Home Invasion Murder Case

A well-preserved antique rapier from the Sherlock Dynasty would never be priced below 180 Gold Ecu. A few exceptional pieces could even sell for more than 300 Ecu.

For that very reason, there were many imitation antique rapiers from the Sherlock Dynasty on the market. The Magic Rapier Charlotte had bought was one hundred percent a replica.

There was only one reason he had been willing to buy this imitation antique rapier: the scabbard fitted to it was a genuine relic from the Sherlock Dynasty.

Scabbards from the Sherlock Dynasty were even rarer than intact Magic Rapiers. Precisely because they were so scarce, yet not considered proper collectibles, no one bothered speculating on them.

Very few people knew that certain components of Sherlock Dynasty scabbards used the same steel as Magic Rapiers. Only an original matching scabbard could conceal a Magic Rapier's magical fluctuations and keep enemies from noticing them in advance. It had not been enchanted, however, and was not a magical item.

Collectors in the Empire of Fars wanted everyone to know about the treasures in their possession, so they replaced old scabbards with brand-new ones to improve their appearance. Original scabbards that were too old or severely damaged were often discarded and eventually found their way into secondhand weapon shops.

On Earth, one could visit any antique market and find swindlers everywhere who were adept at "antiquing." Trying to uncover a genuine antique bargain was practically a fantasy.

But in the Empire of Fars, still in this medieval era, there were not even any true antique dealers, only secondhand shops. Unnoticed antiques like this often surfaced there.

Charlotte planned to find a reliable blacksmith to melt down the scabbard and forge it into a new rapier. If he could add some Starfall Iron as well, its quality would surpass a military-issue rapier, though the entire process would be troublesome.

Charlotte wandered through the weapons market a while longer and bought a secondhand Magnum Hand Shuttle and twenty rounds for eighty-nine Centime. The owner even threw in an underarm holster, the kind that could be concealed beneath a coat.

A brand-new Magnum Hand Shuttle cost at most two or three Flor on the black market. A secondhand one in ninety-percent-new condition would cost half that.

The one Charlotte bought was exceptionally cheap, so naturally it was more worn, only about eighty percent new. Still, none of its parts were damaged. He even test-fired a round, and its accuracy was fine.

Charlotte did not think he would use it often, so he did not care whether it was new or old. As long as it worked, that was enough.

Having taken care of two weapons, Charlotte also bought a leather sheath for the Vampire Hand Axe that made it easy to carry, then left the weapons market and walked back to the Savings Society Apartment.

The moment he arrived downstairs, Charlotte sensed that something was wrong. Four or five patrol carriages were parked outside the Savings Society Apartment, with more than ten military horses tethered nearby. Several City Patrol soldiers were chatting beside the carriages. Something had clearly happened.

He went over and greeted them amicably. "I am Charlotte Mecklen, a first-class clerk of the Central Government Office and a tenant here. May I ask what happened?"

Charlotte was simply too young. Claiming to be Chief Clerk would easily get him mistaken for a fraud. Besides, Kilmainham Prison's name was certainly less useful than that of the Central Government Office, so he gave his outdated identity.

The City Patrol soldiers exchanged glances, then laughed together. "There was a home invasion robbery, and someone died. We will have it handled soon, Mr. Mecklen."

Charlotte still felt faintly uneasy. "May I go home?"

"Of course," the City Patrol soldiers replied. "We have already examined the scene."

Charlotte entered the apartment building and went up to the second floor, only to find the corridor full of City Patrol soldiers. His bad feeling intensified.

When Charlotte saw that his room's door stood wide open, with several City Patrol soldiers talking outside it, he became certain that he was the unlucky victim.

He walked over and asked, "This is my room. May I ask what happened?"

A young, handsome City Patrol soldier instinctively drew his sword, his expression wary. An older colleague pressed down his hand and said, "Dobbin! This man just returned from outside. He is clean and has no blood on him. He should be the tenant the doorman described, Mr. Charlotte."

The City Patrol soldier who had drawn his sword spun it in a flourish before sheathing it. In a sympathetic tone, he said, "Sir, I am afraid you will need to come with us."

"A home invasion murder took place in your home. Someone killed a lady in your home."

Charlotte could not help feeling a faint headache. "Mr. Dobbin, may I know the details of the case?"

The young City Patrol soldier answered, "This afternoon, a gentleman and a lady came to visit you. Ignoring the doorman's attempts to stop them, they forced their way into the apartment building. The gentleman violently broke down your room door, then fought with the lady in your room."

"The gentleman killed the lady who had come with him in your room, then escaped through the window."

"Unfortunately, your life will have to revolve around this matter for a while."

From his memories and the scattered women's clothing in the room, Charlotte could roughly tell that the previous owner's private life had probably not been so "pure." Still, he had not expected trouble to come knocking so quickly, and in such a serious form.

He rubbed the space between his brows and asked, "May I go into my room and check my belongings?"

The young City Patrol soldier nodded and gestured for him to proceed.

Charlotte stepped into his room. The first thing he saw was clothing strewn all over the floor in even worse disarray. Several garments were stained with blood. A fierce struggle had clearly taken place inside.

Charlotte glanced at the Multi-Headed Flail and Vampire Hand Axe tossed in the corner, as well as the diary on the desk. He quietly sighed in relief and decided that he would carry the Vampire Hand Axe with him at all times from now on.

He turned and left the room, then said to the apartment manager, who had been standing to one side with the City Patrol soldiers, "Sorry, but I need a new room."

The manager hesitated for a moment before saying helplessly, "Only a few suites are left in the apartment building, and they are relatively expensive. If this had been an accidental incident, we would take responsibility, but in this case, I am afraid you bear a slight share of responsibility as well, Mr. Charlotte..."

Charlotte smiled faintly. "I will cover one year's worth of the reduced rent for this room. I need to accompany these City Patrol soldiers now. When I return, take me to see the new room."

"Also, please find someone to watch over the things in my room and make sure nothing goes missing."

Having obtained Charlotte's promise, the manager relaxed considerably. "I will have Mary wait here until you return. You know Mary has always been reliable."

Charlotte nodded and said to the two City Patrol soldiers, "I am ready to cooperate with the investigation at any time."

The City Patrol soldiers had already determined the basic circumstances of the case. Now that Charlotte, the person involved, had returned, their task was complete.

In this era, the Empire of Fars used the City Patrol to perform the work that police did on Earth. There were not so many rules, nor such meticulous investigative procedures.