Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 38 Tavern
As an upscale residential area, the Knights District boasts excellent security and a pleasant environment. Naturally, you won't find places like the Pink Lady in the Lower City here. However, Levi wasn't idle; based on his extensive research, he had gained a general understanding of the Fog City's geography and conditions.

These upscale residential areas are relatively secluded to ensure residents can live in peace and security. Unlike ordinary residential areas, they don't have shops, pubs, restaurants, or other commercial establishments. In Li Wei's opinion, they are more like modern garden villa communities.

However, even nobles need to eat, so their servants naturally go out to purchase food and various supplies. Where there is demand, there is supply; since so many nobles live here, it's only natural that markets specifically catering to them would appear near the Knights' Quarter.

Yes, it's like a farmers' market near an upscale residential area.

This would make it much easier for the servants to buy things.

And naturally, there would be taverns near such a market.

"I understand this!"

Stepping off the carriage, Katie looked at the tavern before her with great excitement.

"That's how it is in adventure novels too. You can gather all sorts of information and news by going to taverns, right?"

"Yes, that's about right."

"So, should we disguise ourselves? Or do we need some kind of code or password?"

"...There's no need for that. We're not doing anything shady...In short, come with me."

Hearing Katie's question, Levi sighed helplessly, then reached out and pushed open the door, stepping into the tavern in front of him.

It was already evening, and most people had finished their day's work and were now drinking and chatting in the tavern.

When Li Wei appeared in the tavern, the noise noticeably subsided.

The reason is simple: Levi was still wearing his three-piece suit, holding a silver cane, and wearing a top hat. Add to that Katie, who appeared to be a servant behind him, and anyone with eyes could see Levi's noble status. Not to mention, because the market in this area primarily catered to the nobility, the people here were more knowledgeable about such matters than those elsewhere.

So when Li Wei entered the tavern, the original noise immediately turned into a quiet whisper. Li Wei didn't care at all and went straight to the counter, then reached out and knocked on it.

"Boss, give all the guests here a drink, it's on me."

As he spoke, Li Wei took out a few shillings and placed them on the table. Upon hearing Li Wei's words, the innkeeper paused for a moment, then walked over with a smile, collected the silver coins, coughed loudly, and looked at the tavern's customers.

"Hey guys, we've got a big shot treating us tonight, let's drink to our hearts' content!"

"oh-----!"

Although no one knew why Li Wei was there, they were naturally excited and shouted, "Why not take advantage of free drinks?" Only then did Li Wei turn around, remove his top hat, and give a slight bow to the crowd.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce myself. My name is Li Wei, and I am a detective."

"Ah, I know you!"

Upon hearing Li Wei's words, one of the workers quickly raised his cup and shouted.

"You're that famous detective who's been all the rage lately!"

"Yes, yes, you're the social butterfly killer, right?"

"And that vampire..."

These ordinary people might not care much about things like political gossip, but they love things with a touch of legend.

"I just did what I was supposed to do."

Despite the crowd's comments, Li Wei maintained a smile.

"I've come here to investigate the rumors surrounding the House of the Dead. I wonder if any of you could provide me with any information or clues?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then the entire tavern suddenly erupted into a lively atmosphere like a volcanic eruption.

"I know! I know!"

“I know that too! Sir, this rumor is quite famous!”

"Get out of my way, I'm the one with the best information here..."

"Well……………"

Watching the guests eagerly sharing everything with Levi, Katie was somewhat bewildered, not understanding why they had suddenly become so enthusiastic. Shouldn't these kinds of things be discussed privately?
"Please be patient, everyone."

Li Wei gestured, and upon seeing his action, the other drinkers quickly shut their mouths and stared at him.

"I will listen to your explanations, please proceed in order... First, sir."

Li Wei pointed to a man with a bulbous nose sitting at a table not far away. The man paused for a moment, then stood up apologetically.

"Huh? Me? Hehehe... Actually, I don't know much either..."

"Say whatever you know."

"Alright then, I heard it from my wife..."

The discussion in the tavern then turned into a ghost story contest, mostly about the nobles living in that mansion, including how they died tragically and how the mansion was haunted. As they talked, everyone became increasingly excited, like they were having a banquet. Levi simply smiled and paid the bill, while having Katie write down everything they said.

The guests reluctantly left only when the tavern closed for the day, and by then Katie was exhausted and covered in sweat, her arms almost too heavy to lift.

"I have never written so many words in a single day before."

"Then your academic performance must be excellent."

Li Wei glanced at the documents Katie was holding and commented.

"How did you know?" "If it weren't bad, you would have suffered this long ago."

“…………………?”

Katie tilted her head in confusion, seemingly not understanding what Levi was talking about, but quickly changed the subject.

"But these stories are scary! Are they real? Are they telling the truth?"

"Whether it's true or not doesn't matter, have you forgotten? What matters isn't the truth, but how people think."

"Uh...that's true...but isn't there any truth at all?"

"Sometimes the truth is hidden within, and what we need to do next is figure it out..."

Li Wei stopped, then looked towards the tavern entrance, where a laundry worker walked in. She quickly walked to Li Wei's side, staring at him with a flushed face.

"Hello, detective."

"Hello, miss, how can I help you?"

"Yes, that's how it is..."

The laundry worker was clearly very nervous and uneasy about speaking in front of such a handsome and gentle gentleman; she gripped the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands and kept twisting them.

“My grandmother used to work in that building when it was newly built… I thought you might like to talk to her?”

"of course."

As Li Wei spoke, he took a shilling from his pocket and handed it over.

"Please lead the way."

"Okay, okay."

The laundry maid, quite excited to receive the silver coins, nodded vigorously before turning and leading Levi and Katie away from the tavern. The two followed her to an apartment not far from the market area. She opened the door and welcomed them inside.

The room before them was narrow and damp, filled with soap and steam. Sheets and duvet covers hung on ropes, looking like layers of curtains. The three of them went to the far end of the room, where a candle was lit. In the flickering light, a figure could be seen reflected on the white sheet.

"grandmother………"

The laundry worker stepped forward and came to the edge of the bed, which was covered by a white cloth.

"I have brought the detective as you instructed."

"Ah... Hello... Detective..."

Soon, a tired, aged voice came from inside the white cloth.

"I'm sorry to meet you this way, I can't stand this humidity. Even with the curtains in the way, I feel like my lungs are filled with water... I hope you don't mind."

"of course not."

The laundry maid brought over two stools, and Levi and Katie sat down. The light was dim, but it wasn't too unbearable for the two of them.

"I heard that you once worked for the first owner of that house?"

Li Wei quickly switched into investigation mode and began asking questions.

What greeted him first was a series of violent coughs.

“Oh, yes, Detective. I worked there. Perhaps I'm one of the few still alive who knows what happened there… You must have heard the rumors about that house, about the curse, and about death…”

"of course."

Li Wei nodded; the patrons of the tavern had given him a lot of information. From them, Li Wei learned quite a bit about the House of Death.

For example, its second owner committed suicide, the third owner killed his wife and children before committing suicide, and the fourth owner disappeared along with his servants and family. However, apart from a large amount of blood, not even a single body was found in the house at the time.

Unfortunately, all they could provide was information about those who moved into the house later. Of course, this isn't to say the victims weren't unlucky, nor that they weren't pitiful. But what Li Wei wanted to know was the original situation of the house. Unfortunately, because so much time had passed, almost no one could clearly describe the original owners of the house.

The closest information Li Wei had ever received came from an old coachman who said he had pulled a rickshaw for the house's second owners and had witnessed some strange things about the house. According to the old coachman, when the second owners moved into the house, they were a happy family, a model couple.

However, the couple later started arguing. It seemed the husband suspected his wife of having an affair, while the wife vehemently denied it, while simultaneously suspecting her husband of infidelity. The argument escalated, and the old horseman remembered most clearly that stormy night when his wife picked up her bag and left the house, insisting he drive her back to her parents' home.

The next day, the old groom learned that her husband had hanged himself that night.

After that, one owner after another died in that house or disappeared without a trace.

For the people here, that house is a veritable house of death.

"I will tell my story..."

The old man's voice was hoarse, and he even had some short, labored breathing sounds.

“I once thought I would take these secrets to my grave. But now that I know of your existence, Detective, I think this might be an opportunity… Do you understand what I mean? Perhaps this way, I can go to the other world without any regrets.”

"I just want to find out the truth about that house."

Li Wei's voice was calm and composed, and the old man chuckled upon hearing his reply.

"Alright, let's begin..."

(End of this chapter)