The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 1027: Discovery and Evasion

Heinz Ellis, who climbed out of the flowing mire next, proved it was just a false alarm. However, he brought bad news.

"We've been discovered. The underground dwellers are watching us."

The underground dwellers usually engaged in passive trade, but there was always a chance of them being active. To prevent them from selling their location to the Alliance of Bloodline Families, the group needed to make a quick decision.

Either leave, or attack.

"Will anyone die because of this?" Lu Li asked.

Admittedly, Lu Li's knowledge of this era's battles came only from books and duels in the arenas of the Academy of Giant Trees; he had no real experience.

"If we're sudden enough, they won't have time to do anything," Nunes replied.

Just like in a musket duel from the Ancient Era—whoever loaded their cartridges first was the absolute victor.

Pasha Rivas donned his armor once more.

"Tot and I will protect you.""I could see your bulky and conspicuous armor from the Main Continent," Heinz Ellis quipped.

The flat mire couldn't hide a single figure, not just the two knights, but any of them.

However, Lu Li had a solution: the Merchant Antoni had brought an invisibility potion, and they all drank it to conceal their forms. Although they still left tracks, that was a problem that would only arise once they got closer.

They moved along a path that blended with the mire, approaching the mining district. As the figures of the Alliance of Bloodline Families appeared in the distance, a faint whisper sounded around Nunes.

"The closer we get before they spot us, the better. Then, attack without hesitation, because they won't show any mercy either."

Four members of the Alliance of Bloodline Families were scattered around the perimeter of the mining district, completely unaware of their approach.

An earthquake, occurring at intervals of more than ten minutes, rumbled from the depths of the mining district, churning the mire and blurring the tracks of their advance.

When the tremor subsided, they could already make out the crests embroidered on their clothes or cloaks.

"I feel a lot of eyes around... they're watching you," Will Ken suddenly whispered.

"The judges?"

Lu Li thought of the leaders of the ten factions, whom he had yet to see.

"I don't know who the judges are... but, Lu Li, they wouldn't be paying attention to this empty perimeter of the mining district," Will Ken said, drawing on his experience as a legendary agent.

"It's a trap. Trust Will."

Lu Li's gaze fell several dozen meters ahead.

The members of the Alliance of Bloodline Families guarding the mining district's perimeter were scanning the Swamps, seemingly oblivious to the people hidden by the invisibility potion.

But their formation was too tight...

"We might have been discovered. Let's retreat for now."

The hidden group halted at Lu Li's voice and then decided to fall back.

"Attack!"

Simultaneously, shouts erupted from the members of the Alliance of Bloodline Families.

The mire on both sides surged upward, crashing down like a wave on the hidden group.

"I am the Shield!"

The cries of Pasha Rivas and Tot rang out at the same time, raising walls of mud that rolled over the others, engulfing them.

Slosh—slosh—

Two figures burst through the mud waves that had swallowed Pasha Rivas and Tot. Ida, her form now visible, plunged her articulated limbs deep into the mire, struggled to pull out the two mud-caked men, and dragged them to a safe distance.

More figures arrived from the mining district, but thanks to Will Ken's warning, the Alliance of Bloodline Families' counterattack had failed.

They maintained a safe distance from the Alliance: they couldn't fight, but they could observe each other.

"I didn't realize the famous exorcist was here." A figure in a veiled cloak stood in the distance, having recognized Lu Li.

"If you're looking for cooperation, why not come to us?"

"If you sincerely wish to cooperate."

"Of course, we have no intention of opposing you. Interested in a deal? Hand them over to me, and I'll tell you the location of the exit. I also won't honor the Monck family's agreement to capture you..."

"Not interested."

"What a pity..." The cloaked figure shook their head slightly.

"The Monck family, who are searching for you everywhere, will be here soon. We'll soon see how the legendary exorcist fails to even pass the first tournament."

Heinz Ellis, with sludge dripping off him like a mud doll, pursed his lips.

"If you want to punish these bloodline scions..."

"We're leaving," Lu Li said calmly.

Under the mocking gazes of their enemies, they disappeared into the depths of the northern Swamps.

...

Slosh—

On the edge of hills covered in dense forest, Pasha Rivas and Tot washed the remaining mud from their under-armor and plate.

They had never allowed themselves such a luxury; resilience was one of the knightly credos. However, with Antoni the Merchant as their endless support, they didn't hesitate to rid themselves of the discomfort.

"If you insist on dealing with those arrogant nobles, we can do it."

Though the price would be injury and death, for the enemy as well as for them.

Heinz Ellis was displeased with Lu Li's choice. The Council of Nobles and the Alliance of Bloodline Families were similar in some respects: they both placed great importance on honor. To them, shaming one's family was worse than death.

If their leader hadn't been Lu Li, Heinz Ellis would not have retreated.

"I don't like to fight."

That was Lu Li's simple reply.

As stated before, Lu Li could not understand, nor did he approve of, actions that depleted one's strength.

Whether it be academies, families, powers, or any other faction, to Lu Li, their status was no greater than humanity itself.

This is why Lu Li's story is still told to this day—

Looking around, Lu Li saw that the dense forest on the hills was still a place of death. Twisted bodies pressed tightly against each other, raising their own nameless headstones.

Lu Li, Nunes, and Will Ken recognized this place: the area where Will Ken had spent more than twenty years.

To the northeast, the remnant of a stone pillar rose above the dull yellow swamp.

Their plan had come full circle, seemingly returning to Lu Li's original goal: the Cursed Title of the Swamps.

"I know about the first stage of the previous tournament."

Keit, who always carried a red, peeling musket and, like Nunes, was from the Union of Divine Cities, recalled what his brother had told him before he left.

"They experienced the 'New World.' All participants were placed in a pure land without conflict or contamination, and the task was to find the source of the contamination. Every day, the environment deteriorated; the second day was worse than the first, the third worse than the second..."

When the contamination became severe enough, anomalies began to emerge from the In-Between, invading this ever-worsening pure land.

The participants fought the anomalies while searching for clues. Finally, they found the true source of the contamination—

Themselves.

"The people who stole the forbidden fruit were cursed..." Ida whispered a Saying. Lu Li didn't know its origin, but he had memorized it.

"You think this has something to do with our situation?" Nunes asked.

"Hmm, for example... is it possible that the exit isn't a physical exit as we understand it?"

"Can I help you..."

At that moment, Will Ken's hoarse voice sounded in his mind.

Listening to their analysis, Lu Li gathered his thoughts and told the legendary agent the rules of the first stage and his suspicions.

"The Saying of the underground dwellers... what did it say?"