422 Battle With the Fire Gian (1/2)
Small Distant Town wasn't very big. Cherry didn't spend much effort to find the 1+1 Hotel.
It was an inconspicuous location, but Cherry suspected that it was the hiding location for the 2,000 Merchant Band guards that revolted!
Cherry brought along Arthur and searched the location, but they didn't find anything.
They didn't find any secret basement that could hide 2,000 creatures. Just like that, their investigation stalled once again.
Why was that? Where was the location that the letter indicated?
”Why don't we ask the shopkeepers?” Arthur suggested to Cherry.
”Ask the shopkeepers? Hehe, Arthur, you're too young.”
Cherry, who was wearing a coffee-colored windbreaker and a coffee-colored deerstalker, lit up a metal stick and placed it into his mouth. It sizzled, and he puffed out smoke that smelled like burnt protein. He said, ”The letter said that there is a problem with this shop. According to my speculation, the 2,000 mutinous guards could be hiding inside the shop, making the shop assistant and the shopkeeper potential suspects. Therefore, they can't possibly provide any leads!”
”But, they have already asked.”
Arthur pointed to the gamers who surrounded the shopkeeper and bombarded him with questions.
Cherry quickly walked towards the shopkeeper as he complained about the unprofessional gamers.
The gamers gave way to Cherry, giving the panicked shopkeeper a breather. When he saw Cherry, he immediately said, ”Are you the new Inspector, Cherry? Thank you. These creatures are making me out of breath.”
The shopkeeper was referring to the concerned gamers.
”You know me?”
Cherry was surprised. He kept his composure when he saw the gamers at the side. He spoke in a low voice as he placed one of his hands on the counter and puffed out smoke. He lowered his deerstalker and looked like a profound detective.
”You are the rare immigrant of this town. We were all talking about you.”
The shopkeeper looked friendly as he said to Cherry, ”Yes, I have some information that your assistants were asking for.”
”No, they're not…”
Cherry wanted to refute, but he noticed the tense aura of the gamers. He lowered his tone and deerstalker and said in a deep voice, ”So, what information do you have?”
”Ah…” The shopkeeper observed that the deerstalker was almost covering Cherry's face. He wanted to maintain eye contact as a form of courtesy, but he was unable to do so. He said, ”As the Merchant Band passed by our Small Distant Town, a creature gave me a slip of paper, requesting help.”
The shopkeeper took out a creased piece of paper and passed it to Cherry.
Cherry unfolded the paper and saw the distorted words, ”The leader is rebelling. Please save me.”
The words were almost illegible, but it contained critical information.
It confirmed the contents of the diary. The leader of the Merchant Band's guards was the leader that revolted!
”Thank you for your cooperation. After solving the case, I will give you a good citizen award.”
Cherry said to Arthur, ”Let's go. We have a new lead. Let's investigate the new lead!”
”Wait, Captain.” Arthur frowned and asked, ”What lead?”
Arthur's question stunned Cherry. The paper only confirmed the validity of the diary, but it didn't indicate the next target for investigation!
”Captain, I have another piece of paper!” the shopkeeper shouted to Cherry awkwardly.
”Ah-ha, I knew it. This is the lead I'm talking about.”
Cherry looked at Arthur, who was befuddled.
Cherry took the piece of paper from the shopkeeper and saw the words, ”Go to the lava caves. The map is in the bank private deposit box 008!”
”Let's go! To the bank!”
Cherry immediately walked outside.
…
”So, Cherry obtained the map?”
Sherlock browsed the discussion forum that had screenshots and videos. He examined the map that Cherry obtained from the private deposit box.