At noon, Ebner, having met up with the "Magic Mirror," or rather, Chesi, who had been handling various transfer procedures, returned to the small villa provided by the "Golf Club" and shared lunch with Fors, who had remained there.
He forked a piece of pan-fried mushrooms into his mouth, chewing as he listened to Chesi's report.
"Herta's house in the Glan District, because of its good location and luxurious decoration, was ultimately appraised at 19,000 Fels. It was listed at the auction house for just over an hour before someone bid on it, with the final offer being 22,000 Fels. Additionally, his 1% share in Sucit Bank and his shipping company stocks, since agreements were signed long ago, will be transferred to your name in one or two days, at most, once the paperwork is complete."
The "Transfer Agreements" presented by Herta, the Mirror Apostle, were clearly legitimate documents, just one step away from becoming effective. Otherwise, the "Quiz Labyrinth" wouldn't have recognized their value… This certainly made things convenient for Ebner.
Ebner drank a glass of authentic Intis white wine, wiped his mouth, and then asked, "Did you get any news about the newspaper I asked you to inquire about?"
Chesi, under the Magic Mirror's control, nodded and said very smoothly, "Affected by the 'News Control' act, many newspaper offices in Trier are unsettled, and several are already selling at low prices."
"Which ones?" Ebner asked with interest.
"The East Shore Morning Post, Cerenz Weekly, and Rhine News… There are also some other small newspapers up for sale, but their influence is limited and doesn't suit your status, Master!" Chesi said, picking up her own Magic Mirror to display the addresses and specific details of these newspaper offices in images.
"Even Rhine News can't hold on?" Fors, who had been listening in, exclaimed in surprise. "This is one of Trier's top three newspapers, very influential across the entire Northern Continent!"
She was currently holding a copy of Rhine News, and the headline of its second-page lead story boldly read: "Escaped Convict Murders and Frames Another, Hero Detective Identifies True Culprit."
Chesi thought for a moment, and considering Fors's relationship with her master, she answered her question. "Rhine News' owner, Mr. Wolff, was recently sentenced to 16 months in prison for libel. Yet, after only a week in prison, he mysteriously disappeared… This incident also became the fuse for opposition against 'News Control'… And Mr. Wolff's son, young Wolff, is a conservative and never liked his family's newspaper business. Now that he's at the center of public opinion, his resolve isn't strong enough, and he just wants to leave this troubled place in Trier… That's why he wants to sell the newspaper."
"So that's how it is…" Fors suddenly understood, then curiously asked, "How did Mr. Wolff disappear?"
"This case occurred last Friday and was reportedly assigned to Inspector Russell, known for his 'uprightness,' but there's no result yet," Chesi said with a hint of meaning.
Last Friday… wasn't that when the blood moon occurred? Could Mr. Wolff's disappearance be related to the falling of the Primordial Moon? And wasn't Inspector Russell determined by Lion Lyon to be the North family's Desire Apostle? What a coincidence.
As Fors pondered, she put a piece of bacon into her mouth.
"Rhine News can be put aside for now. Even if its price drops, it's still worth tens, or even hundreds of thousands of Fels… You should keep an eye on the prices of the East Shore Morning Post and Cerenz Weekly later; those are my targets…" Ebner instructed the Magic Mirror after thoroughly reviewing the situation of each newspaper.
Of course, the final decision on which to buy would have to be made by Lion Lyon, as this was the newspaper he had promised to buy for it.
It was worth noting that the lion had been by Fanny's side ever since it got off the steam train, and was not currently at the club villa, which had given Fors two days of ease.
"Yes, Master," Chesi respectfully replied.
At this point, Ebner recalled the conversation between Fors and Chesi, and with a thought, he asked, "Do you know which prison Mr. Wolff was held in?"
"Kala Prison in the Northeast District… I'm sorry, Master, I don't know the specific cell number," Chesi said, lowering her head in "shame."
"It's fine, that's enough," Ebner replied, quite satisfied.
"Ebner, do you want to investigate this case?" Fors asked in surprise. In her understanding, Ebner wasn't a detective who enjoyed solving cases… unless the case benefited him.
Ebner smiled and replied, "Mr. Wolff might have some connection to the person I'm looking for."
If he really was a follower of the Primordial Moon…
.....
On the Rorsted Archipelago, in the "City of Generosity," Bayam.
Around 11 o'clock, Klein met the plump apothecary Ebner had mentioned above the gray fog, in the lounge of the Amyris Leaf Bar.
His gaze swept over the man, and he was suddenly stunned because the timid, chubby man before him was actually someone he knew.
Isn't this the loose-tongued, sarcastic plump apothecary from the gathering summoned by old Mr. Eye of Wisdom in Backlund? I even met him at a circus once… He stopped appearing at old Mr. Eye of Wisdom's Beyonder gatherings because he left Backlund, apparently…
Klein carefully observed the man, noting his local attire of a Taraba shirt, wide-legged trousers, and a thick coffee-colored jacket. Additionally, a round-faced owl perched silently on his right shoulder, its eyes fixed on the adventurer opposite him.
This feeling is very similar to how Miss Justice observed the other members of the Tarot Club… This owl might be a Beyonder creature, a Spectator type? Klein made his judgment internally, but his expression remained calm as he asked in a deep voice, "What commission do you have that you asked someone to find me?"
"It's like this." The plump apothecary, hearing the cold tone and recalling the adventurer's reputation, instinctively shrank his neck. After a moment, he managed to organize his words. "I want to ask you to help me rescue someone… I originally asked Ebner, but he recommended you, saying you were more suitable."
The way you put that, it's like I'm Ebner's backup… You really don't know how to talk! Klein grumbled inwardly, yet asked calmly, "Where do I rescue them? Who do I rescue? Is there any danger?"
Darkwill's lips moved a few times before he said, "To rescue my teacher from the Governor's Mansion prison… Uh, I can't determine the level of danger… If, if the danger exceeds your capabilities, you can simply give up. This is our agreed promise now; it won't harm your reputation."
If I didn't know you always speak so poorly, I'd think you were trying to provoke me… Klein thought for a moment and said, "What kind of reward can you offer?"
Darkwill initially wanted to state the price he had already considered, but then he hesitated. He genuinely couldn't determine the level of danger, and even with Ebner's connection, if the offer wasn't compelling enough, it would be hard to sway Gehrman Sparrow.
However, if Teacher is successfully rescued, he can pay on my behalf, right? After all, this is for his escape…
As Darkwill pondered, Klein glanced at him and said indifferently, "You can think about it first. I'll go to the washroom; tell me your answer when I return."
With that, he turned, walked to the door, twisted the handle, and stepped out.
His response seemed seasoned, possessing the casual coolness of an adventurer and bounty hunter, but in reality, he didn't truly intend to give the plump apothecary time to think. He was simply looking for an opportunity to go to the washroom and perform a divination above the gray fog.
That was the key to whether he would accept the mission—though he had long intended to feign capture and enter the Governor's Mansion to investigate, with the rescue just a convenient side task.
After a while, Klein returned to the lounge and asked, "Have you thought about it?"
He had already divined above the gray fog that this mission would not increase the difficulty of his plan.
"1,000 pounds, and our friendship—I mean, my teacher's and my friendship," Darkwill said, somewhat unconfidently.
Klein was silent for a few seconds. "Alright. Additionally, you need to provide some intelligence on the Governor's Mansion."
Intelligence is easy enough. Guards often buy medicine from me; I know a lot about the Governor's Mansion… Darkwill sighed in relief and nodded. "I'll organize the intelligence for you later… However, I will only prepay you 300 pounds; my teacher will pay the rest after he's rescued."
Another pauper! Klein nodded calmly. "Deal."
.....
The Northeast District of Trier, backed by the canal, was the smallest area of the city.
Kala Prison was located by the canal, originally a baron's castle. During Roselle's reign, the baron lost his title and moved his entire family to Masik, so the place was converted into a prison.
Since it was merely a jail for ordinary people, Ebner, using "Evans's Concealment Barrier," easily bypassed the guards and arrived before a cell with a large hole broken in its ceiling.
Was this broken from the inside? It seems Mr. Wolff indeed underwent an anomaly on the blood moon night last week?!