Click, click, click.
The elevator descended rapidly, sinking into the darkness. A single point of light in the distance stood out starkly against the gloom.
A kerosene lamp flickered with an orange flame. Stacks of newspapers were piled on the table alongside thick, messy manuscripts, weighed down by leftover bread and empty water cups.
"It is me, Lynch Levive."
A sudden rustle came from the darkness, and the petite Maya crawled out from the corner. This time, she did not bother to cover her face with a scarf, running over without any attempt to hide.
"Why did you come down again, Mr. Levive? This is too dangerous. You really shouldn't take such risks next time."
Though she complained, the female reporter could not hide her joyous expression. She took the large tray Lynch was carrying, then looked at it with surprise:
"This is... what?"
In truth, she already had a hunch. Expectantly, she placed the tray on the table and lifted the round cover, and a rich aroma wafted toward her.
It was red wine-braised veal loin, a signature dish from Lattis Kitchen, one of the best restaurants for the citizen class in Rhine City.
Head Chef Mr. Murphy was truly worthy of being a top-tier chef with thirty years of fame in Rhine. As soon as the lid was lifted, the aroma of beef mixed with the fragrance of red wine drifted out, blended with the mellow scent of chickpea puree and cream. When darkness suppressed other senses, the fragrance of food was highlighted to the extreme by the sense of smell.
"Why?"
The signature dish at Lattis Kitchen cost at least six Lande pounds for two, and probably eight for takeout. Since the incident, the female reporter had not enjoyed a proper meal. She found it hard to believe, her eyes blinking as she stared at Lynch in astonishment.
"You were a huge help this afternoon," Lynch explained with his usual demeanor. "Thanks to the information you provided, I cracked a major case on the spot. Well, I estimate you will see it in the papers next time they deliver. This earned me a large sum, fifty pounds plus a priceless treasure. Since you contributed so much, I had to treat you to a good meal. And that is not all; I have already planned it. Once everything is resolved and you are out, I will give you another ten pounds as a lead fee."
"Oh, I see. You startled me. I thought..."
The female reporter patted her chest and laughed at herself. She pulled Lynch to sit opposite her before taking her seat, picking up her knife and fork. She excitedly skewered a piece of beef and, not very ladylike, swallowed it in one gulp. Lynch could not help but chuckle at her uninhibited actions and skewered a piece of beef for himself as well.
The last meal the original owner of this body had was the braised beef from Lattis Kitchen. Revisiting it now, he felt a surge of complex emotions.
A light layer of meat broth clung to the tender, bouncy beef, each drop crystal clear and reflecting the flickering kerosene light. Beside it, a plate of chickpea puree mixed with sour cream offered a fragrant, milky scent.
He skewered a piece of beef and took a bite. The meat was stewed until very tender, smooth, yet it still retained a satisfying chew. As his teeth severed the fibers, the mellow wine aroma and the rich scent of meat exploded in his mouth. The wine scent rushed straight to his nasal cavity, and the meat flavor swept across every taste bud; the two fragrances mixed together, lingering between his teeth and cheeks.
Pairing it with a spoonful of soft, slightly tart chickpea puree washed away the greasiness of the beef instantly, opening the diner's appetite and making them crave the next bite.
The female reporter ate heartily and happily, joy showing on her face. Even her red eyes and fangs seemed less ferocious. Lynch, however, only tasted a few bites at first, staring at the female reporter in deep thought. After a long silence, he picked up his knife and fork to resume eating, as if he had made a firm decision.
Seeing his reaction, Maya’s knife and fork trembled slightly before she returned to normal, eating her portion clean. She let out a long breath, leaned back in her chair, and took a drink from her water cup, emitting a happy, soft moan.
"It is so good. Finally, I can eat a proper meal like a human being. The food is great too; it is worthy of being the signature of Lattis Kitchen." Maya touched her stomach, closed her eyes in contentment, and whispered, "If this is my last meal, heh, that is not bad either."
Lynch’s movements paused. He lowered his head and said, "Is it that obvious?"
"Those of us in this line of work are more sensitive than most, Mr. Lynch." Maya asked softly, "Before I die, can I know what is actually happening?"
Lynch sighed and looked up at the female reporter with her eerie features.
After the secret meeting in the carriage ended, Lynch had stood by the street in a daze for a long time. He had finally fully understood the intentions of the ghoul elder Bru and his own predicament.
Regarding this troublesome mystery incident, the ghoul elder had superficially forced Lynch to either hand over Maya or go stop the hillmen, but in reality, he was giving him a choice.
Handing over the female reporter meant eliminating his interference in this matter, essentially choosing to stay out of it and letting everything return to its normal trajectory. Then, regardless of how the mystery itself judged things, as far as the ghouls in the sewers were concerned, everything afterward would have nothing to do with Lynch. He would return to being an ordinary outsider, and Lynch would not have to risk fighting the hillmen or face the danger of confronting a fragment of Mordiggian.
Not handing her over meant that Lynch refused to leave the mystery incident and insisted on intervening. The ghoul's attitude was also clear: this is what you asked for, so go figure out how to stop the hillmen yourself.
Of course, he could choose to play the scoundrel and choose neither, but Lynch had already realized that when living in the city, it was better not to rashly break certain unwritten rules. Otherwise, the consequences could be unpredictable, and he might be the one to suffer in the end.
Lynch truly had no idea what to do, so he had hesitated for a long time. Until just before eating, he had not decided how to act.
Reasonably and emotionally, he should stay out of it, but...
But I am a damn man. Even if I am not a true Lande gentleman, I cannot do something as shitty as sacrificing an innocent woman's life just to buy time.
Besides, I just gave her hope for survival and built up her trust in me. If I tell her now, 'Sorry, go ahead and die,' is that something a human being would do?
I know this is the optimal solution, but can't I just like increasing the difficulty for myself? I cannot sacrifice a woman to exchange for my own safety.
【Heh...】
A familiar laugh echoed in his mind, gentle and calm.
'Neighbor, am I being very stupid?'
【Hmm... but I will accompany you as you continue on this path.】
Heh... Lynch looked up at Maya, who was watching him with complex emotions, and smiled faintly.
"Before you die, I will let you know the truth, but..." Lynch winked mischievously, "that might be a long time from now."
"Huh?"
"Everyone thinks I will hand you over, but I just like saying no to them. Besides, we cannot believe everything they say; we must always keep an ace up our sleeve." Lynch clenched his fist and smiled through gritted teeth. "Since I was able to protect you the first time, I can protect you a second time. I want to save you, and not even Jesus could take you away. I said that."
"Ah? Who is Jesus?"
"I don't know, some evil god from somewhere, I suppose." Lynch shrugged and stood up abruptly. "Stay here peacefully for a few more days. I am going to find a way to stop their ritual and end your nightmare. I was wavering just now, but are you still willing to trust me?"
"Of course." The female reporter tilted her head and smiled, pointing at the plate. "It would be even better if there were another serving tomorrow."
"...It will be deducted from your ten-pound lead fee. No room for negotiation."
Rate on N.U.
