Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon

Chapter 37: Chapter 36: Speaking on Behalf of the Divinities Chapter 37: Chapter 36: Speaking on Behalf of the Divinities “Sir, we’ve arrived at 375 Oak Street,” the coachman reminded.

“Just wait here,” Chaoyang instructed, then pushed open the door and alighted from the carriage.

It was two o’clock in the afternoon, and Magnificent Castle was enjoying clear skies after a long absence. The slightly scorching sunlight filtered through the shade of the trees lining the road, casting a pattern of trembling light spots on the ground. It was the kind of weather that invites a leisurely stroll, yet there were few people to be seen on the streets—compared to a week ago, the city seemed much quieter.

A little further away, two cavalrymen in City Watch uniforms were patrolling the street.

Chaoyang pulled his hat brim lower and entered number 375.

This was a two-story building and another secret residence of Kort Dane. From the decor on the first floor, it seemed like a fruit shop, currently out of business, with empty fruit racks still placed against the wall.

He had only just entered the foyer when Judy came to greet him.

“You’re here. Ever since receiving your letter, I’ve been looking forward to it…” Her expression was quite lively, as if she were delighted to see the detective again, “You mentioned you needed help with something, and we will do everything in our power to assist!”

“Judy, is it Sir Chaoyang?” Dane’s voice came from inside the room.

Chaoyang noticed that this time, he had greatly elevated his mode of addressing him.

“It is!”

“Invite him into the parlor to talk.”

Following Judy to the parlor, Chaoyang saw fresh tea already laid out on the low table. Dane was sitting stiffly beside the table, with deep dark circles around his eyes. Upon seeing Chaoyang enter, he immediately stood up and bent slightly in a bow.

Chaoyang was somewhat surprised as he glanced at him. He remembered this journalist as daring enough to investigate the truth behind the serial murder case, never losing his composure even when his life hung by a thread—he certainly was not faint-hearted. So why was he now behaving with such deference?

“Not sleeping well?” He took off his hat and sat down opposite Dane.

The latter gave a wry smile and shook his head, “I suppose only you could sleep these days. You probably don’t realize what it means to entirely dismantle the North City Police Station, not to mention the Great Theater reduced to ashes overnight. Wherever people gather now, it’s all they talk about. Even the sales of the Jeddy Brothers’ newspaper have gone up by fifty percent!”

“We thought you would wait for things to calm down before coming here, but it looks like you don’t care about the City Watch’s searches at all,” Judy added, “honestly, this is the biggest event I’ve seen at Magnificent Castle since I arrived, even bigger than when the Second Prince’s delegation visited!”

“So… Kou Qi is really dead?” Dane asked quietly.

“Yes, I verified that myself,” Chaoyang nodded. Using his true form had been a significant risk, but the rewards were substantial. With the wishing power he’d gained and if not squandered, he could survive another half year—this was a qualitative leap from the previous nine days of life left. “Although he wasn’t the mastermind, he was the direct architect of this case. Only with his death, no one will trace the investigation back to you.”

Judy’s eyes shone even brighter.

“I knew there must have been a reason Sir Chaoyang didn’t advise us to flee the city at night.”

“Kou Qi’s death is one reason, the other is that I’m worried the mastermind might be in the Old Continent, so escaping from Magnificent Castle wouldn’t necessarily be safe,” Chaoyang replied, taking a sip from his tea cup. Of course, he wouldn’t mention that the main reason was that if these two left, he’d need to start establishing his network of relations all over again.

“Thank you,” Dane said after a moment of silence, “not just for saving me, but also for all the other victims you’ve rescued. I had my doubts about you, but now it seems I was wrong. If I had wishing power as well, I would give it to you…”

Chaoyang cut him off, “Wishing power requires the establishment of a contract. Judy has already made the payment, let’s consider this matter settled. You don’t need to mention it again. You just said there were others who were saved?”

“Yes, the City Watch found five more survivors in the manor’s dungeon. I’ve heard that the Lord has ordered a thorough investigation of the matter,” Dane replied, “on the other hand, the backers of the North City Police have remained silent, all interview requests denied. People outside don’t even know they were the real perpetrators behind the serial killings.”

There was a clear look of frustration in his eyes as he spoke.

Chaoyang felt obliged to remind him, “Since the Lord is pursuing the case, the truth will come out eventually, there’s no need for you to speak out now.”

Otherwise, attracting the attention of the forces behind Kou Qi would be more trouble than it’s worth.

Dane gradually unclenched his fist, “You’re right. Let’s talk business, then. You mentioned that you needed our help; what exactly do you need?”

Judy held her breath at this moment.

Chao took a moment before speaking, “I need a few bodies.”

“Bodies?” Dane was slightly taken aback, “Could you be more specific…”

Ah! It was Judy who couldn’t help exclaiming, “Your Excellency, are you referring to dead people?”

“Cough cough… You can understand it that way,” Chao responded calmly, though he felt equally embarrassed inside—since this request seemed extremely strange, almost like something a member of a Heretical Cult would ask for. “They must be fresh, without any decay. And if possible, I hope their sizes meet the following figures.”

After saying this, he passed a note with a dozen sets of measurements recorded on it, including height, bust-waist-hip, and weight.

After the last round of the game, Chao found that a large portion of his wishing power expenditure had been used on creating bodies, which also greatly limited the number of players entering Paradise. The solution was simple: use actual physical bodies as vessels. He only needed to invest a bit of wishing power in maintenance and replace those that were severely damaged.

However, while the solution was simple, implementation was not—where could he find complete and fresh bodies in this unfamiliar Netherworld?

Thus, seeking the help of the locals became the only choice.

He hoped that, considering he was their lifesaver, they wouldn’t turn against him over this.

“This…” Dai took the note and his expression was extremely conflicted.

“If it’s not possible, just forget it. I’m not insisting that you do this,” Chao quickly added, worried that he might be misunderstood, “And exchanging murder for bodies is even more out of the question.”

He thought the other party would give up on the request, but to his surprise, the journalist carefully folded the note and looked up, “Lord Chao, I’d like to ask you a question first.”

“Go ahead.”

“I would like to know… Are you acting on behalf of some divinity?” Dane’s tone was incredibly solemn.

Chao was stunned, but then quickly understood—so that’s it! That was why the other party had been so reserved!

He mistook him for a spokesperson for some divinity!

But then again, would a regular detective be able to destroy the organizational power of the North City Police Station overnight and personally execute the chief?

Even if such a person existed, it would hardly be a nobody.

Unless he was supported by an even more powerful force.

It was reasonable for the journalist to make such an association.

Of course… The detective was not Chao’s true form, or to say, any appearance he took to communicate with others was of his own crafting. So, in some sense, the truth was somewhat similar to what Dane had guessed; the difference was that he was acting on his own behalf.

And letting the journalist continue to misunderstand seemed to have no downside for him.

With this in mind, Chao simply agreed, “Indeed.”