Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 506 - 506 Twenty-five

506: Twenty-five.

Leaf Fall Town Sightings 506: Twenty-five.

Leaf Fall Town Sightings The Mother of the Marsh’s gaze lingered on the edge of the swamp, witnessing the carriage gradually departing into the distance.

The road did not become noisy just because Lu Li had entered the Main Affinity Continent.

The blockade resulting from the Shadow Town incident was two-way, and Lu Li had to move forward at least until he reached the nearest town to see signs of human activity.

“The map is in the brown suitcase,” Lu Li said to Anna.

Anna returned to the carriage, opened the suitcase, and took out several maps, handing the one of the Main Affinity Continent to Lu Li.

Lu Li spread out the sheepskin map that faintly smelled of pine needles and compared the location of the Blood-Colored Tentacles to the map after their descent into the mountain range.

“If the Blood-Colored Tentacles are not too far from us, their landing spot should be either Seaside Town or the road leading from Lirelm to Lion City.”

The forefinger moved between the two locations, which were respectively about 80 and 130 miles from the Marsh Road.

Seaside Town was right on the edge of the mountain range, and by following the road around it, they could arrive there.

Of course, there was also a possibility that the Blood-Colored Tentacles had extended into the mountain range, but in such a case, even Lu Li would not dare venture lightly into the wilderness far from human settlements, and there would be no reason for the owner of the Blood-Colored Tentacles to do so—unless they were not human.

Regardless, they would know the true location where the Blood-Colored Tentacles had landed once the carriage reached Seaside Town along the mountain range.

“We’ll come across Leaf Fall Town in about 20 miles, where we can stop and rest,” Anna said, her phantom finger pointing to the edge of the map, which was also in front of them.

“No need to rest, just buy some food and head straight for Seaside Town,” Lu Li replied.

Lu Li didn’t want to waste too much time.

If possible, his first choice was still to head to the Lennon Islands.

Having noted the map, Lu Li folded it up, and Anna put it back into the suitcase along with the other maps.

This road on the map was named Earl Ross Avenue—after its builder, Earl Ross.

The Falling Leaves Mountain Range blocked the coast, and the sea breeze couldn’t reach this area.

The slightly salty sea breeze, present everywhere on the Ailen Peninsula, was stripped from the air only a few miles after the carriage entered the Main Affinity Continent.

The rain seemed to be stopped by the mountain range too, as the light drizzle falling on the Marsh Road disappeared.

Anna, who had no sense of smell, knew nothing of the change in the scents, but she shared a similar sentiment with Lu Li—because it was eerily close to a scene from her illusions.

Lu Li and Anna, just the two of them, riding in the carriage, admiring the vast continent, supporting each other.

The first half perfectly matched, but there was no warm breeze filled with the fragrance of plants by the road, only desolation, silence, and a forest with dark and withered trees.

The Falling Leaves Mountain Range was like the residence of a vicious witch from a fairy tale, filled with poisonous snakes and wild beasts.

But reality was far more cruel than fairy tales—there were no witches, poisonous snakes, or wild beasts in the forest.

The stillness of the mountain range was only occasionally broken by the rustling sounds of treetops when a breeze passed through.

After a tedious journey through a dreary time, they arrived at the first small town they had encountered—Leaf Fall Town.

It was situated here for the same purpose as Shadow Town, and even their construction times were quite similar.

So, when the carriage approached Leaf Fall Town, Lu Li felt the sorrow of ‘one feeling the doom of another’ in the expressions of the passersby.

A group from the Knights Order was stationed at the entrance to Leaf Fall Town, their horses aged, their armor dull and lusterless, and their long spears and swords coated in dust.

Only the determination on the young knights’ faces and the Spirit-Calling Guns at their waists testified that they were still fit for battle.

They quickly noticed the carriage that had come from the Marsh Road, their gaze curious.

They were probably puzzled that while everyone was fleeing to the Lennon Islands, there were still people who chose to come to the Main Affinity Continent voluntarily.

“What are our comrades over there doing?

They actually allow civilians to pass through Marsh Road…” the Knight Captain muttered under his breath, cradling his helmet as he and his companion approached the carriage.

Lu Li’s investigator insignia dispelled the Knight Captain’s complaint about his “colleague.” He stood tall, his helmet held in his left hand, and his right hand struck his left chest forcefully, as he declared in a solemn voice, “Greetings to you, respected Demon Slayer!”

On the Ailen Peninsula and the Main Affinity Continent, there are some subtle differences in how Exorcists are treated.

The more commercialized Ailen Peninsula, lacking in culture and heritage, measures a person’s worth best by their wealth.

The Main Affinity Continent is more conservative and more traditional, respecting these ancient and mysterious Exorcists who have been protecting humanity for hundreds of years—at least, most people do.

However, with the advent of industrialization and the increase in strange occurrences, the once-mysterious Exorcists have begun to come down from their pedestals, though not as thoroughly as on the Ailen Peninsula.

Anna, hiding in the Inner World, curled the corners of her lips with pleasure, happy to see Lu Li treated with such respect.

Lu Li’s gaze swept over the Spirit-Calling Guns at the waists of the captain and the knights behind him: “Aren’t there any Night Watchmen stationed here?”

The Knight Captain respectfully answered, “In response to the Demon Slayer, due to insufficient manpower and the remote, sparsely populated towns, it is the Knights Order that maintains order.

Is there anything I can assist you with?”

“We are just passing through, buying some food before heading to Seaside Town.”

The Knight Captain did not delve into the “we” that Lu Li mentioned, or perhaps assumed it was a slip of the tongue.

He called a knight forward and instructed, “Go purchase the finest meal here for the Exorcist.”

He then politely said to Lu Li, “If you are unfamiliar with the road, we can escort you to Seaside Town.”

“No, thank you,” Lu Li declined the Knight Captain’s offer, but he insisted on helping Lu Li—so he ended up personally taking Lu Li to the restaurant in Leaf Fall Town that prepared the most delicious food.

There were few pedestrians in Leaf Fall Town, including townsfolk dragging luggage as they left.

The Knight Captain said it wasn’t just Leaf Fall Town; people all along the road were leaving their homes, and this had been going on for several days.

Those without money chose to go to slightly larger cities, some with savings headed to Faust City and the Capital, or to the safest place in the world—the Lennon Islands.

The Knight Captain informed Lu Li that about half of the residents of Leaf Fall Town had already left, and as the environment continued to deteriorate, fewer and fewer people would remain until there was no longer a need for a garrison.

Noticing Lu Li’s gaze on his Spirit-Calling Gun, the Knight Captain gently caressed the holster and said, “This is issued to the Knights Order by the United Organization of Exorcists.

It helps us combat the lowest level of ghosts and monsters.”

Seized by curiosity and anticipation, he asked, “What is your weapon?”

“The same as yours.”

Lu Li lifted the edge of his coat to show his holster.

“Has its rose bloomed one or two petals?”

“All of them.”

The Knight Captain’s face revealed genuine astonishment before treating Lu Li with even greater respect.

After accompanying him to purchase food and then to depart, Lu Li gradually moved away from Maple Leaf Town under the watchful eyes of the Knight Captain.

“I’m starting to like this place a bit.”

An apparitional Anna spoke softly.

Lu Li did not respond, leading the horse by the reins, heading towards their destination, Seaside Town.