Steam Old Days: The Extraordinary Begins with a Corpse Collector

The sun slowly set.

Dusk fell like ink dripping into water, its color spreading rapidly and staining the sky outside Wiltlin.

The stench of blood mingled with the scents of earth and vegetation, lingering in the forest.

"Sir, your skills are excellent. Did you work in this industry before?"

Robin Hood squatted to the side, watching as Lyndon skillfully collected Philip's remains.

Then Lyndon used the needles, thread, and cloth he found in his luggage to mend Philip's clothes.

A person should enter marriage or the grave in the most dignified manner.

After Lyndon finished threading the last strand and tied a knot, he bit through the yarn.

[Old Burial Master, why do you care about such lowly lives? Your gaze should be fixed on something far greater. Proficiency +2]

Lyndon finished tidying up Philip's body, then turned to look at Alastor, who was examining the bodies of the zombie badgers one by one.

Alastor singled out the few with the best fur.

"These will definitely fetch a good price."

His smile was incredibly bright.

Seeing that Lyndon had finished, Alastor beckoned Lyndon over to skin all the zombie badgers.

Those were carefully selected by him; they were the best in terms of both size and quality.

"No rush, let's bury him first."

Lyndon picked up Philip's body and carried it to an open space.

This is the burial plot that Lyndon chose for him.

"This is fine."

Lyndon set down the corpse, a blood spear materialized in his hand, and then, with all his might, threw it to the ground.

The force of the spearhead spread outwards the instant it touched the ground.

The solid clods of earth were thus broken apart.

After a ripple, a large crater appeared in the ground.

Lyndon carefully placed Philip's body in the hole.

"Rest in peace, please forgive me for stealing your name."

Lyndon covered Philip's eyes and said in a low voice.

Then he came out of the pit and asked Robin Hood to fill it up.

Looking at the mud covering Philip's body, Lyndon asked Robin Hood about the situation at Mud Corner.

"The stucco corner is a small chapel," Robin Hood said as he filled in the dirt.

"I know that, but is there anything more specific?"

"I've only been there once. It was many years ago. It's in Mill Valley, next to a creek. It's a small, dilapidated place, far from any village or shop. There were only three people looking after the church."

"There are only three people?" Linden was very happy to hear this news.

The fewer people there are, the more room he has to maneuver.

This will prevent them from getting bogged down and hindering their actions.

As Robin Hood leaned against the pit, panting and resting, he recalled the situation at the Shrine of Gray Corner for Lyndon.

"I remember the person in charge was called Craig. He was an old man, over sixty years old, with a kind personality. If someone asked him for help, he would definitely do it if he could. People said he was a very virtuous old man, and everyone who had met him liked him."

"He was accompanied by a brother and sister, abandoned children he had adopted. The brother's name was Herbert, in his early twenties, and he was quite muscular. The sister's name was... Cecilia! Yes! Cecilia. She was a blonde woman, very beautiful, and spoke softly."

Lyndon went through all the information Robin Hood had given him in his mind.

There were three people: an old pastor and a brother and sister.

It seems that as long as the letter of dispatch is genuine and I can convincingly portray myself, they shouldn't be able to see through my deception.

"However, the most important thing is what to do about the runes on my wrist?"

Lyndon's gaze involuntarily fell on Alastor, who was standing to the side.

Alastor sat on the ground, his hand supporting his chin, quietly watching Robin Hood work.

Seemingly noticing Lyndon's gaze, he subconsciously turned his head, and their eyes met.

He seemed to see the confusion in Lyndon's eyes.

Alastor waved to him, and he mouthed something to Lyndon.

come.

Lyndon walked over.

Alastor patted the grass beside him.

As soon as Lyndon sat down, he eagerly asked, "Is something bothering you?"

Lyndon nodded.

"Tell me about it, and maybe I can help you solve it," Alastor said.

Lyndon was silent for a moment, and after careful consideration, he told Alastor his thoughts.

"I want to impersonate Philip and enter the Sanctuary at Grotto in his place."

Why?

"I want to learn how they purify alien corpses," Lyndon said truthfully.

After listening, Alastor sighed, put his hand on Lyndon's shoulder, and said meaningfully, "Lydon, why do you think like that? The knowledge of the Church is not something you can just come into contact with casually. Sometimes the more you know, the more painful you will be. This is the curse of knowledge. One day, you will wish you were a blind fool."

But Lyndon remained unmoved. He grasped Alastor's hand, his face solemn: "But right now, I really need to study. Please help me."

Alastor stared intently at Lyndon.

After a long silence, he asked, "What kind of help do you need?"

Lyndon told Alastor that it was a silver rune exclusive to the church, and without it, he would soon be exposed.

Alastor scoffed at the request.

He certainly has a way to solve it.

but……

Lyndon should know that he is a businessman.

His favorite thing is business exchange.

Lyndon said he was willing to pay whatever the price was, but he would have to pay in advance.

"Don't worry, of course I'm willing to give you this opportunity. You can pay back the money slowly in the future."

Alastor gently reassured Lyndon.

"So, what should we do with the runes?"

Upon hearing this, Alastor silently rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms.

The veins on his forearms were bulging, and Linden could even see the lines of the subcutaneous muscles.

Alastor raised his arm and gestured a few times with his other hand at his forearm.

Then, Alastor said calmly:

"Change of hands."

Upon hearing this answer, Lyndon's heart skipped a beat, and a hint of fear crept into his eyes.

"Is this the only way?"

Lyndon tried to get a second answer from Alastor.

But Alastor shook his head, ruthlessly extinguishing Lyndon's last hope.

"Then, how should we change it?"

Lyndon stammered as he spoke.

Alastor calmly explained the process to Lyndon.

His tone was so calm, as if he were talking about changing clothes rather than how to switch hands.

"Cut off your arm and his arm at the same time, then while they're still fresh, swap the arms and reattach them, and finally apply medicine."

As he spoke, Alastor gave what he thought was a friendly smile.

The night wind blew through the woods, ruffling the collars of the two men.

A swarm of fireflies quietly flew out, circling between Lyndon and Alastor, like stars fallen from the sky to earth.

After resting, Robin Hood continued his work.

Seeing that Lyndon was still hesitating, Alastor reminded him:

"If you don't make a decision soon, Robin Hood might bury that guy!"

Lyndon's brow twitched, and he turned to look at Robin Hood filling the hole.

Finally, he made a decision.

"Robin Hood..."

"Huh?" Robin Hood stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Lyndon.

"Don't bury him yet..."

Lyndon spoke without any expression.