The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 794: The Awakening of the Merchant

The barnacles and rust were so thick they resembled ugly scars. The ship's paint was so corroded that it was impossible to discern its original color or any lettering on the dilapidated, long-neglected deck.

The sea wind had relentlessly eaten away at the steamship as it wandered the ocean for over twenty years.

Inside the great vessel, however, the problems were even more severe, such as the water flooding the holds—which now resembled karst caves—and the sealed compartments.

Inside the shipyard, engineers gathered on the shore, discussing how to clean the hull and trying to guess the vessel's origin from the fragments of lettering that remained.

Some said it was the "Rutas," others the "Steel Queen"—both ships had disappeared without a trace at the start of the Age of Anomalies.

Groooan...

The great ship emitted a low groan. The engineers looked up in astonishment, only then noticing the mayor and the exorcist approaching from behind, flanked by guards.

Elder Sister, rubbing her eyes from under her mask, peeked out of the hood and murmured, "It doesn't want people climbing on its body."

There's another one.

Mayor Matteus Knox thought to himself.Vinnelag had never been fond of anomalies.

But special people always received special treatment. Of Lu Li, for instance, people would only say, "Look, even anomalies flock to him."

Lu Li stood on the shipyard shore, his head tilted back to look at the rusted hull. "They've come to help you," he said calmly. "They'll clean off the rust and patch the leaks in your lower holds."

"Mhm... it agrees," Elder Sister murmured, stretching before disappearing back into the hood.

Lu Li turned to the engineers, who stood nearby looking awkward and uncertain. "It's alright," he assured them.

He returned to Mayor Matteus Knox.

"It's enormous, isn't it?" the mayor exclaimed, thinking that if the great ship were militarized, it could become a powerful combat unit, comparable to the Haigrus Giant, without requiring a large number of soldiers.

Though as the mayor of Vinnelag, he wasn't supposed to think that way.

Having pacified the great ship, they left the shipyard and headed for the museum.

This time, the roads were even more crowded. The streets leading to the museum were choked with townspeople drawn by the rumors, and even the guards struggled to clear a path.

Gazing out the car window at the wall of guards struggling to contain the shouting, surging crowd, Mayor Matteus Knox asked, "Would you like to say anything to the townspeople?"

"There's no need," Lu Li replied.

Just as the rumors suggested.

Mayor Matteus Knox remarked casually, "To be honest, more than your battle with the Hour of Silence, they're impressed by your exploits in Ellen Royal City and the Bloody Dandelion incident."

"Ellen Royal City and the Bloody Dandelion?" Katerina chimed in, having never heard those stories.

"They're very popular stories," Mayor Matteus Knox replied, giving her a brief summary. "By the way, is Miss Katerina Mr. Lu Li's wife?"

"No," Lu Li said.

Mayor Matteus Knox nodded, then lowered the car window. Leaning out into the sudden blast of noise, he shouted into his assistant's ear, "Tell the newspapers I don't want any rumors about Lu Li appearing tomorrow."

Closing the window to muffle the noise, Mayor Matteus Knox complained, "They always jump to wild conclusions and never apologize for their mistakes. If we let them gossip, it will damage your reputation."

Because of the crowd, it took them twice as long to reach the museum entrance.

Mayor Matteus Knox got out of the car and, seeing the people waiting at the entrance, sighed helplessly.

In addition to the director of the Grand-Monterey Museum, councilors and aristocrats from various factions were also there, including his chief political rival, Ivo Kobdo.

Damned political games.

"You're the one who started this," said Councilor Ivo Kobdo, a member of the Brotherhood, brushing past the mayor with a false smile and a complete lack of respect.

The noise remained outside.

The smooth, waxed marble floor reflected lavish chandeliers, and calming music drifted through the corridors.

Director Frango could proudly declare that there was no other place so reminiscent of the Old Era. The Grand-Monterey Museum preserved everything from that time.

The crowns and treasures of ancient kings, statues by great artists, portraits of legendary figures, relics of ancient civilizations, paintings from Himmfast, and even an anchor bearing the mark of Port Roadster.

People of the Old Era could find memories here, while those of the Age of Anomalies could feel the palpable weight of history.

None of this detained Lu Li; Director Frango led him deep into the museum without stopping.

"This is him—the Merchant."

The sensible ones, including Katerina, stopped, not wanting to disturb Lu Li as he approached the Merchant alone.

He was sealed in a glass cube.

Just like the crowns and treasures—and the clothes in the display cases.

The filthy clothes piled on him made him look like a vagrant who had put on everything he owned to stay warm. The enormous backpack he carried could have held a grown man. Half his face was hidden beneath a tattered, wine-red scarf.

The tall Merchant stood in the display case, his head bowed.

"The Merchant—Companion to the Exorcists of the Old Era."

So read the plaque standing beside it.

Lu Li gazed at the Merchant, who stood as still as a mannequin. Suddenly, the colors of his surroundings began to swirl and then bleed away, as if he were being drawn into a delirium. Everything lost its color, sinking into a void.

Elder Sister, in his hood, also vanished without a trace.

Only a writing desk remained before him.

An envelope lay on the desk.

Lu Li lowered his gaze. Words were written on the envelope.

"To be opened by the last exorcist."

...

"The exorcist must be lost in sorrow for his departed companion..."

The sensitive Director Frango described the scene in a quiet, poetic voice.

The rational mayor and councilors merely watched in silence, though they too were moved.

But then, something happened that left everyone stunned: under Lu Li's gaze, the Merchant in the display case slowly lifted its head.

"But he's been... for so long..." Director Frango was at a loss for words.

The stillness in Lu Li's eyes shifted. He calmly watched as the awakened Merchant stepped out of the display case, passing through the glass as if it were a curtain of water that left not a single ripple.

"Exorcist Lu Li... what do you require for a trade?" came the Merchant's familiar, indifferent voice.

Lu Li thought for a moment, then said calmly, "First, get used to this world again."

...

"I must say, Mr. Lu Li is a miracle worker!"

"Mr. Lu Li awakened the Merchant, a being closely tied to exorcists. His identity is beyond doubt."

"I have to say, he has a relaxing aura, like being in a forest."

Rustle...

Councilor Ivo Kobdo lowered the newspaper he was reading, which was filled with praise for Lu Li, and sneered, "An aura? Knox looks so sycophantic, he might as well be wagging his tail like a dog."

"But it really is... very comfortable around him, isn't it?" the councilor next to him, Kafi Laud, said, struggling to find the right word.

"It's probably spirits or some kind of trick. He's just a man, not a deity."

Councilor Kafi Laud frowned. "If anyone else hears you say that, you'll lose your seat. There are many in the Brotherhood who hold Lu Li in high regard."

"Just a bunch of fools led by their emotions," Ivo Kobdo retorted, then paused. "But this presents a fine opportunity. Tell the other members of the Brotherhood we must use any means necessary to ensure Lu Li attends our meeting first."