In the faint light of autumn, eleven figures stood silhouetted against the cliffside, like eleven ancient statues—silent and still.
The challengers standing on the gravel-strewn road had gathered in groups of two or three.
Ever since the detective had vanished from the map without warning, no one had come forward to preside over the next steps.
At present, the only challengers more trustworthy than the detective seemed to be the geographer Young Master of the Chamber of Commerce and the lawyer Lanchi, who had publicly provided information.
However, since the information they had provided could also have been obtained through specialized magical exploration or deduction, they still could not completely win everyone's trust like the detective had.
The ambitious Young Master of the Petras Merchant Guild from the Canberra Kingdom had originally wanted to take over the task of Detective Frei, but the twins behind him gave him a death stare, and he hurriedly swallowed his words and dared not make a sound.
Clearly, if this idiot Young Master became the leader, he would do nothing but cause trouble and inexplicably attract a pile of hatred.
Lanchi, meanwhile, merely smiled without saying a word, maintaining the same gentle, courteous, and elegant demeanor as before.
No one could tell what he was thinking now.
He did not seem to intend to act as a temporary detective either. Or, judging from his appearance, he simply had no desire to take on the profession of detective.
The wind from deep within the valley swept past everyone, bringing a subtle chill as it scattered the clouds and mist, only for them to gather again.
During this brief silence, the challengers gradually calmed down and began analyzing the current situation once more.
Although the progression of the Shadow World had undergone a fundamental change because