*Chapter 77: In the Shadows!*

Crack!

A crisp sound echoed through the chamber.

On a square metal pedestal, a meter wide on each side, a black raven statue the size of a palm cracked. The robed man kneeling before the statue instinctively reached out to check it.

But as soon as he thought to move, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed, convulsing.

The young man standing nearby, dressed in luxurious clothing, was shocked.

"Sir? Sir?"

"What happened?"

The young man asked, trying to help the robed man.

But the robed man waved him off.

"Are you certain there is no longer any 'power' around Andinan?"

The man asked.

"I'm certain!"

"Although Andinan's mother came into contact with 'power,' she couldn't truly use it. And after she died, there's no way anyone with 'power' could have appeared around him!"

The young man replied confidently.

"What about his mother's family?"

"Did you investigate them?"

The man continued to ask.

"I did!"

"Aside from a sister who went missing years ago, the family was completely wiped out!"

The young man quickly responded.

"Is that so?"

A look of doubt crossed the man's shadowed face. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "Do you know of Poirot Mapel?"

"Poirot Mapel?"

"The travel writer?"

"He's gained some fame recently. I've heard the servants mention him, but I haven't paid much attention."

The young man answered truthfully, then asked softly, "Sir, is there something wrong with him?"

"Yes!"

"The ravens I raised… he killed them all!"

"In a manner that only 'Dragon's Might' could achieve!"

The man nodded.

"'Dragon's Might'?!"

The young man gasped, his face turning pale.

"Is it the 'Dragon's Might' I know?"

The young man asked again.

"It's exactly the 'Dragon's Might' we know!"

"As I suspected…"

"The Robert family had another trick up their sleeve!"

The robed man slowly rose from the ground. He picked up the raven statue before him, his shadowed face filled with both sorrow and murderous intent. However, he didn’t let his anger take control. Instead, he instructed, "Pause all actions against Andinan for now. We need to figure out what this 'Poirot Mapel' is really after. I don't believe he's hanging around Andinan for no reason!"

"Yes, Sir!"

The young man nodded and quickly left the chamber.

Now, the room was left with only the man.

"The appearance of someone with 'Dragon's Might'… those people will certainly act impulsively… perhaps this is an opportunity?"

His low murmurs echoed in the chamber.

Eventually, they faded as the candlelight went out.

...

At No. 6 Castle Street, a hearty breakfast left Goethe feeling revitalized after his exhaustion.

With his strength partially restored, he could move freely again.

"Sir Mapel, could you explain what happened here?"

Lance asked with a smile.

"For some reason, this group of ravens suddenly attacked us, and then they just fell from the sky and died. Maybe they… got sick?"

Goethe replied with a straight face, fabricating a story.

"Is that so?"

"Do you know what kind of sickness it was?"

Lance played along, asking.

"I don’t know."

"It’s just a guess."

“I’m not an ornithologist. Maybe you should consult a specialist?” Goethe spread his hands toward Lanst, then, with a serious tone, continued, “Sheriff Lanst, do you have any updates on last night’s attackers?”

Earlier, Goethe had been physically exhausted, requiring Lanst's 'close protection.'

But now?

He had recovered significantly and no longer needed it.

Being a pragmatic person, Goethe didn't want someone like Lanst, with his ever-present smile, hovering around him.

Before Lanst could respond, Andinan stepped forward.

“Sheriff Lanst, it’s been an entire night, and I still don’t know anything. I seriously suspect you’re neglecting your duties!”

“Remember, my three bodyguards and four guests all died in this attack, and two servants were also tragically killed!”

“They need an explanation!”

“And so do I!”

“If you can’t provide one…”

“I’ll go straight to your chief!”

The young man positioned himself between Goethe and Lanst, speaking with a tone of extreme severity.

“Rest assured!”

“There will be results soon!”

Lanst quickly held back his partner, saying with a smile.

Then, without asking any further questions, he pulled his partner along and headed out.

“Lanst, why did you stop me?”

“Those two did that on purpose!”

Outside Castle Street No. 6, Gergen angrily protested.

“Of course I know those two did it on purpose, but I don’t want to change partners!”

By now, the smile had disappeared from Lanst’s face, replaced by a look of hatred.

But it wasn’t directed at Goethe or Andinan.

It was...

The crows!

This wasn’t the first time he’d seen these crows!

The last time he saw them, his wife’s eyes were pecked out!

As the sheriff recalled that scene, his fists clenched tightly.

“What’s wrong, Lanst?”

Gergen noticed his friend’s unease.

“Nothing!”

“Just remembered something unpleasant!”

“Let’s go investigate last night’s attackers. By the way, you should ask around and see if any passersby noticed where the crows came from!”

Lanst shook his head.

“Got it.”

Gergen was about to leave, but he paused.

He looked directly at Lanst.

“We’re partners.”

“We’re friends.”

“So if something’s up, you need to tell me!”

Gergen said seriously.

“Of course!”

Lanst immediately smiled and playfully punched Gergen in the chest.

Gergen smiled back, then quickly turned to get to work.

Lanst watched his partner’s back, his smile fading as he let out a soft sigh.

“Because we’re partners, because we’re friends, I don’t want you to know certain things! The darkness in this world... is more despairing than you realize!”

Lanst pursed his lips.

Once again, he looked back at Castle Street No. 6.

At that moment, Goethe was standing on the terrace. When he saw Lanst looking back, he waved.

Lanst almost instantly reverted to his smiling demeanor.

The sheriff waved back.

Then, he turned and walked away.

It’s not time for the final step yet!

He had to rely on himself!

Not that bastard!

Goethe watched Lanst’s figure disappear into the distance, while Andinan began directing the servants to clean up.

Looking down at the gathered crow corpses on the ground, Goethe narrowed his eyes.

The emergence of the supernatural was beyond Goethe’s expectations.

After reading that notebook, Goethe thought it might be three months before he encountered anything supernatural.

After all, the mysteries were disappearing!

But the scene before him told Goethe that he had overlooked an important detail: Andinan.

Someone—or something—had their sights set on him!

Moreover, this entity still wielded supernatural power in a world where such forces were fading!

This fact alone spoke volumes.

More importantly: because of Andinan, Goethe had now been fully exposed to those people.

Since he was in their sights, there was no escaping it.

Running would only hasten death!

So, he had to face it!

Goethe knew this well.

But that was a concern for later.

For now?

Goethe only hoped to maximize his benefits before the inevitable, difficult battle...

He turned his gaze toward Andinan, and gradually, a gleam of gold appeared in Goethe's eyes, quickly forming a symbol resembling "¥."

(End of Chapter)