Chapter 16: The Officer, the Mist, and the Ritual!

A boy who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen sat calmly and naturally inside the carriage. Although his attire was rather plain, it did not escape Ansel’s sharp and piercing gaze. Most likely, this young man was the child of a wealthy family.

Ansel’s eyes then shifted to the source of contamination inside the carriage—the true lost one. At this moment, the lost one appeared as if his skin had been stripped away, his muscles exposed to the air. He was half-reclined in the corner of the carriage, his arms twisted into a twisted, rope-like shape, and his legs seemed broken. The vast curtains of flesh inside the carriage had been violently torn down. One could tell that whoever had done this possessed terrifying strength. Yet, it remained unclear where the torn flesh had gone. It was important to remember that this flesh was the source of mutation and disaster contamination.

Now, the battered lost one struggled to avoid further harm under the illumination of the silver lantern, while simultaneously absorbing the scattered flesh and the fresh blood flowing on the ground.

“Please step out of the carriage for inspection, sir!” Ansel said coldly, his gaze both indifferent and wary. However, his eyes were not fixed on the lost one but on the young man named Zorn.

Zorn paused before responding, “Officer, are you sure you’re speaking to me and not to this terrifying, contaminated ‘lost one’?”

“Yes. Compared to the lost one, you are clearly the greater threat. Please cooperate with the investigation.”

Glancing at the lost one, who was slowly recovering but unlikely to regain much strength anytime soon—and even if he did, would pose little threat—Zorn finally stood and stepped out of the carriage. Throughout, Officer Ansel remained vigilant, watching Zorn closely.

Just as Ansel was about to seize the lost one, Zorn spoke slowly: “The lost one’s mutated contaminant spirit is receding. It’s best to let it complete this process fully. Otherwise, if it leaves this area, the contaminant essence will immerse the carriage entirely and become impossible to expel. The coachman’s livelihood—the carriage—would be completely ruined. Even the coachman and horses would suffer varying degrees of contamination.”

Ansel hesitated slightly. Though he had received training on such matters, this was the first time he had encountered such a detailed practical explanation about mutation and contamination. The stranger’s considerate warning stirred both caution and curiosity within him.

“All this,” Ansel said, pointing at the carriage and the slowly recovering lost one inside, “was caused by you?”

Zorn nodded. “That creature sought me out. If I could have avoided it, I wouldn’t have let such a terrifying mutant onto the carriage. It would have caused me immense trouble. Initially, I intended to subdue the lost one and then head to the nearby police station. But now that you’re here, officer, things are easier.”

Ansel took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “This isn’t a matter of mere trouble—it’s a question of life and death. You… seem to be an extraordinary.”

Zorn nodded again. “The roar of the steam tide echoes across the world. Mysterious powers are awakening. We nobles must wield certain strength to protect our heritage. My grandfather fought for the republic in many battles, earning honors and a title, but returned with only one leg—the other left on the battlefield. My father, amidst the thunder of steam wheels, discovered for me a mysterious extraordinary power from the unknown sea. And I intend to use this power to make the Corick family great once more!”

Nobility! The extraordinary! Ansel’s heart stirred slightly. From the young man’s demeanor and his attitude toward the police, Ansel had already sensed this. The lost one, forcibly restrained from mutation, further revealed that this young noble possessed astonishing strength.

---

Being a noble did not exempt him from questioning. The inquiry process would proceed without exception. Fortunately, this young noble seemed rather cooperative. As Ansel questioned, Zorn responded willingly. After all, Zorn was also a “victim.”

Though the Church and the Republic sought to regulate and investigate extraordinary individuals whenever possible, nobles wielding such power was a semi-open secret, tacitly accepted. After all, the current Republic was governed by nobles.

During the conversation, information about Officer Ansel came to mind, along with plans and information about “friends at the police station.”

“Enforcers are key to maintaining order and combating crime. I need some friends at the station to help me defeat cults and evil god organizations faster and more effectively,” Zorn thought. “This can both help me solve problems and help my police friends rise through the ranks.” Such a mutually beneficial arrangement was something Zorn welcomed.

Officer Ansel was a loyal, responsible man who had participated in many matters and showed talent and worthiness as a partner. If the officer was willing to cooperate, Zorn would have no objection to helping him ascend to higher positions.

Soon, Ansel learned the entire sequence of events from Zorn. Meanwhile, the lost one barely regained human shape. He glanced at the monstrous figure guarding the door and the police. Had the police arrived any later, he would have been beaten to death by that terrifying creature.

At that moment, Ansel looked at Zorn. His usual method was straightforward: kill the lost one on the spot and let the Church’s enforcement squad handle the aftermath. But killing the lost one would inevitably contaminate the area.

This young noble, Zorn Corick, seemed to possess profound knowledge about these terrifying mutated and contaminated creatures. He should have a better solution.

“It’s time to demonstrate real skill!” Zorn took a deep breath and looked at Officer Ansel. “May I borrow the silver lantern for a moment?”

“Of course.” Ansel handed over the lantern.

Zorn placed the lantern at the carriage doorframe and glanced at the lost one, who dared not move an inch. The lost one’s confusion and pain were real and genuine. Though not fully mutated into madness, he still retained some rationality and feared pain.

Zorn infused a bit of star-marked energy into the silver flame. A sizzling sound arose as the silver light flared brightly. Then, he clasped his fingers, lowered his hands to his chest, and slowly chanted in the sacred Yamag language:

“In accordance with the will of the great superior, the seeker in the endless mist, Lord Philoas Kevendi, I, in the name of the Mist Guide, bestow upon you your true name—George. You shall accompany this officer to the land of true names to receive Lord Philoas Kevendi’s blessing.”

The mingling of whispered words and ritual light made the silver glow pierce through the lost one’s reason, stirring his confusion. As Zorn finished, the small ritual ended, and the intense silver light dimmed back to its original brightness.

The lost one, who had tried to flee, now appeared dazed and vacant, his mutated, agitated power somewhat suppressed.

“Now…” Zorn looked at Officer Ansel. “He will obey your commands and follow you all the way. His mutated power will be restrained, preventing contamination or the outburst of his lost one’s strength, until you bring him to where he belongs.”

Ansel stared wide-eyed, utterly incredulous. “Really? This is the lost one, a being with terrifying disaster-contaminated power, and you just suppressed it like that?”

---

Somewhat doubtful, Ansel issued several commands to the lost one inside the carriage: get off, crouch with head down, turn around, and so forth. The young lost one obeyed each order strictly.

Meanwhile, waves of astonishment surged through Ansel’s mind. Though the Ogran City Police Department trained some extraordinary individuals, most of their knowledge was superficial. But this noble youth, versed in some secret incantations, had subdued this troublesome creature with a small ritual.

There was no doubt he possessed profound knowledge of the extraordinary.

“If I had such a friend or consultant proficient in the extraordinary, it would be of tremendous help to me.” After all, extraordinary powers were emerging increasingly in Ogran City. He needed such a friend, even a professional consultant specializing in extraordinary matters for their district’s police station.

After some thought, Ansel quickly made his decision. “Honorable Lord Zorn, I thank you for restraining the lost one and assisting me. You may continue your journey by carriage. Regarding the coachman’s situation, you likely know best how to handle it.”

The mysterious extraordinary’s violent confrontation with the lost one was enough to take Zorn to the police station or even undergo Church investigation. But that would mean losing an important ally. Turning a blind eye, however, might earn him a valuable friendship.

“Thank you very much, Officer,” Zorn said, waving goodbye as he boarded the carriage.

“If you ever need help with extraordinary matters or seek an extraordinary consultant, come to Goro Long Street. The address is in your notes.”

As the carriage moved forward, the officer and his lantern soon disappeared into the thick fog.

“Respected… guest!” At that moment, the coachman’s trembling voice broke Zorn’s thoughts. Zorn knew what the coachman needed.

He spoke slowly, “For the next three days, attend midday prayers at the nearby church. If you miss these, the noon and evening prayers will suffice. This will thoroughly cleanse the lost one’s influence on you. Also, if possible, keep the carriage near the church.”

The contamination from the lost one often caused memory loss and confusion. The Holy Sun Church was the best place for healing.

“Also…” Zorn took out nine silver dragons and handed them through the carriage window to the coachman. This was all the silver currency he had on him.

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have encountered these troublesome creatures. This is what you deserve.”

Receiving the silver coins, the coachman’s previously anxious heart instantly felt much more at ease. “Thank you, generous guest,” he said with unmistakable joy.

As the carriage continued on, Zorn pondered quietly, “A friend at the police station may soon be useful. If I can cooperate with those in power there, some operations could be more rationalized, perhaps even receiving a degree of immunity from threats.”

None of those at the pinnacle of power in Ogran City were benevolent; many hid unsavory secrets. As a player, Zorn knew many such dark truths. But without sufficient strength, it would be suicidal to threaten those bigwigs with their secrets.

However, as his power grows and his circle of friends expands, things will become much easier.