Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 131 Continental Conference (It's the end of the month, please vote for meow!)
Good heavens, this is really something.

It has to be said that this victory against the Phantom Assassin came somewhat unexpectedly, catching Li Wei completely off guard. If it weren't for the system notification that the mission was successful, he would have thought it was just a feint by the enemy who escaped.

No way, no way, could someone really be scared to death after watching just a few movie clips?
Although Li Wei was inwardly cursing, the system ignored him and silently continued to provide its prompts.

[Mission "Shadow Blade" Completed]

[Time consumed: s]

Survey efficiency: S

[Impact/Effect: S]

Overall Rating: SSS

[Lifespan bonus +200, additional +100]

In Li Wei's opinion, judging solely from the outcome, this enemy didn't seem worth the difficulty reward. It's like thinking you're going to kill Bowser, but actually stepping on a mushroom monster... However, strictly speaking, this should be considered a mechanic-based boss. If you find the mechanics, it's easy to kill; if you don't, you'll just get played to death.

[Special Ability Rewards]

[Nightmare/Soul Transformation/Unconscious Control]

【Nightmare】was the ability the Phantom Assassin used against Li Wei. Simply put, it's about dragging your opponent into a nightmare and killing them. It's somewhat similar to a protagonist in a horror movie, but Li Wei abandoned the ability after a quick look. The reason is simple: just look at the Phantom Assassin. This ability is a double-edged sword; if you can scare someone to death, then you win.

If someone tries to scare you to death, you're finished.

Besides, Li Wei's identity is that of a detective, not an assassin, so this ability is really useless to him.

[Soul Transformation] was something Li Wei had witnessed during his battle with the Phantom Assassin; it was the ability to temporarily render one's form ethereal. This move was useful, but Li Wei already had [Shadow Shift], so keeping one of the two similar abilities was enough; there was no need for another.

For Li Wei, the most useful thing is actually [unconscious control].

[Unconscious Control: The ability to manipulate the consciousness of others and act without their notice, consuming 1 minute per second]

In Li Wei's view, this is the most useful ability.

Simply put, **unconscious control** means making yourself unnoticed by others. As long as you're not in someone else's sight, you have no presence. Even when you are in their sight, you're as inconspicuous as a small pebble. Once you're out of their sight, you're immediately forgotten.

Unless you interfere with the other party (such as by attacking them), in their eyes you are someone they will never care about.

Yes, it's similar to when a person suddenly wants to find their glasses or a book, but can't find it no matter how hard they look. It's right there on their desk, but they can't find it even after searching the whole room.

For the Phantom Assassin, this ability might be useless, since, according to its description, while interfering with the opponent, it would also be detected by the opponent. In other words, if the Phantom Assassin wanted to use this ability to kill, it obviously wouldn't work—as was the case during the Battle of Lakeington.

The soldiers did not sense the presence of the Phantom Assassin, but when the Phantom Assassin attacked Li Wei, Li Wei reacted instantly.

Therefore, from the assassin's perspective, this move is clearly not as effective as [Nightmare].

However, for Li Wei, [Unconscious Control] is much more useful than [Nightmare].

Because he's a detective, not a killer!

[Unconscious control] is practically a skill only for gossiping!
If he wanted, even if other couples were being intimate in private, he could simply activate his "unconscious control," find a place to squat, and watch the show with sunflower seeds, cola, and a small stool.

Even if the bosses of some evil organizations are discussing conspiracies and schemes in private, Li Wei can use this skill to listen in.

Even if you're being chased, if you activate this skill and stand to the side, they still won't be able to find you.

Isn't this better than anything else?

Moreover, its consumption is very low, basically on par with [Soul Vision].

So Li Wei quickly made a decision.

That's it!

Li Wei reached out and selected [Unconscious Control]. He then saw that the skill was placed in the [Willpower] attribute skill bar.

Is this something that falls under the Willpower attribute? That's interesting.

After confirming the skill's purpose once again, Li Wei waved his hand with satisfaction and closed the system.

My task is complete; there's only one thing left to do.

The night passed.

It was a sleepless night for Adams and Hancock, but they rallied themselves, washed up, and went to the city hall of Fairhart to attend the Continental Congress.

At this meeting, they will decide on the future of relations between Melesia and the Empire, and whether further resistance should be undertaken.

“Remember, Adams, this mission of ours is of utmost importance.”

Looking at Adams in front of him, Hancock said in a low voice.

"We must persuade the moderates to stand on our side."

"This is not an easy thing."

Adams, however, was clearly less confident. After all, what had happened in Lakeshire had eroded their moral standing. In any case, the other side was merely arresting militiamen, which was indeed the duty of the Imperial army. And for the Imperials, the law was something that must be obeyed.

So the Imperial Army's actions were not problematic, but the militia's attacks on the Imperial Army were much more problematic.

More importantly, they haven't won yet.

This is the biggest problem. The delegates to the Continental Congress came from twelve cities, and they were all political leaders from various walks of life, including lawyers, doctors, teachers, scholars, businessmen, priests, plantation owners, small farmers, artisans, and so on. Most of them came from the middle class, with a few wealthy upper-class individuals.

Many of these people were moderates who advocated for good relations with the empire. A very small number were radicals who vowed to fight the empire to the end. In addition, there were centrists who believed that a compromise should be sought.

Currently, the number of radicals and moderates is roughly equal; the main focus is on winning over centrists. This meeting is Adams's attempt to gain centrist support, but whether it will succeed remains to be seen.

“That detective…”

"Don't worry, Adams."

Hancock patted him on the shoulder.

“I’ve ordered everyone to seal off the entrances and exits after the meeting begins; no one is allowed to enter or leave without authorization. And at the train station, I’ve bribed the stationmaster; he’ll conduct a thorough search of the Explorer to buy as much time as possible. But I think as long as that assassin…”

At this point, Hancock paused, seemingly reluctant to reveal the other person's name.

"If he succeeds, then this will no longer be a problem."

"…………………"

"Okay, let's go in."

Hancock patted Adams on the shoulder and led him into the conference room. With a crisp sound of the gavel, the Continental Congress began.

The two put aside their doubts and began to focus on the meeting.

The meeting was difficult from the start.

Hancock realized this; many had been targeting them since the beginning of the meeting, believing the militia had acted recklessly, provoking a conflict with the Imperial army. And now, they were not prepared; compared to the Empire, Melisia was still too weak. They needed more time, more preparation!

Faced with the accusations from the crowd, Adams knew that if he did not defend himself, he would fail completely.

So he stood up, looked at everyone, and began to speak.

"You say we are too weak to withstand such a powerful enemy. But when will we become strong? Next week? Or next year? Must we wait until we are completely disarmed and every household is guarded by Imperial soldiers? Can we accumulate strength by hesitating and doing nothing?!"

Adams spread his arms wide, his voice booming like a bell, echoing and reverberating throughout the conference hall.

"Gentlemen, we are not weak as long as we make good use of the power bestowed upon us by the Holy Lord! Once the people of Melicia arm themselves on their own land for the sacred cause of freedom, no enemy can defeat us! Moreover, we are not fighting alone! The Holy Lord governs the destiny of this continent, and he will call upon our friends to fight for us!"

Adams wasn't just making empty boasts; in fact, during the decline of the empire, the majority of its territories that split and gained independence were encouraged and supported by the Holy Lord Church.

"Gentlemen! Victory in war does not belong solely to the strong! It belongs to the alert, proactive, and courageous! Besides, we have no other choice; even if we wished to withdraw from the battle, it would be too late. Our retreat has been cut off, unless we accept humiliation and enslavement! The chains that imprison us have been forged, and the clanging of shackles echoes above us! War is inevitable—let it come! I repeat, gentlemen, let it come!"

Adams clenched his fists and raised them high, and his passionate speech made the members of parliament tremble.

"Gentlemen, you may shout: Peace! Peace! Peace! But peace simply does not exist! The battle has begun, and our brothers have gone to the front lines! Why should we sit here and stand idly by? Is life so precious, and peace so sweet, that it is worth exchanging for shackles and slavery? I don't know how others will act, but for me..."

Adams took a deep breath as he finished speaking.

"Give me liberty or give me death!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!"

Hearing Adams's roar, the members of parliament below also shouted loudly, pounding their fists on the table and clapping and cheering incessantly. They were so excited that the chairman had to strike his gavel several times to declare silence.

However……………

"Clap clap clap clap clap..."

Just as the cheers subsided, an untimely clapping sound rang out. The crowd looked in the direction of the applause, puzzled, and then they saw a young man stand up and walk to the center of the hall. He had a cane slung over his arm, clapping incessantly, wearing a top hat and a three-piece suit, looking every bit the refined gentleman.

"Who are you, sir?"

The chairman stared at the man and asked.

"It's not your turn to speak yet."

"Ah, I'm sorry to disturb your meeting, Mr. Chairman."

The young man smiled slightly, then nodded to the crowd, before turning to look at Adams standing on the podium and Hancock beside him.

"Excuse me, are you two Mr. Samuel Adams and Mr. John Hancock?"

"…………………"

Looking at the young man in front of him, Adams gripped the railing in front of the podium tightly. Although he had never met the man before, he knew who he was.

I also know why he's here.

But why? Why?!

"……………yes………"

Adams answered in a low voice, which was now extremely hoarse and deep, completely devoid of his previous fervor and enthusiasm.

Then Adams looked at the man, nodded, and pulled out an arrest warrant from his pocket.

“I am Detective Levi, and I am now formally informing you both in Her Majesty the Queen that you have been arrested.”

(End of this chapter)