"Detective, you are very lucky. If I didn't happen to have this relic, this transaction probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly. After all, for weak Ring術士, overly mysterious Knowledge and overly powerful weapons are equally dangerous... Detective, I will not care about the darkness box anymore. Happy cooperation."
The lady's words from inside the door seemed to be a signal for him to leave.
Xia De closed the ring box and took it from the Black-haired maid's hand. As the maid walked back towards the door, he did not bid farewell and leave. Instead, he composed himself and said loudly,
"Madam, I wonder if I have the honor of knowing your identity."
"You do not have that honor yet."
The woman spoke very directly. Xia De seemed to hear the Black-haired maid, who was pushing the door open, accidentally let out a laugh.
"I know what you are worried about. Now that I know your identity and your appearance, I naturally have a way to find out your address and the identity of the Letter-based Ring術士 in your group... But what of it? The most important thing for a Letter-based Ring術士 is not to let the Church know their identity. So, do you think I am a member of the Church?"
Just as the woman believed Xia De was not a devout follower of the righteous gods, Xia De also did not believe her to be a devout follower:
"You can tell the Letter-based Ring術士 in your group about tonight's events. They naturally know the rules of this City. Including our transaction, you can certainly speak of it. Do you have any other questions?"
She was probably in a good mood because she had obtained information from Xia De, even if the beginning was a bit unpleasant.
"You appeared here tonight..."
"Of course not for you; running into you was just an accident. I appeared in this undignified place tonight because I heard the club had a very rare rhode cards in its collection."
"Which series, if I may ask?"
"It doesn't matter; it was a fake rhode cards."
"That's truly unlucky... Then, goodbye, Madam. May you be able to touch that Old God's statue as soon as possible."
This was to remind the other party to find it as soon as possible, so that Mercury Blood would not have time to move it, and thus not blame Xia De for not finding the statue.
"Then, farewell, Detective... Speaking of which, I really admire young people like you. When the relic went out of control just now, your reaction was very good. Most first-level Ring術士 don't perform as well as you.
If you need anything, you can contact me through this club. But you understand, all gifts come with a price."
"Yes, Madam. I wish you a beautiful night."
Xia De gripped the ring box and turned to leave. But at the door, he suddenly looked back at the half-open door:
"Madam, regarding the darkness box..."
"A rare third epoch relic. relics are formed from the accumulation of resentment and hatred at the end of an epoch, so there is no need to suspect anything you hear.
The fifth epoch was the epoch of the Witch Emperor. The war of the last Thirteen Witch Emperors almost attracted terrifying existences from beyond the material world;
The fourth epoch was the epoch of darkness and chaos. Darkness enveloped the earth, and strange things ran rampant in the material world;
The third epoch saw the coexistence of Outliers races and humans, but at the same time, terrifying and strange humanoid creatures occupied most of the material world. These were evil spirits born from whisper. Humans and other normal lives resided in a corner, protecting each other."
She didn't speak anymore. Xia De also bowed slightly to express his gratitude for the free Knowledge, then walked out the door.
The Black-haired maid outside the door was waiting for Xia De and led him from the third floor to the staircase on the first floor. Xia De met the dejected Little Franklin there, and the two left the club together.
Returning from the noisy indoors to the street of the summer night shrouded in thin fog, the oppressive mood improved considerably.
Xia De was still immersed in the series of events that had just occurred, recalling the moment his finger glowed and pondering the details of this transaction.
Therefore, the two did not converse much along the way. Following the street with gas streetlights, they walked towards the apartment rented by the Franklin family in the quiet night.
However, just as they were about to reach their destination, Little Franklin stepped into the shadow of an antique shop sign across the street, which the gas streetlight couldn't illuminate, and suddenly turned and ran. Xia De, who was already prepared, immediately gave chase. The two hadn't even run half a street before Little Franklin was kicked down by the Detective's boots from behind:
"Who did Father find this time? Have you practiced long-distance running? Are you going to participate in the Tobesk Youth Games? Where was the last Detective?"
He was panting, his hands held behind his back by Xia De, his voice hoarse as he asked a series of questions, no longer trying to break free. The young man was not good at running.
"Still trying to run? Weren't you caught by a Detective last time too? Sparrow Uncle is dead. I took over his job, but I haven't practiced long-distance running."
Xia De felt the strength in this body. Not only was he a Ring術士, but the physical quality of this body itself was quite good. He wondered how Sparrow Detective had managed to turn a homeless man into this in just a few months.
As for impersonating someone else's nephew, it didn't really matter, after all, Xia De had truly inherited all of the Detective's legacy.
"Dead? The guy who pointed a gun at my head and made me leave the gambling table is dead?"
Little Franklin was a bit surprised, but his tone was full of joy:
"That kind of villain, it's good that he's dead."
However, according to the commission records Xia De found left by the Detective, he had twice taken Little Franklin from the slum's underground casino and club, both times relying on the power of words. Sparrow Hamilton Detective described himself as a charming person, quite skilled at persuading others.
"It seems his records can't be fully trusted... But, he really did have a gun... Did he lose it? Or is it hidden somewhere I haven't found?"
"Speaking of which, how about you let me go? I'll give you more pounds if I win the bet."
Little Franklin still wanted to break free.
"I truly feel sorry for your Father."
"Oh, come on, you're only here to catch me for money."
The young gambler scoffed, expecting a verbal retort from the Detective, but to his surprise, the Detective actually nodded:
"Yes, pounds are certainly important too. Otherwise, why would I be out catching you on a foggy night instead of at home with the gas lamp on, looking after a pretty cat?"
Although there was an unexpected incident at the club, at least the process of submitting the commission and receiving payment went smoothly. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin did not make things difficult for their son. Xia De only received half a pound as payment and the pre-paid two pounds of gambling debt at the door before leaving directly.
As he left, he saw Little Franklin inside the house making a malicious gesture at him. Xia De wasn't angry, but he did feel a genuine pity for Franklin.
"Every epoch and every family has its own story. I should focus on myself first."
He walked into the long night with his hands in his pockets, bidding farewell to his first official employer.
It was late at night, and the financially strapped Detective still did not take a carriage, but walked home. He had to raise 10 pounds within a month. Even though the relics at home could be pawned, he still had to cultivate a frugal habit.
Therefore, it was already late at night when he arrived home. Leaving the misty outdoors and climbing the dim stairs, he felt exceptionally lonely and isolated. Upon entering, he had initially worried that the orange cat Mia would relieve itself everywhere, but thankfully, it was very well-behaved and left its "mark" in the corner of the balcony, on a pile of sand Xia De had prepared before leaving.
As for the cat itself, it darted over as soon as the tired Detective opened the door, grabbing his pant leg and wanting to be held, extremely excited about Xia De's return. This made Xia De, who had walked for several hours alone in the night, feel particularly touched and warm inside.
"Even if your master doesn't come to pick you up, I will adopt you."
"Meow~"
He said after picking up the well-behaved cat. The orange cat Mia rubbed its soft little head against Xia De's chest to express its affection for him. The Detective then made a temporary small nest for Mia on his desk in his bedroom using a blanket.
It was late at night, so he didn't continue studying the vampire ring. But even though he went to bed very late that night, he woke up punctually again at six o'clock the next day, feeling not the slightest bit tired.
The goat milk and cow milk ordered yesterday arrived with the newspaper. Xia De had breakfast for the first time in this house with the docile orange cat Mia and planned his schedule for the day.
Today was Tuesday, and he wouldn't need to see Schneider until tomorrow, but because of the note left yesterday, he definitely had to visit the doctor.
Completing two commissions in one day had greatly increased Xia De's confidence in taking over the agency's business.
But he didn't plan to deal with the former Detective's unresolved cases today. He intended to thoroughly inspect the house for the pistol after returning from the doctor's, and continue reading the doctor's handwriting and past commission records, and study his Ling Rune.
Mia was left to guard the house again. Xia De carried the relic, the vampire ring, with him as he walked through the City in the thin fog.
Walking from downtown Tobesk City to the doctor's clinic in the eastern part of the City took him several hours in the morning, but the unique scenery of the unfamiliar steam epoch and the European architectural style were very new to Xia De.
Walking along the pretty Lunqin Avenue in the wealthy district, Xia De was still wondering if the doctor had returned when he saw a four-wheeled carriage parked outside the psychology clinic and a gentleman in a black top hat getting out of it.
Fortunately, several hours of travel were not in vain. The blue-eyed doctor had returned, but he looked quite troubled when receiving Xia De.
Xia De remembered Louisa saying his luck was usually very bad, and this time too he had encountered something annoying:
"That's why I've always hated dealing with nobles. If a psychological problem can be treated, they don't take it seriously; if it can't be treated, they think my skill is lacking.
This case of Gluttony is very problematic. That lady probably concealed some secrets she didn't want to speak of. People always distrust doctors... Xia De, if you ever get a commission from a noble, you'll understand what I mean... Please, sit down. I saw your note, but what exactly is it about?"