Goblin Dependency
Chapter 90 - 65 Cloak

Chapter 90: Chapter 65 Cloak

"Creak."

Accompanied by a grating sound that set teeth on edge, the wooden door slowly opened.

Moist and cold air, carrying a faint metallic rust scent, surged in through the door crack.

Golden shoulder-length hair, thoroughly soaked by the torrential rain, and a standard-issue short armor plate, still dripping with water, came into view.

"Sorry to disturb you."

The sheriff of Kalanfor, "Ingram," looked at the pairs of eyes gazing at him in the dining room and spoke in a deep voice.

The slightly reddened eyes gently swept over the chaotic dining table and settled on Xia Nan and Alton.

"If possible, could you two please step outside for a moment?"

The door wasn’t completely closed, but slightly ajar by a quarter.

This allowed both inside and outside to generally observe each other’s actions.

It just wasn’t certain if sounds could be clearly heard.

It was quite evident, though, that when Xia Nan and Alton left the room, the adventurers in the dining room seemingly resumed their previous lively banter.

However, the overall volume was noticeably lower.

Occasionally, a few undisguised glances were cast toward the door.

"I apologize for the late disturbance."

Ingram stood at the door, with two guards behind him, both looking equally serious.

"First, I must make it clear that I do not suspect either of you; I’m just here to inquire about some specifics."

Xia Nan looked at the sheriff, puzzled by his words, but gestured for him to continue by frowning and nodding slightly.

"Joey is dead."

Sweat mixed with raindrops slid down his chiseled cheeks.

Ingram turned his head, his gaze lowering, the azure eyes reflecting the image of the Half orc Alton, as he spoke slowly with a somewhat hoarse voice.

"Just tonight."

The name mentioned vaguely sounded familiar, and upon recollection, connected with the young pickpocket from earlier that afternoon who had failed to steal.

"Given what happened today, even though it’s clear neither of you are connected to Joey’s death, I still have to inquire, please understand."

Xia Nan crossed his arms, gleaning the current situation from the sheriff’s explanation.

Joey, the thief, had attempted to pickpocket Alton in the afternoon. Although he failed, it had led to a connection with the two of them.

Now, with Joey’s sudden death, the sheriff, who witnessed the entire scene of the afternoon incident, inevitably came to inquire.

Xia Nan wasn’t too bothered by this.

After returning to the inn before dark, he and the Half orc stayed with the adventurers of the convoy the whole time.

Anyone could prove it.

Alton, on the other hand, seemed somewhat excited.

The abruptly interrupted meal and the murder case happening around them stirred the natural enthusiasm and curiosity of the Half orc, like a flame.

Of course, provided that the sheriff didn’t linger too long here.

Otherwise, repetitive and dull questions and a stagnant case would quickly extinguish the fire in the Half orc’s heart.

Both the Half orc and Xia Nan had a solid alibi.

Before arriving, the sheriff seemed to have confirmed that the two were unrelated to the case.

Therefore, after just over ten minutes, the questioning session ended swiftly.

"Thank you both for your cooperation. If you discover anything later, please contact me."

Ingram said sincerely to Xia Nan and Alton, then glanced into the dining room through the half-open door behind them.

While uttering his farewell, he raised his right hand to wipe away the water droplets gradually falling from his brow with his sleeve.

Xia Nan’s gaze followed, catching sight of the inner side of the opposite sleeve.

The gold sun emblem that had been conspicuous in the afternoon was now thoroughly soaked by rain.

Under the somewhat dim light of the inn’s corridor, the sun emblem appeared withered and distorted.

Seeing the sheriff about to leave, the Half orc couldn’t contain his curiosity and questioned:

"I heard there have been strange murders in town lately; the victims’ limbs and bones were extracted."

"Did that happen to the thief too?"

Upon hearing this, the sheriff fell silent suddenly.

After a moment, he nodded and slowly spoke:

"Yes, the same type of case had appeared in town before your convoy arrived in Kalanfor."

"That’s one of the reasons I’m sure you two have nothing to do with it."

"That’s it; I should leave now. I wish you success with your mission."

Having said that, Ingram then disappeared with the two guards at the end of the corridor.

Xia Nan and Alton had just returned to the room.

As soon as the sheriff appeared, Captain Jeff, who had been waiting at the door, came up worriedly.

"How did it go? Is everything okay?"

"I’m quite familiar with Ingram. If there’s a misunderstanding, do you need me to help communicate with him?"

Xia Nan shook his head, indicating that there was nothing major.

He glanced at the Half orc beside him and, seeing his indifferent expression, took the initiative to recount the afternoon’s encounter as they made their way back.

Right after he finished speaking, an adventurer, blushing from drunkenness, slapped the table indignantly:

"What could that have to do with you! Clearly, you were with us in the inn all night!"

"I think... hiccup, that sheriff is just looking for trouble, seeing we’re new here and easy to bully, marking his territory!"

Bystanders, equally reeking of alcohol, chimed in:

"The shorty and Xia Nan left, didn’t the sheriff stay behind with that thief?"

"I’m telling you... who knows who the real killer is!"

"Drunk, drunk, you’re drunk." A still-sober companion quickly stepped in to restrain his friend, fearing he might say something that couldn’t be taken back.

Jeff sat by the dining table, looking a bit embarrassed.

On the one hand, he had old friends he’d known for years; on the other, the adventurers had painstakingly built a good relationship with by accompanying the convoy as guards.

Neither side could he afford to offend.

So he just bowed his head and continued eating.

Back at his seat, Xia Nan couldn’t help but recall the case Ingram mentioned earlier.

Seeing the Half orc’s disinterested expression after receiving the sheriff’s affirmative answer, he asked:

"Do you know something?"

Although Alton looked like a child, as a Lightfoot Half orc developing towards the "Minstrel" direction, he must have traveled to many places.

He had seen far more people and events than Xia Nan.

This kind of expression clearly hinted at a discovery.

And just as Xia Nan guessed, facing his curiosity, the Half orc shrugged immediately.

His spoon stirred uninterestedly in the plate of beans, casually responding:

"What else could it be?"

"Cultists, of course."

"Those lunatics are everywhere on this continent, like cockroaches lurking in corners, jumping out to disgust you unexpectedly."

As he spoke, he took out his lucky coin from his pocket and tossed it slightly.

"You can’t catch them all."

"Boring."

In the light, the coin scattered a brass luster as it spun and fell.

Xia Nan’s eyes were unconsciously drawn to it.

And then, for the first time.

He saw the reverse side of the coin that landed in the Half orc’s palm—

A cloak floating in mid-air.