Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 74 - 71: The Adventure of Smuggling

Ralph appeared at Lyle’s doorstep before the dew had evaporated.

He hadn’t taken off his trench coat, and the mud on his boots fell according to gravity.

"We have a field assignment, departing in four days. Until then, all your other work is canceled. Take the time to prepare."

"What kind of assignment?"

"In the neighboring province of Naranya, there has been a murder case. The victim is a baron’s eldest son. The Naranya security department has sought our assistance, and after some exchanges of interest, our team needs to make a trip there."

"I still can’t understand why us? You might indeed be considered an excellent police force, but Karen and I are just rookies."

"Because we have support from the forces of the Holy Light, and also, as participants in the Wolf of Lafillin case, those gentlemen believe you have a pronounced talent in this area. I can’t refuse their specific request."

"So, this case also involves supernatural work?"

"That’s why we need the power of the Holy Light. Of course, if you can bring that kid William along again, our bargaining chips would be substantially increased. Old Barkin has passed, and we temporarily lack better companions... or shall we say, tools."

"I can’t guarantee what kind of creatures might appear this time."

"Vampires."

......

Time seemed to stand still in the slums; no changes could be seen. The squalid, muddy ground, the emaciated human figures huddled in corners, the stifling breaths, the desperate impulse for survival.

Eyes flitted about, hands hid in the shadows.

Lyle’s cuffs were soaked, the Talent Sphere like a sheet of water covering the back of his hand, ready to be catapulted onto the next attacker.

Approaching the slums without Ralph by his side felt like venturing into a jungle stalked by ferocious beasts, his nerves on edge.

Scraping sounds came from behind him, like a blade cutting through burlap.

What was that?

"It’s me, darling Lyle." Medusa popped her head out from under Lyle’s hem, her claws brushing against her billowing coat.

"Medusa! I’m on official business here."

"Your so-called official business is to keep a close eye on a bunch of people crawling through the mud?"

"You have a unique talent for independence, and a Magic Wand that thinks on its own. Wolves don’t see lambs as enemies, they’re just prey. Your water sphere can easily twist off a head, and I can bite through their carotids just as swiftly."

"So, I should focus more on efficiency rather than wasting my time on these trivial matters?"

"So you should spend more time talking with your dear Magic Wand sister, instead of looking around nervously like a paranoid."

"..."

......

Old Barkin’s dilapidated house was still in its place, the nauseating smell of herbal medicine unchanged.

This was the only place where Lyle might have luck encountering William, to discuss new fieldwork, with the primary goal being to collaborate on exploring a secret realm.

Pushing open the gate, before him was the corridor leading to the living room, and on the other side, stairs leading directly to the second floor. Based on his last visit, William should be in the attic room beneath the stairs.

Lyle headed in that direction.

Just as he stepped out with his right foot.

"Be careful!"

A sudden upward pull came from his heel, his body tilted backward, and the back of his head hit the door frame solidly. His mind was dizzy from the blow as his body was hoisted upside down.

Lyle had entered an invisible trap.

When his head cleared, he saw the impeccably dressed William, who’d added a rusty yellow cloak to his attire, wearing his usual smile that was irritating at this moment.

"Look what you’ve done, William."

"Sorry, my brother." Uttering insincerely, William removed a seven-foot wooden pole adorned with a spiral pattern from behind him. As he moved the end of the pole, the Invisibility Lasso released Lyle, "In such an environment, we need to be extra cautious. There are quite a few eyeing this broken building, the Invisibility Powder works well."

"Is that your Magic Wand?"

"Yes." William tossed and caught the spiral wood in mid-air, "Quite practical, much better than Spell Talismans, under normal circumstances."

"Lyle, you coming here, does that mean you’re ready to embark on an adventure with me?"

"Yes, and another reason is I have another field assignment. Would you be willing to help out, Great Wizard? The price is negotiable."

"Is that nun also involved?"

"Karen is a Paladin, and yes, she’ll be there."

"The price has to go up. I’ll need to spend some effort disguising. By the way, is this an independent mission for you?"

"No, Ralph is still in charge."

"The deal is off, no room for negotiation."

"What about our brotherhood?"

"Don’t talk about feelings when there’s a life-threatening situation."

"Alright, when does the secret adventure begin?"

"In an hour, we’ll meet in Cassandra’s Seventh Block. Oh, and according to the latest reliable intelligence, be well disguised, covered from head to toe."

Why did the rule sound so familiar? For Lyle, it was not a problem since he had been posing as a Plague Doctor for quite some time. "No problem."

......

William squeezed himself into a clown costume; the bloated belly was a stark contrast to his physique. With a jester hat and clown mask, he was now just as noticeable as Lyle.

"Haha, it sure is convenient to have a secondary job as a doctor; all you need to do is wear your work attire."

"Where did you get that outfit?"

"Leftover from when I used to mingle with the circus. Out of necessity."

The two made their way down the main road of the Seventh District. Lyle remembered this road because the Thirteenth District was Cassandra’s cemetery, with Andrey’s family crypt deep within.

The pair stopped in front of a shop.

Black Bookstore.

It was once a bakery that he had seen; it seemed that this place was not ordinary.

The bread on the stand was haphazardly scattered about in long loaves, arranged in a way that discouraged any desire to purchase.

The shopkeeper was a burly bald man with two small, curved mustaches and a light grey apron peppered with holes that did not hide his muscular build. His large, bell-like eyes exuded authority without anger, standing at the door of the shop like a security guard, keeping the entrance tightly secured.

The windows were covered with parchment and oilcloth, making it impossible to see inside the shop; or perhaps, the shopkeeper had no intention of letting customers in to conduct real business.

William approached and said, "Shopkeeper, I’d like to buy some bread."

"Take it from the counter yourself."

"These won’t do."

"Then, what type do you want?"

"I want ’Roman Bread,’" he said as if uttering a secret password.

"Oh, do you have enough money?" The shopkeeper seemed somewhat interested.

"Yes, enough."

"How many people?"

"Just the two of us."

The shopkeeper scanned them both with his eyes. "Come on in," he said, leading the way into the shop.

Lyle followed closely behind.

Inside was empty, still unfinished, and they were led into a small room where a thin figure in a black robe stood by the door.

"Give me the money and stand in the middle of the Array."

William took out two Gold Coins.

Oliou.

The figure in the robe nodded with satisfaction. "Actually genuine, then as per the contract, let’s do an honest job for once."

Lyle and William stepped into the Array, and amid incomprehensible Spells, they were teleported away.

Lyle noticed the black inverted pentagram of the Array and the purple demon patterns peeking out from the edges of the robe as the figure chanted.

A black tower with lightning appeared in front of them, its rugged architectural style topped by a spiral of thunderclouds gathering above.

They were now in a filthy alley, and a figure with an obscured face gave them a shove.

"Alright, you’ve arrived, now get out quickly, don’t block the path."

The muscular arm that shoved them was wrapped in purple demon patterns, and William stared in surprise at the black crystal on his body.

The pair walked outside.

William murmured to the side.

"Lyle, we’re illegally invading. Don’t panic; you need to disguise yourself as a regular, remember, above all, stay calm."

Lyle looked at William, who was trembling with excitement.

"Understood."

Lyle turned and approached the Demon Race guard standing aside with a battle-axe.

"Hey brother, which dark district is this?"

"Dark Third District, City of Sins."