Mr. Klin, the occult expert, had proven with his life that the danger of this matter was exceptionally high, far exceeding any of the events he had previously encountered.
But Lynch had no habit of giving up halfway. Since the investigation had already progressed to this point and he had the wholehearted assistance of the Watchers, there was no reason not to delve deeper.
Once he could complete Duke Vane's commission, the material rewards would certainly be substantial. The mystery behind the incident might even grant him a grand gift leading toward the path of immortality. At the same time, it could strengthen his relationships with the Watchers, the Church of the Black Night, and Duke Vane, and even boost his favor with the Rose family of the Lande royal house. For his long term life in this world, this was a move with only benefits and no drawbacks.
Moreover, even without considering the pursuit of wealth amidst danger or the reasons involving other evil gods beckoning, there was no justification for him to be scared away on the spot just because he encountered a potential threat. That would truly be a disgrace to a transmigrator; after all, he was dealing with abnormal species that one had to confront if there were difficulties, and if there were no difficulties, he would create them himself. Besides, he was no longer the novice he was when he first arrived in this world. The recent battle proved that he possessed at least the most basic level of combat capability, making him worthy of his pistol and cane.
Therefore, Lynch had made up his mind to continue the investigation and strive to complete the commission before the deadline of July 28th. However, there was no need to rush. Since Mr. V had already taken on the task of finding the original photos, he could just relax, continue to recover from his injuries, properly enjoy life in this other world, and wait for him to deliver the clues.
A mid level powerhouse with level five authority, who was also a professional mystery hunter, surely wouldn't get into trouble because of this... Pfft, pfft, pfft, neighbors protect me, I didn't think of anything just now. If I bump into an evil god when I go out tomorrow morning, it won't be my responsibility.
Quickly dispelling the stray thoughts in his mind, Lynch fanned himself with the newspaper extra in his hand. It was the first extra to publish his photo, and Lynch had specifically bought one to keep as a memento.
It was already June 5th, and the weather was beginning to grow hot. At this moment, Lynch was wearing a plain linen shirt and a light, cheap casual jacket, topped with a flat cap. He looked just like an ordinary craftsman or industrial worker as he sat in an open top horse drawn carriage.
He would have preferred to wear formal attire, as it would better match the place he was going, but both his coat and top hat had been ruined in Zur Baha Sahr. It would cost at least five or six pounds to replace them, so that would have to wait for later. For now, he would just head to the address the officer had given him.
With such an accident just occurring at the Watchers' headquarters, Officer Natalie, as the person involved, certainly had many things to handle, such as writing reports, writing reports, and writing more reports. As an outsider, it was naturally inconvenient for Lynch to participate, so Lynch could only regretfully leave behind the officer who was practically sparking with flames, regretfully almost laughing out loud.
Lynch, who did not need to write reports, prepared to go wander through some mysterious locations where abilities and spells could be traded. But before that, there was one important matter that needed to be resolved.
Withdrawing money.
Half a month ago, after the major treason case was cracked, the fifty pounds check that Grant had sent on behalf of the city government remained untouched. Now that his liquid assets were running low, it was time to visit a bank, a place he hadn't set foot in more than a few times in his life.
From the memories of the original owner of the body, Lynch discovered that the banks in this world were vastly different from those in his memories.
Almost no retail customers came to deposit money because depositing here not only earned no interest but instead required paying a custody fee to the bank.
Most people simply would not choose to deposit; no matter how much money they had, it felt more comfortable to keep it in their own hands than to spend money to store it. Therefore, bank business was scarce, and there was no need for grand halls or counters.
Those who actually had dealings with banks, aside from people wanting to borrow money and the financial transfers between government departments, were usually involved in large scale trade, specifically interregional trade. For example, one could deposit money into the Douglas Bank in Rhine, and by taking the deposit slip or check issued by Mr. Douglas, one could cash it at the partner banks in Norin to facilitate interregional transactions conveniently. This avoided the foolishness of traveling the world while carrying large bags of paper currency or even gold coins.
If it weren't for the fact that a client had paid with a check back when he was an antiquities detective, the original owner probably would never have had the chance to encounter one in his entire life.
He jumped off the carriage, finding himself on a bustling street in the Valley District. The buildings on both sides were four or five story high rises with light, white toned exteriors that appeared wealthy and ostentatious.
On the second floor of one of the buildings hung a gold stamped sign: Edmond Douglas Bank.
This must be the place. Douglas Bank, one of the largest banks in Rhine City.
He passed through the magnificent hall to the second floor, where the bank consisted of two offices along a corridor.
As soon as he entered, he saw a young man in a full suit with slicked back hair sitting behind a desk, looking arrogant as he slammed the table at two middle aged men dressed like farmers:
"Damn it, a bunch of stupid, illiterate fools who can't even read the regulations. How many times do I have to say it? We don't accept your filthy cows and sheep. If you want to borrow money, use real estate as collateral. Do you know what real estate is? It's your farmland at home. If you don't have collateral, get out. I've had enough of you dirty, stupid peasants."
"Sir, sir, please don't be angry," the two farmers said, hanging their heads and speaking in low voices. "But we heard that old Mike from the neighboring Downton Manor mortgaged his farmland to Mr. Malfoy's bank, and as a result, Mr. Malfoy sold their farmland at a high price to the city government's Land Acquisition Bureau."
"Bullshit, without your authorization, who could take your title deed and sell your land?" The young man roared loudly, seemingly righteous. "And how can Malfoy compare to the reputation of our Douglas Bank? You actually dare to question our integrity? Get out of here. Nobody is begging you to borrow money. Get out quickly. If you don't bring the title deed, don't you dare enter this door again."
Tsk, it seems the influence of the land purchase order is growing larger.
The so called land purchase order was a city government policy for acquiring farmland. While it was called acquisition, in reality, all sorts of means were used. Such mortgage fraud by banks was one of the crudest methods.
Just as Lynch was distracted, the young bank clerk turned toward him. His eyes swept over Lynch's attire, and his eyebrows arched even higher: "And you, where did you come from, you lowlife? If you want to borrow money, bring the collateral, otherwise get out."
At his shout, the two farmers turned pale with fright and ran away. However, Lynch had seen plenty of such people who used the power of their masters to bully others during his life as a corporate slave in his previous world and had rich experience in dealing with them. He merely gave him a faint glance before walking around the outer hall with his hands behind his back.
"Damn it, I'm talking to you. Are you deaf? How dare you enter a bank dressed like this? Don't you know that those who are improperly dressed are not allowed entry? What do you think a bank is? You're dirty and smelly, you've dirtied the carpet, hurry up and get out..."
As he spoke, he strode over, intending to shove Lynch out. Lynch just looked at him with a half smile as he approached, and not until he was about to make contact did he take the check between two fingers and flick it lightly against the young clerk's face.
Smack.
It didn't hurt, but it stunned the young man, who stared blankly at Lynch as he waved the check in front of him.
Lynch wore a faint smile and tapped the young clerk's face lightly with the check again and again:
"A city government check, personally issued by Chairman Grant, fifty pounds. Given that you demanded I get out quickly, I want to see the money within five minutes. Otherwise, I will have Grant cancel the partnership between the city government and the Douglas Bank. I believe your Mr. Douglas will be very happy to hear about this and then reward you properly."
"My, my lord, wait." The clerk had seen many city government checks and could tell its authenticity at a glance. His face immediately piled up with a fawning smile as he stretched his neck forward, allowing Lynch to flick it more smoothly. "Can you please let me verify the signature and seal first?"
As soon as he took the check and saw the signature, the clerk's expression changed. Even though Lynch had already stopped the flicking, his face remained crumpled.
It was actually real.
The clerk immediately rubbed his hands together and apologized with a smile: "My lord, my lord, Mr. Douglas has a guest right now, but they will be out soon. Could I ask you to sit for a moment?"
"I'm in a hurry to get out, remember?" Lynch took out his pocket watch and looked at it. "Four minutes and fifteen seconds left."
"My lord, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please forgive me." His face turned white, and he slapped his own face a few times, bowing his waist to apologize. "I beg you..."
As he was speaking, the door leading to the inner room opened.
Lynch did not see someone walk out first, but rather, a warning flashed through his consciousness.
【Robin's prosthetic hand. Nothing can stop Robin from taking back what belongs to him, no matter where it is hidden.】
Rate on N.U.
