Chapter 441: Murder Case
The recent light rains had finally broken the lingering summer heat.
The weather had cooled noticeably, and it was now necessary to wear a coat when stepping out in the mornings or evenings. Even Worm, usually lazy on chilly days, was eager to go out and play again.
After successfully tricking Lucy into taking a part-time job, Rhodes left the guild with Mira and rented a carriage headed for Ravender Village.
They could have used a crab to travel faster, but the carriage was far more comfortable, and offered a bit of privacy, making it easier for the two of them to talk during the journey.
They stopped for lunch midway and arrived at Ravender Village by afternoon.
Along the way, Rhodes used his connection with the patrolling crab to observe the scenery. Most of the village’s fields had already been harvested, with only a few golden plots remaining uncollected here and there.
It had been about half a year since their last visit, and the village wall had been completely rebuilt, based on the bramble barrier Rhodes had once summoned with the Brambleback’s help. Now, it was solid and well-constructed.
The large incinerators once used to burn rat corpses and waste had been dismantled, and the unpleasant odor that had long plagued the village was finally gone.
Rhodes stepped down from the carriage and gently helped Mira down. He noticed the ground was surprisingly dry—likely the recent rains hadn’t reached this region.
A man pushing a cart full of rice recognized them at a glance. "Wizards?! Oh, Mr. Rhodes! Miss Mira!"
"Bill?" Rhodes smiled, remembering him clearly. This was the hardworking villager who had guarded the bonfire at the village entrance and helped out everywhere during the infestation.