The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 671: Night Means Danger

"Miss Selika, is there anything you need?" the restaurant waiter inquired politely.

As members of the crew, they made a point to remember the passengers in first class and most of the second-class cabins.

This pair, especially, was impossible to overlook.

"Prepare... no, two meals. Do you have milk or juice?" Every word Selika Daler spoke came out as a dry hiss, like wind whistling through a narrow crack.

The waiter had to lean in to make out her words over the restaurant's din. "Er... there's no juice, madam, but we have milk. Shall I bring it to your cabin?"

"No need, I'll wait here."

"Very well, it will be ready shortly, madam."

The food was served quickly. Covering the tray, Selika Daler returned to her cabin and quietly pushed open the carved wooden door.

A man was sitting in an armchair by the fireplace.

Jet-black hair, a rarity, framed his face. But even more striking were his mysterious dark eyes, as deep as black gemstones.His unbuttoned black coat revealed a white shirt that faintly outlined the contours of his chest.

His head was bowed, as if lost in thought.

The firelight from the hearth behind him enveloped his figure in a warm glow.

Selika Daler froze in the doorway, afraid to disturb a scene worthy of a painting.

Time passed in silence, until a gust of wind from the corridor swept into the cabin, making the fire flicker and the shadows dance.

The man in the picture was stirred from his thoughts. He frowned, his fine brows knitting together as he looked calmly up at her.

"Lu Li..." Selika Daler whispered involuntarily.

"What is it, Selika?" His low, soft voice spoke her current name, pulling her out of the intoxicating beauty of the moment.

"I've brought dinner."

Selika entered the room, set down the tray, and closed the door.

The wind remained in the corridor, and the flames in the hearth settled once more.

"I saw they had milk in the restaurant, so I brought some," Selika explained, noticing Lu Li's gaze fall upon the milk.

Lu Li nodded and rose from the plush sofa. "I need to go down to the hold. You stay here."

"To the hold?"

"The passengers don't know the dangers of sailing at night," Lu Li replied, dismissing Selika's unspoken request to accompany him. "Eat your meal. Afterwards, ask the crew for bandages and alcohol for your wound. Or just wait until I return."

Taking an oil lamp, Lu Li left the first-class cabin and stepped out onto the deck.

The cold sea wind whipped at his hair and the hem of his coat. On deck, only a few sailors with lamps were making their rounds, huddled against the chill.

A thick, nocturnal darkness enveloped the ship. Beyond the swirling gloom, there was only the sound of crashing waves and the whistle of the wind.

Lu Li made his way to the hold, passing through a noticeably narrower corridor toward a sign that pointed to the dining hall.

The Reislin also provided dinner for the passengers in the hold. It was usually mashed potatoes or fish cakes, but since it was free, passengers rarely refused.

The hold's dining hall was packed. People crowded around the tables, talking loudly. The aroma of food mingled with the smell of tobacco and alcohol, swirling in a haze around the lamps.

It felt safer down here than on the deck above.

Lu Li's appearance in the dining hall disrupted the noisy bustle.

Weaving through the passengers, Lu Li headed for the center of the room.

"I'm an exorcist. I need to borrow this table for a moment," he told the people sitting there. After waiting for them to stand and clear the space, he stepped onto a wooden chair, and from the chair onto the table, his head nearly brushing the low ceiling.

The passengers in the dining hall stared up at him. The noise died down, and silence fell.

"My name is Lu Li, and I'm an exorcist," he said calmly, looking down at the upturned faces. "The company has kept something from you: sailing at night can attract anomalies."

A murmur rippled through the dining hall, but before it could swell into panic, Lu Li's voice cut through again. "Although the chance of an anomaly appearing is small, it still exists. As a precaution, I recommend that in every cabin, two people stay awake with two sources of light. Do not be alone, and avoid making noise."

Then, Lu Li explained how to counter certain evil spirits.

For instance, if you see a clawed shadow, stomp your feet and clap your hands. If you hear three sharp knocks at your door, invite the creature inside. If you hear strange singing, close your eyes until it stops.

Describing evil spirits in this manner did not lower one's Mind Level, though the reason why remained unclear.

After he had finished describing all the evil spirits he knew of, Lu Li stepped down from the table in the ensuing silence and headed for the exit.

His actions had alarmed the Reislin's command. The captain, flanked by his first mate and several sailors, was heading toward the dining hall.

"You can't do this, sir. I must ask you to return to your cabin..." the captain addressed Lu Li, his expression grim.

He glanced around the silent dining hall, and his face grew even darker.

If Lu Li hadn't been a first-class passenger, he likely would have faced the captain's fury instead of his restraint.

"Senior Investigator Lu Li. I have the authority," Lu Li said, revealing the badge with the three-eyed crow. "Now, I must ask you to inform the first and second-class passengers as well."

The captain recognized the three-eyed crow insignia. Those mysterious exorcists, who always seemed to appear in dangerous places, invariably carried one.

His tone softened, though his expression remained displeased. He lowered his voice. "Mr. Lu Li, the Fourteen Steamships company belongs to a count's household. Your actions violate our rules and are bad for business. The Count may not be pleased..."

"Does he know about the dangers of night voyages?" Lu Li asked.

Of course he knew.

The captain thought to himself, but he couldn't say it aloud.

"Mr. Exorcist, perhaps we could discuss this in my quarters," he offered politely.

"That won't be necessary. Do you have a pen?"

The captain didn't understand Lu Li's intentions, but he still brought him a pen and a sheet of parchment.

Lu Li signed the parchment and handed it to the bewildered captain.

"When you arrive, give this note to the Count. Tell him I'm buying the Fourteen Steamships company. You'll receive payment from the Merchant. He'll know who that is."

Lu Li had no intention of getting into a conflict with the passengers or the crew—it would be an unnecessary hassle and a waste of time.

Buying the company was simpler and faster.

After a moment's thought, Lu Li added, "If you consider yourself capable, you will become the company's president. My only condition is that you cancel all night voyages. All company revenue is to be given to the Merchant, and you will request funds from them as well."

The captain froze, staring at the parchment, which bore nothing but a signature. At any other time, he would have dismissed it as a foolish prank. But... what if it was real?

This exorcist had a way of inspiring undeniable confidence.

The captain swallowed hard and took the parchment with trembling hands.

If this man could really buy the company, he would be transformed from a ship's captain into the president of a shipping company...

"Of course... When we arrive, I will find the Count..." The captain's voice was hoarse.

Lu Li nodded and, without further delay, left the dining hall.