Chapter Fifty-Four: Only in Silence Do Words Arise; Only in Darkness Does Light Emerge
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It appeared to be a choice.
In reality,
because the final star rating of this game depended on it,
Su Wen could not afford to miss a single opportunity to eliminate members of the “Tide Surge” cult.
Therefore,
contrary to those who would flee,
he planned to use the impending storm to his advantage,
to set a trap and intercept the cultists aboard the ship.
As for the half-hour time limit,
it was actually somewhat generous.
He calmly spoke to the security captain beside him:
“Mr. Paul, take me to the crime scene.”
Inside the banquet hall,
the victim lay near the edge of the main stage, a faint ligature mark encircling his neck, with blunt force wounds on both his head and back.
Nelson analyzed the scene:
“It looks like he was ambushed.”
Outside the cabin window, the summer sky gradually darkened under gathering clouds.
Without warning, signs of a storm were approaching.
Everyone on board felt the increasing turbulence.
But Su Wen entered with calm composure,
unaffected by the environmental changes.
He activated the trial ability granted by the game:
[Epic Relic: “Branlit’s Lantern”]
A faint glow expanded within the room, forming an imperceptible circular spiritual energy field.
In Su Wen’s hand appeared an ancient, elegantly shaped Baroque-style lantern in a warm brown-black hue, invisible to others yet emanating a soul-soothing light.
An unspoken vow accompanied it:
[I mourn the departed, as Helenlina vows for the living.]
[Only in silence do words arise; only in darkness does light emerge; only in death is rebirth found; the firefly falls into the void, shining brilliantly.]
[I am the ferryman of the forgotten — “Light’s Afterglow” — Branlit.]
In an instant,
Su Wen’s computer screen switched to split-screen mode.
On one side,
the image of the “Colin” cruise ship bracing for the storm froze.
On the other,
deep within the banquet hall, all background lights were extinguished,
except for a single soft glow cast by the lantern.
Then,
a hazy figure appeared opposite Su Wen.
[Lantern’s light envelops.]
[Because the deceased, Bern, is currently trapped at the “Deep Abyss” border pull ¥%& dragging his consciousness away gradually.]
[Branlit Lantern Projection (Level 1) cannot resist Abyssal pull.]
[Thus, you may ask only two questions and cannot communicate to harness the power of the mourner.]
The restrictions were strict.
He pondered briefly,
then chose the most crucial question to ask.
Beneath the gentle glow of the lantern,
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Facing the lingering soul of the victim, Su Wen calmly asked the first question:
“Bern, do you remember the killer’s features?”
Bern responded dully:
“He had a strange scent, a mix of Sicilian citrus, blackcurrant, and a floral fragrance I cannot name.
Before I died, I heard a strange suppressed agitation in his voice that sent chills down my spine.”
Su Wen noted the answer,
then proceeded to ask:
“If you were to analyze it, what was his motive for killing you?”
“I am a merchant who makes a living through maritime trade.
This voyage on a luxury cruise to the Samoa Islands was not because I was wealthy enough to indulge, but because among the guests was a shipping magnate I wished to befriend.
For that purpose, I brought along a border relic said to possess ‘extraordinary properties’ as a gift.
I don’t know if it was that relic that caused my death.”
As the soul, gradually losing self-awareness under the Abyss’s pull, finished answering,
[Branlit Lantern loses effectiveness.]
[Because you maintained the projection for 10 seconds, you consumed 100 spiritual energy points.]
[You feel a sudden wave of dizziness.]
As a newly advanced Level 1 Extraordinary Being,
Su Wen found it somewhat challenging to wield an epic relic with reduced power level.
But he had already obtained the answers he needed.
Indeed,
these two questions targeted the game’s two key points:
First, to acquire information about the killer and thus identify all cult members affiliated with the “Tide Surge” sect.
Second, to analyze the victim’s traits and motives, deducing the identity of the “sacrificed” and finding who must be protected.
The main game perspective resumed movement.
Su Wen silently reviewed the cruise’s passenger roster.
He had already locked onto a target.
Meanwhile,
gazing at the flickering lights outside the ship’s window,
there was still some time left.
The plan was about to begin.
Without revealing his intentions, he whispered a few words to the security captain and a traveler beside him.
Then,
unlike the panic of others,
Su Wen calmly said:
“Mr. Paul, I heard there are several marine biologists on this trip. Could you take me to their lounge?”
“No problem.”
Though he didn’t fully understand the detective Kevin’s arrangements,
at least the passenger locations on the ship were clear.
The security captain led him to the entrance of a large lounge on the third floor.
He knocked on the door:
“Emergency inspection, please cooperate with us.”
After three seconds,
the door opened, revealing a man in a white research coat with tousled hair.
He then told the others inside:
“Stop what you’re doing for now, complete the inspection, then resume ocean current data analysis.”
Several researchers emerged from the room.
[Identification: Sidney Marlin, Pacific Laurenziel Academy — Senior Lecturer, Department of Marine Sciences, Natural Sciences Institute, Level 2 Extraordinary Being, Ability: Trajectory Fixation.]
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[Identification: Max Longfellow, Pacific Laurenziel Academy — Intermediate Lecturer, Department of Marine Sciences, Natural Sciences Institute, Level 1 Extraordinary Being, Ability: High-Speed Thinking.]
...
The subsequent identification results did not surprise Su Wen.
He followed the expected procedure and asked:
“Where were you at the time of the murder in the banquet hall?”
“‘Tide Surge’ outbreak was not yet possible then. Sidney was sleeping; he stayed up late last night.”
“Enough with the details,”
Sidney cut off a companion’s somewhat awkward honesty, and continued:
“To study the aftermath of the storm season’s end, we applied for research funding.
For the past three months, we conducted an expedition in the Baltic Sea. Now, following the route to the Samoa Islands via Vladivostok, we are continuing our research.
Naturally, we could not be the culprit. Here is an official letter from the academy with its seal. You can verify it if you wish.”
Nelson, a world-renowned traveler and photographer,
accepted the cream-colored letter stamped with intricate patterns and a seagull emblem:
“Laurenziel Academy, on par with Oxford’s All Souls College, Westminster Clock Tower, and Albany College in New York — a top-tier institution for extraordinary being research.”
“How credible is it?”
“At least to me, it seems trustworthy.”
Nelson replied.
Su Wen nodded.
“Since it’s credible.”
He closed the door, then sat on the luxurious cabin sofa, speaking in a narrative tone to the researchers:
“Have you heard of the ‘Tide Surge’ cult?”
“A cult?”
Sidney’s expression darkened.
He hadn’t expected that after the Night Watch’s inspection, there would still be inhuman lunatics aboard the ferry bound for the Samoa Islands:
“If Captain Adrian guarantees it, what do you want us to do?”
Su Wen admired clever people; no lengthy explanation was necessary.
Moreover,
they appeared to share an understanding about the importance of proper rest.
But now was not the time for idle chat.
He said calmly:
“I have identified the killer who murdered the victim, but I need someone else to confirm it. This person cannot be me.”
“Aren’t you a detective?”
Nelson asked, surprised:
“Isn’t reputation and prestige what you seek? Why hand over the credit to someone else?”
Hearing this,
Su Wen smiled, then replied with utmost rationality:
“Of course I want reputation and prestige.
But listen carefully.
I said the killer of the ‘victim.’
Do you think the ‘Tide Surge’ cult sent just one madman this time?
As for the details,
when everything is over, the others will understand naturally.”
From this statement,
everyone felt the profound weight behind Su Wen’s words.