Abyss Sequence-Chapter 467 - 42: The Investigation Begins

Lykan didn’t know how to evaluate Yan Luo as a person, but he still followed Yan Luo with a head full of confusion.

Because the one who entrusted Yan Luo to investigate him was his ancestor, one of the two current Elf Saints.

Lykan couldn’t escape; once he did, other elves would consider him ’guilty’.

So even though it felt absurd, Lykan still chose to follow Yan Luo to ’investigate himself’.

"Mr. Lykan, I’ve now deduced a situation—the reason why Saint Fuer commissioned me to investigate you is because an elf reported you."

Walking side by side, Yan Luo shared his deduced results with Lykan.

"Ah?" Lykan was a bit surprised.

Firstly, he hadn’t expected that an elf would report him; secondly, he hadn’t expected Yan Luo to reveal this deduction.

Generally speaking, isn’t it usual to hide the deduction result, then try to deceive him a little to confirm whether he’s committed any crime?

Lykan was silent for a moment, then asked, "So what now?"

Yan Luo said, "The one who reported you is probably an elf you know but don’t get along with well, who might be jealous of you; or perhaps he discovered what you’ve been researching recently and sensed danger, so he reported this to Saint Fuer."

Until now, Yan Luo still hadn’t determined whether Lykan was researching demonology.

Because everything Lykan was doing—his expressions and actions—could be an act.

Before finding evidence, someone who deduces event outcomes relying only on imagination either has a preconceived outcome, framing all actions to fit their desired conclusion, or is a fool.

Before finding evidence proving Lykan is researching demonology, Yan Luo wouldn’t conclude he was, and vice versa.

"Mr. Lykan, could you tell me if there’s any elf who holds a grudge against you? The range includes but isn’t limited to the Academy. Also, some with dark minds might not visibly appear gloomy, so I suggest you think carefully for a better chance of clearing your suspicion." Yan Luo spoke without mincing words, directly expressing his thoughts.

After hearing Yan Luo, Lykan fell into contemplation.

A moment later, he shook his head, sighed, and said, "Sorry, I can’t think of anyone."

From an elf’s moral standpoint, the possibility of someone doing such a despicable thing is indeed very low.

At this point, Yan Luo confirmed another point.

That is, Saint Fuer might have some evidence proving Lykan is researching demonology.

Elves generally have high moral standards, derived from the subtle guidance of the Elf Saints.

As the leader of the plan, Saint Fuer likely wouldn’t believe slander easily, implying he might have obtained some evidence before commissioning Yan Luo to investigate Lykan.

Since Fuer has evidence, why didn’t he give it to Yan Luo and let him investigate directly at the Academy?

Perhaps because Fuer also suspects the evidence might be forged, misleading Yan Luo if provided.

Saying ’could get Lykan killed’, in reality, Fuer cares for his descendant, believing he wouldn’t research demonology.

Evidence might be physical, or it could be informational...

Yan Luo pondered for a moment, then turned to Lykan and asked, "Could you take me to your home or lab?"

"Sure." Lykan agreed readily.

Leaving the Academic Committee building, Lykan led Yan Luo to his lab.

Since parting with Yevgenia, the lab had become Lykan’s home, where he’d lived for several years.

Yan Luo’s appearance on the street caused some commotion.

Most elves passing by didn’t notice his peculiarity, as no elf would deliberately pay attention to someone else’s ears.

However, some elves with keen senses noticed his ears the moment they saw him.

Elven ears differ from human ears; human ears are rounder and retract inward, sitting close to the head, while elf ears extend outward like outstretched wings to hear more.

This city is ultimately the highest educational institution in Alfheim, where rational elves reside, so the commotion soon subsided.

Lykan brought Yan Luo to his lab, a three-story wooden building with a backyard, occupying a small area.

Upon entering, Yan Luo saw clothes and papers strewn about, bottles tipped over, with a massive alchemy cauldron in the central hall.

Lykan smiled wryly, "Sorry, it’s been years since I last hosted guests, and I haven’t taken in new students in recent years, so it might be a bit messy."

"It’s fine, I’m not here as a guest after all."

Yan Luo’s gaze skimmed over the papers on the floor, his superhuman vision and reflexes letting him recognize their contents in an instant.

He’d developed strong learning skills, having long mastered the writing elves used.

Though he recognized the texts, their combination left Yan Luo unable to understand them.

They seemed to contain Lykan’s research ideas and experiment records; that was about all Yan Luo could decipher.

Lykan walked over, his fingers lightly waving, making the papers on the ground float and land on a nearby table, automatically stacking into piles.

He set upright the bottles that had tipped over, and the old clothes scattered all over flew into a basket.

It was somewhat surprising that Lykan was such a sloppy elf behind his polished exterior. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

With the place tidied up, Lykan looked at Yan Luo and asked, "Holy Sir, what do you plan to investigate?"

Yan Luo glanced around, shook his head, and said, "No, I just came for a look; the real place to investigate isn’t here."

"What?" Lykan was momentarily stunned.

For a moment, Lykan thought Yan Luo might be toying with him.

But on second thought, he considered it could be Yan Luo’s tactic, aimed at provoking him to reveal information amid emotional turmoil.

Lykan sighed, "Then where do you plan to start investigating?"

Yan Luo certainly wouldn’t let him leave just like that; they might have to spend some more time together.

"Your neighbor."

After saying this, Yan Luo left Lykan’s lab and headed to the neighboring house.

Yan Luo’s exceptional hearing had picked up the movements inside the houses on either side of Lykan’s lab when they arrived on the street.

When Yan Luo knocked on the door, a response quickly followed.

Soon, there were hurried footsteps descending the stairs, the wooden boards creaking.

Soon, a male elf with messy hair opened the door, seeing Yan Luo standing outside.

Yan Luo took out the identification issued to him by the Academic Committee, drawing the elf’s gaze with sudden understanding.

"Hello, hello, I’m Kevin Pieri Multicolor, may I ask what you intend to investigate?"

The identification issued to Yan Luo stated that the bearer was investigating something, requiring elves who viewed the ID to cooperate with the investigation as best as possible.

Yan Luo put away the identification and asked, "You are Lykan Hongfeng’s neighbor; have you noticed any peculiar behavior from him recently?"

Kevin’s expression immediately turned a bit awkward.

Because he saw Lykan standing just behind Yan Luo.

Is such a matter one that can be spoken about in front of the party involved?

Yan Luo was aware of Kevin’s concern and said, "If you have clues, feel free to speak, don’t mind him."

With an odd glance at Lykan, who suppressed his lips expressing helplessness, Kevin hesitantly spoke up.

"Um, peculiar behavior... it might have been seven or eight days ago, Lykan Hongfeng’s lab had an explosion, does that count?"

An explosion?

Yan Luo glanced at the seemingly intact wooden building beside them.

Lykan offered an explanation, "Though there was an explosion, the building wasn’t damaged."

Kevin nodded in agreement, "Yes, probably the alchemy cauldron exploded."

Yan Luo withdrew his gaze, extended his hand, and shook hands with Kevin, "Thank you for your cooperation."

Having said that, Yan Luo led Lykan away, heading to the door of the neighbor on the other side of Lykan’s lab.

Kevin stood dumbfounded, watching Yan Luo’s retreating figure, then glanced down at his own hand.

...What a peculiar person.