The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 426: Worthy of the Title

Tesla asked the steward to bring paper and a pen, then settled deeper into his armchair and gestured for the Trader to take a seat. "Lu Li's story is quite a long one," he said. "We can't very well spend the whole time looking up at you."

The Trader silently took a seat.

Once he had the pen, ink, and notebook, Tesla signaled for Lu Li to begin his account.

Tesla would record everything to submit a report to headquarters, while the Trader, after assessing the value of the information, would award Lu Li contribution points.

JoJo, understanding the situation, took Frank by the hand and led him to the seats farthest away.

"The two Evil Spirits involved in the Tenebrae incident were the new Mother of the Swamp and the old Mother of the Swamp," Lu Li began, getting straight to the point.

Tesla's pen froze above the paper. Although Lu Li had shared some of the details with him earlier, Tesla hadn't expected this.

"Before Hurricane Arthur formed near Atoll Reef and swept across the entire Allen Peninsula, the southern part of the Shadow Swamp was ruled by the old Mother of the Swamp. After the hurricane, power shifted to the new Mother of the Swamp, who sealed the old one away. The Tenebrae incident began when the followers of the old Mother infiltrated the town. They used the residents for sacrifices, turning them into her servants—or more accurately, her lesser minions—to help her break free from her seal."

So, there was no external enemy. The entire conflict was a struggle between the old and new Evil Spirits, trapped within a single vessel. And Tenebrae was simply an anthill in their path.

"The Night Demons, the Head Balloons, the Monkey-like creatures, and the Faceless Shadows are the servants of the old Mother of the Swamp. They embody her chaos. The Six-limbed creatures, the Shadow People, and the fig trees are the servants of the new Mother; they reflect her humanity. The Face-Worms are the source of the old Mother's vessel's power, much like blood for humans.""The Night Demons possess immense strength and resemble giant bats. Upon spotting an enemy, they dive down, destroying everything in their path. They are corporeal, so they can be dealt with by physical means."

"The Head Balloons. Their dangling, rope-like spines wrap around a victim's neck and rip out the cervical vertebrae. Those they kill are transformed into Head Balloons themselves. Their faces change when they encounter people they knew. They are very fragile, like actual balloons. But their death cries attract other servants."

"The Monkey-like creatures are small and skinless. The people they skin are transformed into more of them. They can wear the skins and mimic human voices. They are attracted only by sound and can be dealt with by physical means."

"The Faceless Shadows appear when more than three people gather and their conversation is overheard by at least two of them. They tear the faces from those around them and transform women into their own kind. They are incorporeal but weak, and can be handled with simple exorcism methods."

Tesla and the Trader listened intently, without interrupting. The only sound was the scratching of the pen on paper.

To the rhythm of the steam engine's wheels clattering along the rails, Lu Li finished with the background information and began to recount what had happened to him in Tenebrae.

...

"What do you think they're talking about?"

JoJo stopped peeking and sat back down in her seat.

"I don't know..." Frank was lost in thought. He hadn't been himself since JoJo had told him about the Spirit of Defilement in the swamp.

"Are you sure you saw my parents there...?"

JoJo gave a solemn nod. "I can't think of any other reason why they would have done that."

"I want to see them..." Frank whispered.

"But you know they've been dead a long time."

JoJo replied sadly, remembering Oliver—or rather, the figure resembling him she had encountered while returning from the swamp alone.

Even then, she had understood perfectly well that her brother had died on the ship. That familiar figure was nothing more than a vile monster that had taken over her brother's body.

That was why the gunshots had rung out. It had been JoJo's way of letting go of the past.

Frank hadn't yet.

Understanding his grief, JoJo said, "Besides, Lu Li returned the bracelet. They won't recognize you."

Frank remained silent.

"If you do decide to go... just come back safely. The swamp isn't dangerous anymore, and the new Mother of the Swamp is a friend of Lu Li's."

JoJo's words made Frank lift his head. She smiled. "Lu Li told me. Don't do anything you'll regret."

Frank nodded earnestly. "Thank you... And thank you, Mr. Lu Li... I'll make the right choice."

...

The smoking steam engine raced alone across the desolate plain.

The outlines of Tenebrae had already vanished from sight.

"The Face-Worms are the souls of all who died because of the old Mother of the Swamp. They were trapped in her vessel, their hearts filled with hatred and malice. They knew no peace; they were merely accomplices to the old Mother. My appearance changed everything. They found salvation and release. Their power united, and they rose up, igniting the powder keg that had been waiting for so long."

Finally, Lu Li concluded, "The old Mother of the Swamp was born from the faith of humans and died by their hatred."

"At the moment of the old Mother's death, the First Spiritual Pistol transported me into a vision of her demise."

The story was not yet over. Lu Li began to describe the final scene.

There was no point in withholding information; it could lead the United Exorcist Organization to the wrong conclusions.

As he spoke, Lu Li took a red agate bracelet from his pocket. Time and decay had left its surface uneven and its color faded, making it look like a cheap trinket from a street vendor's stall.

After a brief pause, Tesla exhaled and spoke slowly. "Duke Aeddar. Five hundred and thirty years ago, he was the de facto ruler of the Principality of Saint Mark, in the eastern part of the continent. He wanted to marry his youngest daughter to the fourteenth heir of the Kingdom of Allen, but she vanished in the Shadow Swamp on her way to Khimfast on the Allen Peninsula."

He shifted his gaze from the bracelet to Lu Li. "The Mother of the Swamp was once human, and a noble one at that."

"Is there a portrait of her?" Lu Li asked.

Tesla considered for a moment. "The Principality of Saint Mark became part of the Kingdom of Allen long ago, but the royal family should still have the portrait. When I return to Belfast, I'll contact headquarters and ask them to procure it."

"Good."

Lu Li nodded, finished his cold coffee, and pressed his lips together briefly before turning to the Trader. "How much is this information worth?"

It was a distinctly mercenary question.

But, aside from the Tenebrae incident, all of Lu Li's actions had revolved around money.

"7,600 investigation points," the Trader replied.

Multiplying that number by ten would yield the sum of his reward—or, more accurately, a portion of it.

Lu Li looked at Tesla.

"We aren't as generous as the Trader," Tesla said, understanding why Lu Li was looking at him. He replied with a smile, "Our payout in investigation points isn't as large, but we do offer special medals for distinguished investigators, and an upcoming promotion." He then gave a slight bow. "Congratulations in advance, Senior Investigator Lu Li. You are truly worthy of the title."