Mr. Rat of the Steam World

Chapter 17 The Invisible Hand of the Magic Potion
By the time Lu Ran climbed onto the window and descended down the wall, Tamara was no longer in sight.

Using the moonlight, Lu Ran carefully observed the footprints on the ground. There was a footprint that had just landed and was quite deep, but it immediately became shallower. Lu Ran judged the direction of the guy from the direction the footprint turned and quickly chased after him.

In the darkness, Lu Ran became bolder, jumping and running quickly. In no time, he spotted a figure crouching and digging at the base of a wall ahead.

Lu Ran suddenly stopped, looked around to remember the location, and then quickly looked away.

He knew how perceptive this woman was, especially when it was dark and quiet at night.

Rustle, rustle.

Not knowing what Tamara was doing, Lu Ran repeatedly checked the other person's location with his peripheral vision until he saw the guy leave empty-handed. He followed the guy's back for a while and only returned to the base of the wall after confirming that the guy was completely gone. He found a piece of gravel to use as a hoe and slowly dug it open, soon revealing a black cloth bag inside.

Unwrapping it revealed a folded piece of paper and a bottle sealed with a cork; not a single pound of gold was found.

Lu Ran complained, "This is way too poor."

There wasn't much in the black bag, and Lu Ran's enhanced physique made it easy for him to move it. He first took out the piece of paper inside, then threw the black bag away. He then found a new place near the main house to hide the glass bottle inside. Only after cleaning everything up did he calmly run towards the main house.

He only disappeared for an afternoon, he should be fine.

……

The main house, Afra's bedroom.

"Ahhhh!"

"Tell me, did you eat Detective Number One?!" Afra kneaded Bella's head like dough, and when she saw that the dog didn't react, she couldn't help but pry open Bella's mouth to look inside.

"Where did they go? Where did they go?"

"Do any of you mice even know where Detective Number One went?" Afra, in her desperation, actually asked the other four mice who were leisurely eating cookies, but to her surprise, the four mice shook their heads in unison.

“You…” Afra paused, then tentatively asked, “Aren’t you worried about that rat?”

Shake your head x4.

Afra's mouth opened slightly as she asked one last time, "Do you want some cake?"

Nods 4 times.

"You can really understand human speech!" Afra bent down, her eyes shining as she looked at the four adorable mice.

The first few times I suspected it was just a coincidence, and the head-shaking might have been rehearsed beforehand, but when the question was changed, it turned into a nod, which can't be explained by mere coincidence.

"Do you know where Sherlock is?"

"Squeak!"

Before the mice could react, Lu Ran happened to crawl in from outside and immediately noticed Afra's strange expression, and a bad feeling crept into his heart.

I hope those four silly mice didn't do anything stupid while I was away.

"Detective Rat Number One!" Afra turned around abruptly and scolded. "Why are you back so late? Where have you been!"

Lu Ran felt a little guilty and looked around, trying to think of an explanation, when suddenly she sensed something was wrong.

He's just a gray rat, what's the point of explaining himself?

Lu Ran tilted his head and blinked his black bean eyes.

What are you saying? I don't understand.

……

Afra's Observation Diary.

March 21, sunny with a slight breeze.

Friday has finally arrived! My appointment with Mr. Sherlock is something I've been looking forward to! I wonder what Mr. Sherlock's gray mouse will look like? I'm so curious. Anyway, I can start writing in my diary now.

March 21 (Postscript)
Good heavens, this is like something out of a novel! Thick smoke, an arsonist, a detective, and a sheriff—my skirt got caught in the car door, so embarrassing! To be honest, my mind went blank for a second. Then I saw a bunch of… no, a whole group of incredibly cool gray squirrels! They were holding up signs and recognized people. How could such clever little creatures exist!

Hmm, do gray hamsters not like cages? I need to write that down. They don't seem to have any dietary restrictions and have a big appetite, but they seem a little afraid of Bella.

I'm sure of it, these little guys definitely understand what I'm saying! And they're incredibly smart, especially Detective Mouse Number One, who's the most cunning and a master of disguise. I don't know what this little guy was doing during the time he was gone, but it seems to be some incredible secret.

Hmph, Mr. Sherlock, I finally understand why you wanted me to observe the gray rats! I'll uncover the secret of these gray rats! This detective game is so much fun!

……

Lu Ran glanced at Afra, who was writing furiously. Although he didn't know what she was writing, he felt like she was peeking at him from time to time, which made him feel a chill down his spine.

"It must have been you guys who did this!"

Lu Ran glared fiercely at the other four detective mice, only to be met with four innocent expressions in return.

"Come on, come on."

Helpless, Lu Ran glanced furtively at Afra, then took the paper from his cheek and carefully examined it under the light of the room—

The potion of the Invisible Hand requires three portions of knowledge to be taken:
There are two kinds of confused knowledge: backstabbing and lies.

A guide to order: legal loopholes.

When taking it, you need to silently recite the name of the Serpent of the Contract.

Lu Ran's eyelids twitched, and she stared blankly at the paper, suddenly realizing what the medicine bottle in the black bag was.

Could it be a magic potion?

Lu Ran swallowed hard, realizing he hadn't even noticed whether the bottle was empty or full.

Is Tamara, that woman, already awakened to transcendence, or is she still in the preparation stage?

"Zel, Biden, the church... Tamara, Biden, the church... How did we end up all in one circle!"

"Wow, isn't this place a bit too popular?"

Lu Ran was speechless and suddenly regretted coming here. This Earl Biden must have some problem, otherwise it would be impossible for him to be involved in so many church-related matters at the same time.

The name of the Snake of Contracts likely refers to a certain deity.

The knowledge system of the Holy Land of Abundance is related to nature and life. Although we do not yet understand the knowledge system of the Holy Light Church, judging from the name, it is impossible for it to be related to backstabbing and lies.

So this is another new church organization?
Lu Ran quickly put away the paper in his hand, and was about to check if Afra had finished writing when he turned his head and saw a white dog lying on the ground, staring at him with its eyes fixed on him.

Lu Ran stiffened, a forced smile appearing on his hairy face as he awkwardly waved.

Hi.

Bella's lips twitched slightly, and she raised her hand in return.

Lu Ran: "..."

Damn it, I knew this damn dog was up to no good!

"Hmm! I'm finally done writing, but it seems the detective didn't leave me a new mailing address."

Afra stretched out her arms, perfectly showcasing her waistline.

"Then I can only wait for the detective to contact me. I wonder what he's busy with. Is he looking for the arsonist behind the fire?"

Afra was in high spirits when she suddenly trotted up to Lu Ran, her face serious and stern.

"You detective rat, tell me honestly, do you even know where Sherlock is!"

"Don't play dumb, I know you understand what I'm saying."

"I'll get you scones tomorrow, tell me quickly!"

……

Lu Ran sighed.

This woman is so noisy. It's so late, why isn't she going to sleep yet?

Hurry up and tell me, or you'll be the one screaming in fright when you actually speak.

(End of this chapter)