Chapter 754: Invitation

Klein had already walked through Bishop Elektra's last question before,

so he said with a sigh, "It was my father. He was a truly wise elder.

Unfortunately, he passed away many years ago during an accident."

When he said that, he infused the original Klein's emotions of losing

his parents, him being in an alternate world with no home to return to,

as well as the scars that resulted from his time in Tingen City. He

sounded calm and wore a slight smile, but there was a sorrow that lasted

forever that remained hidden deep inside.

"I'm sorry for your loss. He must've entered the holy residence of the

Goddess, sleeping peacefully under 'Her' watch," Bishop Elektra answered

sincerely as he formed the sign of the crimson moon on his chest.

Without waiting for Dwayne Dantès to respond, he looked at him and

invited him:

"There will be a Moon Mass the day after tomorrow for the deceased. It

will help him sleep in the Goddess's nation and receive eternal peace. I

wonder if you're interested in participating?"

The Church of the Evernight Goddess didn't have many festivals, and the

most important one was Winter Gifts Day. The second most important was

the Mass held during the full moon, also known as the Moon Mass. The

rest were just normal Masses and prayers on weekends. However, different

dioceses and different cathedrals had their own patron saints and angels

which would have a corresponding special festival for them.

"I would love to." Klein stood up and bowed, saying it from the bottom

of his heart.

This gave him the perfect excuse to interact with the bishops and

priests of Saint Samuel Cathedral, or even the diocese bishop. He had a

firm foundation for entering particular regions in the cathedral.

Meanwhile, he came to realize why the Evernight pathway was

interchangeable with the Death pathway.

Both wielded the authorities of serenity, eternal sleep, and darkness.

It represented the end and a destination!

Following that, Maury Macht didn't continue the topic regarding Dwayne

Dantès's identity and background. It appeared as though he had only been

asking in passing. He and his wife, Riana, began idly talking about

their vacation experience in Desi Bay last year. Having filled the gaps

on this by staying there for two days, Klein replied with a native tone

as he shared his thoughts on the Desi specialty, roasted fish.

During this process, he also pretended to unintentionally mention his

hunting activities while he was doing business in West Balam, and how he

was extremely familiar with the primitive forest over there.

This was to build up the necessary foundations for the second layer to

Dwayne Dantès's identity. Furthermore, West Balam was different from

East Balam. The colonial factions from Loen and Intis were on par,

allowing for frequent conflicts. Even the actively controlled regions

would experience changes from time to time. To investigate the activity

trajectories of a merchant or adventurer wasn't easy at all. This was

even more so the case when Dwayne Dantès was likely using a fake name.

As for his hunting experience in West Balam's primitive forest, Klein

didn't randomly fabricate stories, nor did he plagiarize articles from

the magazines or newspapers. He used what the Fog Sea's Strongest

Hunter, Anderson, had previously mentioned regarding his glorious deeds

as a blueprint. He drew on the details and abandoned the main storyline.

What he fabricated was partially true and fake as well.

Upon hearing the thick anacondas, man-eating fishes, and flowers which

could capture their own prey in the forests, Riana would let out gasps

from time to time, looking afraid but also eager to know more. As for

the member of parliament and bishop, they were equally interested. They

often had to force themselves to interrupt Dwayne Dantès's description

to ask about the details.

"You really are an excellent hunter! Back when I was serving in East

Balam, I never had the chance to enter the forest. I never expected it

to be this dangerous." After this extremely dignified middle-aged

gentleman finished his tales, Maury Macht picked up a tiny piece of

velvet cake and praised sincerely. "I wish to invite you to go hunting

if there's a chance in the future."

As they conversed, a maid had delivered the afternoon tea pastries. A

male servant served them from the side.

Upon hearing Member of Parliament Macht's semi-serious invitation, Klein

replied with a smile, "I'm already looking forward to it."

After chatting a little more and discussing Backlund's pollution

control, the three guests suggested they take their leave. As they had

only acquainted themselves and weren't considered familiar with each

other, Klein didn't retain them. He sent them to the door with his

valet, Richardson.

As he watched the bishop, member of parliament and his wife leave,

Klein's smile slowly disappeared until there was nothing left.

He was rather pleased with the progress he had made. Bishop Elektra was

directly related to the Church of the Evernight Goddess, which was the

main goal for him to return to Backlund. Maury Macht was a discharged

soldier and a member of parliament at present. Without a doubt, he

belonged to certain military officer clubs, and he would be beneficial

to his continued investigation of the Great Smog of Backlund.

Next up, I should slowly deepen our relationships... Klein

returned to the small living room and saw that the maid had taken away

the remaining pastries and tea.

He originally planned on having a little more...

Regardless of the other types of food, the pastries and desserts in

Loen, especially Backlund, were outstanding. As for the cook which

Dwayne Dantès had hired, he was skilled in that. Even Ma'am Riana was

filled with praise about it. Klein also agreed from the bottom of his

heart.

Retracting his gaze, Klein didn't say a word as he steadily walked to

the staircase that led to the third floor.

Before dinner, Butler Walter finally returned to the house and briefed

him on the situation regarding the 10% of Backlund Bike Company's

shares.

"Sir, we are lucky enough. Someone had hired a professional lawyer and

accountant to investigate the situation of the Backlund Bike Company,

and they had offered a price to the seller before the advertisements

were published. But in subsequent negotiations, the price exceeded the

buyer's expectations. He had no choice but to give up.

"This way, we don't have to wait for the investigation report. We can

directly hire that original team."

Klein nodded and asked without hiding anything, "What's the current

bid?"

"The buyer that gave up had offered 6,000 pounds with a bottom-line

price of 7,000 pounds. The seller didn't divulge the situation about the

other buyer; however, from the feedback from various channels, it's at

least 8,000 pounds."

*8,000 pounds. Not too bad... Should I raise it a little more? If I were

to raise the price a little and the other party just gives up, wouldn't

it be awkward?* Klein nodded slightly and said, "Give me the

corresponding report. I'll consider it."

After flipping through the report and having dinner to accentuate his

extravagant but brilliant image as someone who did solid work, Klein

turned his head to Richardson and said, "Prepare the two-wheel carriage.

I'll be making a trip outside."

He originally imagined that Richardson would ask him in surprise. A

two-wheeled carriage didn't seem befitting enough, but to his surprise,

his valet answered politely after flashing a curious look, "Alright,

sir."

*Submissive and never asking why. That's also considered an

advantage...* Klein sighed inwardly as he waited for Richardson

to return to help him wear his coat.

After getting on the two-wheeled carriage, he directly instructed,

"Let's circle around the Backlund Bridge area and East Borough."

Richardson still didn't ask about his master's motives and just got the

coachman to steer the horses carefully.

As the carriage passed through Cherwood Borough, it arrived in the

Backlund Bridge area under the illumination of the street lamps.

Klein didn't give a destination, and he only got the coachman to meander

through the nearby streets.

He leaned against the carriage wall, looking out at the streets. He saw

pedestrians in old clothes, walking along with tired faces as though

they were in a rush to return home for dinner after a hard day's work.

Occasionally, there would be the ringing of a bike passing by. They were

fast as they shot into the distance. In comparison, the rider's

expression appeared more lively than the pedestrians. They seemed to

beam with an indescribable sense of pride.

*It's an obvious difference in class. Although it's the difference

between a technical worker and an ordinary worker, with the difference

in weekly salaries of one to two pounds to those with one pound a

week...* Klein slowly exhaled as he subconsciously looked up at

the sky.

At that moment, darkness had already completely covered Backlund's

skies, but the smog wasn't too serious. One could see through them and

see the twinkling stars.

*After the Great Smog, the management of the environment is improving by

the day... However, the situation with the lower-class workers in the

East Borough hasn't significantly improved. Although their salaries

might be higher, and their working hours have improved, due to the large

number of people surging in, prices have risen across the board,

reducing the effects of the salary hike. The improvement in working

hours have just gone from 15--16 hours to 11--12 hours...*

*They're just fixing the problems with the greatest problems. As for the

other problems that didn't rear their ugly heads, they're neglected...

Yes, the kingdom is still undergoing reforms. Many things haven't been

straightened out...* Klein watched as his thoughts drifted until

the carriage left Cherwood Borough.

On the Future, Admiral of Stars Cattleya stood behind the windows in the

captain's cabin, watching Frank Lee pushing wooden barrels into the

shadows. He was putting unknown things into it before closing the lid.

*He's recently been researching the growth of plants in dark

environments... Why did he suddenly become normal?* Cattleya

frowned with suspicion, often worrying that Frank Lee would create some

huge "invention."

I'll get Nina to ask later... Just as she had this thought,

her spiritual perception was triggered. She turned her head to see a

letter on her desk.

As a faint smile curled on her lips without her realizing it, Cattleya

walked over, tore open the envelope, and unfolded the letter. She

quickly read through it.

"There are two Obninsks that do not belong to the Church of Storms

swimming north from Sonia Island towards the Abyss Maelstrom...

"Find the direct descendant of Abraham family...

"You did well."

Abyss Maelstrom was the name of a dangerous area at sea, and not the

Abyss.

Abraham family... Cattleya thought for a moment, and without any clues,

she planned on asking at the next Tarot Gathering.

The next morning, after divining again if he should raise the price

again, Klein said to Butler Walter, "Hire that team and continue the

negotiation. My bottom line is 9,000 pounds."

"Alright, sir." Walter then immediately said with an apologetic look,

"Something happened at home, and I wish to have half a day off."

"No problem. Do you need any help?" Klein asked gently.

"Thank you for asking. I can handle it, and it's not too urgent. I will

first handle the matters regarding the share negotiation first," Walter

said sincerely.

Klein didn't ask further as he nodded and permitted him to take time

off.

After his butler left the room, Klein turned to look at Richardson and

asked, "Did Walter meet anyone earlier this morning?"

"Mr. Butler received a letter," Richardson replied without hiding

anything.