Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 730 - 730 Two hundred and forty-nine

730: Two hundred and forty-nine.

Arrive at the port 730: Two hundred and forty-nine.

Arrive at the port “Do we still need to change our tone towards these passengers…” the First Mate asked the Captain, almost as dazed as the Captain.

The Captain snapped back to reality, carefully folded the parchment and tucked it into his inner pocket: “His Excellency Lu Li did the right thing, we don’t need to explain further.

Also, inform the passengers in other cabins as per His Excellency Lu Li’s instructions, be…

friendly, you know what to do.”

The Captain and the First Mate surveyed the dining area of the ship cabin once more, then hurriedly left.

Once they were gone, whispers spread throughout the dining area.

…

The eerie fog enshrouded the cruise ship above the sea surface.

The crew on the deck retreated into the ship’s cabin, staying under the insufficiently warm but bright lights.

On the way from the deck back to the first-class cabin, Lu Li heard whispers emanating from the depths of the fog-covered deck.

There was no light over there, clearly, no crew or passengers could be present.

The whispers grew closer, as if someone was murmuring and rushing towards Lu Li, yet eerily, there was no sound of footsteps.

Lu Li raised the oil lamp above his head, its light illuminated a few meters around him.

His hand pressed against the open gun holster.

The murmurs abruptly stopped at about ten meters, leaving only the sounds of sea waves, wind, and the creaking movements underfoot from the rocking ship.

Lu Li did not relax his vigilance, but until he retreated to the bright and empty corridor carpeted in red, nothing emerged from the fog.

Lowering the oil lamp, Lu Li turned towards the room.

Bang—

Underfoot came a sound like stepping on wet seaweed.

The carpet was stained a dark red by water, and the water spread from underfoot towards the corridor’s depths.

At the end of the corridor, a tall black silhouette wearing a wide-brimmed hat stood quietly at the room doorway.

It raised an arm, seeming to have just knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock—

Seconds later, the Uninvited Guest knocked again.

A faint response sounded behind the door, soon followed by its opening and a stifled gasp cascading down the corridor.

The first-class passenger in the suite seemed to recognize the Uninvited Guest, their voice trembling with an invitation: “Do you… want… want to come in…?”

This response differed a bit from the ceremonial standard, but it was effective.

The soaking wet, cold Uninvited Guest turned and left.

Lu Li slightly sidestepped to let the Uninvited Guest pass by.

The spirit’s ceremony is related to mental imagery, like Anna’s projection…

What is the source of the Uninvited Guest’s ceremony?

Lu Li turned his head, watching the Uninvited Guest tread on water sounds out of the corridor, stepping into the fog-covered darkness.

Retracting his gaze.

At the corridor’s end, the passenger assaulted by the Uninvited Guest peeked this way, spotted Lu Li, and shrieked, retreating back into the room.

It seemed they mistook the black-haired, black-eyed Lu Li for the Uninvited Guest.

Back at the suite, Selika was unaware of the corridor’s events, taking small bites of her meal.

Two pieces of black bread, chicken soup with mashed potatoes, baked conch, a roast sea fish, and a small glass of red wine.

The first few usually very common on third-class tables now were rare treasures.

A basin of rubbing alcohol and a pitcher of clean water was set on a low table beside the sofa, waiting for Lu Li to help Selika clean her wound.

Selika unwound the bandage wrapped around her chin, where the bandage adhered to the flesh due to the wound.

She seemed accustomed to pain, ripping it off indifferently.

“Tilt your head back.”

Tools were scarce on board; cotton was unavailable, so they used wet gauze to wipe away the blood, then disinfected.

During this time, sounds of arguing came from the corridor outside the room.

It seemed first-class passengers gathered to protest to the crew why they were kept unaware of the dangerous nighttime routes.

The clamor lasted awhile before subsiding.

Finally wrapping the bandage, Selika opened her misty eyes, her gaze clear after a moment.

“Thank you…” her voice was somewhat hoarse.

“You go rest, I’ll keep watch.”

There were still seven hours until arriving at Prince Fantess Port.

Lu Li washed his hands, drying them while he refused.

The few hours nap in the afternoon were sufficient, and with Anna not beside him, he needed to guard against strange invasions.

Lu Li’s humanity was obviously most coveted by the entities.

Selika said nothing, carrying away the cloudy water basin where gauze bobbed within.

Shortly after, she returned, saying several crew members stood guard in the corridor outside, with even two stationed at their door.

After all, Lu Li might very well become the owner of this ship and even the entire shipping company.

Not long after, the First Mate personally wheeled in a dining cart with another dinner prepared: a roast chicken, milk, and even a carrot—it’s just been sitting so long it seemed like an elderly one, shriveled and wrinkled.

Yet at this time, vegetables were incredibly precious.

After dinner, Lu Li sat in the sofa by the fireplace, taking out an eerie radio and a book, placing them beside the table.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

Lu Li asked Selika, still quite spirited.

“I’ll go to sleep when I’m tired…” Selika said softly.

Lu Li nodded, opening the book he’d brought.

Time quietly ebbed in a room named tranquility.

…

Prince Fantess Port.

Among the dozens of ports on the Ailen Peninsula, this one on the east coast was rather unremarkable.

Especially after Rodest Port was established, becoming the successor of most routes connecting the Main Affinity Continent’s east coast to Belfast.

But all changed when Belfast was reduced to ashes and destruction.

Especially as only Himfast clung to survival on the Ailen Peninsula, and with Marsh Road severed, this port situated southwest became the sole connection between the Main Affinity Continent and the Ailen Peninsula.

At night, the port was silent as death.

Workers huddled in the port’s dormitory huts, warming themselves by the hearth and playing cards.

Along the coastline edge, standing lighthouse beams pierced the dense fog and night, guiding ships across the sea.

Voooo—

The distant blare of a ship horn pierced the silent night, echoing above the port.

Near the worker hut, footsteps approached, the wooden door was flung open, and the limping port watchman stood at the doorway, oil lamp swaying, addressing the workers: “The last ship has docked, get out and work.”

Voooo—

Another horn blast squeezed into the warm wooden hut behind him.

Firelight flickered as the workers exchanged glances, pocketing their good cards, yelling out as they donned jackets, and left the hut.

Port workers ignited vacant spots of bonfires and hid in sheltered corners, witnessing the dense night unveil a gigantic silhouette slowly emerging.

Whoosh—

Fog curled around it, countless pairs of glowing eyes neatly arranged across its surface.

Ropes were tossed from the deck, workers gathered to pick them up, securing them to the posts.

Once the cruise ship stabilized, a bridge connected to land was set up, people clenching oil lamps, unease and anticipation about the unfamiliar environment stirring as they queued to disembark.

“His Excellency Lu Li…”

On deck, the Captain’s gaze left the crowded passengers, speaking respectfully to the approaching Lu Li: “Thanks to your warning, no crew or passengers disappeared this voyage…”