Ⅲ
His words still echoed through the carriage. Arthur blinked. The young medium sitting opposite Old Charlie said nothing; instead, he looked relieved.
This left Old Charlie utterly puzzled.
According to his original expectations, Arthur should have been astonished at this point.
"Aren't you surprised?"
Old Charlie asked.
"Why should I be?"
Arthur asked in return.
The young medium leaned back, settled into a comfortable position, and only then began to speak slowly-
"A child who most likely came from a commoner family knew medicine and potions, could refine concentrated sulfuric acid, mix gunpowder, make flintlocks, lead bullets, and mechanisms, and also knew gardening, painting, astrology, and tailoring, while being proficient in combat, swordsmanship, riding, and marksmanship. That alone was enough to astonish anyone.
"Then he got involved with the mystical side.
"No!
"He didn't just get involved-he rose to a high position. It would be unbelievable if someone like that didn't have anyone behind him.
"Besides, being a pawn can be pretty good."
The relaxed look on Arthur's face as he said that last sentence made Old Charlie raise an eyebrow.
"What did you originally suspect?"
Old Charlie asked as he gripped his walking stick.
"I just told you-
"I was worried you had a man behind you!"
Arthur spread his hands, then immediately dodged sideways.
Whoosh!
The walking stick swept past the tip of Arthur's nose.
"I like women!"
Old Charlie stressed, swinging his walking stick again.
Arthur dodged easily.
Of course, that was because Old Charlie wasn't really trying to hit him.
The old "medium" was still insisting.
"I'm serious about Camille, Selena, little Novia, the Radiant Gold sisters, Susan, Emma, Selene, Ai Fu, Charlotte, Wanda, Jenny, Jesse, and Pandora.
"They are all my true loves.
"I would never let them down.
"So there is absolutely no