Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 20 Kresta Cecima, and Ms. Daly
Nighttime, Tingen train station.

The spacious platform was deserted, with only large gaslights illuminating the darkness and attracting many flying insects to hover around it. Lu Ze and Luo Yao followed Dunn to the platform and looked down. The lights illuminated a section of rails and the sleepers and gravel below, but the rails beyond were bathed in darkness, stretching into the distance with no end in sight.

Why is the station so empty? Are there no passengers?
Lu Ze considered it for a second using the mindset of a transmigrator, then combined it with the common sense of this world and quickly realized what was happening. Electric headlights hadn't been invented in this world yet; trains were powered by steam, and steam locomotives were almost never used at night.

The train for the senior deacons must be specially arranged, he thought. After all, senior deacons are the true top echelons of the church, and there are only nine of them. It's not surprising that they have some privileges.

Dunn told them that the high-ranking deacon who had come this time was named Kreste Cecima, and his title was "Sword of the Goddess." He was originally a Sequence 5, but because he had gained the approval of a sacred relic, his combat power was comparable to that of a newly promoted Sequence 4.

Sequence 4, huh? That sounds incredibly powerful. I wonder what the Sequence 4 of the Mystic Path will be like... Pshaw, what do I care!

The chaotic thoughts had just begun to surface when Lu Ze immediately suppressed his curiosity.

I'll just be a Sequence 9 and behave myself. I don't want to go crazy!

Just then, the train whistle suddenly sounded, and a huge machine was rolling along the tracks, rumbling towards the platform.

Lu Ze was startled because the sound was so sudden. One second it was quiet outside, and the next the motorcycle was right in front of him, as if it had compressed a lot of the journey and appeared here directly.

"coming."

Dunn reminded the two, and sure enough, just as he had said, a steam train slowly pulled into the station with a rumbling sound. Large plumes of white steam billowed from the undercarriage and the engine's chimneys, and under the illumination of the platform gaslights, the steam resembled a giant, orange-red beast, slowly stretching its massive body.

With a hiss, the train came to a stop, revealing only one carriage attached to the locomotive.

A man in a black trench coat slowly appeared amidst the billowing steam.

What Lu Ze noticed first were the man's hands. On this summer night, he was wearing bright red gloves. One of his red-gloved hands carried a silver-white metal briefcase, roughly the size of a violin case.

That suitcase.
Lu Ze sensed a quiet yet terrifying power that drew his attention. It seemed as if a black aura surrounded the briefcase, concealing deeper secrets. If he were to activate his spiritual vision, he might be able to see through the fog.
brush!
The suitcase shifted slightly; the hand holding it adjusted its angle. Lu Ze felt his gaze loosen, and he immediately looked up, no longer daring to look at the suitcase.

The owner of the hand glanced at Lu Ze lightly, then walked steadily toward Dunn.

He was probably around thirty years old, with golden-brown hair almost touching his scalp, and calm, deep dark green eyes. The collars of his shirt and trench coat were turned up high, obscuring his chin and even hiding his lips in shadow.

"Welcome to Tingen, Your Excellency Cecima."

Dunn bowed in greeting.

"Good evening, Captain Dunn. There is no red moon tonight, but the goddess's stars still adorn the night sky."

Kresta Sesima said.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Your Excellency Cecima, why did you come by carriage? There was a much faster way."

"Yes, I can certainly do it alone, but I'm bringing a guest along this time."

As soon as Krestai finished speaking, another figure appeared on the other side of the train.

This is a beautiful woman. She wears a hooded black robe, has blue eye makeup, and is adorned with silver chains and crystals on her chest and wrists. Overall, she is both alluring and beautiful.

"Ms. Daly."

Lu Ze heard Luo Yao call out from the side, seemingly quite familiar with him. Dunn frowned slightly, "Why are you here too?"

"Can't I come?"

The mysterious woman named Dai Li and Luo Yao smiled, but when she heard what Dunn said, her smile stopped abruptly. She looked at Dunn and asked, "Mr. Dunn Smith, Old Neil has been my teammate for many years. He's in trouble now, and you didn't even tell me?"

"Is something wrong with Old Neil? What happened to him?"

Luo Yao was surprised to hear this, and she turned her inquiring gaze to Dunn.

Dunn looked left at Luo Yao and right at Dai Li, a hint of helplessness showing in his eyes for the first time.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

By the time Luo Yao figured out what had happened to Old Neil, they were already on the carriage heading to Old Neil's residence.

"Old Neil is usually greedy and likes to joke around, but he's a good person at heart, cautious and restrained. Captain, are you sure you've got something wrong?"

She asked, suppressing her emotions.

Dunn paused for a moment, then said, "I have secretly examined Old Neil with the sealing artifact. Unfortunately, there are indeed signs of corruption by the evil god on him. It can only be said that he usually hides it too well, making it difficult for others to detect."

"But."

Luo Yao was speechless for a moment. She looked at Lu Ze for help, as if begging him to stand up immediately and loudly announce in the carriage that she hadn't seen anything before.

Dai Li pursed her lips tightly, and there seemed to be a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

“Luo Yao, you know Dunn. He never speaks ill of others easily. We don’t know what exactly happened to Old Neil yet, but it’s definitely beyond the normal range. We can only pray that he hasn’t gone too far and can still go to the goddess’s kingdom with a clean soul.”

Based on their previous conversation, Luze learned that Daly was also a Night Watcher in Tingen. Due to her exceptional talent, she advanced rapidly and became a Sequence 7 powerhouse, on par with Dunn, and was therefore transferred to Enmat Port. However, she still frequently comes to Tingen to assist with cases.

Crest calmly looked out the car window. He hadn't said a word since getting in, as if he were completely detached from the situation.

"But does that mean we can only watch as Old Neil is purified?"

Luo Yao said in a low voice, filled with resentment and acceptance.

Upon hearing this, Dunn and Daly both fell silent.

Not just Luo Yao, but why would they willingly eliminate their own teammates?
"Perhaps, there is still hope for old Neil."

Just then, Lu Ze broke the suffocating atmosphere and spoke.

The group was taken aback when they heard this, and then all turned their gazes to him.

Even Krestai, who had been looking out the window, slowly turned his head to look at Luze. His eyes were calm, as if he could see into the deepest part of Luze's heart.

　The pace seems a bit slow, let's speed it up immediately.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)