Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 163 Investigation Commission (The first two chapters have been revised)
"A disaster is about to strike Backlund?"

Luze repeated the Queen's words.

"Yes."

"But you don't know the form of the disaster, its source, or its culprits."

"Yes."

The Queen's Way.

"."

Lu Ze hesitated for a moment, then asked, "If you don't know anything, how can you be so sure that a disaster will happen?"

Generally speaking, this process should be reversed. We should first know that someone is planning a disaster before we try to stop it, instead of knowing about a disaster without any reason and then working backward to figure out who is planning it and where.

Then he heard the Queen speak calmly.

she says:

"Because this is a prophecy."

prophecy?

Lu Ze noticed that the other party's attitude was very serious, as if they were making a solemn declaration. Accompanying this voice, it was as if an unseen destiny was drawing its trajectory, witnessing the successive occurrence of events.

Could it be that her extraordinary abilities allow her to foresee the future?
Lu Ze thought to himself.

"I understand."

He stopped questioning the other person and instead asked, "You just said that this disaster is related to human trafficking. Is that also included in the prophecy?"

"Yes."

The Queen gave an affirmative answer: "To be specific, I saw in the prophecy that civilians from the southern continent, from the islands of the raging sea, and from the lowest levels of the cities of Rune were being captured and gathered in Backlund. They are part of this disaster."

There is human trafficking from the Southern Continent
At this point, Luze became even more convinced that all of this was likely related to the human trafficking incidents he had encountered in Tingen and Enmat. Ms. M might know some of the inside story, but she was dead, leaving only a mute illusion.

"Your Majesty, why would someone as powerful as you need me to investigate for you?"

Lu Ze thought for a moment and then asked.

"Because this is Backlund, there are too many powerful forces and strong individuals here, I cannot act rashly," the other party replied. "If it causes misunderstandings among the relevant forces, it will not be good for me."

“It’s not just you. Since I started hosting this gathering, I’ve given this commission to many people. Some of them found nothing; some disappeared without a trace during the investigation; and some had their investigations going smoothly, but at a crucial moment, a strange coincidence caused the investigation to fail, making all their previous efforts go to waste.”

The Queen's Way.

In other words, there was great resistance, and although many extraordinary individuals were sent to investigate, none of them achieved any results.

Lu Ze nodded thoughtfully.

At the same time, he felt a sense of familiarity with the "coincidence" the Queen mentioned.

Back in Tingen, Mr. Azik mentioned that there was something incongruous about his fate. Could it be that the mastermind behind his downfall is now in Backlund, and is also involved in the human trafficking?
In that case, I have no choice but to investigate.

He came to his senses and said:

"Your Majesty, if I can help you find clues in the human trafficking case, you will be willing to give me that extraordinary item, 'Pain,' is that right?"

"Yes."

The Queen said, "As a Shepherd of Sequence 5, your survival skills and extraordinary abilities far surpass theirs. You should be able to do things differently from them. It is worth it for me to pay a price to obtain your help."

So, you're saying you have high hopes for me?
"I understand."

Lu Ze couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The Queen guessed correctly; he now had some directions for his investigation in mind. Just then, Sophia finally returned, and judging from the satisfied expression on her face, she must have gotten what she wanted.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

She bowed her head in greeting.

"No need, we have a fair trade."

The other party said calmly.

With a whoosh, the pea-shaped wall behind them began to descend, and the space that had been separated closed up again. However, the once lively hall had become deserted, and the people who had participated in the party had all left.

The gathering is over? I was actually thinking of attending the Extraordinary Gathering to gather some materials.
Lu Ze thought with some regret, "Speaking of which, I wonder how well Cecilia is digesting the 'Assassin' potion. It's about time to start preparing her for promotion."

A pea vine drooped down in front of him, its pods opening to release a pea that fell into his palm.

This pea looked a size larger than Sophia's, and its color was a more vibrant green, almost like a gemstone. Luze picked it up and examined it closely, seemingly seeing faint, mysterious patterns on its surface.

"Before the gathering, this pea will give a shake as a warning. Let it be exposed to the moonlight, and it will guide you," the Queen said. "Also, if you encounter insurmountable danger during your investigation, you can crush it, and it will teleport you back to me."

Something that could save her life in a crisis—she probably learned from the lesson of the investigators being killed before.

Luze carefully put it away, and after exchanging greetings with Sophia once more, they were carried out of the castle by the vine cage. After a mist and a burst of vibrant colors, their feet touched solid ground, and a pungent, fishy stench wafted towards them.

Looking around, he realized that the two of them had returned to the very beginning, which was the head of the Backlund Bridge.

About an hour had passed, and it wasn't too late yet.

"Now our contract is over."

Sophia looked at Luze, and it was clear she was still somewhat displeased. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just a little curious,"

Lu Ze asked, "Your background is obviously very good, so why do you need to obtain Sequence 6 and Sequence 7 potions on your own?"

"It's no fun relying on your family."

Sofia declared with great confidence, "I'm going to prove myself to them!"

The fact that you were able to snatch the manuscript so easily is largely due to the extraordinary items you possess; ordinary extraordinary individuals don't have such advantages.

Lu Ze thought to himself and shook his head.

"Alright, that's enough for us then."

He said it bluntly.

This female hunter is a bit unsettling; getting involved with her could lead to some trouble.

"That's what I wanted to say!"

Sofia said fiercely, "I'd better never see you again!"

After saying that, she turned around first, crossed the Backlund Bridge, and walked towards the other side of the city.

As Lu Ze watched her figure gradually disappear into the darkness, he turned around and started walking towards his apartment.

That night, he gained a mirror and a pea.

In addition, he accepted a commission to investigate a human trafficking case. The extraordinary item "Pain," the reward for the commission, was powerful and perfectly suited to him, making him eager to complete the commission.

In short, we have set new goals for the near future.

　The plot of the previous two chapters has been partially revised, including the change to the reward demanded by the protagonist and the addition of detailed explanations of the "suffering" setting. Readers who finished reading the previous two chapters before midnight last night can refresh the page to get the latest revised version.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)