https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-Shadow-World-A-Sinister-Feast-in-the-Cathedral/12584061/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-125-Lanchi-Was-Not-Afraid-in-the-Slightest/12584063/
Chapter 124: Fred Begins His Investigation
Chapter 124: Fred Begins His Investigation
In the early morning hours, just before six, the sky was still devoid of the dawn's light. The castle and the surrounding mountains were shrouded in a blanket of mist and shadow.
In the Basic Layer's grand hall, the chill of late autumn seeped through the castle's floor-to-ceiling windows, enveloping everyone in a cold and desolate atmosphere.
Based on the information currently available about the Shadow World, it was impossible to deduce the identity of the traitor among them.
At the outset of this Shadow World challenge, those on the 'challengers' side had very limited information at their disposal.
They knew neither the effects of the blood powers the traitors could borrow nor the objectives of the traitors' mission, though it was clear from the Shadow World's information that the traitors had different goals from the regular challengers.
This meant that the traitors would undoubtedly take actions to further their objectives, and these actions could potentially leave clues behind.
Thus, a detective with keen insight and exceptional intellect was needed to uncover these clues.
The detective would also serve as a trustworthy hub for intelligence sharing among the challengers, as they needed someone they could rely on to unmask the traitor.
Consequently,
The detective was also the most vulnerable target for the traitors' schemes.
The other regular challengers had to find a way to protect the detective.
However, this particular detective seemed quite capable in combat...
In the grand hall, the challengers had gathered in four separate groups, each standing apart from the others.
There was an air of distrust among them, and even their attempts at communication were cautious.
The only exceptions were the companions who had entered the Shadow World together; they trusted each other implicitly.
It was evident that there were four teams in total, each consisting of three members.
This meant that either one team had two treacherous members or two teams each had one traitor in their midst.
Those chosen as traitors in this challenger-versus-challenger Shadow World were often individuals with extremely twisted minds, perfectly capable of embodying the traitorous role.
For instance, members of the Resurrection Church wished to bring about calamities in the mortal world and craved slaughter and the forceful acquisition of others' treasures.
There was a high probability
that the two traitors were indeed members of the Resurrection Church, their true identities perfectly disguised in the mortal world, without a single chink in their armor.
Even their companions, with whom they had entered this realm, were unaware of their true allegiance to the Resurrection Church.
As a result, despite Lanchi, Superian, and Fred appearing to be a team, they had utterly failed to earn the trust of the other nine challengers.
"..."
The ancient trees outside swayed in the wind, their rustling leaves the only sound breaking the silence of the vast banquet hall.
All eyes were on Fred, regardless of their team affiliations, as they waited for him to take the lead, initiate a basic exchange of information, and guide them forward.
Fred scanned the group expressionlessly, seemingly indifferent to the prospect of a traitor in their midst.
He offered no opinions and his gaze remained unwavering.
This silence wasn't perplexing; instead, it brought a sense of relief to several challengers.
Although this detective seemed peculiar,
his unwavering self-assurance inspired more confidence than a detective who appeared flustered and uncertain, clearly aware of the weight of their responsibility.
"Allow me to introduce ourselves briefly. We are from the Kingdom of Hutton and Eccli College," Fred said, his eyes glancing over the rims of his sunglasses as he addressed the three individuals closest to them.
Fred didn't say anything further, and his intentions were clear.
It was time for this group to speak. Whether they revealed a little or a lot was up to them.
No matter the quantity of information, it would become a basis for Fred to weigh their credibility.
Perhaps Fred couldn't immediately deduce the authenticity of the challengers' identities at this moment, but in the future, any sentence spoken by the others might become a flaw or a crucial clue in the Shadow World.
The first group was a trio, eye-catching and distinctive.
"Are you also from the Southern Continent? We are from the Kingdom of Canberra, the Petras Chamber of Commerce."
The one who stepped forward and spoke was a boy who looked eighteen or nineteen years old.
When he looked at Fred, he seemed reassured, his eyes unrestrained in their enthusiasm and desire to perform.
"I believe you can tell at a glance who the young master is." The boy said with some pride.
Behind him stood a man who was taciturn but exceptionally handsome. His eyes were deep, like an unfathomable lake, and a tear mole at the corner of his eye added to his allure.
On the other side was a woman as exquisite as a doll. Her hair and eye color resembled the handsome man's, suggesting they were a pair of siblings.
Fred glanced at Lanchi as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped.
Lanchi just smiled helplessly.
In the distance...
"My identity in this Shadow World is a geographer... Let me see the effect..."
The boy hadn't stopped speaking and seemed to be checking the Shadow World information panel while talking. "I can know the approximate map and terrain nearby. For example, the Lichten Castle where we are located sits in a stretch of mountainous terrain. The rear is blocked by the edge of the Honing Empire's national defense barrier, and there is only an 890-meter-high cliff in front, with a bridge connecting it. The only usable path from the city-state to Lichten Castle..."
Just as the boy was about to continue rattling off all the geographical information, the male guard behind him coughed lightly, finally causing the boy to stop as if he had just realized what he was doing.
Obviously, it wasn't a good idea for this idiot young master to say too much in public.
Some key intelligence could be conveyed to Mr. Detective separately.
Stating their identities outright would make it easier for the challengers to verify the information's authenticity later, and it could indeed gain the trust of the detective and the regular challengers.
But exposing the identity of the geographer, a highly valuable role, would also attract the attention of the betrayers, making him the second most dangerous person after the detective.
Superian and Lanchi stood behind Fred, silent, absorbing this information.
The Kingdom of Canberra was one of the leading powers among the many kingdoms on the Southern Continent. It had also maintained a neutral stance for many years. Both the Southern Continent Shadow World Management Association and the Card Maker Association headquarters were located in the Kingdom of Canberra.
It was also one of the most difficult nations for the Resurrection Church to infiltrate.
The Petras Chamber of Commerce was quite influential among the kingdoms of the Southern Continent.
Although Lanchi was also a rich young master, the Petras Chamber of Commerce's wealth probably exceeded his family's by a couple of digits.
If this boy was indeed the young master of the Petras Chamber of Commerce, then such a noble identity, with a high probability of being recognized, wouldn't be a preferred choice for forgery.
Obviously, this guy didn't have the best brains and was the type to be dragged through the Shadow World by his two dads.
(End of Chapter)
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