340 Pas (1/2)

A-aren't you making things difficult for me? Upon hearing Aaron's request, Klein almost drew the crimson moon on his chest, but he ultimately resisted the urge and replied very seriously, ”Perhaps there's something about my behavior that has led you to misunderstand.

”But I have to tell you that faith is something that cannot be changed after it's decided upon.”

Aaron immediately raised his arms and made an apologetic gesture.

”I'm sorry that I misunderstood your faithfulness. I shouldn't have taken your faith as a joke.

”Alright, our differences in faith do not prevent us from becoming friends.”

Klein wiped away the fake expression he put on and smiled.

”That's not true in Feysac and Feynapotter. They can only accept one faith.”

In comparison, with so many Churches coexisting for more than fourteen hundred years, Loen and Intis are much more open in this respect.

Before Aaron could answer, he casually changed the subject.

”Did you see Will Auceptin again? I'm referring to the kid that had one of his legs amputated, the one who said that your luck would turn for the worse.”

He was certain that the Nighthawks would follow the clues provided by Aaron, so he wondered what the outcome was. He was curious if the child who changed Aaron's luck still had the tarot card in his possession.

”No, I haven't seen him since he left the hospital.” Aaron shook his head firmly.

What a pity. The Nighthawks can find his address according to the hospital's records, and it's not convenient for me to be involved… Of course, the child might've moved away long ago. After a brief exchange with Aaron, Klein decided to head for the underground shooting range, familiarizing himself with his free revolver with ordinary bullets.

At this moment, two more acquaintances came in. One was a member of the National Atmospheric Pollution Council, Coim Company shareholder, Ma'am Mary, and the other was Klein's landlord, Stelyn Sammer. They were all wearing relatively light skirts, making them look much younger.

According to the rules of the club, each member could only bring in one additional person; therefore, Mary's maid and her bodyguard were left in the reception hall.

Klein politely greeted them and praised them out of courtesy, ”Ladies, you two are as beautiful as ever today, and yet there is a beauty that's different from your usual beauty.”

Having come into contact with a lot of important figures recently, Mary smiled and said, ”Roselle said that exercise is a necessity of life, and Stelyn is always at home, dealing with trivial matters. Even when she's out, she would be participating in parties and listening to operas. Her health is much worse than it used to be, so I brought her here to play tennis and squash.”

With her high cheekbones, she looked around and saw a member of the House of Commons and two other Members of Parliament of the greater Backlund area. She then turned to Stelyn and said, ”I see someone I know. Excuse me while I head over to greet them. You can wait for me at the library.”

”Alright.” Compared to Mary, Stelyn was clearly much prettier, but towards this lady, she seemed very respectful and docile.

After Mary had gone some distance away, she slightly raised her chin, looked at Klein and asked, ”Mr. Moriarty, you seem very busy these days?”

”Yes, I was working with a lot of detectives to help the police investigate the serial murder case. We made a certain contribution and received quite a sizable reward,” Klein answered truthfully.

Stelyn covered her mouth with her hand.

”Really?

”What did the murderer look like? Why did he kill those ladies? The newspapers had been very vague.”

”I'm sorry, I have to comply with the confidentiality clause.” Klein deftly made up an excuse.

It's not like I can tell you that it had a body of black fur; a smooth, glistening tail; and that it likes to run on all fours… Klein lampooned inwardly.

Stelyn nodded regretfully, and then she asked curiously, ”So how much did you get?”

”It was split among quite a number of us.” Klein didn't answer directly.

”Was there fifty pounds?” Stelyn pressed.

”Yes.” Klein nodded ”honestly.”

Stelyn Sammer smiled.

”You earn a lot more than I imagined. You really are a capable detective.”

”No, it might take years to come across such a case.” Klein smiled and shook his head.

”No matter what, you have proven your ability.” Stelyn's eyes looked like they were thinking as she said, ”Next Sunday, Luke and I will be hosting a party at home. I hope you can come, um, sorry. I was very presumptuous. I'll have my maid send the invitation to you. Heh heh, there will be a lot of unmarried ladies at the party, and their fathers or mothers will have decent jobs, and their families will earn more than 200 pounds a year. Some of them have part-time jobs that they can do at home, such as being a typist. They're all very excellent women.”

Th-this is a blind date party… Mrs. Stelyn has approved of my ability to make money as a detective, so she plans on introducing me to a girl? But in her eyes, am I only fit to be with a woman at that level? Many thoughts flashed through Klein's mind, but after considering the need to maintain their neighborly friendliness and the trouble of preparing his own dinner, he agreed with a smile.

”If all goes well, I'll be there on time.”

Stelyn smiled and said, ”Then Luke and I will be awaiting your visit.”

She left without another word and entered the small library of the club, while Klein proceeded to practice his shooting and Beyonder powers in the small, enclosed shooting range.

…