Chapter 186 - 186 Strange Footprints

186 Strange Footprints

Holding an iron-black carbide lamp, Franca glanced at the path between stone pillars and asked the smuggler, Fernandez, who was leading the way, in a state of confusion, Doesnt this lead to Quartier de lObservatoire?

Though Underground Trier was a complex maze, the tunnels on this level had street names corresponding to the surface. After pondering for a moment, Franca realized they were going in the wrong direction.

Smuggling operations certainly entailed entering the city from its outskirts, and Quartier de lObservatoire was positioned closer to the center of Trier compared to Le March du Quartier du Gentleman. The district stood on the other side of the Srenzo River, effectively separating it from Avenue du Boulevard.

Fernandez, a smuggler a.s.sociated with Rat Christo, turned around with a smile and explained, The hidden route were taking leads to Quartier de lObservatoire. We always deliver the goods to the warehouse there.

Is that so? Franca slowed down and increased the distance between herself and Fernandez, who wore a brown felt hat.

Since they hadnt entered the smuggling route yet, she lowered her voice and conversed with Lumian.

I remember you traded your Pugilist Beyonder characteristic for 18,000 verl dor with Gardner. You know its a Beyonder characteristic, right? Or rather, do you grasp a Beyonder characteristics true meaning?

My sister mentioned it before. Lumian attributed his knowledge to Aurore.

Franca was tall and had long legs, making it effortless for her to keep up with Lumian.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she sighed and commented, Its fortunate to have someone to guide you. In the past, we were stumbling around like blind mice, relying on ourselves to figure things out. Otherwise, I wouldnt have made the choice

Her voice trailed off, ending with a long sigh.

This reminded Lumian of a saying, either spoken by Aurore herself or relayed from Emperor Roselles famous words: Once you make a grave mistake, it will haunt you for a lifetime.

Franca quickly regained her composure and whispered to Lumian, Youve just entered the field of mysticism. Apart from knowledge, youre lacking much more.

Its best not to be frugal with that sum of money. Use it to purchase a mystical item or a Beyonder weapon to compensate for a Hunters limitations in mysticism. Otherwise, if Black Scorpion Roger truly seeks revenge against you, he wont need to go through much trouble. He can simply summon a few undead to hunt you down. If you have such intentions, Ill keep an eye out for you.

Lumian chuckled.

Ive already made a purchase.

So quickly? Franca nearly lost control of her voice, causing smuggler Fernandez to glance back.

The carbide lamps cast intersecting shadows, obstructing Lumians view of Fernandezs expression. He couldnt discern what thoughts they triggered.

Lumian replied honestly, Before joining the Savoie Mob, I discovered a circle of Beyonders through Psychics gathering of mysticism enthusiasts. There, I exchanged the verl dor that the Boss gave me for a mystical item.

No wonder Franca revealed a knowing expression and praised Lumian. Your mind is even sharper than I imagined. Hmm, is it an item that enhances your mysticism abilities?

Lumian spoke frankly, A pair of Lawyer gla.s.ses, but they seem to have been tainted by some strange power.

Francas brow furrowed ever so slightly as she interrupted Lumian. Thats highly dangerous.

I know, Lumian explained with a smile. But as long as I choose the right environment and take precautions, it wont be too risky. Besides, it offers excellent disguises and mysticism techniques

Lumian briefly recounted his urge to paint after donning the Mystery Prying Gla.s.ses.

Francas ponytail bobbed behind her head.

Its certainly useful. If I were in your shoes, Id make the same choice.

Only the leaders and thugs of the Poison Spur Mob havent really interacted with you. They only know you by your peculiar hair color. Otherwise, they would have recognized your true ident.i.ty by now. They wouldnt have needed to act themselves. They could have sought revenge by sharing your information and wanted posters with the police headquarters and the two cathedrals.

Lumian chuckled.

Thats right. I can already set up a coffee meeting with Officer Everett.

Francas vibrant lake-like eyes sparkled as she said, Youve shared so much with me about the mysticism gathering and your trump cards. Jenna even kept telling me how cunning and deceptive you are. Yet, youre truly sincere and straightforward! Of course, our relations.h.i.+p is different from others. I knew it. Muggles brother isnt that kind of person!

For a moment, Lumian felt a twinge of guilt. He spoke sincerely, Yes, she completely misunderstood me.

After chatting for a while, they finally reached the outskirts of Quartier de lObservatoires underground area and turned into a southward tunnel.

Soon, Fernandez halted in front of a secondary well belonging to an abandoned quarry.

He positioned the carbide lamp at the mouth of the well and gestured downward.

Lets go in.

With the aid of the blue light, Lumian peered down into the depths of the well. It had been neglected for a long time and appeared to be completely blocked by gravel.

Using the recess in the well wall, ropes concealed in the shadows, and a basic iron ladder fastened to the moss, the three of them descended and swiftly reached the wells bottom.

Fernandez moved a few seemingly heavy rocks, revealing a narrow tunnel at the wells edge, wide enough for one person.

As they traversed the tunnel, which emitted a foul stench, the pa.s.sageway ahead widened, as if they had entered another section of the quarry cave.

The air grew eerily still and darkness enveloped them. The cave ceiling was damp, with scarce traces of moss.

Lumian and Franca, each holding a carbide lamp, slowed their pace and meticulously examined the various signs along the smuggling route.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Fernandez pointed to a nearby tunnel.

Our boss and Baron Brignais werent entirely fruitless. They discovered that the caravans tracks vanished into thin air over there.

It was a tunnel connecting two sections of the quarry cave. The path was strewn with rubble and potholes. In the distance, darkness prevailed, devoid of any light.

Lumian and Franca swiftly located the relatively fresh footprints that had abruptly vanished. They squatted down, closely examining them.

Only footprints going in. The ones coming back end right here. Most people returning carry heavy loads. Their footprints are deeper, distinctly different from when they came We can rule out the possibility of them turning around and retracing their steps Lumian swiftly made a series of deductions.

Franca averted her gaze from her surroundings and stood up.

No signs of a struggle. Its incredibly peculiar!

She then motioned for Fernandez to move further away and wait in the quarry cave.

As Fernandezs carbide lamp glow faded into the distance, Franca produced a small makeup box and a white handkerchief with a blue checkered pattern.

The handkerchief belonged to Rat Christos brother, Erkin, who had also gone missing during the smuggling operation.

Franca placed the carbide lamp down, opened the light-gold box, and ran her fingers over the mirror inside.

Meanwhile, holding the handkerchief, she repeated in a whisper, Erkins current whereabouts, Erkins current whereabouts

The already dim tunnel grew even more stifling. The light from the two carbide lamps was pushed back by an invisible force, and the palm-sized mirror emitted a watery glow, as though revealing the depths of a dark river.

Before Lumian could count to three, a scene materialized on the mirrors surface.

Laborers lugging wooden crates and smugglers armed with revolvers and rifles trudged through the tunnel. As they progressed, the darkness behind them engulfed the s.p.a.ce where the light had receded. Eventually, the carbide lamps glow vanished from view, and the mirrors surface turned pitch-black.

They did vanish in this area. Franca ended her divination, her thin red lips pressed together. But I cant discern anything further.

Lumian didnt suggest trying the Mystery Prying Gla.s.ses. From his perspective, Triers underground was a treacherous place, concealing all manner of secrets. There were ruins from the Fourth Epoch, foul-smelling old bones, catacombs with specific rules to follow, and the lingering Montsouris ghost that had defied eradication for years. They were all elements that instilled fear in those seeking the truth. If he were to use the Mystery Prying Gla.s.ses to survey the surroundings, there was a high chance he would explode on the spot.

In due time, Triers underground would boast another legend entwined with the power of an evil G.o.d.

Therefore, Lumian would lend a hand out of consideration for the Savoie Mobs boss, but he wouldnt go all out and take unnecessary risks.

After all, it was Rat Christo who suffered the loss. What did it have to do with him, Lion Ciel?

Salle de Bal Brise still had an abundant supply of alcohol!

Franca glanced at him, not intending to make things difficult.

Red Boots stowed away the makeup box and Erkins handkerchief, picked up the carbide lamp, and said to Lumian,

Lets return and find Fernandez. Let him guide us forward. Perhaps there are other clues left behind.

Alright. Lumian felt that Franca was merely fulfilling her duty as a member of the Savoie Mob.

The two turned around, carrying their carbide lamps, and ventured back toward the original quarry cave, plunging into the ever-deepening darkness.

After taking a dozen steps, Lumian abruptly halted, his expression growing grave.

Whats the matter? Franca asked, perplexed.

Lumians voice resonated with gravity as he directed her attention to the scattered rubble and pockmarked ground.

No more footprints. The smugglers tracks from their departure and our own as we crossed have vanished! But theres a trail of footprints carrying a heavy load leading forward!

Francas heart skipped a beat. She peered ahead, coming to the realization that the ground lay in disarray. The footprints left by her, Lumian, and Fernandez in the tunnel had vanished, replaced by the sudden reappearance of the missing caravans tracks out of thin air!