The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 773: Reception at City Hall

The crowd in front of city hall lingered, showing no signs of dispersing.

Many of Midnight's most important figures were expected to arrive this evening, as well as one of the city's founders, the exorcist Ienard Metyus.

A short while later, a commotion arose outside the window.

Lu Li walked to the window. A carriage bearing the crest of Midnight's most influential family—the Lange—had pulled up to the steps of the city hall.

The horse harnessed to the carriage was a pureblood, untouched by contamination.

The crowd grew even more animated than it had been for Lu Li's arrival.

There was no doubt about the newcomer's identity: it was Ienard Metyus.

Ienard Metyus stepped out of the carriage, dressed in a black tailcoat. His neatly combed chestnut hair might have been golden in his youth. Unlike the reserved Lu Li, he was open and sociable. With an engaging smile, he waved to everyone who called his name, as if greeting his own supporters.

Considering Ienard Metyus's status, these people could indeed be considered his subjects.

Ienard Metyus lingered on the steps. The crowd swelled, filling nearly the entire square in front of city hall. Officials had to approach and persuade him to hurry inside.He clapped the official on the shoulder. His words were lost in the roar of the crowd, but the official's embarrassed yet delighted expression gave a hint as to their content.

Ienard Metyus bounded up the steps as nimbly as a young man, leaping over the last one. Pausing at the entrance to the city hall, he turned and waved to the crowd. Amid thunderous cheers, he entered the building.

The people in the square remained, shouting indistinct words and chanting Ienard Metyus's name.

He was more popular than Lu Li.

It reminded Lu Li of Katerina's complaints at the theater.

She had said the play was completely implausible, that she couldn't imagine Lu Li giving fiery speeches or smiling.

Prusius had a different opinion: such is the nature of legends. They spread not only because of their significance, but also because they are easy to remember. People retell what they like, and in the process of retelling, the legend takes on familiar features.

Returning to the sofa, Lu Li waited for the evening to arrive.

But before the reception began, there was a knock on his door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Lu Li opened the door. The man he had just seen below was standing before him.

"Mr. Lu Li, I know you!"

He extended a hand to Lu Li with an easy familiarity.

"Mr. Ienard Metyus would like to see you," said the official accompanying him.

"I was an investigator too, one of the few in the Wastelands," Ienard Metyus continued.

That truly gave him something in common with Lu Li.

Ienard Metyus entered the room and, without ceremony, sat in Lu Li's spot, crossing one leg over the other.

"What an incredible coincidence! We were both investigators, both from the Old Era, both the last exorcists. We have similar stories, and we returned at almost the same time..."

"...though you look much younger than I do."

Lu Li closed the door and sat on the other sofa.

Ienard Metyus glanced around and, noticing a painting on the wall, pointed to the man depicted in it.

"Ivan McCain. When we met, he was just an assistant to the assistant of the head of Storm Cape. Then we met Haan, Braga... Ah, yes, Braga was already a follower of the Midnight Lady back then. We left Storm Cape and founded Midnight together."

Ivan McCain was the founder and first mayor of Midnight, as well as its last.

After Midnight became a city, it was governed by a council.

It sounded like boasting, but considering Ienard Metyus's position, he was obviously telling the truth.

"I heard your story. I was less than twenty at the time. Many worshipped you, some thought you were crazy. But after Silence fell silent, everyone started praising you. My neighbors even..."

Ienard Metyus chattered on endlessly, like a tipsy tavern patron.

"Little Sophie Shesterlen said you don't like noisy crowds and aren't very talkative. I can see that. I'll take charge of the reception tonight, so you won't have to feel awkward. Many of those present are my descendants; they won't dare bother you in my presence..."

After a few minutes, he finally gave Lu Li a chance to speak.

"I'm sort of the host here, so if you want to know anything, just ask."

"Do you know of the evil spirit, the Shadow Maiden?"

"The Shadow Maiden... I think I've heard that name somewhere..." Ienard Metyus mused, glancing at his watch.

"A few council members are waiting for me. I'll go see them, and I'll try to remember in the meantime. I'll see you tonight."

Ienard Metyus left as abruptly as he had appeared.

In the Age of Anomalies, the sun rose late and set early.

At three in the afternoon, dusk was already gathering outside. Midnight lit its lamps. Soon after, an official knocked on the door to inform Lu Li that the reception was about to begin.

They brought him several well-tailored suits he could wear for the evening, but when Lu Li descended to the hall, he was dressed in his white shirt and black coat.

Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow, and a quiet, soothing piano melody drifted through the hall. Ladies and gentlemen in evening attire gathered in small groups, conversing in low tones. Waiters and maids moved among them with trays, offering drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

The guests gradually noticed Lu Li's arrival. They raised their glasses in greeting, polite but distant.

Just as Ienard Metyus had said, no one bothered him.

Lu Li watched them, observing the tranquility, as if nothing had ever happened.

A woman in a white dress walked past, leaving a faint trail of perfume in her wake. For a moment, Lu Li thought it was her.

A hand suddenly clapped onto Lu Li's shoulder, pulling him from his reverie.

"Let's get a picture," Ienard Metyus said, nodding toward a man with a goatee who was holding a camera. He removed his hand from Lu Li's shoulder and extended his left palm.

The surrounding guests parted on their own accord.

"Look this way, smile," came the muffled voice of the man with the goatee, who had disappeared under a black cloth.

Hearing this, Ienard Metyus broke into his signature radiant smile, but when Lu Li shook his hand, the smile became a little strained.

Click!

The magnesium lamp flashed, and plumes of smoke rose toward the ceiling.

"Thank you for your cooperation, gentlemen exorcists."

The satisfied man with the goatee took his camera and, accompanied by a waiter, left the hall.

"You've got a firm handshake. Nervous? Ha ha ha, relax."

Ienard Metyus released Lu Li's hand, shaking his own left palm while clapping Lu Li on the shoulder and laughing.

"About the Shadow Maiden you asked about... I remembered."