat down and pondered. She didnt feel tired at the moment, though her mental and physical energy had been somewhat depleted, it wasnt to the point that she needed to rest. Richter had arrived shortly after her and should also be fine, but Louise might need to rest Wait, whats that sound? Selene suddenly looked up, hearing a commotion outside the tent. She could distinguish many sounds: the roar of wild beasts, the howl of the wind, the crashing of rocks against the river, explosions and booms, the thud of footsteps on the ground, heavy breathing It sounded less like a forest at night and more like a chaotic battlefield. Whats happening? Selene instinctively stood up, approaching the tent flap, hesitating whether or not to look outside. A moment later, a strong smell of blood reached her, and a blood-soaked Richter fell into her arms. The sudden event stunned Selene for a few seconds. She reacted, first glancing at the tent flap, which hadnt been opened or damaged. Then, carefully, she embraced Richter and put him on the ground. He was still breathing He didnt have any obvious wounds, no external injuries on his chest or abdomen, nothing unusual about his neck or head His right hand his left hand Selene tore open his clothes and saw a bloody gash on his forearm. Muscles were exposed, and she could vaguely see white bone. Stay calm, dont panic She took several deep breaths. Her limited medical knowledge told her she needed to stop the bleeding. She could use her clothes and blankets as makeshift bandages, but how would she immobilize his arm? Go outside and find a branch? But there was clearly a significant danger outside. That would surely be a two-for-one deal Selene crouched down beside him. She didnt touch the blankets under him, but tore a piece of cloth from his sleeve and tightly wrapped it around his left arm, then pressed down on the wound. Her eyes darted around the tent, searching for something to use as a splint Selene suddenly felt the impact of her amnesia. If she hadnt lost her memories, she would have been able to handle this more effectively. Iron Richter hadnt lost consciousness. He was simply exhausted from the chase. His face was pale, and he was clearly in great pain, but he was still conscious and controlled his movements, not thrashing around. Im here. Do you have anything to help stop the bleeding? Holy water, bandages Feeling the blood soak through the makeshift bandage, staining her hands crimson, Selene looked even worse than Richter. Unfortunately, no. First, listen to me. I know the truth about this world in the box, at least part of it Richter tried to move his right hand but was stopped by Selenes gaze. He had no choice but to remain still. Lets talk about that later. What can I do now? I cant just stick his bones back in, can I? Selene tilted her head slightly, preventing the sweat from dripping down. Richter glanced at his arm, a subtle smile appearing on his face. No. In this situation, the best thing you can do doesnt involve magic or divine spells Well, there are two things we can try, but I cant guarantee theyll work Get on with it. The ring. The ring on your left hand can control blood flow Forget it. Youre too tired to control the flow of blood. Youd probably end up breaking my bones. Lets try to make your blood flow in reverse Then theres divine magic. The basic divine spells of the Lord of Glory and Mother Earth have healing properties. You dont need to practice them, but you need to have some affinity for those deities Dont stare at me like that. Its just my way of talking. I feel better when I explain things thoroughly. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. Say thisI implore the Lord of Glory, the God of the First Light. I beg you to send down the primal light of water, to grant us the fire of the darkness Selene followed his instructions, and the bandages on his arm tightened, cutting off the blood flow to his left arm, preventing more bleeding. After a minute, Selene lowered her hand. It didnt work. Richter seemed surprised. Okay, place your right hand on your forehead and your left hand on the wound. Imagine a forest, a river, animals in your mind. The more vivid the scene, the better. Then say thisI implore the Mother of Life, the Goddess who embodies all of creation. Thats it. Selene tried again. The strange sounds outside the tent had stopped. The world was suddenly silent, only their breathing and the somewhat unnatural sound of her prayer remaining. Half a minute later, just as they thought it wouldnt work, Selenes left hand suddenly felt a surge of warmth. She looked over in surprise and saw pale green mist emanating from her fingers, covering the gruesome wound. It worked! Excited, her fingers trembled, and the green mist dissipated quickly, unable to remain. Whew Ill try again. The pale green mist appeared again. This time, Selene concentrated, maintaining the gesture until her strength gave out, passively ending the spell. How does it feel? She felt somewhat relieved and turned to see Richter with his eyes closed, seemingly in a trance. She called his name a few times, but got no response, and decided to shake his head. Richter jolted awake, heard Selene repeat the question, closed his eyes, and felt his arm. I really want to explain the wound thoroughly, but you probably wont let me. So, the conclusion is that the spell has done all it can, but it cant completely repair the bones and muscles. So you should put the exposed muscles and bones back in place. Then use the spell to reconnect them. It doesnt matter if its not perfect. Whats your expression? Crude and simple? It is. But if you cant achieve your goal through simple and direct means, how can magic be called magic, and how can the gods be worshipped? Alright, hurry up. Having explained the situation, seeing Selenes determination, and lifting the bandage from his left arm, Richter said jokingly, Im suddenly a little scared. Should I just bite down on your hand? Just dont bite your tongue off, Selene glared at him and pulled a piece of cloth from her clothes, stuffing it into Richters mouth. Let me do this, and dont yell in pain Just kidding. Yell if it hurts. If only you were this gentle when you werent fighting.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Richter thought to himself, gritting his teeth against the intense pain in his left arm. He could feel the contact between the foreign object and his skin and muscles, and the pressure from the size of the wound It must have been his wrist that broke. It must have taken incredible force. If that had hit his head or chest, he would have died on the spot Damn, it felt like Im being dissected. The tools arent scalpels or forceps, but hands The situation outside was although discovering the true nature of this world was unexpected, the truth suggested that Jose had his own goals But at least they had a lead When talking to Louise, she had said that there wasnt much of a time difference, maybe a day, meaning we still have two or three days to stay here. It would be best to find another way out Richter, lost in thought, suddenly realized that the pain in his arm had lessened. Selene was carefully searching the bloody wound, trying to push the muscles and bones back into place She placed her hand on the wound, and pale green mist emanated from her fingertips again. Richter noticed her fingers trembling slightly, unsure whether it was from maintaining a single position for too long, or from the discomfort of moving the muscles and flesh in someone elses body. She was clearly trying to control her movements, but quickly lost control and lowered her hand. Enough, Richter placed his right hand on Selenes hand, which was about to rise again. Rest for a while. The wound is fine. The bones arent visible. The bleeding has stopped You did enough. Selene, her eyes bloodshot and her eye sockets red, glanced at Richters left arm and nodded slightly. Then she abruptly turned, leaned forward, and vomited several times. Too much pressure. Shes terrified. Is she worried about me? Richter touched Selenes shoulder and patted her back. Im fine. Im not in danger of dying, and I wont suddenly die in the middle of the night Dont worry, take a few deep breaths. Dont put too much pressure on yourself Are you crying? No, Selene took a few deep breaths, blinked, and said with a strained voice. Richter was momentarily speechless. He didnt know what to say, so he gently changed the subject. Lets chat. Its important for the patient to stay conscious Speaking of which, Ive never seen you like this. Its kind of new. Selene shifted her body, pulling away her legs, which were numb from crouching for so long. She tried to stand, but couldnt. Finally, she simply fell to the side, lying down next to Richter. So, what kind of person do you think I am? Ah, youre a very, very, very strong person, Richter said softly, Though this isnt very appropriate, because I havent spent a lot of time with you. But I think youre not the type who shows weakness, no matter whos around. Even after what just happened? Selene asked seriously, Your companion was suddenly in danger, and entrusted his life to you you had to endure the pressure, maintain your composure while using divine magic, maintain a single position for hours, and you had to put your hand inside the wound to touch the muscles and bones, while you had to constantly pay attention to your mental state Even then, I wouldnt be like this, would I? Her words were a little confusing, but Richter understood. He nodded gently. Thats right. But Im familiar with the you who rarely gets into this kind of situation. Besides being strong, your most prominent characteristic is your talent. If Id known you, this wouldnt have happened Well, you would probably have taken care of me first, then gone out and fought a hundred battles, returned without a scratch, and then casually healed me Sounds pretty good, Selene nodded in agreement. So, when I found you, I was surprised, astonished, confused, Richter said vaguely. I didnt understand why you were like this But this isnt bad, either. I think the strong and powerful you was forged through experience. And you can see that now. An ordinary eighteen-year-old girl wouldnt be able to do what youve done. Selene was silent for a long time. How long have we known each other? A long time. So long that Ive forgotten what you looked like when we first met, Richter shifted his head, finding a more comfortable position. About ten years. How old am I? Selene suddenly became alert. Eighteen or so, Richter replied. Seeing her expression, he chuckled and added, Im only twenty. But you look ten years old, Selene scoffed. So Im older. Should I call you sister? Richter sighed helplessly. But hed never seen her so childlike before. How should he put this? More feminine than usual? Though she had a breathtakingly beautiful face, she usually acted boldly and roughly, almost genderless He didnt dislike it, but he preferred her usual demeanor. While thinking impolite thoughts, Richter heard Selene ask, Can you tell me about you and me? But let me ask first, we werent particularly close, were we? This time, Richter fell silent. Should he reveal his purpose here? Was this a good opportunity? The answer was clear. He shook his head and denied it. He didnt want to put any extra pressure on Selene. We can talk about that later. I need to tell you about what I saw first. Selene immediately perked up. First, its certain that the space in this box is very large, much larger than the caravan and its surroundings. The forest, the river, and the distant mountains all actually exist in this space. Chapter 64: Shhh Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Chapter 65: Joses Message Seeing Selene about to speak, then suddenly stopping, and then looking down as if she had heard something, Richter and Louise immediately reactedwhatever she was seeing, it wasnt normal! I implore the Eternal Cycle, the God who unravels all suffering! Richter took a step back and, during the brief interval of the divine spell, quickly cast two spells to anchor their minds, then finished his prayer, Please unravel us from all suffering! His hand drew an infinity symbol in the air, then, returning to the starting point, drew a line through it. The divine spell took effect. Waves of blue-black magical energy spread out, and their negative emotions rapidly dissipated like mist under the sun. Logic and reason took over their minds. Selene, who had been slightly dazed from fear, immediately took a few steps back, avoiding the gaze of the head, which was wriggling, trying to crawl out of the pile of clothes. Even without limbs or a body, even blinded and deafened, even without life, it still moved forward bit by bit, using its forehead, its rotting flesh, its barely attached teeth, wriggling, like a clown, relentlessly approaching. And as it moved, even in this state, it still smiled. Shhh This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Chapter 66: The Thing Above Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 67: This is my escape route The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 68: Run Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 69: Confess Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Chapter 69.5: Selene The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Chapter 70: From the beginning… from the very start This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Chapter 71: Questions Richter was lost in thought for a long time. He temporarily abandoned his plan to follow the sounds and sat on the branch of a large, lush tree, observing the scene below and pondering. The unexpected blessing, and the flood of information that came with it, left him unsure of his next steps. The blessing was real. The power of the gods couldnt be faked. And the War God was one of the most special deities. As the God Made of Mortals, the power he bestowed would have a distinctive quality. It would affect the casters mental state. For example, Richter was now feeling an overwhelming surge of confidence, sometimes even having extreme thoughts like Ill just cut everything down. But the problem was, Richter had no memory of casting this spell. In fact, since hed learned the War Gods spells, hed hardly used them at all. He usually used magic, mainly spells like Luminescence and Stunning Strike that aided his thinking. Occasionally, when magic wasnt effective, or when divine spells were needed, hed use spells from the God of Order or the God of Wisdom The spells from the Unspeakable God of the Spirit Tribunal were occasionally used against those with ill intentions who couldnt be dealt with directly. But he rarely used the War Gods spells, the spells of the Undefeated God of War, the God of Unwavering Victory. On the one hand, there wasnt much need for combat in Mittal. On the other hand, he didnt particularly like things that affected his mental state And to be honest, at low levels, the War Gods spells werent that useful. Youd usually lose the fight whether you used the spell or not. This wasnt to say the blessing wasnt powerful, or that its effects werent useful. Though low-level spells had many limitations, requiring a defeat before the blessing could be received, as the casters strength increased, these restrictions lessened. The effects became more noticeable and comprehensive, not limited to physical attributes, but also affecting more difficult things to enhance, like intelligence, magical adaptability, and even impacting things like causality and spacetime. Theres a record of a devout follower of the War God, a superhuman close-combat City Breaker, who experienced this: In a surprise attack, he and his subordinates faced an enemy force three times their size. On the battlefield, he made an unexpected move. He swung his sword without hitting anything. A second later, his second swing split the enemy forces in two, including three of their equally superhuman enemieshis first strike had resulted in a defeat, so his second strike, ignoring armor, strategy, and everything that worked against him, achieved a crushing victory. This kind of thing is incredibly rare, but it did happen. But at low levels, the limitations were significant, and the minimal boost from the War Gods spells made them almost useless. Not only did you need to lose a battle to receive the blessing, but by the time you did, your opponent had likely already won. And even if you managed to receive the blessing and the resulting surge of anger, confidence, and excitement, these emotions could cloud your judgment and affect your decision-making during battle.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Devout followers of the War God respected him, but even they found this situation frustrating. Richter had even heard jokes at gatherings, calling the War God the God of Two Freebies, or the God Who Only Bestows Glory After Defeat It referred to how many people had used this spell and often received a second chance. Sometimes the opponent got away, and the enhanced abilities were useless, the person claiming the opponent had been too scared. Richter didnt comment on this, but he rarely used the War Gods spells. Unless the situation was dire. Otherwise, he kept it low on his priority list. The most useful application of this low-level spell was during escapes, sacrificing yourself to buy time for your companionslike the big brothers in those novels. But considering that I cant even cast spells properly, Ill probably just get killed instantly, Richter thought. Though he was very puzzled, he quickly accepted the fact that he had suffered amnesia, that hed been in a battle, and had used the War Gods spell before losing his memory. Since he couldnt use his enhanced abilities at will, the person who defeated him must be watching him. Strange Just watching shouldnt trigger it. Theoretically, Im currently engaged in a contest with him? He didnt sense anything unusual. Theoretically, this is a mental battle? Richter silently cast ten layers of Iron Will and ten layers of Mental Guard spells on himself. Then, pointing his hand towards the sky, he whispered, I implore the God of Order, the God of the Written Law, the God of Established Rulesbind me. I will not harm my friends. I will not harm the innocent. I will uphold morality and faith. I will place others above myself. I swear this oath, and I will not break it. May you witness this. The symbol of the God of Order silently appeared on the back of his hand, a little distance from the War Gods symbol. This was insurance. Even if his perceptions and consciousness were subtly altered, the God of Orders power would prevent him from doing anything harmful. Having done that, Richter sighed with relief and began to think about what it meant that he had used the War Gods spell. Though he had no memory of what hed done, he was certain he hadnt done anything pointless After pondering for a moment, he considered a possibility. To leave a message. If something happened, time rewound, memories were erased, then divine magic, which transcended time and space, was the only way to convey information. And the War Gods spell was very practical in this situation. The casting time was short. Invoking the War Gods name would be effective. The two-stage activation mechanism guaranteed that the message would be received. Though the enhanced abilities were almost useless in real combat, it would be a different story if he had teammates Though this theory was a bit far-fetched, Richter believed this was the truth. But how did he come to this conclusion? What had he seen and learned during that lost period? Richter felt uneasy. Realizing he might have experienced a rewind, he couldnt maintain his composure because of the surge of emotions from the War Gods spell. If I got a message, what about Selene? He knew himself very well. If this had happened, the first thing he would do wouldnt be to leave a message for himselfbut to try to preserve Selenes memories, to make sure she was aware of the situation. Even without considering his feelings, it made sense from a purely logical perspective. Because he couldnt quickly gain Selenes trust, he couldnt just tell her, Weve already experienced a time rewind or memory erasure. She wouldnt believe him. But there was another way. Even if she remained somewhat skeptical, he was certain she would trust him. Two people knowing was always better than one. The War Gods spell could be used on others, so Selene, at the very least, should be aware that something was wrong. And when he explained the situation, her ability to accept it would be greater. That was enough. Find her. Chapter 72: Hero Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Chapter 73: Exploration and Encounter This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Chapter 74: Jose This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Chapter 75: Why did it become like this? If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 76: Personality Change If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Chapter 77: It cannot be ignored (1) Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 78: It cannot be ignored (2) If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 79: It cannot be ignored (3) The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.