When Lynch returned to Charles Square, it was already past five in the afternoon.
He hadn't stopped thinking the entire way.
The old principal's parting words finally confirmed to Lynch that Black Spider wasn't bluffing. He really had done things that set events on an irreversible path.
The gate of destruction had been opened.
But what exactly did I do? And what did destruction even refer to?
Lynch couldn't come up with an answer no matter how hard he tried.
He even went over everything he had done over the past forty-odd days under what seemed to be the Shadow Alliance's overt or covert guidance and coercion. From when he first woke up, escaping his fate as a sacrifice and making an enemy of the Ancient Flicker, to using the Abyss Weaver to shatter the Ancient Flicker and successfully open his path of immortality, to joining forces with Miss Valente to defeat Mordiggian, the King of Ghouls, and finally, to crushing the Gate of Falsehood and Reality when it tried to smuggle itself back into the mortal world.
Indeed, during this time, he felt as though he were living in an invisible web, with his every move guided and arranged. But thinking about it carefully, aside from living a rather fulfilling life and spending half his time lying in bed recovering from injuries, everything he had done was the right thing. He shouldn't have done anything wrong, right?
Forget it, no use waiting. I'll just go see Howard tomorrow. Maybe I can get some clues from him.
Though the chances were slim, it was at least worth a try.
“Good evening, Mr. Detective. Your look today is quite unique.”
A familiar laugh brought Lynch's attention back. Only then did he realize he was walking through the bustling square, bathed in the red glow of the setting sun.
The teasing from his landlady finally brought a touch of warmth to his cold heart.
This was what life was truly about...
Newsboys chasing and laughing in the streets, housewives carrying baskets lingering at stalls, vendors shouting at the top of their lungs to hawk their wares, groups of factory girls giggling as they walked together, and those in the crowd stealthily eyeing people's pockets...
“Get lost.”
He kicked away a blind thief. Idiot, you should have asked around. Ever since I moved here, when have I ever had an extra penny to spare?
Trying to target me? I guess you don't want to make a single coin today.
Adjusting his bowtie, Lynch coughed dryly to cover up his rough behavior. With a handsome smile, he tipped his hat and bowed to Mrs. Maggie, who was carrying a grocery basket, as elegant as any Lande gentleman.
Of course, it would have been more convincing if dirt didn't shower off him with every movement.
“Honestly, did you go do something dangerous again to end up looking like this?”
The blonde, blue-eyed landlady wrinkled her nose. She grumbled playfully as she habitually patted the dirt off Lynch's clothes. But after just two pats, she noticed the strange looks from the people around them. Her face flushed slightly, and she immediately stopped.
“No, no, it wasn't dangerous. I just collapsed a building, got buried underneath, and was recently dug out.”
“Huh?”
“No, no, no, it's nothing. Hahaha, just a joke...”
“Hey, did you hear? A building at Lillia Women’s Academy collapsed just now. Apparently, people died.”
The passerby's timely remark plunged them both into silence. A bizarre expression gradually crept onto the landlady's beautiful face.
“You actually...” Mrs. Maggie looked at Lynch with disbelief. “...went into a women's school?”
“Huh?” Ma'am, is your focus a bit off?
“Pfft, just kidding. Since you're standing right in front of me safe and sound, there's obviously nothing to worry about. But don't go to places like that next time. It's too dangerous.”
With that, she stuffed the basket into Lynch's hand.
“I need to buy a few more things. Wait for me. Once we get back, change out of those clothes quickly, and I'll clean them for you.”
“Then I'll leave it to you, ma'am.”
It was just their usual daily routine, so there was no need to be polite. Lynch held the basket and followed Mrs. Maggie through Charles Square like a knight protecting his lady.
As for the dirt on his clothes? Everyone here was an acquaintance; there was no need to care about such minor details.
“Oh, if it isn't Mr. Detective! Have you been out of business for so long that you went to find work at a construction site? That must be tough. It just so happens I have some black bread left over today, I'll give it to you for free.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Sterling, but I'll pass. Other bakeries mix chaff into their flour to make black bread, but yours mixes flour into the chaff. My teeth aren't great, so I can't afford it.”
“Hahaha! Then, Mr. Detective, come over and look at this. The best quality brush in all of Rhine. It's perfect for cleaning your clothes, guaranteed to be fast and effective.”
“Stop joking, Mr. Jeff. It's not like I haven't tried the quality of your grocery stall before. The lighter I bought last time breaks down once every three days. I was only fooled because I had just moved here back then. I won't fall for it this time.”
“Shh, shh! Don't be so loud, it'll be bad if others hear...”
“Who around here doesn't know about your business? There's no need to listen! And you, detective, stay far away from me. Don't come over; I'm not doing business with you. Last time, you insisted on buying chickpeas and claimed my peas weren't round enough just to get them at half price! Have you ever seen a perfectly round chickpea, you bastard? Get lost!”
Uh, are there none? Whatever. It's pretty embarrassing to be covered in so much dirt anyway. Maybe I should just head home first.
The people in this market are too unfriendly. I hope you don't sell a single thing today.
Hiding behind the landlady's twitching shoulders, Lynch resentfully muttered a curse, but he was quickly chased away by the good-natured shouts of the vendors who overheard him.
Even when they returned home, the landlady was still laughing. Beneath her swaying collar, there was a glimpse of...
Cough, cough. Nothing was visible.
Lynch awkwardly averted his gaze and closed the door for the slightly flushed landlady.
Little Martha wasn't around. She had used Lynch as an excuse to skip half a day of school in the morning to watch a good show. Thus, in the afternoon, under Lynch's reminder, she was sent packing to school by Mrs. Maggie.
When she returned, it would likely be another battle of the ages, but who cared? There was a price to pay for watching a spectacle.
So, ma'am, you wouldn't want little Martha skipping school either, would you? In that case, I'll leave the clothes to you.
Mumbling to entertain himself, he hung up his formal suit and top hat, changed into comfortable loungewear, and listened to Mrs. Maggie clattering about downstairs. Lynch smiled and sighed once more.
This was life. To preserve this life, he had to keep working hard. I don't care what kind of conspiracy you have. Even if the gate of destruction really has been opened, I'll close it the same way it was opened.
Habitually placing his pipe in his mouth, Lynch stood before his memo board, preparing to review his actions once more. However, just as he stood still, the clattering downstairs came to an abrupt halt.
Then came a scream from Mrs. Maggie.
Lynch's face darkened. He immediately activated the enhancement of Death Coil, grabbed his cane, and rushed downstairs.
Fortunately, the landlady was only standing at the kitchen doorway, staring blankly inside. The groceries she had bought were scattered all over the floor. Lynch rushed straight over, shielding her behind him, and then...
Shit.
The kitchen looked like it had been ransacked by a thief, but that wasn't the main point.
The main point was a black cat lying on the counter, hugging a small piece of smoked fish it had dug up from somewhere, lazily licking it from time to time.
Pitch-black all over, like a lump of coal—Lynch knew this damn cat all too well.
It was Countess Hathaway's black cat.
It seemed it was just a farce. Lynch lowered his guard, but... To think you'd steal food. You damn stupid cat, since you've already put yourself on the counter, don't blame us for adding an extra dish to our dinner tonight.
Lynch eyed the kitchen knife nearby and grinned sinisterly at the black cat.
Unfortunately, the black cat only flicked its tail, spared him a lazy glance, and then picked up a small pouch from the side with its mouth, tossing it toward Lynch with a jerk of its head.
What the hell? You're a freaking cat.
However, a sudden wave of familiarity rushed over him, making Lynch catch the pouch without a second thought.
The moment he touched it, a fragment of ancient memory instantly flooded his mind.
A memory from the Crimson Lady, Luna.
Rate on N.U.
