Chapter 1301 The Detective's Letter <TOC> Chapter 1303 Leather Suitcase
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel appeared somewhat dazed, his original intent was merely to seek some counsel from Sanders, and then journey to Watford to get a glimpse of this Furlington, to ascertain if any subterfuge was at play. However, what he hadn’t anticipated was…
Every single individual had mobilized.
Save for Leon who stayed behind at home, everyone else followed suit.
It was but a mere date that cast doubts, and Angel had yet to firmly associate Furlington with Rolando. Perhaps Suis, still smarting from the recent fruitless endeavor with the alchemical puppet, approached this mission with renewed zeal, being the first to arrive at Watford.
Their initial stop was a rundown detective agency where they found Richard.
A week had transpired and Richard finally donned a fresh outfit. However, the pronounced shadows under his eyes intimated that sleep had been scarce for him of late.
Upon Angel’s arrival at the detective agency, expressing his intention for Richard to facilitate a meeting with Furlington, Richard naturally found himself in no position to decline.
Richard led the way, but occasionally he cast furtive glances over his shoulder.
Angel and White Bear were already familiar faces from a prior encounter. This time, however, two additional men, both exuding a more mature demeanor, accompanied them. These two remained silent, yet even a clandestine glance in their direction sent shivers down Richard’s spine, filling him with an overwhelming sense of trepidation.
Richard was now beginning to grasp the idiom “a presence as profound as the ocean.”
The aura radiated by these two was exactly that — endless and formidable, like staring into an unfathomable abyss.
Perhaps this was the most cautious and nerve-wracking guidance Richard had ever provided. Suppressing the tremor in his legs, he wordlessly led the group through the bustling commercial district, arriving at the dilapidated and desolate slums of the lower city.
Ultimately, Richard came to a halt before a three-story building. Its scorched exterior gave the impression it had been touched by flames in its past.
When Richard arrived at the scene, a sly-looking, sharp-faced hunchbacked scoundrel edged discreetly closer, like a fox sneaking into a henhouse.
Their presence, with an unmistakably refined air, clashed starkly with the slum’s rough backdrop. Initially, they had thought this miscreant was a brash fool, out to pick a fight beyond his depth, like a guppy challenging a shark.
However, upon casting a fleeting glance at the group, the ruffian appeared somewhat intimidated, lowering his head like a chastened child. He sidled up to Richard and murmured softly, “Boss Kaf, we’ve been tailing Furlington for three days now. Just yesterday, he ventured out to hire a horse carriage in advance, planning to head to Sea Moon City the day after tomorrow. He’s been indoors ever since.”
“Is he at home now?” Richard inquired, like a detective probing for clues.
The young rogue gave a subtle nod, “Yes, I even spotted the old man he brought back, smoking by the window.”
Richard acknowledged with a nod, pulling a few copper coins from his pocket and handing them over, as one might reward a useful informant, “You’ve done well. Your task is done.”
The scoundrel, beaming as if he had struck gold, bowed and gestured enthusiastically. Soon, a couple of individuals, not much different in age from him, gathered. After dividing the coins amongst themselves, these young men vanished into the distant streets, like shadows fading at dawn.
Only then did Richard turn to Angel, divulging, “I hired these folks to keep an eye on Furlington.”
Angel responded with a nonchalant nod, as if to say, ‘Even a broken clock is right twice a day’. Even the lowliest of characters, when properly utilized, can prove invaluable.
Richard conveyed, “Let’s head up. Furlington hasn’t left; he’s still inside.”
Angel gently shook his head, whispering, “No need. I’ve already seen.”
Confused, Richard examined Angel, then his gaze wandered to the impeccable building. There were no windows facing them. What had Angel discerned? What unseen truth lay beneath his gaze?
As Richard pondered, a flamboyant redhead, with a wild demeanor but a steely countenance, took the initiative. Without any query, he stepped into the small building, like a knight boldly entering a dragon’s lair.
A tense White Bear followed closely, as if treading on thin ice.
Angel gave Richard a reassuring pat on the shoulder and handed over the purse he had promised earlier, saying, “You did well with the task. This is your rightful due. Leave the next steps to us.”
Finishing, Angel cast a glance at Sanders, questioning, “Mentor, is there an issue inside?”
“There’s something wrong. There seems to be traces of residual energy on the man named Furlington, but I can’t ascertain the exact nature. Let’s go in and see for ourselves.” With that, both Sanders and Angel made their way into the building.
On the long street, all that remained was a bewildered Richard, his thoughts scattered to the winds.
…
A look of sheer terror adorned Furlington’s face as he observed the strangers who had abruptly invaded his home.
He wanted to shout out in anger, but when he tried to open his mouth, he found himself voiceless. More alarmingly, it felt as though time and space around him had solidified. Neither he nor his deceased wife’s father and brother could move or utter a word.
Furlington had served as a sailor on the ship White Headed Gull, which made him more knowledgeable about the world of the transcendental than an average man. He was well aware that their current predicament was the work of someone extraordinary.
However, he pondered, which exceptional being would go out of their way to target a mere mortal like himself?
As his confusion deepened, he recognized a figure amongst the intruders, the fiery-haired Suis.
Furlington’s eyes widened in shock. How could he not recognize Suis? Suis was the sharpest blade aboard the White Headed Gull in days gone by!
According to the captain, Suis was a formal wizard. Even in the populous, Vast Continent, Suis was amongst the elite.
Having beheld with his own eyes Suis effortlessly slay a ferocious sea creature, towering tens of meters high, aboard the White Headed Gull, Furlington was no stranger to his might.
The sheer power of Suis was beyond dispute. Yet, Furlington was utterly confounded as to why this formidable figure would be present in his rented abode.
With a soft thud, a letter found itself before Furlington.
Simultaneously, the binding spell on Furlington was undone, and he gazed shakily at Suis. The latter merely gestured towards the letter, “Inspect it closely.”
As Furlington held the parchment, it took him but moments to discern its content — an account of all his deeds since his arrival in Watford.
Had someone been probing into his affairs? A tremor ran through him. This indicated that Suis’s entrance into his home was no accident; he was the deliberate target.
But… why?
Although employed by the White Shell Shipping Company and having crossed paths with the extraordinary, Furlington had never been entangled with Suis. Their paths had never crossed on the White Headed Gull.
“Having read this letter, it’s your turn. How did you manage to travel from Sea Moon City to Watford in less than a week?” Suis’s voice rang cold and stern.
Suis had initially planned to employ a mental enchantment for interrogation, much like he had with Feilin. However, being a mere mortal, Furlington’s mental fortitude was exceptionally fragile. Even the slightest prod might prove fatal. Hence, Suis refrained.
While Angel could have entranced Furlington using an illusion spell, seeing Furlington’s demeanor made it evident he recognized Suis. Given his current disposition, there was no necessity for any form of coercion.
Indeed, after a brief pause, Furlington muttered under his breath, “Could it be his doing? Cursed be my greed for convenience…”
Under the scrutiny of watchful eyes, Furlington confessed all.
The reason he reached Watford so swiftly was due to another’s guidance. Mounted on a flying carpet, he arrived in Watford just the day after leaving the City of Sea Moon.
Suis, with an icy tone, inquired, “Who was that individual? Why did he bring you along?”
Furlington hesitated, “I’m not certain of his identity, but I recall him as a passenger on the White Headed Gull ship. Though I’ve never seen his face, I’m familiar with his attire. As for his motive in bringing me, I’m unsure. He simply wanted my assistance with a particular task.”
“And what might that be?” Suis demanded sternly.
Swallowing hard, Furlington surmised that this very task might be the reason Lord Suis had taken such interest in him. In the piercing and intimidating gaze of Suis, Furlington’s legs quaked, and a cold sweat started forming.
“It was… it was a task he entrusted to me. He instructed me to bury a box in the ground.”
“What’s inside the box, and where did you bury it?”
“I’ve no clue as to the contents of the box. I didn’t open it, nor would I dare to. He directed me to bury it near… Dread Mountain Waterfall,” Furlington replied, trembling.
“Dread Mountain Waterfall? Where’s that?” A character known as White Bear asked in puzzlement.
“It’s adjacent to Grud Town. My brother Leon used to practice endurance training near that waterfall,” Angel chimed in.
By this point, the assembled group had started piecing the puzzle together. They surmised something wrong with the box.
Perhaps the incidents at Pat Manor were linked to this very box. Why else would the mysterious man specifically direct its burial near Grud Town?
Moreover, since Furlington was but a mere mortal, even if his actions were discovered, they’d likely attract no suspicion.
“My lord, I’m at a loss to fathom what has transpired. My hands are clean; I remain in the dark about the events that unfolded… I was simply lured by convenience. That individual assured me that should I assist in this matter, he’d whisk me away to Watford. With recent news of my family’s separation, my heart was frayed and desperate, leading me to agree,” Furlington’s face was awash with tears. “I genuinely had no ulterior motives, I was kept in the dark!”
Furlington reiterated variations of his plea. He seemed to realize that the box was the linchpin of it all.
“Lead us to where you’ve buried the box.” Suis, with a tinge of impatience, didn’t bother responding to Furlington’s narrative. Instead, he firmly grasped his collar, took a step, and took flight through the window.
The others promptly followed suit.
Meanwhile, Richard, having just departed from the slums, was still processing events, his face marked with bewilderment. He was clueless about the identity of the group, yet the reward they had bestowed was undeniably generous. He had covertly peeked inside the purse, and amidst the silvery gleam, he even caught a glint of gold.
This one assignment could set him up comfortably for several months!
As Richard’s heart danced with elation, a sudden outcry echoed around him. Startled, he quickly secured his money bag. After all, this was the slums where desperation drove people to extreme measures.
Only when he had safely stored his bag did he realize the commotion wasn’t about him. Eyes weren’t drawn to him, but instead, they were gazing upwards, riveted to the sky.
Curiously, he too looked up.
At first glance, he was rooted to the spot. The same individuals who had accompanied him to the slums were now soaring high above, cutting through the sky with the wind howling past…
Chapter 1301 The Detective's Letter <TOC> Chapter 1303 Leather Suitcase