Investigative Commission (Previous Two Chapters Revised)

"A Catastrophe is about to strike Backlund?"

Luther repeated the Queen's words.

"Yes."

"And you know nothing about the form of Catastrophe, its source, or its culprits."

"That's right."

The Queen's Way.

Luther hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Since you know nothing, how are you so sure that Catastrophe will occur?"

Generally speaking, this process should be reversed. Soothsayer someone is planning a Catastrophe before we try to stop Catastrophe, instead of knowing about Catastrophe without any reason and then working backward to figure out who is planning Catastrophe and where.

Then he heard the Queen speak calmly.

She said:

"Because this is a Prophecy."

Prophecy?

Luther noticed that the other party's attitude was very serious, as if he were making a solemn declaration. Accompanying this voice, it was as if an unseen Fate was drawing its trajectory, witnessing the successive occurrence of events.

Could it be that her Beyonder Pathway abilities allow her to foresee the future?

Luther thought to himself.

"I see."

He stopped questioning the other person and instead asked, "You just said that this Catastrophe is related to human trafficking... is that also included in the Prophecy?"

"Yes."

The Queen gave an affirmative answer, "Specifically, I saw in the Prophecy that civilians from the Southern Continent, from the islands of the Berserk Sea, from the lowest levels of the cities of Loen... have been captured and gathered in Backlund... They are part of this Catastrophe."

There is human trafficking originating from the Southern Continent...

At this point, Luther became even more convinced that all of this was likely related to the human trafficking incidents he had encountered in Tingen and Enmat Harbor. Ms. M might know some of the inside story, but she was dead, leaving only a mute Illusion.

"Your Queen, why would someone as powerful as you need me to investigate for you?"

Luther thought for a moment and then asked.

"Because this is Backlund, a place teeming with powerful forces and individuals, I cannot act rashly," the other party replied. "It would not be good for me to incite misunderstandings among these forces."

"It's not just you. Since I started hosting this gathering, I've given this task to many people... Some of them found nothing; some disappeared without a trace during the investigation; and some had their investigations going smoothly, but at a crucial moment, inexplicable coincidences caused the investigations to fail, rendering all their previous efforts futile."

The Queen's Way.

In other words, there was great resistance, and although many extraordinary individuals were sent to investigate, none of them achieved any results.

Luther nodded thoughtfully.

At the same time, he felt a sense of familiarity with the "coincidence" the Queen mentioned.

While in Tingen, Mr. Azik mentioned that there was something incongruous about his Fate. Could it be that the mastermind behind his downfall is now in Backlund, and is also involved in the human trafficking incident?

That makes it even more imperative for me to investigate.

He came to his senses and said:

"Your Queen, if I can help you find clues in the human trafficking case, you will be willing to give me that Beyonder Item, 'Pain'."

Yeah?"

"Yes."

The Queen said, "As Sequence 5 Shepherd, your survival skills and Beyonder Ability far surpass theirs. You should be able to do things differently from them. It's worth it for me to pay a price for your help."

In other words, you have high hopes for me?

"I see."

Luther couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The Queen guessed correctly; he now had some directions for his investigation in mind.

Just then, Sophia finally returned. Judging from the satisfied expression on her face, she must have gotten what she wanted.

"Thank you very much, Your Queen."

She bowed her head in greeting.

"No need, we have a fair trade."

The other party said calmly.

With a whoosh, the pea-shaped wall behind them began to descend, and the space that had been separated closed up again. However, the once lively hall had become deserted, as all the people who had participated in the party had left.

The gathering is over? I was actually thinking of attending the Beyonder Gathering to gather some materials...

Luther thought with some regret, "Speaking of which, I wonder how well Cecilia is digesting the 'Assassin' Potion. It's about time to start preparing her for advancement."

A Pea Vines drooped down in front of him, its pods opening to release a pea that fell into his palm.

This pea looked a size larger than Sophia's, and its color was a more vibrant green, almost like a gemstone. Luther picked it up and examined it closely, seemingly seeing faint, mysterious patterns on its surface.

"Before the gathering, this pea will shake as a warning. Let it be exposed to moonlight, and it will guide you," the Queen said. "Also, if you encounter insurmountable danger during your investigation, you can crush it, and it will teleport you back to me."

Something that could save her life in a crisis... She probably learned from the lesson of the investigators being killed before.

Luther carefully put it away, and after greeting Sophia once more, they were carried out of the castle by the Vines cage. After a mist and a burst of vibrant colors, their feet touched solid ground, and a pungent, fishy smell wafted over.

Looking around, he realized that the two of them had returned to the very Qidian, which was the head of the Backlund Bridge.

About an hour had passed, and it wasn't too late yet.

"Now our Contract is officially over."

Sophia said to Luther, and it was clear she was still somewhat dissatisfied, "... Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just a little curious,"

Luther asked, "Your background is clearly very good, so why would you need to acquire Sequence 6 and Sequence 7 Potion on your own?"

"Relying on family is meaningless."

Sophia declared with great confidence, "I'm going to prove myself to them!"

The fact that you were able to snatch the manuscript so easily is largely due to the Beyonder Item you possess; ordinary extraordinary individuals don't have such advantages.

Luther thought to himself, then shook his head.

"Alright, that's enough for us then."

He said it bluntly.

This Hunter is a bit Tranquility; getting involved with her could easily lead to trouble.

"That's what I wanted to say!"

Sophia said fiercely, "I'd better never see you again!"

After saying that, she turned around first, crossed the Backlund Bridge, and walked towards the other side of the city.

As Luther watched her figure gradually disappear into the darkness, he turned around and started walking towards his Apartment.

That night, he gained a Mirror and a pea.

In addition, he accepted a commission to investigate a human trafficking case. The Beyonder Item "Pain," which was the reward for the commission, had a powerful effect that suited him perfectly, making him eager to complete the commission.

In short, we have set new goals for the near future.