The Sewer Journey of Three People

Ten minutes later, near a sewer grate not far from the tavern, Officer Leon, Captain Raymond's subordinate, hurried over.

"Chief Inspector! Are we wrapping things up this early? Didn't you say we shouldn’t alert the suspects?"

Captain Raymond immediately waved his hand. "Wrap it up! Today’s the perfect opportunity to capture this so-called resistance group! The police departments from the three neighboring jurisdictions are all cooperating!"

"Understood!" Officer Leon nodded quickly.

Luo Wei lifted the sewer grate and glanced at Captain Raymond, whose face was brimming with joy. "Captain, you don’t need to come with us. Let’s just meet at the rendezvous point as agreed."

"Got it." Captain Raymond couldn’t suppress his grin, already envisioning another major achievement. "Luo Wei, we really owe this one to you!"

He then turned to Tilis. "I never imagined there’d be a method like this to make suspects confess outright. If only we could do the same... sigh... we wouldn’t have to beg those unfriendly folks from the Special Affairs Department for help."

"How about this!" Captain Raymond exclaimed excitedly. "Miss, why don’t we hire you as an external consultant for our department? Name your salary!"

"Huh? This..." Tilis blinked, instinctively looking at Luo Wei.

"Captain, stop scheming..." Luo Wei chuckled helplessly. "She’s not someone you can recruit..."

Ophelia also found it amusing. After all, Tilis was the number one most-wanted criminal. Hiring a fugitive as a consultant? Captain Raymond must have a death wish for his career...

"What’s the problem?" The captain frowned at Luo Wei. "Is it about the salary? Don’t worry, I can apply for higher approval—"

"If you do that, I’ll be visiting you in prison..." Luo Wei pushed him away in exasperation. "Go on, meet us at the rendezvous point. Your big merit won’t go anywhere..."

"Fine..." Captain Raymond reluctantly left the area.

But as he walked further away, a belated realization struck him.

Hmm...

What was the name of that lady who used witchcraft earlier?

Tilis, was it? That name sounds so familiar...

Wait—who?!

Captain Raymond’s eyes widened.

...

After Captain Raymond left, only Luo Wei, Tilis, and Ophelia remained by the sewer grate.

A foul odor wafted up from below, making Ophelia clutch her chest, nauseated.

This was an experience she’d never imagined in her life—she never thought she’d have to crawl into a sewer one day...

Luo Wei and Tilis exchanged glances. Luo Wei patted Ophelia’s back reassuringly. "How about you wait outside while we go down?"

Tilis smirked at Ophelia’s pale face. "Yeah, the sewer’s filthy. Not a place for you. Luo Wei and I can handle it. Just wait at the rendezvous point for the wrap-up."

"No!" Ophelia bit her lip. The thought of the witch and Luo Wei fighting side by side without her filled her with frustration.

Every time something happened, Luo Wei only thought to ask Tilis for help, never her. Sure, Tilis was stronger... but she’d trained hard in the Dreamlands too!

With a determined huff, Ophelia declared, "This involves my father’s assassination and the upheaval of Saint Callen—even the entire kingdom of Vigna! How could I stay out of it?"

Then she steeled herself and prepared to jump in.

"Hey, wait! You’re really jumping?" Tilis burst out laughing and stopped her.

"What, you’re looking down on me?" Ophelia pinched her nose, her voice muffled like a mosquito’s.

"Not at all..." Tilis sighed and cast two spells on each of them.

"Cleansing magic, and a barrier aura." She sniffed her sleeve, now carrying a pleasant floral scent, and nodded in satisfaction. "I’m not dumb enough to go in unprepared. That stench would take a whole day to wash off otherwise."

Ophelia finally relaxed.

Tilis grinned mischievously. "So don’t provoke me down there, or I’ll make your spells vanish in an instant!"

Ophelia’s face darkened. "You—!"

Luo Wei hadn’t expected the dynamic to shift into these two at odds. And so, the trio’s awkward sewer adventure began...

At the bottom, Luo Wei casually cast a 1st-level Light spell, revealing a vast and intricate sewer system.

The space was surprisingly wide—enough for five people to walk side by side—with steps leading down. A fast-flowing underground river ran beneath the steps, ensuring their shoes stayed dry.

Saint Callen’s sewer system was far more expansive than imagined, designed to prevent flooding in the rain-heavy city. It was more like an underground river network than the expected filth.

Of course, this depended on the area. Luo Wei silently prayed they wouldn’t stumble upon the city’s... less pleasant sections.

"It’s so big down here..." Tilis murmured, also a first-timer. "No wonder those rat-like organizations hide here."

As they pressed forward, oil lamps hung along the walls, and distant whispers of human conversation reached their ears.

Luo Wei extinguished the Light spell and moved quietly.

Ahead was a junction where several tunnels converged into a large underground hall, illuminated by flickering torchlight as armed figures patrolled.

"All non-humans..." Tilis whispered into Luo Wei’s ear.

He nodded. Outside, night had fallen, and the darkness was perfect for stealth.

[Shadow Stride: The night belongs to the Vampire Clan. Movement in darkness greatly enhances concealment and agility, making detection difficult.]

Luo Wei slipped into the hall unnoticed, eavesdropping from the shadows.

"Did Boss Fly really decide to go through with it? That shady guy seems so untrustworthy, even if he provided all those weapons..."

"What choice do we have? We’ve survived this long just for this moment. Damn humans, damn their emperor..."

"True. Besides, Boss Fly can summon..."

"Shh! Don’t say His name aloud..."