Chapter 196: December

Chapter 196: December

What? He wants me to investigate myself again? Klein nearly suspected the other party was deliberately probing him.

An organization using tarot cards as its symbol is indeed very interesting. I agree. But I don’t want to sell myself out… Also, the matter of Capim clearly wasn’t simple. He had four Beyonders protecting him. There must be a significant force behind him. What difference is there between investigating this case and getting involved in the conflicts of high society? Uh, this isn’t something Sherlock Moriarty should know… Klein revealed a thoughtful expression, then considered his words and said,

“Finding a mysterious organization is not easy. It is also extremely dangerous.”

Talim seemed to have anticipated his answer. With a chuckle, he said, “Sherlock, there is no need for you to take risks. That great person only means for you to pay more attention and gather related information or rumors. Here is five pounds in cash. It is activity money from him. Even if you obtain no valuable information, you will not need to return it. And if you do obtain useful leads, he will pay for each one, while also reimbursing any expenses you incur during the process.”

Such excellent terms? That great person values this matter greatly… Is he connected to the force behind Capim, or does he hope to find the mysterious organization that uses tarot cards as codenames and have them work for him? Reimburse… It has been so long since someone promised me something like that… Now that he has spoken to this point, it would be too suspicious if a private detective still refused… Besides, investigating myself is clearly something I ought to keep in my own hands… After hesitating for a few seconds, Klein said, “Very well. I’ll do my best.”

He did not stand on ceremony. He accepted the five one-pound notes Talim handed him, planning to provide one ambiguous lead every week or two.

Isn’t the Aurora Order looking for the Fool? And the Fool is obviously a tarot card! I hope that great person can follow the trail and get rid of Mr. A… Klein gradually formed a few ideas in his mind.

…

Underground at Saint Samuel Cathedral.

Soest the Spirit Warlock gathered his team members and began discussing what they would do next.

He glanced at Leonard Mitchell, with his black hair and green eyes, and spoke in a tone that was half inquiry, half examination.

“If you were responsible, how would you investigate those two cases related to tarot rituals?”

Leonard lifted a hand and smoothed his hair, then smiled.

“First, following the idea from earlier, I would work backward and investigate the people or organizations searching for believers of the Fool. They may know something. Second, I would reinvestigate the first two cases, placing everyone involved onto a list, whether or not they are suspicious! After that, I would rely on the power of a Nightmare to question and eliminate them one by one. The devil may be hidden in the details, hidden within someone who appears impossible.”

Soest laughed softly.

“I’ve read the files. Those two cases involve a great many people, each living in different places. It would be quite difficult to investigate them all again. Moreover, some of them are Beyonders active in the underground world and are very good at concealing themselves. We have no way to grasp their movements. If we were to investigate according to your idea, we would need more than just our team. The Church would have to commit at least five more Sequence 7 Nighthawks and corresponding support personnel.”

“Our main focus is the demon-summoning case,” another Red Glove reminded Leonard.

Leonard did not appear annoyed. He laughed quietly.

“I know. I am only offering suggestions. As for whether they are adopted, and to what extent, that is up to Captain Soest.”

He paused, then looked puzzled.

“What I don’t understand is why those two tarot ritual cases are not higher priority. The former even involved an evil god’s attempted descent. That is far more severe than a simple demon summoning.”

Soest picked up his coffee and took a sip before answering unhurriedly.

“The Nighthawks have limited manpower, so cases must be given a certain priority. Up to now, the secret organization represented by tarot cards has not shown any clear malice toward us. In a certain sense, their actions have instead helped us. For example, they destroyed the True Creator’s descent. For example, they let us know that Capim, that human trafficker, was not simple, and that a major secret hid behind him.”

At this point, his lips curled up.

“Perhaps they can even help us uncover more bad things.

“Of course, the necessary investigation must still be carried out. No one can guarantee that this secret organization will not become our enemy in the future.”

“I understand, Captain Soest. Let’s focus our discussion on the demon-summoning case,” Leonard said sincerely.

…

Winter in Backlund was always inseparable from fireplaces and fog. Time passed swiftly in that gloomy, cold, gray feeling.

It seemed as though only a blink had passed, yet there was only half a month left until the new year.

Klein extinguished the charcoal in the fireplace and put a double-breasted wool coat over his crimson woolen vest.

Nearly three weeks ago, Leppard had finally obtained the bicycle patent and had begun searching for a suitable second round of investors. The steam-powered vehicle tycoon, Framy Cage, had shown some interest.

After several rounds of contact, the three parties had arranged to hold their final negotiations today.

Over the past month or so, Klein’s life had been uneventful. With the help of case investigations, he had digested his potion in an orderly, fragmented, and tedious manner. Now, he was only one fairly large proactive performance away from complete digestion.

If there’s nothing too urgent, I don’t have to risk anything. In another month, it should be about enough… Klein’s thoughts drifted as he took the half top hat of silk from the coat rack, using a brush and handkerchief to smooth its creases and remove the dust.

He did not feel any definite need to attend the gathering on January 4 that the badge left behind by Lanevus pointed toward.

During this period, the Tarot Club had continued meeting once a week. Klein had obtained several pages from Roselle’s early diaries, witnessing the man change from a weakling who could only fantasize and never dared act into a playboy who took the initiative to hunt.

Other than that, he had gained almost nothing. Although the Werewolf Beyonder characteristic had been handed to The Hanged Man through The World to sell on his behalf, a transaction involving more than a thousand pounds was clearly not so easy to complete. Moreover, the cursed nature of Werewolves had caused many interested buyers to shrink back.

At the Tarot Gathering a few days earlier, however, The Hanged Man had told The World that he had contacted an Artisan from the Church of Steam, and the other party was clearly somewhat tempted.

“I hope it can be settled this week… There still isn’t a single clue about the Wind-blessed formula Mr. Hanged Man needs…” Klein finished gathering his belongings, picked up his cane, fastened his hat, and walked out the door. The Wind-blessed potion formula belonged to Sequence 6. It was not easy to encounter. Alger the Hanged Man had waited for more than a month and still heard no good news.

After a long period of observation and testing, Justice Audrey had finally gained the recognition of the Psychology Alchemists. She reported to Mr. Fool that she should be able to officially join that secret organization within the week, and hoped to receive his protection in advance to avoid any accidents. For that, she planned to collect at least ten pages of Roselle’s diary from the Psychology Alchemists afterward and offer them to Mr. Fool without asking for any payment.

As for the dragon specimen in Duke Negan’s treasury, she had already confirmed that it was indeed a Thousand-faced Hunter. The problem was that it was merely a specimen. It had no corresponding Beyonder characteristic and no flowing blood.

The 2,000 pounds she owed Mr. Fool’s Blessed would not be repayable until around February or March of the following year. Although after officially coming of age at the New Year’s ball, she would gain control over part of her property, she would still be supervised by her parents and could not sell assets at will. Furthermore, she still owed Viscount Glaint the final payment, so she needed sufficient time to gather the money discreetly.

With The Hanged Man’s help, The Magician Fors had finally obtained Deep-sea Marlin blood, paying him 320 pounds for it. Her savings had accordingly fallen to 120 pounds.

To make up the loss, and to obtain the Spirit Eater’s stomach pouch, she began writing like mad. Her new book rapidly took shape, telling a story that combined many elements: adventure, love, travel writing, storms, and pirates.

Her correspondence with Dorian Gray had never stopped. Recently, he had even said that he would come to Backlund to pay respects to Anlisa, Lauro, and Lawrence.

Following The Hanged Man’s advice, Derrick the Sun behaved as though nothing at all were abnormal. He continued his daily patrols, continued accumulating merits, and did not attempt any rituals.

At every Tarot Gathering, he would skillfully pretend to be asleep, and for the moment had exposed no problem. In ordinary times, he also took intermittent naps to avoid establishing a pattern that might arouse suspicion.

According to him, Elder Lovia the Shepherd had not left the bottom of the Round Tower after seven days. She remained confined there to this day, for unknown reasons.

Mr. A of the Aurora Order had failed to find any valuable clues in his search for the Fool’s believers and Blessed, mainly because Klein had deliberately kept a low profile. As for the Beyonders who had learned the Fool’s honorific name, they all understood that such things should not be casually recited. Unless driven to absolute desperation, they would never have the courage to pray to an existence suspected to be an evil god.

“Emlyn said last time that he had a lead on the corresponding materials. Perhaps he’ll confirm it soon. The problem is that I don’t have enough money right now…” Klein muttered soundlessly, carrying his cane as he walked to Lawyer Jurgen’s door.

After pulling the doorbell, he proactively and instinctively took two steps back.

Before long, the door opened, and the old lady Doris, lively and energetic, spread her arms, intending to give Klein an enthusiastic hug.

“Oh, the doctor you introduced last time was simply wonderful! My body hasn’t been this healthy in nearly ten years!” Seeing Mr. Detective standing a little too far away, Doris could only withdraw her arms and express her delight and feelings through words.

Klein sighed, both amused and helpless.

“Mrs. Doris, this is already the ninth time you’ve said that.”

He saw Brody the black cat crouching on top of the coat rack behind her. It looked as though it might fall at any moment, yet it maintained its balance all along.

I could do that too… Klein evaluated himself.

“Is that so?” Old Mrs. Doris asked in confusion.

She immediately tossed the question to the back of her mind and said with a beaming smile,

“You’re here for Jurgen?”

A smile appeared on Klein’s face.

“Yes.”

For something like negotiations, of course one had to hire a professional lawyer.