660 Summoning (1/2)
In the Egret District…
Passing through the low and shabby cottages, Buck led Heidi to a quiet, dilapidated place that was dominated by grass. It was creepy even during the day.
”This place is occupied by some homeless guys, but they are busy with their lives during the day. That's why they are not here.” Buck pointed at the shaking wall and said.
Zigzagging by a few muddy rooms that could collapse at any point, Heidi saw the crime scene in the photo. Filthy water was flowing, and flies were flying everywhere in the stench.
”The homeless have absolutely no sense of house maintenance. The entrance of the sewer is very close, but they still litter randomly.” Buck cursed. Even an experienced police officer such as himself was frowning in such an environment, not to mention an arcanist from the Atom Institution like Ms. Heidi!
Although it was not the field that Heidi was best at, she had abundant adventure experiences thanks to the Congress of Magic's mandatory missions. Compared to the nests of trolls and giants, this place was as clean and comfortable as a noble lady's garden. So, she walked over without frowning and looked for clues with spells.
”The storm last time destroyed a lot of traces…” Heidi confirmed her guess from the magic feedback.
Buck looked at her hopefully. ”Yes. That's why we asked the Congress' help. Is there anything you can do to help us?”
He did not use the full name, 'Congress of Magic', showing that he was one of the pro-sorcerers.
Heidi was not as naughty and playful as she usually was in the murder scene. Instead, she solemnly brought out the remains of the victim and performed a localization spell of the school of astrology.
The flesh in her hands suddenly melted and dropped on the ground, pointing at somewhere far away.
”Originally, the spell can only localize living creatures, but after modification, it can also trace the dead. As long as the murderer still has the guts, we will be led there.” A layer of blood wriggled on Heidi's left hand.
Buck was amazed by the extraordinary magic and more determined to send his son to the generic school for elemental magic education.
This time, it was Heidi who led Buck. They traversed the Egret District and searched for the murderer.
After they reached an intersection, however, the blood in Heidi's hands stopped boiling. As if the last vitality had been worn out, it began to emit stink.
”My lady, what's up?” Buck asked concernedly.
Heidi looked around gravely. ”The connection of the 'kindred' was cut off, which is something that only magic, divine power or the strength of a knight can achieve.”
”What?” Buck was rather surprised. A sorcerer or a knight was involved in a murder case against the poor? What were they up to?”
Heidi sniffed. ”I asked before why the murderer did not destroy the body. It seems that it was not because they were incapable but because they had other purposes.”
”Other purposes?” Buck knew many secret files, but he still lacked 'common sense' compared to Heidi, an experienced sorcerer.
Heidi looked around and said casually, ”Generally speaking, this is related to evil rituals or cults. They have to ensure that the original body still exists when they use the guts…”
”Then, I'll submit your conclusion, my lady.” Buck wavered. This was something that was too much for himself. Let the higher-level knights of the police department, or maybe a senior-rank sorcerer, handle this!
He looked at the intersection. One road led out of the city, and the other led to the other side of the Egret District. He said, ”The murderers must've escaped out of the city. It's hard to find them now.”
Heidi was rather excited to encounter evil cultists. She brought out her crystal ball eagerly and said, ”I don't know about that. Let's confirm it first.”
In Rentato, she was not scared that she would encounter an enemy that was too strong for her. Battles that were too intense would surely be discovered by the expert who guarded the Nekso Palace.
The transparent crystal ball was darkened by the magic power. Then, brilliant stars glowed, connecting to a belt of light that pointed in a direction.
”They went to the other side of the Egret District…” That was everything Heidi got from her astrology. ”Let's go over and take a look.”
Buck was slightly upset, but not having the courage to object, he could only follow.
”Ms. Heidi is a sorcerer close to the senior rank and a student of a legend. She must have powerful items. It won't be a big deal even if we encounter evil sorcerers or cultists…” Thinking about that, he gradually calmed down.
At this moment, he saw that Heidi had been playing with a silver badge that was engraved with symbols of elements. It seemed to be a mini version of the periodic table. Even many civilians were aware of it and thought that it boasted the magic power to resist evilness.
Heidi chuckled. ”It's the medium for a magic ritual.”
”A magic ritual…” With Buck's knowledge about magic, shouldn't that be something that had to be prepared in advance?
As they spoke, they reached a corner of the slum along the road. It was a crowded and lively place.
”If they are cultists, there must be a lot of them. So, we can ask the locals whose house is frequented by strangers or has weird noises at night. That way, we should be able to find some clues.” Buck offered suggestions based on his experience.
Heidi smiled. ”Thank you for your trouble, Detective Buck.”
Before a rickety hut stood a wrinkled old lady who was hanging her washed clothes.
”Greetings, my lady. I'm Buck from the police department. I would like to ask you a few questions.” Buck showed his badge courteously.
The old lady wiped her hands, somewhat stunned. ”Mr. Detective, please ask.”
That was the normal reaction when the poor people met police officers. Buck nodded and asked, ”You must be familiar with the neighborhood, right? Is there any household that is frequented by strangers or has obstreperous noises at night?”
The old lady thought for a moment and said, ”No, I didn't notice anything. I hardly go to other places in the neighborhood.”
Buck put his badge back. ”Do you know anybody who knows the neighborhood better?”