The scene before his eyes reminded Klein of the romance story which Talim Dumont had told him.
His noble friend had fallen in love with a commoner woman and was insistent on marrying her. However, being in the top circle of the aristocracy, the marriage was absolutely prohibited. Talim had been vexed over this matter, and he had even considered the prospect of hiring a murderer, but in the end, he managed to persuade the woman to leave his friend on her own accord.
He looked into the distance, enjoying the midwinter scenery.
“That’s not what it really looks like. When spring comes and the grass sprouts, you’ll see a golf course of the highest quality.” Prince Edessak dismissed the maid, raised his whip, and pointed around.
“Golf?” Klein asked, simultaneously knowing the answer to his question.
Prince Edessak motioned his guards and attendants away, leaving the old butler and Klein to follow him by his side.
He strolled on the desolate plains, chuckled, and said, “Yes, golf. This is a truly aristocratic sport that even the owners of most magazines and newspapers have a hard time getting involved in.
“Although I don’t like Roselle, I have to admit that the fantasy-like ideas he had have given us a world with plenty of fun. If you can figure out the truth to Talim’s death, this place will always be open to you.”
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Prince Edessak continued to lament.
“There is much to learn from Roselle in every way, but his attitude towards feelings makes me sick. Of course, this is the common nature and style of most of the Intis aristocrats, and it’s also the source of their infatuation with luxury and debauchery in their lives.”
Looking ahead at the slow stream, Edessak said in a mature tone that was beyond his years, “Ninety-nine percent of people are not geniuses like Roselle. In order to succeed and establish a great enterprise, one must first understand what they really want, and for that, they must be willing to pay the price and never turn back while persisting all the way.”
As he said this, his tone became slow as he laughed at himself and said, “Before this year, I had always thought that I liked the daughter of Earl Hall very much. She has perfect looks, an elegant demeanor, a rich fortune, a distinguished family, and a very powerful father. She’s someone that no prince can find fault with, but now I understand that what I’m really attracted to is something that I yearn to have even in my dreams; it’s a unique temperament and profound soul born from experience. Heh, I’m not saying that Miss Hall is lacking in temperament, but that wasn’t what I want, admire, or like.”
He cleared his throat and took the initiative to change the subject.
“Your Highness, with your status and identity, you will certainly not lack subordinates. There are many people who are willing to investigate Talim’s death for you, so why do you need me?”
Edessak shook his head and chuckled.
“As a prince, I have as much power as the little freedom I have. There are many things I can’t let the people around me do, as there are too many eyes on me.
“You’re a great detective with brains, and you have a good relationship with Talim. You were there at the time, so I don’t think there’s anyone better suited than you.
“Don’t worry, if there really is a problem, then I can definitely guarantee your safety.”
With Prince Edessak already saying this much, he felt that there was little chance of him leaving Red Rose Manor if he refused again. He could only sigh and say, “Actually, I’m as angry as you are about Talim’s death, but reality has kept me calm.”
Edessak smiled.
“What can I do for you?”
“Talim’s hair, either his flesh and blood, plus something he carried around with him.” Klein made the request.
“Okay, then I’ll have these delivered to your house.” Edessak agreed at once, and then asked curiously, “That’s all?”
Klein didn’t stand on ceremony.
“I will only know what kind of help I need when I have a preliminary lead. Your Highness, it’s best that you give me a way to communicate with you. A private detective who frequently visits this manor would definitely arouse suspicion.”
Edessak nodded and said as if he was prepared, “I’ll have someone secretly rent the house next door to you, 13 Minsk Street. When you need to make contact, write a letter to your neighbor about visiting and put it in the mailbox. As for the reward, you should know that I’m not a stingy person, even if it ends in failure. As long as you contribute and take the risk, you will still receive the corresponding income. If you do find out the truth, I’ll give you a reward sufficient for your retirement.”
“Alright, may the spirit of Talim be at peace in the kingdom of storm and lightning.” He bowed.
Edessak nodded slightly and instructed his elderly butler, “Take Detective Moriarty out and back to Minsk Street.”
He followed the old butler all the way out to the entrance of the manor and retrieved the gun holster, revolver, and the bullets.
…
At 15 Minsk Street, Klein stood at the oriel window and watched the carriage with the royal coat of arms drive away.
At this moment, he was extremely eager to advance to Faceless.
At 2:45 p.m., he brought his newspaper into the bathroom and actively prepared for this week’s Tarot Gathering.
Three o’clock sharp.
A deep red illusory radiance rose as Audrey Hall looked around in a good mood.
Last night, she had finally received the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist potion formula she had been dreaming of. Her emotions were still a mix of excitement, agitation, and serenity. Furthermore, the Psychology Alchemists hadn’t immediately asked her to make any contributions, claiming that it was an advance.
They had full confidence in Miss Audrey’s outstanding ability to “repay” them.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~ Good afternoon…”
Her light and cheerful voice broke the unchanging silence above the fog, and it allowed Klein, who had been feeling a little depressed, to temporarily be rid of the troubles that the outside world had on him.
He nodded slightly and responded to the members’ greetings.
When she sat down again, Audrey brought the other members into view and created a dynamic scene with the previous observations.
A series of thoughts flashed through Audrey’s mind. She looked at the figure shrouded in the gray fog and said, “Honorable Mr. Fool, I have obtained three new pages of Roselle’s diary.”
It was a copy she had requested from the Psychology Alchemists. However, as she had only mentioned it last night, Escalante only had the time to give her three pages in such short notice.
“What kind of reward do you want?” Klein asked with a smile.
Audrey replied sincerely, “Can you just treat it as the reward for answering my previous question?”
As she said this, she had an inexplicable feeling of flaunting herself.
Under The Hanged Man’s suspicious gaze, Klein nodded without any care.
“Sure.”
Audrey quickly produced three pages of tawny diary entries and passed them on to Mr. Fool.
Klein took them and read them. On the first page, it wrote: “13th January, contact with Mr. Door stabilized.”
