Chapter 87

Chapter 87 “Vanna’s Investigation”

Only the cultists’ bodies were left in the rally, and no evidence could be found to prove the attackers’ identity, making the investigation very difficult.

But one thing’s certain, it was definitely not ordinary people who carried out this attack based upon the pungent and peculiar smell remaining in the air – it’s the trace of the flames that had been contaminated.

Vanna carefully examined the oil lamps left in the basement. Beside her, a priest had taken out special powders and potions from the kit to analyze the lamps for residues that should not appear in the real world.

Fire had always been the most remarkable thing in this world.

It’s the visible order, the handwriting of the gods when they make contact with the world, the evidence that “civilization still exists”. When the flame burns, everything changes and leaves its mark.

Therefore, if there has been a supernatural-level battle here, the flames should carry some corresponding traces left in there.

After the priest began to get busy, Vanna returned to the middle of the basement to examine the corpse of a sun heretic who had fallen there.

“Nearly every bone in the body has been broken as if they had been directly hit by a raging bison. It’s hard to imagine what kind of weapon could have caused such a result,” a coroner said next to her.

“Blunt force strike... A brute force that could break dozens of bones at once?” Vanna frowned slightly, “What is it? A hammer with a diameter of one meter?”

The coroner shook his head: “Unlikely... Compared to these, the ashes over there at the end are more suspicious.”

Vanna came to the end of the basement and saw the “ashes” mentioned by the other person.

There is a complete set of clothes scattered on the floor, and the grayish-black ashes scattered between the clothes indicate this should’ve been a person before they died.

“There is no doubt that it is some kind of supernatural power at work. Judging from the traces, it may be a kind of abnormal flame,” Vanna judged based on the quick assessment. Then turning back to the coroner behind herself, “It is difficult for a normal flame to turn someone into ashes while preserving the person’s clothes.”

“The wall shows signs of impact, and this cultist seems to have been hit by a huge force as well before being burned by the flames,” said another cleric at the scene. “This cultist was the only one in the whole scene that shows visible signs of being killed by supernatural forces and a power we have never seen before.”

“In addition, we have also found a spot in the corner that has been seriously corroded by an unknown element. Unfortunately, we did not find any residual physical substance that might point us to its origin. Perhaps it’s also the effect of a supernatural power.”

......

Back inside the antique shop.

Duncan had just sent off the second client with a smile on his face after opening this morning. The client was a rather chubby lady who appeared pleased by her purchase since she was a regular of the shop. Today, she had taken a fancy to a pair of vases intended for the new neighbor.

Obviously, the vase was not an authentic antique but an import from the wholesale market with a manufacturing date of last week.

After throwing a few crumpled bills into the drawer, Duncan sat back behind the counter, feeling a little calmer in his impetuous mood.

At least for now, opening this antique shop was a fun novelty for him. The profit of six coins could hardly be enough to satiate Duncan’s appetite. It’s better to stick with reporting cultists and reaping the bounty afterward.

Duncan divided his energy and paid attention to the situation on Ai’s side then. The bird had arrived at the fourth block; unfortunately, no reaction had come from the sun talisman thus far.

Of course, this was to be expected. Although many cultists are pouring into the city-state of Pland, they are not to the extent that they could bloom everywhere. Besides, the job was not easy by nature.

Hunting requires patience.

Duncan leisurely enjoyed this quiet time, dividing his energy to pay attention to the movements of the dove while occasionally shifting to the situation on the Vanished. He would also control his main body on the ship and walk around while watching Alice fiddle with the items aboard. Such a life wasn’t so bad if he looked at things positively.

At this moment, a crisp and pleasant sound of bells suddenly came from the direction of the doorway, interrupting his cranky thoughts under his leisure.

“Welcome,” Duncan said casually as he looked up at the door, where an old gentleman with gray hair had entered.

It was a well-dressed old gentleman with a new and neat dark brown coat, polished leather shoes on his feet, a black cane of unknown material in his hand, and a meticulous bowtie.

It’s not like the wardrobe of someone that would appear in the lower city, but more like the folks up at the Crossroad where the middle class would attend.

Duncan had no idea about the so-called “decent people” of this world, but he could tell at a glance that this old gentleman was not an ordinary customer.

“Do you have something fancy in mind?” He laughed like a real antique store manager. “Take what fate befalls you.”