By the time they arrived at Pig Tail Alley in the north of the city, it was already noon. Though it was called an alley, it was wide enough for a carriage to pass through. Old buildings towered on both sides, their exterior walls covered in vines that nearly blended into the steam pipes. This was a distinctive sight in the city during summer. Combined with the chirping birds and the faint scent of cooking drifting through the alley, this place, so full of everyday life, truly suited Shade's tastes.
Of course, there was no way he would move out of Saint Derain Square.
Because of the lack of sunlight, the apartment was damp and dark. The corridor already smelled unpleasant, and with no windows for ventilation, the scents of sweat, food, and clothes that had not dried properly mingled together, making it extremely uncomfortable.
As he chatted with Captain Rades about the customs and scenery of the kingdom's south while climbing the stairs, they saw an adult cat jump down from above. It was snow-white all over, except for the dark fur around its right eye. It looked somewhat thin, but its limbs were long and slender, and it was not afraid of strangers.
After studying the captain and Shade, it went around them and continued downstairs.
This cat did not look as clean as Little Mia. Its owner probably did not groom it often.
"That's Old Lady Cullen's cat from downstairs. It's usually vicious toward ordinary people. Why is it being so docile this time? Detective, it seems cats really like you."
The captain said curiously, then continued leading Shade upstairs. Captain Rades lived on the 2nd Floor and shared a washroom with five other tenants.
The wooden floorboards in the second-floor corridor had warped from the dampness,