Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 41 A bad start
Li Wei wasn't surprised that the old butler would do this; in fact, he had already guessed it when the old butler told him to follow the procedure.

After all, no matter what kind of evidence it is, it's not as good as having representatives from various departments come in person.

However, the representatives sent by these departments...

The power behind Katie is unclear, but it's definitely at the highest level. The guy dressed like a playboy is probably a representative of the aristocratic faction, Henry represents the army, and Elizabeth is from a religious faction supported by the empire. However, until now, Levi doesn't know their positions or identities.

After all, judging from their appearance, apart from Henry, the others are about the same age as Levi. Logically speaking, their positions in their respective forces should not be very high, but... who can say for sure?
When the group traveled to the House of Death again, it was already noon.

Because of the large number of people, they were traveling in a six-wheeled carriage pulled by four horses. Its interior was somewhat similar to a motorhome, and quite luxuriously decorated. Incidentally, this carriage was arranged by playboy Anthony. He was clearly very proud of it.

"Before I begin the mission, there are a few things I'd like to discuss with you all."

Looking at the people sitting around him, Li Wei felt it was best to make things clear first.

"You've all probably seen the report by now."

Everyone nodded.

What are your thoughts on these reports?

"A very interesting story."

Anthony raised his wine glass and swirled the wine inside.

"I'll use them as topics of conversation with those beautiful ladies, and it'll be fun to watch them scream and jump into my arms."

"Boring as hell."

Henry shook his head and snorted coldly.

"There are no monsters or vampires in this world. It's all nonsense."

Sister Elizabeth lowered her hands in prayer and quietly gazed at Levi.

"The Holy Bishop's database records hundreds of similar stories of exorcising evil spirits and eliminating monsters, but according to the investigations conducted by the priests and bishops dispatched by the Holy Bishop, these are mostly fraudulent schemes used to swindle money, or simply some kind of deception. No demonic deeds or miracles have received official recognition from the Church..."

Yes, completely unsurprising.

It was obvious that those sent were all opposition members from various departments, which was quite normal and not surprising to Li Wei. If it were supporters, there would be no point in observing them; he could just invite them for a meal and drinks and be done with it.

"Does anyone have any other arrangements?"

"I sent two squads to blockade that house."

Henry had the mannerisms of a soldier, straightforward and direct.

“One of the squads will go in with us to search. You don’t have any objections, do you?”

"of course not."

For Li Wei, the more people there were, the lower his chances of dying, so he was naturally eager for this person to bring more people.

Even if Henry planned to bring an infantry division in, Levi wouldn't object.

Although Li Wei was forced to approach danger in order to prolong his life, it didn't mean he would willingly throw his life away. Before coming to this world, his experience of being seriously ill and forced to lie in a hospital bed waiting to die was a vivid and unforgettable memory. Now, at least he could extend his already limited life through the tasks activated by this system, which was naturally a worthwhile trade for Li Wei.

However, actively approaching danger does not mean actively courting death. Li Wei would not involve ordinary civilians in such a dangerous situation, but if it were soldiers and police—well, that is their duty, isn't it?
I'm just an ordinary person, and being a detective isn't a profession that requires you to dedicate yourself to the cause until you die.

This hard-won second life is not meant to be wasted.

"I want to make this clear to you all beforehand."

Li Wei felt it was best to clarify things first.

"Actually, I'm not much different from you all. Before this, if I hadn't experienced those two cases, I would have just thought that this might be some kind of urban legend or horror story... From this perspective, I'm just like you all. I have no clue about what's happening right now, including how it happened and why it happened. All we have now are some speculations and ideas."

Li Wei didn't hide anything. He didn't know what the old butler had said to the other departments, but facing these people who were about to share life and death with him, Li Wei felt it was better to make things clear first.

"This is why MI7 was established. We don't know what it is, but the Empire is clearly facing a completely new threat that has never appeared before. That's why we're here. So, I'd like to remind you all in advance that if you encounter anything that is beyond common sense or completely unexpected... please be prepared."

"………………………"

No one spoke; all three remained silent. What they were thinking was not Li Wei's concern.

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of the House of Death.

It was already afternoon, the sun at its fiercest. Most of the surrounding residents were resting inside their houses, and no one was paying attention to what was happening here. Moreover, because it had been neglected for years, the area around the House of the Dead was overgrown with dense woods and weeds, resembling giant hands rising from the ground and covering the road.

Even when Li Wei stepped off the carriage, he felt a chill—and it was still the sweltering afternoon.

Even the horses pulling the carts seemed to sense some unease; they pawed at each other, snorted, and looked around warily, as if some ferocious beast might leap out of the dark bushes at any moment.

Then, Li Wei saw a group of fully armed soldiers standing not far away.

Wait a minute? A team?
Li Wei looked at Henry with a puzzled expression. Henry, whose face had turned ashen, strode over to him.

"What's going on? Corporal? Where did the second team go?"

"I...I was just about to report to you!"

The leading soldier quickly saluted Henry.

"They've disappeared!"

"Missing?"

“Yes, after we arrived here, we kept watch around as you instructed. Then Carter spotted a little girl who ran into the house when we weren’t looking, and he tried to take her out.”

"and then?"

"Then they went inside to look for the little girl...and she hasn't come out yet." "........."

No one spoke; everyone looked up, staring at the house before them. Its red brick walls were covered in a dense canopy of ivy, even the windows were completely obscured. The double doors were tightly shut, as if refusing anyone's approach.

"Playing tricks and spooking people is utterly ridiculous!"

Henry snorted and strode forward, with the others quickly following behind him. Seeing that things were not going well, Levi hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

“Please wait a moment, Mr. Henry.”

"What's wrong? Is there anything else? Isn't this what you wanted to see?"

"I'd rather nothing had happened here, that we went in safely, and came out safely."

Li Wei was sincere; he wasn't afraid of monsters, but this kind of curse-like or ghostly situation was something he had never encountered before.

He seems to have no other options besides praying that his system's mysterious +15% resistance will work. If he'd known this would happen, maybe he should have found a peach wood sword or something? He wonders if such a thing even exists in this world…

"If you don't mind, could I give your subordinates some instructions?"

"can."

Henry was furious, but fortunately, he seemed to know what was important. He stopped, while Levi turned to look at the soldier leading the squad. The latter was flushed, breathing rapidly, and appeared fearful and tense—well, it was unclear whether he was frightened by Henry or affected by the strange events that had occurred earlier.

"I hope you wait until sunset. If we haven't come out by then, you can just burn this house down."

Li Wei still has a considerable amount of savings, enough to afford to lose a house.

Especially when compared to one's own life.

"Also, whatever you see, don't take it seriously. Just treat it as an illusion. Like that little girl, do you understand what I mean? Think about it carefully, in this kind of weather, what child would run to this remote and desolate place? It takes ten minutes by carriage to get to the nearest mansion from here."

"You mean, that little girl actually..."

"It's hard to say right now. In short, you're a soldier, so obey orders, understand?"

"…………………"

The corporal swallowed hard and looked at Henry, who looked displeased but still nodded slightly.

"Okay, I will do as you say."

"very good."

Levi patted him on the shoulder, then returned to Henry's side and gestured. The latter snorted coldly, drew his gun from his waist, and strode forward. Levi, Katie, Anthony, and Elizabeth followed behind him.

The group walked up the steps, Henry reached out, grabbed the doorknob, and then pushed the door open!

"clang!!"

The door was completely unlocked, and Henry pushed it open, revealing the dimly lit foyer and corridor inside.

"Dover! Where are you! Come out here!"

Henry roared and strode into the house, while Levi and Katie exchanged a glance.

“I don’t want to go in, Detective.”

Katie's thoughts are understandable. The house was normally well-lit, but because the ivy had almost completely covered all the windows, it was almost as dark as night, even though it was afternoon. The bright sunlight outside only accentuated the deep shadows inside.

"I don't want to either, how about we go back?"

Li Wei meant what he said sincerely, but unfortunately, he no longer had a choice.

Katie is the same.

So the two exchanged only a few words before following Mr. Henry into the house. Next came Anthony, and then Elizabeth.

The dazzling sunlight outside shone on the ground, and the reflections barely illuminated a small part of the hallway floor. Apart from that, there was only Henry's roar and the sound of footsteps from the crowd.

"Come out here! That's an order!"

Henry shouted and yelled, seemingly trying to get the soldiers who had entered earlier to come out, but clearly, there was no response.

Did the previous investigation team also disappear in this way?

"To be honest, I have a bad feeling."

Li Wei whispered to Katie beside him.

"Bad feeling?"

"Well, based on my experience, usually in these situations..."

However, before Li Wei could finish speaking, the previously open door suddenly slammed shut with a loud bang, and the entire corridor was plunged into complete darkness.

Darkness instantly engulfed everything, and all was silent. Li Wei couldn't hear a sound. It was as if no one else was alarmed by what they were seeing.

Then, the lights came on.

Li Wei turned his head and looked around, but there was no one there.

"See, this is what I was talking about."

Li Wei sighed silently.

The thing he hated most had finally arrived.

(End of this chapter)