Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 145 Audrey's New Commission

Backlund, Queens, in front of Earl Hall's mansion.

The wide streets are straight and clean, lined with lush Intis plane trees. This species, native to Intis, is tall and straight, with a distinctive woody fragrance. It grows rapidly and is very suitable as a landscaping tree, so it is widely planted in Backlund.

It's worth mentioning that the Intis sycamore thrives in humid and rainy climates, but in Intis, the land of sunshine that worships the "Eternal Sun," its growth is actually not as good as in the Kingdom of Rune. The people of Rune, who have always disliked Intis, use this to mock Intis, saying that even trees don't grow well there, while the people of Intis retort that they only know how to steal from others.

"Fors, what kind of commission do you think Miss Audrey will give us this time?"

Outside the Earl of Hall’s mansion, two ladies leaned against the Intis plane trees along the street, chatting idly.

Fors glanced back at her short companion, and seeing the other's eager and excited look, she couldn't help but tease her, "Hugh, why don't you just ask Miss Audrey how much she's planning to pay us this time?"

Hugh, who had been looking forward to it, suddenly froze, then said irritably, "How dare you say that to me? Didn't you urge me to come over immediately after receiving the news?"

It turned out that Audrey had just contacted them through Viscount Grynt, saying she had a task for them. Hugh and Fors, who had just earned 800 pounds from her, naturally wouldn't refuse and immediately went to Earl Hall's mansion.

Viscount Grelint said that Miss Audrey was temporarily confined to her quarters and not allowed to invite guests. So they could only stand outside, bickering as they waited.

"By the way, that being you encountered in your dream before, have you dreamed about it again since?"

Fors asked casually.

"No. Goddess, please."

Hugh recalled the mysterious, distant figure in the gray mist and shook his head with lingering fear, "The several pounds for the exorcism was well worth it."

By chance, she read aloud a note written in Hermes script. The description on it seemed to point to a mysterious and powerful being, even causing her to see a strange figure in her dream. The note was tucked in the Viscount Grynt's library. Miss Audrey was also present at the time, and Fors couldn't help but remember it and asked her about it.

Just then, a large golden retriever stealthily emerged from a hidden hole in the distant wall. Its fur was glossy and smooth, and it carried a small leather bag around its neck. After emerging from the hole, it looked around as if searching for something.

"It seems to know who it's looking for. I always feel that this dog is a little too smart."

Hugh muttered to himself as he emerged from behind the tree.

"Miss Audrey's dogs are all professionally trained, so of course they're smart."

Fors put out his cigarette and then gently clapped his hands in the direction of the golden retriever.

"come over!"

she shouted.

Hearing her call, the golden retriever happily stretched out its four legs and came running over, then sat down and showed the two of them the leather bag around its neck.

"Wang!"

It barked.

Xiu carefully took off the small, expensive-looking bag, unzipped it, and took out the letter inside.

Fors also came over, and the two of them looked at the unfolded letter together.

The handwriting on it was Miss Audrey's delicate, elegant, and flawless handwriting:
"Investigate a fraudster named Lanius, including his whereabouts and recent activities. He is currently in Backlund and is suspected of being involved in the recent serial murders."

Serial murder case?

Hugh frowned slightly and continued reading. Soon, her expression changed.

“I must remind you that Lanluus carries the aura of an evil god, which is extremely dangerous and could very well endanger your safety. So even if you don’t accept it, I can completely understand.”

After reading the provocative letter, the two exchanged a glance.

"An evil god?" They all looked hesitant.

Miss Audrey's fee was certainly attractive, but the aura of an evil god seemed a bit ominous. Besides, even Miss Audrey herself said she could refuse the request.

"Then how about we..."

As Fors spoke, she suddenly felt the letter was a bit thick. She crumpled it and discovered there was another sheet underneath. The two looked at it together, and on that sheet, Miss Audrey had written a short sentence in delicate handwriting:

"The reward for this is £1500."

Let's do it!

"I said righteously and sternly."

The evil god is dangerous, but it costs a whopping 1500 gold pounds!
"I think you're right."

Fors nodded in agreement and carefully put the letter away.

Opposite her, the large golden dog quietly observed their reactions, its face seemingly displaying a human-like bewilderment.

"So, Susie, did they agree?"

As soon as the golden retriever returned to the house, Audrey couldn't wait to ask.

"agreed."

The golden retriever named Susie nodded, her mouth opening and vibrating the air, actually uttering human-like sounds. With a puzzled expression, she asked earnestly, "Audrey, are gold pounds really that important?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Lu Ze stood in front of the mirror, looking at his own face.

This face is indeed very handsome, but it's undeniably eye-catching. Going directly to the "Northern Bear" bar like this would be too conspicuous.

To be honest, he should have changed to an inconspicuous face when he arrived in Backlund, but at that time he was still insane and completely unable to take care of himself.

"brush."

Lu Ze placed his hand on his face and then slowly stroked it down.

Under the control of flesh magic, his facial features moved and distorted. When his hand left his chin, the mirror reflected a completely different face. This face was utterly ordinary; it would be forgotten within seconds if thrown into a crowd.

"Brother, how about I go with you?"

He saw Cecilia say to him.

The girl's delicate face clearly showed worry, as if she was afraid that Lu Ze would lose consciousness in the bar and fall into a state of semi-madness.

"It's alright. The situation there is unclear. It's safer for me to go by myself."

Lu Zedao used the sound of the ocean waves to drown out the noise in his mind.

He changed into the slightly worn work clothes that the other party had bought for him, put on his baseball cap, and went out.

As its name suggests, Hekou Street faces the Tasok River directly at its entrance. Because there is an industrial area upstream, sewage is discharged directly into the river, making the water smell extremely pungent. Even so, the poor people in the vicinity who cannot afford tap water have no choice but to use the polluted river water for their daily lives.

The sign for the "Northern Bear" bar featured a huge bear head; the sign itself looked old, greasy, and dirty. Lu Ze entered the bar and walked to the bar counter amidst the heat and the smell of alcohol and sweat.

(End of this chapter)