novelraw Chapter 287: Remi's Request
Chapter 287: Remi's Request
Heavy rains, a gloomy sky, and the complex emotions stirred by the foul weather.
These things were typical of rainy days.
Pessimists usually chose overcast weather for their sighs, not bright, sunny days.
Lu Li was no pessimist, but the world he saw was far worse than anything a pessimist could imagine.
The next morning, the rain had not let up. The downpour lashed the city, like leaden-gray seawater hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds.
If not for the newspaper delivered a few minutes ago, which still forecasted rain for the following Wednesday, Lu Li might have thought the rainy season had already arrived.
Thanks to Belfast's unique terrain, there was almost no flooding. Only turbulent torrents of water rushed through the channels toward the sea.
Anna was in the kitchen preparing a meal. Half an hour earlier, while the market was still open, Lu Li had gone to buy groceries.
The Trader had not yet arrived. Setting the newspaper aside with a rustle, Lu Li picked up the envelope lying beside it.
It bore the names of Remi and Jimmy. They usually sent their letters around this time.[Dear Lu Li!]
[We've left the settlement at the foot of the mountain and reached Khimfast. The settlement was boring; there was just a mountain and nothing else.]
[I think something happened there. The locals were very unfriendly to us outsiders. I'm sure Jimmy didn't even show his face outside the carriage, but they still drove us away.]
[They were so unwelcoming... But don't worry, remember what I said? We're already in Khimfast.]
[In the end, we never even made it into the settlement itself. Luckily, one kind resident sold us some food. You know, I quietly asked him what had happened in the village, but he ran off as if he were scared, without even saying a word.]
[Anyway, let's forget about that place. I'll tell you about Khimfast instead. It really is a city of arts! The streets are full of artists selling their paintings. It seems like everyone here knows how to draw. I spent just a little money, and an elderly artist drew a portrait of me. It's a shame there's only one, and it won't fit in an envelope... I'll show it to you when we get to Belfast.]
[Jimmy wanted a portrait too, but he can't leave the carriage, or someone might see him... It's such a pity that people are still so prejudiced against those who are different from them.]
[As I'm writing this, I suddenly remembered that silly Jimmy said he saw you yesterday. How is that possible? He must have gotten confused again and mistaken Khimfast for Belfast. He does that a lot—sometimes he's normal, and then he forgets everything.]
[I bought a local newspaper. It says there will be heavy rains for the next few days. We wanted to head straight to Belfast to see you, but it looks like we'll be delayed on the road. The map shows the Hidden Vale and the Sentry Post... The Sentry Post is already very close to you.]
[I'm running out of space, so that's all for now.]
[Your good friends, Remi and Jimmy]
...
The signature was at the end of the letter, but it was not yet the end.
Beneath the signature, a few more lines had been added, written hastily, as if dashed off in a hurry.
[This is Remi. I'm writing this in secret while Jimmy isn't looking. Remember how I wrote that Jimmy is sometimes fine and sometimes forgets everything? It's been going on for a while now, and his periods of forgetfulness are getting longer. He hasn't attacked me yet, but he tries to attack other people nearby.]
[I can still hide it for now, but I'm afraid his condition will only get worse until he stops coming to his senses completely... He's all I have left, my only family. Please, help me.]
[We're not far from Belfast now, so this letter will probably arrive in a day. We're most likely in the Hidden Vale at the moment. I'll stay there for a day to wait for your reply. If you get this letter in time and know what's wrong with Jimmy, or how to help him, please write to me.]
[In desperate need of your help, Remi and Jimmy]
The letter bore a Khimfast postmark. Remi had sent it while she was still there.
It was important to note that this time, the letter was not a one-way correspondence.
Remi was asking Lu Li to reply to her.
This was completely different from her previous letters.
Lu Li didn't know if Remi genuinely needed help or if this was something else entirely. But he replied to her.
He tore out a clean sheet of paper.
Although Tesla had only told him about it verbally, Lu Li remembered Jimmy's condition. He had transformed into a monster outside the Ruins, but for some reason, the transformation hadn't been completed. He retained a human consciousness while possessing a monster's body made of shadows.
This meant Jimmy's current state was most likely related to that.
[This is Lu Li. I received your letter, and all the previous ones as well.]
[I suspect Jimmy's condition is related to his monstrous body. It may be influencing him. There's too little information in your letter to be more certain. If you can, please tell me more.]
After his usual brief response, Lu Li paused for a moment before adding: [Just in case, don't let him get caught in the rain.]
Finished writing, Lu Li put down the pen, folded the paper to the size of an envelope, and slipped it inside.
The postman had already left; he wouldn't be back until tomorrow morning, and by then it might be too late. Lu Li's only options were to go to the post office himself, or...
The Trader could do anything. Perhaps he could work as a postman?
Just then, Anna's voice drifted from the kitchen, along with an appetizing aroma. "Lu Li! Breakfast is almost ready."
Soon, Anna, wearing a floral apron, emerged from the kitchen carrying a pot and set it on the table.
Lu Li was eating when he heard heavy footsteps in the hallway.
The Trader had arrived.
Lu Li opened the door. The Trader, looking as if he had just emerged from the sea, entered the detective agency, leaving a trail of wet footprints behind him. He carefully placed the second Deep Sea Stone on top of the first.
Then, the Trader shrugged off a massive backpack, larger than the cubic Deep Sea Stone, pulled out the Investigator Weekly, and handed it to Lu Li.
Strangely, the newspaper was perfectly new and dry; only the corner where the Trader held it was damp.
Lu Li took the paper, turned to the table, and set it down. He then picked up the envelope and held it out to the Trader. "Do you deliver letters?"
"Where to? When does it need to be delivered?"
"To the Hidden Vale. Tomorrow is the deadline."
[Delivery today—5 investigation points. Delivery tomorrow—3 investigation points.]
[Today, then. I'll pay in cash.]
Lu Li reached into his pocket for money, but the Trader spoke unexpectedly. "Are you sure you want to send this letter?"
Having dealt with various Traders, Lu Li knew how taciturn they were. But now, this one had spoken to him of his own accord.
Lu Li frowned and asked, "What's the problem?"
"Problems."
"Explain."
"They are penetrating reality through you."