Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 708 - 708 227

708: 227.

Question, Answer 708: 227.

Question, Answer The grateful Aidanvoya took up pen and notebook and floated towards the cabin.

Lu Li also had something to write.

He opened his notebook, and the tip of his pen left traces on the blank page, “Something happened in Belfast last night, something conclusive.”

“1,000 investigation points,” the merchant quoted, and before Lu Li could agree, assumed he would accept the deal, “The awakening Evil God was attacked by a strange force, His essence was partitioned and consumed, and most of His believers perished with it, spreading pollution through the Oak Forest.”

Lu Li noticed the use of the word “most”: “Not all believers died; could it still be resurrected by the believers?”

“Maybe it could, maybe it couldn’t.” Because of the ambiguous answer, the merchant did not charge Lu Li.

“Be more specific,” Lu Li demanded, continuing to write without looking up.

“The possibility is negligible; the inability is beyond doubt,” replied the merchant in a convoluted manner.

Meaning the chances of the surviving believers resurrecting the Evil God were slim.

“Will it affect Belfast?” Anna asked.

“1,500 investigation points,” the merchants looked to Lu Li, who replied, “The investigation points are hers as well.”

“It will.

The masterless power lingers in that land until it slowly dissipates.

Those who step within will be assimilated by the power, transforming into the form of a servant to the Evil God.”

“What if one merely gazes upon it?”

“300 investigation points.

One will only be attracted, not corrupted in Sanity Value or spirit.”

“Would beings that enter the vortex assimilate the belief in It?” Lu Li inquired.

“They would.”

“So, if too many entities enter that vortex, many are transformed into servants, could the Evil God possibly be resurrected?”

The merchant paused for several seconds before quoting a steep price, “100,000 investigation points.”

If one disregards the possibility of inflation, the answer Lu Li sought was clearly precious information.

“It’s possible.”

“Faith alone cannot resurrect a deceased deity; what the believers resurrect is not the once-existent Divinity.”

Still convoluted, and seeming contradictory, Lu Li couldn’t help but ask, “Do you mean a dead divinity is dead, and even if resurrected, it would only be as a new Divinity resembling the original?”

“Yes.”

“Would it inherit the memories?”

“It wouldn’t.”

It seemed there was no need to worry about this Evil God coming back to life within his lifetime, as the trail led to the cliff’s edge.

The paused pen began to move across the paper again, “What about the ghosts taken away by Its believers?”

“300 investigation points.

Most perished, a few escaped.”

“What about the Rope of Descent?”

“300 investigation points.

It has vanished, but it’s not dead yet.”

Since the merchant had removed the Ghost Prison, it was unlikely that Old Micklos would go there.

Perhaps it returned to its homeland.

“I’ve heard there’s an evil spirit named Devouring Evil Thoughts guarding the Ghost Prison,” he said.

“300 investigation points.

The deputy warden, killed by believers during the invasion of the prison,” the merchant replied.

“Was its essence there as well?”

“50 investigation points.” Since it was dead, the merchant’s price was negligible, “The object that Devouring Evil Thoughts adhered to would become its essence.

It was attached to the prison’s inner walls, and once the outer Deep Sea Stone was destroyed, it was its turn.

The wall was breached, and it died.”

Such is the way with evil spirits.

Behind horrific rituals lies an essence vulnerable enough for even children to kill.

That’s why they usually hide their essences in places safe enough not to be discovered by any being.

The Ghost Prison and its associated events thus came to an end, and Lu Li asked about other matters, “Why is the Deep Sea Stone so expensive?”

“Its sealing effects are getting stronger.

It can no longer be collected.”

Deep Sea Stone Mountain was once an isolated island far from land—until it was discovered by people.

As it was found and extracted, it went from being a small island to a reef, then a shoal, and then it became difficult to spot from the sea’s surface.

“I’ve heard they’re used to seal a certain entity,” Lu Li recalled the story Tesla had told.

“Yes.”

“What is sealed?”

“500 investigation points.

The Ancient God whose name must not be called, whose form must not be envisioned.”

Thus arose a new question for Lu Li, “Some say that Ancient Gods are close to humanity and kind.”

“They mostly are not kind, they just won’t harm you for no reason,” the merchant replied without mentioning a price prefix, which meant that this piece of information was free.

Or to put it more maliciously: ignored.

But compared to entities that seek out humans to kill, they could almost be worshipped as Divinities—that’s how the Church came into being.

“What are the few?” Lu Li also noticed the word “mostly.”

“500 investigation points.

Those who changed their stance because of your faith.”

It seems the Church is not completely useless, at least in this world.

“Why are they asleep?”

“10 billion investigation points,” the merchant answered, his tone carrying a touch of indifference brought on by the steep price.

No one could have that many investigation points, not even Lu Li.

Perhaps this was something the being behind the merchant did not intend to tell Lu Li.

“Can Deep Sea Stones be used as collateral?” Clearly important secrets, Lu Li did not intend to give up.

“No.”

“Why are the entities under the Deep Sea Stone asleep?” Lu Li switched to another question.

“1000 investigation points.

By enemies.”

“Which enemies?”

“5000 investigation points.

The former rulers of this part of the world, and the entities above the stars.”

“Why didn’t they kill It but instead sealed It with Deep Sea Stone?”

“It cannot die.”

No one is immortal.

Even the world itself will wither and be destroyed, let alone an Ancient God born on this land.

Lu Li stopped his pen and looked at the merchant, “Who is He?”

“10 billion investigation points.”

It sounded as though it was worth the same “10 billion” as the previous one, but in reality, it was much more: because even if one day Lu Li saved up 10 billion, the price would be updated to 20 billion, or perhaps a 100 billion that would make Lu Li give up his inquiries.

This did not seem to adhere to the merchant’s rule of fair exchange, but what Lu Li asked was presumably exclusive information to the merchant—known only to them, or a select few who are qualified.

Lu Li was not among them.

In the end, Lu Li purchased ten Stone Badges.

Stone Badges, that’s what the merchant called them.

But they looked more like circular stones that had been smoothed, though without patterns carved into them.

When watered and then crushed, they would summon the merchant, skipping a step rather than calling a crow and then calling the merchant.

Aidanvoya entered the cave, bringing along the letter she had revised several times for Tesla, and handed it over to the merchant along with the letter Lu Li had written.

“Does it meet the length of half a page?” Lu Li asked.

“It does,” the merchant replied.

Lu Li looked at Aidanvoya, answering her anticipation for the letter, “If all goes well, Tesla should see your letter by tomorrow.”

Aidanvoya was filled with gratitude, while the merchant, who was always devoid of emotion, spoke in a deep tone, “Is there anything else you wish to trade?”

“Take me to see those Deep Sea Stones,” Lu Li said.

The 100 cubic meters of Deep Sea Stone were placed on the slope leading to the cliff top.

They had been polished into nearly perfect cubes but had not been cut into 1-centimeter cubes.

The merchant said it would take some time and would be ready by tomorrow afternoon.

Lu Li pondered and then told the merchant to forget about cutting the Deep Sea Stones and also to remember to refund the cutting fee.