Chapter 28: What a Small Circle

Chapter 28: What a Small Circle

I thought she would say with disdain that she dislikes immature people without real ability, indirectly implying that she looks down on ordinary men. Who knew she wouldn’t even deign to answer the question…

Heh. Such a powerful sense of superiority could also very easily lead to losing control during later advancement…

Klein could not help grumbling inwardly.

In his understanding, Beyonders were merely human beings who possessed additional abilities. In essence, they were no different from people with great wealth or high status. They still retained human attributes and could not detach themselves from society. Only upon reaching Sequence 4 would a qualitative transformation take place.

Moreover, most demigods still remained active in human society. Even Will Auceptin, a Sequence 1 Snake of Fate, was properly spending his days as an unborn fetus… Perhaps only beings at the level of the Blasphemer Amon could truly gaze upon the real world from the perspective of a “god”…

Klein’s thoughts turned, and he took the initiative to speak.

“My apologies. I was once a merchant who often traveled between the Northern and Southern Continents, and I do not have much experience with balls. Heh, I mean balls of this kind.”

“It is all right,” Hazel replied calmly, as if she did not care at all whether he had brought up the previous topic.

Had it been someone else, they likely would no longer have known how to chat with this haughty young lady and could only focus on dancing. But Klein could now be considered broad in knowledge and rich in experience. He possessed sufficient understanding of the mysterious world and different kinds of Beyonders. Taking advantage of the apology, he smiled and said, “For me, this is no simpler a challenge than the sea. It likewise has beautiful scenery, while hiding countless difficulties.

“Of course, the sea also carries all kinds of stories about treasure. Some are obviously false, while others sound real yet are impossible to verify—such as the top-ranked ‘Key of Death.’”

“Key of Death?” Hazel raised her head and looked at Mr. Dawn Dantes, who was considerably taller than her.

As expected, Beyonders with a strong sense of superiority always grow interested in matters touching on the mysterious…

Klein laughed inwardly and gave a light nod.

“Yes. It is said that somewhere secret in the Berserk Sea…”

He selectively recounted the treasure legends he had once heard aboard the White Agate, adding further details he had heard during his later adventuring life.

In the process, he inevitably mentioned the Four Kings and the Seven Pirate Admirals.

Hazel was clearly interested in this. Rarely, she began responding to Klein and even occasionally asked questions. This made the dance between the two of them no longer awkward, and before they noticed it, the song had reached its end.

Klein skillfully brought the topic to a close and asked, “Would you like to return to where you were, or would you prefer to take some food over there?”

After finishing a dance, a gentleman had to follow the lady’s wishes and escort her wherever she wished to go. It did not necessarily have to be her original position.

Hazel parted her lips as if wanting to ask more, but in the end, she did not say those words. With reserved dignity, she nodded.

“Where I was just now.”

Heh. She’s clearly reluctant to let go of those sea stories… She’s just an oversized problem child. Once her temperament and interests are understood, she’s not that difficult to get along with…

Holding back a smile, Klein escorted Hazel back to the edge of the dance floor, to the spot where she had originally stood.

As for himself, he naturally walked with seemingly casual ease toward the long tables filled with various foods. Picking up a plate, he took a serving of pan-fried dragonbone fish and paired it with sliced veal in black pepper sauce.

Compared with dancing and socializing, food is the true essence of gatherings…

As Klein thought this, he worked hard to make his manner of eating appear graceful.

At that moment, he saw Madam Mary approach and place a piece of red-wine foie gras onto her plate.

Seeing the other party glance at him, Klein politely smiled and nodded in response.

“How may I address you? I do not recall seeing you at the banquets or balls Councilman Macht has hosted before.” Perhaps because Dawn Dantes had graying temples, deep blue eyes, and considerable charm, Madam Mary, whose cheekbones were somewhat high and appearance ordinary, took the initiative to ask.

Klein smiled.

“I am Dawn Dantes, a merchant newly arrived from Desi Bay. I live in this neighborhood.

“Madam, may I have the honor of knowing your name?”

Mary nodded thoughtfully, roughly understanding that this was a merchant striving to enter upper society—rather like her own former self.

She said with a smile, “Mary Schott, director of Coim Company.”

She did not mention that she was the largest shareholder of Coim Company, nor did she say that she was currently a member of the Air Pollution Investigation Committee. This was Loen-style subtlety.

Mary Schott. She has returned to her maiden surname? Right, she’s divorced now…

Klein murmured inwardly and smiled.

“I know that company. Its main business is smokeless coal and high-quality charcoal, and it has expanded very rapidly over the past few months. Heh, to be honest, I had intentions of investing, but it seems I was unable to compete with others.”

After the laws related to air pollution had been issued, demand for smokeless coal and high-quality charcoal had sharply increased. Coim Company had achieved growth beyond many years of past effort, and its total value was said to have already exceeded 250,000 gold pounds.

Klein’s interest in investing was not something he had fabricated casually. He truly felt this industry would grow increasingly important in the coming years, until humanity discovered alternative sources of energy.

Mary had always been proud of her role in promoting the Air Pollution Investigation Report and helping Coim Company achieve substantial growth. Hearing his words, she could barely hide her smile.

“That is because people are paying more and more attention to the environment they live in.”

At this point, she sighed lightly.

“As things become better, there are also more and more troubles.”

Since they had “only just” met, Klein did not ask what those troubles were. Relying on the fact that he had known Madam Mary before, he easily found topics that interested her, and the two chatted in a very pleasant manner.

Heh. Her attitude toward Sherlock Moriarty and toward Dawn Dantes is very different… Someone I was originally familiar with now sees me standing before her with a different face and identity, and treats me in an entirely new way without finding the slightest problem. This feeling is truly strange…

As they chatted, Klein felt a wave of emotion. He sensed that the Faceless potion he had consumed in excess was rapidly digesting.

A few minutes later, a handsome man with brilliant blond hair came over carrying a glass of red wine. He smiled at Madam Mary.

“Mary, what are you talking about?”

“Hibbert, this is Mr. Dawn Dantes from Desi. His experiences at sea and in West Balam are truly quite interesting,” Mary introduced them at once. “Dawn, this is Mr. Hibbert Hall, the eldest son of the Earl of East Chester. Heh, we should address him as Lord, but he would rather we call him Chief Secretary—the chief secretary of the Air Pollution Investigation Committee.”

I’ve heard you speak of him before, of course as Sherlock Moriarty… Earl of East Chester. That is a great noble, one who truly stands at the top of society…

With respect that did not appear humble, Klein bowed.

“Allow me, as an ordinary person, to express my gratitude. The work of the Air Pollution Investigation Committee has given us a better living environment.”

This sincere thanks made Hibbert Hall rather pleased. He responded with a smile, “It is the result of everyone’s effort.”

Mary laughed from the side.

“Dawn, do not mention that matter any further. It will make Hibbert proud. No, I was just joking. He is more modest than every noble’s child I know. At this time, he should clearly be vacationing on his family’s estate in East Chester County and hunting with a group of friends. But after I sent a telegram telling him that Councilman Macht had invited us to this week’s ball, he immediately returned.”

“It was not merely for the ball. There are also many matters I need to handle. My father, Earl Hall, will likewise travel frequently between Backlund and the family estate before June,” Hibbert explained seriously.

A gentleman who cares very much about his social image…

Klein made an initial judgment inwardly.

Hearing this, Mary casually asked, “What else do you have to handle? When are you leaving Backlund?”

“Everything else has already been settled. Only one matter remains. Heh. My younger sister Audrey is very interested in ten percent of the shares of the Backlund Bicycle Company and has hired a professional team to negotiate for her. I am responsible for coordinating the matter,” Hibbert said without much concern.

Ten percent of the shares of the Backlund Bicycle Company? What a coincidence… I have to say, the circle of upper society really isn’t large…

Klein sighed inwardly, then deliberately mentioned, “I also hired a team to acquire that ten percent stake and offered 9,000 pounds. Unfortunately, I could not compete with others and had no choice but to give up.”

Hibbert looked at him with slight surprise.

“You have excellent judgment.”

He did not mention what price his side had offered, lest the other party enter the competition again.

9,000 pounds… Mary muttered soundlessly and felt that she had underestimated Dawn Dantes’s wealth.

At that moment, the melody for the third dance sounded. Hibbert Hall turned toward Mary and said, “May I have the honor of this dance?”

“I have been waiting for your invitation.” Mary immediately extended her hand.

This prevented Klein from exchanging calling cards with them on the spot. However, he was not in a hurry. The ball would continue for quite some time.

After taking another plate of food, he enjoyed it while looking toward the dance floor, admiring the dancing of the ladies and young misses.

In the process, he saw Councilman Macht and Madam Liana moving among different guests, chatting happily with everyone and even dancing several times.

“According to Walter, once the guest list is decided, the hosts must carefully summarize each guest’s preferences and experiences, then design different conversations or jokes accordingly, so every person feels they have been treated individually… Interpersonal interaction in upper society is truly troublesome… Heh. Perhaps this is why Loen gentlemen generally have high hairlines…”

Klein sighed inwardly while grumbling to himself.

He withdrew his gaze, looked at the empty plate, and seriously considered whether to invite a certain young lady or madam to dance next—or to eat a little more.

At that moment, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Hazel Macht. This young lady was walking at a slightly hurried pace toward the third floor.