Chapter 102: Cloth Merchant

The more Klein thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Otherwise,

who would have borrowed those random journal issues for no reason?

*Yes, research regarding the main peak of the Hornacis mountain range is

quite an unpopular field. Other than the corresponding lecturers and

associate professors, the common hobbyist would've never heard of it.

Even the original Klein, who was a history graduate, only knew about it

from the Antigonus family's notebook... Although Tingen is a city of

universities, there wouldn't be that many people who would interested in

the topic. And even if there is anyone interested, most of them would

remain within the university's compounds. There would be no need to

borrow the book from the Deweyville Library.*

*The most important point is that the book happened to be borrowed only

recently...*

*By analyzing it this way, there really is a problem. I wasn't sharp

enough and failed to realize it... Sigh, it looks like I have no talent

at being a detective or acting like Sherlock Holmes...*

While these thoughts raced through his mind, the boss of Evil Dragon

Bar, Swain asked in puzzlement, "Is there a problem?"

Since there were customers and bartenders around, he could only ask

indirectly.

"Nothing at all. I'm just wondering how I can investigate this

gentleman. As you know, Hanass Vincent died at his home." Klein had long

prepared his excuse.

He didn't want to make the Mandated Punishers become interested in the

ancient relics from the main peak of the Hornacis mountain range.

"Vincent was one of the rather famous fortune-tellers in Tingen City. He

often came here." Swain had indeed given a perfunctory answer, but as he

recalled, he said, "Now that I think about it, the gentleman in the

portrait did come together with Vincent at the very beginning..."

"That is exactly what I wanted to know. Do you remember his name?" Klein

pressed immediately.

Swain shook his head and chuckled.

"I won't ask for my customers' names or identities unless I knew them to

begin with, like Old Neil."

"Alright then." Klein deliberately revealed a saddened look.

To him, it didn't matter if Swain knew, because he could check the

Deweyville Library.

To borrow books from a privately-funded library, he had to leave

personal information, and his identification must have had sufficient

credibility!

After all, Klein had relied on an introduction letter from a Senior

Associate Professor before he obtained a library card.

*Even if the gentleman had forged his information, it is very likely

that he left some clues which can be helpful to my

divination...* Klein watched Swain as he returned to the bar

counter before entering the billiard room in deep thought.

He wasn't in a hurry to head to the Deweyville Library for his

investigations. He planned on completing his purchases first. After all,

it was unknown if he would encounter danger and be required to use

ritualistic magic for subsequent developments.

After passing through a few rooms, Klein arrived at the underground

market. There were a few stalls and customers, a clear indication that

it wasn't peak hour yet.

Just as he took a step forward, he suddenly saw the monster, Ademisaul,

who could smell the scent of death, standing in a corner.

The young man was pale, and his eyes gave off a hint of terror and

madness. He had also noticed Klein as he looked over.

As they made eye contact, Ademisaul suddenly extended his hands to cover

his face. He moved toward the corner of the wall in a panicked state.

Soon, he moved to a side door beside him and staggered as he ran out.

*Is that necessary? I just nearly blinded you the last time... But I

didn't do anything... Seriously, it's as if I'm the devil.*

Klein's facial expression was somewhat stiff.

He shook his head and smiled. He stopped thinking about the monster and

came to a stall. He started shopping with a goal in mind.

After about half an hour, Klein spent a few pounds which was most of his

secret stash of money.

He counted the three pounds and seventeen soli he had left, and he felt

his heart ache. However, he touched the small metal bottle in the inner

pocket of his black trench coat.

"This is the Amantha extract, which Madam Daly used previously.

"This is powder mixed with drago tree bark and leaves.

"Essential oil which is extracted from slumber flowers.

"Dried chamomile petals.

"This is Holy Night Powder which I previously produced myself."

Klein recalled the items stored in every tiny pocket of his and repeated

them. He did it to prevent himself from failing to find the ingredient

that he would need at a crucial moment.

Relying on his unique traits in mysticism, he quickly finished

memorizing them and walked toward the door.

Suddenly, he saw a somewhat familiar figure in the corner of his eyes.

It was a young lady in a casual green dress. Her smooth black hair was

soft and glistening. She had a round face with long eyes. They gave her

a sweet look and a refined bearing.

*It's the girl who was shivering strangely on the public carriage? She

does seem fine... I never expected her to be a mysticism

enthusiast...* Klein slowed down and thought for a few seconds

before finally recalling who she was.

He had to admit that, other than Justice who he had never seen clearly,

the young lady was the most beautiful girl he had seen ever since he

transmigrated into this world.

The sweet and refined girl stood before a stall that sold mysticism

books and, in a breach of etiquette, kneeled to rub her fingers against

an ancient book.

The ancient book was bound with a black hardcover. The book cover had

the words "Book of Witches" in Hermes.

"It records the black magic of witches. Although I haven't dared to try

them, someone I know did, and it really worked." The vendor seized the

opportunity to promote the book.

The beautiful lady thought and asked, "In your mind, what does a witch

look like?"

"A witch? A wicked person who brings calamities, disease, and pain," the

vendor answered after some thought.

Klein didn't hear their conversation because he had already quickly

walked out the front entrance. He was rushing to the Deweyville Library

in a hurry to settle everything before returning home to cook dinner for

his brother and sister. Tomato Oxtail Soup was on the menu.

Backlund. Crown Turf Club.

Audrey Hall wore a long white dress with engageantes and ruffled edges,

as well as lace around her chest. She stood in a VIP room and watched

the horses gallop.

She wore a veiled hat decorated with blue ribbons and silk flowers, and

a pair of light colored fishnet gloves. Her cold and distant gaze seemed

out of place in the bustling venue.

Just as the racehorse breasted the tape, her friend Viscount Glaint came

closer and said with a suppressed voice, "Audrey, every time I see you,

you look beautiful from a different angle."

"How can I help you?" In the past, Audrey might have basked in the young

man's compliment, but now she could see Glaint's ulterior motives

through his speech and attitude.

Due to the early passing of Glaint's father, he had inherited his title

of nobility at the age of twenty. He was a slightly skinny young man. He

looked to the left and right, then chuckled softly as he said, "Audrey,

I know a real Beyonder, a Beyonder that doesn't belong to the royal

family."

You've disappointed me every time you said that... Audrey

looked forward and replied elegantly, "Really?"

"I swear on my father's name. I have seen his Beyonder powers," Glaint

replied with whisper.

Audrey was no longer the same as before in which should be excited over

the news. She was now a Beyonder, but to prevent Glaint from turning

suspicious, she widened her eyes and faked a surprised smile. She asked

with her voice trembling, "When can I see him?"

*Yes, it'd be great to meet other Beyonders. I can't just solve every

triviality through the Tarot Club... Besides, I must gather my own

resources to exchange them with Mr. Fool and Mr. Hanged Man... Not

everything can be solved with money... Sigh, now that I've sent out the

thousand pounds, I'll have to be more frugal...*

Glaint was very satisfied with Audrey's response. He looked towards the

racecourse and said, "Tomorrow afternoon, there will be a literature and

music salon at my place."

Inside Deweyville Library.

Klein took out his identity card and badge from his pocket and showed

them to the few librarians.

"I am a probationary inspector from the Special Operations Department of

the Awwa County Police. I need your cooperation in an investigation," he

said in a deep voice, recalling the police films that he used to watch.

The librarians looked at the identity card and badge before exchanging

looks and nodding at each other.

"Go ahead and ask, Officer."

Klein recited the names of the journals like New Archeology and upon

finishing, he said, "I want the borrowing records of the journal for the

last two months."

He realized that one of the librarians had attended to him before, but

it was obvious that the man didn't recognize him.

"Alright. Hold on a second." The librarians started searching and

quickly found the recent borrowing records.

Klein flipped through the records seriously, looking for the man who had

borrowed the same journal as he did.

There weren't many names since there was only one. He had borrowed the

journal several times, including the issue that Klein knew of. The

earliest entry was at the end of May, and the most recent one was last

Saturday, a day before Hanass Vincent's death.

Klein ran his finger over the borrower's information and memorized it.

Sirius Arapis, cloth merchant, residing at 19 Howes Street...