445 Live Broadcas (2/2)
”And then? Could it be that the moment I prepared to try for this bounty, the matter is over?”
”And then? With that clue, quite a number of bounty hunters rushed over, but they didn't find anything. Well, they said that there were traces of a fight in the room.” Old Kohler tried his best to recall the information he had gathered.
The intelligence would definitely be sent to MI9 first… Did Mr. Azik have a secret standoff with them? I wonder what the outcome was… Klein took a glance at the boss who was coming over with a plate. He pretended to mutter to himself and said to Old Kohler, ”Take me to Golden Cloak Street later. Maybe I can find some clues.”
It was past breakfast time in East Borough, and there were very few customers in the cheap coffee shop.
”Alright.” Old Kohler agreed without hesitation.
”A total of sixteen and a half pence.” The boss placed Klein's breakfast on the table. There wasn't much beef with the potatoes, but the stew was very overcooked. It was obvious that it had been prepared beforehand. The thick aroma tantalized Old Kohler's taste buds to the point that he involuntarily gulped a mouthful of saliva.
After paying the bill, Klein picked up a fork and spoon and said to Old Kohler, ”Continue.”
”There aren't many people looking for the believers of The Fool anymore, except for a few stubborn bounty hunters… Many unemployed textile women, including some male workers, left East Borough…” Old Kohler went down a list of matters.
”What?” Klein swallowed the beef and looked up. ”Left East Borough?”
”They must've found some other job. As for where they went, I couldn't find out,” Old Kohler answered truthfully.
”Their families aren't aware?” Klein pressed.
”Some left with their unemployed family members, while others had come alone from outside the city to search for work.” Old Kohler had already done some investigations.
Judging from the target's choice, there's something wrong… Klein made a mental note of it and continued to eat while he listened to Old Kohler talk about matters that had happened in East Borough recently.
After making an appointment for the next meeting, he put down the cutlery, wiped his mouth, picked up his hat, and said, ”Let's head for Golden Cloak Street.”
…
In the only budget hotel on Golden Cloak Street.
After the boss accepted a two pence tip, he led Klein and Old Kohler to the room which was suspected to be where Azik Eggers used to live.
”There have been many bounty hunters visiting over this period of time. Hehe, It made me earn quite a bit, so I have maintained its original state.” The hotel owner opened the door with his key and pointed inside.
At first glance, Klein saw overturned chairs and rags scattered everywhere. There were no other signs of a fight.
With his considerable spiritual perception, Klein cast his gaze under the bed.
After staring for two seconds, he walked over and bent down to pat the bed.
Dust flew into the air with a poof as a gray rat jumped out from under the bed.
It looked normal, without any problems, but in Klein's Spirit Vision, its aura only had the colors: black and green.
The rat turned a corner and climbed up a wall, exposing its belly to Klein's eyes.
In that soft spot, its flesh was green with flowing pus. One could see that his internal organs had similarly rotted away.
Klein thoughtfully looked back at Old Kohler, who wasn't paying attention to the rat.
”Has the bounty for Azik Eggers been withdrawn?”
”No.” Old Kohler shook his head in confirmation.
Klein examined it again, he then stepped out and said, ”Let's go, there's no valuable clues.”
…
15 Minsk Street.
Klein, who had been ”busy” all day, lay down on his bed and entered the dream world.
Scenes that were continuous at times, and at other times fragmented, swept past and all of a sudden, Klein woke up. He knew that he was dreaming.
A power has invaded my dreams… Klein maintained his previous dazed state, casually sizing up his surroundings.
He found himself in a suburb of fertile fields.
A river flowed over from the distance and made a turn around the cliff in front of him.
One side of the cliff was bare, revealing a pure white rock. Looking from afar, it seemed to have a kind of holy beauty.
Nearly ten men and women wearing black coats or dark jackets surrounded a hidden underground entrance to the bay, among them was Klein's acquaintance, Ikanser Bernard.
White Cliff Town… Stratford River Creek. Machinery Hivemind… Are they exploring the Amon family tomb? But why would there be scenes of it in my dreams? Klein was puzzled.
At that moment, he saw the water on the surface of the river undulate, rapidly forming a line of white words: ”Your loyal and humble servant, Arrodes, is here to report to you on the exploration's situation.”
”…”
Klein's mouth turned agape, momentarily losing the ability to speak. Then, a voice echoed in his head: Tell me, why would a perfectly good mirror be a snitch?