A farce.
Lynch guessed that once the banker Douglas realized the escrow item was missing, he had immediately pointed the finger at him. It was not that he truly believed Lynch had stolen it; he simply wanted to find a convenient scapegoat to shoulder the political pressure of the lost item, then slowly find a way to compensate the client.
He had not expected this scapegoat to be fiercer than him, like kicking a snowman only to hit a fire hydrant.
This made Lynch feel very fortunate. It was only because he had fought hard enough previously to earn the status of advisor to the Governor's Office that he could turn the tables and pressure Douglas. If he were still the ordinary relic detective he was when he first crossed over, he would have likely been thrown into prison, and he would not know how long it would take to clear his name.
For this reason, he could not let the matter rest like this. Otherwise, once he left an impression of being weak and easy to bully, everyone would dare to step on him in the future, and it would be difficult to reverse that perception then.
He had to nip the signs in the bud. By using a non-lethal farce to squeeze a large sum of money from the other party, he would let everyone know that provoking him would result in being bitten back, and bitten quite painfully at that. That way, before anyone else had crooked thoughts, they would have to weigh carefully whether they were willing to pay the price.
That is right, my behavior has deep meaning, and it is definitely not because I am greedy for those fifty pounds. My heart is perfectly clear and upright.
【Pfft...】
‘Don’t laugh, just watch your scenery.’
The train of thought in Lynch’s mind stalled. He secretly curled his lip and quickly fled the scene.
A con artist and thief who carried at least three mystery relics on his body and had a deep understanding of the Kingdom of Salter in the New Continent, a priceless ruby with extensive ties, and a princess from the Kingdom of Salter here for her studies—just hearing a few of these elements made it clear how much trouble this was.
Now the trouble had already slapped him in the face, but Lynch still wanted to struggle, attempting to stay out of it. Therefore, he left the scene as fast as he could, hoping to sever the connection that had already been formed with the incident.
I hope it works. Why does this kind of trouble suddenly target me specifically? It couldn't be another bad reaction from the Path of Immortality, or perhaps those rats from the Shadow Alliance pushing from behind again?
With a feeling of irritation in his heart, Lynch asked secretly: ‘Neighbor.’
【I am watching my scenery, please do not disturb me.】
Hiss, how can a goddess still hold a grudge? So much for the gods loving the world.
【You are not of the people of this world, neighbor.】
Lynch almost choked on his own breath. After holding it in for a long time, he pressed against the veins on his forehead: ‘Forget it, a qualified Lande gentleman does not argue with a goddess. You give me an opinion first; I run into trouble as soon as I go out, is that reasonable?’
【It is very reasonable, Lynch. Although you do indeed have a strong attraction to mystery, it is mainly your own problem. Do not forget, what is the source of mystery?】
Lynch was startled, quickly understanding the implication of his neighbor’s words.
Mystery begins with perception.
This was the law Madam Bessie had repeatedly reminded him of, but he had never given it enough importance. Looking back now, if he had not sensed those three mystery relics, he would have been just as clueless as Douglas. It was precisely because his high inspiration had perceived the existence of the relics that he could further detect the problems with the con artist’s identity, thereby having the possibility of further deep contact with the mystery.
‘So this is the price of the high inspiration you mentioned before.’
【Hmm.】
‘But I didn’t tell anyone about perceiving the relics, nor did I show it, so why was I still linked to it?’
【Mystery originates from the Dreamlands, and the Dreamlands originate from the heart, Lynch.】 A faint sigh came from his consciousness, 【Note, mystery originates from perception, not from expression.】
‘So, whether or not one shows that they perceive mystery is not the deciding factor. The result of the perception itself is what fundamentally determines whether a connection is established. I understand. So when I perceived the three mystery relics, I had actually already established a connection with the event—that is, it was already riding on my face. But if I pretend not to know and actively distance myself, it is still possible to sever the connection that has already been established.’
【Hmm, it is ‘possible’.】
‘Then what am I waiting for? Let’s slip away.’
He hurriedly hailed a taxi carriage, even choosing a twelve-penny box taxi, and left this place of trouble as fast as he could.
Target: Crown District, Bessie’s Magic Item Shop.
Counting the time, Madam Bessie’s suspension period should have ended, and Lynch had long been thinking about paying a visit. After all, she had almost died at the hands of an Abyss Weaver because she was helping him; it was only right and proper that he should come to thank her in person.
Moreover, the End Resonance ability he had just acquired was not as easy to learn as the two initial abilities of Concealment; it was said to require quite a few auxiliary facilities.
Sure enough, the item shop had been renovated and was open for business again. The dim lights in the dark shop cast a hazy glow, and the surroundings exuded an ancient and musty scent, adding a touch of mystery to the room.
As expected of one of the top mystery experts in Rhine City, even the place she resided in was so antique and filled with the sediment of time. It really is... hm? That is not right. Wasn’t it just blown up and newly renovated? Why does every piece of furniture look like an antique?
Pondering this, Lynch saw that red-haired lady again.
A woman full of mature charm, biting on a pristine lady’s pipe, her hazy eyes always appearing as if veiled in a layer of mist, radiating a mysterious attraction.
“Madam Bessie, please, you must help us.”
The speakers were a middle-aged couple, dressed in dignified and elegant attire, but their expressions were quite anxious, their upper bodies almost leaning into the counter:
“We followed your instructions and tested every room, but the test strips did not show any special changes.”
“That is very good, it means your house is fine, very clean, and very safe.”
“But my wife still keeps having nightmares every night, and when she is awake, she always feels uneasy, as if something is watching her. And my daughter, she runs out late at night with heavy makeup on, like she is a different person. When I ask her during the day, she does not know anything, as if she were sleepwalking.”
That is just her sneaking out for a date in the middle of the night. Lynch secretly rolled his eyes, but he saw Madam Bessie say with a solemn expression: “That means there is a real problem. However, it is fine, do not be nervous. The filth plaguing you is relatively weak; using this will absolutely be able to deal with it.”
As she spoke, she took out a small statue and pushed it across the counter with her pipe: “This is a sacrificial statue from the Fourth Age Nikru Dynasty, filled with a holy aura, naturally restraining those kinds of filth. Take it back and place it in the most hidden place in the room. After three days, the filth will naturally be eliminated, and your wife’s symptoms will disappear along with it.”
“Thank you so much, Madam Bessie. This statue must be very precious.”
“Not expensive, ten pounds.”
Hm?
“Phew, that is good, it is considered cheap.”
Hm???
A look of relief and ease appeared on the middle-aged couple’s faces. They hurriedly counted out ten pounds in banknotes, placed them respectfully in front of Madam Bessie, and then, as if fearing she might go back on her word, picked up the statue and turned to leave.
“Uh, if my archaeology studies haven’t gone to the dogs, that statue is no more than six months old, and it doesn’t have any mysterious properties on it.”
“Custom-made at a craft shop in the Valley District, one shilling each. Do you have an opinion?”
“Hiss, this earns even more than robbery.”
“Robbery is not this safe.” The red-haired lady blew out a puff of smoke and said leisurely, “They most likely have psychological issues that created self-suggestion. Having this thing is enough to offset their self-suggestion. If it still does not solve the problem, it means they are truly being threatened by strange filth. The statue is just a test treatment and is part of solving the problem; it won’t delay their treatment. As for the money... they are willing to give it, and I have no grudge against money, so why not take it? Satisfied? You are just as rigid as that woman Natalie, fixating on small trifles.”
“She is a police officer, of course she has to be.”
“And what about you?”
“I am a money lover.”
“Pfft, well said. I am satisfied, I forgive you for almost getting me killed.” The red-haired lady said lazily, “What is the matter today?”
Lynch carefully handed over the mystery file that was still warm.
“Hiss, an authority of death, and such a strange ability.”
Madam Bessie looked at Lynch thoughtfully:
“Alright, come with me.”
Rate on N.U.
