13 Mink Street

After learning the Sea God’s Armor and Darkmoon Blade, I seem to have finally touched that excitement deep inside myself.

Karon placed his left hand over his chest and continued writing in the black notebook with the pen in his right hand.

I have always felt that, in this world, I am like a wanderer stranded in a desert, very lonely, and very lost. Although some gave me a tent, some gave me food, some gave me horses, some gave me guidance...

No matter how much the outside world gives me, none of it can provide the same sense of security that I need more than holding a gun in my own hand.

After a pause, Karon remembered that the manservant and pets in his home all seemed to have developed the habit of flipping through his notebook, so he continued writing:

This feeling may seem a little selfish, as though all the help I have received from others is somehow suddenly diminished, but after being protected all this time, I also want to try experiencing what it feels like to protect them in return.

Mm, that should do. They should be happy after reading that. Karon did not feel the slightest bit of insincerity or affectation, because the moment a thought in one’s heart was put into words, the possibility of it being seen came into being, and the thought itself was then fated to become distorted to a certain degree.

Closing his notebook, Karon reached for a cactus pot on his desk and teased the thorns on it with his fingertips. In truth, he knew very well that although he had learned the two new Arts, there was still a great deal more that he needed to explore and practice with that as the foundation. Combat experience and the finer details of fighting were not things that could be mastered overnight.

Still, no matter what, even if he was not a sharpshooter, he at least had a gun in his hand now, and that made all the difference.

He walked out of the study and downstairs, where he saw Pu’er sitting atop Kevin’s back. The cat wore a red hood on her head, and a blue bowtie around her neck. She really was a refined little cat. “You should swap that bowtie for a pearl necklace. It would suit your noble temperament better.”

“I can hear that you’re mocking me, yet the reality is that you’re mocking yourself. Does our household even have a pearl necklace?”

“Hmm?”

“I heard that the back section of Pavaro Funeral Home is being renovated and that Ms. Lake put money into it too. Making a widow pay? You really do have some nerve.”

“Ms. Lake insisted on contributing. After all, that place is her home.”

“And then neither of you refused, because our family really doesn’t have much money to begin with.”

“That is certainly a problem, though for now, our income is still enough to support our lives.”

“Yes, yes, and enough to keep employing that big-bottomed maid.”

“You’re dissatisfied with Ciri?”

“Very satisfied, extremely satisfied. But what I said just now was from the perspective of a great-great-great-great grandaunt thinking of her great-great-great-great-grandniece, especially since I have discovered that someone just finished reading Rogin’s Secret Diary these past few days.”

“And I also know that a certain cat secretly had an elementary school student buy her a whole pile of romance novels.”

“Oh, damn it! He promised me he would keep it a secret!”

Karon walked downstairs and saw that two suitcases had already been packed. “Young Master, when are you planning to leave? Should I prepare lunch?”

“No need. I’m leaving right now.”

“Very well, Young Master. I’ll carry the suitcases downstairs for you.” Without needing Karon’s help, Ciri picked up both suitcases and carried them down.

Karon reminded her, “You can roll them.”

“No, Young Master. That would damage the wheels.”

Karon sat in the driver’s seat, and Kevin jumped into the back seat, while Pu’er lazily lounged in the passenger seat.

Standing beside the window, Ciri said, “Young Master, I will still come every day to prepare meals for Mr. Alfred and John.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Young Master, you’re too polite. Have a safe trip, Young Master!” Ciri waved enthusiastically at Karon.

He started the car and drove through the gates of the apartment complex. As soon as he reached the road, he saw Alaia stepping out of his real estate shop. The moment the man noticed Karon’s car, he immediately ran over. “Young Master! Young Master Karon!”

“What is it?”

“It’s like this, Young Master; The district government has just issued a notice that illegal immigrants who are formally employed can now apply for temporary residence permits. Your maid Ciri is eligible. I can help put the paperwork together for you.”

“Alright, thank you for the trouble.”

“You are too polite. It is what I should do. Young Master, are you heading out?”

“Mhmm, I’m going to stay at a friend’s home for a few days.”

“Alright then, please stay safe.”

“Goodbye.” Karon had already seen this policy update in the newspaper. Given the illegal immigrants’ current conditions, this was indeed a good piece of news. However, at the same time, it also provoked the opposition, and protests against the policy had already erupted in many places. Living in York City, one could clearly smell the atmosphere of suppressed conflict building in the air.

Karon did not drive straight west to leave the city, but instead first headed to Lemar Pottery Studio near the city center. He parked outside the door.

“Do you two want to get out and go in for a look?” Karon asked.

“No. I don’t like the Voss family.” Pu’er shook her head.

Karon asked curiously, “What kind of grudge could make you keep dwelling on it even after turning into a cat?”

“Back then, I had a very close sister from the Voss family. After I took the Finger of Light away from my family, she went ahead and offered me shelter. I went, and then she actually tried to make a move on me to seize that finger.”

“And after that?”

“I escaped.”

“You killed her?”

“I could have, but I was soft on her.”

“I see.”

“Still, I did burn all of her figurines, those puppets of hers. That hurt her worse than killing her, because many of them were family heirlooms handed down through her line.”

“Heh, so is this her descendant?” Karon pointed at the pottery studio.

“It’s not that much of a coincidence. The Voss family scattered long ago. They only share the same surname now and each keeps a tiny bit of the family legacy for themselves. Of course, who can really say for sure?”

“Kevin, what about you?” Karon looked toward the golden retriever.

The golden retriever shook his head.

“You don’t like the Voss family either?”

The golden retriever nodded and looked out the window. At that moment, sorrow aged by time showed in the dog’s eyes.

“Then I’ll go in and say hello by myself first.” Karon got out of the car and walked into the studio. He was not affected by the cat and dog in the car. After all, their grudges were at least a hundred years old.

As usual, the pottery studio was deserted, but once he entered, Karon heard movement further inside. He saw Lemar embracing a noblewoman, kissing her passionately. “I love your fairness. I want to drown in your pale skin.”

“And I love your beard, and your chest hair, and—”

“Someone’s here.” Lemar noticed Karon’s arrival.

The noblewoman immediately pulled her clothes back into place. “I’m leaving first. I’ll come again in a few days.”

With that, the noblewoman avoided Karon’s gaze and hurried out of the studio.

Karon raised both hands. “I’m very sorry, but perhaps you should close the door in advance next time.”

Lemar casually buttoned his shirt. “When anyone else enters, I can sense them beforehand. It’s only you, Mr. Karon. Your ability to conceal your aura is truly too strong.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I’m not blaming you. Hah, she’s the mayor’s daughter, and her husband is an officer in the military, but he’s currently stationed in the colonies. Loneliness is unavoidable.”

“You don’t need to explain any of this to me.”

“Alright, alright. You came to pick something up, right?”

“Yes.”

“Honestly, I’ve never had a customer call at night to make a reservation and then come pick it up the next morning.”

“That’s because other customers don’t know your capabilities. Even a mask that intricate only took you five hours.”

“Mmm, alright. Serena went to her mother’s house.”

“Alright.”

“Well, I know you’re not very interested in my sister, but you should at least ask me: ‘Hello, Lemar, where is your sister?’”

“Why?”

“So that when she comes back, I can tell her about it to make her happy. Just lying to her won’t work; She can tell. That’s the most frightening thing about her.”

“Heh.”

Lemar bent down and opened a cabinet. “Even more frightening is the fact that I secretly helped you make a gift for your fiancée behind her back. Don’t let her find out, or else she’ll burn down my warehouse.”

“That exaggerated?”

“Ever since I told her the story about how our great-great-great grandmother coughed up blood and fell ill after her warehouse got burned, she’s loved threatening me with burning my warehouse.”

“What a coincidence.”

“Mhmm, what a coinciden- Huh? What?”

“I said, what a pity.”

“Yes, what a pity. For every proper inheritor of the Voss family legacy, his warehouse is his life.

“Alright, here. I packed it for you in a gift box.”

Karon opened the gift box and found a round glass dome inside. Within it was a snowy scene. At the bottom lay a street where a young lady was hooking a young man around the waist with an umbrella. “It’s hard to imagine this was actually sculpted out of clay.”

“If you were willing to give me a photograph, I could make it even more lifelike.”

“I don’t have a photograph of her.”

“You don’t?” Lemar took out his wallet and opened an inner compartment. Inside was a stack of photos, and the one placed most prominently was the noblewoman from earlier.

Karon remained unmoved.

“Hey, friend, life is life. Why be so serious? Just as beautiful women date several men in order to leave warm memories for more people, handsome men like you should shoulder a similar responsibility.”

“I’m not very interested in such things.”

“Alright then. Everyone has the life they like.”

“Yes. But you really did remind me of something. This time when I go back, I’ll take a picture with her and put it in my wallet.”

Speaking of wallets... Karon subconsciously touched his pocket. “I only just realized that I am not actually in the habit of carrying a wallet. It looks like I’ll need to buy one just to hold the picture.”

“Here, take this.” Lemar pulled out a matte black leather wallet from a cabinet. Whether in workmanship or material, it gave off a very refined impression.

“That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Serena originally prepared it as a gift for you.”

Lemar opened the wallet and pointed to the transparent sleeve inside. A photograph of his sister was already in place.

“You want me to use a wallet Serena gave me and put my fiancée’s photo in it?”

“It’s fine. She won’t mind. I think my sister has the kind of tendency where the more stimulated she gets, the more excited she becomes. It’s probably a common flaw in the Ekarine bloodline, kind of like those lunatics from the Wall God Church.”

“Thank you for helping me prepare the gift. I’m always troubling you, and I feel bad about it.”

“The wallet.”

“I can’t take it.”

Lemar shrugged. “Alright then.”

“Is there anything you need?” Karon asked, holding the gift box.

“Me? I need some materials. The Raphael family seems to have been wiped out completely for offending the Church of Order, and the materials market here in York City is now a bit chaotic. I want a stable supply channel for materials. You know how it is; Sometimes people who love cooking don’t necessarily like buying vegetables or washing dishes.”

“I’ll help you keep an eye out.”

“Looks like you really can help me.” Lemar smiled.

“See you next time.”

“Goodbye, my friend!”

Karon carried the gift box back out, opened the car door, and placed it on the passenger seat. Pu’er opened the gift box. She shook her head. “A very romantic scene, but it’s missing a cute little cat.”

“That would feel strange, like having an old grandmother stare at you while you’re on a date.”

“Eh? Shouldn’t that count as an unusual sort of thrill?”

“You should really read fewer of those romance novels lately.”

“Hmph! After a while, I plan to write one myself.”

“You’ve never even been in love.”

“Wasn’t it you who said that the people who have never been in love are actually the best at writing it? In any case, it’s written for single people.”

“That’s true. And among single people, there probably aren’t many with more years of being single than you.”

“Meow!!!”

Karon started the car and drove westward. Allen Manor was west of York City.

After leaving the city limits, the roads were no longer congested, and the scenery on both sides gradually grew greener. Although the weather was still somewhat chilly, the feeling of spring had already begun to emerge.

Pu’er sat on top of the gift box and looked at the scenery outside the window with a sigh. “Actually, Veyn’s scenery isn’t bad.”

“Cold winters and blazing summers.” Karon did not like Veyn’s climate. It was always extreme.

Pu’er replied, “That’s why Veyn has produced so many writers. Only when people are about to freeze to death or roast to death can their creative inspiration truly be stimulated.”

Karon smiled. “Because when it’s too cold or too hot outside, they can’t go out to date noble ladies and society beauties, so they can only stay home and bury themselves in writing.”

“Oh? Looks like Rogin’s Secret Diary really left a deep impression on you. You should be careful, Karon.”

Karon kept driving and did not respond. Pu’er, however, had grown interested and continued asking, “So, right now, do you really want to find someone to fight?”

“Not particularly.”

“I was originally worried you would be impatient to go kill Vicolay.”

“I will only consider that after I advance to become an Inquisitor.”

“That makes sense. The Inquisitors of the Immers family have a legacy.”

A cargo truck had overturned on the road ahead, and it blocked nearly all of the road. Fortunately, traffic was sparse on this section of the road, and the land beside it was flat, so cars could simply drive around the accident.

The truck driver himself sat atop his overturned truck, blood all over his head as he gloomily smoked. Near the rear stood a woman. She was clearly injured, yet was inspecting the cargo compartment.

Karon did not stop and, like the car before him, drove around the truck. Yet at that moment, Kevin’s nose twitched and he immediately climbed up to the rear window. “Woof! Woof!”

Pu’er also instantly perked up and shouted, “The stupid dog says there’s a cursed object inside that cargo compartment.”

The difference between a cursed object and a holy relic was like the difference between demonkin and priests: if it could be used, it would be called a holy relic. If it could not be used, it would be called a cursed object.

Karon slowed the car.

“Woof! Woof!”

“The stupid dog says the cursed object inside is probably not something low grade.”

Karon pulled over to the side of the road.

“Oh? Karon, are you planning to rob and murder someone now?” Pu’er asked excitedly.

“No. I just want to remind you that if it really is a high-grade cursed object, would an ordinary truck-driver couple really be the ones escorting it?”

Karon pointed at the rearview mirror. Through it, one could see that after he had pulled the car over, the truck driver, who had originally had his back to this direction, had suddenly turned around and was now facing Karon’s car as he continued smoking.

Clearly, the other party was on guard against the car that had suddenly pulled over.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!” Kevin barked again.

Then Pu’er started meowing too. “Meow! Meow! Meow!”

Karon immediately stopped talking. While Kevin could only bark, the fact that Pu’er had also shifted to meowing too, it could only mean that it was inconvenient for her to speak at this moment.

At that moment, a mass of black mist appeared in Karon’s back seat and condensed into Nio’s figure.

“Captain?”

Then the two of them spoke in unison, “What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?”

The one of lower status answered first. Karon pointed at the gift box on the passenger seat. “After that night, I rather missed my fiancée, so today I’m heading out of the city to go see her. Her family lives in the countryside.”

Nio had said he would not investigate Karon’s secrets, but when answering Nio’s question, Karon still subconsciously wanted to tie it to the emotional side a little more. For example, “because of what happened to you, Captain, I was touched, and now I want to cherish the relationship I have in front of me.”

“I’m investigating smuggling.”

“Whose goods require you to personally take action, Captain?”

“The Church of Abyss.”

“So now that the truck has overturned, you’re waiting for the Church of Abyss’s receiver to arrive so you can catch them red-handed?”

“Mhmm.”

“I’ll drive on then. The people in that truck already seem to have noticed us.” Karon pointed to the rearview mirror, but when he looked again, he discovered that the driver had already turned his back once more.

“The people delivering the goods are ours.”

“So this is entrapment?”

“A very refined description. Because of the Zeric case, several of the other churches in York City are using it as leverage to attack our Church of Order, so now we need to expose some of their old dirt as well.”

“Captain, is there anything you need me to do?”

Nio raised a hand and pointed ahead. “Five kilometers ahead, there’s a gas station and several restaurants. Go there now, choose one, and order a group meal for fourteen people. After we close the net, we’ll head over.”

Once he finished speaking, Nio’s figure turned into a mass of black mist that drifted out the car window, leaving behind five one-hundred-rel notes on the seat.

Karon reached back, took the money, and started the car again. He muttered to himself, “Understood, Captain. Mission guaranteed.”