Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 173 Should I Attend the Gathering of Extraordinary Individuals?

Early in the morning, Emily carried a basket of fresh fish as she walked down the street in the East End.

The heavy basket and the muddy, dirty road made her walk difficult. But she still tried to keep her back straight, because only in this way could she distribute her weight evenly throughout her body and prevent herself from twisting her body.

This was something her mother told her when she used to run errands for her.

At the same time, she warily watched the hungry faces, intimidating them with what she thought was a fierce expression, while brandishing the knife from her basket. Here, you couldn't show the slightest weakness, or they would swarm you and devour you clean.

This is what her father taught her when he was still alive.

After dispelling those gazes, Emily continued walking forward.

A gray fog blanketed the landscape, obscuring the buildings along the roadside. Their outlines became clearer as she approached, only to be swallowed up again as she moved away. Late October had arrived, and temperatures in Backlund were dropping. Coal consumption was increasing rapidly throughout the city, worsening air quality and filling the air with a pungent, acrid smell day and night.

A two-story building slowly emerged from the thick fog, and Emily stopped in her tracks.

This house is the only inheritance her parents left her.

Because her father went bankrupt due to failed investments, her family was forced to sell off all their assets, leaving them with only this two-story house in the East District. The whole family had no choice but to move here, where they have lived for several years.

Life in the East District was not easy, especially after the parents gradually fell ill due to overwork, making life increasingly difficult.

Emily reached for the door; the metal handle was icy cold, like the warmth of her father's hand before he died. Even in his dying moments, he was still worried about his daughter, holding her hand and weakly telling himself that he must leave this cannibalistic place.

That's why she studied so hard, hoping to leave this place as soon as possible.

She barely managed to make ends meet and pay for her tuition by relying on the rent from her tenants.

"Cecilia, I've bought what you wanted."

She called out as soon as she entered the door, calling out to her tenant.

"Thank you, Miss Emily."

A dark-haired girl emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands and smiling gently in thanks. She was exceptionally beautiful, the most beautiful woman Emily had ever seen. Even in her simple dress, her stunning charm was undeniable.

"You are welcome."

Emily lowered her eyes and placed the fresh fish on the kitchen floor.

For some reason, Emily was actually a little afraid of this girl who was two years older than her. The other girl's words and actions always gave her an uneasy feeling, like a knife coated in honey. Even though she was excessively beautiful, and even though she was gentle and friendly, Emily always felt that one day the other girl would suddenly pull out a dagger and stab her in the heart.

In comparison, her mentally ill brother wasn't so scary.

Emily's gaze shifted to the living room sofa, where a handsome young man with dark hair sat, dressed in straitjacketry, his eyes unfocused. His mouth moved as if he were saying something, but it was tightly covered by a mask and belt.

Although it looks pitiful, it seems like something terrible would happen if things didn't go this way.
After living together for so long, she had come to realize that her tenant was no ordinary person. For example, he could easily heal severe external injuries, and many people who were on the verge of death could recover immediately after being treated by him; moreover, he could use a lot of unique abilities, and even gangsters treated him with great respect.

The black-haired girl moved the fresh fish in front of Lu Ze and reached out to untie the restraints on his mouth.

"Then I'll go into the room first."

Emily, sensing the danger, turned and went back to her bedroom. Even after closing the door, she could still faintly hear eerie sounds coming from the living room. The sounds were terrifying, like something out of a goddess's sacred text describing hell.

Don't listen!
A flicker of fear crossed Emily's eyes. She quickly covered her ears, lowered her head, and ran to her desk. She was terrified of the sound because she had previously experienced a drowsy state and had nightmares for several days after clearly hearing it.

Becoming stronger definitely comes at a price.

Emily was grateful for the help from the two tenants, but she didn't want to end up like that.

Sitting back at her desk, facing her textbook, she gradually calmed down.

For her, the only way out was to study.

She remembered how happy her parents were when she was selected by the Steam Technology Academy in the Jowood District because of her excellent grades. Graduating from that school would allow her to enter the affiliated university, and afterwards, she could find a well-paying job. That way, she could leave the East End and live a respectable life.

Unfortunately, his parents died of illness before they could live to see that day.

Mom and Dad, I will keep trying.
She said it silently in her heart.

"Cecilia, would you like to attend the Extraordinary Gathering tonight?"

Having replenished his blood and flesh, Luze, now fully conscious, flipped through the Backlund Morning Post and finally saw the news of Ernst Trading Company's acquisition of goods on page five, which meant that another gathering was about to begin.

“Sure, if you go.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll try to find the ingredients for the ‘Instigator’ potion for you.”

Lu Ze continued flipping through the newspaper.

Backlund was a large city, with all sorts of news every day. He flipped through a few more pages and came across a news item saying that a memorial exhibition for Emperor Rosell would be held at the Kingdom Museum in two weeks, hosted by the Church of Steam and Machinery. It was said that the exhibition would showcase various of Rosell's inventions and manuscripts.

Russell's manuscripts: those secret diaries written in Chinese?

Luzer recalled reading manuscripts at Blackthorn Security and Enmat Port. Oh right, Klein must have learned how to act because he read Rosell's diary!
We can visit that exhibition hall then; it would be great if we could find something in Russell's remaining manuscripts.

He thoughtfully put away the newspaper, then said to his sister, "Alright, let's go."

The Queen's request was not yet complete, and Luze wanted to go look for clues. The two put on their coats, told Emily, and went out.

After traveling for a while in the carriage, they disembarked in front of a traditional herbal medicine shop on a famous charming street in the eastern district. The herbs in the shop were stacked from the floor to the ceiling, and the tables were piled with various utensils. The whole place was filled with the peculiar smell of herbs.

"Darkwell, is what I ordered ready?"

After entering, Lu Ze asked a question.

"It's all done, really, you were in such a rush, Miss Cecilia!"

The fat pharmacist came out muttering to himself. When he saw who had come with Lu Ze, he immediately straightened up and his face lit up with joy.

(End of this chapter)