Tuesday.
For most people, it was just another ordinary day. But for the admirers of Emperor Roselle, today was nothing short of a holiday.
The Roselle Memorial Exhibition was opening at the Royal Museum, displaying numerous artifacts and documents that the emperor had either invented or personally used. For the citizens of Loen, so far from the Intis Republic, such an opportunity was a rare and precious event.
Edward had gotten up early, dressing meticulously in the standard attire of a Loen noble gentleman. After all, he was accompanying Audrey today. If he dressed out of place, standing beside her would only look awkward.
Lilith sat perched on the desk, her tail swishing idly as she examined Edward up and down. Suddenly, she asked, "Edward, humans are so strange. They don't have fur, but they're always wearing the skins and fur of other animals."
Edward immediately replied, "I don't have a habit of wearing animal skins. This outfit is pure 'technology'."
"It's all the same."
She waved her little paw in a grown-up manner.
"You spend all that money and effort dressing up so nicely…but then, after meeting for a little while, you tear it all off and roll around together..."
Edward's eyes widened in shock. "What nonsense are you talking about, Lilith?! Where did you even see that?"
"While I was out hunting mice at night, I saw it all the time."
"…"
Edward fell silent for a few seconds, then walked over, cupped her furry cheeks in his hands, and said seriously, "Seeing things like that too often will rot your eyes!"
Lilith's face squished amusingly between his palms. She twitched her whiskers and said proudly, "Miss Lilith is not a child!"
"You are a child! You're just over two years old—that's a child!"
"Not true! Miss Lilith is a big cat! Roar~"
She broke free of Edward's hands and pounced at him playfully.
"Anyway, you're not allowed to watch!"
Knock, knock, knock.
The door was knocked lightly. Edward patted Lilith's head and walked over.
"Is that Audrey? Didn't we agree to meet directly at the Royal Museum?"
As he reached for the doorknob, a familiar face flashed through his mind, and he froze for a moment.
"It's her?"
———
Meanwhile, at 15 Minsk Street.
Klein had also woken up early in preparation for the Roselle Memorial Exhibition.
After preparing some butter and toasting two slices of bread, he didn't immediately sit down to eat. Instead, he opened the door and retrieved the morning newspaper from the mailbox.
Tucked inside the newspaper was a letter—from Detective Isengard Stanton. It contained Stanton's theories regarding the serial killings.
Klein considered for a moment, then penned a reply addressing his speculations. Only after that did he pick up the now-butter-soaked toast and, with red tea and the newspaper, leisurely enjoyed his breakfast.
Sigh, that Devil's existence is seriously disrupting the lives of Beyonders in Backlund. Hopefully, Detective Isengard Stanton picks up on my hints and finds something useful.
Klein set down the paper, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and tidied up to head out.
Today was the day of the Roselle Memorial Exhibition. He intended to try his luck—perhaps he might even find some clues about the Card of Blasphemy.
Fully dressed and carrying his black cane, Klein had just stepped outside when he noticed a lady approaching. She was impeccably dressed and wore a sheer veil that obscured her face.
"Hello, are you Detective Sherlock Moriarty?" she asked.
"I am. May I ask...?"
"I was referred by Detective Stuart. I'd like to commission you to investigate someone," she said gently. "I want to know how he's doing lately—whether he's safe, whether he's living well."
Klein blinked in surprise.
This kind of commission is…quite novel.
He pulled out his pocket watch to check the time and said, "Madam, I'm actually on my way to the Roselle Memorial Exhibition right now. Could you perhaps come back later, once I return, so we can discuss the details?"
"Just half a minute of your time."
The woman extended a fair, slender hand and offered a few banknotes.
"This is a 50-pound advance. If you can find useful information, I'll pay you another 500 pounds."
"!!!"
550 pounds?!
Klein's first reaction was pure delight, followed immediately by caution.
Someone willing to pay that much…the person she wants investigated must be extremely unusual.
"May I ask who it is you want me to investigate?" he asked.
"His name is Edessak. That's all I can tell you—you'll have to find the rest yourself." She turned and walked a few steps away, then added, "Oh, and focus especially on the woman around him. I'm counting on you."
Investigate a woman?
Is this…another affair?
Watching the woman's figure disappear into the distance, Klein turned and went into the washroom. There, above the grey fog, he performed a divination.
The result indicated that this commission wasn't particularly dangerous.
If it weren't for the possibility that the Roselle Memorial Exhibition might provide clues regarding the Card of Blasphemy, he might have abandoned the exhibition altogether and started working on the commission immediately.
——
Meanwhile, the veiled woman, after turning into an empty alleyway, removed her hat and exhaled softly.
Had Edward been there, he would have instantly recognised her—it was Trissy.
She let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"I really must be crazy…I clearly hate that fool, and after all the effort it took to escape, here I am, inexplicably hiring a detective to check up on him."
She kept telling herself that she merely wanted to understand whether the Demoness Sect had once again planted an agent at Edessak's side—but whether that was true or not, only she knew for sure.
Trissy had originally believed that by clinging to a powerful figure, she could finally escape the vortex of Backlund. Yet that figure had coldly told her that until matters in Backlund were truly resolved, there would be no place for her to hide—and promptly dragged her back.
She sighed.
"Sigh, one step at a time, then."
———
[Empress Borough—The Hall Family's Luxurious Estate]
With the help of her personal maid Annie, Audrey had changed into a relatively simple long dress, a soft fur coat draped over her shoulders, and a hat adorned with delicate gauze.
At her side, Susie sat obediently, a satin bow tied neatly around her neck.
"My beautiful little princess, where are you off to today?"
Earl Hall descended the stairs, twirling his immaculate moustache as he spoke.
Audrey replied cheerfully, "Daddy, I'm going to see the Roselle Memorial Exhibition."
Though the halo of admiration she once had for Emperor Roselle had long since shattered, upon further thought—and recalling what Edward had said—she realised that even if some of his accomplishments were 'borrowed', the fact that he led an entire era single-handedly was still quite extraordinary.
The earl stroked his moustache thoughtfully and asked in a casual tone, "Going with friends?"
"That's right."
"Viscount Glaint, perhaps?"
"Um…yes."
The earl chuckled knowingly and nodded.
"Would you like me to arrange something with the Church of Steam? After the official hours, I could get them to extend the exhibit for you and your friend."
"No need, Daddy," Audrey laughed. "An event like this is more fun with a crowd."
"Very well. Just be careful."
Just then, Susie, who had been sitting patiently, suddenly stood up. She trotted off toward the outside, only to return a few minutes later, wagging her tail. As she brushed against Audrey's hand, she slyly slipped a small note into it.
While Annie stepped away, Earl Hall sat down to seriously read his newspaper.
Audrey quietly unfolded the note:
"Sorry, Audrey. Something urgent came up. I might not be able to go to the Roselle Exhibition with you today."—Edward
Audrey froze. The bright excitement on her face visibly faded.
She puffed out her cheeks and muttered, "Untrustworthy fellow."
"What was that, darling?" Earl Hall looked up from his paper.
Audrey quickly said, "Ah, I…I was just thinking, maybe I'll do as you suggested, Daddy. I'll wait until after the official exhibition hours and go see it then. Would that be alright?"
"Of course, my little princess."
Audrey propped her chin on her hand, her mind drifting far away.
What could Edward possibly be up to?
———
At that moment, Edward was feeling rather helpless himself.
He had already packed up and was just about to leave when an unexpected guest arrived—the lady who enjoyed listening to his stories.
Although he wasn't particularly surprised that she had tracked him down, compared to their previous "chance encounters," this direct intrusion into his private life left him more than a little annoyed.
You're disturbing my personal time!
"My apologies," she said very politely. "I recall mentioning a few days ago that I hoped you could come to a certain place to tell me stories?"
Edward frowned slightly and declined tactfully, "I'm sorry, madam. Today won't work. I have plans with a friend."
"I can offer you a satisfactory payment."
Edward's voice grew firmer, "This isn't about money. I've already promised someone else."
"Ten thousand pounds."
Edward shook his head again without hesitation.
"No."
Her pupils flickered faintly, and at once, a barely perceptible barrier rose up around them.
"My apologies. Today is extremely important to me as well. If you insist on refusing, I'll have no choice but to use…my own methods to persuade you."
"…"
Bloody hell!!!
Edward cursed inwardly.
It's just telling a story, is this really necessary?!
He quickly weighed the odds: Could he defeat a demi-god-level powerhouse? If not, could he escape? If he escaped, would he be hunted down afterwards? If caught, would she still be this polite?
Seeing Edward's darkening expression, the woman realised she had spoken too harshly. She quickly added, with sincerity, "I can promise to grant you a favour, within my capabilities."
Edward said irritably, "A Grade 0-Sealed Artifact—would that do?"
She paused for a few seconds, then surprisingly nodded.
"Yes."
"???"
Edward's breathing nearly stopped.
"You're serious?"
Her deep blue eyes met his squarely, calm and unwavering.
"Of course."
———
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