Chapter 787 THE GROUP TASK

Chapter 787 THE GROUP TASK　　[GROUP Task: Discover what happened 20 years ago. – The original Magnolia Manor was burned down and Mr. Harcourt suspected foul play. Discover all the truths of what happened that year. Not one truth should be missed. You will be given until the 20th anniversary of the fire – four days from now – to solve this mystery. Failure to do so would result to failure in clearing the dungeon.]

[You will only be able to leave this place at the end of the fourth day. If all five of you managed to survive until then, even if only one of you solved the mystery, then it would be considered as a success. Good luck, dear passengers!]

Luo Yan raised one of his brows. It seemed the game devs still had some conscience. Since they weren’t allowed to reveal their identities to each other, solving the mystery together would be literally close to impossible. But since it’s said that it was alright even if only one of them solved the mystery, then, there wouldn’t be a need to look for the others and try to determine who’s who.

Knowing the other four, they would definitely try to solve the mystery of that fire. He just hoped that they wouldn’t do something careless that could lead to their ‘death’. Of course, the same could be said for him.

But the more important thing was how this task was called ‘group task’ instead of just a simple ‘task’. Because if it was categorized as that, then, wouldn’t it be natural to think that there would be another task that was different from a group one? He hoped that wouldn’t be the case though. He just wanted to focus on this one task. That way, his brain could put all its power in solving this mystery.

”Can you tell me more about this incident, William?” he asked the older man.

”It was just an ordinary day, much like this one. My second son, Richard, arrived at the manor together with his son, Sean. It was the first time that I saw my grandson, you see. I was unbelievably happy, seeing the two of them. Richard married an Irish lady and decided to stay in Ireland for her. She didn’t accompany Richard and Sean when they came back here in England. Which probably saved her from the same fate that the two had suffered.”

William paused. It was probably not just because he was overwhelmed by emotion but also because of his voice. That hoarseness showed just how hard it was for him to speak. So, Luo Yan picked the pot of tea and poured the other a cup. The old man nodded at him in thanks before drinking the tea. Then, he continued.

”I called for Richard because of my will. I was thinking of revising it back then and leaving the bulk of my wealth to him. I wanted to hear Richard’s opinion about it. But my other children seemed to have heard the news and also came by the house that day. Probably thinking they should do everything in their power to stop me from making any decision that would be disadvantageous to them. Even if they had to result to murder.”

Although Luo Yan couldn’t see the other’s expression or hear the emotions in his voice properly, anyone could see the aggressiveness in his body language. Yes, the old man was sitting on a wheelchair. But the way he clenched his fists, the way he slightly leaned forward as if he was ready to attack, it all showed his anger.

”How can you be so sure that it was indeed one of your other children? If you have concrete evidence, you would have probably already sent them to the gallows. Since it had already been 20 years and nothing had been done, at this point, isn’t this just pure speculation?” he said. “I’m sorry to say this, William, but aren’t you just being controlled by your anger?”

Of course, Luo Yan knew that that there was definitely foul play in that incident 20 years ago. After all, the game wouldn’t tell them to find out the truth if there wasn’t. But as a detective who only strive for the truth, he couldn’t just immediately agree and believe whatever this old man was saying. That would be out of character.

”That’s why I called you here,” William said, clearly not offended by what Luo Yan had said. In fact, it seemed that he was already expecting such a reaction. “I want you to find the truth. I want to know if my suspicion this past 20 years was correct.” He looked down or at least Luo Yan thought he did because of the way his head tilted downwards. “Maybe… maybe if I finally know what happened back then, I could finally put my son and grandson’s soul to rest.”

”Of course, I would gladly shed light to this mystery and help you discover the truth,” Luo Yan said. “But first, I need to know everything that happened at that day, up to the last detail.”

”I’ll be more than glad to tell you. But it would be dinner soon and I believe you would want to freshen up before that,” William said. “We’ll have plenty of time to discuss this thoroughly tomorrow. What do you think?”

As someone with mild OCD, the suggestion of cleaning up before dinner should be heavenly. So, how could Luo Yan refute? 

”I think it’s a splendid idea,” he said.

Before long, a servant came to take him to his room.

On his way there, he didn’t meet anyone. He was hoping that he could at least meet one important ‘character’ in this ‘mystery’. Sadly, the only ones he saw were the other servants. It seemed he could only meet them later during dinner. That’s probably better, meeting all the cast members all at once.

”Your room, sir,” the maid said.

Luo Yan turned to the other and smiled. “Thank you.”

The maid blushed a little before scurrying away like a scared mouse. Seeing that reaction, he was suddenly reminded of Shen Ji Yun. He wondered what that guy was doing now. 

Hopefully, the other got a much better role than him.