After eight o'clock, in Moretti's dining room.
Looking at the plate with only a shallow broth left, Benson covered his mouth with his hand and let out a satisfied burp.
"Although this is the third time I've had it, I still find it incredibly delicious. The sweet and sour tomato flavor, the springy texture of the oxtail, and its unique umami taste blend together perfectly. Klein, I truly regret that Blackthorn Security Company has caused Tingen City to lose such an outstanding chef."
Melissa leaned back in her chair and silently nodded in agreement.
"That's just because you haven't seen real culinary skills," Klein said modestly with a smile. "If we have the chance in the future, we'll go to Bonaparte Restaurant in the Howes Street to taste authentic Intis cuisine, and to Coastline Restaurant in the Golden Indus Borough to savor the flavors of the South."
These are restaurants that frequently appear in the newspapers; the former has an average cost of £1.50 per person.
"I prefer what you make," Melissa replied without hesitation.
Benson chuckled and then said:
"But I still feel that your tomato oxtail soup is missing something. Perhaps, maybe it shouldn't be served with bread?"
Klein nodded in agreement:
Its best accompaniment is rice.
"Rice..." Melissa murmured, a hint of longing in her expression.
Located in the far north, Tingen is not a major metropolis, Tingen it's difficult to find rice outside of a few specific restaurants.
For Benson and Melissa, this food existed almost exclusively in newspaper descriptions and occasional mentions in textbooks.
Seeing his sister's expression, Klein laughed and said:
"Once we've saved up for another six months, we'll find a chance to go on vacation to Desi Bay and enjoy the local cuisine."
Desi Bay is located in the southernmost part of the Kingdom of Loen, with one-third of it belonging to the Kingdom of Feynapotter. It is a sunny and scenic place, famous for its seafood rice.
Before Melissa could voice her opinion on frugality, Klein proactively suggested:
"In three more months, my salary will receive a significant increase, which will be more than enough to cover both my Travel and savings needs."
"Why?" Benson and Melissa were indeed distracted.
Klein coughed twice and explained with a smile:
"Based on my solid professional skills, the police department that frequently collaborates with our company is also interested in hiring me as a part-time history consultant. They will pay me an extra salary, at least £2 per week. So please don't be surprised if you see me in a police uniform with my identification."
"Of course, as you all know, the efficiency of government departments is like the pace of a ninety-year-old lady. They still need a long process and an evaluation of me. So, I often go to Hoy University on my days off these past two months to see my advisor and other faculty members I know, to learn more."
Under the surprised gazes of his brother and sister, he paused, then spoke with a slightly strange expression:
"As Emperor Roselle once said, 'One is never too old to learn.'"
Benson was silent for a few seconds, and said half with emotion and half with self-deprecation:
Is it too late for me to apply to university now?
Knowledge truly is equal to wealth.
It also equals power... Klein added silently.
" Benson, you need Klein's grammar books, you need his classical literature textbooks," Melissa suddenly said, speaking for Klein.
Benson's expression seemed to shift, and he gritted his teeth and said:
" Klein, give me those books tonight."
Even if they help me sleep, I'll still read one every day—no, for an hour and a half.
"I swear in the name of the goddess! If I fail to keep my word, I'll be a curly-haired baboon!"
Klein immediately beamed with joy:
"No problem."
The next morning, after hanging his coat and hat on the coat rack in the lounge, Klein followed Rozanne's instructions and went underground, making his way to the guardhouse outside the Chanis Gate.
Captain Dunn, along with teammates Frye, Siga, Loyao, Leonard, and Kenley, have all arrived.
Dunn's grey eyes swept over the newly appointed Nighthawks at the door, and he smiled.
"We have a routine meeting every Thursday to summarize the progress of previous tasks and discuss any difficulties we encounter."
"I've been tested countless times in these meetings..." Klein muttered to himself, found a seat, and joked.
Do I need to introduce myself first?
Dunn chuckled and turned to look at Kenley:
"Briefly recount the follow-up investigation into Sirius Arapis."
Kenley was also a former office worker who became Nighthawks watchman. He was not tall, had fairly thick brown hair, a well-proportioned figure, and very muscular, giving him an impression of being shrewd and capable.
He thought for a moment and said:
"With Old Neil's help, we found Sirius's secret hideout. There were many books and items at the scene, which confirms that Sirius is a member of the Concealment organization ' Aurora Order ' and a ' Mystery Pryer '."
"There is sufficient evidence to suggest that the Antigonus Family Notebook were sold to Welch by him and Hynas Vincent who doesn't remember Welch can ask Klein."
"The valuable items we found include three Sequence Potion recipes: Sequence 9 ' The Seer ', Sequence 9 ' The Apprentice ', and Sequence 8 ' The Clown '..."
"The next task is to identify the peripheral members of the ' Aurora Order,' who worships the evil god, based on the remaining letters and Sirius's usual social circle, with a focus on the cultist hiding in the police department."
"Furthermore, those who have had contact with Hynas also need to be re-examined."
Dunn nodded slightly and looked at Klein:
"As you heard, we obtained the ' Clown ' Potion recipe, but we can't confirm its authenticity yet. We await feedback from the Holy Cathedral."
"You made major and crucial contributions to the missions related to the Aurora Order, and with the incident of shooting the Secret Order members, you won't even need long to gain enough merit for promotion. But I must remind you, not everyone is Daly. You must restrain your desires, endure for three years, and not let the ' Clown ' Potion formula affect your mindset, lest you lose control."
Captain, you don't understand the magic of " Acting Method "... Last night above the Gray Fog, I used Divination to preliminarily confirm that the " Clown " Potion recipe was correct... Clay nodded honestly.
"I will control my emotions."
Then, the white-haired, black-eyed, and serene " Midnight Poet " Siga Tron said:
"We still haven't found any clues about the ' Instigator,' Tris. I suspect he has already escaped Tingen."
After exchanging information about each matter, Klein left the guard room to continue his occult studies with Old Neil. In the afternoon, he went to Gawain, the martial arts instructor, for basic strength, endurance, and overall coordination training.
The sun was still shining brightly at five o'clock.
Klein took off his training clothes, quickly took a shower, changed back into his original clothes, and took a public carriage to Besik Street.
He hadn't forgotten the red chimney he'd seen in the " Dream Divination," nor the man who had bought " Spectator " Potion supplement materials at the underground market and was suspected to be a member of the " Psychology Alchemists," but none of this made it convenient to use the Nighthawks's power to conduct an investigation.
"Number 27, Henry Private Detective Agency... Yes, this is it." Based on the description in the newspaper, Klein found a private Detective agency that was supposedly very trustworthy.
He put on a mask, pulled his top hat down, turned up his collar, and went up the stairs to his office on the second floor.
Knock, knock, knock! He knocked on the half-closed door.
"Please come in." A voice, seemingly muffled by phlegm, called out.
Klein, carrying his cane, pushed open the door and entered. He saw that the Detective agency had a semi-open layout, with four employees, each sitting in a space separated by partitions.
"Hello, I'm Detective Henry. How can I help you?" A man in a white shirt and black vest approached.
He held a pipe in his hand, his face had strong features, his eyebrows were like sharp swords, and his deep blue eyes professionally sized up his employer across from him.
Klein covered half his face with the high collar of his trench coat and said:
I have two requests for you, and I'd like to know your fee schedule?
"It depends on the difficulty of the situation." Detective Henry looked away and pointed to the guest area with the sofa set. "Let's talk there."
Klein followed him to the semi-separated area, sat down on a single sofa, without taking off his coat, hat, or mask.
He deliberately spoke in a hoarse voice:
"The first thing I need you to do is investigate which houses in Tingen City have chimneys like this, and identify the landlords and current residents."
As he spoke, he took out a folded piece of paper, which, when unfolded, revealed a red chimney marked with colors and the surrounding scenery.
This is a drawing that Klein once again completed using a special and self-initiated method above the Gray Fog.
"This drawing is really good..." Detective Henry subconsciously praised, then frowned slightly and said, "This case isn't complicated, but it's very tedious, requiring a long period and a lot of help."
"I understand." Klein nodded slightly.
Detective Henry pondered for a moment and said:
"Seven pounds, the price for this commission is seven pounds. Also, you need to give me at least two weeks."
"Well, the second thing is to help me find this gentleman and find out his identity. The only information I have is that he occasionally appears at the Evil Dragon Bar in the Dock Borough. Also, don't let him notice; he's an extremely perceptive person with terrifying observational skills." Klein pulled out a second portrait.
He tried to contact members of the " Psychology Alchemists " to see if he could obtain valuable intelligence and materials, such as formulas that could be exchanged with " Justice ".
"Three pounds. Similar tasks usually cost three to four pounds, and your excellent drawing skills will effectively help my assistant and me save time," Detective Henry replied skillfully.
"Ten pounds in total?" Klein felt a pang of pain at the price.
Detective Henry took a puff of his pipe and said:
"Yes, you need to pay £2 upfront, £3 to £5 as things progress, and the rest to me once everything is finished."
"Then I'll come back next week to check on the progress." Klein didn't haggle much, lest the observant Detective remember his characteristics.
After signing the standard contract, he took out two one-pound notes and handed them to the other party, leaving him with only one pound 17 Soli of his own money.
Watching the man wearing a gauze mask, a black trench coat, and a high-turned-collar headband walk quickly away, Detective Henry lit his pipe, his gaze filled with doubt.
"Why is he looking for houses with those kinds of chimneys?"
"... He must be a painter, or at least a professional who has studied sketching..."
In the afternoon, Viscount Glaint was at his luxurious villa in Backlund.
Following etiquette, Audrey, accompanied by a maid, placed her hand in her master's and gave him a light kiss.
"Your beauty makes my salon shine," Glaint began with a normal compliment, then lowered her voice and said, "The lady has arrived; she is both Beyonder and a Author."