Under the cover of night, Elias masked his face.
Though it rarely seemed to do much good.
Almost every time he got into a fight, some unexpected situation forced him to tear the mask off.
Still, it served as a decent form of psychological comfort.
One man and one ghost crept toward the cemetery behind the convent.
“So...”
Elias lowered his voice.
“Edward Crowley also went missing during the ‘Night of the Dead Tide’?”
“Correct.”
John’s illusory head nodded up and down.
“Moreover, Edward Crowley was originally working for the Fortville family.”
“In those days, being able to board the great ship that was the Fortvilles was a testament to one’s strength in itself.”
“He was very close to the young master of the Fortville family at the time.”
Oh?
The Young Master and Me?
“It wasn't that kind of typical master-servant relationship.”
As if clarifying, John’s next sentence immediately cut off Elias’s wandering thoughts.
“It was more about the Fortville family businesses.”
“He did indeed receive several promotions because of it.”
“Unfortunately, after the Night of the Dead Tide, his whereabouts became unknown.”
“Didn't the Crowleys ever go to Hastings Port to look for him?”
Elias asked in return.
“How could they not have looked?”
John waved a hand.
“The Crowley family sent out many elites and turned Hastings Port upside down trying to find any trace of Edward.”
“It’s just...”
“They all came up empty-handed.”
If they had found anything, it would have been a miracle!
The image of Captain Crowley’s old, weathered face instantly appeared in Elias's mind.
Facing the cold winds of the boundless sea every day.
Never shaving.
Looking like a complete mess.
In this era, once you went out to sea, there was practically no difference between that and going to heaven.
“So, the family generally assumed he was with the Fortville young master...”
“...and died in the dead tide that night?”
“Yes.”
John gave an affirmative answer.
“In such a tragic situation, missing was often synonymous with dead.”
“That is an unspoken iron rule in the supernatural world.”
“Until...”
John drew out his words.
“...the following year.”
“Specifically, after the massacre of the Fortville family.”
“Every year, like clockwork, the Crowley family began receiving a sum of money.”
“A massive sum of 1,000 gold crowns!”
So he had misjudged that old sea dog?
Turns out he was a first-generation wealthy man!
My apologies, my apologies.
“The sender’s address was only listed as the Hastings Port Post Office,” John continued.
“No signature.”
“No message.”
Elias narrowed his eyes, his brain working at high speed.
“There are only two possibilities for a situation like this.”
John floated directly in front of Elias and held up two translucent fingers.
“One: Edward is actually still alive.”
“But for some unspeakable reason, he cannot, or perhaps does not want to, contact his blood relatives.”
“Two: Edward is indeed dead.”
“The person sending the money is a client Edward entrusted before his death.”
“To fulfill his last wishes and take care of the family on his behalf.”
John paused for a moment.
“However, looking at it now...”
“It’s the first case,” John concluded with absolute certainty.
“James went to all this trouble precisely to find his uncle.”
Hiring someone to steal from the Seventh Agency just to find his uncle?!
That was the Seventh Agency!
What was the difference between that and stealing from the FBI’s database just to find a lost husky?!
Elias didn't believe it for a second.
Though John hadn't lied to him so far.
But he knew the limitations of 【Spirit Sensing】 all too well.
This spell couldn't reach the level of direct “mind reading.”
If a person hid one part truth inside nine parts nonsense.
Or simply chose to tell only partial facts.
Then, under the spell’s judgment, they would still appear “absolutely truthful.”
They would even seem exceptionally sincere.
This was the classic case of “using the truth to deceive.”
“No way.”
Elias came to a halt.
He tilted his chin up and stared at John in mid-air.
“Stealing a sealed artifact from the Seventh Agency just to find a relative who’s been missing for over a decade?”
“That’s way too bold!”
“To take such a massive risk, there must be another reason, right?”
A flicker of unnaturalness crossed John’s illusory face.
But he quickly adjusted.
“You’re very sharp.”
John didn't deny it; he nodded frankly.
“There are indeed other reasons.”
“However...”
He shifted his tone, becoming incredibly earnest.
“You can rest assured.”
“James’s true objective has no connection to the commission between us.”
“You are only responsible for retrieving the item.”
“His goals will not affect you.”
John spread his translucent hands.
“As a partner, I’ve told you everything I can say.”
“As for what I can’t say, my hands are tied.”
Elias confirmed there were no abnormal emotions suggesting a lie before giving a slight nod.
“Fine.”
Elias expressed his understanding.
Everyone was out here risking their lives.
Both of them were essentially scraping by in the Society of Freemen.
A client naturally had the right to specify a scope of absolute confidentiality when posting a task.
With some secrets, the more you knew, the faster you died.
Based on the cooperative attitude John had shown so far, Elias felt he could trust him for the time being.
However.
Trust was one thing.
Issues involving his own interests had to be settled in advance.
“Fine, I won’t ask about the motive anymore.”
Elias lowered his voice, suddenly changing the subject.
He pointed a finger at John’s illusory body, which looked like it could be scattered by the wind at any moment.
“But I have one very important question.”
“Once I go in and actually retrieve that containment object for you...”
“How do you plan to handle the thing?”
Elias’s gaze held obvious suspicion.
“You’re currently just a spiritual body.”
“You can’t even pick up a piece of paper.”
“Do you expect me to walk through the streets with a containment object that could get me killed sitting right on top of my head?”
Facing Elias’s concern, John instead let out a low, soft chuckle.
“Don't worry.”
John spoke with an air of mystery.
“I’ve already made proper arrangements for the handoff and transport of the containment object.”
“As long as you can bring it out, the subsequent steps won’t dirty your hands.”
To completely soothe Elias’s nerves, John dropped another bombshell.
“Furthermore...”
“That ‘dream demon curse’ that’s been giving you such a headache.”
“I’ve been asking around during this time.”
“I have to say, this spiritual body state is quite useful.”
“I’ve learned about several practical and feasible solutions.”
John’s voice was full of temptation.
“As long as we successfully complete this agreement.”
“Once the item is in hand, I’ll immediately exchange that information with you.”
“Then I’ll personally lead the way to the treasures I hid before I died.”
“Consider it your reward.”
Hearing this guarantee.
Elias felt much more at ease.
As long as there was a solution.
Provided that the methods John offered weren't just the same ones he already knew.
It was fantastic news for him.
As for the extra benefits...
That was just a pleasant surprise.
“No problem.”
Elias didn't waste any more words.
As they spoke.
The man and ghost had already bypassed the massive main building complex of the convent.
They arrived silently at the edge of the cemetery in the rear.
To the left of the black, rusted iron wall surrounding the graveyard, a dilapidated small iron gate stood partially open.
The gate was ajar.
Peering through the gap, one could see a low gravedigger's hut standing quietly not far inside.
At this moment.
The hut was pitch black.
There was no light from a kerosene lamp, nor even the faint glimmer of a candle.
It was deathly silent and oppressive.
“This isn't right.”
Elias’s spirituality surged, and a Moonlight Veil covered his entire body, following the lines of his clothes.
At the same time.
【Traceless Step】 was activated in sequence.
Like a ghost with a physical form, he glided soundlessly along the shadows of the wall to the side of the gravedigger's hut.
Pressing against the wall.
Elias peeked half his head out, looking into the room through the glass window.
Damn, this window is filthy!
He couldn't see anything.
Even with 【Darkvision】 active, he could only see the grime on the glass.
Whoever lived here must be a lazy slob!
And.
Even if there was a festival going on out front, how could a cemetery for a convent this large not have a single guard?!
This was far too unusual.
“This infiltration is going way too smoothly?!”
When things are abnormal, there must be something fishy.
Just as Elias was about to release his spirituality to probe the room further.
“Wait!”
John said, his voice heavy.
“Someone’s been here!”
Rate on N.U.
