The Empress's envoy
Li Mo hadn't expected it either.
That quack was the killer?
On second thought, though, it made sense.
Li Mo reasoned, "Morris is a doctor. He knows human anatomy and is very familiar with where to cut. Thomas, the spinning mill worker, had his throat slit with a single stroke. If the killer was a surgeon, that would explain it."
Anna followed his train of thought. "A doctor would naturally carry anesthetics. Helen was drugged unconscious."
So the killer in both cases really was the same person.
Li Mo continued, "Now that I think about it, I remember Morris holding his scalpel in his left hand when he was about to bleed me at his house. That means Morris is left-handed."
Wayne said, "All the clues match! But what was his motive? Morris killed Thomas because Thomas stole something. What was it? And why was he near the docks? Why was he so worried Helen would tell other people he'd been there that he kidnapped her even at the risk of exposing himself?"
Li Mo said, "Wayne, that's not our concern anymore. Once the police station sends someone to pick us up, we just need to tell Sheriff Sanders what we found."
-Let the sheriff take all the credit and leave the police to puzzle out the reasons behind it.
Wayne, however, had a particular hunch he had to voice. "Li, Matthew really didn't come to class today, and Thomas worked at his family's factory. I can't shake the feeling that Matthew's family can't be completely unconnected to all this."
Li Mo agreed with Wayne's assessment.
There was very likely another twist behind this chain of events, and probably an expert behind it all.
"Maybe, but I don't want to get involved anymore. We've rescued Helen, so we've achieved what we set out to do. Leave the rest to the sheriff."
As a scientist, Li Mo missed the days when he could stay at school and do research in peace.
Wayne nodded. "I understand."
Knock, knock-
Someone was knocking at the door.
Li Mo told them to come in, and a girl entered.
She was very young, no more than fifteen or sixteen.
She wore a dark red dress, and her vivid red hair was fiery and striking.
Wayne's eyes lit up. A pretty girl!
He quickly leaned his sword cane against the wall, removed his top hat, and bowed slightly in greeting.
"Hello, beautiful miss. Is there anything I can help you with?"
The girl spoke without expression, her voice as clear as a silver bell. "I'm looking for Li Mo. Which of you is Li Mo?"
Li Mo raised his hand. "I'm here."
The girl's gaze fell on Li Mo, and only then did she show a faint smile. She lifted her skirts with both hands and curtsied slightly.
"Hello, Mr. Li Mo. I am Her Majesty the Empress's envoy. When I learned you were at the docks tonight, I came to convey Her Majesty's gratitude. Thank you for your great help with the tidal data and for gaining precious time for the kingdom's plans."
At those words,
Wayne's toes curled against the floor.
So I was just hitting on the empress's envoy? Shit!
Wayne silently straightened up and retreated to a corner without a sound, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible...
Li Mo said, "It was nothing. I couldn't be happier to help the kingdom."
The envoy looked at Li Mo earnestly and said:
"Her Majesty the Empress places great importance on promising young mathematicians."
"Her Majesty believes that mysticism has developed in this world for thousands of years."
"Mysticism cannot help her win this war."
"But mathematics and physics can."
"After the entrance exams, Her Majesty hopes you will go to the capital to study. The kingdom will provide you with the best research resources."
Li Mo fell silent.
If he were truly determined to help the kingdom win this war, there were indeed many ways he could do it.
For example, he could improve gunpowder, advance steelmaking techniques, or manufacture rifled artillery...
Modern science's overwhelming advantage could completely transform warfare in this era within a few years.
But war was a little too grand a matter for him at present.
Li Mo instinctively recoiled at the thought.
Once he became involved in a war between nations, it would definitely seriously hamper his future experiments and progress in fundamental science.
He would be forced to take part in weapons development and make many unavoidable compromises.
Right now, Li Mo only wanted to advance the times and eventually reach the moon.
Though that was what he thought, Li Mo showed none of it on his face. He said:
"No problem. I'll do my best."
The envoy nodded. "Good. I look forward to seeing how you do. Her Majesty also hopes she'll have an opportunity to meet you in person someday."
With that, she lifted her skirts in farewell once more, then left.
One of the soldiers at the door came in.
This soldier was dressed differently from the one who had been at the door earlier. Clearly, he was no ordinary guard.
The soldier approached Li Mo, stood at attention, and saluted.
"Mr. Li Mo, I'm Carter, commander of the third defensive line stationed at the docks. Our troops will remain in Mondel Town for some time and won't leave until the autumn equinox. During that time, if you need anything, you can tell me at any time."
Carter's desire to curry favor was obvious.
After all, this was a scientist even the empress valued. He was bound to have a bright future.
At that moment, Li Mo thought, I can tell you if I need anything?
I need to take a look at the mystical artifact on the ship, brother. Can you take me?
Scratching his head, Li Mo finally said, "All right. Thank you, Commander Carter."
Having an acquaintance at the docks might come in handy someday.
Carter chatted warmly with Li Mo and the others for a while.
Then a messenger ran into the room.
"The police station has sent a carriage. Sheriff Sanders is waiting outside."
Li Mo nodded. "Let's go."
Wayne immediately stepped forward and hoisted Helen onto his back again.
Anna followed beside Li Mo.
Worried that Anna would get tired, Li Mo took her little hand.
Li Mo thought he was very considerate.
Outside the defensive line.
Sheriff Sanders came forward to meet them, his face full of anxiety.
Li Mo said, "Sheriff, we've identified the killer. It's Doctor Morris. We found Helen in a cellar in the birch grove to the west. Morris was shot and can't have gotten far. Take some hounds and search for him."
"Yes sir!"
Sheriff Sanders immediately directed the officers into action.
Meanwhile, Li Mo and the other three boarded the police carriage and headed toward the town center.
Wayne sat in the corner and sighed heavily.
"I'm so stupid, really. I should've known she was the empress's envoy."
Li Mo knew less about the royal family than Wayne did, so he asked, "What do you mean?"
Wayne said, "Our current empress is the youngest in history. She's only sixteen. You must know that."
"Yeah, I do."
"Exactly! The empress's envoys are all girls her age, so of course they're all pretty sixteen-year-olds. And red hair is a royal family trait. It's a dead giveaway. Damn it! How did I miss that?"
Anna said, "It's all right, Wayne. The envoy has a lot to do. There's no way you made any impression on her."
Wayne felt as though he had taken an arrow to the knee.
He glared at Anna. "Did you have to put it like that? Did you have to hit me where it hurts?"
Then Wayne raised an eyebrow. "Wait a minute. You two, I've been meaning to ask since earlier: do you have to keep holding each other in the carriage? Huh? Are you two dating?"
Anna closed her eyes and leaned against Li Mo without the slightest embarrassment. "I'm tired. What's wrong with that?"
Li Mo held Anna and said softly, "Go to sleep. Thanks for all your hard work today."
Goosebumps rose all over Wayne.
Watching his childhood friend flaunt his relationship in front of him was worse than killing him.
He turned to Helen and said, "Helen, are you tired? Want to lean on me?"
Helen shrank back frantically. "Stay away from me..."
Wayne said, "..."
He clicked his tongue and folded his arms, feeling that his gentlemanly demeanor had vanished completely in front of Helen too.
How did my life end up like this? I need to give this some serious thought!