The Dark Side of Old Dunling

The pitch-black steam train moved silently through the city shrouded in gray fog. This was the time of night when the fog in Old Dunling was at its thickest, with visibility limited to less than ten meters. The ghost train had chosen this hour to depart. It made no sound as it traveled along the tracks on the remote road, skillfully bypassing all patrolling mounted police. It stopped and started, picking up many mysterious guests along the way. Everyone sat within the ornate carriages, where soundproof compartments isolated each seat from the others.

Eve looked out the window, but there was only pitch-black nothingness. This was a tin can that cut off everything from the outside world, and the enclosed space made her feel flustered.

"Where exactly are you taking me?"

Eve began to feel a bit of regret. The detective before her was not trustworthy—at least, not entirely. She should have been more on guard against him.

They were in a compartment inside the carriage. Lorenzo sat opposite Eve, looking perfectly at ease as he spoke slowly.

"To attend Sabo's ball."

As he spoke, Lorenzo took out a mask and handed it to Eve.

"Sabo primarily deals in smuggling. He has a group of Viking pirates he collaborates with in the northern seas. They are responsible for the raiding, bringing the goods to Raindona port, and then Sabo handles the fencing."

"Those are all things that cannot see the light of day. Ordinary citizens lack the purchasing power, but the high-ranking nobles are an exception. That is why he holds these balls periodically. Although they are called balls, they are actually trade fairs—money is exchanged for goods on the spot."

Listening to Lorenzo, Eve's heart calmed slightly.

"The threshold to attend this ball is very high. I had to pull some strings to get the tickets."

"That coin?"

Eve had a deep impression of that coin. This was the heart of a nation, yet a currency she had never seen before had appeared. Eve could not help but be vigilant.

"Yes, they generally call this a Butcher Coin, minted by the master of the Lower District, the Shrike Bird. It has the pattern of a shrike bird engraved on it."

Lorenzo explained the complexities of the Lower District to Eve.

Wherever there are people, rules will be derived and classes will be divided; even the chaotic and filthy Lower District is no exception.

"To rule a region, all you need to do is unify the currency. Everyone knows that coins and banknotes printed with the lion are hard currency internationally, but in the Lower District, coins printed with the Shrike Bird are the mainstream. Every Butcher Coin can be traded directly, and in the black market, you can exchange it for any currency."

"You can think of the entire Lower District as a giant casino, and the Butcher Coins in your hand are your chips."

As Lorenzo spoke, he took out a few more and handed them to Eve. They felt heavy in her palm; she did not know what precious metal they were cast from.

"Sabo is a very cautious man. His business is incredibly lucrative, and everyone wants to replace him. He usually hides in a heavily guarded bunker, but he will attend this ball. That is our only chance to make direct contact with him."

"He doesn't let people know the location of the ball. Every time there is one, a courier sends letters to those nobles, informing them of the station stop, and then they depart at midnight."

Lorenzo put on his mask as he spoke. It was a brass mask with sporadic gears embedded along the edges for decoration.

"So we don't even know where we're going?"

Eve also put on her mask. Feathers were tucked into the edges, making her look like some keen-eyed bird. She looked out the window, but it remained pitch-black; there was nothing there.

"Yes."

Lorenzo nodded.

"Although Sabo is a Viking, he is never reckless. In fact, he is cautious to a fault."

In her mind, Vikings were a group of brutes who believed that dying on the battlefield was an honorable thing. Their souls would be carried back to Valhalla by the Valkyries, where they would join the gods and their ancestors in an eternal feast. In the ignorant era of several hundred years ago, this belief was firm, and those fearless Vikings had once fought their way to the gates of Old Dunling.

Unfortunately, times had changed. Under the continuous barrage of artillery fire, all beliefs were shaken. When those war airships loaded with ammunition swept across the kingdom's airspace, everything from the old era was swept into the grave.

"How do you know all this?"

Eve asked suddenly. Beneath the mask, her blue-green eyes watched Lorenzo. Beneath that brass mask was a mysterious and unfathomable identity.

"You're a detective, yet you have Butcher Coins and know so many secrets. How do you manage that?"

Eve had reason to believe that Lorenzo was a double agent. From the very beginning, this guy had acted more like a gang leader; he seemed more like a wanted kingpin than a detective.

This forced Eve to be vigilant. Lorenzo's weapon was currently on him, and he held the absolute advantage.

To Eve's question, Lorenzo remained silent for a few seconds, then gave a frank smile.

"If I said I have a super-powerful buddy who told me all this, would you believe me?"

No one would ever imagine that the noble Shrike would become Lorenzo's backup. After all, the gap in their social standing was too vast—one was an emperor in the darkness, the other an unknown detective.

"Actually, no matter whether I answer you or not, you will still have doubts about me, won't you? We are merely allies united by interests. Such an alliance is the most solid, yet also the most fragile. When our interests diverge, we will become mortal enemies."

Lorenzo spoke calmly, his rationality unlike that of an ordinary person.

"Eve, the Lower District is a giant casino. You could even say that life itself is a gamble. Aside from yourself, you cannot control anything except the cards in your hand."

His gray-blue eyes gazed at her, his voice steady and powerful.

"The first gamble: bet on whether I am worth trusting. How about it? If you think I am credible, the operation continues. If you think I am not worth the trust, it is not too late to leave now."

Holding up one finger, Lorenzo finished.

Eve was silent. She was conflicted.

She was a princess of the Phoenix family. Just as Lorenzo said, her status was noble. If Lorenzo had ill intentions, she was currently a lamb heading into a wolf's den. But at the same time, if she did not achieve any results, her father would certainly find a way to transfer her out of Suaran Hall.

Safety on one side, her dreams on the other. Eve made her decision without a second thought.

"If you dare to lie to me, I swear I will kill you."

The girl said viciously, then leaned back in her chair, waiting to arrive at the ball.

She really was a stubborn person. If not for her background, perhaps Eve could have truly become a great detective.

Lorenzo did not say anything more. Everything tonight had gone smoothly so far—impossibly smoothly. From the moment this girl accepted his invitation, he knew she would not let it go easily, simply because she was a child of the Phoenix family.

Only a phoenix is born from the ashes, not a common barnyard chicken.

The carriage swayed slightly, and the faint sound of conversation from the surrounding compartments eventually faded away.

Finally, the attendant knocked on the door to inform them that they had arrived.

According to Lorenzo's script, the two of them were to be a couple tonight. Although Eve did not understand why they weren't a noblewoman and her manservant, she said nothing under the strange atmosphere and simply let Lorenzo lead her away.

White steam rose slowly, warming the air.

The small platform was already crowded with people, most of them dressed in luxurious attire and wearing various masks. They were the buyers for tonight's ball. Because everyone wore masks, no one could recognize anyone else, but in reality, even if they did, they would remain silent. This ball was like a beautiful dream; once the dream ended, nothing should be remembered.

The lighting was dim. Eve looked around and could only see gray mist and pitch-black darkness. She knew she was in the Lower District, but she did not know the specific location.

Looking up at the sky, the familiar black shadow was still swimming through the clouds, which brought her a small sense of relief.

"If you don't understand something, please remain silent. Our identities tonight are a newly joined couple. Sabo will be wary of newcomers, so don't give us away."

Eve nodded without speaking. At that moment, the attendant stepped out, bowed, and led the group toward the ball.

It was a winding, tortuous path, accompanied only by dim lights along the way. There was nothing else, and armed men followed behind the procession to prevent anyone from leaving.

As they walked, Eve suddenly smelled a strange odor, and immediately after, more lights rose up.

Beneath their feet was a red carpet for guests, but looking from the faint light, the surroundings were as dilapidated as ruins. The flickering light came from candles, and behind that weak glow were faces that were old and withered, like dead men drawn to the light.

Lorenzo pulled her closer, and then Eve saw more. A foul, fishy stench drifted from the darkness, something seemed to be flowing slowly, and faint, whimpering screams could be heard.

The tightly closed doors swung open.

It was as if the gates of heaven had parted. Endless light poured out from the doorway, accompanied by the aroma of wine, singing, and the intoxicating clinking of coins. Lazy moans echoed continuously, creating an atmosphere of restless agitation. The guests let out gasps of surprise and then hurried toward that heavenly paradise, as fanatical as devout believers.

Mead and cheese, wealth and beauty—it was a taboo that could satisfy everyone, provided you were willing to sacrifice yourself to join.

"Lorenzo... what is this?"

Eve stood before the gates, stunned as if her soul had been dealt a massive blow. Yet, Lorenzo offered no comfort; instead, he whispered into her ear.

"Welcome to the dark side of Old Dunling, Miss Eve Phoenix."