Chapter 410: Framis Cage

St. George Borough, Sird Street.

As soon as Klein and Jurgen alighted from the carriage, they saw a

massive object parked in front of Inventor Leppard's door.

It was iron-black in color, with a dozen wheels in three groups, the top

of which towered like a ship's chimney, and smoke was emitted from it.

It was a steam car that Klein had seen in magazines and on the streets,

often described by the public as an ironclad warship with a rather

exaggerated body.

If the streets that hadn't been built or rebuilt in the last twenty or

thirty years, then it would've filled the roads and left no room for

horse carriages. Therefore, transportation vehicle such as this could

only be seen in certain areas and places.

At this moment, the heavy glass window and door of the car opened, and

two figures stepped out.

One of them was the steam car mogul, Framis Cage, whom Klein had met

before. A quarter of his blood was of the Feysac Empire, and he had pale

blue eyes and a tall, but bulging build. He had a pipe in his mouth.

The person beside him was wearing a heavy black coat with a gray scarf

wrapped around his neck. His features were unremarkable. He looked

common with his black hair and brown eyes; yet, he exuded an

inexplicable sense of familiarity.

"Hi, Detective Moriarty, you're really punctual. This is my lawyer and

partner, Pacheco Dwayne."

While they conversed, two burly men got out of the steam-powered car.

They were obviously Framis's bodyguards.

*How unprofessional? Shouldn't they come down first and then open the

door for their boss?* Klein grunted, smiled in greeting, and

introduced his lawyer, Jurgen.

While he was waiting for Leppard to open the door, he casually chatted

with him.

"Mr. Cage, is this kind of steam-powered vehicle popular? Do a lot of

people like it?"

Framis Cage laughed.

"Those who think that they're decent say that it's too barbaric and

crude, and ordinary people can't afford it. Only I, an enthusiast of

such machinery and steam, would be willing to buy it."

"It's mainly because many streets are too narrow," Klein said in

consolation.

Framis Cage was the investor he found, and he had little to do with

Leppard.

When he was playing cards at the Quelaag Club, he had deliberately

mentioned it, and the equestrian teacher, Talim, immediately mentioned

that Framis liked similar inventions, offering to introduce them to each

other.

This made Klein sigh with emotion. *The club really was a great place to

develop connections, and the members who joined it were never really

interested in the free food, drinks, and activity venues.*

"Haha, this is indeed one of the reasons. As the population increases

and the cities grow larger, the horse carriage will definitely be

eliminated. It's just too slow. What this world is pursuing now is

efficiency!" Framis said confidently.

He then revealed a smile.

"Also, I've already obtained an order from the military. They want me to

make some improvements, just like it was mentioned in Roselle's

manuscript; increase the armor's bulletproof plating, cover the tracks

so that it can drive on a simple road. In addition, add a thick cannon

barrel, and then this will be a brand-new weapon."

Roselle's manuscript... Klein sighed silently and for a moment

he didn't know what to say until, finally, Leppard opened the door.

In the discussion that followed, the main people talking were Jurgen and

Pacheco. The two lawyers would argue with each other and discuss the

terms with their employers, while the completely unprepared Inventor

Leppard sat there in a daze. Only when asked would he give his opinion.

Finally, the three parties agreed that Framis would invest a thousand

pounds to take 20% of the shares, and the shares of Klein and Leppard

would fall by an equal ratio, 28% and 52%.

At the same time, Framis agreed to buy a further 18% of Klein's shares

at a premium, and this cost him a thousand pounds after taxes.

Similarly, he would buy a 9% stake in the company at a post-tax price

for 500 pounds.

As a result of this deal, Framis became the largest shareholder in the

newly established Backlund Bike Company, with a 47% share. He became

responsible for the subsequent industrialization and marketing, while

the company would be funded with the 1,000 pounds he invested as the

initial capital.

Leppard was the second largest shareholder, with 43% of the shares. His

job was to help in the setting up of the assembly line for mass

production.

Mr. Klein, who only had the remaining 10% of the shares, became a purely

financial investor.

And the 1,000 pounds he earned from selling his shares had sent his

personal wealth skyrocketing to 2,235 pounds, almost enough for him to

buy a main ingredient for a Faceless potion. As a private detective, he

still continued accepting commissions in the past month or so, so his

daily expenses didn't drain his savings.

*I still have to pay 50 pounds to Lawyer Jurgen, leaving me with 2,185

pounds... I'll have to thank Talim when I see him...* A thought

flashed through Klein's mind. He signed and stamped the contract. Then,

he stood up and shook hands with Framis and Leppard.

"I hope for a pleasant partnership."

Framis took out his golden pocket watch and looked at it before

chuckling.

"Normally, we should have lunch together to celebrate the closing of a

deal, but there's an important person waiting for me. I'm really sorry,

but there will still be a lot of opportunities in the future."

*An important figure, another one.... The one behind Talim? The one that

I claimed reimbursement from using fake information that points to the

Aurora Order?* Klein suddenly felt a little guilty. He hurriedly

smiled and said that he didn't mind.

After exiting the house and getting into a carriage, Jurgen suddenly

frowned slightly.

"Sherlock, you agreed too readily."

"Why do you say that?" Klein asked curiously.

He didn't even know what Jurgen was talking about.

Jurgen said rather seriously, "When we were talking about the transfer

of shares.

"Based on your description, and on Framis's performance, I can imagine a

bright market prospect for bikes. Although it's just an invention at the

moment, deflating the overall valuation, you should've kept more shares

even though 5,000 pounds is a good price. That way you can get better

returns in the future.

"I thought you were only going to sell 8% and have the confidence to

haggle for 500 pounds, but you actually agreed to 18%. Even if it were

only 500 pounds, you would have made a severalfold return on the

investment. You shouldn't have been in such a hurry."

*Because I'm in need of money... However, I did agree very readily

without any hesitation. It was a huge transaction, so that does seem

rather abnormal for me...* As Klein thought back to the scene

from before, he began to have some doubts deep down.

*Was I unconsciously influenced by Framis or that Lawyer Pacheco? One of

them is a Beyonder? Fortunately, the price was fairly

reasonable...* As he pondered over the matter, Klein said to

Jurgen who was waiting for an answer, "The new year is coming soon..."

He had no idea how to explain it, so he randomly chose an opening.

If the other party was a smart person, then they would go along with the

opening and perfect the explanation with their own reasoning. There was

no need for Klein to describe it any further.

Of course, this was a move aimed at smart people. Ordinary people would

end up pressing, "so" or "what exactly happened."

Lawyer Jurgen was obviously a smart man. Noticing Klein's brief silence,

he nodded and said, "I understand.

*What do you understand? I haven't even thought of what to

say...* Klein pointed to the steam metro station in front of

them and said, "I'm getting off here. I need to meet an informant."

As the steam-powered vehicle roared forward, Framis, who was sitting in

the front row, wound down the window and blew out a ring of smoke. He

said to the inconspicuous Lawyer Pacheco, "Did you use your powers just

now?"

"It was passively triggered," Pacheco said with a smile. "My powers

aren't suitable for such situations. I prefer to face government or

enterprise employees."

Framis nodded slightly.

"I just wanted to remind you.

"There's no need to use your powers in such situations. Do not let this

affect what matters most."

"I understand," Pacheco replied in a low voice.

East Borough, in a cheap coffee shop.

When Klein arrived, Old Kohler was already waiting for him.

He removed his scarf, took off his hat, sat down across him, fished out

a stack of one-soli notes, and handed it to him.

"For next week's expenses and a bonus for the information you provided

me the last time. That's a total of one pound."

He was recently very generous with giving bonuses since he had already

found a person to claim them from.

Old Kohler, whose face was clearly ruddier than before, received the

cash, feeling a little embarrassed.

"The information I gave you previously didn't seem to be that

important..."

"No, the importance depends on who wields it. There are a lot of things

that you might find trivial, but it's how other people earn their

money," Klein explained with a laugh. "What happened this week?"

Old Kohler took the stack of bills and stuffed it into his pocket. He

said thoughtfully, "Just like before, many people are still looking for

the believers of The Fool. Haha, how could anyone believe in The Fool?

That isn't a good name."

... The corners of Klein's mouth slightly twitched.

"Are they making progress?"

The Aurora Order is really persistent... Klein thought

helplessly.

"No, there's no such person." Old Kohler shook his head and then said,

"There are a few people organizing strikes recently. They came to me a

few times, claiming that they will be fighting for reasonable working

hours and salaries."

*It's a very normal thing in this era, but it can lead to quite serious

consequences...* Klein thoughtfully said, "Pay attention to the

organizers of this matter. But don't be too anxious. Safety first."

"Alright." Old Kohler cleared his throat and said, "There have been a

lot of gangsters and bounty hunters looking for a person these days. I

don't know why, but I believe someone has offered a bounty."

"Who are they looking for?" Feeling the cold, Klein took a sip of his

coffee.

The warm liquid ran down his esophagus and warmed his belly.

Old Kohler thought for a moment and said, "A man named Azik Eggers."

Azik Eggers... Azik Eggers? Klein looked up from his coffee

cup and stared straight at Old Kohler, who was sitting across him.

*Isn't that Mr. Azik's full name? Why would someone suddenly offer a

bounty for him? Ince Zangwill?* Relying on his Clown powers,

Klein feigned indifference as he asked, "Did it say what kind of person

he was?"

Old Kohler recalled and said, "He seems to be of Balam lineage and was

once a university lecturer."