Chapter 439: The Generous Prince
The scene before his eyes reminded Klein of the romance story which
Talim Dumont had told him.
His noble friend had fallen in love with a commoner woman and was
insistent on marrying her. However, being in the top circle of the
aristocracy, the marriage was absolutely prohibited. Talim had been
vexed over this matter, and he had even considered the prospect of
hiring a murderer, but in the end, he managed to persuade the woman to
leave his friend on her own accord.
*Could the main character of this story be Edessak Augustus? The
situation is very consistent in all aspects. As a prince, marrying a
commoner is practically treason in this era. Since the founding of Loen,
the spouse of a direct descendant of the Augustus Family could only be a
noblewoman... From what I've just heard, Edessak has brought that
commoner woman back? And he has even grounded her as punishment? True
love...* In a split-second, the story of a tyrannical prince and
a pitiful frail white flower took shape in Klein's mind.
He looked into the distance, enjoying the midwinter scenery.
"That's not what it really looks like. When spring comes and the grass
sprouts, you'll see a golf course of the highest quality." Prince
Edessak dismissed the maid, raised his whip, and pointed around.
"Golf?" Klein asked, simultaneously knowing the answer to his question.
Prince Edessak motioned his guards and attendants away, leaving the old
butler and Klein to follow him by his side.
He strolled on the desolate plains, chuckled, and said, "Yes, golf. This
is a truly aristocratic sport that even the owners of most magazines and
newspapers have a hard time getting involved in.
"Although I don't like Roselle, I have to admit that the fantasy-like
ideas he had have given us a world with plenty of fun. If you can figure
out the truth to Talim's death, this place will always be open to you."
It was indeed Roselle... Klein let out a light breath.
Seeing that he didn't respond, Prince Edessak continued to lament.
"There is much to learn from Roselle in every way, but his attitude
towards feelings makes me sick. Of course, this is the common nature and
style of most of the Intis aristocrats, and it's also the source of
their infatuation with luxury and debauchery in their lives."
Looking ahead at the slow stream, Edessak said in a mature tone that was
beyond his years, "Ninety-nine percent of people are not geniuses like
Roselle. In order to succeed and establish a great enterprise, one must
first understand what they really want, and for that, they must be
willing to pay the price and never turn back while persisting all the
way."
As he said this, his tone became slow as he laughed at himself and said,
"Before this year, I had always thought that I liked the daughter of
Earl Hall very much. She has perfect looks, an elegant demeanor, a rich
fortune, a distinguished family, and a very powerful father. She's
someone that no prince can find fault with, but now I understand that
what I'm really attracted to is something that I yearn to have even in
my dreams; it's a unique temperament and profound soul born from
experience. Heh, I'm not saying that Miss Hall is lacking in
temperament, but that wasn't what I want, admire, or like."
*Your Highness, your tone, attitude, and expression are now almost
identical to Talim just before he died... Don't suddenly die in front of
me. Even if I were to jump into the Tussock[This is a Chinese proverb, which involves jumping into the Yellow River.] River, there's no
way for me to prove my innocence... Moreover, hearing much of this makes
it easier for me to be silenced. Do you want to tie me to your
chariot...* Klein felt a little afraid for some baffling reason.
He cleared his throat and took the initiative to change the subject.
"Your Highness, with your status and identity, you will certainly not
lack subordinates. There are many people who are willing to investigate
Talim's death for you, so why do you need me?"
Edessak shook his head and chuckled.
"As a prince, I have as much power as the little freedom I have. There
are many things I can't let the people around me do, as there are too
many eyes on me.
"You're a great detective with brains, and you have a good relationship
with Talim. You were there at the time, so I don't think there's anyone
better suited than you.
"Don't worry, if there really is a problem, then I can definitely
guarantee your safety."
Such a promise is like toilet paper in the bathroom... Klein
couldn't help but silently lampoon.
With Prince Edessak already saying this much, he felt that there was
little chance of him leaving Red Rose Manor if he refused again. He
could only sigh and say, "Actually, I'm as angry as you are about
Talim's death, but reality has kept me calm."
Edessak smiled.
"What can I do for you?"
"Talim's hair, either his flesh and blood, plus something he carried
around with him." Klein made the request.
"Okay, then I'll have these delivered to your house." Edessak agreed at
once, and then asked curiously, "That's all?"
Klein didn't stand on ceremony.
"I will only know what kind of help I need when I have a preliminary
lead. Your Highness, it's best that you give me a way to communicate
with you. A private detective who frequently visits this manor would
definitely arouse suspicion."
Edessak nodded and said as if he was prepared, "I'll have someone
secretly rent the house next door to you, 13 Minsk Street. When you need
to make contact, write a letter to your neighbor about visiting and put
it in the mailbox. As for the reward, you should know that I'm not a
stingy person, even if it ends in failure. As long as you contribute and
take the risk, you will still receive the corresponding income. If you
do find out the truth, I'll give you a reward sufficient for your
retirement."
*This prince does things really swiftly and decisively... Retirement,
that would be at least 3,000 pounds...* Klein secretly sighed.
"Alright, may the spirit of Talim be at peace in the kingdom of storm
and lightning." He bowed.
Edessak nodded slightly and instructed his elderly butler, "Take
Detective Moriarty out and back to Minsk Street."
*Why don't you keep me for lunch? Aren't you treating your guest in a
little too arrogant a manner? Of course, it probably has to do with it
being a long time before noon...* Klein silently teased him.
He followed the old butler all the way out to the entrance of the manor
and retrieved the gun holster, revolver, and the bullets.
At 15 Minsk Street, Klein stood at the oriel window and watched the
carriage with the royal coat of arms drive away.
*Sherlock Moriarty might die at any moment if the investigations really
goes deeper... Who knows, someone might be watching me right now... Hmm,
not for now, since I haven't made any moves yet...* Klein
frowned and stood still.
At this moment, he was extremely eager to advance to Faceless.
*I can't afford to wait for the Machinery Hivemind's exploration of the
Amon family's tomb. I have to continue trying to buy the Human-skinned
Shadow characteristic via other channels. After all, no one knows how
long the Machinery Hivemind's preparations will take. What if it exceeds
a month or even half a year? That's not impossible. They can first send
people to guard the entrance and slowly gather the corresponding
information so as to be certain that nothing goes wrong. It's not a bad
strategy, but that's not something that I can afford to wait
for...* As thoughts raced through Klein's mind, he made his
decision.
At 2:45 p.m., he brought his newspaper into the bathroom and actively
prepared for this week's Tarot Gathering.
Three o'clock sharp.
A deep red illusory radiance rose as Audrey Hall looked around in a good
mood.
Last night, she had finally received the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist potion
formula she had been dreaming of. Her emotions were still a mix of
excitement, agitation, and serenity. Furthermore, the Psychology
Alchemists hadn't immediately asked her to make any contributions,
claiming that it was an advance.
They had full confidence in Miss Audrey's outstanding ability to "repay"
them.
No new members... Audrey stood up and gazed at the very end of
the long bronze table. She raised the corners of her skirt and bowed.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool\~ Good afternoon..."
Her light and cheerful voice broke the unchanging silence above the fog,
and it allowed Klein, who had been feeling a little depressed, to
temporarily be rid of the troubles that the outside world had on him.
He nodded slightly and responded to the members' greetings.
When she sat down again, Audrey brought the other members into view and
created a dynamic scene with the previous observations.
*When bowing, Mr. Hanged Man silently sized up Mr. Fool with
inconspicuous curiosity. Then, he looked towards Mr. World in
anticipation... In other words, with him having a deep relationship with
the Church of Storms, he knows about the details of Duke Negan's
assassination and is aware of the appearance of Hero Bandit Black
Emperor. He has the desire to investigate the hidden truth behind this
matter... There appears to be an outcome regarding the Werewolf Beyonder
characteristic which Mr. World had entrusted him to sell, and he has
also probably found the Human-skinned Shadow characteristics or the
Deep-sea Naga's hair...*
*The Sun's emotions are very stable and relaxed. This means that he
believes that the City of Silver's surveillance on him has been
lifted... What did he rely on to make this judgment? Has he been
reallocated to the so-called exploratory teams?*
*Fors is a little depressed despite feeling relaxed... She passed the
Abraham family member's test and has become his student, but she was
forced to accept something that was disadvantageous to her?*
*Mr. World is as cold and deep as ever... Perhaps when I reach Sequence
7 or 6, I'll be able to grasp his emotional changes and
thoughts...*
*Well, The Fool is still as mysterious, powerful, and
unfathomable.*
A series of thoughts flashed through Audrey's mind. She looked at the
figure shrouded in the gray fog and said, "Honorable Mr. Fool, I have
obtained three new pages of Roselle's diary."
It was a copy she had requested from the Psychology Alchemists. However,
as she had only mentioned it last night, Escalante only had the time to
give her three pages in such short notice.
"What kind of reward do you want?" Klein asked with a smile.
Audrey replied sincerely, "Can you just treat it as the reward for
answering my previous question?"
As she said this, she had an inexplicable feeling of flaunting herself.
*Mr. Hanged Man and the rest of you still don't know the existence of
the Twilight Hermit Order!*
*Phew, how envious. I wonder what problem did Miss Justice seek guidance
for in private... I'll write to Teacher when I get back, and I'll ask
him if he has Roselle's diary, no---to the outside world,
notebook.* Fors immediately had the desire and motivation.
Under The Hanged Man's suspicious gaze, Klein nodded without any care.
"Sure."
Audrey quickly produced three pages of tawny diary entries and passed
them on to Mr. Fool.
Klein took them and read them. On the first page, it wrote: "13th
January, contact with Mr. Door stabilized."