Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 102 Ready to set off
After that, Li Wei spent most of his time in the library.

After all, learning brings joy.

Or rather, learning with a cheat code is the only way to have fun.

Li Wei's efforts were not in vain. After spending more than half a month in the library, he also acquired three skills: [Mysticism: 30], [Linguistics: 20], and [Natural History: 10].

Although the values ​​are low, it's better to have them than not. And as long as you keep reading books on this subject, the values ​​will continue to improve, right?
【Occultism】Needless to ask, it naturally refers to knowledge about various folk myths and legends.

In the field of linguistics, Li Wei has now learned Franciscan and Crondian languages. However, these are both languages ​​that require reading, but he doesn't yet know how to pronounce them very well.

As for how he learned it—well, for Li Wei, that's a unique and ingenious method.

First, you need a dictionary.

Then, you can find novels written in the specified language, read and flip through them, and you'll understand them as you go.

Of course, there are techniques involved; not just any novel will do. If Li Wei were to recommend one, it would be a palace intrigue novel, one that specifically describes in detail long passages of intimate and explicit stories of nobles and maids, nobles and ladies, nobles and young ladies in places like bathrooms, storerooms, and bedrooms… This kind of novel is relatively easier to stick with.

After all, motivation for learning is very important, isn't it?
Natural history is a relatively comprehensive discipline, which, simply put, involves the study of plants and animals in the natural environment. Of course, if we can further subdivide it, there are also botany and zoology. However, while natural history is not as in-depth as the latter, it is still quite broad, which is sufficient for Li Wei, since he doesn't intend to dedicate his entire life to scholarship.

As a detective, what Li Wei needs most is a broad knowledge of various fields. As for specialization, he can simply consult experts who have studied in that field for a lifetime. It's impossible for him to be an expert in every single thing to be considered perfect. Besides, he doesn't have that much energy.

Of course, besides that, Li Wei also had a companion in the library, namely the girl who asked him to borrow a book that day.

Actually, the two hadn't had much contact, but perhaps because they both preferred to sit in their usual spots, they would occasionally bump into each other. Sometimes when Li Wei arrived, he would greet the girl. Sometimes when the girl arrived late, she would greet Li Wei as well, a nod of acquaintance, nothing more.

However, Li Wei still cared a little about the young girl.

Of course, this doesn't refer to the clichéd plot in CEO novels where a woman ignores him and he says, "Woman, you've successfully piqued my interest." The main point is that the girl's appearance is very unique; besides her beautiful face, what's most striking is her white hair.

Katie's hair color was similar to this girl's, except Katie's was platinum blonde, and you could see the gold parts in the light. But this girl's hair was pure white, like an old person's.

That's why, when the two first met and saw the girl like this, Li Wei's heart skipped a beat.

Based on his experience, white-haired characters in anime and games usually have some hidden secrets, such as a witch of destruction, a mysterious background, or even being a cyborg or vampire at all...

Given Li Wei's current identity, if this girl were some kind of vampire approaching him, he wouldn't think it was an overly narcissistic idea. At least, that possibility definitely exists.

So Li Wei also secretly investigated him.

The investigation results relieved Li Wei. The girl was an international student at the Royal Academy of Sciences, majoring in archaeology, and there seemed to be nothing unusual about her information. Li Wei also scanned her with [Soul Vision] and confirmed that her soul was normal and without any problems.

That's probably just a coincidence.

However, to be fair, this girl was also a three-nothing. Apart from occasionally borrowing books from Li Wei, she hardly spoke and wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses, looking like someone who was serious about reading.

The image of a white-haired, three-nothing is a stereotype.

Although Li Wei wanted to continue honing his skills in the library, the notification from MI7 forced him to leave the library and return to the editorial department.

As for the reason, it's quite simple.

"Intelligence sent from the Melesia region."

The old butler looked extremely unpleasant.

"Our investigation team found evidence that the other side used mysterious powers, but at the same time they were attacked. Only three people escaped back to the fortress with serious injuries, while the rest were wiped out."

"Two squads, that's quite a few people. Didn't you get the local army to cooperate?"

Li Wei frowned. Given his personality, if he encountered something like this, unless there was no time to spare or it was an infiltration mission, he would definitely pull out a bunch of shields to protect himself.

He hasn't lived enough yet.

"Perhaps they think they can do it on their own."

The old butler took out a piece of intelligence and handed it to Li Wei.

"The problem now is that the other side has realized they've been exposed, which could trigger unrest prematurely. Therefore, we must act first. We must resolve this issue before the unrest in Melicia breaks out."

Li Wei opened the intelligence report and carefully examined its contents. According to the investigations of the two squads, the resistance in the Melisia region was collaborating with a mysterious group that manipulated a mysterious monster called the "Phantom Killer" to attack the enemy. The squads' intelligence indicated that this monster only appeared at night and left at dawn. Furthermore, it had no physical form and was completely transparent, yet silver bullets had previously damaged it…

Hmm, as expected of a professional, the key points of the intelligence were given in great detail.

"Alright, I'll set off as soon as possible to deal with this." Li Wei couldn't be bothered with riots or rebellions; it was all a matter of perspective. He wasn't an imperial citizen, so he didn't care who was right. But mysterious events were a different story.

"You can decide on your own itinerary, but do it as soon as possible."

"Ok."

Li Wei understood what the old steward meant: the travel expenses would be reimbursed anyway, and besides, the Melesia region was separated from the Fog City by a sea, so he couldn't drive there this time.

Then the remaining options are to take an airship or a boat.

In short, no matter which seat you take, since you're getting reimbursed, you definitely shouldn't compromise your comfort, right?

So he said goodbye and returned home, then handed over the task of booking tickets to Eileen—this little maid had now been officially promoted to Levi's maid. Moreover, her annual salary had been officially increased to 50 pounds, which made Eileen quite excited and thrilled.

Li Wei wasn't just throwing money away; Eileen's role as a maid was secondary, but the steam-powered mechanical dolls she created were a huge help to him. Therefore, Li Wei preferred to give her more money rather than let such a skillful and capable assistant slip away from him.

Moreover, Eileen was indeed capable. After Levi asked her to book the tickets, Eileen only spent one day to produce the results.

"I've already booked the tickets, Mr. Levi!"

"Oh?"

Watching Eileen run out of the elevator excitedly, Li Wei looked up from his desk.

"So fast?"

"Yes, after learning it was you, they immediately agreed to prepare a first-class cabin for you. As per your request, you need to depart as soon as possible to reach Melicia in the shortest time. I originally planned to consider an airship, but I heard recently that the weather has been bad and many airships have chosen to delay their flights. Fortunately, after making inquiries from various sources, I still found a ship that meets your requirements."

As she spoke, Eileen placed the ship tickets and a small booklet on the table. Levi picked up the tickets, glanced at them, and then opened the booklet in front of him.

"Hmm, let me see. Platinum Line's newest cruise ship, the Arctic Star, will be making its maiden voyage on the 20th... It's powered by two large steam engines and is 270 meters long, making it the world's largest cruise ship. It will open up a brand new route, reaching the port of Mullers in Melicia in the shortest possible time... Hmm..."

As he read on, Li Wei's voice gradually lowered.

"Is there a problem, sir?"

"There's no problem, but... is this the only ship?"

"Yes, they said it used to take a full two weeks to get to Melicia, but this cruise ship can get there in just one week, and they've even opened up a new route."

At this point, Eileen also became excited.

"Moreover, I heard that this ship is also known as 'unsinkable'! Such a big ship can't possibly have any problems!"

"Ah, um..."

Looking at the ship ticket in front of him, Li Wei felt as if he were looking at an invitation from the Grim Reaper.

Do I really want to sit in this?
Although he knew that Eileen meant well, and from Eileen's perspective, there was indeed nothing wrong with the ship, or rather, from the perspective of people in this world, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the ship.

But... Li Wei knew that in his world, there was a very famous movie about this.

And coincidentally, that ship also had the nickname "unsinkable".

"Sir, have I done something wrong?"

Seeing Levi staring blankly at the ship ticket, Eileen asked him somewhat uneasily. Levi pulled himself out of his thoughts and shook his head.

"No, it's nothing. I just... I rarely travel by boat. Well, it's nothing serious."

"so………"

"So, Eileen..."

"Yes, sir. What can I do for you?"

"Make me a doll that can swim in water."

Li Wei offered his suggestions in a very serious and earnest manner.

(End of this chapter)