Chapter 279 - 274: Why Did We Go Back the Way We Came Again?

Chapter 279: Chapter 274: Why Did We Go Back the Way We Came Again?

"This is... a bit disrespectful to the dead, isn’t it?"

Lloyd looked at the dilapidated graveyard, which resembled a potter’s field, and for some reason, it gave him the creeps.

’With all the mystical and supernatural elements in this world, the dead rising from their coffins isn’t just a joke—it can actually happen!’

That’s why people in this world adhered to the principle of "respect for the dead" even more so than on Earth. A neglected graveyard like this shouldn’t exist, in theory.

Especially in a small mountain village like this, where most people were related in some way. There was no reason for the public cemetery to be so neglected.

Besides, didn’t this whole mess start because that father dug up his own daughter’s grave?

"According to the village elders, all the young people have gone to work at the logging camp, so there’s no one left to tend to this place. Plus, with the suspect’s dangerous actions, people are too scared to come near the cemetery. They take that other path over there when they head to work."

Investigator Yakson explained the situation to Lloyd, pointing to another path a few fields away.

"What about the suspect’s daughter’s grave?"

Lloyd asked.

"Over there. It’s hidden by the weeds."

Another investigator pointed to a corner at the edge of the cemetery.

Sure enough, there was a tombstone there. The area around it was neatly tended, with no weeds. It was just obscured from their vantage point by the overgrown weeds on the surrounding graves.

Moreover, the soil around that tombstone did look newer, unlike the dirt near the other graves, which was completely overrun with dense weeds.

But while the tombstone itself looked relatively clean, the inscription had been scratched and defaced. The name, dates of birth and death, and epitaph were all a blur, completely illegible.

’If you ignored the rumors and just looked at the scene in front of him,’ Lloyd thought, ’it seemed more like a father was so focused on tending to his own daughter’s grave that he neglected his neighbors’, which then caused a conflict?’

"By the way... um... this might be inappropriate... but have you used inspiration or Spiritual Vision to look underneath?"

Lloyd asked cautiously.

In an era that revered the "respect for the dead" even more than on Earth, using Extraordinary Abilities to probe someone’s grave was a major taboo. It could even lead to all sorts of accidents and dangers.

That’s why Lloyd only asked; he hadn’t deployed his own inspiration to activate his Spiritual Vision.

The expressions of the three investigators soured. They understood Lloyd’s line of thinking, however, and Investigator Jackson explained:

"Er... about that... no, we haven’t. There hasn’t been a need for it yet, has there? After all, our commission is to find and deal with the suspect."

Scholar Kading added:

"Generally speaking, unless it’s absolutely necessary, we don’t disturb the dead."

"Yes, I understand. Your work often deals with matters of life and death, so it’s natural to have some reservations... Of course, it’s the same for me with my usual executions and autopsies, so I was just asking."

Since no one was willing to break the taboo, there was nothing more to investigate in the neglected graveyard. The temporary squad immediately picked up the pace and continued toward the logging camp.

All four of them were fast on their feet. Lloyd, who exercised daily, was naturally quick, but the three battle-hardened investigators were also full of Physical Strength. Despite being in their forties, they didn’t slow down at all, their pace almost a jog.

After all, in their line of work, if you ran too slow, it’d be your own funeral...

Thus, a mountain path that took the villagers an hour to traverse was covered by the four of them in just over half an hour, bringing them to the logging camp.

Along the way, Lloyd timed it right and performed Divination twice more. The Omen he interpreted still leaned toward a positive outcome, and the direction still pointed toward the logging camp.

This further solidified his conviction that the suspect must be hiding in this direction.

’My Divination has never been wrong.’

Scholar Kading was too tired to even comment on what he saw as a childish Divination technique. He couldn’t be bothered to argue with Lloyd, merely muttering under his breath:

"Young people these days have no respect for the art of Divination..."

Compared to the unsettlingly quiet mountain village, the logging camp was bustling with activity. The noise of machinery was everywhere, workers could be seen busily swinging axes and saws, and the faint scent of lumber filled the air.

On the other side of the logging camp was a flat, wide road where a truck was being loaded. Looking down this road into the distance, one could see a forward base under construction.

’It’s similar to Outpost 22, which I’ve been to before, but much smaller. It must be just a supply depot or a transit station.’

’No wonder they’re illegally operating a logging camp here. With a location like this, if I were a capitalist, I’d choose it too.’

After muttering to himself, Lloyd raised his voice and asked his three temporary teammates, who were taking a short break:

"Is the boss here? Should we go find him and ask some questions?"

"He won’t be. The guy’s a respectable tycoon with tons of businesses to his name. He wouldn’t hang around a godforsaken place like this. He entrusted the operation and management to a supervisor he hired."