Chapter 226: The Generous Prince

Chapter 226: The Generous Prince

The scene before him immediately reminded Klein of the romantic story Talim Dumont had once told him.

His friend of noble status had fallen in love with a commoner woman and refused to marry anyone but her. Within the highest circle of the nobility, that was absolutely impermissible. Talim had been deeply troubled by this and had nearly hired someone to commit murder, but in the end, he had persuaded the woman to leave his friend of her own accord.

Could the protagonist of that story be Edessak Augustus? Everything matches too well. As a prince, marrying a commoner in the present era is practically an act of rebellion against convention. Since Loen’s founding, the direct members of the Augustus family could only ever marry noble women… Judging by what was revealed just now, did Edessak bring that commoner woman back again? And he even placed her under confinement? True love indeed… In an instant, a story of a domineering prince and a pitiful little flower took shape in Klein’s mind.

He let his gaze drift and began admiring the deep-winter scenery ahead.

“This is not its true appearance right now. When spring arrives and the green grass sprouts, you will see a golf course of the highest standard,” Prince Edessak said, having dismissed the maid. He raised his riding crop and pointed around them.

“Golf?” Klein asked back, though he had already figured out the answer.

Prince Edessak gestured for the guards and attendants to keep their distance, allowing only the old butler and Klein to follow beside him.

As he walked slowly across the desolate flat land, he laughed and said, “Yes, golf. A sport that truly belongs to nobles. Most owners of magazines and newspapers hardly have a chance to participate in it.

“Although I do not like Roselle, I must admit that his fanciful ideas gave us a world interesting enough to enjoy. If you can figure out Talim’s death, this place will be open to you at any time.”

As expected, Roselle… Klein quietly exhaled.

Seeing that he did not respond, Prince Edessak continued musing on his own.

“Roselle is worth learning from in every respect, but his attitude toward love and emotion disgusts me. Of course, that is the common trait and style of most Intis nobles, and also the root of their obsession with luxury and decadent lives.”

Edessak looked toward the creek ahead, where water flowed slowly and sparsely. In a tone that carried a maturity surpassing his age, he said, “Ninety-nine percent of people are not geniuses like Roselle. If they want to succeed, if they want to build something great, they must first understand what they truly want, what price they are willing to pay for it, and then move forward with unwavering determination and never turn back.”

At this point, his tone softened, and he smiled self-mockingly.

“Before this year, I always believed I liked Earl Hall’s daughter. She has perfect beauty, elegant bearing, abundant wealth, an illustrious family, and a very powerful father. For a prince, she is a marriage partner beyond reproach. But now, I understand that what truly attracts me, what makes me desire someone even in dreams, is a unique temperament and a profound mind born from experience. Heh, I am not saying that Miss Hall lacks temperament, but that is not what I want, admire, or like.”

Your Highness, your current tone, attitude, and expression are almost identical to Talim’s before his death… Please don’t suddenly drop dead in front of me. Even if I jumped into the Tussock River, I wouldn’t be able to wash myself clean of suspicion… Also, hearing too much about this sort of thing can easily get one silenced. Are you trying to tie me to your war chariot? Klein felt inexplicably afraid.

He cleared his throat and deliberately changed the subject.

“Your Highness, given your status and position, you certainly do not lack subordinates. There should be many people willing to investigate Talim’s death for you. Why must you come to me?”

Edessak shook his head and laughed softly.

“As a prince, one has as much lack of freedom as one has power. There are many things for which I cannot use the people around me. Too many eyes are watching me.

“You are a great detective with ability and brains, and you had a decent friendship with Talim. You were also present at the scene. I do not think anyone is more suitable than you.

“Rest assured. If there really is a problem, I will certainly be able to guarantee your safety.”

That kind of promise is like toilet paper in the washroom… Klein could not help grumbling inwardly.

Since Prince Edessak had already spoken to this extent, Klein felt that if he continued refusing, he might be unable to leave Red Rose Manor. He sighed and said, “In truth, I am just as angry as you are about Talim’s death. It is only reality that forces me to remain calm.”

Edessak revealed a smile.

“What help do you need from me?”

“A strand of Talim’s hair, a piece of flesh, or blood. Any one of those will do. In addition, I need an item he carried with him,” Klein made his request.

“Very well. I will have someone send those things to your home later.” Edessak agreed immediately. Then, with curiosity, he asked, “Only these?”

Klein was not polite.

“Only after I have a preliminary direction will I know what kind of assistance I need. Your Highness, it would be best if you gave me a method of contact. A private detective constantly visiting this manor would certainly attract attention.”

Edessak nodded. As though he had already prepared for this, he said, “I will have someone quietly rent the house next to yours—13 Minsk Street. When you need to contact me, write a letter calling on your new neighbor and drop it into the mailbox. As for compensation, you should know that I am not a stingy person. Even if there is ultimately no result, as long as you have made a contribution and taken risks, you will receive corresponding income. If you truly uncover the truth, I will give you a sum sufficient for retirement.”

This prince acts with impressive decisiveness… Retirement? That means at least three thousand pounds… Klein sighed inwardly.

“Very well. May Talim’s spirit have found peace in the kingdom of storm and lightning.” He bowed.

Edessak nodded lightly and instructed the old butler, “Take Detective Moriarty out and send him back to Minsk Street.”

He’s not even keeping me for lunch? Isn’t this attitude toward a guest a little too arrogant? Of course, the main reason is that it is still far from noon… Klein silently made a few jests.

He followed the old butler all the way out, arrived at the manor gate, and retrieved his holster, revolver, and bullets.

…

Inside 15 Minsk Street, Klein stood before the bow window and watched the carriage bearing the royal crest drive away.

“If I truly investigate deeply, Sherlock Moriarty might suffer a sudden death at any time… Perhaps someone is already watching me. Mm, not for the time being. After all, I haven’t taken any action yet…” Klein frowned slightly and stood in silence.

At that moment, his desire to advance to Faceless had never been more urgent.

“I cannot only wait for the Machinery Hivemind to explore the Amon family mausoleum. I must also continue trying to buy the Human-skinned Shadow’s characteristic through other channels. No one knows how long the Machinery Hivemind will take to prepare. What if it takes more than a month, or even more than half a year? That is not impossible. Sending people to guard the entrance first, then slowly collecting the corresponding information to ensure nothing goes wrong, is a pretty good strategy. But in that case, I cannot afford to wait…” Thoughts surged through Klein’s mind, and he made up his mind.

At 2:45 in the afternoon, carrying a newspaper, he entered the washroom and actively began preparing for this week’s Tarot Gathering.

At exactly three o’clock.

Crimson and illusory light rose. Audrey Hall, in a good mood, looked around once.

The previous night, she had finally obtained the long-desired Sequence 7 Psychiatrist potion formula. Even now, the feeling of excitement, agitation, practicality, and calm intertwined still lingered within her. The Psychology Alchemists had not required her to make any immediate contribution, calling it an advance payment.

They fully believed that Miss Audrey possessed outstanding ability to repay.

No new member… Justice Audrey stood, looked toward the head of the long bronze table, lifted her skirt in a shallow curtsy, and said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~ Good afternoon…”

Her light and cheerful voice broke the seemingly eternal silence above the gray fog, allowing Klein, whose mood had been somewhat depressed, to temporarily break free from the troubles of the outside world.

He nodded gently, responding to the greetings of the members.

As Audrey sat back down, she took in the figures of the other members again, combining them with her previous observations into a dynamic scene.

Aside from giving his greeting, Mr. Hanged Man quietly sized up Mr. Fool with faint, unobvious curiosity. Then he looked toward Mr. World with expectation… This means that, being closely connected to the Church of Storms, he knows the detailed course of Duke Negan’s assassination, has learned that the chivalrous bandit Black Emperor appeared, and desires to investigate the hidden truth behind the matter… The Werewolf Beyonder characteristic Mr. World entrusted him to sell seems to have produced a result. He may also have found one of the two materials: the Human-skinned Shadow’s characteristic or the Deep-sea Naga’s hair…

The Sun’s mood is very stable and carries a bit of ease. This means he believes the monitoring placed on him by the City of Silver has already been lifted… What did he rely on to make that judgment? Was he assigned back into one of those exploration teams?

Fors is relaxed, but slightly depressed… She passed the test of that Abraham family member and became his student, but was forced to accept something disadvantageous to herself?

Mr. World is as cold and gloomy as ever… Perhaps only when I reach Sequence 7, or even Sequence 6, will I be able to grasp the changes in his emotions and thoughts…

Mm, Mr. Fool remains as mysterious, powerful, and unfathomable as ever.

A string of thoughts flashed through Justice Audrey’s mind. She looked toward the figure shrouded in gray fog and said, “Honorable Mr. Fool, I have obtained three new pages of Roselle’s diary.”

These were copies she had requested from the Psychology Alchemists. Because she had only mentioned it the previous night, the timing had been rather rushed, and Islant had only had time to give her three pages.

“What reward do you wish for?” Klein asked with a smile.

Audrey answered sincerely, “May it count as the reward for your earlier answer to my question?”

As she spoke, she inexplicably felt like showing off:

Mr. Hanged Man, none of you know of the Twilight Hermit Order’s existence yet!

How enviable. Miss Justice must have asked Mr. Fool another difficult question in private… When I go back, I’ll write to my teacher and ask whether he has any of Roselle’s diaries. No, to outsiders, I should say notes… Magician Fors was instantly filled with longing and motivation.

Under Hanged Man’s suspicious gaze, Klein nodded, not particularly concerned.

“That is acceptable.”

Audrey soon manifested three yellow-brown diary pages and sent them to Mr. Fool.

Klein received them and glanced down. On the first page, he saw:

“January 13th. I have established stable contact with Mr. Door.”