You Are Not Her

“This ancient tomb is the burial site of the last emperor of the Arke Dynasty from the end of the Third Age. Although the Arke Dynasty had almost perished due to plague and war by then, it is still an emperor's tomb after all. Many ancient mystery relics are buried inside, all of which are highly valuable treasures. Hehehe, as long as I can make it back alive this time, this big-nosed hound of a relic hunter can finally retire.”

Do you want to rethink what you just said? Or maybe go outside and look up to see if there's an extra star in your sky?

Watching the crude antique hunter Jack Adams chug a beer and raise his own death flags so dramatically, Lynch could only sigh and look at him with a nostalgic, pitying gaze as he laughed heartily.

Surprisingly, the atmosphere was actually quite good, very much like the typical mood before embarking on a normal mission.

Sensing that Ms. Selene was not easy to approach, Karl Jones shifted his attention back to the languid Jenna. The two of them began to dance gracefully in the open space of the recreation room to the music playing from the phonograph.

Rooney, the ancient book broker, and Jack, the antique hunter, sat side by side at the bar, chatting aimlessly with Lynch about the upcoming operation. Salin, the folklorist disguised as the bartender Tom, stood behind the bar with an expressionless face, wiping a glass in silence. However, Lynch could not help but notice his eyes darting around, clearly harboring ill intent.

As for Judy... the girl still had that half-asleep, dazed look, sitting by the bar clutching her book. Yet, hidden within her blurry eyes was a bizarre gaze. Accompanied by a soul-penetrating heat, her eyes swept over Lynch's body again and again.

“Don't mind her, she's an idiot. She often stares at people like that,” the bearded man said in a booming voice, wiping the beer stains from his beard. “A few years ago, when she was researching ancient scripts, she was eroded by mystery and almost mutated. Although she didn't die in the end, her brain was damaged. Most of the time when she's not working, she has this stupid look on her face. She's completely useless, a total waste of space. If she weren't able to maintain her sanity during work, we would never have brought her along for such a dangerous job. She's a real pain in the neck.”

Oh, but you were the one who brought her here just now, and it seems you do so every day. Keep talking tough; I'll just watch you perform. Besides, does she usually roast other people with her gaze like this too? If so, you guys must go through a lot of people in a few days. Or is it that only I can feel it?

Musing to himself, Lynch maintained his aloof demeanor from before and gave a noncommittal smile.

Rooney, who was sitting nearby, let out a sigh. “But don't forget, the most valuable item must be left for Howard. We can only take what he leaves behind.”

“The leftovers will be more than enough to last me the rest of my life, hahahaha! I'm not greedy. Don't tell me you're interested in that item, Rooney?”

The refined middle-aged man blocked his moving lips with his cocktail glass and muttered something inaudible. When he set it down, his expression had returned to calm. “I only need the ancient texts inside; nothing else concerns me. Besides, with Ms. Selene here... heh, her sudden addition is probably to help Mayor Howard ensure that no one tries to steal his share of the treasure.”

“Heh, not at all. I'm just here to watch the show. The one who wants to secure this operation is someone else,” Lynch said, casually stirring the pot before chuckling softly behind his fan. “You don't need to mind me. I'll follow your arrangements. I assume you've already made a plan, right? There's no need to change it just because I showed up. Just let me know, and I will cooperate.”

“The plan is actually quite simple. Howard has already arranged everything.”

The song ended, and Karl and Jenna, who had returned to the bar, happened to overhear Lynch's words. Karl attentively pulled out a stool for Dr. Jenna and helped her sit down before bowing to Lynch.

“Beautiful lady, we—”

“Karl,” the cautious Rooney said, tapping his glass.

“Don't worry. While we were dancing, I went to verify it. Both Howard and Walker have confirmed Ms. Selene's identity. However, as for the beautiful lady taking action with us, our Mayor said it's currently just an intention. He is still discussing it with Ms. Selene, and it depends on her decision.”

Although he had no idea how this guy managed to split himself to verify the information, Lynch was relieved. He knew his pretext had successfully dispelled their suspicions. It seemed Mayor Howard had not attained his position for nothing; he was well-versed in the art of speaking. With a simple adjustment, he had left room for himself, avoiding the possibility of being tricked into revealing the truth. He was truly a considerate employer. Now, the questions that had been inconvenient to ask them would finally be answered.

Rooney immediately shut his mouth. His eyes flickered, and he nodded, no longer standing in the way.

“The day after tomorrow, which is the night of June 20th, we will set out overnight and enter our target, the unexplored Arke Tomb, early on the morning of the 21st. The Arke Tomb is notoriously troublesome, which is why professionals like us have been gathered. We need to reach the depths of the tomb before midnight on the 21st to perform a ritual in the main tomb chamber. There will be another group synchronized with us. I don't know the specifics, but they will enter another tomb chamber and perform a ritual simultaneously with us. Guided by the critical item you brought, the treasure hidden in that tomb chamber will be sent over to our side. At that time, Howard will take one item from it, and the other treasures and burial goods in the tomb will be split equally among the six of us.”

So that was how it was.

Although the explanation was not very detailed, Lynch had found the final piece of the puzzle, connecting everything.

Since two years ago, Prince William and Howard had somehow learned about the mirror and found a way to contact the Swelling Daughter.

Thus, taking advantage of the preparation for the railway project, they used a special method—at the cost of the national fortune and human lives—to craft a mystery document through opportunistic means. They then used this document to contact the Swelling Daughter, ultimately trading the whereabouts of the Torch of Light for the mirror and the Swelling Daughter's full assistance.

The key to the specific method was the replica gem.

Based on his experience of entering that world last time, the person entering and the belongings on their person would appear in that dream-like world, while their physical body actually remained in the mortal world. Therefore, the plan was highly likely that the six criminals of the internal group would carry the replica gems and be sucked into the dream through those symbols. Once successful, they would hold the dream-version gems in the dream, while the replica gems would remain in the mortal world.

At that point, the external group would carry the replica gems to the designated location. Lynch estimated that the choice of this location was not random either; it was highly likely that the Swelling Daughter had stolen the mirror from that very spot. Once both sides reached their targets, they would perform the ritual simultaneously. Through the replicas, which shared the same mysterious nature as the mirror, they would form a suspension bridge between both ends, bringing the mirror stolen by the evil god back to the mortal world.

It was indeed a bit complicated, but through a mix of deduction and guesswork, Lynch had filled in most of the details. If this theory was correct, the key to the problem did not lie with the internal group, but with the external group.

The internal group's destination was the domain of the evil god. No matter whether those wanted criminals who dared to enter harbored ulterior motives or not, it would be difficult for them to make any unauthorized moves under the watchful eye of the evil god. Lynch even suspected that as soon as they entered, they would be controlled by their companions—the swelling daughters—who would manipulate them to complete the task.

Therefore, the key to this matter lay with the external group, where there was plenty of room to maneuver. Whether one wanted to facilitate the ritual or disrupt it, they had to keep a close eye on the external group.

Perhaps I can turn the lie into reality. Actually joining the external group and going in with them might not be a bad idea.

It just depends on how I can convince Howard. I'll think about it more. But no matter what method I use, I must first find the mole to put his mind at ease.

The problem was, how could such an important mission be entrusted to six recruited outsiders? Without a doubt, there must be a true confidant of Howard's among them. It was only because this confidant had failed to identify the mole that Howard had brought him in as a second layer of insurance.

It seemed that finding Howard's confidant was even more important than finding the mole. Otherwise, everything he did would be hindered.

But who could it be?

Lynch cast a subtle glance over the crowd. The group was huddled together, studying the tomb information provided by Howard, seemingly completely unaware of Lynch's scrutiny.

Karl Jones, the most active playboy, suspected to be a secret agent of the Watchers.

Dr. Jenna, who seemed uninterested in everything, suspected to be an undercover agent of the Archaeological Association.

Rooney, the cautious and clever book dealer, a Soul Severer of some major god, suspected to be an undercover agent of that church. Just now, he had seemingly offhandedly reminded me that there must be one of Howard's men among the six. Was it really unintentional? Was he Howard's man, subtly revealing his identity to me? Or was he actually the mole, and knowing that I was of the same kind, revealing his identity in a different way?

Salin, the fraud with bizarre motives, suspected of deliberately spying on all his companions, highly suspicious.

Jack Adams, the one who seemed least like a mole, but deliberately created conflict with Dr. Jenna, suspected of fabricating discord to distance himself, also remained a suspect.

And finally, Judy Butterfly. The target revealed by the mole was the Church of the Sun, and to me, she felt just like a human furnace. Could she actually be a believer of the Church of the Sun, disguised as a Soul Severer of the Lord of Blazing Flame?

Perhaps I can test the waters with her first. Since she always looks a bit slow-witted, she might be easier to fool... Hm? Where is she?

Thinking of Judy, Lynch realized that the girl was not studying the map with the others. He had no idea where she had gone, but the others seemed used to it and showed no reaction.

Just as Lynch was about to look for her, he turned his head and was startled by a pair of dark circles under some eyes. Judy had approached him at some unknown point, clutching her book and staring at him intently with wide eyes.

What was going on?

Lynch realized he could no longer ignore this girl's strangeness, and the searing heat and pressure in her eyes made it absolutely impossible to overlook.

Noticing that the others were not paying attention, Lynch forced himself to maintain the composure that befitted Ms. Selene. He took a deep breath, about to speak and ask her something.

But Judy had already taken a step forward and thrown herself into his arms, snuggling closer as if seeking warmth.

At the same time, a hoarse, dazed voice sounded softly right next to his ear.

“You are not her.”

“You are him. I found you, thief.”

Though the voice was audible only to the two of them, it made Lynch's scalp tingle.

Holy crap, who are you?

Next, Lynch's vision suddenly flashed with brilliant light as a massive fireball rose slowly.