Chapter 2: The Detective's Last Words

“This kind of last wish and request—you can tell just by hearing it that something is wrong.”

Shade, whose hand was being gripped by the man before the bed, did not show much expression on his face. But he knew clearly that for a detective to accurately predict his own death, take in a dim-witted vagrant before dying, and even leave behind all his assets for a request that sounded simple—well, this simple request was definitely not simple.

The other party likely held more than just the identity of a detective, but Shade, who had occupied this new body, was certainly not the original fellow. Even if the original Shade hadn't known the truth, the visitor from another world understood that he shouldn't easily get involved in something that sounded suspicious from the start, otherwise...

“If you don’t agree, I guarantee that after I die, you won’t get even a single penny of mine, and nothing here will belong to you. You will return to being a vagrant—no gas lamps, no fireplace, no three meals a day, not even a bed. You will return to your old life...”

But Shade had to agree; he had nothing in this world. Comparing the prospect of starting from scratch as a vagrant versus getting involved in a troublesome matter but gaining assets, Shade knew neither choice was good, but he had to pick one.

Besides, having already stood here and heard these words, he was already involved; exiting was impossible. Shade knew how to assess the situation and weigh his own circumstances.

“Just, does the death of this Mr. Sparrow Hamilton have anything to do with the extraordinary? Does it have anything to do with the voice in my head?”

He thought to himself, unable to analyze any further conclusions, but he didn't expect the voice in his head to appear at this moment

【It is related to the extraordinary; he died because of a [Relic]. This has nothing to do with you.】

The voice was still as elegant and composed as ever. Even though the information was brief, the whispering tone sounded as if it were reciting poetry.

“[Relic]?”

In the ancient and elegant language used by the woman, this was a technical term. Different languages carry different amounts of information, and in the language the woman used, this specific term was extremely dense, carrying meanings like "sealed object," "contained object," or "cursed object."

Shade was glad he understood this language; he read from the term the meaning: "a special item that can exercise extraordinary power, but is extremely dangerous."

This gave Shade a rather ominous conjecture about this world.

“Then, who exactly are you?”

The voice did not explain the term, so Shade asked in his heart. From the fact that the other party answered his questions, he understood that it was also an individual capable of thought.

【I am you.】

The whispering voice replied softly, the murmur-like way of speaking making the hair on the back of Shade’s neck stand up.

But Shade gave a soft hum; he was certain this body was male, and the voice in his head could not be the original owner.

Looking at the glow of the bedside lamp illuminating the man’s tightly furrowed, lifeless, and terrifying skin on the bed, Shade said to him

“I understand, sir.”

“Shade, I have ten minutes of life left. Whatever questions you have, ask them all now.”

The other party said something quite remarkable, his tone filled with exhaustion. But Shade knew that if what the man said was entirely true, the following questions would become the key to his foothold in this world. He had to be cautious

“Your death seems abnormal.”

He disguised his voice to sound slow, feigning a dim-witted appearance; this way of speaking was quite strenuous. The first question concerned his own situation after the man’s death; Shade had to ensure whether the cause of this detective’s death would implicate him.

“We haven't talked about this in the past, and I know you’ve been worried. Don't worry about this; my death in a moment might frighten you, but don't worry. My death will not implicate you. I need you to complete the task three months from now, so I can guarantee that. The person who killed me will absolutely never appear again. After all, we ordinary people are not worth their attention.”

The amount of information gained was quite good; the man on the bed did not intend to hide anything.

“Ordinary... people?”

Shade was truly hesitant this time.

“You don't need to know. Actually, even I don't quite understand. Those Ring-術士 (Ring-wielders), the mystics who exercise the four elements of [Miracle], [Enlightenment], [Blasphemy], and [Whisper], the five major Orthodox Churches and the three major Arcane Academies... this terrible world... forget what I just said, you will live better. Remember, you don't understand anything.”

The man on the bed emphasized as best he could. Shade could only note down these terms and then nod

“Okay, I don't understand anything.”

He guessed that "Ring-wielder" was the title for mystics in this world, while [Miracle], [Enlightenment], [Blasphemy], and [Whisper] were parts of the power system, and the Orthodox Churches and Arcane Academies were the major mystic factions.

An ordinary detective couldn't possibly know so much; Detective Hamilton had many secrets indeed.

But Shade did not continue to probe this topic. He had to make the other party willingly say more information within the limited time, rather than mutually suspecting each other while trying to find lies and truths

“After you die, how am I to... live? I don't understand detective work, and I’m not very literate.”

Even though time was pressing, he couldn't speak at a faster pace. Not only because of the disguise, but also because Shade had not yet mastered this language. This situation of having to walk while racing made him quite anxious. But he couldn't show his anxiety, which made him even more anxious inside.

“It doesn't matter. Following what I taught you is enough. You only need to stay here for three months. After three months, sell everything and go live in the countryside; it’s more suitable for you, enough for you to live out your life in peace... after all, the cost of living is lower.”

Perhaps he really had no strength left, as the man on the bed didn't say anything more complete. But Shade had no memories of the past and didn't know what the man had taught him. He sought help from the voice in his head, but that voice did not appear.

“Is there anything else you need to entrust to me?”

Shade asked for the third time, a question he had carefully considered before speaking.

“Remember what I told you over these three months; remember the simple commissions I left in the memo—you can try to do them to maintain the operation of the detective agency; and also, the playing card in this diary...”

The weakening man pointed to the bedside. He let go of Shade’s hand, and Shade bent down to pick up the diary. With a brown leather cover fastened by a magnetic clasp, the diary was well-protected by its user.

Shade handed the diary to Mr. Hamilton on the bed, but the latter shook his head; he could barely speak anymore.

So Shade opened the diary himself and flipped through it roughly. Each page was a different consecutive date, with both sides being used. Most pages had only one sentence: "Nothing happened today, savings are low," while a few recorded the progress of commissions received by the agency.

Flipping to the middle of the diary, the rustling of pages stopped as a rigid playing card was tucked there. Shade controlled himself not to raise his eyebrows, seeing that it was a rectangular playing card less than the size of a palm.

After taking it out, he felt as if the surface of the card had a layer of completely transparent wax, protecting the card itself from environmental damage. But rubbing it carefully, he felt it seemed like a layer of transparent skin; for some reason, Shade suddenly thought of human skin.

The card was not thick, as could be seen by the light in the room.

What Shade considered the back had abstract patterns of the sun, moon, and stars, a strange combination of overlapping graphics; what Shade considered the front depicted a lady sitting sideways on a high stool, turning her head so her full features were unclear, holding the moon in her hand.

Silver hair, a smile outlined on her profile, wearing a robe. But the colors of the card were not rich, only white, black, and cool tones near those two colors.

The top right corner of the front was marked with the number 3, the top left had a small sun symbol, and between the two—at the center of the top of the card—a black vertical line was drawn inside a white circle.

Directly below the woman’s drawing, at the bottom of the front, there was a little blank space where a line of small text was written

【When using this card, you can adjust the number within the range of 1 to 5.】

The card didn't look very new. Facing the dim light in the room and looking from the side, one could see imperceptible damage, but one could also tell that the owner had tried hard to preserve it carefully.

Shade actually understood all the text on the card, just as he could understand the man and woman speaking.

“How strange. After transmigrating, I can hear and read, but I can’t speak.”

He thought to himself and asked in a low voice

“What is this?”

“A very valuable playing card, compatible with the standard 54-card deck we usually use. It is the [Sun 3] card, representing one of the four suits: Sun, Moon, Stars, and Flowers. But this card is a special edition, the pattern is rare, and it has great collection value. Keep it tucked in the diary; don't get it wet or fold it, and definitely don't show it to others easily. But if you are truly at your wit's end, go to the Birmingham Museum in Tobbesk City; the people there know its value... A Rhode card, my most important collection in life.”

Shade nodded, noting down the term "Rhode card," understanding that this was a common card game in this world, and that [Sun 3] was of the same nature as commemorative coins or stamps. He tucked the card back into the diary. Although this card was a bit more exquisite, judging by the productivity of the era inferred from the bedroom’s decor, this world was capable of manufacturing such things, so there was no need for too much suspicion.

“Sir, is there anything else you want to say?”

Shade asked again. Now, letting the other party speak voluntarily was better than asking questions himself.

“Shade.”

Mr. Hamilton gripped Shade’s hand again, his eyes looking at the young man by the bed, his gaze softening

“I know I was never a good man, but I am truly sorry for dragging you into this. After three months, leave Tobbesk City. This kind of big capital city is not for you...

But I think, if you can understand, you will also agree that taking you away from the life of a vagrant was the right choice. Your head isn't good; remember, don't easily trust others' words in the future, especially don't easily trust the words of guys trying to get you to spend money. I have already contacted the Tobbesk Public Cemetery and chosen a grave. The undertaker will be here in a moment; you don't need to follow. In this house, follow the life skills I taught you and live for three months.

Shade, I am sorry... Good luck.”

(End of chapter)