novelraw Chapter 314: They are Real
Chapter 314: They are Real
Lu Li left the deserted cemetery behind. In the distance, the faint silhouette of a church was barely visible through the veil of rain.
He collected his carriage from the nearest stable, and after a moment's thought, requested a more spacious one. Then, he set off for the cliff, though not directly.
First, Lu Li decided to stop by the True Library to exchange his investigation points for shillings and purchase necessary supplies, which he planned to deliver to both the warehouse on Elm Street and the shelter on the cliff.
The weather was a significant improvement over the past few days, so the library was busier than usual. Lu Li approached Reys with a request for the exchange, and the old librarian, without hesitation, helped him find two exorcists interested in a deal. The transaction was completed at a rate of 1 to 11, and Lu Li received nearly 9,000 shillings in cash.
The sum was more than enough to cover all the supplies he needed.
His first stop was a second-hand goods store, where he selected a metal bed—impervious to mold and dampness—along with a writing desk and a wardrobe.
The desk and wardrobe were wooden, and on the shopkeeper's advice, Lu Li chose a higher-quality oak set.
The cave was reasonably dry, and the decaying world offered one small advantage: an absence of insects like woodworms.
Next, Lu Li purchased bookshelves. He understood that once the catastrophe struck, the world would become far too dangerous for travel, so he needed something to occupy his time in the shelter. Simply piling books in stacks or storing them in crates wasn't a viable solution—the pages could stick together and become unreadable.
The next essential item for furnishing the shelter was a fireplace.Lu Li couldn't rely on an open fire in the cave indefinitely.
A sturdy fireplace, capable of providing heat, light, and a means to cook, was absolutely essential. Fortunately, the workers were on hand; all Lu Li needed to do was transport the fireplace to the cave and have the flue installed.
As for the other items—toilet paper, lamps, cups, bowls, knives, and forks—Lu Li had compiled a list several days prior. These things couldn't be purchased at the second-hand shop, however, so he had to visit other stores.
The funeral had lasted less than an hour, leaving Lu Li with ample time to procure his supplies.
Moving from one shop to the next, he gradually filled the carriage. When the load grew too heavy for the journey to the Elm Forest, Lu Li decided to make one final stop.
It was the grocer's shop.
More wooden crates were stacked by the entrance than there had been a few days ago, but the interior was empty—not a customer in sight.
With the improvement in the weather, people were hurrying to find work and secure their next meal.
The shop clerk recognized Lu Li and, smiling warmly, called for the owner. Lu Li recited his list of purchases: two cases of canned pork with peas, two cases of canned meat, and one case of fruit preserves.
Although the fruit preserves were hardly a delicacy, they were the only method Lu Li knew for long-term storage of food containing sugar and vitamins.
Honey would have been a better option, as it could be stored practically forever, but with the near-total disappearance of insects, its price had skyrocketed. Only the aristocracy could afford to occasionally serve meat roasted with a honey glaze.
The shop owner, valuing a loyal customer, sold Lu Li the canned goods at the old price. Had he purchased them at the current rate, each case of canned meat would have cost him an additional 45 shillings.
While the clerk was loading the purchases into the carriage, Lu Li stepped outside and heard a lazy meow nearby.
“Meow,” a black cat purred from its perch on the damp cobblestones beneath the awning. Its dark pupils widened into ovals. It looked at Lu Li and meowed again, just as lazily.
“Meow.”
The cat's fur was thoroughly soaked and matted with grime, clinging tightly to its thin frame. A few empty, dented tin cans lay scattered beside it.
The clerk, having finished loading the cans, returned to the shelter of the awning and remarked with a smile, “That's a local stray. Sometimes we leave spoiled cans that are no longer fit for sale out for her under the awning.”
Lu Li nodded, averted his gaze, and returned to the carriage. He flicked the reins, and the carriage rumbled on.
...
The door creaked open.
Lu Li stepped into the detective agency and paused on the threshold.
The sculpture was sitting on the sofa by the window, a book in its hands. It was motionless, yet the pages of the book had been turned forward by about thirty or forty.
Lu Li averted his eyes and, after closing the door behind him, walked over to the desk.
He knew that paying it too much attention might prevent the sculpture from going about its business—turning the pages, for instance.
Three newspapers and a letter lay on the desk. The floor was a shade darker than usual, as if it had been swept.
Lu Li knew who was responsible.
After the rain of anomalies, the sculpture seemed to have come to life, becoming more active.
He picked up the envelope. “Remi and Jimmy” was written on it. They had sent another letter, and this time, perhaps, it was a 'reply'.
If the Trader's words were to be believed.
Not rushing to open it, Lu Li placed the letter back on the desk and headed for his bedroom.
His clothes were slightly damp from the rain during the funeral, and he needed to change.
As he changed, he could occasionally hear the soft rustle of turning pages from the living room.
A few minutes later, having changed into dry clothes, Lu Li emerged from the bedroom.
“I'll be back after lunch with Anna,” he said to the sculpture. He then took the newspapers and the letter from his desk and left the agency.
The door closed, the sound of his footsteps faded, and silence once again settled over the detective agency.
Only the patter of the rain and the rustle of pages disturbed it.
...
Lu Li stopped at a bookstore.
This wasn't the little shop on the corner of Sailor Street, which sold mostly old books that only the elderly read.
This shop was larger, more modern, and offered a much wider selection.
“I need some books on wilderness survival and... a few interesting novels for a young lady,” he told the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper guided him to the appropriate shelves. Lu Li could select the survival guides himself, but for the novels, the man offered his assistance, recommending several popular new releases that he believed Anna would enjoy.
A few minutes later, Lu Li had selected ten books: four for himself and six for Anna. The total came to 454 shillings. The survival guides were slightly more expensive.
It wasn't a significant sum, as the price of books hadn't risen along with other goods; in fact, it had even dropped slightly. With the rainy season approaching, few common folk were spending their money on reading.
Back in the carriage with his new books, Lu Li took out the letter.
The true fate of Remi and Jimmy hinged on the contents of this letter.
If it turned out to be like the previous ones, where Remi was simply “talking to herself,” it would mean they were nothing more than fictional characters who might or might not fade away with time. But in either case, they would never manifest in reality and would never meet Lu Li.
However, if the letter contained some kind of response... it would mean they had established a connection to the real world.
And then, everything would happen just as the Trader had said: they would manifest in reality through Lu Li.
Lu Li unfolded the letter and, by the dim light of the carriage lamp, began to read.
[Thank you for your help, thank you for your help]