Mystery: When the Fool Meets the Masked Fool

Chapter 276 Arrodes: I was here first!
Leonard boarded the public carriage and casually found a seat by the window.

At this time of day, very few people go out to take public carriages. He had timed it perfectly to catch the last train.

Fortunately, he made it in time; otherwise, the church and the Red Gloves wouldn't have reimbursed his travel expenses if he had to take on private jobs.

He settled into his seat, a burlap sack beside him containing Pavel's body. The sack was sprayed with special essential oils and perfume to prevent the smell from spreading. Unless you got very close and sniffed carefully, you could barely smell it.

During his time as a bounty hunter, he learned a lot, such as how to transport bounties safely without affecting others.

With his clone dispelled, Leonard's left hand had returned. Watching the houses flash by outside the car window, he rested his chin on his hand, remaining silent.

Just then, an aged voice rang in my ears.

"Do you enjoy being a bounty hunter?" Palles, who was living inside Leonard's body, asked.

Theoretically, Leonard, having already digested the Sequence 8 potion, could have given up his current job as a bounty hunter. However, he still occasionally takes on one or two missions in his spare time.

"Ha." Leonard chuckled. "How am I supposed to put that?"

His fingers tapped the glass unconsciously.

Once, twice.

"At the beginning, I was indeed just acting. After all, you know, I don't really have any ulterior motives or sense of justice."

"But as a normal person, a normal person with a conscience, when I go through those files and look up the information... I still can't help but feel angry."

"So you want to be... what's that word again? The one Russell invented... a partner of justice."

Upon hearing Pales's words, Leonard felt no shame whatsoever; instead, he began to seriously consider "a good suggestion."

"Wait, are you mocking me?" Leonard suddenly realized.

"How could that be? You're the protagonist of this era." Pales's voice was filled with undisguised teasing.

The protagonist of the era...

"Tch." Leonard scoffed. "What would a thief like you possibly understand about compassion?"

He already knew Pales's true identity during his training with the Red Gloves.

The high sequence of the thief's path, a powerful being who is at least a "parasite".

He had considerable doubts about Pales at the time, and even considered reporting him to the church.

But Pales's words dispelled his idea.

"Use your rusty little head. If it weren't for the goddess of night's tacit approval, why do you think I could stay in the church every day?"

Leonard thought it made a lot of sense, and that's when he was finally somewhat relieved.

“That’s right.” Pales readily admitted Leonard’s statement, “The average character of us thieves is undoubtedly the worst.”

Leonard opened his mouth, but found he couldn't refute it.

The other party not only felt no shame, but was proud of it.

That's true, what's the point of thieves having such high moral standards? They're not living saints.

He had no choice but to change the subject: "Old man, I can learn from the captain's experience in playing the Nightmare. But do you have any suggestions on how to play the Ronin who has left the nest?"

A few seconds of silence, as if he was thinking.

"Don't ask me that, you should ask the person who gave you the potion," Palles replied. "I'm just an old and weak man, I don't know as much as you think."

"At least, I've never heard of your current [Hunting] method before."

"Is that so?" Leonard didn't say anything more and continued looking out the car window.

The public carriage traveled past the Church of Mercy with a slight jolt.

The Church of Mercy had been renovated and was now a completely different building from the slum it once was. Even the church's signboard had been changed to be gilded.

"How extravagant." Leonard smacked his lips and looked away.

But suddenly, he turned around sharply and Leonard noticed that the church had been renamed.

Without hesitation, he jumped out of the public carriage through the window.

“St. Klein’s Church?” Klein tilted his head, his face full of confusion.

"Yes, great master, your church in Backlund was converted into St. Clyne Church by that Archbishop Serres." Arodes attached a photo to the phone.

"Is there a St. Paddy Church?" Paddy Meow also came over, wanting to see the screen.

“Of course not,” Arodes typed back immediately, “and, according to the principle of reciprocity, it’s my turn to ask the question!!!”

The font was bright red, like blood, and looked quite eerie.

I don't know why, but Klein always felt that Arods seemed to really dislike Padmon.

“Okay, go ahead and ask.” Padmon proudly raised her chin.

It doesn't matter, she doesn't have any dirt on her.

Arodes immediately seemed to become excited.

"Very well, so, are you hiding something from your great master and often enjoying his misfortune because of it?!"

Padma cat suddenly choked up.

“No…” Padmon’s voice trailed off.

"Incorrect answer!!!"

Arodes immediately wanted to impose the punishment, but his abilities were completely ineffective against the phone made of some unknown material.

But it doesn't matter, he has already gotten what he wanted.

“Great master, look! Only humble Arodes is your best servant!”

"Laughing at me?" Klein was momentarily confused. "What's so funny about me?"

“I don’t know, great master. But I know she’s definitely hiding something from you.”

Arrodes tried his best to explain.

His abilities don't allow him to see what's inside the simulated universe, but that doesn't matter. Every step leaves a trace.

Detective Arrodes uncovered some dirt on Padma Meow through some clues.

Bearing the name of a simp, I absolutely cannot lose!
Klein glanced at Padmo and suddenly smiled.

"Everyone has secrets, and Pado is no exception."

The phone seemed to freeze suddenly, and Arrodes didn't reply for a long time.

A few seconds later, Arodes reluctantly sent a message.

“I understand… Great Master.”

It seems this dirt isn't enough; Arrodes must find even more.

For a great master, one dog is all he needs!

He was clearly there first...

A few seconds later, Arodes typed out new content.

"I'm sorry, great master, I can't connect to this phone for too long. It's late, please get some rest. I look forward to serving you again next time."

Klein nodded: "Yes, you should get some rest too."

Although he did not know whether extraordinary items needed rest.

Goodbye, great master.

P.S.: Sorry, I was quite busy during the day today, working on my thesis all day.

I originally wanted to ask for leave, but I suddenly realized that I don't seem to have a leave slip...

(End of this chapter)