Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 737 - 737 256

737: 256.

At the Foot of the World’s Spine 737: 256.

At the Foot of the World’s Spine The carriage carrying the rescued townsfolk returned to Luosha Town.

The locals gathered at the tavern hadn’t dispersed yet, and were astonished to see people taken by the strange forces alight from the carriage.

Almost all the townsfolk captured by the bizarre believers were rescued, except for the tavern owner, Best.

His wife eagerly squeezed to the front of the carriage, but unfortunately did not see her husband’s figure.

The rescued townsfolk had not seen Best, and his disappearance was regrettable.

People could only console the grieving woman to not be overly saddened.

“Has the strangeness been resolved?” the Old Mayor inquired, worried that Lu Li had returned too swiftly, fearing the strangeness still lurked nearby.

“Not completely resolved, but they won’t bother you again,” Lu Li replied.

Knowing that Lu Li and his companions planned to stay in the town for a night, the Old Mayor invited them to his home.

Lu Li declined and rested overnight at the town’s only inn with Emin.

During the night, the Shadow Thief of Fire arrived, its substantial claws climbed onto the windowsill reaching for the oil lamp on the desk cabinet, only to be driven away by Lu Li who watched over the first half of the night, restoring peace to the evening.

At least for Lu Li.

Many townsfolk remained in the tavern, discussing the night’s events.

“Maybe we should do something for Mr.

Lu Li who helped us!” The blacksmith suddenly shouted, then paused bewildered as he hadn’t intended to speak…

Nevertheless, the townsfolk began discussing what they could do for Lu Li.

Some proposed offering food, others suggested monetary support, while some thought of reviving the honorary title of townsfolk forgotten for decades.

Amidst the lively discussions, a clear shout suppressed all suggestions.

“Spread his name to let more people know of his deeds!” The townsfolk looked towards the young villager who proposed it, and he appeared bewildered, as if the shout hadn’t come from him.

“Good idea,” the Old Mayor nodded gently.

Exorcists usually lacked not wealth; Luosha Town had little to offer Lu Li besides reputation.

The Old Mayor’s approval left the proposal undisputed, and after the townsfolk returned home they would recount the night’s events to their families.

Three residents from Wildcat Town also promised to ensure everyone there knew of Lu Li’s name by morning.

Even the caravan leader ensured with a pat on his chest that the tale of Lu Li would be known in towns from Luosha Town to Luo Lei Castle.

The discussions concluded, townsfolk departed the tavern with oil lamps, dispersing like gathered fireflies into different parts of the small town.

The town’s night was tranquil and silent.

…

In the morning, Lu Li woke up.

There was no news of Best’s return.

He finished a lavish breakfast prepared by the enthusiastic townsfolk and boarded the carriage gifted by the Old Mayor, ready to depart.

Emin, clutching a suitcase, chased after him, hoping to travel with Lu Li.

“Your ordeal is over,” Lu Li said.

“Not quite.

Didn’t your assistant mention there’s a group of them?”

Emin set the suitcase onto the carriage floor, lifted the cloak, and climbed aboard: “I know a lot of knowledge, surely it can aid you.”

Knowledge is power.

Legendary Demon Hunters are not much stronger than ordinary people.

Their strength derives from the application of knowledge.

Without knowledge, exorcists facing strangeness won’t live longer than average people.

Lu Li said nothing more, took the reins, and departed Luosha Town amidst farewells from the Old Mayor and slowly gathering townsfolk, heading along the dirt road to the more than two hundred-mile-distant Luo Lei Castle.

Following the road along the West Coast, the morning mist gradually dissipated.

The Spine of the World Mountains seemed to connect the world’s end, and the black sun deep within the ocean hung suspended in the void.

That was the direction of Tillage Garden, yet what happened in that land remains unknown.

Accompanied by the rise of the Black Ring, strangeness runs rampant, and exorcists no longer have time to explore Tillage Garden, distant from the three continents.

However, it’s evident it does not stand on humanity’s side.

Between Luosha Town and Luo Lei Castle lie two small towns and a village.

Interestingly, the village still has many local residents who watched the carriage pass by with wary eyes, seeming to reject outsiders.

Shortly after leaving the village, Lu Li and his companions ran into a caravan, from which they learned about the village’s situation.

The villagers residing there are not the locals—after disaster struck, they migrated to Luo Lei Castle, and now the place is occupied by a group of “freaks” unwilling to live in towns.

They firmly believe the more people, the greater the likelihood of strange attacks, making towns dangerous.

Thus, they strictly control their numbers and rarely interact with the outside world.

There are many such villages and towns; at least Emin mentioned hearing about a few while at home.

The other two towns along the way were not xenophobic, but no trace left by Anna was found.

At three in the afternoon, the outline of Luo Lei Castle appeared on the horizon of barren hills.

Luo Lei Castle derives its name from the weather—it remains the town with the most frequent thunderstorms in the Barren Lands, aside from Storm Corner.

It’s said that each year sees news of hundreds of residents or houses struck by lightning.

Upon their arrival, many locals gathered on the west coast of Luo Lei Castle, taking advantage of low tide to search for stranded food: fish, shells, snails, anything edible.

The carriage slowly rolled into Luo Lei Castle.

“Where should we look for Miss Anna?” Emin asked, surveying the empty streets.

Perhaps because The Time of Silence had just passed, there were few pedestrians on the streets.

“Lord’s Mansion.”

The exorcist identity is special.

They usually do not hold actual positions, but most noble officials are willing to maintain friendly relations with exorcists.

The City Lord of Luo Lei Castle was no exception.

Upon learning Lu Li hailed from the Main Affinity Continent, the City Lord welcomed him and inquired about his purpose for visiting.

“Strange incident, is it…”

Perched on the ornate gemstone chair, the City Lord, gladiator-like strong and dressed in a tailcoat, lightly tapped the desk with his thick knuckles.

“Forgive my bluntness; they’re everywhere in the castle.”

Luo Lei Castle had a group of over ten exorcists and demon slayers, but for a city with hundreds of thousands of residents, it was like a drop in the ocean.

After Lu Li gave a more detailed description of the incidents at Wildcat Town and Leaf Fall Town, the City Lord waved his hand to summon an assistant to investigate.

Ten minutes later, the assistant returned, the news equally dire—just yesterday alone, over a hundred people vanished within Luo Lei Castle.

“My city is dying, Demon Slayer from afar, would you be willing to stay and help us?” the City Lord extended an invitation to Lu Li.

Luo Lei Castle faced another dire crisis: a peculiar plague had been spreading here for quite some time.

Strangely, only the local inhabitants of Luo Lei Castle were susceptible to the dreadful plague.

This also explained the desolation on the streets upon Lu Li’s arrival.

“I have other matters to attend to,” Lu Li shook his head, declining.

Emin, with apparent interest, queried about the plague.

Lu Li’s refusal disappointed the City Lord.

Although Emin wished to assist, she was merely an apprentice exorcist.

Losing interest in the conversation, the City Lord gestured for the assistant to guide Lu Li to the Exorcists Association, where he could obtain the answers he sought.

Exiting the oppressive Lord’s Mansion, Lu Li questioned the assistant about the plague details en route.

“It’s truly… too strange.” The assistant described the plague with the word ‘strange,’ rather than death and terror.