Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 864 - 57. Welcome back

Chapter 864: 57. Welcome back

The touch inside the Mouth of Selonces was only the roughness of rock, not the soft feel of repulsive flesh.

But more agonizing than the touch itself was the torment of waiting for the fingers to reach into the unknown cavity.

After a brief wait, the sound of the wind whistling through the cave resonated from the Mouth of Selonces.

"Mm... so sweet, like pastries... delicious, it’s too tasty... let me see... no impurities... how could it... can’t be eaten, what a pity..."

"Take your hand out." Lady Raleia nodded slightly.

"Lady Raleia?" Dean Lawrence asked with anticipation.

"Congratulations." Lady Raleia, feeling uninterested, said carelessly, "It’s an untainted pure human. Don’t be too happy just yet; you haven’t confirmed if he is that Exorcist."

Lady Raleia withdrew the Mouth of Selonces and brushed past Lu Li.

"You returned too late..."

Lu Li turned his head, watching Lady Raleia as she murmured.

Before leaving, Lady Raleia glanced through the window at the commotion faintly heard from outside the manor—the front gate was crowded with people.

"You are too anxious, Lawrence." Lady Raleia said.

"Because this is our only chance." Dean Lawrence couldn’t hide his excitement.

"The guys on the Giant Tree might send him an invitation."

"Of course, but please remember, he was found by us through ’appearance’."

Lady Raleia said no more, her graceful figure moving under her robe, leaving the meeting room followed by a young assistant.

As Lady Raleia left, the oppressive atmosphere in the meeting room lifted, and genuine smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

Except for Professor Caesar.

"Mr. ’Lu Li’, there are still a few questions we need you to answer." Professor Caesar walked out from the corner and approached Lu Li.

"Caesar—" Professor Daisy Schmitz wanted to pull him back.

"We cannot allow a hero’s identity to be impersonated." Professor Caesar stared at Dean Lawrence.

"But, but I think His Excellency Lulian should rest, right? He came from the distant Tang Ge Town." Professor Daisy Schmitz said with an awkward smile. "We can wait until tomorrow—"

"I know what you’re trying to do. Tell him about those rumors, is it?" Professor Caesar’s seriousness made Professor Daisy Schmitz stop in her tracks, not daring to approach.

"Falsehoods should not become reality, especially not here."

The agitated atmosphere in the meeting room calmed down due to Professor Caesar. He gazed at Lu Li, who met his eyes in response.

"Let’s begin."

...

"How much longer do we have to wait here?"

In front of the bustling, noisy gate of Kleinse University, Tennessee, a reporter for the Midnight City Chronicle, complained, venting his frustration on others. "It’s this bunch of people who never play by the rules, which is why they only have a pathetic few dozen students."

Even though all Midnight City residents knew that Kleinse University had no students because it wasn’t truly Kleinse University.

"Maybe it has something to do with Giant Tree University!" His assistant, Little Sean, suddenly shouted.

Tennessee tried to cover his assistant’s mouth but was too late; he saw several other reporters gathered around the gate, quietly leaving to prepare their news stories.

"We should hurry back, or they’ll scoop us." Little Sean shouted urgently.

"You fool, keep it down."

Tennessee patted Little Sean’s head, suddenly feeling more clear-headed: "It’s not that simple; look who is in that carriage."

He pointed to the fat man in the carriage by the roadside.

"It seems like... the boss of Monte Theatre?" Little Sean recognized the man in the carriage, puzzled, "Why is he here, and why can’t he get inside, just like us?"

"Maybe for the same reason we’re here..." Tennessee mused silently amidst the noisy crowd at the gate.

"Do you think the theatre owner might know something?" Little Sean tugged at Tennessee’s sleeve and asked.

"Good idea, follow me!"

They squeezed out of the crowd, heading to the slightly quieter roadside.

"Sir, we’re reporters for the Midnight City Chronicle. Do you know what’s happening inside Kleinse University?"

Tennessee stood in front of the carriage and asked, while Little Sean swiftly opened his notebook, ready to take notes.

"Something important." The theatre owner stared at the building not far away.

"I’m sorry... would you mind telling us what you mean by something important?"

...

The Alchemical Tower stood tall outside the window, and the faint light and shadow of a pipe smoke rose in the corner.

People sat at the edges of the meeting room, waiting for the two opposing figures to begin their conversation.

Professor Caesar gazed at the darkly handsome man before him and asked, "Do you remember the route to resolve the third calamity?"

Lu Li answered calmly, "I departed from Ailen Peninsula, went to the Main Affinity Continent’s Vena Ice-Free Port, then took a ship to Bridgehead Port in the Barren Lands’ Wildcat Town. I passed through Luosha Town, Luo Lei Castle, and stopped in Helen Town by Mirror Lake. Along the way, in a Nameless Village, I saved some people, reaching Spinning City with them. After the great migration, I crossed the Saint Ries Gorge, the desert corridor, the river channel, entering the Old River Channel Plains, where I fell into the abyss."

His description was more detailed and astounding than the rumors.

"You remember very clearly." Professor Caesar said, observing Lu Li’s expression. This too counted as a question.

"To me, it was just a month ago." Lu Li’s calm demeanor remained unchanged.

"A month... and everything that happened in this month is overwhelming, right?" This was just a sentiment. Professor Caesar continued to ask, "There are rumors that you’ve always had a companion with you. Who is she?"

"...They’re not the same person."

After a brief silence, Lu Li replied, "I met Emin aboard the cruise to the Barren Lands, Elena in Helen Town, and in Spinning City, I encountered..."

But ultimately, their names all became the same person.

"...Anna."

"That’s not in most of the rumors." Professor Caesar nodded.

"The last question." Professor Caesar looked seriously at Lu Li: "Brioux Stanley, whom you saved, once said you left something in Spinning City, but no one found it... Where did you leave it?"

Lu Li didn’t answer immediately, frowning slightly in thought.

"...Hush... courage..."

A faint whisper suddenly came from the side.

Professor Daisy Schmitz feigned nonchalance, her mouth opening slightly to make the sound.

"...left behind... courage..."

He was quietly prompting Lu Li.

Professor Caesar furrowed his brow, continuing to gaze intently at Lu Li.

Meanwhile, Lu Li responded, "I don’t remember this person."

The reminder not being adopted, Professor Daisy Schmitz exhaled a long breath of relief.

Squeak—

The meeting room door was pushed open, and Katerina, having accidentally fallen asleep in warm water, finally hurried over.

But her timing was perfect.

In the applause and tears of joy, Professor Caesar placed his hand on his chest, respectfully saluting Lu Li, "You passed, Your Excellency Lulian."

"Welcome back."