Rainy Night (The latter half of the previous chapter has been revised)

According to Audrey, Baron Syndras had suffered three business failures, the last of which had even brought him to the brink of bankruptcy. Yet he had pulled through every single time.

Had he really pulled through on his own?

Luther was skeptical.

Based on the Baron's relationship with the Church of Storms, he suspected that the Baron had received the Church's secret assistance. In return, Syndras used his own resources to work for the Church of Storms.

At the edge of the dance floor, Baron Syndras wore a calm expression as he conversed with a tall, portly man.

According to Miss Audrey's introduction, that man was Framis Cage, a believer of the God of Steam.

"Framis Cage?"

Luther found the name somewhat familiar. After thinking for a moment, he remembered that this man seemed to be a business tycoon trying to commercialize steam-powered vehicles. Klein had once sold the patent for bicycles, and the buyer had been this very man.

Framis Cage had pale blue eyes and was cheerful and talkative. Holding a glass of strong liquor, he loudly discussed the development of steam and machinery with several people, including Baron Syndras. Syndras listened politely, but it was not hard to tell from his expression that he had little interest in the subject.

Luther noticed that when some guests heard Framis's voice, they cast undisguised looks of disgust at him... among them was even the newly appointed Duke Negan, Sival. This thin young man was not only glaring at Framis, but also looking resentfully at Syndras.

"Mr. Framis is an industrialist. My father has invested quite a bit in his factories... It is said that he has one-quarter Feysac blood," Audrey explained.

So it was no surprise that some people disliked him.

Luther thought.

Audrey continued her introduction. "And that