The fully awakened gargoyle exhaled a miasma of powdered stone distinctive of cemeteries as its ruby eyes glowed, fixed intently on the two figures below:
“The Stone Statue Cemetery is now sealed. All interment, transfer, processing, and manufacturing of corpses within the grounds has been suspended. If you have questions, please consult the City Hall.
Any attempt to approach or actions deemed hostile toward the cemetery will trigger the site's defensive systems.”
Yi Chen removed the Sun Emblem pinned to his chest and held it up before the gargoyle.
Twin beams of visible red light shot from its gem-like eyes, converging on the badge.
“Members of the Church of the Sun, you have been granted limited access to the cemetery. Upon entry, follow the steward directly to the master's Stone House. If you stray more than ten meters from the steward, the cemetery's defense system will activate.”
As the gargoyle finished speaking, the heavy stone gates slowly opened inward.
Waiting just beyond was a steward—his face entirely made of stone, devoid of eyes, or perhaps simply not needing them. With every footstep upon the ground, he could sense the precise layout of the cemetery.
Without even glancing at them, the steward turned the moment the gates opened and began leading the way.
Yi Chen gave a sharp slap to the back of Barry, who had zoned out in a daze. The clang of armor brought Barry back to his senses, and he hurried to follow.
They had no choice but to keep close to the steward. The surrounding fog was so thick they couldn't make out any of the cemetery’s details, though it was clear this was a large-scale burial site.
Yi Chen had previously worked at the Seven Day Cemetery and the Cold Lake Cemetery, both of which were considered small-scale. Cold Lake had been drained of essence by Little Grape.
From the main gate to the residence of the cemetery’s administrator, the path was long.
As they walked deeper in, Barry gradually calmed down and started to feel less afraid. “So this really is the Stone Statue Cemetery~ I heard that half the gargoyles in Zion City come from here. The master of this place is supposed to be one of the top stone sculptors around.”
“His sculptures make perfect vessels for souls—capable of hosting the autonomous spirits nurtured within the cemetery and turning into terrifying living stone constructs.”
Yi Chen didn’t respond. Instead, he was mentally communicating with a cemetery expert inside him.
“Little Grape, got any thoughts?”
“What kind of thoughts do you want? Big cemeteries like this are always guarded by powerful humans. If I make even the slightest move, I’ll be detected immediately.”
Yi Chen was speechless.
“I just meant, do you think this place is related to the recent death cases?”
“Oh~ Well, nothing seems out of place. No unusual corpse stench in the soil, no odd humidity in the air, and the whole cemetery’s processing system appears to be functioning normally.”
“Yeah, that’s what I figured.
If anything had gone wrong in a place this important, it would’ve been discovered immediately. I’ll try talking to the cemetery manager later—maybe he’ll let you absorb some cemetery essence like last time at Cold Lake.”
After walking for over twenty minutes, they finally arrived at the so-called Stone House.
A solitary, square-shaped building stood at the end of the path—simple in structure, completely devoid of doors or windows.
As the stone steward approached, his body melded with the structure of the house itself, transforming into a doorway and swinging open.
Yi Chen stepped inside first.
Barry removed his bucket-shaped helmet and held it under his arm, following cautiously.
What greeted them inside was unexpected. There was no immediate sign of the cemetery manager. Instead, the room was filled with hand-crafted luggage, large trunks and suitcases—carried or slung over the shoulders of multiple stone stewards, as though preparing for a journey.
In the center of the room, a concealed passageway had been fully opened. A staircase descended into darkness.
Just then, a comically dry voice called from below:
“If you two have nothing better to do, come down and give me a hand.”
Yi Chen and Barry exchanged a look before heading down the stairs.
At the bottom was a workshop dedicated to stone sculpting. Most of the tools and materials had already been packed up. The only thing left was a specialized mold table, currently being folded and prepared for transport.
The so-called cemetery manager turned out to be a rather comical-looking middle-aged dwarf with tousled brown hair—barely even a meter tall.
He wore a handmade exoskeleton suit crafted from stone and steam. Even with the help of three stewards, he could barely lift the mold table, and moving it proved extremely difficult.
“This thing’s heavy. You two—give me a hand.”
What looked like an ordinary worktable shocked Yi Chen the moment he laid hands on it—it was like trying to move a mountain.
He didn’t ask questions. Instead, he poured all his strength into the task. Under his skin, iron chains slithered along his arms.
Barry’s face turned bright red from exertion, veins bulging across his temples.
Together with the four stone stewards, they finally managed to shift the thing into position—with great difficulty.
The dwarf swiftly stripped off his armor and gave both of their thighs a light pat. “You two little fellas are pretty strong, huh~ Never seen those faces before.”
Yi Chen quickly explained, “Barry and I just arrived from Zion. We’re assisting the local gentry in investigating the root cause of the deaths. Thanks to a breakthrough in our investigation, we were awarded the Sun Emblem by Dean Dis.”
To his surprise, the dwarf seemed utterly uninterested in the so-called breakthrough.
Instead, with a look of disbelief, he muttered, “You came all the way here just to die? That’s a waste of talent. Doesn’t sound like something the Organization would approve of.”
“It’s fine, Barry and I have already located one—”
Before Yi Chen could finish, the dwarf slapped a piece of parchment against their chests. The paper was marked with the G&D insignia.
“Since you helped me carry some things, I’ll let you take a peek at this early notice issued to me, Dean Dis, and the Mayor by Zion’s higher-ups. But keep it quiet, alright?”
To the esteemed Mr. Rupert,
Due to the Prophet’s inability to read any future events related to the city of Lewenholm, no survival protocols can be established.
The hidden dangers lurking within the city are incalculable. You are hereby instructed to begin a full evacuation and packaging of the Stone Statue Cemetery under your management.
Should the situation deteriorate further, the Organization will abandon Lewenholm entirely and erect permanent walls to seal off the city.
“…This…”
“You see it clearly now, don’t you?” Rupert said calmly. “They haven’t officially declared the abandonment or sealing yet, but the Organization’s already caught wind of what’s coming.”
“I’m leaving tonight. As long as I survive and take these carefully packed tools with me, I can rebuild the Stone Statue Cemetery in no time.”
“Mr. Rupert, are you really not going to fight for this? Dean Dis and his team have made real progress over there.”
“And what of it?” Rupert snorted. “I don’t like to gamble. The Grey Zone is spreading across the world. It’s only a matter of time before this city gets swallowed up. I’m just leaving before it happens. Staying alive matters more than anything else.”
He glanced at the two of them. “Since fate brought us together tonight, why don’t you come with me? I can vouch for you. The Organization won’t hold you accountable for deserting your post.”
“No, we’ve already decided—we’re staying to see this investigation through.”
“What a pity~ Then I’ll just wish you the best of luck.”
With a casual wave of his hand, Rupert triggered the ceiling mechanism of the stone house. The roof slid open, and a group of stone gargoyles flew in to help load the cargo.
“Mr. Rupert, if you’re leaving, is there any use left for this cemetery?”
Yi Chen’s question caught Rupert off guard. He paused, giving the young gentleman a fresh, appraising look.
“You’re thinking of taking over?”
“Not quite. I’ve never formally studied cemetery management. I just used to work in one. But if you’re really leaving, I’d like to make use of whatever value remains here.”
“Let’s hear it.”
At that moment, Little Grape emerged from Yi Chen’s shoulder. Rupert immediately put down his suitcase and gave the creature a penetrating look, one that felt as though it could see through to the soul.
“Incredible… To house so many fascinating souls in such a tiny vessel, and even form an independent consciousness? And this little one’s giving off two distinct cemetery auras… Who crafted this?”
“He’s from the Seven-Day Cemetery,” Yi Chen replied.
“Interesting~ I’ll have to pay that brat Wilbert a visit sometime.”
Rupert gave a faint grin. “The Stone Statue Cemetery is yours. Once I leave, all the constructs will follow. No one will care what you do here—how much value you can squeeze out of it is up to you.”
“Don’t die, young man. I’m off.”