Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 41: A Bad Start

For the old butler to act this way, Levi was not surprised.

In fact, back when the old butler had told him everything must follow procedure, Levi had already guessed it.

After all, no matter what evidence existed, it could never compare to the various departments sending their representatives in person.

It was just that… the chosen representatives sent by these departments………

The forces behind Katie were unclear, but without a doubt, they must have been from the highest level.

The fellow dressed like a playboy was probably a representative of the nobility faction.

Henry represented the army.

Elizabeth was from the religion faction supported by the Empire.

But up until now, Levi still did not know their official positions or identities.

After all, judging from appearances, aside from Henry, the others looked about the same age as Levi.

Logically speaking, their rank within their own factions should not have been that high, but……… who could say for sure?

By the time the group once again boarded the carriage heading for the House of Death, it was already noon.

Because there were more people, this time they rode in a six-wheeled carriage drawn by four horses.

Its interior design was somewhat similar to a recreational carriage, with very luxurious decorations.

Incidentally, it had been the playboy Anthony who had arranged for this carriage.

From his demeanor, it was obvious he was very proud of himself.

“Before we carry out the mission, there are some things I’d like to discuss with everyone.”

Looking at the people seated around him, Levi thought it best to clarify things first.

“You all must have read the report, correct?”

Everyone nodded.

“What are your thoughts on these reports?”

“An interesting story.”

Anthony raised his wine glass and swirled the liquor inside.

“I’ll use them as conversation topics when chatting with beautiful ladies. Watching them scream and throw themselves into my arms will surely be amusing.”

“Utterly boring.”

Henry shook his head and let out a cold snort.

“There are no such things as monsters in this world. Vampires? Nonsense.”

Elizabeth the nun lowered her praying hands and calmly gazed at Levi.

“In the archives of the Holy Lord Church, there are hundreds of records of exorcisms and monster hunts. But according to investigations carried out by priests and bishops dispatched by the church, most of them turned out to be fraudsters scamming money, or simply tricks to deceive the eye. None of these so-called demonic events or miracles have ever been formally recognized by the church………”

Well, completely within expectations.

Clearly, those sent were all dissenters within their respective departments.

That was normal.

Levi was not surprised.

If supporters had been sent, there would have been no need for investigation at all—just wine and dinner, and the matter would be settled.

“Do any of you have other arrangements?”

“I have dispatched two squads of soldiers to blockade that house.”

Henry, ever the soldier, spoke bluntly.

“One squad will enter with us to conduct the search. I trust you have no objections?”

“Of course not.”

To Levi, the more people there were, the lower his own chances of dying.

He would certainly be more than happy if Henry brought extra men along.

Even if Henry wanted to march an entire infantry regiment inside, Levi would have had no complaints.

Although Levi had to approach danger to extend his life, that did not mean he would willingly seek death.

Before coming to this world, his experience of lying bedridden with a terminal illness, waiting to die, was already etched deeply into his memory.

Now, at the very least, he could extend his limited life through the system’s missions.

To Levi, this was naturally a worthwhile bargain.

But approaching danger did not mean actively seeking death.

Levi would not drag ordinary civilians into such peril.

As for soldiers and police—well, wasn’t this their duty?

After all, he was just an ordinary man.

A detective was not a profession that required sacrificing oneself unto death.

This hard-won second life was not meant to be wasted.

“I must make things clear beforehand.”

Levi thought it best to say this outright.

“Truthfully, I am no different from any of you. Had I not personally experienced two cases beforehand, I too would have believed this to be mere urban legends or horror stories……… In this sense, I am the same as you. Regarding everything happening now—how it happens, why it happens—we have no clue. All we possess are speculations and guesses.”

Levi did not hide anything.

He did not know what the old butler had told the other departments, but facing these people who were about to share life and death with him, Levi thought it best to be honest.

“This is the very reason MI7 was established. We do not know what this is, but it is clear the Empire faces an entirely new threat, one never seen before. That is why we are here. Therefore, I must warn you in advance: if we encounter anything that defies reason, or completely exceeds your expectations……… be mentally prepared.”

“………………………”

No one spoke.

The three fell into silence.

What they thought was no concern of Levi’s.

After a while, the carriage arrived and stopped in front of the House of Death.

It was already afternoon, the sun blazing overhead.

Most nearby residents were indoors resting, paying no attention to this side of the street.

Over the years, with no one tending it, the area surrounding the House of Death had grown wild with thick trees and weeds.

They resembled massive hands reaching up from the ground, casting shadows across the road.

Even as Levi stepped down from the carriage, he felt a chill—despite the heat of the afternoon sun.

Even the horses sensed unease.

They pawed the ground, snorted anxiously, and glanced about with alert, nervous eyes.

It was as if at any moment, some beast might leap out of the shadowy underbrush.

Then Levi spotted a squad of fully armed soldiers standing nearby.

Wait—one squad?

Levi looked at Henry with doubt.

Henry’s face immediately darkened as he strode forward.

“What’s going on, Corporal? Where is the second squad?”

“S-sir, I was just about to report!”

The leading soldier quickly saluted.

“They’ve disappeared!”

“Disappeared?”

“Yes. After we arrived, as ordered, we kept watch around the area. Then Carter spotted a little girl slipping into the house while we weren’t paying attention, so he went to bring her back.”

“And then?”

“Then they went inside to search for the little girl……… but they haven’t come out since.”

“………………………”

No one spoke.

Everyone lifted their heads to stare at the house before them.

Its red brick walls were thickly covered in ivy, even the windows completely obscured.

The double doors stood tightly shut, as though refusing anyone’s approach.

“Tricks and nonsense! Ridiculous!”

Henry gave a cold snort and strode forward.

The others hurried to follow.

Seeing this, Levi quickly stepped up to block him.

“Please wait a moment, Mr. Henry.”

“What is it? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see?”

“I would rather nothing had happened here. I would rather we go in safely, and come out safely.”

Levi spoke with sincerity.

He was not afraid of monsters, but matters involving curses or hauntings—even for him, this was the first time.

Right now, apart from praying that his mysterious resistance +15% from the system would work, he had no other plan.

In hindsight, maybe he should have brought a peachwood sword or something? Did such things even exist in this world………?

“If you don’t mind, may I give your men a few instructions?”

“Go ahead.”

Though angry, Henry fortunately still knew the importance of caution.

He stopped.

Levi turned to face the squad’s leader.

The young soldier’s face was pale, his breathing rapid.

He seemed filled with fear and nervousness—whether from Henry’s temper or from the eerie events earlier was unclear.

“I want you to wait until sunset. If by then we haven’t come out, burn the house down.”

Levi still had plenty of savings.

One house, he could afford to pay for.

Especially compared to his life.

“And no matter what you see, do not believe it. Treat everything as an illusion. Just like that little girl. Think carefully—in this kind of weather, what child would wander alone into such a remote, desolate place? It takes ten minutes even by carriage to reach the nearest estate.”

“You mean… that little girl wasn’t actually……………”

“It’s too soon to say. But you are a soldier. Follow orders. Do you understand?”

“………………….”

The corporal swallowed hard and looked at Henry.

Though his face was grim, Henry gave a slight nod.

“Yes sir. I’ll do as you say.”

“Good.”

Levi patted his shoulder, then returned to Henry’s side and made a gesture.

With a cold snort, Henry drew his pistol and strode toward the doors.

Levi, Katie, Anthony, and Elizabeth followed behind.

The group climbed the steps.

Henry reached for the handle and shoved the doors wide open!

“Clang!!”

The doors had not been locked.

They swung open under Henry’s force, revealing the darkened foyer and corridor inside.

“Dover! Where are you! Come out now!”

Henry bellowed as he strode inside.

Levi and Katie exchanged a glance.

“I don’t want to go in, Detective.”

Katie’s hesitation was understandable.

Originally, the house had good lighting.

But with ivy covering nearly every window, despite it being afternoon, the inside was as dark as night.

The blazing sunlight outside only made the shadows within seem heavier.

“Nor do I. How about we go back?”

Levi meant it sincerely, but unfortunately, the choice was no longer his to make.

Katie felt the same.

So, after only a brief exchange, the two followed behind Henry.

Anthony came next, then Elizabeth.

The glaring sunlight outside barely lit a small patch of the foyer floor.

Beyond that, only Henry’s shouting and their footsteps echoed.

“Come out! That’s an order!”

Henry shouted again, trying to call out the missing soldiers.

But clearly, there was no response.

Could this be how the previous squad had disappeared too?

“To be honest, I have a bad feeling.”

Levi whispered to Katie.

“A bad feeling?”

“Yes. In my experience, whenever things reach this point……………”

But before Levi could finish, the wide-open doors suddenly slammed shut with a resounding “bang!”

The next moment, the entire corridor was swallowed in utter darkness—so black one could not see their hand before their face.

Darkness devoured everything.

Silence filled the air.

Levi heard nothing—not even signs of panic from the others.

Then, the lights flickered on.

Levi turned his head.

The place was completely empty.

“See? This is exactly what I meant.”

Levi let out a quiet sigh.

The thing he hated most had finally arrived.