Chapter 480, Borrow It for a While
Identifying someone by a birthmark on their buttock?
That's certainly an unusual method.
Wu Heng continued to ask, "Did you question the mistress about any suspects or recent enemies?"
"We did. The deceased had arranged to meet the mistress on the island, but she didn't know much. We also questioned the guards and servants, but no clear evidence has surfaced yet," Sheila Grey replied, glancing at him. "That's why I'm asking you, an upright Necromancer, if you have any ideas."
Solving cases in this world was quite challenging.
There was no surveillance, no fingerprint analysis, and insufficient resources or manpower for investigations.
Some tools or rare items could assist in investigations, but their numbers were limited.
If no clear leads or targets appeared within a few days, catching the perpetrator would become nearly impossible.
Wu Heng met her gaze.
The golden-haired elf girl's eyes held a trace of expectation.
Perhaps this being her first case as a Steward made her take it particularly seriously.
"I do have a way."
"Really?" Sheila Grey's eyes lit up.
"Did the perpetrator leave anything behind?" Wu Heng asked.
Sheila Grey frowned. "It was an assassination; they wouldn't leave anything behind."
"Anything at all, even something they might have carried."
Sheila Grey thought for a moment and retrieved half a stick of incense from her spatial ring. "Would this work? It was used to mask the scent of blood in the room."
Only a small portion of the incense remained unburned.
Any further delay, and the incense would have been entirely consumed.
"I'm not sure, but let's see if it works. Follow me," Wu Heng said as he stood and left the room.
He led Sheila Grey upstairs.
He opened a room.
Inside, the Skeleton Prophet sat on a chair. As the two entered, it slightly turned its head.
Sheila Grey frowned.
She scrutinized the skeleton's figure, trying to identify it.
It seemed familiar, but she couldn't be certain.
"What now?" Sheila Grey asked softly from behind.
"Come closer."
Sheila Grey approached.
Wu Heng handed the small piece of incense to the Skeleton Prophet. "Help her find the owner of this incense and whether it's linked to a murder."
The Skeleton Prophet placed the incense on the table with one hand and grabbed Sheila Grey's arm with the other.
Sheila Grey froze.
She was about to ask Wu Heng something when her pupils suddenly became unfocused.
It was as if she had entered a dreamlike state.
After a short time, the Skeleton Prophet released her arm.
Sheila Grey's pupils refocused, her face filled with astonishment.
She looked at the skeleton.
She now knew whose body it once was.
After a moment of surprise, she turned back to Wu Heng. "I've found him. He's eating in a tavern. Bold of him! I'm going to arrest him and will report back."
Without waiting for Wu Heng's response, she hurried out.
She gathered two armored squad members from the courtyard and left quickly.
Minnie emerged from the kitchen, holding a plate of sliced fruit.
"Why did the Steward leave?"
"She's investigating a case and had to go."
"Oh! Here, Master, have some fruit." Minnie handed him the plate.
...…
At the Black Raven Tavern, inside a private room.
A thief in leather armor, with slightly dark skin, leaned by the window, watching outside. A large travel bag sat in the corner.
Peeking out, he could see the port.
Guild members were questioning people boarding the ships about their identities.
"Gold-Silver Island is no big deal, just a bunch of trash."
He muttered disdainfully, returning to his table and eating the food on it.
Everything had gone smoother than expected.
When the Guild arrived, he had been in the crowd of onlookers.
They only questioned the merchants' guards and servants, completely ignoring him.
Once he got his promised payment, he'd leave by ship.
Then this whole thing would have nothing to do with him.
"Damn Imiro, damn Necromancer."
"If I'd known it was this easy, I wouldn't have prepared for so long."
He muttered while eating.
The rumors about this place had been wildly exaggerated, causing his hesitation.
Looking back, it seemed laughable.
Thud, thud, thud!
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps approached the door.
The man immediately became alert, sprinting to the window.
Bang!
The private room door was kicked open.
Without looking back, he grabbed his bag and leapt out the window.
As he landed.
Several figures lunged at him from all directions.
Before he could steady himself, they pinned him to the ground, taking his weapons and bag.
Sheila Grey looked down from the window.
A squad member below shouted, "We've got him! There's a head in the bag!"
"Tie him up and take him back."
The squad restrained the man.
When Sheila Grey led the group out of the tavern, they headed toward the Guild.
"Steward, the head belongs to that merchant representative. I recognize it."
"This capture was too fast, less than half a day."
"Yeah, Steward Sheila's deductions were spot on, even predicting his escape route."
Sheila Grey sat in the carriage, listening to their chatter.
...…
That afternoon, Sheila Grey returned to the manor.
She said, "The culprit has been captured. According to his confession, the mistress's husband hired him to commit the murder. The husband has also been arrested."
Wu Heng was stunned. "You mean the mistress who identified him by his birthmark?"
"Yes, her. After the merchant representative arrived on the island, he stopped visiting her home. The husband couldn't take it and hired an assassin," Sheila Grey explained.
After hearing the full story of the case.
Wu Heng didn't know what to say.
It was quite dramatic, like something out of a movie.
Sheila Grey nodded. She had been equally surprised when this conclusion emerged during the interrogation.
The investigation ultimately revealed a love triangle that led to murder.
After discussing the case, Sheila Grey's expression grew serious. "Now that you're an Island Lord, you probably won't handle such cases often. I'd like to discuss lending me the Skeleton Prophet to assist the Guild with investigations."
Hearing her request, Wu Heng raised an eyebrow.
He only had this one Level 18 skeleton.
It was a valuable asset.
But Sheila Grey wasn't wrong. Given his role, he wouldn't often deal with such cases, while the Guild faced these issues more frequently.
However, Wu Heng had his own enemies.
The Secret Cult and the Divine Punishment Sect.
Moreover, the Skeleton Prophet's existence had to remain hidden. Keeping it confidential was the best approach.
Wu Heng quickly pondered and said, "I don't think it's a good idea."
"The skeleton will still belong to you; we'll just borrow it for use," Sheila Grey said, her wide eyes gazing at him.
Whenever she needed help, she always had that expectant look.
Paired with her youthful face, it was admittedly quite disarming.
"Don't rush. Let me explain," Wu Heng said, casting a spell to refill the teacup she had used. He continued, "Have you noticed that recent cases often involve decapitation or tongue removal?"
Sheila Grey raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and nodded.
Such instances had indeed occurred.
Wu Heng explained, "It's because word has spread across the island that Necromancers can question corpses. Everyone knows that taking the head or rendering the corpse speechless prevents it from revealing detailed information."
This...
Sheila Grey was slightly surprised.
It was true.
The fact that the Island Lord was a Necromancer had already spread throughout the island.
Moreover, merchants traveling worldwide had carried this information to other regions.
Understanding how to avoid a Necromancer's questioning wasn't difficult.
Wu Heng continued, "So think about it. If you take the Skeleton Prophet to the Guild, this information will spread further. The perpetrators might then develop new ways to avoid the Seer's investigations."
Sheila Grey listened, realizing he had a point.
Taking the Skeleton Prophet to the Guild might not be a good idea after all.
"What do you suggest?"
Wu Heng explained, "This must stay between us. If there are tough cases, just bring items belonging to the suspect here. You don't need to bring anyone else. We'll quietly catch the culprit without revealing unnecessary details."
Sheila Grey sipped her tea, considering the matter.
Finally, she nodded and agreed. "What you said makes sense. But what if you're not around? How do I use the skeleton to investigate?"
"You know Minnie, right? When you come, she'll take you upstairs," Wu Heng said, then added, "By the way, why does a Steward like you personally lead arrests?"
"The new deputy Steward hasn't arrived yet. I won't be handling this in the future," Sheila Grey said, leaning back in her chair.
After discussing the case and the Skeleton Prophet,
Wu Heng looked at her and said, "I have an idea. Can the Guild work with the island's guards to manage public safety together?"
"What do you mean?"
"Currently, there's no patrol guard on the island. Recruiting people will take time. Could the Guild's guards and squad members handle training for now? I can provide skeletons for support," Wu Heng explained.
Recruiting guards from the island wasn't a problem that could be solved immediately.
For now, the Guild's assistance was necessary to maintain order on the island.
"I have no objections. If you need it, I can arrange patrols. As for your skeletons, handle them as you see fit," Sheila Grey said after some thought, agreeing readily.
"Alright, then it's settled. Patrols will start tomorrow. This murder case serves as a good reminder."
"Understood. I'll arrange it when I return."
Wu Heng smiled. "Thanks!"
"What a fool," Sheila Grey said, rolling her eyes at him. Stretching lazily, her chest visibly heaved. "Alright, I got up early today, so I'll head back first."
"Sure, drop by anytime."
"Got it!" Sheila Grey said with a smile, giving him a quick glance before heading downstairs.
She greeted Minnie before leaving the manor.
Wu Heng glanced at the time—it was 1:20 PM.
With nothing scheduled for the afternoon,
He decided to check on the Zombie World since he hadn't visited in two days.
He opened the Dimensional Gate from the study and stepped through.
...…
Emerging from the gate.
Wu Heng called for Li Yanhong as he descended the stairs.
Shortly after, Li Yanhong arrived and took him to see the collected construction vehicles.
Rows of construction vehicles were neatly parked, most of them brand new.
Nearby, skeleton warriors with unlocked driving knowledge stood ready.
"The fuel tanks are all full," Li Yanhong remarked.
Wu Heng praised her, "You're always so thorough. When I hand things over to you, I'm completely at ease."
Li Yanhong blinked playfully. "Well, I'm the deputy leader now, aren't I?"
As they spoke,
A voice came through Li Yanhong's walkie-talkie. "Sister Hong, the radio room says Qi Hancai sent a message. The train responsible for clearing obstacles has gone missing and needs the King."
The train went missing?
They exchanged puzzled glances.
"Let's go to the radio room."