Chapter 66: Revisiting an Old Place

Chapter 66: Revisiting an Old Place

Outside Coim Company in the Cherwood Borough.

Klein stepped down from the carriage and glanced left and right, as if he had never come here before and felt a strong sense of novelty.

In truth, however, he was not at all unfamiliar with the area. He knew that across the road was the Gardley Department Store, rather popular among the middle class, and that not far away was a famous Sinn’s Desi Pie shop.

He had once staked out Doragu Gale here, following him to search for clues to his affair!

Withdrawing his gaze, Klein brought his personal valet Richardson toward Coim Company’s entrance. Madam Mary and her personal maid were already waiting there.

In the relatively conservative Loen Kingdom, a lady’s personal servant had to be of the same sex. Otherwise, her reputation would suffer, affecting both social life and marriage. Therefore, even though Madam Mary’s personal servant was, to some extent, also equivalent to her secretary—requiring social etiquette, business knowledge, and a certain negotiating ability—she could only be sought among well-educated women or women with corresponding work experience, and men could not be considered.

Likewise, gentlemen’s personal servants and business secretaries had to be of the same sex.

Of course, even with that being the case, people unable to control themselves still engaged in immoral conduct. In Backlund, incidents occurred every year of servants and employers becoming involved. Among those harmed, maids were the majority. They were either deceived, coerced, or seduced into becoming the lovers of their male employers, only to be ruthlessly dismissed once discovered, losing their jobs. Then, because their reputations were damaged, they could no longer work as servants. A large portion had no choice but to become streetwalkers.

“Good afternoon, Dawn.” Madam Mary smiled and came forward.

Klein bowed.

“Good afternoon, madam. This place is truly quite bustling.”

Such words were roughly equivalent to discussing the weather.

Mary responded with a few polite remarks. While leading Dawn Dantes into Coim Company, she smiled and said, “Later, a professional will explain things to you and show you around.

“In about half an hour, we will go upstairs. I have prepared a cold buffet and invited some friends from different fields.”

Friends from different fields… She is expanding my social circle for me. Quite sincere…

Klein nodded gently.

“As an outsider who has not been in Backlund long, I am always looking forward to meeting more friends.”

“No, you do not seem like an outsider at all. In my eyes, you are a true Backlund gentleman who has received an excellent education,” Madam Mary politely replied.

As they spoke, they passed through the main doors and entered a reception area with excellent lighting. A sturdy man in formal attire, with two handsome little mustaches, was waiting there.

“This is Luke Sammer, Coim’s First Manager,” Mary introduced to Dawn Dantes.

In truth, I know him…

Klein looked at Luke and nodded with a smile.

In his heart, Luke Sammer was a fairly composed and highly professional gentleman. He loved machinery. At dinners, he had the bearing of a host, neither looking down on a poor detective who had not yet made his name, nor deliberately flattering the mid-level Backlund municipal employees living on Minsk Street.

“This is my friend, Dawn Dantes. He is very interested in smokeless coal and high-quality charcoal. Please give him a detailed explanation.” Mary turned and spoke to Luke.

Luke, who had long since received instructions, took a step forward. Looking at the wealthy man from Desi Bay, he revealed a gentle smile and respectfully said, “Mr. Dantes, this is Coim Company’s headquarters… We have signed long-term agreements with several smokeless coal mining regions… The smokeless coal and high-quality charcoal we supply to the Cherwood Borough, Hillston Borough, North Borough, and West Borough account for thirty percent of their total demand. We also have hopes of securing a major order from the navy…”

I have never seen Luke with such an expression before…

Outwardly calm, Klein followed the other man through Coim Company, listening as he introduced various aspects of the business. From time to time, Klein casually asked a question, but made no statement.

Half an hour later, they went up to the second floor and entered the large conference room.

It had been arranged in advance. Tables were placed along the walls, and dishes of food were set out in uneven rows. Most were cold foods such as ham, smoked meat, sausage, bread, salads, cakes, and puddings, though there were also a few hot dishes.

As soon as they entered, Mary began introducing to Dawn Dantes the two gentlemen standing nearby in conversation.

“This is Mike Joseph, a reporter from the Daily Observer. This is Alan Kress, an excellent surgeon. In Backlund, there will always be times when you need them.”

As Klein listened to Mary’s words, he smiled at the two gentlemen. The corner of his mouth nearly twitched.

These are all friends I know very well! Mm, I’m even more familiar with the fetus in Alan’s wife’s womb. Uh, that sounds a little strange…

While grumbling inwardly, Klein patiently waited for Mary to introduce Dawn Dantes to the two men opposite him. Then he greeted Mike and Alan with polite courtesy.

Compared with last year, Mike Joseph had not changed much. His eyebrows were sparse, his skin rough, and his azure eyes remained charming. As for Alan Kress, although he was cold and reserved by nature, he no longer showed it so obviously. Over the past half year, everything seemed to have gone very smoothly for him. Both his mood and his confidence were at their peak.

Hearing that Dantes was a wealthy man from Desi, Mike took out his business card and handed it over with a smile.

“Do you mind if I promote myself?

“If you want to place an advertisement, you can come to me. Whether it is in the Daily Observer or the Tasok Times, I can obtain discounted prices.”

As he spoke, Mike winked, indicating that he was joking.

You reporter who always carries multiple sets of fake documents… Why did you never tell Sherlock Moriarty that you could get discounted advertising space? Looking down on a great detective, are you?

Klein grumbled a few times inwardly and exchanged business cards with him.

“I have always had a need in that regard.”

Next, he turned toward Alan and handed the other business card in his hand to him.

“I was ill some time ago and have only recently recovered, so I understand particularly well how important doctors are.”

“I am a surgeon. I imagine you would rather not see me.” Although Alan said this, he still accepted the business card.

No, I very much hope to see you. I even want to attend your child’s birth celebration…

Klein muttered inwardly, deliberately guiding the conversation toward the field of medicine. He chatted quite pleasantly with Alan and Mike.

Previously, he had constantly been worried about how to approach Alan and reestablish contact with a certain fetus. After all, the paper crane could tear at any moment and might not even survive a single use. Meanwhile, Sherlock Moriarty could hardly appear openly in Backlund and pay a visit, much less attend a birth celebration.

Now there is no problem. With Madam Mary’s introduction, I can naturally become acquainted with Alan. When the time comes, I will certainly be invited. Heh-heh. Perhaps I can even become the godfather of a Mercury Snake. After all, we are both believers of the Goddess… Would this make a certain fetus fly into embarrassed rage? I must be cautious. If Alan does not bring it up, I absolutely must not suggest it myself…

Klein thought with good cheer.

He professionally restrained himself and did not appear too enthusiastic on their first meeting. After chatting briefly, he followed Mary to meet the other guests.

Throughout this process, Klein did not forget to take food and drinks, appearing well adapted to such an environment.

After walking one full circuit, Mary stopped and said after some consideration, “Everyone here is my friend.”

Meaning she did not invite anyone from the other side. At the same time, it also implies that I am your friend?

Klein nodded lightly.

“As a gentleman, perhaps I should not ask, but as a businessman, I must know who—or which people—are competing with you for control of Coim Company.”

Mary was silent for two seconds.

“Baron Syndras and his friends. They wish to push Coim Company toward the stock exchange and earn an astronomical profit from it. They do not care how the company develops in the future.”

Baron Syndras, one of the richest men in Loen. A banker, factory owner, and major businessman who became a noble by donating to the Conservative Party… His position is somewhat ambiguous. Although he received his title through the Conservatives, he sympathizes with merchants and is close to the New Party…

Klein thought for a moment, then smiled and asked in return, “Why do you not ask that Mr. Hall for help? His father is a great noble and major banker. He should be able to provide the most effective assistance.”

Madam Mary smiled bitterly.

“Mr. Hall does not wish to get involved in this matter. He said that he is the chief secretary of the Kingdom’s Air Pollution Investigation Committee and cannot become entangled in commercial activity related to smokeless coal and charcoal.”

A gentleman truly committed to politics… However, he probably also does not want to offend Baron Syndras…

Heh. If I had chosen the other butler earlier, I would now be building a relationship with Baron Syndras… He is so rich that if he really decides to pay a premium, I cannot outspend him… Heh. Will a plot appear where he crushes me to death with money?

Klein asked no further. Instead, he said, “I will wait for the investigation report.”

Seeing that Dawn Dantes did not directly retreat, Mary said with some gratitude, “In this age, gentlemen with a chivalrous spirit are already rare, and you are one of them.”

Klein smiled and made no promise. After eating until the cold buffet ended, he boarded his luxurious four-wheeled carriage and returned toward the North Borough.

After staring blankly at the street scenery outside the window for a while, Klein suddenly turned his head toward his personal valet Richardson.

“Go to Saint Samuel Cathedral.”

Regarding the previous incident in the cathedral, when an abnormality appeared and was immediately calmed, he had still not found a definite answer. This forced him to consider whether he should find an opportunity to contact one of the internal caretakers.

He remembered that every afternoon, at least one internal caretaker would go to the grand prayer hall to pray to the Goddess.

How should I make contact? In that kind of environment, even chatting seems noisy… And being too deliberate will easily arouse suspicion…

Klein frowned slightly and decided to observe first before thinking of a method.

The carriage did not change direction and continued heading toward Böklund Street. However, it did not stop there, but passed straight through.

Inside the carriage, Klein closed his eyes briefly, calming his suddenly somewhat tense mood.