Chapter 271: Golden Rose

19 Hope Street, Cherwood Borough.

This area was located close to the Tussock River which went through

Backlund. Pedestrians could see the turbid but unusually wide water

surface through the cracks and crevices in their houses.

The Daily Observer reporter, Mike Joseph, alighted the carriage and

pointed at a three-story, grayish-blue building ahead of them. He said

to Klein, who was standing next to him and wearing a black

double-breasted frock coat and a half top hat and gold-rimmed glasses,

"That's the Golden Rose, the best legal brothel in the area of the

Backlund Bridge, as well as Cherwood Borough. It opens at three in the

afternoon and stays open until two in the morning."

*The best legal brothels in the Cherwood and Backlund Bridge regions? In

other words, there are better ones in these two regions but they're

illegal?* Klein silently mused and shot a glance at the entrance

which had an inlaid golden rose. It didn't hang any signboards.

"This doesn't count as a street girl, right?" he answered without

thinking.

"Of course, it's of a higher grade." Mike personally led Klein to the

front of the building and pushed the door open.

As soon as he entered, Klein caught a whiff of a mixed fragrance that

was slightly pungent and heard a soothing yet suggestive melody.

Instinctively, he looked around and saw bouncers, in black coats and

half top hats, standing on either side of the entrance and in every

corner of the hall. As a legitimate business, they were obviously meant

to deal with drunkards and boors.

The golden hall was surrounded by all sorts of sofas, chairs, and even a

piano. In the center, there was a dancing area.

At that moment, there were many ladies sitting in different areas with

their hair colored in gold, brown, pale yellow, or black. Some of them

looked mature, some shy and young, some young and attractive, and others

who were rather beautiful.

These ladies were either enjoying the melody, giggling whilst in

conversations with each other, quietly reading newspapers and magazines,

or dancing with the men.

It was only half past three in the afternoon, so there weren't many

customers. At a glance, this place looked more like a proper ball than a

brothel.

"If you come after eight in the evening, you'll see some interesting

performances. Heh heh, if any of the ladies catch your eye, go over and

invite them to dance and then ask them for their prices amidst the

beautiful melody. If both sides can come to an agreement, you can head

to the second or third floor and have a wonderful time in some room.

Hehe, as long as you're willing to spend money, you can sleep here the

entire night." Mike turned his head from left to right, suddenly losing

his previous calm and gentlemanliness, appearing a little more

frivolous.

He walked into the hall with a smile, and he approached a young girl who

was at most fifteen or sixteen years old.

*I-is he showing his true nature, or is this an conduct of a

professional?* Klein watched, a little flabbergasted as he

subconsciously followed behind Mike Joseph.

"The victim, Siber, was only 16 years old. In theory, a girl of similar

age is more likely to be a friend and would know more," At that moment,

Mike lowered his voice and explained.

He then raised his thin eyebrows and asked in a normal voice, "Which

lady caught your fancy?"

"I'm just your bodyguard," Klein responded with very normal logic.

Mike slightly nodded and suddenly laughed.

"I'm not used to being watched when I do that sort of thing."

"I'll be standing watch outside." Klein understood what Mike meant, and

took a serious, professional stance.

Without another word, Mike walked up to the young girl, bent down, and

extended his hand, inviting her to dance.

*Being a prostitute at this age, Backlund sure is so bedazzling and

dirty... Heh, to think that there would be a middle-aged gentleman of

seemingly good bearing patronizing this place. Even the sides of his

hair are white...* Klein lowered his hands and stood very

straight, watching Mike and the young girl engage in a slow dance.

After a few minutes, Mike walked back and said to Klein with slight

annoyance, "It's too expensive."

As the two approached each other, he added in a low voice, "The girl

knew Siber, but the owner, Ma'am. Lopez, forbids them from speaking with

anyone else on this matter; otherwise, they would be severely punished.

God, when the punishment was mentioned, the poor girl even shuddered

instinctively. I can imagine how horrible it must be."

Helpless, Klein sighed in sympathy, and asked in a suppressed voice,

"So, what are you planning to do?"

"I don't want to cause trouble for those girls again. I plan on going

straight to Ma'am. Lopez." Mike patted Klein on the shoulder and said,

"Protect me!"

Klein turned his body to the side and warned in a serious tone, "If we

encounter a dangerous situation, you must listen to me.

"Do you understand? Listen to me!"

"Okay, okay." Mike raised his hands to his shoulders and nodded.

As he spoke, he walked towards a single sofa in the corner. There was a

charming lady, with thick makeup, in a gorgeous dress seated there.

"If you don't want to give up after a dance and embarrass yourself in

front of those girls, I suggest you talk to Ma'am. Lopez first and find

out the prices of the different girls," Mike raised his voice.

The lady heard their conversation and looked over. She slowly got up and

smiled.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Lopez. Did any girl catch your fancy?"

"Yes." Mike suddenly sized her up and said with a chuckle, "I really

admire you."

I admire you too... You're acting like this is your home...

Klein's mouth twitched.

Lopez's expression froze for a second, then she gave a fake laugh and

said, "Sorry, I'm not feeling well today. You should know that there are

times every month where women feel quite under the weather."

Seeing that there was no way to get Lopez into a room for a

conversation, Mike fell silent for a few seconds before suddenly turning

serious.

"Ma'am. Lopez, I'm a reporter. I wish to understand more about Siber's

matter. Here's my documentary proof."

Lopez's face darkened and she replied impatiently, "I've already told

everything I know to the police. You should ask them!

"Siber was a vagrant orphan who was adopted by me. That night, she

accepted an invitation from a guest to spend the night at his house, and

she died on her way back in the morning.

"Alright, please leave! Or invite a lady to dance."

As she spoke, Lopez waved over two of her bouncers.

Klein stepped in to shield off Mike Joseph and escorted him back to the

hall. Upon seeing this, the two bouncers didn't rashly chase him away.

After a few steps, Klein said in a low voice, "She's lying."

"Oh?" Mike turned his head in surprise.

"When she spoke, her eyes darted around. She didn't dare to look at you

directly, but she was also secretly sizing you up, which means she was

lying and watching your reaction. In addition, her stance was highly

defensive, and she appeared very agitated." Klein gave his analysis.

Mike opened his mouth and exclaimed after a few seconds, "You really are

a great detective. Only with your keen observation and outstanding

deduction skills were you able to discover such useful details."

*That's only because I had my Spirit Vision on and could see that

Lopez's emotional colors weren't right... I came up with the reasons

after...* Klein smiled and said, "Thank you, it's time for us to

go."

Mike Joseph looked back at Lopez and saw that she was walking towards

the side door of the hall, as though she was going to her own lounge,

and that the side door was in a corner of the room. It was very quiet

around there, and there were many areas in the hall that couldn't see

what was going on inside. There were also two bouncers standing guard

outside.

"Perhaps, we should follow Ma'am. Lopez and observe her reaction. Maybe

the anxiety from just now will make her do something..." Mike suddenly

turned his head to look at Klein. "Can you take care of those two

bouncers quickly?"

"Sir, I'm only responsible for your protection, and that's against the

law." Klein smiled in response.

"I'll pay you more! A total of five pounds based on the combat price

from before! If there's another fight when we run, it would be 10

pounds!" Mike Joseph gritted his teeth.

"Deal!" Klein reached out and shook his hand.

Afterward, the two of them circled around to avoid the two bouncers from

before and quietly approached the side door.

"Guests, please stop. Please leave this area." One of the bouncers

stepped forward and stopped Klein and Mike Joseph.

"Sorry, we'll immediately..." Klein bowed politely and apologized.

At that moment, his right fist suddenly punched out, heavily striking at

the bouncer's abdomen in front of him.

The bouncer instinctively clutched his stomach, his body bent over. As

for Klein, who had now stood up, he raised his left hand and chopped the

bouncer at the back of the head.

Pow!

The bouncer fell to the ground and fainted. His companion was clearly

caught by surprise at this turn of events. He just stared blankly and

failed to react in time.

Klein immediately slid over and covered the bouncer's mouth with his

right hand and punched his abdomen with his left fist.

Bang!

The bouncer suddenly bent down and spat out his undigested food, and

Klein promptly withdrew his right hand and chopped downward with his

palm.

At the same time, his left hand supported his opponent, allowing the

bouncer to slowly fall onto the ground without making a sound.

After exchanging looks. Klein turned the knob, pushed open the side

door, and stepped inside. Mike Joseph lowered his body and quickly

followed.

Why are you so skilled... You're just a reporter! Klein

lampooned under his breath, walking briskly but at a rapid pace along

the paved corridor.

Suddenly, they heard Lopez's voice.

"Tell Capim not to send anyone over in the next few days!

Capim? Send anyone? Klein looked at Mike and found him looking

equally puzzled.

At that moment, they heard Lopez's footsteps that were headed towards

the corridor.

"Let's go!" Klein tugged Mike and ran for the exit without turning back.

During this process, he closed the side door and broke the lock in

passing. It could prevent the people inside from coming out for a while.

Then, as if nothing had happened, they hurriedly walked through the hall

and approached the exit while hearing faint, angry voices.

After reaching the streets, Mike heaved a sigh of relief and said in

amazement and sincerity, "I've experienced many similar scenarios, but

not once was it as simple and relaxed as it was today.

"Thank you. I need to return to find out who Capim is."

As he spoke, he took out his wallet, fished out a five-pound note, and

muttered, "But frankly, your price is really expensive. It's worth more

than half a week's salary."

"But you can claim for reimbursement, right?" Klein answered with a

grin. Following that, he asked in concern, "Aren't you afraid that Lopez

will find your newspaper firm and get the police to arrest you?"

"That's a fake ID card." Mike Joseph shrugged with a gesture of

familiarity.

"..." Klein could only admire him.

After watching Mike board a carriage and leave, he walked diagonally

across the street, waited for a public carriage and kept an eye out for

anyone chasing after him.

At that moment, a rental carriage slowly approached and stopped in front

of him.

A middle-aged man in a black coat stepped out the carriage and nodded at

Klein.

He had blue eyes, a thin face, and gray temples. It was the same old

gentleman that Klein had seen in the Golden Rose.

He's not a customer of the Golden Rose... He's just like us...

Klein suddenly came to this realization.

"Hello, I'm Detective Isengard Stanton. I'm assisting the police in this

case. Can we have a chat?" The middle-aged man pointed at the carriage

tracks.