Chapter 151: The Corrupted Artifact

Chapter 151: The Corrupted Artifact

15 November 1894—The sun had risen in the sky like any other day as merchants opened their shopes early on with the first sunray.

World 7 had awakened. Outside, civilians walked through the footpaths, while some stopped the carriage, others bought everyday items, and some only walked to feel the morning air of autumn.

In the rented apartment, Mo Fei had been sleeping more than average. The confrontation with the Hanged Sage and the use of the Divine Dragon had exhausted him mentally, leaving his spiritual presence dull.

As an hour passed,

Knock! Knock!

"Sherlock, open the door."

The voice called out as Mo Fei’s body stirred, and he slowly sat down on his bed, his whole body still aching, then he slowly stretched his arms.

Pop!

Popping of joint echoed in his mind as he felt a slight relief before standing up while running a hand through his hair.

The voice called out again. "Sherlock, if you are ignoring me, can you put the hate aside?"

Mo Fei pulled the door open. "Urgh, just let me sleep for a while."

Outside, Lionel exhaled a sigh before entering the house. His gaze scanned the room that was messed up since Mo Fei hadn’t fixed it. "As I told you. The mission regarding the corrupted artifact."

Mo Fei scratched his head and yawned before stepping back. "I’m listening."

Lionel winked and gave him a thumbs up, which made Mo Fei step back further from him. "So, Sherlock. Yesterday a massive spiritual explosion occurred, which was similar to the conceptual domain we discussed the first day."

Mo Fei’s eyes widened slightly as the pieces caught up. ’That Hanged Sage was behind that domain... but it wasn’t even called out. Even though Divine Dragon had destroyed it, could it be that it was just an Embodiment? But only Authorities have Embodiments... what was that thing then?’

"What about it? I didn’t hear of this incident."

Lionel gave him a look before he jumped into a nearby table and sat down before continuing. "That spiritual explosion imitated the appearance of a God or at least an angel. As a result, we quickly rushed to investigate since if it was a deity, then it could have caused destruction, but unusually, the whole mansion was destroyed; nothing remained, not even dust."

Mo Fei mimicked a shocked expression, although he knew everything, yet he hid it behind the act. "That’s terrifying."

"It is... most importantly, there is a figure who has been investigating things."

Hearing Lionel’s words, Mo Fei’s expression shifted slightly. "Ah, yes. I heard of it too."

Lionel blinked and gave him a look mixed with confusion and curiosity. "You have heard of the Detective Murphy Law?"

"Yes, although I have never met him, but previously I heard people talk about him."

"Interesting." Lionel leaned back, his hand gripping the brim of his hat, shifting the corners in deep thoughts. "Anyway, let’s talk of the next mission."

He slowly stood up and gestured with his hand to follow. "Let’s meet in the headquarters."

Mo Fei quickly grabbed the keys and his revolver, then tucked it in his belt, then adjusted the coat and took a Chelsea Bun before walking out.

He quietly locked the rented room and followed Lionel as they reached the headquarters.

The chamber was still smelling the same as before, the scent of burning oil and the rusted smell of metal mixed with the thick, intoxicating flavor of old books.

Inside, a lady had already been waiting alongside Benson, who had been sitting on his chair quietly.

Lionel gestured toward the woman. She had natural black hair, tied in a bun, which was wrapped in silver jewels as a sixteen-centimeter-long string of continuous gemstone fell over her bun. In the very beginning of it, which had been embedded in hair, was a bright red ruby, holding the string together.

She wore a bright red lipstick on her smooth lips and long beautiful lashes. Although her face seemed delicate, the calm expressions and soft, small smile creeping over her face made her seem young.

The lady put her one hand on the table, where her nails had been painted in bright blue.

Lionel introduced the lady with a gentle nod. "This is Miss Rose, one of the most respected and an Ordinal Six lady. Don’t go over her breathtaking appearance; she is extremely strong."

Miss Rose couldn’t control her chuckle at Lionel’s words as she removed her hand from the table and glanced at Benson. "Lionel, that flattery won’t get you anywhere."

She finally turned toward Mo Fei, closing her hands together over her lap and bowing down slightly. "Welcome, young man. If I’m not wrong, you are a new member, right?"

"Sherlock Hermès, it’s my pleasure to meet you, Miss Rose." Mo Fei spoke in a well-behaved manner and also bowed in etiquette before adjusting his fedora. "I have been called here by Mr. Rofocale."

Miss Rose leaned slightly toward the table and looked toward the direction of the library, where Old Bai was coming from. "I knew the moment I saw your face. I remember everyone here, and it seems your face wasn’t painted in my mind."

"That’s great. Does that mean now you painted me, Miss?" Mo Fei attempted to joke over her words, which didn’t seem to impress her, but of course, being such a terrible joke that was, she couldn’t help but laugh in confusion to not make him feel disconnected.

Lionel sat down on a nearby sofa and spoke. "Miss Rose, I have tested him in the first mission. He is not bad for his rank since he did well, even though the mission we believed was low rank had been otherwise."

"That caught my attention." Miss Rose looked at Mo Fei, who watched old Bai running toward them while trudging and suddenly screamed as a lizard landed near him, which only expanded his speed. "Mr. Sherlock, let’s see how well you do here. Don’t worry, it won’t be a hard mission, but it will be more difficult to handle. The other church is after artifacts throughout the city."

Benson, who had been watching it silently, finally spoke. "We should be prepared if anything happens. The main motive is to take this to the church of Acolytes, since this artifact is the key of great Lady Limina."

Mo Fei’s ears perked at the mention of the key as he asked. "Is She the Goddess of Keybearer Authority?"

"Precisely, this artifact has been corrupted since the owner had died previously, although the other three keys had been successfully managed, but this one had more absurd power that we couldn’t manage, as there is no Keybearer in our organization."

"Is that an Embodiment, Mr. Benson?"

Benson laced his fingers together, examining Mo Fei for a while, and didn’t answer immediately. "Not truly, the Embodiment had already been stolen; the keys are an artifact that is only maintained by a Keybearer. It’s mostly useless for others since they cannot open the doors of the cosmos without an Embodiment."

After explaining the things to Mo Fei, Benson looked at Old Bai who had been taking long breaths. "Old Bai, I think you should remain behind; you’re sick nowadays, and it’d be unnecessary for you to work overtime."

Old Bai, however, laughed it off, anchoring himself to a wall. "I’m only old by body, Benson, but my mind works more efficiently."

Pulling out a heavy, sealed box, Old Bai put it on the table and examined the seal that had suppressed the spiritual presence of the artifact. "Let’s leave now."