Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Though the unexpected visit caught Shard off guard, luckily, Mrs. Lawrence was a reasonable person. After reading the comprehensive report in full, her disappointment about today's visit wasn't as pronounced:

"Now that the investigation is complete, why didn't you immediately hand over the report to me? Was it because of Mr. Sparrow Hamilton's sudden illness?"

The lady inquired politely, placing the report beside her. She was fashionably dressed, with a ruffled neckline that highlighted her pale neck. Although she seemed quite a bit older than Lady Lassoya, her demeanor was exceptional.

"After taking over this office, I sorted through the remaining commissions from Uncle Sparrow. The original idea was to add the final tracking investigation – which Uncle Sparrow couldn't complete due to his illness – at the end of the report, so last Saturday I tracked Lassoya once more..."

Shard made a troubled expression and quickly shooed away the orange cat that came over worriedly. He sat on the single sofa, saying to the client with a very concerned tone:

"In my investigations, that Lady Lassoya seems to have a background that's not so simple. She seems... to be associated with illegal organizations locally."

He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the sofa, betraying his anxiety:

"It's very dangerous."

He then made an even more distressed face and did not continue, to which Mrs. Lawrence nodded in understanding.

Shard didn't know what she had understood.

"You think that continuing the investigation would be dangerous and that submitting the report might alert that shameless woman to your and Mr. Sparrow Hamilton's tracking activities, so you decided to abandon the investigation."

Discover stories at empire

The lady concluded, almost guessing Shard's thoughts:

"Yes, that's it. I don't want to get into trouble over this. Of course, doing so means I've terminated the investigation voluntarily. If you need, I can return the advance payment Uncle Sparrow collected from you, and you can take the report, but I am no longer involved... Please forgive me for saying so, but I also hope you don't get too entangled in this matter."

Lady Lassoya was involved with the illegal organization "Blood of Mercury," which was planning something big recently. Since the professors had helped Shard cut off all ties with "Blood of Mercury," Shard didn't want any further contact with the illegal organization.

"Detective, thank you for your kind intentions, but I don't care about the background of that sort of woman. Do you think I don't have my own background?"

Mrs. Lawrence, who was intent on finding evidence of her husband's infidelity, spoke with her head held high.

"But that Lady Lassoya, she..."

Shard didn't know how to properly express himself. He truly didn't want this already pitiable woman to suffer misfortune because she misunderstood his intentions.

"Not only does she have connections with the upper aristocracy, but she's also involved with the local gang. Do you understand? She's the type that... whether through legal or illegal means, could bring misfortune upon us."

Shard exaggerated the power of the other party as much as possible.

"Detective, I understand your kind intentions, but I am not just a housewife who stays at home."

Upon hearing this, Shard immediately recollected the client's basic information. Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Lawrence might not be aristocrats, but they were major factory owners, with enough assets to intimidate a less experienced Outlander. Neither of them had started from scratch; both came from prosperous families, and their marriage was intertwined with business interests.

If Detective Sparrow hadn't been well-known for his skill in investigating extramarital affairs, a client of this caliber would not have sought him out. Therefore, when Mrs. Lawrence claimed she was capable, it wasn't just self-praise.

Seeing that Shard wanted to say more, the lady shook her head and, pretending to be mysterious, said:

"Detective, this world is not as simple as we think."

A common woman said to the outlander Circle Sorcerer, her perfume strong, but surprisingly not overpowering; at least, Mia did not show any dissatisfaction with the client.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"The world is like an isolated island, detective, but beyond the island lies the truth. In this world, there are some truly magical people who are powerful, effective, mysterious, and dangerous. I've met some of these people at afternoon tea parties with other housewives, and they can solve my problems."

Shard certainly understood what she was reluctant to elaborate on, and he was so taken aback that he didn't immediately know what opinion to express.

The Kingdom and the True God Church had a deep cooperative relationship. Even though the Three Great Magics Academies were hidden from civilized society, they also had more or less connections with the nobility and the Royal Family—a point Professor Sanchez had mentioned when talking about Miss Luisa.

And for Circle Sorcerers not coming from a formal background, for Gold Pounds or other reasons, they might appear beside commoners as well, so Mrs. Lawrence's claim of knowing a Circle Sorcerer was likely not about knowing a fraud:

"Is that so?"

He believed his expression must be quite odd:

"That's good, but Lady Lassoya is really dangerous. No matter what means you have, please be very careful, extremely cautious."

The young detective nodded and said.

"Yes, of course I understand that. If I really intend to do something, I must be very cautious, and I won't let myself be seen by the other party... This investigation report is very good. With it, I can grasp the whereabouts of that shameless woman and my husband."

She rolled up the report and placed it in her small handbag. Then she took out her purse, opened the brass clasp, and placed two gold coins, each representing 1 Pound, on the coffee table between them. Her fingers, polished with red nail polish, pressed lightly on the coins:

"I'm sorry to hear about the death of Detective Sparrow Hamilton; he was a reliable person. This is the final payment for the commission, detective, and whatever happens next won't involve you or cause you any trouble."

The lady politely smiled at Shard, then straightened her skirt and stood up.

The original final payment was "1 Pound and 7 Shillings," but it had now become "2 Pounds." Shard wasn't sure if he should voice his thanks. He stood up to see the client out, out of courtesy, and at the same time, he faintly understood she would never appear in this house again:

"Mrs. Lawrence..."

In the entrance hall on the first floor, Shard still called out to the noblewoman who was about to walk out the door. Naturally, he could not disclose his identity as a Circle Sorcerer, but he also didn't want her to meet with misfortune:

"Please be careful, even if you have very capable friends. Lady Lassoya is a very complex, and quite dangerous, person."

Mrs. Lawrence turned and smiled at him:

"Detective Hamilton, you truly are a good man. But I think that compared to your uncle, you really aren't cut out to be a detective here."

"Hmm? Is Sparrow Hamilton's reputation that bad? Little Franklin seemed to dislike him last time too," Shard thought to himself, standing on the stairs watching Mrs. Lawrence open the front door of the apartment and step into the carriage waiting for her outside.

The young detective walked to the door, standing on the stone steps of No. 6, Saint Delan Square, watching the private carriage make half a circuit around the gloomy sky of the square and then depart. He was deeply concerned about what might happen next.

It was a sultry summer in Tobesk City, and it seemed like rain was imminent.