oyment.The ranch's existence was, for him, a slight joke, a brief glimpse.He was quickly overwhelmed by the dishes he had eaten and the wine he had drunk.The atmosphere in the restaurant was tranquil,...Chapter 124: Frey Begins the Investigation

Before six o'clock in the morning, the sky was still dark.

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The castle and the surrounding mountains were still shrouded in mist and shadow.

Ground floor lobby.

The chill of deep autumn seeped through the castle's bay windows, plunging everyone into a cold and desolate atmosphere.

Based on the information currently available in the Shadow World, no one can deduce the identity of the betrayer.

In the initial state of a shadow world, information is extremely limited for those facing challenges in the open.

Neither do I know what effects the blood powers available to the betrayers have, nor do I know what their mission objectives are. However, everyone can notice that the Shadow World information states that the betrayers have mission objectives that are completely different from those of normal challengers.

That means that betrayers, in the process of advancing mission objectives, will inevitably take action. And as long as there are these actions, it is very likely that they will leave loopholes.

Therefore, it requires a detective with professional insight and extreme brainpower to grasp these clues.

The detective must also act as a trusted point of contact, based on their own absolute trustworthiness, where other challengers can feel safe giving information. They must bear the responsibility of uncovering the identity of the betrayer.

Corresponding.

Detectives are also the most vulnerable targets of betrayal.

Other normal challengers will have to find a way to protect the detective.

But this detective seems to be a pretty good fighter himself...

In the hall, challengers were almost gathered in groups at different locations.

They have no trust in strangers, even being hesitant to speak with them.

Only trusting the companions who entered the Shadow World with him.

It is easy to see that there are four teams of challengers, each consisting of three people.

It's certain that there are two suspicious individuals within one of the teams.

Or, there could be two teams, each with a traitor.

Those often chosen as antagonists in this challenger-versus-world narrative are individuals who, from the start, possess deeply twisted minds. They embody the role of the traitor perfectly.

For example, the Church of Resurrection hopes to cause natural disasters in the present world and longs for bloodshed or to seize other people's treasures.

There is a high probability.

The two traitors were both members of the Cult of Resurrection, perfectly disguised in the mortal realm with no flaws whatsoever.

Even their companions who came with them did not know his true identity as a member of the Restoration Sect.

So even though Lynch and Huberlian clearly seemed to be on Fremont's team, they still couldn't gain the trust of the other nine people.

"…"

The ancient trees outside swayed in the wind, rustling softly, the only sound that could break the silence of this vast ballroom.

Regardless of where they stood, all the challengers only focused on Frey, waiting for him to speak first and organize the most basic information exchange among them.

Frey scanned the crowd impassively, seeming not to care much who among them had a problem.

He remained silent and showed no emotion in his eyes.

This kind of silence did not raise suspicion, but rather gave many challengers a sense of reassurance.

Although this detective looks quite strange.

But his such calm and absolute confidence was more reassuring than a detective who knew he couldn't handle the burden and panicked.

Let me give a brief introduction. The three of us are from the Kingdom of Hethton, Ikerethus Academy.

Frey just said that, his gaze shifting upwards over the tops of his mirrored sunglasses to the three people closest to them.

He didn't say anything more, and his meaning was very clear.

This group of people spoke.

It's up to the other person to decide whether to speak more or less.

No matter how much information there is, it will become Freud's basis for weighing its credibility.

Perhaps Frey cannot immediately determine the truth of the challengers' identities at this moment, but in the future progression of the Shadow World, anything anyone says now could become a flaw or crucial clue.

The first group is composed of three-person teams, eye-catching and distinctive.

"Are you also from the Southern Continent We are from the Cambria Kingdom, the Petras Trading Company."

A young man who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old stepped forward and spoke to Frey.

When he looked at Frey, a sense of relief washed over him. His eyes betrayed his enthusiasm and eagerness to perform without any pretense.

I believe you can tell at a glance who the young master is.

The boy said with a slight air of triumph.

He stood behind him, a man who seemed taciturn but strikingly handsome. His eyes were deep and fathomless, like an unfathomable lake, and his tear mole at the corner of his eye made him even more alluring.

And on the other side stood a woman as delicately crafted as a doll. Her hair and eye color mirrored those of the handsome man, seeming like siblings.

Frey looked at Lance, as if he wanted to say something, but then he thought better of it.

Lanche could only smile helplessly.

Far away.

"In this world of shadows, my identity is that of a 【Geographer】… I'll see how it goes…"

The young man hadn't stopped speaking, seemingly checking the shadow world information panel while he talked.

"I would like to know about the general map and terrain in this area. For example, we are at Lichtenstein Castle, which sits on a long mountain range. Behind us, it is bordered by the outer edge of the Honing Empire's defense barrier, while in front, there's an 890-meter cliff with a bridge connecting it. This is the only passable road from the city to Lichtenstein Castle..."

Just as the young man was about to pour out all the geographical information, a male guard behind him gave a light cough, finally making the boy realize and stop.

It's clear that this clumsy young master isn't doing himself any favors by speaking so freely in public.

Some key information can be told to the detective separately.

Directly revealing one's identity can be easily challenged by contestants to verify the truth of the information, indeed it can gain the trust of detectives and regular challengers.

What it reveals is the value of the {geographer} function, which will also attract the attention of traitors and make them second only to detectives in danger.

Hubley and Ranch stood behind Frey, silent, accepting this information without a word.

The Kingdom of Canberra is a powerhouse among the kingdoms of South Continent, and has long maintained a neutral stance. Both the South Continental Shadow World Management Association and the Headquarters of the Card Maker Association are located in the Kingdom of Canberra.

The name of the Petras Trading Guild is well-known among the kingdoms of the Southern Continent.

Although Lance is also a rich young master, in terms of assets, the Petras Commercial Guild would probably have to add two more digits.

If this young man were truly the son of the Petras Trading House, such a noble identity with a high probability of being recognized directly would not be a preferable option for fabrication.

It's obvious this guy isn't very bright, he's the type who gets dragged through the Shadow World by his two teammates.

(End of chapter)

[ ]iners in the restaurant, like automatons, picked up their forks and knives and rushed towards Huberly as if attacking him with a deadly assault.Even now.Lancer realized the danger on Hubertian's side....