Lord of Mysteries

Chapter 42 Butler Kerry

I have a task I'd like to entrust to you... You've probably come to the wrong place... This security company's brand is really just a brand name...

Upon hearing the visitor's words, Klein was filled with a torrent of complaints, wishing there were no forums or live chat to share his thoughts.

However, he quickly recalled asking a similar question before, and the captain's answer was, "If you have free time, why not take the job? The money earned can be used as the team's slush fund and as a benefit for the participants."

Rose's eyes darted around, and after a moment's thought, she said:

"Our security personnel are all out on missions, and the fastest they will be back will be at least an hour later. If your matter is not urgent, you can consider it."

Of the six official members of the Night Watch, Captain Dunn Smith was invited to the church by the bishop, and it was unclear what they were discussing. Leonard Mitchell was guarding the "Charnis Gate" for him.

"The Corpse Collector" Frye and "The Sleepless" Loyo Rattin have gone to the Golden Phoenix District to cooperate with the police department in investigating a theft case with sectarian elements. Another "Sleepless" Cohenley White is on leave, while another "Midnight Poet" Sega Teon has gone to the "Raphael Cemetery" on the outskirts of the North District for his daily patrol.

As for the remaining two extraordinary individuals, Old Neil is getting old and his body is weakening, so he hasn't been on a mission for a long time, while Klein is still a beginner and is truly a half-baked expert in all aspects.

"They're all not here..." The tall, thin man with graying temples and carrying an umbrella frowned, took off his hat, bowed, and said, "I'm sorry to have bothered you, farewell."

He turned and walked out the door, leaving 36 Zotland Street amidst the sound of pouring rain and howling wind.

"What a coincidence," Rosanne sighed regretfully as she watched the gentleman leave.

Although she won't get a share of the commission, she'll definitely get a big meal to share.

"There's no other way; Charness Gate needs to be guarded at all times." Klein put down his knife, fork, and spoon with satisfaction, even finishing the thick soup of turnips and vegetables that he didn't particularly like. "Do you want Bright to go on a mission? Or, yourself?"

Roseanne's eyes darted around, and she said with a grin:

"Bright might not be able to, but you can, our 'fortune teller' gentleman..."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly realized her mistake and quickly stopped talking, because the door was not yet closed. If someone passing by or visiting outside heard about the extraordinary person, it would be considered a leak.

"Thank goodness the captain isn't here..." Rosanne glanced at the doorway, secretly sticking out her tongue. "Otherwise, I'd have to go repent again!"

Bright and Klein burst into laughter at the same time, exchanged a glance, and then began to clear away the dishes.

Having finished all that, and seeing that the downpour hadn't stopped, Klein, who hadn't brought an umbrella, chose to stay at "Blackthorn Security Company".

He picked up a newspaper, sat down on the soft, bouncy sofa, and leisurely began his "lunch break."

"The airship route from Backlund to Ducey Bay is now open..."

"The Great Detective Munson has been compiled into a book and will be published soon..."

「劳格拉斯武器店的GG？1把制式左轮手枪带6发子弹，3镑10苏勒，一桿双筒猎枪2磅……」

……

Klein was flipping through the Tingen Candor newspaper when he suddenly came across a news article:

"...The perpetrators who murdered Mr. Welch and Ms. Naya have all been apprehended, and the panic that has gripped the North, Golden Phoenix, and East districts is expected to be greatly alleviated...Mr. McGovern, Welch's father and a banker, escorted his youngest son's body back to Constance for a solemn funeral..."

After reading it several times, Klein suddenly sighed:

It seems Welch's father has accepted the police's account and has not hired a private investigator to investigate further...

He must have felt less pain at losing his youngest son than my parents did at losing their only child...

His mood suddenly somber, Klein sat there motionless for a long time.

He wasn't surprised or upset that neither Welch nor Naya had invited him to their funerals.

Once everything has calmed down, I'll find an opportunity to lay a bouquet of flowers at their graves... Just as Klein was about to go to the lounge for a short nap, the door to the reception hall was suddenly knocked on again.

"Please come in." Rosanne, whose head was slowly nodding, suddenly became clear-headed.

The half-closed door was pushed open, and the tall, thin man with graying temples, dressed in a suit, walked in once again.

"Can I wait here for a while? Your mercenaries, no, your security personnel should be back soon, right?" He asked earnestly, trying to hide his anxious expression.

"Sure, please sit there for a while," Rosanne said, pointing to the sofa next to her.

Klein asked with considerable curiosity:

"Where did you hear about our security company? Who referred you?"

So much so that he made two round trips during the midday downpour and was willing to wait?

Yes, it must be that the Night Watch team members easily solved what others considered difficult tasks, thus accumulating enough reputation in this line of work...

The tall, thin man leaned his umbrella against the door, walked towards the sofa, and replied with a wry smile:

"I've visited all the mercenaries, uh, security companies, and private detectives in the surrounding streets, and this is the only place where there's still hope. They're completely out of manpower to take on other jobs... To be honest, if I hadn't run into a delivery guy, I wouldn't have even thought there was a security company here."

...This is completely different from what I expected... Klein was stunned.

Rosanne then interjected and asked:

"They're very busy? With so many tasks?"

The tall, thin man with graying temples sat down and sighed, saying:

"You're a mercenary team—no, a security company. You should have heard about the home invasion and murder case in the Halls neighborhood, right?"

Halls neighborhood... a home invasion and murder case... well, unfortunately, I'm one of the parties involved... Klein nodded somewhat heavily:

"Yes."

"Because of the criminals' viciousness and cruelty, the wealthy people in the surrounding neighborhoods, and even the entire city of Tingen, are terrified. In addition to increasing their own guards, they have hired a great many more security personnel and private investigators, resulting in a significant manpower shortage in this industry," the tall, thin man answered clearly.

A classic chain reaction... Klein and Rosanne exchanged a glance and both saw the self-deprecating smile on each other's faces.

The security industry is entering a "golden age," yet Blackthorn seems completely oblivious, demonstrating just how unsuccessful the company is.

Of course, in a sense, this also proves the success of the Night Watchers' concealment.

After waiting for another twenty minutes, seeing that the downpour was about to stop, Klein prepared to pack up and leave to go to the "Shooting Club" to practice revolver.

Just then, Leonard Mitchell, with his black hair and green eyes, emerged from the partition and looked towards the sofa with a puzzled expression:

"Who is this?"

"Client, the captain is back?" Rosanne asked happily.

"Come back?" The tall, thin man was taken aback.

I'm sitting here, staring at the door, how come I haven't noticed anyone coming back?

Rosanne's expression froze instantly, and she quickly chuckled:

"As a security company, we don't just have the front door."

"Understood." The tall, thin man nodded in realization.

As for the title of "captain," he didn't find it strange at all. Security companies were essentially the same as mercenary squads or small mercenary guilds in the past, so it was quite normal for them to have a "captain."

Leonard's white shirt was undone, and his black vest was casually draped over his shoulders. He glanced at the tall, thin man, then suddenly snapped his fingers and said:

"I'm a security guard from Blackthorn. What's your name? What can I do for you?"

Having perhaps heard of the "mercenaries'" unruly ways, the tall, thin man felt no anger at being insulted; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He watched Leonard sit down, and then, organizing his thoughts, said:

"My name is Keli, and I am the butler of Mr. Vikroll, the tobacco merchant. His only son, little Elliot, was kidnapped this morning. We have already reported it to the police and it has received sufficient attention, but Mr. Vikroll is still not at ease and hopes to investigate from another direction through your mercenary, uh, security personnel channels, as well as your understanding of Tingen, to ensure that little Elliot is rescued safely."

"If you can find the kidnappers' hiding place, Mr. Vickroll is willing to pay a reward of 100 pounds. If you can successfully rescue young Master Elliott, he is willing to double the reward to 200 pounds in one go."

Leonard Mitchell smiled leisurely:

"Mr. Vickroll seems to only want us to find the kidnappers' hiding place? Otherwise, he wouldn't think his only son is worth only 100 pounds. The tobacco merchants who have close ties with the southern plantations wouldn't only have 200 pounds."

"No, Mr. Vickrol is just an ordinary businessman, not a tycoon, and he believes the police are more professional in handling rescue matters," the old butler, Kerry, replied frankly.

"Okay, no problem." Leonard snapped his fingers again.

His emerald green eyes looked at Rosanne and he said:

"Beautiful lady, could you please draft a contract?"

"Don't always think of yourself as a poet. In fact, you only know how to recite other people's works." Rosanne was used to teasing Leonard and forgot that there were guests present.

Of course, Blackthorn Security Company doesn't care about clients; having one is great, not having one is fine too.

As Luo Shan left the reception desk and entered the clerk's office, a series of tapping sounds immediately followed.

Klein's lips twitched as he watched, feeling that they were incredibly unprofessional.

There wasn't a standard, ready-made contract!

"This is truly a sad thing..."

"And what's even more disheartening is that I ended up in such an unprofessional company..."

Amidst a flurry of thoughts, Lorna drafted a contract so brief it contained only a few clauses, which she had her butler, Carrie, and Leonard Mitchell sign.

After Carrie stamped the contract, she took it to the accounting office and had Mrs. Orianna stamp it with the "Blackthorn Security Company" seal—this seal was practically useless, and Dunn usually gave it to Orianna for safekeeping, but on Sundays, he would give it to Rosanne and others.

"We await your good news." After receiving one of the contracts, the butler, Kerry, stood up, removed his hat, and bowed.

Leonard did not respond, remaining silent for more than ten seconds as if he were thinking about something.

He suddenly turned his head, looked at Klein, and smiled slightly:

"I need your help."

"Huh?" Klein was stunned.

"What I mean is, this mission will be done by you and me," Leonard explained with a slight smirk. "I'm good at hand-to-hand combat, shooting, climbing, sensing, and chanting, as well as providing support, but not finding people. You wouldn't want old Neil out in this weather, would you?"

When he spoke of "sensation," his voice became muffled, making it impossible for anyone to hear him clearly.

"Okay." Klein had the urge to try out new "skills," but also a bit of wariness towards Leonard Mitchell.

Whew, I hope it goes smoothly... I wonder how much of a role my "fortune teller" ability can play... He thought with a hint of anticipation.

(End of this chapter)