Cat Spirit Detective

Charlotte was taken aback, his expression one of disbelief, as he exclaimed, "How is that possible? You're a graduate of Behemoth National Academy, not a public school! You should at least be a Level 2 or 3 Assistant, even a Level 1 Assistant wouldn't be too much. A Level 5 Registrar is completely excessive! How could you be a Level 3 Registrar?"

The Empire's Registrars ranged from Level 1, Rank 49, to Level 5, Rank 45, considered the bottom rung of civil service. Appointing public school graduates to this position was a courtesy; assigning a National Academy graduate to this role clearly indicated someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.

Sylvie Martin said calmly, "It's nothing! It's because I'm a girl."

Charlotte wisely changed the subject and asked, "What's the weekly salary the detective lady is paying you?"

Vinnie Arsenault smiled and replied, "Eighty-five centimes, and it includes room and board for two meals."

Charlotte nodded slightly, thinking, This pay is very reasonable, the same as a Level 1 Assistant. Because it includes room and board, the standard of living is even slightly easier than for newcomers entering the government civil servant ranks.

Vinnie Arsenault continued, "Miss Sylvie is a very talented person. My Cat Detective Agency just happens to have an assistant who is getting married and has to resign, leaving a staffing gap."

Although the Empire of Fars allowed women to work, traditional forces were quite strong. Unless the husband's family was truly struggling and needed the wife's salary, they would usually demand the wife resign.

Charlotte indicated he understood. He didn't plan to persuade her further; after all, she was his former fiancée, and he couldn't interfere that much. Just as he was about to ask when she planned to move out, he heard Sylvie say somewhat sheepishly, "I haven't received my salary yet. Although I got my luggage back, it only contained some items; I didn't find any cash. My father's remittance will also take some time. I'll need a little longer to repay you for what you bought yesterday."

Charlotte smiled slightly and said, "You don't need to be so polite with me."

His lively former fiancée said, "Miss Vinnie came with me to help me move. I wonder if it's convenient for you, Cousin?"

Charlotte smiled slightly and said, "Miss Vinnie, Cousin Sylvie, please come inside and chat. It's too impolite to stand on the street."

He led the two ladies back to Number 58, invited them into the reception room, and took out a bottle of sparkling cider, pouring three glasses. He raised his glass first as a gesture and drank it in one go, saying with a smile, "This sparkling cider is quite good. You two ladies can give it a try."

After entering, Vinnie Arsenault looked around. She raised her glass and took a small sip, asking curiously, "Mr. Charlotte lives alone?"

Charlotte replied, "Yes!"

Miss Vinnie didn't say anything more and changed the subject, asking, "I wonder what Mr. Charlotte's views are on women working."

Sylvie said somewhat unhappily, "I don't want to resign after getting married either. If the other person can't accept it, then I won't get married."

As a modern person, Charlotte naturally had no opinion on women working. He pondered slightly and replied, "I hope women can be like little birds, with the right to choose their lives freely as they please."

A clear and familiar voice came from outside the door, calling out, "Mr. Mecklen, you actually think that? That's wonderful."

Charlotte nearly jumped up. He hadn't expected Miss Anne Brittany to visit suddenly. He quickly said, "Please come in, Miss Anne."

At the same time, he introduced the two ladies, "Miss Anne Brittany! A friend of mine."

Anne Brittany's pretty face was full of happiness and joy. She had always worried that she wouldn't be able to work after getting married and would be confined at home, navigating boring aristocratic social circles.

Charlotte's answer just now had genuinely earned him a lot of points.

Anne lightly pulled her skirt and performed a standard lady's curtsy.

Sylvie returned a standard curtsy, while Vinnie still returned a formal Empire curtsy.

Charlotte braced himself and introduced Anne Brittany, "This is Miss Sylvie Martin, my cousin. This is Miss Vinnie Arsenault, the head of the Cat Detective Agency! My cousin graduated from the National Academy and just came to Strasbourg from the Duchy of Behemoth. She will be starting work at the Cat Detective Agency soon."

Anne showed a slightly surprised expression and exclaimed, "Miss Vinnie Arsenault? The famous Cat Spirit Detective? I've heard many stories about you and have always admired you. I even thought about working at the Cat Detective Agency after graduation!"

Seeing that Charlotte seemed unfamiliar with the Cat Detective Agency, she explained in a low voice, "The Cat Detective Agency is the only detective agency in the Empire where female employees make up seventy percent. All female employees can learn Cat Spirit Magic after joining the agency."

"Miss Vinnie Arsenault is one of the seven great detectives in the Empire, known as the Cat Spirit Detective, and she is also the pride of all women in the Empire of Fars."

Anne solemnly performed a court curtsy to Vinnie Arsenault again. The court curtsy was a full version of the standard curtsy, adding several complex and very elegant hand gestures, unlike the standard curtsy which was just a simple tug of the skirt.

Miss Vinnie smiled slightly and said humorously, "I'm just excessively free-spirited! On behalf of the Cat Detective Agency, I welcome Miss Anne to apply after graduation."

After hearing the surname Brittany, she knew this young lady was of noble status and would absolutely never work as a public-facing detective. This statement was merely a polite formality.

Anne also knew her family would never allow her to be a detective who was constantly in the public eye, and she sighed deeply in her heart. The three girls quickly found common ground and chatted animatedly.

After learning that Sylvie was Charlotte's cousin, Anne tried to subtly inquire about Charlotte several times. Sylvie was quite cooperative and surprisingly said a few good words for "this cousin," which made the constantly worried Charlotte breathe a slight sigh of relief.

He sat to the side, mostly silent, only occasionally acting as a temporary attendant, pouring sparkling cider for the ladies.

After about an hour, Charlotte saw that the three ladies were still engaged in lively conversation and couldn't help but suggest, "Please allow me to excuse myself for a moment to buy some sparkling wine and snacks. My home is too simple; I haven't prepared anything, and my hospitality is a bit lacking."

Anne Brittany and Vinnie Arsenault exclaimed together, "No need!" The two beautiful women exchanged glances and suddenly developed a sense of understanding.

Vinnie Arsenault smiled slightly and said, "Let me do it. My cats are stronger."

She extended her slender right hand with five fingers and formed a strange magic seal. Then, a sweet meowing sound was heard. The Cat Spirit Detective said in a pampered tone, "Go to a nearby shop and buy some sparkling wine and small pastries."

After a drawn-out meow, there was no sound from outside.

Vinnie Arsenault said, "I sent my cats to buy things. Mr. Charlotte doesn't need to trouble himself personally."

Charlotte was filled with surprise. Although he had gained some memories from the original native body, he truly didn't understand what Cat Spirit Magic was.