Mr. Rat of the Steam World

Chapter 21 Sherlock's Letter

"Can stray cats talk?"

The money-grubber's eyes widened upon hearing Lu Ran's explanation.

As citizens of Lu Ran's territory, they naturally knew that their ability to speak was a unique skill bestowed upon them by their lord, a skill unparalleled in the animal kingdom. Even so, this ability was limited to the registered rats within the territory, yet now there were other creatures possessing such a skill.

"Is that cat the same kind of being as the boss?"

Lu Ran knew what this guy was asking, thought for a moment and shook his head: "It's not certain yet. We can try to find an opportunity to probe when we have other contact with those cats, but I don't think it's likely."

Lu Ran knew that his abilities came from the system, and his specialness was not only that he had awakened his intelligence in that accident. On the contrary, the cat seemed to have an enhanced body in addition to talking, and its easy-to-fool appearance made it seem more like a pure local native.

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment before saying, "However, you still need to be careful during the contact process. Try not to let those cats know the location of any of our rat pack's strongholds. When you pass through the southern road, you also need to scout it out before taking any action."

It's always better to be safe than sorry. After all, cats are the nemesis of mice, and he doesn't know magic now. He can't let one decision ruin the entire mouse population in the territory. Lu Ran can only communicate with the other party with peace of mind when the strength is more equal. Having a strong older brother who can protect him is a good thing in a way.

Lu Ran sensed that the cat was really strong, but he didn't know why it was so hostile to humans. Could it have been abandoned before?

Lu Ran was inexplicably gossipy, probably because he had chosen the name "Sang Biao" himself.

However, it's unclear when we'll achieve true equality in terms of power, as the gold pound difference required for Magical Enlightenment is indeed quite significant.

"If only there were a way to speed things up... Wait a minute!"

Lu Ran's eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered the potion. According to the system's rules, he didn't know if this thing was considered a magic-related item. If it was, wouldn't it reduce the gold pounds required for enlightenment?

I'll try it when I get back. It's just sitting there anyway, so I might as well see if potions and magic are part of the same system. If they are, I might be able to verify some things.

Coming to his senses, Lu Ran gave the instructions again.

"It should take you some time to get to the manor. I'll go back first and see if I can rent a place that's openly available. If nothing unexpected happens, you should have a place to stay when you get to the manor. Don't wander around while I'm gone, or you might scare the people at the manor with all those gray rats."

If they thought it was a plague outbreak and called in a rat extermination team, wouldn't that be a disaster?

"In short, keep a low profile, keep a low profile, and leave everything to me."

Lu Ran gave a final instruction, and the mice nodded to indicate that they understood. Then the gluttonous mouse pulled out a letter and handed it over. Lu Ran took it, opened it, and found it was from Sheriff Edwin.

Looking at the familiar handwriting, Lu Ran remembered the urgent letter that he had suddenly sent to Sheriff Edwin that day—Sheriff Edwin, if you want to learn about the occult, you can come to my place on Friday morning.

As a result, Lu Ran orchestrated and acted out the story of Sherlock Holmes disappearing into thin air. However, he left a mouse by Inspector Edwin's side to receive letters, proving that he was not a fraudster who had truly vanished into thin air.

The letter contains the following content:

Although I don't know what happened to Mr. Sherlock, I'm just glad I can help him.

Edwin Hawkshaw.

Without complaining or questioning, and without digging deeper, Lu Ran shook his head with a wry smile after reading it.

"It made me feel quite embarrassed. Anyway, I've left the mouse with him. If he encounters any problems later, he should remember to let me know immediately."

"Ok."

Lu Ran took the opportunity to ask for paper and pen and wrote three new letters on the ground, one for Sheriff Edwin, one for Afra, and one for Zell, the contact.

The former simply reported that he was safe and told me to contact him if I needed anything. In addition to a few words of comfort, Lu Ran also subtly suggested that he could help rent a permanent office near the manor.

That's right, Lu Ran still decided to ask Afra for help in solving his rental problem.

Ultimately, we need a visible office location. We can't rely entirely on mice to pass on information. Over time, the number of people we come into contact with increases the risk of exposure. Not to mention, the amount of mouse manpower and resources required is too great. Apart from privacy, it is far less convenient than a pneumatic tube mail machine.

As for choosing Afra, the main reason was that he didn't know many people like her. Although Sheriff Edwin showed goodwill, Lu Ran still didn't want him to know too much. On the other hand, this noble lady was simple-minded and under Lu Ran's watchful eye, so if anything happened, he would know immediately.

"I wonder how long this disguise can be kept hidden." Lu Ran sighed.

A fake is always a fake. A Sherlock Holmes who doesn't exist will eventually be exposed. I wonder how Afra will react when faced with a talking gray rat when that time comes.

As for Zell, Lu Ran's attitude changed drastically. He wrote four words in slightly altered handwriting, questioning, "Continue the cooperation?"

Let's see if you're willing to swallow this bitter pill and shamelessly come crawling back.

After finishing everything, Lu Ran left a letter for Edwin and hurriedly prepared to return to the manor with a letter written by Sherlock himself.

"Bella, let's go."

Lu Ran quickly climbed onto the guy's body and started again.

……

Inside the manor, when Afra returned after delivering the cookies, she was already used to the fact that Detective Mouse No. 1 had disappeared again. However, after making some inquiries, she learned that Detective Mouse No. 1 had actually ridden Bella out of the manor, which made her a little panicked.

Although it sounded absurd, Afra's first impression was that it was true.

"Is Bella thinking of going out to play again?"

Afra gritted her teeth, secretly clenching her fists, ready to give that stupid dog a good beating when it came back.

The mice were only brought back a short time ago, but this silly dog ​​has already corrupted them.

After running away from the manor and disappearing for so long last time, it seems like it's itching for a beating again after finally settling down for a while.

"Forget about them."

Afra sighed. There was no use in being anxious, so she simply pulled out a stool, sat down at her desk, picked up a copy of "War" that she hadn't finished reading before, and continued reading. The carved window lattice filtered the morning light into fine golden spots, which fell on the open parchment book, and the ink between the lines seemed to be soaked with the shadows of swords.

"Hopefully, there won't be another war."

She unknowingly passed the time reading until the familiar barking of a dog downstairs jolted her out of her book world. Realizing what was happening, she jumped up from her chair.

"Woof woof, woof!"

Bella excitedly ran up from the first floor, exhausted from the trip. She was looking for a two-legged creature to help her groom and massage her to relax when she suddenly sensed a strong murderous aura.

Not right.

Bella abruptly stopped her dog's leg, just in time to see Afra running straight towards her with a dark expression.

"Bella, you...believe me?"

Afra paused for a moment, realizing that Detective One's paw on Bella's head was holding a letter high. The familiar sight made her realize something.

Afra's eyelashes trembled, her previously outstretched fingertips suddenly curled up, and she bent over, tentatively asking, "For me?"

Lu Ran raised his paw a little higher and nodded affirmatively.

Whoosh.

Afra's hand swept swiftly across Lu Ran's head, while Afra herself disappeared as she hurriedly returned to her room.

Lu Ran was stunned for a moment, not understanding why Afra was so happy. However, he immediately thought of how she had angrily called out to Bella just now, so he immediately grabbed the dog hair on Bella's head and said, "Look at you, kid, did you do something bad again? Is it because I saved you once that I'm doing this? Am I a bad brother?"

Bella was overjoyed: "No problem!"

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(End of this chapter)