novelraw Chapter 110 : Not Over Yet?
Chapter 110 : Not Over Yet?
Chapter 110: Not Over Yet?
After wrapping up the case, Levi hurried off for lunch.
In this era, there were no charges for obstructing an investigation. If the butler’s behavior had taken place in modern times, he would have been detained for at least ten days or half a month. But in this era, it would only be handled internally.
Since it was suicide, the rest was a family matter. Even an upright official would find it hard to judge domestic disputes. Levi was a detective, not an upright official, so naturally he slipped away.
“Never thought solving a case would be this easy.”
At the dining table sat the same trio: Mr. Howard, Miss Annie, and Madam Molly. Levi had cracked the case in just one morning, even in time for lunch. This truly opened their eyes.
“In the future, with the development of technology, solving cases will become easier and easier.”
Levi took a bite of steak before continuing.
“Fingerprints, footprints will become standard in investigations. Techniques like gunpowder residue testing are also being developed. In the future, it might even be possible to tell a person’s gender or age just from a single strand of hair… perhaps even directly match who it belongs to.”
“Amazing.”
Mr. Howard sighed in admiration.
“If that’s really the case, then solving cases will indeed become much easier.”
“Just from a strand of hair to identify someone? Could such a technique really be possible?”
Madam Molly, on the other hand, found it hard to imagine and asked curiously.
But it was Annie who answered instead of Levi.
“I heard from some classmates in the biology department that mainstream research right now is focused on studying biological cells under a microscope to understand their form and function. From a biological perspective, human cells should also have similarities, just like fingerprints. If the same cellular structures are compared, perhaps identity could be confirmed that way.”
“…Pretty much like that.”
Levi looked at Annie in surprise. He had only mentioned hair, yet this young lady had already thought of DNA testing. Truly clever.
“So, cases like this one are actually not very difficult.”
Levi said as he sliced off another piece of steak.
“Though just looking at the scene itself can be hard, there are footprints, tracks, fingerprints, gunpowder residue—all of these. So even if the person refuses to speak, the clues obtained from technology would be enough for us to reconstruct the crime scene. I think in the future, court trials will also consider these factors, instead of relying solely on witnesses and testimony. Evidence itself is objective and impartial, it doesn’t change.”
“Oh, so that’s why you wasted time doing all those things?”
Mr. Howard finally realized.
“Exactly. Photos, recordings, transcripts, gunpowder residue test reports, the doctor’s autopsy report, footprints and fingerprint analysis reports… with these, anyone could draw conclusions, not just detectives relying on guesswork and reasoning.”
“Then won’t the role of detectives become smaller and smaller in the future?”
“That’s right.”
Levi shook his head and said no more. Progress in technology was a good thing. People couldn’t really rely on a handful of ‘famous detectives’ to solve crimes forever, could they…
“Ding-dong.”
Just then, a sound rang in Levi’s ear. He glanced ahead to see the system pop up with a line of text.
【Case solved +1】
【Reward received: Basic Treasure Chest +1】
So there was a reward after all. He had thought there wouldn’t be any.
Seeing the prompt, Levi said nothing more. The entire case had passed without the system prompting him once, so he had thought the system only cared about supernatural events. But now it seemed the system cared about ordinary cases too—just without issuing missions, more like daily tasks.
He’d save it for later.
Levi dismissed the system’s prompt with a thought, and it obediently vanished.
After lunch, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Levi had intended to check out the pool, but this era was still conservative. Women didn’t wear bikinis but one-piece swimsuits with short sleeves and shorts. For Levi, who had seen plenty of swimsuit shows in the later generations, this held no appeal. Better to just go back to his room and sleep.
Oh right, the treasure chest.
Back in his room, Levi raised his hand and summoned the chest.
It wasn’t too big or too small, looking exactly like the kind of reward chest that appeared in online games. Levi inspected it, then gave it a pat. The chest opened with a silver glow.
Then it vanished, leaving behind an outfit.
A top hat, a cloak, a long-sleeved trench coat, gloves, trousers, and boots… the texture looked good, leather-like, and very suitable for action.
Levi nodded and read the description.
【Hunter’s Outfit: Whatever you hunt shall be your prey (Stealth +1%, Damage to Monsters +1%)】
Hmm… kind of like a costume, but with stat boosts? Not bad.
Only then did Levi notice a new tab in his system—【Wardrobe】. He clicked it, and instantly his clothing changed from formal suit to an elegant yet dangerous-looking black hunter’s outfit.
Yes, not bad at all. Stylish, with a one-click outfit change.
Levi admired himself in the mirror, then unequipped it. His clothes instantly reverted back to the original suit.
Didn’t expect the system to have this feature… very nice.
Stats aside, the one-click outfit change was extremely convenient. Levi had seen plenty of movies where sneak attacks happened while one was sleeping or bathing. With this feature, he wouldn’t need to worry about running naked in the streets if an emergency struck.
Very important indeed.
For Levi, the matter was settled there.
But word of the Porto incident quickly spread among the first-class passengers.
That was normal. Even though Levi and the others weren’t gossiping, there had been plenty of sailors present at the time. When curious passengers sent their servants to ask questions and flashed some banknotes, the sailors readily spilled everything.
One reporter even rushed straight to the telegraph office and paid a hefty price to send the news back to his newspaper. By the next morning, newspapers across the Empire might be reporting on the Porto heir’s suicide during his honeymoon voyage.
But none of that concerned Levi.
He ate, drank, admired the scenery, and let his puppet bird fly around to survey the surroundings. That was life.
But for others, it was different.
For example… those unlucky guards.
“Hey, do we really have to stand watch tonight?”
At the foot of the staircase, Guard A whispered. Guard B sighed.
“What else can we do? Keep guarding… Besides, wasn’t the young lady’s body already moved to the ice cellar?”
“That’s true, but… don’t you feel uneasy?”
“Of course I do…”
The two exchanged looks up the stairs. Guard duty for first-class passengers was usually considered a fine job. Sometimes they had to carry luggage, but generous guests often tipped them well enough to make it worthwhile.
But now… just thinking of that luxurious suite in Section A, where someone had died, made them uneasy.
Sailors were often superstitious. Now, on the Arctic Star’s maiden voyage, on the very first night someone had died—and it was a woman, a suicide at that.
Just the thought chilled the guards to the bone. The voyage felt cursed.
And then…
“Woooo—”
A strange sound suddenly drifted in, making both guards shudder.
The noise was half-crying, half-laughing, sometimes loud, sometimes faint, almost like…
“Did you hear that?”
“I didn’t hear anything…”
“Yeah, just an illusion, nothing more…”
“Hey, you two!”
A sharp female voice from behind nearly made them jump out of their skins.
They turned to see Selena in her nightgown, standing on the stairs with a frown, staring at them.
“Did you hear it?”
“I-I didn’t!”
“Neither did I!”
“Lies! If you didn’t hear, you wouldn’t be reacting like this. Come with me!”
The two guards had no choice but to follow Selena up the stairs. At the door to the luxury suite, Butler Byrne and Maid Eliza were already waiting, while two other guards stood pale-faced.
The reason for their fear was simple.
The eerie sound was coming from inside the suite!
“Open the door!”
Selena ordered through gritted teeth. The guards panicked.
“B-but… we don’t have the key!”
“The Chief Inspector took the suite’s keys.”
Butler Byrne explained quietly.
“This suite is completely locked. It can’t be opened.”
“Then break it down! I want to see who dares play ghost tricks before the Porto family!”
Selena was clearly furious. Her sister had just died, and now someone dared cause trouble right under their noses!?
“This…”
“Quick, I’ll pay you one hundred pounds!”
“…”
Faced with such temptation, the four guards exchanged glances.
With so many people here, what ghost was there to fear?
They braced themselves, aimed at the door.
“One, two, three!”
With a shout, all four slammed into the door, smashing it open!
They looked inside, and then—
“Ahhh!”
“Help!”
Four burly men now stood trembling, faces pale with terror. Selena frowned and stepped forward.
“What did you see—ahhh!”
She screamed and collapsed onto the floor.
“Second Miss! Are you alright?”
The butler and maid rushed to her side, and Selena clutched Byrne’s hand tightly.
“Quick, quick, go get the detective!!”
For Levi, the second night aboard the ship was truly restless.
Especially being woken by a loud knock, leaving him speechless.
He got out of bed, opened the door, and found Maid Eliza standing there, face pale.
“D-detective! It’s terrible!”
“What happened, Miss Eliza? Please calm down.”
Levi quickly tried to reassure her. Eliza caught her breath before finally speaking again.
“Th-there’s a ghost!”
“…Huh?”